| Abstract: | An objective of this study is to establish the shear strength of reinforced concrete deep beam with web opening. Eighteen beams were tested with the variables of the steel ratio and strength of longitudinal bars, concrete strength, and shear span‐to‐depth ratio. It was observed that the opening is strengthened by longitudinal bars but the load‐carrying capacity of deep beams with openings can be largely improved by the increase in concrete strength. Modifying the softened truss model derived by Mau and Hsu and utilizing the results of this experiment carried out with the variables of concrete strength, cross‐section size, shear‐span‐to‐depth ratio, and the strength and steel ratio of longitudinal bars, this study proposes an improved model to predict the shear strength. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
