Multi-angle truss model for predicting the shear deformation of RC beams with low span-effective depth ratios

The deflection of reinforced concrete (RC) beams with low span-effective depth ratios can be attributed equally to shear and flexural deformations. Although truss models can be used to evaluate shear deformation, their prediction accuracy is strongly dependent on how the diagonal crack angle is estimated. This paper presents the results from an experimental test of nine RC beams that failed in shear and had low span-effective depth ratios (i.e., a/h₀ < 3). It then proposes a multi-angle truss model for predicting ultimate shear deformation while considering the effect of the bending moment variation along the span on diagonal crack angles. An empirical formula is also presented to predict the shear stiffness degradation of RC beams up to the ultimate state through regression analyses. Numerical results show that the proposed multi-angle truss model can be used to predict the shear deformation of RC beams with low span-effective depth ratios with reasonable accuracy. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.