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Structural behavior of highly strength reinforced concrete beams with

segmental arched bottom

Article  in  International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology · December 2018

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International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)
Volume 9, Issue 13, December 2018, pp.732–742,
pp. Article ID: IJCIET_09_13_0722
Available online at http://www.iaeme.com/ijciet/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=9&IType=13
ISSN Print: 0976-6308
6308 and ISSN Online: 0976-6316
0976

©IAEME Publication Scopus Indexed

STRUCTURAL BEHAVIOR OF HIGHLY

STRENGTH REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS
WITH SEGMENTAL ARCHED
ARCHED BOTTOM
Maryam Hameed Naser Al-Mamoori
Civil Engineering Department, Al-Mustaqbal
Al Mustaqbal University college

Prof. Dr. Nameer A. Alwash

College of Engineering, Civil Engineering Department,, University of Babylon

ABSTRACT
The present study includes an experimental and numerical investigations for the
behavior and the load carrying capacity of simply supported beam with segmental
arch bottom of high strength concrete (HSC) subjected to static loading condition. The
goals weree to evaluate the effect of arch dimensions on the behavior of beam with the
same volume of concrete and amount of steel reinforcement and to find the optimum
ratio of the arch length to beam span for the maximum load capacity as well as to
validate the numerical
merical results taken from the finite element model. The experimental
program consists of testing four simply supported beams containing arch at the
bottom face and tested under two-point
two point load. The beams are different spans of arch
(1180 mm, 900 mm, 740 mm, mm, and 600 mm) with the same volume of concrete and
amount of steel reinforcement. Among conclusions of this work, it is concluded that
the increase of the arch length to beam span ratio increased the ultimate load capacity
to more than 60 %. FEM appears efficient ficient and gives good accuracy through
comparison with the experimental results where the maximum difference in the
ultimate load value was less than 4%.
Keywords: High Strength Concrete (HSC), Segmental Arch Beam,, Non-Prismatic
Non
Beam.
Cite this Article: Maryam
aryam Hameed Naser Al-Mamoori
Al Mamoori and Dr. Nameer A. Alwash,
Structural Behavior of Highly Strength Reinforced Concrete Beams with Segmental
Arched Bottom, International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology (IJCIET)
9(13), 2018, pp. 732–742.
http://www.iaeme.com/ijciet/issues.asp?JType=IJCIET&VType=9&IType=13

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 Maryam Hameed Naser Al-Mamoori and Dr. Nameer A. Alwash

1. INTRODUCTION
In the past, the arch represents one of the few structural systems which make it possible to
cover large spans. Nowadays, the same importance is presented especially in construction of
bridges and arched structures which are constructed in different shapes and from various
materials such as brick, steel, reinforced concrete, ferro cement and timber .
The main objective of the arch is to support a load more than straight beam. This may be
attributed to the stiffening behavior of the membrane action which leads to reduce the bending
moment [1]. This situation is consistent with concrete material, which is relatively low in
carrying tension and shear stresses but is able to withstand compressive stress.
Numerous specialists introduced experimental and analytical investigations of reinforced
concrete arches. These examinations were initiated in 1960 by Jain [2]. Also, the curved beam
behavior under static load over various cross-sectional forms and special requirements have
been studied by many authors through many experimental programs such as; Al-Thabhawee
(2012) [3], and Hamza (2013) [4], most of them focus on the use of normal weight concrete
(NWC); but although, there are several studies on high strength concrete (HSC) such as those
carried out by Hameed (2010) [5], and Annadurai, A. & Ravichandran A. (2014) [6].
Extensive experimental and analytical studies have been performed to investigate the
behaviors of non-prismatic beam under different loading methods which are widely used in
numerous engineering structures such asHans et.al in 2012 [7], In 2013, Rojas [8], Orr et al.
(2014) [9], and Nabbat (2015) [10,11]. However, there is no study found yet on the behavior
of reinforced concrete beams with arched bottom using high strength concrete which will be
studied in the current research.

2. EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM
2.1. Description of Test Specimens
This study includes casting four simply supported beams of segmental arch at bottom face and
were tested under two-point load. The width (b) for all beams was 150 mm, the beams have
total length (Lt) of 1500 mm, the effective span (L) was 1350 mm, and the shear span (a) was
450 mm. Also, the overall depth at each beam end (hmax=250 mm) and then reduced at the
centre according to area and span of the arch as shown in Figure (1).

Figure 1 Geometry, Loading Scheme and Details of Reinforcement of Tested Specimens

Each beam was fabricated and tested under static load condition with the same volume of
concrete and amount of steel reinforcement but, with different span of arch (1180 mm, 900
mm, 740 mm, and 600 mm). All specimens are identified in Table (1).

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 Structural Behavior off Highly Strength Reinforced Concrete Beams with
ith Segmental Arched Bottom

Table 1 Identification of The Specimens

Sample Name Identification

S1 Beam containing Segmental arch with arch span (Lc = 1.18 m)
S2 Beam containing Segmental arch with arch span (Lc = 0.90
0.9 m)
S3 Beam containing Segmental arch with arch span (Lc = 0.74 m)
S4 Beam containing Segmental arch with arch span (Lc = 0.60
0.6 m)
Where:
S: Segmental arch,
1, 2, 3, & 4: refer to span of arch (1180 mm, 900 mm, 740 mm, and 600 mm) respectively.
To achieve the same volume of concrete, all specimens have the same area of arch.
V total area of section
section area of arch: width of beam
V 1.5 0.25 area of arch:
area 0.15
let, Area of arch 0.06 m )constant+
"

The segmental arch is made up of part of a circle with angle less than 180 degrees as shown in
Figure (2).
("
#$%&' )* sin *+
2
/0 ⁄2
* 2 sin,- . 2 )345644
345644+
(
)/0/2+" 7 80 "
( " )/0 ⁄2+" 7 )( 80++" → (
280
Where:
Lc: Span of arch
yc: Height of arch
R: Radius of segment circle depends on (Lc & yc)
θ: Angle of segment circle Figure 2 Segmental Arch Geometry
Aarch: Area of the arch
L: Beam span

As stated before, this research included four specimens with different span of arch (1180 mm,
900 mm, 740 mm, and 600 mm) as shown in Table (2) and Figure (3). (

Table Details of Specimen of Segmental Arch

Table2

Specimen Lc (m) yc Lc/L R (m) θ θ Aarch

(m) ratio (degree) (radian) (m2)
S1 1.180 0.075 0.87 2.358 28.98⸰ 0.161π 0.06
S2 0.900 0.100 0.67 1.060 50.12⸰ 0.278π 0.06
S3 0.740 0.120 0.55 0.630 71.93⸰ 0.400π 0.06
S4 0.600 0.145 0.44 0.383 103.2⸰ 0.573π 0.06

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 Maryam Hameed Naser Al-Mamoori and Dr. Nameer A. Alwash

Figure 3 Specimens of Segmental Arch

2.2. Material Properties

Highly strength concrete is obtained by selecting suitable materials, good quality control and
proportioning. The material must be conforming to ACI committee 363R, 1997 requirements.
Three different diameter of reinforcement were tested (∅12, ∅10, and ∅6). Bar size of (Ø12
mm, Ø10 mm) Ukrainian organize were used as longitudinal reinforcement, and bars of size
(Ø6 mm) Ukrainian organize were used as lateral reinforcement (closed stirrups). Ordinary
Portland Cement known as KAR Cement was used in the present study. Natural sand from
Al-Akhaidur region in Iraq with maximum size of (4.75 mm) and fineness modulus of (2.94)
was used. Natural crushed gravel of maximum size 19 mm was used in this work. It was
selectedfrom Al-Nebai region. Also, Silica fume and superplasticizers are used to achieve the
high workability needed to produce High-Strength Concrete (HSC). The superplasticizers
used in this study was of type SikaViscocrete-5930

2.3. Mixing, Casting, Curing and Concrete Testing of Specimens

The mixing is carried out in drum laboratory mixer with a capacity of 0.04 m3. Therefore, for
each specimen and corresponding cubes, cylinders, and prisms, two batches were used. HSC
was used to cast allbeams. The mix was by weight at 1:1.25:2.03:0.31 for cementitious
material, sand, gravel and water ratios respectively.

Figure 4 Casting and Curing Process

Moulds for flexural strength testing were prepared with internal dimensions of 150 mm
width, 1500 mm length and, variable height along length of the beam. four beam samples

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 Structural Behavior off Highly Strength Reinforced Concrete Beams with
ith Segmental Arched Bottom

were cast and cured under laboratory conditions at the Civil Engineering Department in the
University of Babylon. Also, three standard cubes (150×150×150) mm for Compressive
Strength Test, three standard cylinders (100×200) mm for Splitting Tensile Strength Test and
three prisms (100×100×400) mm for Modulus of Rapture Test were cast from the concrete
c of
each beam specimens. After the water curing period, the beam models were painted by white
emulsion to ensure clear appearance of crack growth during the test as described in Figure (4).
(

3. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1. Mechanical Properties
Table (3) explainsthe
the mechanical properties of concrete. Each value in this Table is the
average of three samples.

Table 3 Mechanical Properties of Mixing

Mixing Concrete for All Beams
Compressive Tensile Strength MPa
Sample Strength )@A΄
) Modulus of Elasticity*
@AB
+ MPa
Name fsp fr (Ec)GPa
C.CD
S1 67.72 5.70 6.12 34.22
S2 68.11 4.75 6.15 34.30
S3 67.47 4.39 5.89 34.17
S4 65.98 5.12 6.12 33.87
*ACI 363R-92 ( Ec=3320 f c ′ +6900)

3.2. Cracking Behavior and Ultimate Load

During testing, flexural, flexural-shear
flexural shear (diagonal) and splitting cracks were formed as shown
in Figure (5).
). Flexural cracks were observed firstly, while diagonal cracks and splitting cracks
developed as loading continued.
continued

Figure 5 Recording the Development of Cracks

The first flexural cracks in all the beams was between two-point point load region occurred
randomly on the tension face of the beam. As the load increased, cracks formed along arch at
bottom face. Then, the longitudinal cracks formed along the arch toward mid-span. mid The
cracks pattern of each of these specimens
speci is described in Table (4)) and Figure (6).
(

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 Maryam Hameed Naser Al-Mamoori and Dr. Nameer A. Alwash

Table 4 Experimental Results for Servility Requirement

First Cracking Load Ps

Sample (kN)
Pu (kN) Δs (mm)
Name
Pcr(kN) Location Δcr (mm) (0.7Pu)
S1 42 15.6 cm from mid span 1.48 131.7 92.19 5.46
S2 22 3.4 cm from mid span 1.09 83.05 58.14 7.46
S3 20 3.8 cm from mid span 0.87 74.49 52.14 6.34
S4 14 2.1 cm from mid span 0.91 48.11 33.68 5.28

Figure 6 Cracks Pattern for Beams with Segmental Arched Bottom at Failure

3.3. Load-Deflection Curves

Three dial gages were put one at mid span, one at the point load (225 mm) from the center of
the beam and one at the beginning point of the arch. Table (5) shows the ultimate load, type of
failure and deflection at mid-span, under point load and start of arch.

Table 5 Deflections at Ultimate Load and Type of Failure

Ultimate Load Deflection Δu (mm)

Sample % decrease At Under
Name in Beginning
Pu (kN) Failure Mode mid point
of arch
Ultimate load span load
crushing of concrete
S1 131.7 ---- 17.01 13.27 3.46
and flexural failure
crushing of concrete
S2 83.05 36.94 16.58 12.68 8.69
and flexural failure
crushing of concrete
S3 74.49 43.44 15.31 12.27 9.49
and flexural failure
crushing of concrete
S4 48.11 63.47 and flexural-splitting 12.42 10.19 9.32
failure

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 Structural Behavior off Highly Strength Reinforced Concrete Beams with
ith Segmental Arched Bottom

Figure (7)) represent the load deflection curves for the tested specimens.
specimen It can be
concluded that, decreasing the arch length to beam span ratio reduced the ultimate load
capacity (compared with S1) by about 36.94% for S2, 43.44% for S3, and 63.47% for S4.
Also a significant decrease in stiffness of beam were noticed when the length span of arch is
smaller.. The axial force was generated in the arch by the hinge supports and this tends to
spread along the arch. Such axial force has more effect when thee length of the arch increases.

Figure 7 Load Deflection Curves of Beams with Segmental Arch

For Figure (8), It is observed that beam (S1) has more stiffness and deflection compared
with other beams due to the distribution of stresses on larger length where leads to less
intensity of stress.

Comparison of Load-Mid
Figure 8Comparison Load Span Deflection Curves for Beams
The relation between the ultimate load and arch length / beam span ratio is described in
Figure (9).

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 Maryam Hameed Naser Al-Mamoori
Al Mamoori and Dr. Nameer A. Alwash

Figure 9 Effect of The Arch Length / Beam span Ratio on The Ultimate Load.

4. NUMERICAL RESULTS AND

AN DISCUSSION
4.1. Description of Specimens in Finite Element
This research includes the analysis of beams tested by using a powerful nonlinear finite
element method package
ackage ABAQUS that provides
provide a relatively acceptable numerical procedure
for investigating the behavior of beam containing arch at bottom face using high strength
concrete, assuming full bond between concrete and steel reinforced.
rei In the modeling of the
concrete,
crete, plates support and shaft a three-dimensional
three eight-node
node element C3D8 was used,
and for reinforcement a three--dimensional two-node
node truss element T3D2 was used as shown
in Figure (10).

Figure 10 Details Modeling of Beam Models

4.2. Results of Finite Element Analysis

The validity and accuracy of the adopted finite element models by using ABAQUS computer
program are studied and checked by analyzing all members that have been studied
experimentally in this work. From the load-deflection
load behavior of all beams it can be noticed
that results of experimental work and numerical analysis have three regions, elastic- elastic
uncracked, elastic-cracked
cracked and elas to-plastic, the first region was terminated
erminated when the cracks
happen. Also, it is concluded that the FE results showed rather stiffer structures than the
experimental results for all beams as shown in Figure (11).
(1

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 Structural Behavior of Highly Strength Reinforced Concrete Beams with Segmental Arched Bottom

Figure 11 Load-Deflection Curve for Beams

The deflected shape at ultimate load for S1 to S4 is shown in Figure (12).

Figure 12Deformed Shape of for The Tested Beams at Ultimate Load

Table (6) shows that the FEM result appears efficient and gives good accuracy by
comparison with the experimental results where the maximum difference of the deflection in

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 Maryam Hameed Naser Al-Mamoori and Dr. Nameer A. Alwash

ultimate load was less than 7%. Also, it was found that the different between numerical and
experimental ultimate load for all beams wasn't more than 4%.

Table 6 Comparison Between Experimental and FEM at First Cracking Load, Ultimate Load and
Deflections at Mid Span

First Cracking Load Ultimate Load (kN) Deflection Δu (mm)

Sample
FAG )HIJ FAG )KHL
FAG )KHL FB )KHL MB )KHL
Name FB )HIJ FB )KHL Δu )Exp Δu )FEM
FAG )HIJ FB )HIJ MB )HIJ
S1 42 35.775 0.85 131.7 134.7 1.02 17.01 16.78 0.99
S2 22 21.74 0.98 83.05 85.72 1.03 16.58 15.55 0.94
S3 20 16.45 0.81 74.49 77.44 1.04 15.31 14.66 0.96
S4 14 13.125 0.94 48.11 49.54 1.03 12.42 11.82 0.95

5. CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results obtained from the experimental work and finite element analysis, the
following conclusions can be stated within the scope of this study:
1. It can be concluded that the increase in the arch length/ beam span ratio increase the
ultimate load capacity where it was found when beams with segmental arch, the increase
in the ultimate load may reach to more than 60%.
2. Generally, the failure often occurred due to the top chord concrete crushing due to
compression stresses.
3. The first cracking load of numerical data showed results less than the experimental data
N
recorded with ratio NOP )QRS from (0.81-0.98).
OP )RTU

4. It can be concluded that the FE results showed rather stiffer structures than the
experimental results for all beams.
5. The FEM model appears efficient and gives good accuracy by comparison with the
experimental results where the maximum difference in the deflection at ultimate load was
lower than 7%. Also, it was found that the ultimate numerical load for all beams was
about 4 % higher than the ultimate experimental load.

REFERENCES
[1] Yousif R. F., (2006), "Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Arch
Structures by Finite Element Method" M.Sc. Thesis in civil Engineering, University of
Babylon, Iraq.
[2] Jain, O.P., (1960),''Ultimate Strength of Reinforced Concrete Arches'' ACI Journal, Vol.
77, No. 6, December, pp.697-713.
[3] Al-Thabhawee, D. W., (2012) ''Nonlinear Analysis for Behavior of R.C. Arch Beams with
Opening", M.Sc. Thesis in civil Engineering, University of Babylon.
[4] Hamza, B. H., (2013)"Behavior of RC Curved Beams with Openings and Strengthened by
CFRP Laminates", Ph.D. Thesis in civil and structural Engineering, University of Basrah.
[5] Hameed D. H. (2010), " Mix Design for High Strength Concrete with Silica Fume" M.Sc.
Thesis in civil Engineering, University of Babylon, Iraq.
[6] Annadurai, A. & Ravichandran A., (Jan. 2014), "Development of Mix Design for High
Strength Concrete with Admixtures" Department of Civil Engineering, Sathyabama
University Chennai, Volume 10, Issue 5, PP 22-27.

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 Structural Behavior of Highly Strength Reinforced Concrete Beams with Segmental Arched Bottom

[7] Hans I. A, Arturo T, Alejandro. G “Behavior of reinforced concrete haunched beams

subjected to cyclic shear loading’’ Departmental de Materials, Universidad Autónoma,
Engineering Structures 49 (2013) 27–42.
[8] Rojas A. L., (2013) "Mechanical Elements of Rectangular Non-Prismatic Members for
Symmetrical Parabolic Haunches Subjected to a Uniformly Distributed Load"
Architectural Engineering Technology, Volume 2, Issue 2, 1000111,
http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2168-9717.1000111.
[9] Orr J. J., Ibella T. J., Darbya A. P., Everndena M., Lavab P. and Debruyneb D., (2014)
“Shear Behavior of Non-Prismatic Steel Reinforced Concrete Beams” Department of
Architecture and Civil Engineering, University of Bath.
[10] Nabbat R. A., (2015), "Flexural and Shear Behavior of Non-Prismatic Reinforced High
Strength Concrete Beams with Openings and Strengthened with CFPR Products" M.Sc.
Thesis in Civil Engineering, University of Babylon, Iraq.
[11] [11] Hassan I. and K.N.Kadhim "Development An Equations For Flow Over Weirs Using
MNLR And CFD Simulation Approaches". International Journal of Civil Engineering
& Technology (IJCIET), Volume 9, Issue 3, (Feb 2018)

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