The mixed mode crack growth in reinforced concrete is studied for effects of size and reinforcement ratios. The beam specimens were reinforced with a single longitudinal bar and no shear reinforcement was provided. In the experimental work, three reinforcing bar…
The mixed mode crack growth in reinforced concrete is studied for effects of size and reinforcement ratios. The beam specimens were reinforced with a single longitudinal bar and no shear reinforcement was provided. In the experimental work, three reinforcing bar diameters i.e. 8mm,10mmand12mmwereusedforthesmall,mediumandlargebeamspecimensrespectively. The notch was provided at the quarter span, as it is the region prone for mixed mode crack initiation and propagation. The data from load, CMOD, displacement and strain in steel were useful to understand the behaviour of reinforced concrete in opening and mixed mode. It can be concluded that, the larger beams are more brittle compared to the smaller ones and this observation is consistent with the size effect law for reinforced concrete. It is observed that, the final failure occurs due to propagation of the flexural crack at mid-span and the diagonal tension crack resulting from inadequate shear capacity at the quarter-point position of the beam. This implies that a shear-tension crack develops suddenly leading to a more brittle kind of failure than a pure flexural crack in tension.