REFINED MODEL TO ESTIMATE TORSIONAL STRENGTH OF REINFORCED-CONCRETE BEAMS

The finite element method (FEM) is an effective tool for studying the stress distribution in reinforced concrete beams throughout their lend ing history, including the ultimate state. Using a new stress-strain c urve for softened concrete, failure of beams subjected to torsion is s imulated Based on the numerical results, a refined model is proposed t o estimate the torsional strength of reinforced concrete beams. This m odel is shown to accurately predict the nonlinear relationship between torsional strength and the steel ratio for both under-reinforced and slightly over-reinforced beams.