Sheer strength prediction for deep beams

A softened strut-and-tie model for determining the shear strengths of deep deep beams is proposed in this paper The proposed model originates from the strut-and-tie concept and satisfies equilibrium, compatibility, and consti tutive laws of cracked reinforced concrete. The shear strength predictions of the proposed model and the empirical formulas of the ACI 318-96 Code are compared with the collected experimental data of 123 deep beams. The compa rison shows that the performance of the softened strut-and-tie model is bet ter than the ACI Code approach for all the parameters under comparison. The parameters reviewed include the ratios of horizontal and vertical reinforc ement concrete strength, and the shear span-depth ratio. The softened strut -and-tie model can be further developed to improve the current deep beam de sign procedures by incorporating the actual shear resisting mechanisms in p redicting sheer strength supply of deep beams.