General Concept and Structural Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Wide Beams: A Review
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Abstract
This paper presents a comprehensive review of experimental and numerical studies on the structural behavior of reinforced concrete wide beams, defined by a width-to-effective depth ratio (b/d) of 2 or greater. The synthesis of findings from investigations over the past two decades reveals that wide beams exhibit fundamentally different responses to loading compared to conventional narrow beams, particularly in shear distribution, crack propagation, and failure mechanisms. Key findings indicate that reinforced concrete wide beams demonstrate an inherent extra shear resistance of 30-40% beyond first cracking, a beneficial characteristic underestimated by current design codes including ACI 318 and Eurocode 2. The review confirms that properly designed web reinforcement, including stirrups, hybrid steel-FRP configurations, and polypropylene fibers, substantially enhances shear strength, ductility, and crack control, with fibers capable of completely substituting minimum stirrups. Additionally, horizontal openings introduce stress concentrations requiring special detailing. The findings emphasize the critical need for revised code provisions that account for width effects and modern reinforcement strategies in wide beam applications.
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