Simplified Test of Cracking Strength of Concrete Element Subjected to Pure Shear

Abstract

Most investigations dealing with research on shear focus on concrete members such as reinforced concrete (RC) and prestressed concrete (PC) beams, columns, and slabs. It is difficult for such investigations, which include effects of reinforcing materials and so on, to evaluate shear cracking load in detail. Cracking caused by shear, however, may be a significant consideration for durability evaluation of concrete structures. Pure shear strength is an important property for estimation of cracking because shear failure is caused by fracture of the element. A simple test setup that employs only a universal testing machine has been found to be suitable for obtaining the pure shear cracking strength of concrete without reinforcement. The purpose of the study is to reevaluate the pure shear cracking strength property of plain concrete elements through testing. Based on laboratory testing, it is reconfirmed that reinforcement has little influence on the pure shear cracking strength. However, the shear cracking strength is strongly related to tensile strength and Poisson’s ratio.