Shear Strength Model for Lightly Reinforced Concrete Columns

Parameters affecting the shear strength of reinforced concrete columns having a rectangular cross section and light transverse reinforcement are investigated using data from numerous column tests. A new model is proposed to predict the column shear strength based on theoretical formulations and experimental evidence. The proposed shear strength equation includes contributions from the concrete and transverse reinforcement. Primary parameters in the shear strength model are the column cross-sectional dimensions, concrete compressive strength, column aspect ratio, axial load, and displacement ductility demand. The proposed model is compared with other shear strength models using the available column test data and is shown to result in improved accuracy. A conservative shear strength model for use in design and assessment is proposed based on statistical evaluation of computed and actual shear strengths.