Force resistance of the reinforced concrete elements to transverse bending

This article considers the results of experimental studies of the resistance to transverse bending of reinforced concrete members containing higher quantity of longitudinal and transverse reinforcement elements. The authors dwell upon implementation of transverse reinforcement involving reinforcing cross bars and “rigid inserts” of a steel plate. The article presents information about the geometric characteristics of reinforced concrete samples, strength and deformation properties of the materials used. Details of the samples testing arrangement and their load application are also disclosed. The resulting test data obtained includes the stress-strain state of the samples during all the stages of loading until their fracture. The graphs of deflection change at all loading stages, as well as the patterns of crack formation in the transverse bending area of the samples are also presented. This study showed that the failure of all the samples occurred on an inclined cross-section in the area of transverse bending, while the failure of all the samples was a brittle fracture. Based on the sample tests results, an analysis of the stress–strain state of the transverse bending area is presented. We evaluated the effect of the implemented transverse reinforcement type on the deflections and stiffness of the items subjected to bending. Estimated evaluation of the results obtained was done using the existing calculation methods for inclined sections strength.