Effect of horizontal curvature on reinforced concrete deep beams

This paper displays the horizontal curvature (circular curvature) effect on deep beams using finite element analysis. Thirty-five reinforced concretes horizontally arched deep beams were analyzed. The parameters that were taken into consideration in the current work are the curvature angle (α) and beam height (H) while keeping one constant value for the beam length (L), i.e., different length to depth ratios (L/H). It is found that for L/H=2; the load capacity decreases by about 38-73% and 16-67%, respectively, when changing α from ∞ (straight beam) to 180 degrees, while torsional moments increase by about 74-174%. Negative bending moments decrease by about 13-56% when changing α from 30 to 180 degrees. The deflection decreases by about 0.1-1.8% when changing α from ∞ to 90 degrees. For L/H=2.5; The load capacity decreases by about 36-73% and 15-67%, respectively, when changing α from ∞ to 180 degrees, while torsional moments increase by about 73-168%. Negative bending moments decrease by about 14-57% when increasing α from 30 to 180 degrees. Decreasing deflection by about 4.1-5.9% when increasing α from 60 to 90 degrees. For L/H=3; load capacity decreases by about 34-73% and 14-68%, respectively, when changing α from 0 to 180 degrees, while torsional moments increase by about 71-161%. Negative bending moments decrease by about 15-58% when increasing α from 30 to 180 degrees. The deflection decreases by about 6-9.7% when increasing curvature angle from 60 to 90 degrees. For L/H=3.5; the load capacity decreases by about 34-73% and 14-69%, respectively, when changing α from 0 to 180 degrees, while torsional moments increase by about 70-156%. Negative bending moments decrease by about 15-59% when changing α from 30 to 180 degrees. Midspan deflection decreases by about 4.6-14.7% when changing α from 60 to 120 degrees. Finally, it is found that for L/H=4; The load capacity decreases by about 33-74% and 14-69%, respectively, when changing α from 0 to 180 degrees, while torsional moments increase by about 69-150%. Negative bending moments decrease by about 16-60% when changing α from 30 to 180 degrees. Changing α from 60 to 120 degrees leads to decrease deflection by about 9.1-19.4%.