Design and experimental investigation of deep beams based on the Generative Tie Method

• Published in: Engineering structures Vol. 255; p. 113913
• Main Authors: Silveira, Marcos V.G., Paini, Bruno, Bitencourt Jr, Luís A.G., Das, Sreekanta
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 15.03.2022; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Compression; Compressive properties; Compressive strength; Concrete; Concrete properties; Decision analysis; Decision making; Deep beams; Design; Digital imaging; Elastic–plastic stress fields (EPSF); Field theory; Finite element method; Generative tie method (GTM); Image compression; Mathematical models; Modified compression-field theory (MCFT); Reinforced concrete; Shear strength; Shear stress; Stress distribution; Strut and tie models; Shear strength; Modified compression-field theory (MCFT); Deep beams; Elastic–plastic stress fields (EPSF); Generative tie method (GTM)
• ISSN: 0141-0296; 1873-7323
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2022.113913

•The Generative Tie Method (GTM) for designing structural concrete members is proposed.•Large-scale experimental tests were carried out on four specimens designed by GTM.•The level of cracking can be controlled by the GTM.•The more steel-reinforced the shear critical region, the higher the failure load.•The more steel-reinforced the shear critical region, the less ductile the failure. The high level of shear stress present in reinforced concrete deep beams has been the subject of interest for a considerable number of studies due to the uncertainties involved. Several structural codes and standards around the world have recommended using the strut-and-tie method (STM) to design such elements. The STM is proven efficient and accurate, however, the successful application of the method relies decisively on the skills of the designer to conceive truss-like models. In this paper, a framework named Generative Tie Method (GTM) is proposed as an alternative approach to overcome some limitations of the available methods for the design of deep beams. The GTM uses performance ratios obtained from finite element analysis (FEA) as decision-making criteria on the reinforcement layout design of structural concrete members. The FEA strategy used in this approach is based on the elastic–plastic stress fields. The concrete compressive strength loss ratio is obtained using the modified compression-field theory. A large-scale experimental investigation using the digital image correlation technique was carried out on four deep beams designed by the proposed method. The suitable structural performance presented by the specimens demonstrated that the application of the GTM is promising even under unusual design requirements.