Numerical Investigation of Reinforced Concrete Beams with Single and Multi-Longitudinal Hollow Openings

Abstract

This numerical study was conducted to evaluate the effect of longitudinal hollow openings in reinforced concrete beams. The study was divided into three groups: The first group: was circular holes of different sizes. The second group: different shaped openings (circular, square, rectangular). The third group: the number of openings (one, two, three). Abaqus software was used to analyze the behavior of reinforced concrete beams with hollow openings. The following effects of hollow openings were studied (effect on bending resistance, effect on beam deformations). The results also showed that the presence of hollow openings leads to increased threshold deformations. The results also show that the aperture size has a significant effect on the threshold deformations. Sills with large openings have a greater negative impact on sill deformations compared to sills with small openings. Concrete beams' longitudinal circular hole provides greater load-bearing than rectangular or square slots. Increasing the number of longitudinal holes provides greater load-bearing, but increasing the number reduces the load-bearing. Concrete with longitudinal slots is cheaper and lighter than hollow concrete openings and is used in buildings on a limited budget. Circular slots (10.46% difference) are better than rectangular (18.60% difference) and square (19.76% difference). One hole (10.46% difference) is better than two holes (18.60% difference) and three holes (19.76% difference).

Keywords

• Reinforced concrete beam
• Single/multi-longitudinal hollow opening
• Circular/rectangular/square opening shape
• Deflection
• Cracking behavior