Experimental and numerical studies of T-shaped reinforced concrete members subjected to combined compression-bending-shear-torsion

The study of reinforced concrete members subjected to combined loads always has been an important research topic in the field of engineering, but the torsional behavior of T-shaped reinforced concrete members subjected to combined loads has yet to be determined. This paper is focused on providing a detailed explanation of the torsional behavior of T-shaped reinforced concrete members subjected to combined compression-bending-shear-torsion. From the perspective of experimental tests and numerical analyses, in this paper, we discuss the effects of combined loads on the torsion bearing capacity, the development of cracks and the failure mode, strains of key points in the concrete and longitudinal reinforcement, and the relation of torsion and angular displacement. We conducted experiments and numerical analyses of four groups of reinforced concrete members by using the main variables of the axial pressure ratio and the bending moment. Also, the experimental and calculated results are compared based on the elastic-plastic damage constitutive model of concrete. Based on the test data and the existing formula, we also extended the formula used to calculate the torsion bearing capacity and provided diagrams of the interaction when combined loads were applied. In addition, the results of this study highlight the turning point from torsion failure to compression-bending-torsion failure. The test results demonstrated that torsion capability increases in the specified range of axial pressure ratio and decreases as bending increases. The test results also indicate the importance of considering the effects of compression-shear-bending on the torsion bearing capacity in the engineering design.