Moment redistribution in reinforced concrete beams has traditionally been considered as an Ultimate Limit State (ULS) phenomenon closely associated with considerations of reinforcement ductility. The work described here demonstrates that a significant proportion of this redistribution will almost always occur at the Serviceability Limit State (SLS) because of the mismatch between the flexural stiffnesses assumed when calculating moments for the ULS and those actually occurring at the SLS due to variations in the reinforcement layout along the member and the influence of cracking. Tests on 37 two span reinforced concrete beams are presented, parameters investigated being values of redistribution, beam depth, reinforcement arrangements, concrete strength and the effect of brittle reinforcement. The results confirm that there is significant moment redistribution at the SLS and also suggest that it should be possible to increase the permissible limits for redistribution beyond those currently prescribed in design codes.

  • INTRODUCTION

  • SPECIMEN DETAILS AND TEST PROCEDURE

  • MOMENT REDISTRIBUTION BEHAVIOUR

  • IMPLICATIONS FOR DESIGN

  • CONCLUSIONS

  • ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  • REFERENCES

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