Summary
The shear tests reported in the present paper were carried out in Stuttgart from 1961 to 1963. The mechanism of failure at ultimate shear load is explained in terms of the truss analogy, and the ratio between the width of the compression flange and the thickness of the web is shown to have a considerable influence on the inclination of the top chord and of the diagonal struts of the truss and, consequently, on the tensile forces in the web. From the results, a simple method for reducing the shear reinforcement is derived. For short beams with a slenderness ratio l/d < 8 or for concentrated loads close to the supports, a further reduction in shear coverage is possible. The determination of the points for cut-off and bent-up bars must be adapted to the variations in the compression members of the truss. The tests showed clearly that stirrups are preferable to bent-up bars for shear reinforcement, particularly if high-tensile steel is used.
