A general yield criterion for reinforced concrete slab elements

The methods of plasticity theory are used to develop, from simple assumptions about the properties of the constituents, a numerical method of finding points on the yield criterion for elements of a reinforced concrete slab under general combinations of moments and membrane forces. The general method is modified to predict the results of tests on bent ‘push-off’ specimens, designed to simulate conditions in the loaded flange of a T beam. The experimental results agree reasonably well with the theoretical predictions, and also with a simpler lower-bound theory developed to deal with the test situation directly.