Effects of design parameters on behaviour in bottle-shaped struts

For this paper, an experimental investigation of the impact of the concentration ratio and the mats’ rotation angle on the behaviour and efficiency coefficient of the bottle-shaped struts was conducted. The behaviour of tested panels, including the load–transverse extension curve and strain redistribution, is presented and the quantitative effects of the concentration ratio and the mats’ rotation angle on the efficiency coefficient and the dispersion angle of compressive stresses of bottle-shaped struts are given. The related provisions of ACI 318-14 and BS EN 1992-1-1 are examined. The results indicate that as the concentration ratio increases, the efficiency coefficient and the dispersion angle decrease, and that as the mats’ rotation angle increases, the efficiency coefficient also increases. Some recommendations for ACI 318-14 and BS EN 1992-1-1 are finally presented.