The influence of steel reinforcement ductility in the behaviour and security of reinforced concrete slabs

Abstract

This work is based on the results and basic conclusions of author's doctoral thesis, directed by Professor José Calavera. On the one hand, a new form to measure the ductility of those steels used like reinforcement of concrete, is proposed, in order to be compared and classified in accordance with this one. On the other hand it has been studied the results of the tests on 12 continuous slabs of two equal spans, reinforced with four different steel types chosen so that, in the more requested section the steel will reach, in first place, its collapse (situation in the 2 domain, A pivot). The reinforcement to allow the mentioned extent, is provided with same nominal resistance steels and same diameter, but with - different ductility. The results of this experimental study, reveals the importance of the steel ductility concerning the behaviour and real security of the structure in front of the collapse, and furnish a group of conclusions and proposals concerning this interesting subject.