The influence of concrete compressive strength and specimen size on the compression stress block parameters of reinforced concrete

Abstract

This paper describes the influence of concrete compressive strength and specimen size on the fundamental characteristics of the flexural compressive stress-strain distribution. The main variables were specimen size and cylinder compressive strength. A total of 27 concrete specimens were subjected to flexural tests, with specific reference to analysis of the compression stresses, produced by varying two independent loads in a configuration aimed at controlling the strain distribution. These loads generated a condition of zero strain on the one face of the specimen, and a condition of maximum flexural compression strain on the opposite face. From the strain distribution, the stress-strain curves and stress block parameters were determined, and the influence of specimen size on the stress block parameters described using the Modified Size Effect Law (MSLE). Using a modified form of the moment-axial force (M-N) interaction diagram the BS 8110-1 (1997), SANS 0100-1 (2000), ACI-318 (2014) and EN 1992-1-1 (2004) codes of practice were compared for the design of reinforced concrete beams containing South African materials