Design of Simply Supported Deep Beams Using Strut-and-Tie Models

This paper presents a procedure for calculating the amount of reinforcement and strength of deep beams based on strut-and-tie models. The proposed design equations were calibrated using experimental results from 175 simply supported beams found in the literature with a maximum shear span-to-depth ratio of 3. The strength reduction coefficient for concrete in the main strut was found to decrease with the angle of inclination of the strut, resulting in lower values than those stated in Appendix A of the 2002 ACI 318 Building Code for beams with shear span-to-depth ratios greater than 1.