Estimation of Minimum Torsional Reinforcement of Reinforced Concrete and Steel Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Members

Abstract

The current code specifies a minimum torsional reinforcement ratio to prevent possible brittle failure after torsional cracking in concrete members. However, since there are many researches, in which even the concrete members with the minimum torsional reinforcement fail to secure sufficient reserved strength after torsional cracking, continuous research needs to be carried out. Accordingly, in the authors’ previous research, a minimum torsional reinforcement ratio was proposed based on the reserved strength concept and was extended to the steel fiber-reinforced concrete members in order to suggest the minimum fiber factor as the minimum torsional reinforcement ratio. In the present study, a pure torsion test was carried out on reinforced concrete and steel fiber-reinforced concrete members after a brief introduction on the above, and the proposed model was verified based on the test results. The test results of six torsional specimens were compared with those of the proposed model, and it was found that the proposed model provides a reasonable evaluation on the torsional failure mode of the specimen according to the reserved strength ratio.