Evaluation of minimum shear reinforcement requirements for higher strength concrete

This paper presents an evaluation on the minimum shear reinforcement requirements given in the ACI, Canadian, and Turkish codes for high-strength concrete. Thirteen beams having the minimum shear reinforcement required by ACI 318-83, the Turkish Code, and the equations proposed in this paper were tested Concrete strength varied between so and 80 MPa (8700 and 11,600 psi). For high-strength concrete (f(a)' > 69 MPa), the minimum shear reinforcement requirements of the Turkish Code and ACI 318-95 are not very different from one another Similarly, requirements of the 1994 Canadian Code (CSA A23.3-94) are not too different from the proposed equation. In light of the test results, the adequacy of code requirements are discussed. Emphasis is given to reserve strength ductility, and cracking.