Effect of non-uniformly distributed shear reinforcement on shear strength of beams

In the present study, the location of the shear critical section and the efficient layout of shear reinforcement were studied. For this purpose, simply supported beams with a nonuniform shear reinforcement layout were tested. The test parameters were the arrangement of shear reinforcement and shear span to depth ratio. The test results showed that the shear strength of beams that had shear reinforcement in the center of the shear span was comparable to that of beams with uniformly distributed shear reinforcement. The shear strength of the beams having shear reinforcement near the loading point and supports was significantly less. On the basis of the test results, design recommendations were given for the efficient layout of shear reinforcement.