Author(s)

Abdulrahim M. Arafah

Abstract

Assessment of brittle failure at the ultimate flexural limit state ofR.C. beams by computer simulation Abdulrahim M. Arafah Associate Professor, College of Engineering, King Saud University, P.O. Box 800, Riyadh 11421, Saudi Arabia. Abstract Reinforced concrete beams at the ultimate flexural limit state may fail by concrete crushing even when they are reinforced below the maximum reinforcement ratio specified by the ACI Code. One of the factors contributing to this uncertainty is the variability of the strength of concrete and reinforcing steel. This paper presents the relationship between probability of brittle failure of reinforced concrete beams at the limit state and the variability in the yield strength of reinforcing steel and compressive strength of concrete. Monte-Carlo simulation is employed to randomly generate strength parameters. Results indicated that probability of brittle failure at the limit state is adversely affected by low quality of concrete and high yield streng

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