Flexural behaviour of reinforced, prestressed and composite self-consolidating concrete beams

The structural behaviour of reinforced, prestressed self-consolidating concrete beams and of composite steel – self-consolidating concrete beams was investigated. The flexural behaviour at service stage and at ultimate limit state was experimentally studied by means of four-point bending tests on six beams.Literature data show that self-consolidating concrete generally exhibits slightly higher strength with respect to normal vibrated concrete (NVC). Nevertheless, Eurocode 2 predictions related to NVC give good results in terms both of ultimate bending moment and of moment–curvature diagrams. On the contrary, it is not able to correctly predict crack spacing and width. These can be better described by introducing some amendments to the experimental coefficients of the formula proposed by the considered Code.

► Six self-consolidating concrete beams were subjected to four-point bending test. ► Two reinforced, two prestressed and two composite steel-SCC beams were dealt with. ► EC2 predictions correctly define ultimate moment and moment–curvature diagrams. ► EC2 cannot correctly predict crack spacing and width. Some amendments are proposed.