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Root cause of reinforced concrete dapped-end beams failure

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 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 10, Number 22 (2015) pp 42927-42933
© Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com

Root Cause of Reinforced Concrete Dapped-End Beams Failure

1
M. Aswin

PhD Student, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS,
32610, Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia, aswin_tekniksipil@yahoo.com
2
Bashar S. Mohammed

Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS,
32610, Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia, bashar.mohammed@petronas.com.my
3
M.S. Liew

Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS,
32610, Bandar Seri Iskandar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia, shahir_liew@petronas.com.my
4
Z.I. Syed

Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Abu Dhabi University,

P.O. Box 59911, Abu Dhabi, Uni Arab Emirate, zubair.syed@adu.ac.ae

Abstract
The failure mode of 111 RC dapped-end beams are presented
and evaluated. The 93.69% of the tested beams were failed in
shear at the re-entrant corners of the dapped-end region.
Although many strengthening methods have been used to
strengthening the dapped-end region, only the load-deflection
relationship of the beams were improved. However, test
results of 4 large scale RC dapped-end beams showed that the
highest stress concentration factors were recorded at the re-
entrant corners compared to other area of the dapped-end
region of the beam.
Keywords: shear failure, dapped-end beams, strut and tie
model, stress concentration, re-entrant corner.
Introduction
Reinforced concrete dapped-end beams (RC-DEBs) are
widely used in the reinforced concrete construction of bridge
girders in form of precast [1]. Using RC-DEBs provides
advantages such better lateral stability of structure elements at
the supports and reducing floor to floor height which leads to
cut the total height of the structure and consequently
decreasing the total dead load [2, 3].
Unusual shape of RC-DEBs is unique with end parts are
recessed, so that forms discontinuities or abrupt changes in
cross-sectional size at these parts. However, this condition is
known as a disturbed (D-) region [4]. At D-regions, strain
distribution is significantly non-linear [5]. Thus, D-regions are
areas prone to fail first compared to other regions. Shah et al.
[6] have indicated that structures classified as D-regions such
as deep beams, pile caps, RC-DEBs, corbels, etc. are normally
fail in shear rather than flexure. The shear failure is very
dangerous because it can occur suddenly without early
warning.
Many investigations have been carried out to study the shear
behavior of RC-DEBs. Lu et al. [7] have tested RC-DEBs to
study their shear strength capacity and they concluded that the
shear strength of dapped-end beams increases with increasing
of concrete compressive strength and nib flexural
reinforcement area. The shear strength capacity of RC-DEBs
also increases with decreasing of nominal shear span-depth
ratio. Meantime, Wang et al. [8] have reported that the shear
strength capacity of RC-DEBs is increased by enhancement
the nib height, nominal shear span or amount of hanger
reinforcements. By using diagonal reinforcement through the
re-entrant corners, shear strength capacity can be increased.
Mattock [9] has exhibited that dapped-end beams provide
different shear capacity with variation of the nib height and
nominal shear span-depth ratio, whereas Peng [10] has
suggested that to gain higher shear strength capacity and good
ductility of RC-DEBs, proper anchorage and adequate hanger
reinforcements should be used.
Taher [1] has investigated the different strengthening
techniques of RC-DEBs to enhance the shear strength
capacity, such as the use of external steel angle, unbounded
inclined steel bolts, steel plate jacketing and CFRP. It has
been reported that all the strengthening methods are
enhancing the shear strength capacity of RC-DEBs, however,
the unbounded inclined steel bolts method has provided better
results compared to other methods. In addition, based on the
experimental results reported by Huang and Nanni [11] and
also Nagy-György et al. [12]; the shear strength capacity of
RC-DEBs can be significantly enhanced by using CFRP
strengthening. Mohamed and Elliott [4] have focused on the
use of different types of concrete to increase the shear strength
capacity of RC-DEBs. They investigated the shear strength
capacity of RC-DEBs made of steel fiber self-compacting
concrete and reported that amount of dapped-end
reinforcements can be reduced which caused by the increment
of shear capacity.

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© Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com
Based on available literatures, almost all of their experimental
results showed that RC-DEBs fail in shear, even the dapped-
ends region of beams had been strengthened by using the
certain strengthening systems. Up to present, limited
discussion available on why the shear failure occurs at
dapped-end regions and what is the root cause of shear failure
at dapped-ends. Therefore, the main of the research work
reported in this paper is to provide insight discussion on the
root cause of RC-DEBs failure.
Design Specification for RC-DEBs
Generally, the reinforcement requirement of dapped-end
beams (DEBs) is firstly, based on the empirical method
specified in the PCI code [13] and secondly, based on the
analysis of Strut and Tie Model (STM). Moreno and Meli [14]
have reported that PCI code suggests five potential failure
modes which can occur at the dapped-end area of beams.
They presented calculation used to determine reinforcement’s
requirement for each failure mode according to empirical
method. The design equations are based on the investigations
of Mattock and Chan [3] and are suitable for short dapped
ends (a/d < 1), where a is nominal shear span and d is
effective depth of DEB.
The main failure modes to be considered are characterized by
cracks types 1-5 as shown in Fig. 1. These failure modes are
include (1) flexure and axial tension in extended end, (2)
direct vertical shear between nib and un-dapped portion, (3)
diagonal tension initiating from re-entrant corner, (4) diagonal
tension in the nib area, and (5) diagonal tension in un-dapped
portion.
Fig.1. Potential Failure Modes (PCI code, 2010)
Schlaich and Schäfer [5] have reported that truss analogy was
introduced in last century and this method was being refined
and expanded. STM, a generalization of the well-known truss
analogy for beams, is the appropriate approach for designing
structural concrete. STM can be systematically developed by
tracing the flow of force through the structures, using the load
path method or elastic stress trajectories (stress flow). For
getting the appropriate model, they also suggested the need to
create two individual models of 1 specimen then combine
these two models.
Other STMs for RC-DEBs were developed by Cook and
Mitchell [15] that involved in examples for ACI code [16] as
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shown in Fig. 2a. Regarding to the test results of Mattock [9],
he reported that Strut BD crosses the diagonal tension cracks
in this region, almost at right angles. The assumption of such
strut is therefore inconsistent with the behavior observed in
many tests of beams with dapped ends. In addition, the
internal force of hanger reinforcement (Tie BC) is more than
1.8 times the net support reaction acting on the nib. It should
provide almost same value. Hence, the model does not agree
with test observations.
For the STM recommended by FIP as shown in Fig. 2b,
Sanders [17] and Mattock [9] have provided their analysis
results. They reported that the alternative STM takes into
account the diagonal tension cracking shown in Fig. 1, and for
the same loading condition as that shown in Fig. 2a, internal
force prediction in the hanger reinforcement (Tie BC) is
almost similar with the net support reaction acting on the nib.
It also observes that the STM model in Fig. 2b corresponds to
the observed cracking, concluding that it is an acceptable
STM solution. Other alternative STM was proposed by
Mattock [9] as shown in Fig. 2c. This model also can
accommodate crack behavior that considered in Fig.1 and also
in accordance with the observed cracking of the test results.
Fig.2. Strut-and-tie Models of DEBs: (a) ACI code; (b) FIP
recommendations; (c) Simplified STM, proposed by
Mattock [9]
Design of reinforcements required in RC-DEBs can use one of
above methods. Basically, PCI code and STM have aim to
provide the adequate reinforcements requirement and also the
appropriate reinforcement configuration to avoid and to resist
the direct shear cracks and diagonal tension cracks that can be
occurred at dapped-end regions due to the applied load.
Results and Discussion
A. The failure modes of RC-DEBs
In this section, failure modes happened of RC-DEBs based on
available literatures are presented and discussed.
i. Specimens investigated by Taher [1]
Fifty-two RC rectangular beams with dapped-ends were
subdivided into 4 groups with regarding to different
reinforcement detailing respectively, as follows: (1) Group 1;
conventionally detailed reinforcement with adequate
development length of longitudinal tension reinforcement
beyond the re-entrant section.( 2) Group 2; similar to Group 1
but with insufficient development length of longitudinal
tension reinforcement beyond the re-entrant section. (3)
Group 3; similar to Group 1 but without nib horizontal
reinforcements. (4) Group 4; similar to Group 1 but without
nib vertical stirrups.
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Each group has 1 control beam and 12 different strengthening
system which involving: external steel angle, unbounded
inclined steel bolt, steel plate jacketing, L-steel plate
jacketing, partial L-steel plate jacketing, inclined CFRP
stripping, horizontal carbon fiber wrapping, L-horizontal
carbon fiber wrapping, vertical carbon fiber wrapping,
No. Mode of failure
0 Vertical direct shear crack at corner & multiple nib-inclined shear cracks in the recess zone
1 Explosive debonding w ith simultaneous nib-inclined shear at support and flexure at midspan
2 Bolt yielding follow ed by nib-inclined shear at support
3 Debonding follow ed by nib-inclined shear at support
4 Debonding follow ed by nib-inclined shear at support

horizontal carbon fiber wrapping with inclined CFRP 5 Debonding follow ed by nib-inclined shear at support

stripping, L-horizontal carbon fiber wrapping with inclined 6 Peeling follow ed by vertical direct shear crack at re-entrant corner

CFRP stripping, and vertical carbon fiber wrapping with
inclined CFRP stripping. Each specimen was subjected to
static load equally spaced four-point loading at almost
constant loading rate until failure. The study was aimed to
evaluate various techniques used for externally strengthening
DEBs using different materials and also to investigate effect
of inappropriate detailing reinforcement of DEBs on load-
deflection response of RC-DEBs.
Based on test results of 52 RC-DEBs, there are only 5 beams
(9.62%) exhibited shear-flexure failure, labeled beam No.2
and No.6 in Group 1, beam No.2 in Group 2, and beam No.1
in Group 3, while the remaining 47 beams (90.38%) fail in
shear, as shown in Table 1. Generally, the crack pattern occurs
at dapped-end region but mostly happens at the re-entrant
corner. However, even at dapped-end area of beams which
had been strengthened using certain strengthening system,
shear failure in RC-DEBs prevailed.
7 Debonding follow ed by vertical direct shear crack at re-entrant corner
8 Debonding follow ed by vertical direct shear crack at re-entrant corner
9 Debonding follow ed by nib-inclined shear cracks at support
10 Peeling follow ed by vertical crack at corner
11 Peeling follow ed by vertical crack at corner
12 Peeling follow ed by vertical crack at corner
Test results & observation of Group 3
No. Mode of failure
0 Brittle nib-inclined shear cracks at support
1 Highly explosive nib-inclined shear cracks betw een support and angle
2 Abrupt local failure at bolt end zones and nib-inclined shear at support
3 Debonding follow ed by nib-inclined shear cracks at support
4 Debonding follow ed by nib-inclined shear cracks at support
5 Nib-inclined shear cracks betw een support and plate
6 Explosive peeling follow ed by nib-inclined shear cracks at recess
7 Debonding follow ed by nib-inclined shear cracks at support
8 Debonding follow ed by nib-inclined shear cracks at support

9 Debonding follow ed by re-entrant corner tension cracks

TABLE.1. Test Results and Observations of all groups 10 Peeling follow ed by nib-inclined shear cracks at support

(Taher, 2005) 11 Peeling follow ed by nib-inclined shear cracks at support

12 Peeling follow ed by nib-inclined shear cracks at support
Test results & observation of Group 4
No. Mode of failure

0 Shear from support follow ed by flexure at midspan and nib-inclined shear crack in recess zone
ii. Specimens investigated by Lu et al. [7]
1 Ripping off in recess zone follow ed by shear compression
Twelve RC-DEBs were tested under static load and three-
2 Bolt yielding follow ed by flexure at midspan
point loading was applied. The related variables considered
3 Debonding follow ed by vertical direct shear crack at re-entrant corner

4 Debonding follow ed by vertical direct shear crack at re-entrant corner

are the concrete compressive strength, amount of nib flexure
5 Debonding follow ed by vertical direct shear crack at re-entrant corner
reinforcements and the nominal shear span-depth ratio (a/d).
6 Peeling follow ed by simultaneous nib-inclined shear at support and flexure at midspan They have investigated effect of high strength concrete on
7 Debonding follow ed by nib-inclined shear at support shear strength of RC-DEBs where concrete compressive
8 Debonding follow ed by nib-inclined shear at support strength used is ranging from 34 MPa to 69.2 MPa. In all
9 Debonding follow ed by nib-inclined shear at support cases, the nib flexure reinforcements yield first before
10 Peeling follow ed by nib-inclined shear at support reaching the peak load. The failure mode for all specimens
11 Peeling follow ed by nib-inclined shear at support appears not quite ductile. The typical cracking pattern for all
12 Peeling follow ed by nib-inclined shear at support
DEBs tested is represented by the shear failure mode as
Test results & observation of Group 1
shown in Fig. 3. The smeared cracks occur at support, re-
entrant corner and its vicinity. The shear action in the nib
No. Mode of failure leads to diagonal cracks to occur at this area.
0 Vertical direct shear crack at corner
1 Debonding follow ed by nib-inclined shear in recess zone

2 Bolt yielding follow ed by flexure at midspan

3 Abrupt debonding follow ed by re-entrant corner tension crack
4 Abrupt debonding follow ed by re-entrant corner tension crack

5 Abrupt debonding follow ed by re-entrant corner tension crack

6 Peeling follow ed by by re-entrant corner tension crack
7 Debonding follow ed by re-entrant corner tension crack
8 Debonding follow ed by re-entrant corner tension crack
9 Vertical direct shear crack at corner
10 Peeling follow ed by by re-entrant corner tension crack
11 Peeling follow ed by by re-entrant corner tension crack

12 Peeling follow ed by by re-entrant corner tension crack

Test results & observation of Group 2

Fig.3. Typical Failure in Tested DEBs (Lu et al, 2003)

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© Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com
iii. Specimens investigated by Mohamed and Elliott [4]
By using the hooked-end steel fibers of 1% volume fraction to
partly replace the secondary steel reinforcements was
investigated through 10 shear tests, taking into account the
reinforcement configuration, concrete compressive strength,
and nib height. All beams were tested under static load with
three-point loading.
Mostly the failure modes of all of fibrous beam specimens
were signed by a lot of crack numbers with closer spacing,
large increment of deflection and crack width. Entirely, there
was a similar crack pattern in both plain and fibrous beam
specimens. Commonly cracks of all beams are initiated at re-
entrant corner and then followed by nib inclined crack or
diagonal tension crack at another place of nib area. All beams
tested fail in shear. The smeared and dominant cracks occur at
re-entrant corner and disperse at its vicinity, as shown in Fig.
4.
(a) Catastrophic Failure (b) Bulging Effects
(c) Crushing of Compression Zone
Fig.4. Crack Pattern and Failure Mode of Tested Beams
(Mohamed and Elliott, 2008)
iv. Specimens investigated by Wang et al. [8]
Three series labeled B1, B2 and B3 of RC-DEBs were tested.
All tested beams have same total length of 1500 mm. Location
of the applied load to supports is depend on shear span-depth
ratio. The test specimens were subjected to four-point-bending
by using compression machine with capacity of 500 KN. In
their study, the shear behavior of RC-DEBs has been
investigated by testing 24 beams until failure. The significant
parameters considered are the dapped-end height, the effective
range of stirrups and the bent form of longitudinal
reinforcement.
According to the test results, diagonal shear cracks always
initiated at re-entrant corner of DEBs at approximate 400-600
to the longitudinal axis of the beam. By increasing the applied
load, these cracks spread at dapped-end area and increase in
numbers that cause reduction of the compression region of
beam considerably. Mostly, at a few load increments before
failure, several inclined shear cracks occur at re-entrant corner
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of DEBs and the cracks propagate steeper at approximate 500-
700 to the longitudinal axis of the beam toward the vicinity of
loading point. Generally, all tested beams failed in shear and
dominant cracks occur at the re-entrant corner of DEBs, as
shown in Fig. 5.
Fig.5. Crack Pattern and Failure Mode of Tested Beams
(Wang et al., 2005)
v. Specimens investigated by Huang & Nanni [11]
In their experimental program, double-tee precast/ pre-
stressed concrete beams with dapped-ends were used for a
total of five tests. Details and amount of reinforcements were
based on the design method presented in the PCI Design
Handbook (1999). Each beam was pre-stressed by seven steel
tendons per stem. Specimens No. 2 (1S-8) and No. 5 (3S-5)
were strengthened by using deform steel bars with the certain
configuration at dapped-end region, whereas specimens No. 1
(1F-8), No. 3(2F-8) and No. 4 (3F-5) were externally
strengthened using FRP laminates with the certain techniques.
All beams were designed to carry a service load over an 18.3
m long span. Specimens No.1-3 and No.4-5 use the loading
span of 2.4 m and 1.5 m, respectively. All specimens were
tested until failure.
Based on the test result, for specimen 1S-8 and 3S-5, the first
crack appears at the re-entrant corner. As the load was further
increased, other cracks form to other places in the shear span
region and propagate to the loading point. The shear cracks at
the re-entrant corners remain narrow. The dominant cracks
and failure of these two specimens shifted from the re-entrant
corner to the loading point but the failure location was still in
the shear span range. They defined that the failure mode of
these beams (1S-8 and 3S-5) is a shear-flexure failure, as
shown in Fig. 6a. For specimen 1F-8, 2F-8 and 3F-5, the first
crack also appears at the re-entrant corner and all these beams
fail in shear. Dominant cracks occur at the re-entrant corner,
as shown in Fig. 6b.
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 10, Number 22 (2015) pp 42927-42933
© Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com
(a) Specimen 1S-8 and 3S-5
(b) Specimen 1F-8, 2F-8 and 3F-5
Fig.6. Typical Crack Pattern and Failure Mode of Tested
Beams (Huang and Nanni, 2006)
vi Specimens investigated by Nagy-György [12]
Two RC beams which have two dapped-ends each, were
prepared and cast. The total length of specimens is 6.24 m and
the height of cross-section is 1.5 m. The arrangement, spacing,
diameter and strength class of the reinforcements had been
designed properly and the tensile pre-stressed reinforcement
was used. The DEBs were tested refer to the schematic test
configuration by applying a monotonic force in increments of
50 kN by using a hydraulic jack.
In the test program, four DEBs were tested as follow: Firstly,
the C1 element was tested to failure, to obtain reference
measurements of the capacity of DEBs before strengthening.
Secondly, the remaining three dapped-ends (C2, C3 and C4)
were tested up to 800 kN which is the design load of the
original dapped-ends. Finally, the C2, C3 and C4 elements
were retrofitted and strengthened externally by using FRP
laminates and retested up to failure.
Based on the test results, all specimens before retrofitted and
which have been strengthened fail in shear, as shown in Fig.
7. For the specimens without strengthening, dominant shear
cracks and shear failure occurred at re-entrant corner, but for
the retrofitted specimens, diagonal cracks were initiated from
corners of un-dapped portion of DEBs and propagate to
vicinity of re-entrant corners. The shear failure was marked by
peeling of FRPs, fracture of un-dapped portions and re-entrant
corners.
42931
Fig.7. Typical Crack Pattern and Failure Mode of Tested
Beams (Nagy-György et al., 2012)
Fig.8. Typical Cracks Pattern and Failures of Tested
Beams (Moreno and Meli, 2014)
vii. Specimens investigated by Moreno & Meli [14]
Four large scale RC dapped-end beams with section size of
1000 mm x 480 mm, and total length of 1750 mm, dapped-
end section has length of 275 mm and height of 250 mm were
tested until failure. The specimens were labeled as E1, E2, E3
and E4 and briefly described as follows: E1, is a control beam
whereas the reinforcement requirement was designed
according to PCI code (1999) requirements. In E2, the
reinforcement of specimen E1 was replicated, but for the
bottom of DEB was post-tensioned using four steel wires with
a 5/8’’ (16 mm) diameter. In E3, 50% of the vertical stirrups
in the dapped-end to the main part of beam were replaced by
an equivalent area (vertically projected) of diagonal bars.
While in E4, a lower amount of longitudinal pre-stressed was
given to the dapped end of this specimen with respect to
specimen E2. Additionally, the same diagonal reinforcement
was provided refer to specimen E3.
The vertical load was applied on the dapped-end by using two
hydraulic jacks with a capacity of 981 kN each, and tested
until failure. The test results showed that all specimens failed
in shear, and dominant cracks occur at the re-entrant corners,
as shown in Fig. 8.
Based on data of available literatures presented, one hundred
eleven (111) DEBs were tested and investigated. All test
results showed that all specimens failed in shear at DEB
(where 6.31% fail in shear-flexure), even the dapped-end
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research ISSN 0973-4562 Volume 10, Number 22 (2015) pp 42927-42933
© Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com

regions were strengthened by using certain strengthening occur at abrupt changes in the cross sectional area of the
materials and various strengthening techniques, and also even tested structural element leads to pre-mature failure [20,
DEBs use high strength concrete (HSC) or steel fiber self- 21].
compacting concrete (SFSCC) or use the deform steel bars as
additional strengthening which are located inside dapped-end
regions. The evidences showed that the methods have been
adopted were only able to improve the load-deformation
response. These methods haven’t altered the shear failure
mode of RC-DEBs.
Taher [1] has reported that only 5 of 52 tested beams have
exhibited shear-flexure failure. Meantime Huang and Nanni
[11] reported that 2 of 5 beams which use the additional
deform steel bar located inside dapped-end region failed in
shear-flexure. The failure shifted rather away from the re-
entrant corner, but the failure location is still in shear span
range. The failure load and deflection capacity of RC-DEBs
were increased. In addition, Mohamed and Elliott [4] and Lu Fig.9. Layout of rosette strain gage at dapped-end region
et al. [7] used SFSCC and HSC in their DEBs, respectively. (Aswin et.al, 2015)
All of beams tested fail in shear, but RC-DEBs are able to
increase the failure load and deflection capacity. TABLE.2. The Principal Stresses (σ) and Stress
According to above test results, obviously dapped-end regions Concentration Factor (k) at each RC-DEB for All Type of
always fail first and fail in shear due to the applied load. Strain Gages (Aswin et al., 2015)
Schlaich and Schäfer [5] stated that structure element such as
DEBs has geometrical discontinuities at their ends, and such
regions named disturbed (D-) region. Due to applied load,
strain distribution at D-regions is significantly non-linear. D-
regions have experienced deformation (non-linear condition)
due to the applied load. If the applied load was increased, D-
regions are areas that prone to first fail compared to other
regions. In addition, Shah et al. [6] stated that the structures
which categorized as D-regions such as deep beams, pile caps,
RC-DEBs, corbels, etc. normally fail due to shear failure
rather than flexure failure.
Taher [1], Mohamed and Elliott [4], Huang and Nanni [11]
and Ahmad et al. [18] stated that due to the recessing of end
parts of RC-DEB, it causes the discontinuities or abrupt
changes in cross-section size at these parts. This condition has
been known as a disturbed (D-) region. This unusual shape of
RC-DEBs develops a severe stress concentration at the re-
entrant corners or dapped-end regions.
Based on these evidences, overall, it can be described that
dapped-end regions are susceptible to fail first due to the
applied load compared to another places of RC-DEB, and
mostly the dominant diagonal shear cracks and shear failure of
RC-DEBs occur at re-entrant corners.
However, the presented available literatures only provided a
statement that due to the discontinuity at DEBs, it can
develops the stress concentration at dapped-end regions,
mainly at re-entrant corner. But up to present, they have not
yet proved the stress values which occur at the dapped-end
region which describe the stress concentration at this area due
to the applied load. Aswin et al. [19] have investigated the
shear failure of RC-DEBs. To study the localized effect of Fig.10. Stress concentration factor of RC-DEBs (Aswin et
shear failure of the RC-DEBs, the shear span-depth ratio al., 2015)
(av/d) was taken as 1.43 (less than 2.5), and four RC-DEBs
were tested until failure. Four rosette strain gages were
attached to the surface of each beam to study the principal Table 2 and Fig. 10 present the principal stresses and stress
stresses and stress concentration at points A, B, C and D as concentration factor. To avoid any missing data due to
shown in Fig. 9. Analysis results are shown in Table 2 and damage of strain gages, the calculation is based on strain
Fig. 10. However, in general, stress concentration would readings at 80% of the failure load as suggested by
Mohammed et al. [20]. According to Table 2 and Fig.10, it

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© Research India Publications. http://www.ripublication.com
can be known that the highest principal stress and the largest
stress concentration factor for each RC-DEB occur at point C
(re-entrant corner) compared to other points at dapped-end
region. It proved that re-entrant corner is the weakest point of
DEBs and susceptible to fail first amongst other points of
DEBs due to the applied load. The dominant shear cracks and
failure modes of tested beams is shown in Fig. 11.
Fig.11. Failure mode and crack pattern of test specimens
(Aswin et al., 2015)
Conclusions
1. The shear failure at the re-entrant corners is the
prevailed failure mode of RC-DEBs beams.
2. Although several strengthening methods have been
used, yet the shear failure at the re-entrant corners of
RC dapped-end beam continues to dominate the
failure mode.
3. By using suitable strengthening method at the
dapped-end area would improve the load-deflection
response of the beam.
4. The highest stress concentration was found to be
localized at the point marked the abrupt change in the
cross-sectional area of the RC dapped-end beams.
Acknowledgment
The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Education
(MOE) of Malaysia and Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS for
granting the project under code FRGS 2013-2 and STIRF
38/2012, respectively.
References
[1] Taher, S.E.-D.F, Strengthening of critically designed
girders with dapped-ends, Structures and Buildings
158 Issue SB2, 2005, 141-152.
[2] Herzinger, R., Stud reinforcements in dapped-ends of
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