Designing deep beams with openings is challenging. Firstly, deep beams do not conform to the linear strain distribution assumed in traditional beam theory (Bernoulli's hypothesis) unlike shallow beams. Next, the openings interrupt the load path and causes localized stress concentrations which can lead to cracking or shear failure. Thus, their design and analysis require careful attention to both shear and strain distribution.
Challenges:
- Determining shear stresses and shear forces acting on the structure
- Determining bending moments acting on the beam
- Checking nonlinear behaviour, complex loading patterns, and uncertainties in material properties
- Inadequate reinforcement, design errors, and overloading
- Varying loads such as live loads and dead loads can significantly impact the behaviour of deep beams
How IDEA StatiCa helps structural engineers:
- Visualize how forces travel through the deep beam
- Understand the behaviour of complex regions like dapped ends or corbels
- Optimize the reinforcement layout e.g. longitudinal reinforcement, stirrups, diagonal bars
- Code-checks for both ULS and SLS (deflections and crack width)
- Comprehensive results with customizable report
Watch this video to learn how to design deep beams with openings:
