Flexural Behaviour of Self Compacting Concrete Beam using Welded Wire Mesh as Shear Reinforcement

Conventional shear reinforcement cannot provide superior shear characteristics for concrete beam due to the problems in detailing and the disturbance caused to the concrete continuity. This paper is an effort to tackle that problem by the usage of welded wire reinforcement as shear reinforcement along with the vertical stirrups. A total of six specimens were cast and the volumetric ratios of the stirrups and the welded wire mesh are varied in each specimen. The mesh used was commonly available galvanized welded wire mesh of opening inch x inch. Since the mesh size is very small and to ensure strength and homogeneity self compacting concrete was used. Its wide spread usage was also considered. The result indicates improved strength characteristics using the mesh layer in addition to the stirrups. There were also improvements in maximum deflection and ductility of the beam.