Effect of Using Different Installation Positions for Stirrups in Enhancing the Shear Capacity of RC Beams

Reinforced concrete beams are important supporting elements for most of the construction purposes. There are different modes of failure that can happen for beams, but this research will focus on shear failure and how we can resist the diagonal shear crack. Stirrups are an essential reinforcement in beams that can resist the shearing force. It is a closed-loop that holds the main reinforcement bars together, and it is usually installed in a vertical position. The current research presents an analytical study on the effect of using different installation positions for stirrups in beams such as; vertical stirrups (conventional technique), inclined stirrups, and a combination of vertical and inclined stirrups. The analytical study is carried out with the Finite Element Method using a software package (ANSYS APDL). A verification model is carried out at first, and compared with previous experimental work to validate the results, then the following parameters are studied: 1- Stirrups installation positions, 2- Types of Stirrups (single-legged – two-legged) 3- Angle of inclination. All beams are loaded up to failure then the failure loads, deflections, and crack patterns are obtained, also the P-delta curves are drawn for all beams.