Structural Reliability Studies of Reinforced Concrete Beam subjected to Shearing forces with Natural Stone as Coarse Aggregate

Abstract

This paper presents experimental and structural reliability studies performed on Bida natural stones (BNS) used as coarse aggregate in concrete production. Construction activities based on these naturally occurring materials are major steps towards industrialisation and economic integration of developing countries like Nigeria. This explains the huge interest over the years in utilising such materials as substitute or partial replacement for concrete constituents. The method adopted to appraise the aim and objectives of the study was laboratory experimentation. A total of 80 concrete cubes of 150 mm × 150mm × 150 mm were cast and used for this study. First order reliability method (FORM) was employed to ascertain the level of safety of the beam. Sensitivity analysis was further conducted by varying the span, effective depth and area of shear reinforcement of the beam in shear. The result revealed that the reinforced concrete beam utilising Bida natural stones is structurally safe at a span of 3000 mm and 3250 mm for unwashed and washed Bida natural stones respectively with probabilities of failure of 1.07 × 10-3 and 1.14 × 10-3. Both unwashed and washed Bida natural stones were structurally safe at effective depth of 439 mm with probabilities of failure of 5.87 × 10-3 and 1.31 × 10-3in shear.