SIZE EFFECT SIMULATION OF SHEAR CRITICAL RC MEMBERS: LOCAL-AVERAGE STRESS FIELD APPROACH

Accurate evaluation of RC members under shear is achieved by consideration of both size-dependency and participating local mechanisms. Following the fundamental concept of the smeared crack approach, local-average stress field concept is presented considering the localized and size-dependent characteristics. Adopting a proposed slip-strain model, application of local strain/stress information in combination with the average response is available. Accordingly, effective size-dependent parameters are included in the evaluation process; and the average and discrete responses are computationally updated regardless of the size-dependency limitations. The abilities of the proposed concept are discussed for size-dependent parameters and validated for shear-critical members.