Behaviour and design of large rectangular openings in reinforced concrete beams

A nonlinear finite element analysis is presented in this paper as a method for predicting the behaviour of reinforced concrete beams containing large openings. Such beams are studied under increasing loads, and the effect on the load-carrying capacity due to the loss of section is investigated. Numerical solutions are given for various opening locations on two groups of beams, one group with web reinforcement and the other without. The effect of the web openings and web reinforcement on the load-carrying capacity of the beams is discussed. The results of the calculations obtained from finite element predictions are compared with the experimental test results and there is a good agreement between the two.