A partial kinking yield criterion for reinforced concrete slabs

Synopsis By considering steel bearing on concrete at the edge of the yield-line crack as equivalent to a beam all all elasto-plastic foundation, it is shown theoretically that enhancement of the resistance moment due to kinking of the steel reinforcement is unlikely to exceed 10%. Some experimental results are reported which appear to confirm the validity of the bearing effect. Also reported is a series of 30 slab tests with reinforccment placed at angles of up to 52° to the yield line for which the failure moments are consistent with those predicted by the proposed theory.