Flexural behavior of RC Beams with local steel - experimental investigation

Steel manufactures are always complying with the minimum code specifications. However in many countries the actual yield strength of the rebars can exceeds its nominal values by a significant factor, depending on the steel manufacturing processes. Such increase in yield strength can have negative effects on the flexural behavior of beams that are designed as tension controlled, and reduce its ductility, an essential property in seismic resisting structures. The present study experimentally investigated the effect of using rebars with yield strength exceeding its nominal values on the flexural behavior of beams. The study indicates that such increase in rebar yield strength needs to be considered in design in order to achieve the desired ductile failure mode of beams.