Remarks on the Current Theory of Shear Strength of Variable Depth Beams

Though still in use today, the method of the effective shearing force to evaluate the maximum shear stress in variable depth beams does not stand close scrutiny. It can lead to overestimating the shearing strength of these beams, al- though it is suggested as a viable procedure by many otherwise excellent codes of practice worldwide. This paper should help to put the record straight. It should warn the practitioner against the general inadequacy of such a method and prompt the drafters of structural concrete codes of practice into acting to eliminate this erroneous though persisting designing pro- cedure.