Abstract:
This research is a part of a development project on precast concrete beams. The objectives of this paper are to study the structural behaviors, modes of failure and the effect of the reinforcement indexes and lengths of non-prestressed reinforcements on load capacity of the precast partially-prestressed concrete beams and to compare the obtained test results with those of the reference precast prestressed concrete beams. These two types of beams were designed according to the Engineering Institute of Thailand (EIT.) standard. In this study, the beam specimens have the cross-sectional dimensions of 0.15 x 0.30 meters with the span length of 3.00 meters. Five reinforcement indices and three lengths of non-prestressed wires were used in this study. The totals of thirteen specimens were tested under four-points loading test. From the tests, it was found that the specimens have linear behavior up to 60 - 70% of their maximum load capacity. Then, the behavior of the specimens is nonlinear until failure. In addition, the results indicate that the ultimate capacities and ductility of the beams were increased with both the reinforcement index and lengths of non-prestressed wires were increased. Finally, based on the results obtained from this study, the design equation for the precast partially-prestressed concrete beams flexurally reinforced with non-prestressed PC wires was proposed