Influence of vertical openings on the structural behavior of curved beams.

This study examines horizontally semicircular curved reinforced concrete beams with openings and without openings, unstrengthened and strengthened (by CFRP). One semicircular reinforced concrete beam without openings and two with four openings were tested. The test program considers beam openings and CFRP laminate confinement in opening zones. The beams were tested with two-point loads on the midspan and three supports on the ends and midspan. The CFRP laminates reinforcing the outside of semi-circular curved beams improve the ultimate load capacity and influence the post- cracking behavior and mode of failure in the presence of an opening. The twisting angle and deflection of the load midspan are shown. Compared to the control CCB, the ultimate load capacity of both specimens (CBV.O and CBV.S) reduced by approximately (21.98 and 6.9) percent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]