An improved AS3700 shear capacity formula for reinforced masonry beams without web reinforcement

A more efficient formula for the out-of-plane shear design of reinforced masony (RM) beams is presented in this paper. The present formula in AS 3700 is generally not appropriate, as it neither accounts for the beneficial effect of the shear span to effective depth (a/d) ratio where concentrated loads are close to supports nor the detrimental effect of the depth of the beam. Results from one hundred and ninety-eight reinforced masonry beam tests carried out by several investigators in various countries have been considered for the improvement of the AS 3700 formula. The formula presented in this paper accounts for the depth and the a/d ratio and the paper describes its appropriateness for the evaluation of the out-of-plan shear of RM beams.