Effect of Reinforced Concrete Beam with Hollow Neutral Axis

The objective of the investigation is to develop a Reinforced Concrete Beam with hollow neutral axis which may replace the position of reinforced concrete beam in near future. However, in RC beams strength of concrete lying in and near the neutral axis is not fully utilized. So this un-utilized concrete is removed by replacing with any light-weight material. The material incorporated in the concrete beam is PVC pipe, which occupy the concrete volume in the neutral axis, where the compression and tension is zero thereby making the beam hollow. The properties of PVC is not been used since it is used only as a filler material in concrete. Specimens of solid RC beams and Hollow RC beams are cast and tested for four point flexure. Then the results are compared and the effects are studied. The self weight of this developed RC beams are expected to be reduced with the decrease in concrete volume hence proving the beams to be economical. Experimental validation is carried out analytically with ANSYS 12.1 software.