Journal of Physics: Conference Series
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A state of the art review on transverse web opening for reinforced
concrete beams with and without strengthening method
To cite this article: Oday Hashim Abbas and Hesham A. Numan 2021 J. Phys.: Conf. Ser. 1895 012059
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2nd International Conference for Civil Engineering Science (ICCES 2021) IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1895 (2021) 012059 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1895/1/012059
A state of the art review on transverse web opening for
reinforced concrete beams with and without strengthening
method
Oday Hashim Abbas1, Hesham A. Numan2
1, 2
Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Mustansiriayah University, Baghdad
10052, Iraq
*corresponding author: email address: Odayh2021@[Link]
Abstract. To erect modern constructions needs many ducts and pipes to accommodate essential
services such as telephone, electricity, air conditioning, and computer network. Transverse web
openings throughout the Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams enable the installation of these
services. In recent decades, the researchers suggested several strategies for improving the
structural behavior for deep, continuous, and simply-supported beams; involving transverse
web-holes underwent shear forces, bending, torsion, and cyclic loads by utilizing
supplementary internal steel reinforcing bars, Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) rods or plates,
steel fiber, and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) sheets. The current paper presents
the previous investigations on the structural action of the RC-beams with the transverse web-
openings. The effect of the shape, size, position of the opening, and type of strengthening on
the structural performance of RC beams highlight and discussed in this paper. It found when
the diameter of circle opening equal or greater than 40% of the depth of beam attributed by
reducing in beam strength and earlier cracks occurred. Besides, the deflection of beams was
rose when the openings settled below the centroid of the section. Finally, this study proves that
the few previous studies discussed the RC beam's behavior with openings under cyclic loading.
However, this paper aims to develop insights for future studies about assessing and
strengthening methods for the RC beams with the transverse web opening.
Keywords: Reinforced concrete beams, transverse web-opening, internal strengthening, Fiber
reinforced polymer.
1. Introduction
Auxiliary ducts and tubing have required in building utilities, such as sanitation, heating, air
conditioning, air conditioning power, and communication supply. In previous practices, such ducts and
tubing had generally been suspending under the concrete plate covered by the hanging roof, which
created a wasted area [1]. Also, it has become common practice to provide transverse holes in the RC-
beams for the crossing of utilities and tubing to prevent the headroom issue caused by hanging tubing.
However, the presence opening raised several questions about the structural efficiency of the structural
beams. The behavior of RC beam with opening becomes more complicated than conventional beams
complicated because of the change happening in the dimensions of the cross-sectional beam. Hence,
the stress level significantly increased at the aperture edges that cause aesthetically inadmissible cracks
[2].
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2nd International Conference for Civil Engineering Science (ICCES 2021) IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1895 (2021) 012059 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1895/1/012059
With openings in the RC-beams, many matters and questions were touched upon, which have
inspired numerous scholars to investigate this research area more and more. Consequently, many
investigations dealt with the performance in RC-beams, involving openings of various types and
dimensions in continuous spans, simply-supported beams with T-sections [3]. Moreover, different
approaches and equations to surmise the constructional performance in RC-beams with openings under
bending, shear, or/and torsion behavior had developed from the experimental data produced by Hoult
and Lees [4]. Generally, the existence of openings through the web of RC decreases its rigidity,
causing earlier incisions and increase vertical displacement, and seriously affecting its stiffness [5]. RC
beams with openings should be strength tested or the area near the holes should be reinforced to
restore the missing strength capacity [6,7]. From this point, several experimental and numerical
investigations were conducted to capture the nature of the necessary stiffeners around the opening in
the RC element [8,9].
Due to the features and characteristics of FRP laminates, they have been vastly embraced by the
construction technology all over the world for strengthening and rehabilitation of the structural
elements [10,11,12]. Some of the studies have shown the influences of FRP substances for
strengthening RC-beam under flexural behavior [13-20], and others investigated the shear behavior
such as [21-23]. Other numbers of restricted research on RC-beams with web-opening have been
documented utilization of FRP substances in some comprehensive details [24-28]. Experiments backed
by the theoretical study carried out in this research field had also proposed by [25-27]. Nonlinear
behavior through Finite Elements Analysis (FEA) validated with experiments studies introduced by
[28,29]. However, all research acknowledged that most FRP laminates could use externally to enhance
the structural performance of RC beams effectively.
The primary target of this article is to reinforce the popular matters and questions addressed during
the opening literature in the RC beam research. The ongoing research studies the structure,
dimensions, and locations of single or multiple orifices using nonlinear computational methods and
simulations through experimental experiments.
2. Past experience analyses
2.1 Structural response RC beams with openings
Lorensten [30] conducted four simply-supported beams and T-sections with a single-sizable web
rectangular-opening.. Reagan and Warwaruk [31] also conducted an experimental study on six T-
beams simply-supported having many large rectangular web openings. Additionally, Lorensten's work
was expanded by Nasser et al. [32] by examining nine simply-supported beams and rectangular
sections with two rectangular openings. All these researches stated that the beam's strength improved
with extra bars around the rectangle opening; however, the rigidity was still less than the RC beams
without web apertures.
The joist floors with the light-weight concrete, Somes and Corley [33] studied the action of
continual beams circular-opening. They have stated that circular openings could accommodate without
expensive strengthening. Within the same context, McMullen and Daniel [34] proposed formulas for
estimating the torsion strength for RC-longitudinal beams comprising the lengthy and stumpy-
rectangular openings with and without around the corner.
Also, systematic research conducted by Mansur et al. [6] to test RC-beams with big-rectangular
apertures underwent torsion. They disclosed that both torsion resistance and the beam rigidity reduced
as increase depth or length of web openings, but its eccentricities had a marginal effect. Besides, they
pointed out that the failure beam mechanism achieves by creating four hinges at each opening corner.
They analyzed the torsion behavior using a collapse load simulation to predict the RC beam capacity
with a rectangular opening. Mansur and Paramasivam [35] adopted the famihar skew-bending model
for evaluating RC beam strengths that have a small web-circular aperture undergone the incorporated
effects of torsion and bending. The principles of limit analysis are used by Alwis and Mansur [36] to
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2nd International Conference for Civil Engineering Science (ICCES 2021) IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1895 (2021) 012059 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1895/1/012059
predict the torsional strength of an RC beam containing a sizable rectangular-aperture undergone
torsion and bending together effects. Additionally, Hasnat and Akhtaruzzaman [37] have presented a
series of formulas utilizing the bending-skew models to emulate RC-beams with or without
rectangular transverse web-aperture in torsional strength and failure mode.
Mansur et al. [38] examined RC-continual beams with a big-opening to express the load-deflection
response. The test parameters were: span length, opening's dimensions, as well, the sites. They
indicated that four distinct divisions in the relation between load and vertical displacement of the
continuous beam. Also, they pointed out that a raise in opening depth from 0.140 mm to 0.220 mm
caused decreasing in collapse load from 240 kN to 180 kN. Moreover, through assigning reduced shear
and flexural rigidities to the parts containing the large rectangular opening in the RC beam, the
deflection of these beams can be evaluated approximately [39]. The design guidelines for the response
and serviceability limit states for RC beams involving large openings introduced by Tan and Mansur,
[40]. Subsequently, the shear behavior of beams with a small opening has studied by Mansur [41]. The
author categorized the web opening (small or large size) relative to the overall beam depth. The
researcher also divided the form of diagonal failure into beam-type and frame-type for small web
openings.
Most investigations have discussed the RC beam behavior with web openings under static loading,
but very few researchers have investigated the performance of such beams under cyclic load effect
[42-44]. Additionally, an experimental study has conducted by Al-Shaarbaf and Abdulridha [45] to
simulate the response of high strength RC deep beams with web openings under monotonic and static
repeated-loading states. They indicated that the ultimate load capacities for specimens examined under
four different repeated loading systems reduce in the range between 2% and 19% regards to reference
specimens which tested under monotonic loading system.
The prim conclusion of the study introduced by El Ame et al. [46] was that when the transverse
circle opening with a diameter greater than or equal to 40% of the beam depth results in earlier cracks
and a lowering in the beam strength. Figure 1 depicts the relationships between the load with maximal
mid-span deflection of the beam for the three groups of the vertical location of the opening (0.5, 0.55,
and 0.6 from the beam depth, respectively) according to El Ame et al., [46].
(a) (b) (c)
Figure 1. Load against maximum deflection at the middle span of the RC beam: (a) Group
1, (b) Group 2, (c) Group 2 [46]
It could sum up that; over the past 25-30 years, attempts made to simulate the action of the RC-
beams through the inclusion of apertures in diverse sizes, shapes, and configurations (one or more and
at various positions of the beam). In such experiments, Tee and rectangular-shapes of beams are
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2nd International Conference for Civil Engineering Science (ICCES 2021) IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1895 (2021) 012059 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1895/1/012059
investigated with shear, bending, and torsion loads in a single span and multiple spans. Also, different
analytical patterns have developed with or without experimental findings. In general, the field of
beams with transverse openings had vastly studied. The next section of this research reviews the
various strategies used for strengthening transverse web-openings (reinforcing web apertures utilizing
inner strengthening or exterior by utilized FRP sheets in RC beams).
2.2 RC beams with opening strengthening
2.2.1 Using internal reinforcement in strengthening
It also acknowledged previous researches in this paper; the existing opening in the web of RC beams
was adverse effects on the structure's performance of these beams, including decreasing the ultimate
load capacity, stiffness reduction, and a large deflection response. Therefore, adding reinforcement
internally or around the openings in RC beams is considered a necessary strategy to increase the
strength's capacity of these structural elements, either in the planning and erection phases or in
constructed RC-beams. This elicitation is the result of the comprehensive survey carried by the
authors. In this section, the main conclusions of the internal reinforcing bar around the web openings
had reviewed.
The rational design approaches were proposed by Mansur et al.[8] for the RC beams big rectangular-
openings and strengthened in the shear and flexure zones. Twelve-beams were prepared and examined
with a single-point load using this approach. They suggested the parameter variables including;
coverage length, the section depth, load eccentricity, the opening's positions, and the quantity and
distribution of nook strengthening. The researchers stated that diagonal bars control cracking and
deflection effectively than vertical stirrups as corner reinforcement.
Tan et al. [47] investigated the procedure for shear design of RC-beams with circular-holes to
modify the existing method in the American Concrete Institute (ACI). Seven beams with Tee-sectional
and circular-web holes for temperate to high-shear strength had checked inverted to replicate the
negative-moment circumstances in a continual RC-beam. The scholars discovered that the ultimate
strength accomplished and controlled on the cracks through strengthening the opening by steel
reinforcement bars. Also, they pointed out that the diagonal bars were formed lower high compression
chord stresses, thereby preventing premature concrete crushing. On the other hand, the stretch of the
lower steel reinforcing bar reduced with a raise in the depth or length of the hole; as well as, the
maximum load and post-cracking strength rose with increment in the compressive strength of concrete
[48].
The performance and capacity of the deep-beam were influenced by the amount of web
reinforcement and the location of openings, whether in the constitute of separate fibers or as continual
strengthening [49]. The amount of steel fiber and the location of openings are significant effects on the
behavior and strength of RC deep beams [50]. Based on the study by Saksena and Patel [51] proved
that the existence of supplementary reinforcement and stirrups in the upper and lower of the opening is
more vital to the ultimate strength of beams.
The behavior of RC beams with redoubled transverse web-holes had studied by Aykac et al. [52].
They simulated the influence of using diagonal reinforcement around the holes, the longitudinal-steel
bars proportion, longitudinal-stirrups placed between the holes, and opening geometry on the bending
response of RC-beams with holes. The obtained results from the study of Aykac et al. [52] proved that
to avert the Vierendeel-truss influence and thereby prevented shear failure and allow a beam to
improve its ductility and bending capacity using the posts between the openings. Details of reinforcing
steel bars and dimensions of the specimens used by Aykac et al. [52]; shown in Figure 2.
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2nd International Conference for Civil Engineering Science (ICCES 2021) IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1895 (2021) 012059 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1895/1/012059
Figure 2. Details of specimens with holes [52]
As shown in Figure 3, the steel plate with internal radial bars (studs) used to strengthen a web
opening in the RC deep beam had suggested by Abdul-Razzaq et al. [53]. They disclosed that the
decrease in size of the unstrengthened square openings by (25-50) % caused the raise ultimate load
capacity by (11-17) %. Additionally, they found that the increase in the plate thickness from 4mm to
8mm, caused to increase in the ultimate load capacity by 10 %.
Figure 3. The used steel plates and studs for strengthening the openings [53]
2.2.2 FRP Strengthening Around Openings
This section reviews the past articles concerned with strengthening the RC with transverse web
opening externally by FRP laminates and focuses on the type of CFRP. Mansur et al. (1999) [2]
investigated a specified number of continuous RC beams with a total length of 2.9 m, and they
contained circular openings, as shown in Figure 4(a). They applied a truss arrangement of FRP plates'
technique around the circular opening in the RC beam. The researchers used a coring method to
achieve the web-opening in the beam with maintaining the integrity of concrete around the web
opening. A truss of FRP plates was used around the web opening to preserve the beam's original
strength. To avoid premature de-bonding, double-horizontal sheets with a span screw strengthening on
each side with three diagonal sheets illustrate in Figure 4(b).
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2nd International Conference for Civil Engineering Science (ICCES 2021) IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1895 (2021) 012059 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1895/1/012059
Figure 4. Beam configurations: (a) specifics of reinforcement
in Beams, (b) distribution of FRP for beam D15X4-F [2].
The findings of the study Mansur et al. [2] demonstrated that reinforcing truss FRP sheets around
the web opening may be controlled both the large deflection and excessive cracks; also avoid the loss
in the maximum strength. The role of the FRP plates 𝑉𝐹 to the maximum shear capacity extracted from
the test results of the reinforced beams:
𝐸
𝑉𝐹 = 𝐴𝐹 𝐹𝐹𝑠 sin 𝛼(𝐸 𝑠 ) (1)
𝐹
Where, 𝐴𝐹 , 𝐹𝐹𝑠 and 𝛼 are the cross-sectional area, tensile stress, and deviation angle of the FRP
sheets, respectively; and 𝐸𝑠 , 𝐸𝐹 and are Young's modulus of the stirrups, and FRP sheets, respectively.
The reckoning of 𝐹𝐹𝑠 had done according to the mean strains recorded for the FRP sheets at the utmost
situation.
Abdalla et al. (2003) [25] used FRP sheets to reinforce the opening region of RC beams. The
openings have situated in the shear territory with a distance of 0.2 m from the support. Figure 5(a)
shows the geometrical dimensions and configurations of RC beams used by Abdalla et al. [25]. They
discussed three parameters, including the opening size and the FRP sheets quantity and arranging. Ten
simply-supported beams with a section (0.1 m × 0.250 m) and a net length of 0.2 m tested under a
two-point loading. The height of the opening represented 60% of beam deepness. An analysis process
had developed to estimate the beam's behavior through vertical-displacement, stress, utmost load
outcomes, and cracks.
Figure 5(b) depicts the arrangement of CFRP laminated at the opening of the RC beam. The
shearing fails at the chords of the reinforced web apertures that they revealed by integrating the shear
cracking of the concrete and the bonding failure of the glued FRP sheets. The shear strength of the
beams with reinforced apertures was effectively calculating by a cautious design process. They
concluded that an aperture in the shear zone resulted in a large decrease in the ultimate beam capacity.
Moreover, the reinforcement technique used work to minimize vertical displacement and cracks
throughout the web-aperture and increased the utmost beam capacity.
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2nd International Conference for Civil Engineering Science (ICCES 2021) IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1895 (2021) 012059 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1895/1/012059
(b)
Figure 5. Dimensions specifics of the examined beams: (a) internal steel reinforcement, (b) kinds of
CFRP external retrofitting [25].
With a total number of RC beams was nine and single span, Allam [11] was studied the effect of
externally reinforcing rectangular openings in RC beams. The scholar used two means of
reinforcement that are steel plate and CFRP sheets. These beams had test under two concentrated loads
till failure. The scholar confirmed that the formation of a shear zone opening significantly reduces its
capacity. Figure 6 illustrates the combined external reinforcement of CFRP and steel plates around the
opening in RC beams. The scholar explained the causes for using this strengthening return to the steel
has identical substance properties, besides the orientation carbon texture was uni-directionally in the
CFRP sheets.
Additionally, a theoretical study has conducted by Allam [11]; the shear potential for beams in the
shear zone (𝑉𝑐 ) measured based on the Egyptian Code of Practice (ECP 203-2007, 2007) [54] as:
𝑓
𝑉𝑐 = 0.24√ 𝛾𝑐𝑢 𝛿𝑐 (𝑏𝑑) (2)
𝑐
𝑁
𝛿𝑐 = 1 + 0.7 (𝐴𝑐 ) (3)
𝑐
Where 𝛿𝑐 symbolizes the raise in the shear force capability result in the impact of the axial
compressive force (𝑁𝑐 ). On the other hand, 𝐴𝑐 is the cross-section area of the concrete section, 𝑏 is the
width of the beam, 𝑑 is the efficient depth of the beam, 𝑓𝑐𝑢 is the cubic compressive strength, and 𝛾𝑐 is
the concrete density.
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2nd International Conference for Civil Engineering Science (ICCES 2021) IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1895 (2021) 012059 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1895/1/012059
Figure 6. Reinforcing configurations on all sides of opening utilizing CFRP and Steel Plates [11]
The contribution of the strengthening using steel plates, 𝑉𝑝 can be estimated using Eq. (4), whereas Eq.
(5) used to determine the contribution of the FRP laminates, 𝑉𝑓 .
𝑑ℎ
𝑉𝑝 = 2 𝜏( 𝑝 ) (4)
2
𝑉𝑓 = 2 𝑡𝑓 𝑓𝑓𝑒 𝑑𝑓 (5)
Where hp is the height of steel plate, 𝑡𝑓 is the thickness of the fiber, 𝑓𝑓𝑒 is the effective tensile, and
𝑑𝑓 is the effective depth of the fiber.
To upgrade RC deep beams with openings, El Maaddawy and Sherif [27] used CFRP composite
sheets as a strengthening solution. El Maaddawy and Sherif [27] used the cross-section beam (0.08
mm × 0.50 m), while the span length is 1.20 m. The researcher proposed two-square hole, one for each
the shear zone, were put identical about mid-point of the beam. They studied factors, included the
opening size, the position, and CFRP sheet presence. It concluded that strengthening the CFRP around
the opening contributes to increasing the shear potential by thirty-five to seventy-three percentages.
The empirical findings compared with the structural sample idealism of RC -deep beams with holes.
Figure 7 depicts the structural layout for RC-deep beams having holes by El Maaddawy and Sherif
[27]. The shear strength of the RC-beam with the hole (𝑉𝑎𝑛𝑙 ) could evaluate through:
𝑉𝑎𝑛𝑙 = 𝑉𝑐 + 𝑉𝑠𝑑 + 𝑉𝑓 (6)
Where 𝑉𝑐 , 𝑉𝑠𝑑 , and 𝑉𝑓 denotes the shear strength of concrete, tension-steel (dowel action), and CFRP
sheets, respectively.
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2nd International Conference for Civil Engineering Science (ICCES 2021) IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1895 (2021) 012059 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1895/1/012059
Figure 7. Layout of structural performance with opening [27]
Madkour [29] clarified the non-linearity behavior of retrofitted RC-beams comprise rectangular
web-openings. The researcher applied the numerical application of the deterioration-non-linearity
elastic hypothesis to investigate the non-linear behavior of beams. They suggested two parametric
studies; the opening height and the reinforcing layouts utilizing CFRP around the web opening. The
numerical application estimated the three-dimension ambit to specify the economic and activity of
reinforcement layout. A good agreement had achieved between the numerical results with empirical
findings in the literature of the study. Besides, for each strengthening scheme, the mode of failure was
introduced.
Pimanmas [28] conducted experimental and numerical studies to emulate the influence of opening
RC beams reinforcing by FRP rods. Thirteen RC beams tested with circular and square opening. Two
styles of strengthening by FRP rod carried out: one is to put FRP rods diagonally throughout the entire
depth of the beam, and the other is to place FRP rods enclosing the opening, as shown in Figure 8. It
disclosed that simply putting FRP rods around the opening is not the entirely efficient result of a
diagonal crack can propagate through the beam with the crack path diverted to avoid intersecting with
the FRP rod. Moreover, a significant development in ductility and loading capacity had achieved when
FRP rods had put throughout the entire beam’s depth. It also found that the shear capacity of the beam
has significantly reduced with the opening presence.
Figure 8. Distribution of FRP rods: (a) enclosing the opening, (b) diagonally throughout the entire
depth of the beam [28]
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2nd International Conference for Civil Engineering Science (ICCES 2021) IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1895 (2021) 012059 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1895/1/012059
Nie et al. [55] utilized eight full-scale RC beams with a T-section to assess the influences of an
opening on bending capacity, and to study the reinforcing in shear capacity. They used the CFRP U-
jackets with a CFRP spike for strengthening a large rectangular web opening. The specimens subjected
to central-point load and the outcomes demonstrated that the convenient web-opening girth in the
beam’s layout could efficaciously decrease the bending ability. Also, CFRP retrofitting is
indispensable to confine the web chord generated by the opening guarantees the flexible action for the
beam also avoiding shear failure.
An experimental investigation was conducted by Salih et al. [56] for the RC beam with the circular
openings strengthened using CFRP sheets under cyclic load. Different orientations of CFRP had used
to assess: the secant stiffness, ultimate strength, ductility, strength retreating, energy squandering
capacity, mode of failure in beams. They confirmed that utilizing FRP sheets have a notable impact on
these beams by developing the utmost beam strength to roughly 66.67%.
Repaired RC-beams with a circular web-opening at the shear parts by CFRP had studied by Abed
et al. [57]. The researchers indicated that the repair regime by CFRP laminate was efficient with all
diameters of the web-opening. Also, they disclosed that with a smaller opening diameter, the failure
style of the CFRP repaired beams transformed from shear to flexural, whereas, in the shear region, the
CFRP de-bonding occurred with a larger opening diameter.
Increasing CFRP layers led to decreasing mid-span vertical displacement of the deep RC beam that
contains a web opening in the shear zone. This result based on the experimental investigation was
conducted by (Rahim et al. 2020). Figure 9 shows the middle span deflection behavior against the load
for strengthening RC deep beams with layers number of CFRP and the control beam [58].
Figure 9. Load-mid span deflection curve for RC deep specimens with different number of
CFRP layers (set 1) and control specimen
3. Conclusions
In the last five decades, the previous works dealt with the impacts of openings on the strength and
rigidity of RC beams in terms of their shape under different loadings. The key gaps are the
consequences of the sizable square and circular openings at crucial sites in shear and flexural.
However, the prime conclusions of this study can be summarized as follows:
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2nd International Conference for Civil Engineering Science (ICCES 2021) IOP Publishing
Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1895 (2021) 012059 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1895/1/012059
1. Due to the FRP sheet properties, such as (low cost, lightweight, superior thermo-mechanical, and
ease in fixing) made it is an appropriate choice for rehabilitation or strengthening RC beam contains
transverse web opening than the other methods.
2. It found numerous studies have emulated the performance of RC beam with openings under
immobile loads, but very minimal investigations have assessed the performance of these beams under
periodical loads. Therefore, the simulation fatigue load becomes very vital for such structural
elements.
4. The existence of longitudinal stirrups in the posts between the openings was a significant factor for
preventing shear failure and increase the flexural capacity of strengthening RC beam contains multiple
holes. Also, the appearance of diagonal-rebar and stirrups in the upper and lower of the opening is
important by developing the ultimate strength of beams.
6. It found that when the diameter of circle opening equal or greater than 40% of the depth of beam
caused reducing in beam strength and earlier cracks occurred. Besides, the deflection of beams
increased when the openings locating below the centroid of the section.
7. Very few studies concentrated on strengthening openings of the RC beams under the truss
arrangement of FRP plates. Also, rare works investigated the influence of drilling openings in existing
RC beams.
Based on the above points, the authors suggested an optimized (internally and externally)
reinforcement diagram to control the cracks and increase the ultimate load capacity of beam regard to
opening strengthening; and studying the effects of drilling openings process for existing RC beams.
The authors also recommended conducting a study that clarifies the differences of using internal or
external strengthening in structural performance for such elements.
5. Acknowledgment
The authors thank and gratitude to Mustansiryah University that presents all facilities and necessary
scientific support for completing this work.
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Journal of Physics: Conference Series 1895 (2021) 012059 doi:10.1088/1742-6596/1895/1/012059
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