A review is presented of the influence of lateral confinement by stirrups, longitudinal strain gradient, size effects, concrete strength and nature of loading on the strength and ductility of rectangular reinforced concrete beams. Factors influencing the strain-weakening slope of the stress–strain curve for concrete in flexural compression and the critical interaction of this strain-weakening behaviour with the strain hardening of the reinforcement were identified by non-linear analysis of 94 beam tests conducted by various authors. Expressions are presented for the slope of the falling branch and the characteristics of the concrete stress block at maximum moment. Criteria are provided for achieving significant rotation capacity in reinforced concrete beams, and the most important parameters affecting this behaviour are identified.
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A. R. Kemp (1998) studied this question.