Stainless steel bars are widely applied in concrete structures because of the superior corrosion resistance and large ductility. The research on the shear strength is particularly important in the enhancement of the durability and safety performance of the structure. The paper reviews the background and experimental research on the shear strength of stainless steel reinforced concrete beams and the mechanical characteristics of stainless steel bars, the mechanical mechanism of the shearing of concrete beams and the interaction mechanism of the two in a systemic way. The research indicates the enhanced shear bearing capability and the crack control capability of the beams attributed to the large ductility and the strain hardening property of stainless steel bars. Nevertheless, the practicality of the existing theoretical model and design code still needs improvement. The results from the experimental research indicate the effect of the most important factors such as the ratio of shear span and the ratio of the reinforcement and the strength of the concrete on the shearing performance and provide the data background for the development of the theory. The paper indicates the deficit in the existing research such as non-universal applicability of the theory model and the absence of long-time performance research and puts forward the research prospects in the future such as the building up of the precise shearing model and the research on the durability in the extreme environment in order to offer the theory guidance in the design and the development usage on the stainless steel reinforced concrete beams.
Zhongyu Wang (Sat,) studied this question.