Method for Measuring Shear Strain of RC Panels Using the Quadrant Multi-Hinge Shear Testing Apparatus

Four 500 mm × 500 mm × 90 mm reinforced concrete (RC) panels underwent shear tests under in-plane pure shear monotonic loading conditions using the Quadrant Multi-Hinge Shear Testing Apparatus, which was specifically designed and manufactured to measure both shear stress and shear strain. These tests, conducted on RC panels subjected to pure shear, varied in longitudinal and transverse reinforcement ratios. The maximum shear stress (τ) reached 8.22 MPa, and shear strain values ranged from 10,963 to 21,000 με. The failure angle, shear stress, and shear strain were significantly affected by the principal compressive stress and the reinforcement ratio of the concrete. Notably, PSR-1, with a higher relative reinforcement ratio in the orthogonal direction, exhibited the largest shear strain.