The College of Engineering at the University of Baghdad witnessed the public discussion of the PhD student Haider Abedurudha Ghani from the Department of Civil Engineering for his thesis entitled “Flexural Performance of Reinforced Concrete Beams Vertically Perforated Through Entire Depth” on Thursday 9/11/2025, in the hall of Professor Dr. Khaled Shaker in the Department of Civil Engineering, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Amer Farouk Ezzat.
The primary objective of study was to studying the behavior of RC beams under effect of vertical openings, and Study the strengthening this opening using reinforcing steel or steel tubes experimentally and numerically. The experimental results showed that the creation of vertical openings within beams caused a decrease in ultimate load carrying capacity about 28%, and increase in the midspan deflection by 37% compared with the reference beam)without opening). In contrast, strengthening vertical opening of RC beams by using steel tube caused increasing the ultimate loads by about (6%), and reduced the service midspan deflection about (16%) relative to unstrengthen companion specimens. Furthermore, the experimental results showed a significant effect for strengthening of these specimens by using additional steel reinforcement around openings was more effective in increasing the ultimate loads about (19%), and reducing the deflection about 30%.
The study came out with a set of conclusions and recommendations, including the effectiveness strengthening vertical openings with steel reinforcement is roughly 69% more effective than steel tube. It is a good choice for strengthening vertical openings that penetrate concrete beams Perforated Through Entire Depth. Additionally, the effect of openings must be carefully considered during the design of the structural buildings to ensure their safety from collapse. With a recommendation for future research to study the effect of strengthening of RC beams Contains vertical openings by using CFRP sheets or jacket plate around openings from outside.
Following a scientific discussion by the esteemed members of the discussion committee, listening to the researcher’s defense, and evaluating the thesis, the researcher obtained degree of Doctor of Philosophy with distinction in Civil Engineering/ Structural Engineering.
