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Abstract The stepped beam is a type of non-prismatic beams that extend the stepped joint by stress collection and require adequate detail for this joint to prevent early failure. This work is an experimental investigation designed to examine the behavior of reinforced concrete stepped beams. The experimental program consists of seven concrete beams. All beams are tested under a four-point load. In this work, three variables are studied stepped height, stepped configurations and stepped location. In order to confirm the nonlinear finite element modeling created using ANSYS, a nonlinear finite element tool. Analytical study is performed using the ANSYS finite element program to predict the ultimate load capacity. With this program, seven identical duplicates of the experimentally tested beam are developed and built. Nonlinear material behavior, as it relates to steel reinforcing bar and concrete are simulated appropriate constitutive models. The crack patterns of the beams are presented. The load deflection plots are obtained. The analytical results show good agreement with the experimental results. |