Shear wall with multiple point loads

Let us now consider the previous reinforced concrete beam by dividing the load into four equivalent loads that have the same resultant. The dimensions of the horizontal compressed strut at the centre of the beam, as well as the forces in the reinforcement, therefore remain identical to the previous solution.

The behaviour of this beam can be represented by an arch-and-cable system or by a model composed of a series of compressed struts with direct support. These two models are statically equivalent and provide us with the same amount of reinforcement in the tension zone. Both models are illustrated below:

Model with an arch-cable

Model with struts with direct support