ABSTRACT
Comparative study of the effectiveness of some typica l arrangements of overlapping hoops to ordinary rectangula r hoop was carrie d out. The overlapping arrangements were:- Diamond Shape; Singl e Crossing; and Double Crossing (See appendix). The concret e mix used in this experiment was designed to have a rati o of 1:1%:3 and a grade of 25 with water-cement rati o of 0.7 (w/c = 0.7). Mixing of this concret e was done manually using a dry batching process. The compaction of the cast specimens was by stamping internally , while poker-vibrato r was used on the surface , for proper dense settlement of the mixed concrete . Measurements of stresse s and - strain s of the specimens under loading was carrie d out with a strai n meter. The use of strain - meter was possibl e through the hel p of STRAIN-GAUGES which were soldered on the reinforcement - bars at four (4) differen t position s (top front top-back, middle fron t and middle-back). These strain-gauge s were also connected to a very thi n long and flexibl e electroni c wire s by use of Araldit e glue . The testin g of th e prepared specimens was carrie d ou t using UNIVERSAL TESTING MACHINE. Care was taken in ensuring proper place - ments of th e specimens on the machine before loading, in orde r to avoid excessive eccentri c loading on the specimens. The loading of al l the teste d specimens was a gradual process, while the readings of interna l stresse s and strain s of the specimens were recorde d a t some interva l differen t loadings, wit h th e ai d o f a STRAIN METER. Using th e recorde d result s o f th e Specimens,