MSB Beam Design Algorithm | IS 456 : 2000

MSB BEAM DESIGN ALGORITHM

Multi-Span Beam | Flexure, Torsion & Shear | IS 456 : 2000

This document presents a step-by-step design algorithm for a multi-span rectangular beam subjected to bending
moment, shear force, and torsional moment obtained from a [Link] structural analysis. The algorithm covers:
torsion-to-moment conversion, singly and doubly reinforced flexural design, compression steel stress from IS 456
Table F, and complete shear/torsion stirrup design.

IS 456 : 2000 — General design basis: Cl. 18 (Limit State Method), Cl. 36 (Characteristic Strength), Cl. 38 (Design Strength)

STEP 1 INPUT — Read Data from STAAD Analysis

IS 456 : 2000 — Cl. 22.1 — Design loads shall be the factored loads from structural analysis

Collect the following factored values at the critical section:

Symbol Quantity Unit

Mu Factored Bending Moment kN·m

Vu Factored Shear Force kN

Tu Factored Torsional Moment kN·m

b Beam Width mm

D Overall Depth mm

d Effective Depth (d = D − cover − ø/2) mm

fck Characteristic Compressive Strength of Concrete N/mm²

fy Characteristic Yield Strength of Steel N/mm²

d' Effective cover to compression steel (doubly R/F) mm

IS 456 : 2000 — Cl. 6.1 — Concrete grade (fck), Cl. 6.2 — Steel grade (fy), Cl. 26.4 — Minimum clear cover (25 mm for
beams generally)

STEP 2 Torsion Conversion — Equivalent Moment & Equivalent Shear

IS 456 : 2000 — Cl. 41.1 — General (torsion effects), Cl. 41.4.2 — Equivalent moment, Cl. 41.3.1 — Equivalent shear

IS 456 allows torsion to be handled by replacing the actual torsional moment with an equivalent bending moment
(Mt) and equivalent shear (Vue). The beam section is then designed for the combined effects.

2.1 Equivalent Torsional Moment Mt

Mt = Tu × (1 + D/b) / 1.7

where D = overall depth (mm), b = beam width (mm), Tu = factored torsional moment

2.2 Equivalent Bending Moment Me

The total design moment at the section, combining direct bending and equivalent torsional moment:

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 MSB Beam Design Algorithm | IS 456 : 2000

Me = Mu + Mt

Me is used in place of Mu for all subsequent flexural design checks

2.3 Equivalent Shear Force Vue

The equivalent shear is used in place of Vu for all shear reinforcement calculations:

Vue = Vu + 1.6 × (Tu / b)

where Tu is in kN·m, b is in metres for consistent units

Note: If Tu = 0, then Mt = 0, Me = Mu, and Vue = Vu. The algorithm reduces to standard bending + shear design.

STEP 3 Calculate Limiting Moment of Resistance Mulim

IS 456 : 2000 — Cl. G-1.1 (Annex G) — Limiting neutral axis depth and limiting moment

The limiting moment Mulim corresponds to the balanced section where the strain in tension steel reaches yield
simultaneously with concrete reaching its limiting strain of 0.0035. Sections with Me ≤ Mulim are singly reinforced;
those with Me > Mulim require compression steel (doubly reinforced).

3.1 Limiting Neutral Axis Depth Ratio

Steel Grade fy (N/mm²) xu,lim / d Basis

Fe 250 (Mild Steel) 250 0.53 IS 456 Cl. G-1.1

Fe 415 (HYSD) 415 0.48 IS 456 Cl. G-1.1

Fe 500 (HYSD) 500 0.46 IS 456 Cl. G-1.1

Fe 550 (HYSD) 550 0.44 IS 456 Cl. G-1.1

3.2 Limiting Neutral Axis Depth

xu,lim = (xu,lim/d) × d

3.3 Limiting Moment of Resistance

Mulim = 0.36 × fck × xu,lim × b × (d − 0.42 × xu,lim)

STEP 4 Decision — Singly or Doubly Reinforced?

IS 456 : 2000 — Cl. G-1.1 (Annex G) — Condition for singly vs doubly reinforced section

■ IF Me ≤ Mulim → Design as SINGLY REINFORCED BEAM (STEP 5A)

■ IF Me > Mulim → Design as DOUBLY REINFORCED BEAM (STEP 5B)

STEP 5 STEP 5A — Singly Reinforced Beam Design (Me ≤ Mulim)

IS 456 : 2000 — Cl. G-1.1 (Annex G) — Design of singly reinforced rectangular section

5A.1 Calculate Area of Tension Steel Ast

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Solve the quadratic equation derived from the moment equilibrium of the singly reinforced section:

Me = 0.87 × fy × Ast × [ d − (fy × Ast) / (fck × b) ]

Rearranging into quadratic form:

(fy / fck·b) × Ast² − d × Ast + Me / (0.87×fy) = 0

Solve for Ast using the quadratic formula; take the smaller root

5A.2 Minimum and Maximum Steel

IS 456 : 2000 — Cl. [Link] — Minimum tension reinforcement; Cl. [Link] — Maximum reinforcement

Ast,min = 0.85 × b × d / fy [Cl. [Link]]

Ast,max = 0.04 × b × D [Cl. [Link]]

Use: Ast = max(Ast, Ast,min) and verify Ast ≤ Ast,max

5A.3 Select Bar Diameter and Number of Bars

IS 456 : 2000 — Cl. 26.1 — Spacing of bars; Cl. 26.3.2 — Maximum bar spacing for crack control

Choose a standard bar diameter ø (8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 25, 32 mm). Number of bars n = Ast / (π/4 × ø²). Round up to
the nearest whole number. Verify the bars fit within the beam width observing minimum spacing rules.

Min. clear spacing ≥ max ( øbar, (hagg + 5 mm), 25 mm ) [Cl. 26.3.1]

Max. spacing for crack control ≤ 300 mm [Cl. 26.3.3(b)]

5A.4 Calculate Actual Neutral Axis Depth xu

Based on the Ast actually provided (after rounding up bars):

xu = (0.87 × fy × Ast,provided) / (0.36 × fck × b)

Verify: xu ≤ xu,lim (confirm section remains under-reinforced)

5A.5 Calculate Actual Moment of Resistance Mr

Mr = 0.36 × fck × xu × b × (d − 0.42 × xu)

Check: Mr ≥ Me (section is adequate)

Note: Singly reinforced design is complete. Proceed directly to STEP 6 (Shear Design).

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STEP 5 STEP 5B — Doubly Reinforced Beam Design (Me > Mulim)

IS 456 : 2000 — Cl. G-2 (Annex G) — Design of doubly reinforced rectangular sections

When Me exceeds Mulim, the concrete alone cannot carry the moment. Compression reinforcement (Asc) is added
to increase moment capacity. The design splits Me into two parts: Mulim resisted by the balanced singly reinforced
section, and the remainder (Mu2 = Me − Mulim) resisted by the compression steel couple.

5B.1 Set Neutral Axis at Limiting Value

xu = xu,lim = (xu,lim/d) × d

5B.2 Tension Steel for Mulim (Ast1)

IS 456 : 2000 — Cl. G-2.1 — Tension reinforcement corresponding to Mulim

Ast1 = Mulim / (0.87 × fy × (d − 0.42 × xu,lim))

5B.3 Additional Moment Mu2

Mu2 = Me − Mulim

5B.4 Strain in Compression Steel εsc

IS 456 : 2000 — Cl. G-2.2 — Strain and stress in compression reinforcement, IS 456 Table F

Assuming a linear strain diagram with the concrete strain at the extreme compression fibre limited to 0.0035:

εsc = 0.0035 × (xu,lim − d') / xu,lim

where d' = effective cover to compression steel

5B.5 Stress in Compression Steel fsc — Three Cases

IS 456 : 2000 — IS 456 Table F — Design stress-strain values for cold-worked steel (Fe 415, Fe 500)

The value of fsc depends on εsc relative to the values in IS 456 Table F:

Case Condition Formula for fsc

Case 1 εsc < εmin (first value in Table F) fsc = Es × εsc = 2×10■ × εsc (elastic range)

Case 2 εsc > εmax (last value in Table F) fsc = 0.87 × fy (fully yielded)

Case 3 εmin ≤ εsc ≤ εmax Interpolate linearly between adjacent entries in Table F

Note: For Fe 415 from IS 456 Table F: representative strain-stress pairs are 0.00144 → 288 N/mm², 0.00163 → 306, 0.00192
→ 324, 0.00241 → 342, 0.00276 → 351.8 (= 0.87×fy). Use Es = 2×10■ N/mm².

5B.6 Compression Steel Area Asc

IS 456 : 2000 — Cl. G-2.2 — Compression reinforcement for doubly reinforced section

fcc = 0.446 × fck (stress in concrete at level of compression steel)

Mu2 = Asc × (fsc − fcc) × (d − d')

Asc = Mu2 / [ (fsc − fcc) × (d − d') ]

5B.7 Additional Tension Steel Ast2

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 MSB Beam Design Algorithm | IS 456 : 2000

Ast2 = Mu2 / (0.87 × fy × (d − d'))

Total tension steel: Ast = Ast1 + Ast2

5B.8 Verify Neutral Axis and Moment Capacity

From equilibrium of the doubly reinforced section:

Cu = Tu → 0.36×fck×xu×b + Asc×(fsc−fcc) = 0.87×fy×Ast

Solve iteratively for xu if needed; verify Mr ≥ Me

5B.9 Steel Limits & Bar Selection

IS 456 : 2000 — Cl. [Link] & [Link] — Min/max steel; Cl. [Link] — Compression steel minimum (2 bars always)

Ast,min = 0.85 × b × d / fy [Cl. [Link]]

Ast,max = 0.04 × b × D [Cl. [Link]]

Asc,min = 0.002 × b × D (minimum 2 bars at compression face)

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STEP 6 Shear Reinforcement Design

IS 456 : 2000 — Cl. 40 — Shear (general), Cl. 40.1 — Nominal shear stress, Cl. 40.2 — Design shear strength, Cl. 40.4 —
Stirrup design, Cl. 41.3 — Torsion combined with shear

6.1 Nominal Shear Stress τv

Use the equivalent shear Vue (from Step 2.3) in place of Vu when torsion is present:

τv = Vue / (b × d) [Cl. 40.1]

Vue = Vu + 1.6×Tu/b when Tu > 0, else Vue = Vu

6.2 Check Maximum Shear Stress Limit

IS 456 : 2000 — Cl. 40.2.3 & Table 20 — Maximum shear stress τc,max

Concrete Grade (fck) M15 M20 M25 M30 M35 ≥M40

τc,max (N/mm²) 2.5 2.8 3.1 3.5 3.7 4.0

τv must not exceed τc,max — if exceeded, revise beam size [Cl. 40.2.3]

6.3 Design Shear Strength of Concrete τc

IS 456 : 2000 — Cl. 40.2.1 & Table 19 — τc depends on percentage of tension steel and concrete grade

Calculate percentage of tension steel and read τc from IS 456 Table 19:

pt = 100 × Ast / (b × d) (percentage of tension steel)

τc = value from IS 456 Table 19 (interpolate between pt rows if needed)

Vc = τc × b × d (shear carried by concrete)

6.4 Shear Reinforcement Decision

■ IF τv ≤ τc → Provide MINIMUM shear reinforcement only (Step 6.5)

■ IF τv > τc → Design stirrups for excess shear (Step 6.6 / 6.7)

6.5 Minimum Shear Reinforcement (when τv ≤ τc)

IS 456 : 2000 — Cl. [Link] — Minimum shear reinforcement

Asv / (b × Sv) ≥ 0.4 / (0.87 × fy)

Sv = (0.87 × fy × Asv) / (0.4 × b)

where Asv = area of stirrup legs (2× area of one leg for 2-legged stirrup)

6.6 Stirrup Design when τv > τc — Two Cases

Tu > 0 (Torsion + Shear) Tu = 0 (Shear Only)

Torsion combined with shear [Cl. 41.4.3] Excess shear only [Cl. 40.4]

Spacing for closed stirrups: Excess shear force:

Sv = (0.87×fy×Asv×d1) / (Tu/b1 + Vu/2.5) Vus = Vue − τc × b × d

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where: Vertical stirrup spacing:

d1 = centre-to-centre dist. between corner bars Sv = (0.87×fy×Asv×d) / Vus

b1 = centre-to-centre dist. between corner bars (width)

Asv = total area of legs of stirrup where:

Asv = total area of stirrup legs

Use CLOSED stirrups (all four sides) [Cl. 41.4.3] d = effective depth

Two-legged vertical stirrups acceptable

6.7 Check Minimum Spacing Limits

IS 456 : 2000 — Cl. [Link] — Maximum spacing of stirrups; Cl. 41.4.3 — Max spacing when torsion is present

Sv,adopted = minimum of [ Sv(calculated), 0.75×d, 300 mm ] [Cl. [Link]]

When Tu > 0 : Sv,max = x1 where x1 = shorter dimension of stirrup [Cl. 41.4.3]

Also: Sv,max ≤ (x1 + y1) / 4 and ≤ 300 mm

6.8 Minimum Side-Face Reinforcement (for deep beams)

IS 456 : 2000 — Cl. [Link] — Side face reinforcement when D > 750 mm

When the overall depth D exceeds 750 mm, provide side face reinforcement along each face of the beam:

Asf = 0.1% × b × D (on each face)

Distribute uniformly between the tension and compression steel

Minimum bar diameter: 12 mm, maximum spacing: 300 mm

STEP 7 Final Output — Report Designed Reinforcement

IS 456 : 2000 — Cl. 26.1, 26.3 — Detailing requirements; Cl. 26.4 — Cover; Cl. 26.5.1 — Reinforcement limits

Tabulate and report the following:

Output Parameter Symbol Section

Equivalent moment Me Step 2

Limiting moment Mulim Step 3

Neutral axis depth xu Step 5A / 5B

Tension steel area (required) Ast,req Step 5A / 5B

Tension steel area (provided) Ast,prov Step 5A.3 / 5B.7

Tension bars nØø Step 5A.3 / 5B.9

Compression steel (if doubly R/F) Asc Step 5B.6

Compression bars nØø Step 5B.9

Stress in compression steel fsc Step 5B.5

Stirrup spacing Sv Step 6.6 / 6.7

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Stirrup type 2L / Closed Step 6.6

Moment capacity check Mr ≥ Me Step 5A.5

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Quick Reference — IS 456 : 2000 Clauses Used in This Algorithm

IS 456 Clause / Annex Subject Used in Step

Cl. 18 Limit State Method All

Cl. 22.1 Design loads — factored loads 1

Cl. 26.1 Spacing of bars 5A, 5B, 7

Cl. 26.3.1 Minimum clear spacing 5A.3

Cl. 26.3.3(b) Max spacing for crack control 5A.3

Cl. 26.4 Cover to reinforcement 1, 7

Cl. [Link] Minimum tension steel (Ast,min) 5A.2, 5B.9

Cl. [Link] Maximum reinforcement (4% bD) 5A.2, 5B.9

Cl. [Link] Min. 2 bars on compression face 5B.9

Cl. [Link] Max spacing of stirrups 6.7

Cl. [Link] Minimum shear reinforcement 6.5

Cl. [Link] Side face reinforcement (D > 750 mm) 6.8

Cl. 40.1 Nominal shear stress τv 6.1

Cl. 40.2.1 & Table 19 Design shear strength τc 6.3

Cl. 40.2.3 & Table 20 Maximum shear stress τc,max 6.2

Cl. 40.4 Stirrup design for excess shear 6.6

Cl. 41.1 Torsion — general 2

Cl. 41.3.1 Equivalent shear Vue 2.3, 6.1

Cl. 41.4.2 Equivalent moment Mt, Me 2.1, 2.2

Cl. 41.4.3 Stirrups for torsion+shear 6.6

Annex G, Cl. G-1.1 Singly reinforced section design 3, 5A

Annex G, Cl. G-2 Doubly reinforced section design 5B

Annex G, Cl. G-2.2 Compression steel Asc, fsc 5B.6

IS 456 Table F fsc — stress-strain for comp. steel 5B.5

IS 456 Table 19 τc — shear strength of concrete 6.3

IS 456 Table 20 τc,max — max shear stress 6.2

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