UNIT–2 NOTES
Stress Block Parameters (Limit State Method) – IS
456:2000
1. Introduction to Stress Block
When an RCC beam is subjected to bending, the top fibres are in compression and the
bottom fibres are in tension.
Concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension.
Therefore, concrete in the tension zone is neglected in Limit State Method (LSM).
The compressive stresses in concrete are represented by an equivalent
rectangular stress block for easy calculations.
2. Stress Distribution in RCC Beam
(a) Actual Stress Distribution
Compression
▲
│
│\
│ \
│ \
│ \
│ \
│ \
├──────────── Neutral Axis
│
│
│
▼
Tension (Concrete neglected)
The actual compressive stress varies in a parabolic shape, with maximum stress at the
top fibre.
(b) Equivalent Rectangular Stress Block (IS 456)
Compression
┌───────────────┐
│███████████████│
│███████████████│
│███████████████│
├───────────────┤ Neutral Axis
│
│
│
▼
Tension Zone
The actual curved stress distribution is replaced by an equivalent rectangular block having
the same compressive force.
3. Stress Block Parameters
The following parameters are specified by IS 456:2000.
(1) Maximum Compressive Strain
Definition
The maximum strain in the extreme compression fibre of concrete at ultimate load.
Value
εcu = 0.0035
Diagram
Compression Face
Maximum Strain
ε = 0.0035
──────────────
\
\
\
\
\
\
Neutral Axis
ε = 0
Importance
Indicates failure condition.
Used in strain compatibility.
Basis for stress block calculations.
(2) Maximum Compressive Stress
The maximum compressive stress developed in concrete is
0.446fck
where
fck = Characteristic compressive strength of concrete.
Diagram
Stress
0.446 fck
───────────────
███████████████
███████████████
███████████████
───────────────
Neutral Axis
(3) Resultant Compression Force (C)
Instead of considering stress at every point, the entire compression is replaced by one
force called Resultant Compression Force.
Formula
C = 0.36fck bxu
Where
fck = Characteristic strength
b= Width of beam
xu = Depth of neutral axis
Explanation
Compression force acts over the compression zone.
Used to balance tensile force in steel.
(4) Location of Resultant Compression Force
The compression force acts at
0.42xu
from the top compression face.
Diagram
Top Compression Face
────────────────────────
██████████████████
██████████████████
██████████████████
● C
↓
Distance = 0.42 xu
────────────────────────
Neutral Axis
(5) Tensile Force (T)
Concrete below the neutral axis is neglected.
Only steel carries tension.
Compression
██████████
────────── Neutral Axis
Steel Bars
========================
↑
Tension Force (T)
(6) Lever Arm (z)
Definition
The distance between compression force and tension force.
Formula
z = d − 0.42xu
where
d= Effective depth
xu = Neutral axis depth
Diagram
Compression Force (C)
↓
████████████████
────────────── Neutral Axis
↑
│
│ z
│
========================
Steel Bars (T)
(7) Ultimate Moment of Resistance
The beam resists bending by forming a couple between compression and tension forces.
Formula
Mu = C × z
or
Mu = 0.36fck bxu (d − 0.42xu )
4. Complete Stress Block Diagram
Compression
Extreme Compression Fibre
────────────────────────────────────────
██████████████████████████████
██████████████████████████████
██████████████████████████████
Resultant Compression Force
C = 0.36fck b xu
↓
●
│
│0.42 xu
────────────────────────────────────────
Neutral Axis
Concrete below NA neglected
────────────────────────────────────────
=============================
Steel Reinforcement
↑
T
Effective Depth = d
Lever Arm = z = d − 0.42 xu
5. Stress Block Parameters Table
Parameter Symbol Value
Maximum compressive strain εcu 0.0035
Maximum compressive stress — 0.446 fck
Resultant compression force C 0.36 fck bxu
Position of compression force — 0.42 xu from top
Lever arm z d − 0.42 xu
Ultimate moment Mu 0.36 fck bxu(d−0.42xu)
6. Limiting Neutral Axis Depth
The neutral axis should not exceed the limiting value.
Steel Grade xu,max
Fe250 0.53 d
Fe415 0.48 d
Fe500 0.46 d
Fe550 0.44 d
7. Assumptions of Stress Block (IS 456)
1. Plane sections remain plane after bending.
2. Perfect bond exists between concrete and steel.
3. Tensile strength of concrete is neglected.
4. Maximum compressive strain in concrete is 0.0035.
5. Concrete compression is represented by an equivalent stress block.
6. Steel follows the stress–strain relationship as specified in IS 456.
8. Memory Trick
"0.0035 → 0.446 → 0.36 → 0.42"
0.0035 → Maximum compressive strain
0.446 fck → Maximum compressive stress
0.36 fckbxu → Resultant compression force
0.42 xu → Location of compression force
Viva/Exam Questions
Q1. What is a stress block?
A stress block is the assumed distribution of compressive stress in concrete used in the
Limit State Method to simplify the analysis and design of RCC members.
Q2. Why is the stress block used?
It replaces the actual non-linear stress distribution with an equivalent rectangular block,
making calculations of compression force and moment resistance easier.
Q3. Why is concrete in the tension zone neglected?
Because concrete has very low tensile strength and cracks under tension; the tensile force
is resisted by steel reinforcement.
Q4. What is the value of maximum compressive strain in concrete?
0.0035
Q5. What is the formula for the ultimate moment of resistance?
Mu = 0.36fck bxu (d − 0.42xu )
These notes include the key stress block concepts, formulas, and simple diagrams
commonly expected in diploma and [Link] examinations.