CHAPTER 4 : DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

4.1
ANALYSIS
……………………………………………………………………………...
4.1 Introduction
This chapter covers the analysis and design of concrete beams to EC2. A procedure for carrying
out the detailed design of beams is shown in Table 5.1 and Figure 5.1. This assumes that the
beam dimensions have previously been determined during conceptual design.

STE
TASK STANDARD
P
EN 1990 : Table 2.1
1 Determine design life, Exposure class & Fire resistance EN 1992-1-1: Table 4.1
EN 1992-1-2: Sec. 5.6
BS 8500-1: Table A.3
2 Determine material strength
EN 206-1: Table F1
EN 1992-1-1: Table 7.4N
3 Select size of beam
EN 1992-1-2: Table 5.5
Calculate min. cover for durability , fire and bond
4 EN 1992-1-1: Sec. 4.4.1
requirements
EN 1990 Table A1.1 and
5 Estimate actions on beam
A1.2
Analyze structure to obtain critical moments and
6 EN 1992-1-1: Sec. 5
shear forces
7 Design flexural reinforcement EN 1992-1-1: Sec. 6.1
8 Design shear reinforcement EN 1992-1-1: Sec. 6.2
9 Check deflection EN 1992-1-1: Sec. 7.4
10 Check cracking EN 1992-1-1: Sec. 7.3
11 Detailing EN 1992-1-1: Sec. 8 & 9.2

Table 4.1 : Design Process for beam

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 CHAPTER 4 : DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

4.1.1 Preliminary size of beam

The layout and size of members are very often controlled by architectural details, and
clearances for machinery and equipment. The engineer must either check that the beam sizes
are adequate to carry loading, or alternatively, decide on sizes that are adequate. In practice, the
overall depth ratios of beam are often fixed in relation to their span. Span to overall depth ratios
of 13 to18 are generally found to be economical in the case of simply supported and continuous
beams. The recommended ratio of width to overall depth in rectangular beam section is in
range of 0.3 to 0.6.

4.1.2 Estimation of actions

Actions that applied on beam may consist of beams self-weight, dead and imposed loads from
slabs, actions from secondary beams and other structural or non-structural members supported
by the beam. The distribution of slab actions on beams depends on the slab dimension,
supporting system and boundary condition. The distribution loads from slabs are shown in
Figure 4.1 and Figure 4.2 for one-way and two-way slab.

A C
w = 0.5nlx kN/m

ly
Beam AB and CD

ly
w = 0 kN/m

lx
Beam AC and BD
B D

lx

n = uniformly distributed action on slab per unit area

𝑙𝑦
Figure 4.1: Action from one-way slab 𝑙𝑥 > 2.0

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 CHAPTER 4 : DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

A C w = (nlx/6) [3-(lx/ly) 2] kN/m

ly
Beam AB and CD

ly
w = (nlx/3) kN/m

lx
Beam AC and BD
B D

lx

𝑙𝑦
Figure 4.2: Action from two-way slab 𝑙𝑥 ≤ 2.0

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 CHAPTER 4 : DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

4.2 & 4.3

SIMPLY SUPPORTED BEAM
……………………………………………………………………………...
4.2 Introduction
Failure mode, bending moment and main reinforcement of a simply beam as shown in Figure
4.3.

Mode of failure

Flexural crack

Bending moment
diagram

Position of main
reinfrocement

Figure 4.3: Simply supported beam

Simply Supported Beams

The effective span of a simply supported beam is defined in EC2: Section [Link]. This should be
taken as
L = Ln + a1 + a2

Where;
Ln = clear distance between the faces of the supports
a1, a2 = min {0.5h; 0.5t}, where h is the overall depth of
the beam and t is the width of the supporting element.

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 CHAPTER 4 : DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

Effective spans for different support conditions are given in Figure 5.3.

a Non − continuous members b Continuous members

cetreline

c Supports cinsidered fylly resrtained d Bearing provided

e Cantilever

Figure 4.4 : Effective span for different support conditions

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 CHAPTER 4 : DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

Example 4.1
A rectangular reinforced concrete beam is simply supported on two masonry walls 250 mm
thick and 8.0 m apart (clear distance). The beam has to carry a distributed permanent action of
15 kN/m (excluding beam self-weight) and variable action of 10 kN/m. The materials to be used
are grade C20 concrete and grade 500 reinforcement. The beam inside buildings which
subjected to 1 hour fire resistance and design for 50 years design life. Design the beam.
Use the assumption of ∅bar = 20 mm and ∅link = 8 mm.

Example 4.2
Figure E5.2 shows part of the first floor plan of a reinforced concrete office building. During
construction, slabs and beams are cast together. The overall thickness of the slab is 125 mm and
the dimensions of the beam are as given in the diagram. The finishes, ceiling and services from a
characteristic permanent action of 1.5 kN/m2. The characteristic variable action is 3.0 kN/m2.
Three meter high brick wall weighing 2.60 kN/m2 is placed over the entire span of all beams.
The construction materials consist of Grade C25 concrete and Grade 500 steel reinforcement.
For durability consideration a nominal cover of 30 mm is required. Use the assumption of ∅bar =
25 mm and ∅link = 8 mm. Based on the information provided:

a) Calculate the design action carried by beam B/1-2

b) Sketch bending moment and shear force diagrams of beam B/1-2
c) Design the beam for ultimate and serviceability limit state.

1 2 3
3500 2500

A
250 x 600
2000

250 x 450
B
250 x 600
250 x 450
250 x 600
6000

Brickwall 3m
height

C
250 x 600
*all units in mm Figure E4.2

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 CHAPTER 4 : DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

Example 4.1
Ref Calculation Output
Specification

wkN/m

L h

Span, L = 8.0m
Mansory wall thick = 250mm
Characteristic Action
Permanent, Gk = 15kN/m
b
Variable, Qk = 10 kN/m
Design life = 50 years (table 2.1 EN 1990)
Fire resistance = R60 (sec. 5 EN 1992-1-2)
Exposure classes = XC1
Materials :
Charecteristic strength of concrete, fck = 20 N/mm2
Charecteristic strength of steel, fyk = 500 N/mm2
Unit weight of reinforced concrete, rc = 25 kN/m3
Assumed :  bar 1 = 20mm
 bar 2 = 12mm
 link = 8 mm

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 CHAPTER 4 : DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

Ref Calculation Output

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 CHAPTER 4 : DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

Ref Calculation Output

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 CHAPTER 4 : DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

Ref Calculation Output

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 CHAPTER 4 : DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

Example 4.2
Ref Calculation Output
Specification

1 2 3
3500 2500

A
250 x 600
2000

250 x 450
B

250 x 450

250 x 600
250 x 600
6000

Brickwall 3m
height

C
250 x 600

Slab thickness = 125mm

Unit weight of reinforced concrete, rc = 25 kN/m3
Weight of brickwork = 2.6 kN/m2
Characteristic Action:
Finishes etc. = 1.5 kN/m2
Variable, Qk = 3 kN/m2
Design life = 50 years (table 2.1 EN 1990)
Fire resistance = R60 (sec. 5 EN 1992-1-2)
Exposure classes = XC1
Materials :
Charecteristic strength of concrete, fck = 25 N/mm2
Charecteristic strength of steel, fyk = 500 N/mm2
Charecteristic strength of link, fyk = 500 N/mm2
Assumed :  bar 1 = 25mm
 bar 2 = 12mm
 link = 8 mm

Design beam 2/B - C

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 CHAPTER 4 : DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

Ref Calculation Output

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 CHAPTER 4 : DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

Ref Calculation Output

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 CHAPTER 4 : DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

Ref Calculation Output

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 CHAPTER 4 : DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

4.4
CONTINUOUS BEAM
……………………………………………………………………………...
4.4 Continuous beam
Continuous beams are one that rest on more than two supports and a common element in in-
situ construction. Typical failure mode, bending moment and main reinforcement of a
continuous beam is shown in Figure 4.4

Figure 4.4: Continuous beams

4.4.1 Method of Analysis

The analysis of continuous beam to calculate the bending moments and shear forces can be
carried out by the following methods;
a) Elastic analysis using method of moment distribution
The beam is analyzed for the various load cases to get the most adverse conditions at any
section along the beam. The shear force and bending moment diagrams are drawn for these
cases and the maximum shear and moment envelopes are constructed.

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 CHAPTER 4 : DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

b) Using tabulated moment and shear coefficient

Approximate general solutions for the maximum bending moments and shearing forces in
uniformly loaded beams of three or more spans are given in Table 5.2. This table is
reproduced from Table 3.6: BS 8110 Part 1. This method however is limited and adequate f
for continuous beams having approximately equal spans and uniformly distributed loads

At outer Near At first At middle At interior

Position support middle of interior of interior supports
end span support spans
Bending moment 0 +0.09FL 0.11FL +0.07FL 0.08FL
Shear force 0.45F  0.6F  0.55F

• Note: Values apply where characteristic variable load does not exceed characteristic
permanent load and variations is span length do not exceed 15% of the longest span. (F is
the total design load on span, and L is the effective span)

Table 4.2 : Moments and shear coefficients of continuous beam (Ref. BS 8110: Part 1: 1997)

c) Computer analysis using software

For the detailed analyses of continuous beam with complicated load arrangement and high
indeterminacy, computer-based matrix methods are ideally suitable. A large number
of established analysis and design software packages such as ESTEEM, ORION, PROKON,
and SAP are available in the market and actively being used by designers worldwide.

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 CHAPTER 4 : DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

Example 4.3
Floor plan of an office building is shown in Figure E5.3. Design the continuous beam 1a/A-D for
the following data:
Variable load on slab = 3.0 kN/m2
Finishes, ceiling and services = 1.5 kN/m2
Characteristic concrete strength = 25 N/mm2
Characteristic steel strength = 500 N/mm2
Nominal concrete cover = 30 mm

A B C D
8000 8000 8000

3000
1a

3000
2

3000
2a

3000
3
3

Notes:
Dimension: L = 8000 mm, B = 3000 mm
Slab thickness: h = 110 mm
Beam size: 225 x 500 mm
Use the assumption of ∅bar 1 = 20 mm , ∅bar 2 = 16mm and ∅link = 6 mm.

Figure E4.3

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 CHAPTER 4 : DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

Example 4.3
Ref Calculation Output

A B C D
8000 8000 8000
1

3000
1
a

3000
2

3000
2
a

3000
3

Dimension :
Span, L = 8m
Width, B = 3m
Slab thickness = 110
Beam size = 225 x 500mm
Characteristic loads:
Finishes ect = 1.5 kN/m2
Variable, Qk = 3 kN/m2
Materials :
Unit weight of reinforced concrete, = 25 kN/m3
Charecteristic strength of concrete, fck = 25 N/mm2
Charecteristic strength of steel, fyk = 500 N/mm2
Charecteristic strength of link, fyk = 500 N/mm2
Nominal concrete cover = 30 mm
Assumed :  bar 1 = 25mm
 bar 2 = 12mm
 link = 8 mm

Design beam 1a/A-D

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 CHAPTER 4 : DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

Ref Calculation Output

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 CHAPTER 4 : DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

Ref Calculation Output

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 CHAPTER 4 : DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAM

Ref Calculation Output

88