SHEAR IN BEAMS INTRODUCTION

5.0 NOTATIONS AND SYMBOLS When the beam is loaded, it resists loads primarily by means
of internal moments M and shears V. The beam must be designed for
Ab = area of an individual bar or wire, mm2
both types of forces to carry the loads safely. Flexure is usually
Ag = gross area of section, mm2
considered first to determine the dimension of the beam section and
Av = area of shear reinforcement within a distance s, mm2
the reinforcement needed to provide the necessary moment
Av min = minimum area of stirrup, mm2
resistance. The beam is then designed for shear. Shear failure may
bw = width of compression face of member, mm
occur if no shear reinforcement is provided. Experiments have
d = distance from extreme compression fiber to centroid
of tension reinforcement, mm demonstrated that shear failure is brittle and usually occurs without

fc` = specified compressive stress of concrete, MPa any warning before failure. On the other hand, flexural failure is
characterized by a gradual increase in deflection and cracking and
fy = specified yield strength of steel, MPa
occurs with warning before total failure. Thus, it is important to make
fyt = specified yield strength of hoop, tie, or spiral
reinforcement, MPa certain that the design for shear must ensure that shear failure does
h = overall depth of section, mm not occur before flexural failure. The limits on the amount of flexural
Mu = factored moment, kN-m reinforcement as provided in NSCP 2015 ensure that the member

Nu = factored axial load normal to cross section occurring behaves in a ductile manner.
simultaneously with Vu to be taken positive for
compression and negative for tension, and to include
effects of tension due to creep and shrinkage, N
s = spacing of stirrups, mm
Vc = shear strength provided by concrete, N
Vn = nominal shear force, N
Vs = shear strength provided by the reinforcement, N
Vu = factored shear force, N Shear failure of beam without Shear failure of beam with
ϕ = strength reduction factor stirrup or shear reinforcement stirrup or shear reinforcement

ϕ Vn = design shear capacity, N

λ = modification factor (1 for normal weight concrete)
ρw = ratio of As to bwd
[1]
FIGURE SHEAR STRENGTH PROVIDED BY CONCRETE Vc (NSCP 2015
Diagonal tension cracking in reinforced concrete beams SECTION 422.5.5)
 [Link] For non-prestressed members without axial force, Vc
shall be calculated by:
1
V c = λ √ f c bw d V c =0.17 λ √ f 'c bw d
'
6
Unless a more detailed calculations made in accordance with Table
[Link]
Table [Link]
Detailed Method for Calculating Vc
Vc
a) Web-shear cracking

Least of ( 0.16 λ √ f c +17 ρw

' Vud
Mu w )
b d (a)
(a), (b),
and (c): ( 0.16 λ √ f 'c +17 ρ w) bw d (b)
0.29 λ √ f 'c b w d (c)
*Mu occurs simultaneously with Vu at the section considered
 [Link] For non-prestressed members with axial force, V c
shall be calculated by:
b) Flexure-shear cracking
V c=
1
6(1+
Nu
14 A g )
λ √ f c bw d
'

NSCP 2015 CODE REQUIREMENTS: Unless a more detailed calculation is made in accordance with Table
The basic code requirement on shear strength is that the [Link], where N u is positive for compression.
factored shear force Vu shall be equal or less than the design shear Table [Link]
ØVn Detailed Method for Calculating Vc for Non-Prestressed Members with Axial
Vu≤Ø Vn Compression
 [Link] Nominal one-way shear strength at a section, V n, Vc

( )
shall be calculated by: V ud
V n=V c +V s 0.16 λ √ f 'c +17 ρw b d
4 h−d w (a)
 [Link] Cross-sectional dimensions shall be selected to M u−N u
satisfy equation where:
8
Least of
 (
V u ≤ Ø V c+
2 '
√f b d
3 c w ) (a), (b),
and (c):
Equation not applicable if
M u−N u
4 h−d
≤0
(b)
where: 8

√
Ø = 0.75 for shear and torsion
0.29 N u
Vu = factored ultimate shear, N 0.29 λ √ f 'c b w d 1+ (c)
Vc = shear strength provided by concrete, N Ag
  [Link] For non-prestressed members with significant axial
force, Vc shall be calculated by:

V c=
1
6(1+
0.29 N u
Ag )
λ √ f c bw d
'

where Nu is negative for tension, and Vc,, shall not be less than zero.

SHEAR STRENGTH PROVIDED BY STIRRUPS V s (NSCP 2015

SECTION 422.5.10)
 [Link] At each section where Vu > ØVc, transverse
reinforcement shall be provided such that equation is satisfied.
Vu
Vs≥ −V c
Ø
 [Link].3 Vs for shear reinforcement shall be calculated by;
A v f yt d
V s=
s Note: Fit stirrups as close to compression and tension surfaces
as cover and other reinforcing permits.
where:
s = spiral pitch or the longitudinal spacing of shear FIGURE: Stirrup Details
reinforcement, mm
Av = effective area of all bar legs or wires within spacing s,
mm2
fyt = specified yield strength of hoop, tie or spiral reinforcement,
MPa
 (b)

SPACING LIMITS OF SHEAR REINFORCEMENT (NSCP 2015

SECTION [Link])
 [Link].1 If required, shear reinforcement shall be provided
using stirrups, hoops, or longitudinal bent bars.
 [Link].2 Maximum spacing of shear reinforcement shall be
in accordance with Table [Link].2.

Table [Link].2
Maximum Spacing of Shear Reinforcement
Maximum s, mm
Vs Non-prestressed Prestressed
beam beam
FIGURE 4.8: Types of Web Reinforcement d/2 3h/4
≤ 0.33 √ f 'c bw d Lesser of:
600
d/4 3h/8
¿ 0.33 √ f 'c b w d Lesser of:
300

x = 6db for #5 and smaller MINIMUM SHEAR REINFORCEMENT (NSCP 2015 SECTION
stirrups 409.6.3)
 [Link] A minimum area of shear reinforcement, A vmin, shall
x = 12db for #6, 7, 8,
strirrups with fy > 40 ksi
be provided in all regions where Vu > 0.5ØVc, except for the
case in Table [Link], where at least Avmin shall be provided
y = stirrup close to where Vu > ØVc
extreme fiber, according to
ACI code

(a)
 Table [Link]
Cases where Avmin is not required if 0.5ØVc < Vu ≤ ØVc

Beam Type Conditions

Shallow Depth h ≤ 250 mm
h ≤ greater of 2.5tf or 0.5bw
Integral with Slab and
h ≤ 600 mm

Constructed with steel fibered

reinforced normal-weight h ≤ 600 mm
concrete conforming to sections and
[Link](a), [Link](d), and V u=0.17 Ø √ f 'c b w d
[Link](a) and with f’c ≤ 40
Mpa

In accordance with Section

One-way joist system
409.8
 [Link] If shear reinforcement is required and torsional
effects can be neglected according to Section [Link], A vmin
shall be in accordance with Table [Link].
Table [Link]. Required Avmin

Beam Type Avmin/s

bw
0.062 √ f c
'
Non-prestressed and a
prestressed with Greater f yt
Apsfse < 0.40 (Aps + fpu of: bw
+ As + fy) 0.35 b
f yt
bw
0.062 √ f c
'
c
Greate f yt
r of: bw
Prestressed with 0.35 d
Apsfse ≥ 0.40 (Aps + fpu Lesser of: f yt
+ As + fy)

√
A ps f pu d
e
80 f yt d bw
CRITICAL SECTION FOR BEAM SHEAR (NSCP 2015 SECTION
409.4.3)
 [Link] For beams built integrally with supports, V, at the
support shall be permitted to be calculated at the face of
support.
 [Link] Sections between the face of support and a critical
section located d from the face of support for non-prestressed
beams and h/2 from the face of support for prestressed beams
shall be permitted to be designed for Vu at that critical section
if (a) through (c) are satisfied:
a. Support reaction, in direction of applied shear, introduces
compression into the end region of the beam;
b. Loads are applied at or near the top surface of the beam;
c. No concentrated load occurs between the face of support and
critical section