METHODS TO DESIGN RCC STRUCTURE

Working stress method (1950):

This is simple reliable but the oldest method which is based on the elastic theory. It
assumes that both concrete and steel are elastic and obeys Hook’s law. In this
method moment and forces acting on a structure are computed from actual values
of service/working load but the stresses in concrete and steel are taken only a
fraction of their strength in order to provide an adequate factor of safety (FOS). A
greater factor of safety (FOS) is adopted in concrete (Generally FOSConcrete=3)
because at the time of failure crushing of concrete takes place unexpectedly as it is
a brittle material. But a lesser factor of safety (FOS) is adopted in steel (Generally
FOSsteel=1.78 to 1.8) as steel yields generally so give advance warning before
failure.
In this method the ultimate stress of concrete and yield strength or 0.2% proof
stress of steel are divided by FOS to obtain permissible stresses.
The basis of this method is that the permissible stresses are not exceed anywhere
in the structure when it is subjected to worst combination of working loads. Thus,
𝑌𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠
(Permissible stress) steel=
𝐹𝑂𝑆
𝑈𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑆𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
(Permissible stress) concrete=
𝐹𝑂𝑆

Working Stress<=Permissible stress.

Working stress method provides less safety to structure (Flexure,
shear, torsion), but more serviceability (Cracking, deflection,
vibration, Corrosion)
This method provides less safety to structure (like against Bending, shear and
Torsion) but more importance to serviceability (like Cracking, Deflection and
vibrations, corrosion etc.)

The main drawbacks of this method are as follows:

a) It assumes that concrete is elastic which is not true.
 b) It uses FOS for stresses only, which does not give true margin of safety as the
failure load is not known.
c) It does not use any FOS with respect to loads. So, there is no provision for
certainties with the loads.
d) It gives uneconomical sections.

Ultimate Load Method/ Load Factor Method (1964)

This method is based on the plastic theory. In this method, the non-linear stress–
strain curves (actual stress-strain curves) of concrete and steel and the stress
condition just before collapse are considered. Here ultimate load or collapse load
is used as a design load which is obtained by multiplying working load with load
factor.
Ultimate Load=Load factor× Working Load.
(Load factor of 1.5 for Dead Load and 2.2 for Live Load was considered)
Thus, in the ultimate load design, the strength of the member must be more than
the ultimate load acting on the member.
Design resistance (Rn) ≥ Design load effect
This method provides more safety to the structure (like against Bending, shear
and Torsion) but less importance to serviceability (like Cracking, Deflection and
vibrations, corrosion etc.) because this method gives very thin section which
results in excessive deformation, cracking etc.
One of the disadvantages of this method is that the performance at the normal
service loads is not considered. Hence, it was realized that the design approach
that combines the best features of the ultimate strength design and working
stress design will result in better structural performance in strength and
serviceability. This realization led to the development of limit states design.
Limit State Method:
It is the most rational method which is based on the concept of safety at the
ultimate load (as used in Ultimate load method) & serviceability at working load
(As used in working stress method). In this method, the term ‘limit states’ is
preferably used instead of the term ‘failure’. Thus, a limit state is a state of
impeding failure, beyond which a structure ceases to perform its intended
function satisfactorily. The acceptable limit for safety and serviceability
requirements before failure occurs is called limit state. A structure to be designed
on the basis of limit state should possess the following limit states:
i. Limit State of collapse.
ii. Limit state of serviceability.

Limit State of collapse:

This limit state is also called as strength limit state as it corresponds to the
maximum load carrying capacity i.e. safety requirements of the structure. The
limit state of collapse is assessed from collapse of the whole or part of the
structure. As per this limit state, the resistance to bending, shear, torsion and
axial loads at every section shall not be less than that produced by the most
unfavorable combination of loads on that structure. The following limit state of
collapse are considered in the design,
i. Limit state of collapse in flexure (bending).
ii. Limit state of collapse in compression.
iii. Limit state of collapse in shear.
iv. Limit state of collapse in Torsion.

Limit state of serviceability:

A structure is of no use if it is not serviceable. Serviceability limit states, which
deal with the discomfort to occupancy and/or malfunction, caused by excessive
deflection, excessive crack width, undesirable vibration (e.g., wind induced
oscillations, floor vibration), and so forth. Thus, this limit state is introduced to
prevent excessive deflection and cracking. It ensures the satisfactory performance
of the structure at working loads. It is estimated on the elastic theory or working
stress method because deformations is of significance under working load and
not at collapse. Limit state of serviceability of following limit states,
i. Limit state of deflection.
ii. Limit state of cracking.
The structure should be designed which considering all the appropriate
limit state of safety and serviceability. The structure should be designed
on the basis of most critical limit state and then checked for all other
limit states.
Hence, ultimate limit states are conditions to be avoided and serviceability limit
states are conditions that are undesirable.
The limit states method philosophy uses a multiple safety factor format that
attempts to provide adequate safety at the ultimate loads as well as adequate
serviceability at the service loads, by considering all possible limit states.
So, to achieve the desired safety and serviceability, Limit state method uses the
concept of Partial safety factor for material properties to consider the variation of
materials property and load factor for working loads.

DIFERRENCE BETWEEN WSM & LSM

WORKING STRESS METHOD LIMIT STATE METHOD

This method is based on the elastic This method is based on the actual
theory which assumes that both stress-strain curves of steel and
concrete and steel are elastic & stress- concrete. For concrete stress-strain
strain curve is linear for both. curve is nonlinear.
Factor of safety is applied to yield Partial safety factor is applied to get
stresses to get permissible stresses. design values of stresses.
Design load obtained by multiplying
No F.O.S is applied to load. partial safety factors of load to
working loads.
It is less economical as it gives thicker It is more economical as it gives
section. thinner section.
This method assumes that the actual This method is based upon the
loads, permissible stress & FOS are probabilistic approach which depends
known. So, it is called deterministic upon the actual data or experience.
method, So, it is called non-deterministic
method.