INTRODUCTION TO REINFORCED CONCRETE
STRUCTURES
(Eurocode 2 – EN 1992-1-1)
1. Definition of Reinforced Concrete
Reinforced Concrete (RC) is a composite material in which concrete and steel reinforcement
act together to resist structural loads.
Concrete resists compressive stresses
Steel reinforcement resists tensile stresses
Composite action is ensured through bond
Eurocode 2 governs the design, analysis, and detailing of RC structures to ensure:
Safety
Serviceability
Durability
2. Materials Used in Reinforced Concrete
2.1 Concrete (Eurocode 2)
Concrete is classified by strength classes based on cylinder and cube strengths.
Example:
Concrete class C25/30
Characteristic cylinder strength, fck=25 MPa
Characteristic cube strength = 30 MPa
Design Compressive Strength
α cc f ck
fcd=
γ cc
Where:
αcc=0.85\alpha_{cc} = 0.85αcc=0.85 (recommended)
γc=1.5\gamma_c = 1.5γc=1.5
fcd=0.85×251.5=14.17 MPaf_{cd} = \frac{0.85 \times 25}{1.5} = 14.17 \, \text{MPa}fcd
=1.50.85×25=14.17MPa
2.2 Reinforcement Steel
Common steel grades (Eurocode 2):
B500B (most commonly used)
Properties:
Characteristic yield strength:
fyk=500 MPaf_{yk} = 500 \, \text{MPa}fyk=500MPa
Design yield strength:
fyd=fykγs=5001.15=435 MPaf_{yd} = \frac{f_{yk}}{\gamma_s} = \frac{500}{1.15} = 435 \, \
text{MPa}fyd=γsfyk=1.15500=435MPa
3. Stress–Strain Behaviour
3.1 Concrete
Nonlinear stress–strain relationship
Brittle failure in tension
Ultimate compressive strain:
εcu=0.0035\varepsilon_{cu} = 0.0035εcu=0.0035
3.2 Steel
Linear elastic up to yield
Ductile behavior
High strain capacity before failure
4. Bond Between Concrete and Steel
Bond ensures strain compatibility:
εsteel=εconcrete\varepsilon_{steel} = \varepsilon_{concrete}εsteel=εconcrete
Bond is achieved through:
Chemical adhesion
Friction
Mechanical interlock (ribbed bars)
Eurocode ensures bond by:
Minimum cover
Anchorage length
Bar spacing rules
5. Behaviour of RC Sections in Flexure
Assumptions (Eurocode 2):
1. Plane sections remain plane after bending
2. Perfect bond between steel and concrete
3. Concrete carries no tension
4. Stress–strain relationships are known
6. Limit State Design Philosophy (Eurocode 2)
6.1 Ultimate Limit State (ULS)
Ensures safety against:
Collapse
Excessive deformation
Loss of equilibrium
6.2 Serviceability Limit State (SLS)
Ensures:
Crack width control
Deflection limits
Durability and appearance
7. Partial Safety Factors (Eurocode 2)
Loads:
Permanent actions: γG=1.35\gamma_G = 1.35γG=1.35
Variable actions: γQ=1.5\gamma_Q = 1.5γQ=1.5
Materials:
Concrete: γc=1.5\gamma_c = 1.5γc=1.5
Steel: γs=1.15\gamma_s = 1.15γs=1.15
8. Numerical Example 1: Design Bending Moment
Given:
Permanent load, G=10 kN/mG = 10 \, \text{kN/m}G=10kN/m
Variable load, Q=5 kN/mQ = 5 \, \text{kN/m}Q=5kN/m
Simply supported beam
Span L=6 mL = 6 \, \text{m}L=6m
Design Load:
wd=1.35G+1.5Q=1.35(10)+1.5(5)=21 kN/mw_d = 1.35G + 1.5Q = 1.35(10) + 1.5(5) = 21 \, \
text{kN/m}wd=1.35G+1.5Q=1.35(10)+1.5(5)=21kN/m
Maximum Bending Moment:
MEd=wdL28=21×628=94.5 kNmM_{Ed} = \frac{w_d L^2}{8} = \frac{21 \times 6^2}{8} =
94.5 \, \text{kNm}MEd=8wdL2=821×62=94.5kNm
9. Numerical Example 2: Flexural Design of RC Beam
Given:
MEd=94.5 kNmM_{Ed} = 94.5 \, \text{kNm}MEd=94.5kNm
Concrete: C25/30
Steel: B500
Beam width b=300 mmb = 300 \, \text{mm}b=300mm
Effective depth d=500 mmd = 500 \, \text{mm}d=500mm
Step 1: Design Material Strengths
fcd=14.17 MPa,fyd=435 MPaf_{cd} = 14.17 \, \text{MPa}, \quad f_{yd} = 435 \, \text{MPa}fcd
=14.17MPa,fyd=435MPa
Step 2: Lever Arm
For singly reinforced section:
z≈0.9d=0.9×500=450 mmz \approx 0.9d = 0.9 \times 500 = 450 \, \
text{mm}z≈0.9d=0.9×500=450mm
Step 3: Area of Steel Required
As=MEdfyd⋅zA_s = \frac{M_{Ed}}{f_{yd} \cdot z}As=fyd⋅zMEd As=94.5×106435×450=482
mm2A_s = \frac{94.5 \times 10^6}{435 \times 450} = 482 \, \text{mm}^2As=435×45094.5×106
=482mm2
Step 4: Provide Reinforcement
Use:
2 bars of 18 mm diameter
As=2×254=508 mm2 ✓A_s = 2 \times 254 = 508 \, \text{mm}^2 \; \checkmarkAs
=2×254=508mm2✓
10. Serviceability: Crack Control
Eurocode limits crack width:
wk≤0.3 mm(for normal exposure)w_k \le 0.3 \, \text{mm} \quad \text{(for normal exposure)}wk
≤0.3mm(for normal exposure)
Crack control achieved by:
Limiting bar spacing
Using smaller bar diameters
Adequate concrete cover
11. Durability and Cover (Eurocode 2)
Nominal cover:
cnom=cmin+Δcdevc_{nom} = c_{min} + \Delta c_{dev}cnom=cmin+Δcdev
Depends on:
Exposure class (XC, XD, XS, etc.)
Fire resistance
Bar diameter
12. Typical RC Structural Elements
Beams (flexure & shear)
Slabs (one-way, two-way)
Columns (axial load + bending)
Footings
Shear walls
13. Advantages of Reinforced Concrete
Versatile and durable
Fire resistant
Economical
Suitable for most structures
14. Summary
Reinforced concrete structures designed using Eurocode 2:
Follow limit state principles
Ensure safety and serviceability
Rely on composite action of steel and concrete
Require careful detailing for durability