Chapter 3

Limit state design of beams for shear/diagonal tension, bond and

anchorage

Design of Sections for Shear

 Beams resist loads by means of internal moment M and shear force V.
 Longitudinal reinforcements are provided based on bending moment and shear reinforcements
are provided based on shear force.
 Shear force is significantly present in beams where there is a change in bending moment along the
span.
 Shear force is equal to the rate of change of bending moment. i.e. V = dM/dx
 Shear force in beam generally develop in combination with bending moment.

Behavior of Reinforced-concrete Beam without Shear Reinforcements

In reinforced-concrete beam elements, shear force and moment may develop in combination.
The combined action of shear force and moment gives rises to principal tensile and compressive
stresses on principal planes of the elements of beam. When the principal tensile stress exceeds
tensile strength of concrete, formation of cracks takes place along the principal planes which are
perpendicular to principal tension stress trajectories.

In the vicinity of maximum span moment of simple and continuous beams, where shear force is
small and moment is large, the direction of the principal tensile stress is nearly horizontal and is
nearly equal to the flexural tensile stress. For such a section of the beam subjected to moment
only, the state of stresses for an element of beam near to extreme tension fiber is as shown
below. When the principal tensile stress in such case exceeds the tensile strength of concrete,
flexure tension cracks develop along vertical principal plane. Vertical flexure tension crack can be
controlled by the provision of longitudinal tension reinforcement.

43
Near to the support of simple beams, where the shear force is large and moment is small, the
principal tensile stress is nearly equal to the shear stress and is inclined at approximately 45˚ to
the axis of the beam. It is referred to as the diagonal tension and is responsible for the
development of inclined cracks. At the level of the neutral axis, longitudinal flexural stress is
absent and shear stresses give rise to a diagonal tension which causes inclined cracks. For such a
section of the beam subjected to maximum shear force and small moment, the state of stresses
for an element of beam at the level of the neutral axis is as shown below. When the principal
tensile stress in such case exceeds the tensile strength of concrete, diagonal tension cracks
develop along principal plane inclined at angle approximately 45˚ to the axis of the beam. But for
a section of continuous beam subjected to both shear force and moment significantly, diagonal
tension cracks develop as an extension of vertical flexure crack and it is known as flexure-shear
crack. Diagonal tension crack can be controlled by the provision of shear reinforcement.

The different types of crack regions such as region of flexural cracks, diagonal tension cracks and
flexure-shear cracks can be shown as below, for a simply supported beam.

I – Region of flexural cracks

II – Region of diagonal tension crack
III – Region of flexure-shear crack

Shear Strengths of RC beams and Shear Reinforcements

The transfer of shear in reinforced concrete members occurs by the combination of the following
mechanisms.
1) Shear resistance of the un-cracked concrete in compression
2) Aggregate interlock force:- that develop tangentially along the expected crack propagation,
and similar to a frictional force due to irregular interlocking of aggregates along the rough
concrete surface on each side of the crack.
3) Dowel action of the longitudinal reinforcement:- the resistance of the longitudinal
reinforcement to transverse force.

44
4) Shear reinforcement resistance from vertical or inclined stirrups (not available in beams
without shear reinforcement)
If the RC beam is without shear reinforcement, the shear resistance along the expected cracking
(ie along ABC as shown in the figure below) =
Sum of shear in compression zone (Vcz) + Vertical component of aggregate interlock force
(Vay) + Force due to dowel action of the longitudinal reinforcement (V d)

i.e. V = Vcz + Vay + Vd

Immediately after inclined cracking, it is found that 40 % to 60 % of the shear is resisted by Vay
and Vd.
As the crack widens Vay decreases and much of the resistance is provided by Vcz and Vd. As Vd
gets larger it leads to splitting crack in the concrete along the reinforcement. When this crack
occurs Vd drops to zero.
When Vay and Vd disappear, all shearing forces are to be resisted by the portion AB above the
crack. This may cause crushing of concrete in region AB.
For beams with shear reinforcements, Total shear V to be resisted is
V = Vcz + Vay + Vd + Vs
Where, Vs = Shear to be resisted by the stirrups.
Here, (Vcz + Vay + Vd) = Vc = Shear resisted by concrete
Therefore, total shear to be resisted is
V = V c + Vs
Stirrups are required to be designed to carry shear above the capacity of concrete.

Types of shear reinforcements

Common types of shear reinforcement are:
1)Vertical stirrups
2) Inclined stirrups at angle 450 or more from longitudinal axis of beam
3) Bent-up bars of longitudinal reinforcement bent at angle of 450 or more from longitudinal axis
of beam
4) Combination of 1 or 2 with 3

45
 Vertical Stirrups: Most commonly used
Inclined stirrups: Cannot be used where beams resist shear reversal such as buildings resisting
seismic loads.
Bent up bars: Almost disappeared. Possess same disadvantage like inclined stirrups and
additional disadvantage is the difficulty in bar bending.

Prof. Morsch truss model to find spacing of stirrups

The amount of shear reinforcement or the spacing S of the stirrups having C/S area Av (of the two
vertical legs) is obtained from a mathematical model called truss model (developed by Prof.
Morsch in 1902) for the design of beam for shear.
The stirrups are modeled as vertical tension members, the longitudinal flexural reinforcements as
horizontal tension members, the concrete diagonals between cracks as diagonal compression
members and the concrete in flexural compression as top horizontal compression members.

The spacing of shear reinforcement can be calculated as following

Vs = Number of stirrups * Force carried by each stirrups
Av = Area of two vertical legs of stirrup
Force carried by each stirrups = Av * fyd
The horizontal projection of MG = z/tan θ
46
No. Of stirrups in this width =

Vs =
S= Where θ = 45˚; Tan θ = 1

EBCS 2 gives, s = for vertical stirrups.

Design Shear Strength specifications based on EBCS-2/95

 In order to prevent diagonal compression failure in concrete, the shear resistance of a
section, V RD shall not be less than the design shear force developed in a member due to
factored design load. V RD is given by:
V RD  0 . 25 f cd . b w . d

 Design shear strength of concrete flexural member (beams & slabs) without significant
axial force preventing diagonal tension failure is given by:
V c  0 . 25 f ctd . k 1 . k 2 . b w . d
2 3
0 . 21 ( f cd )
Where: f ctd 
c

k 1  ( 1  50  )  2 . 0

k 2  ( 1 .6  d )  1 .0 ( d in meters ). For members where more than 50% of the

bottom reinforcement is curtailed, k 2  1 .0

As
 
bw . d

As --Area of tension reinforcement anchored beyond the intersection of the steel and
the line of possible 45˚ crack starting from the edge of the section.

For members subjected to axial compression in addition to flexure and shear, section may be
designed for the additional shear strength of concrete given by,
0 .1 (b w . d ) . N
V cn  sd

Ac

Where: N sd
--design axial force
47
 Ac --gross concrete cross section

-For members subjected to axial tension in addition to flexure and shear, shear reinforcement
shall be provided to carry total design shear.
Minimum shear reinforcement:
 All beams, except joists of ribbed slabs, shall be provided with at least the minimum web
reinforcement given by:
0 .4
 m in  where f yk is in MPa
f yk

 The maximum spacing Smax between stirrups, in the longitudinal direction, shall be as
given below:
Smax = 0.5d ≤ 300 mm if Vsd ≤ 2/3 VRd
Smax = 0.3d ≤ 200 mm if Vsd > 2/3 VRd
 The transverse spacing of legs of stirrups shall not exceed d or 800 mm, whichever is
smaller.
Shear resistance of the stirrups:
When shear reinforcement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is used, its shear resistance Vs
may be calculated as
Vs =
When inclined stirrups are used, the shear resistance of the stirrups may be calculated as
Vs = Where α is the inclination from the horizontal.
When shear reinforcement consists of a single bar or a single group of parallel bars, all bent up at
the same distance from the support, the shear resistance of the reinforcement may be calculated
as:
Vs = Av fyd sinα

Critical section for shear:

Critical section for shear is at a distance d from the face of supports. Sections closer than d shall
be designed for shear at d.

Example: 1. A RC beam 250 mm wide and 400 mm effective depth is subjected to a factored
shear force of 23 kN at quarter span. Design the shear reinforcement at that section. If the shear
force at the critical section for shear is 85 kN, find the spacing of 6 mm diameter stirrup at the
support. At quarter span section the longitudinal tension reinforcement to be taken for shear
calculations shall be 6 numbers of 16 mm diameter rods and that at critical section shall be 3
numbers of 16 mm diameter rods. Materials used are C25 concrete and S 300 steel.

48
Solution: V c  0 . 25 f ctd . k 1 . k 2 . b w . d

k 1  ( 1  50  )  2 . 0

6 *  * 16
2
As /4
    0 . 012
bw . d 250 * 400

k 1  ( 1  50 [ 0 . 012 ] )  1 . 6  2 . 0
Hence ok
k 2  ( 1 .6  d )  1 .0 ( d in meters ).

K2 = 1.6 – 0.4 = 1.2 >1 Hence ok

2 3 2 3
0 . 21 ( f cd ) 0 . 21 ( 20 )
f ctd    1 . 0315 MPa
c 1 .5

Therefore, Vc = 0.25 * 1.0315 * 1.6 * 1.2 * 250 * 400 * 10-3 = 49.51 kN

Vs = Vsd – Vc
As Vc is greater than Vsd, there is no need to provide stirrup however, the
minimum required shall be provided.
Minimum shear reinforcement
0 .4 0 .4 3
 m in    1 . 33 * 10
f yk 300

Consider 6 mm diameter stirrups with 2 legs; Av = 2 * π * 62/4 = 56.55 mm2

Av 56 . 55
 m in  S   170 . 0 mm
bw S 250 * 0 . 00133

Where S is the spacing of stirrups.

Provide a spacing of 170 mm C/C
At the critical section factored shear is 85 kN
3 *  * 16
2
As /4
    0 . 006
bw . d 250 * 400

k 1  ( 1  50 [ 0 . 006 ] )  1 . 3  2 . 0

K2 = 1.6 – 0.4 = 1.2 >1 Hence ok

2 3 2 3
0 . 21 ( f cd ) 0 . 21 ( 20 )
f ctd    1 . 0315 MPa
c 1 .5

Therefore, Vc = 0.25 * 1.0315 * 1.3 * 1.2 * 250 * 400 * 10-3

= 40.23 kN
Vs = Vsd – Vc = 85 – 40.23 = 39.77 kN
Spacing to be provided S = Av fyd d/ Vs = (56.55 * 260.87 * 400)/39.77 * 103 = 148.77 mm
Provide 145 mm spacing of 6 mm diameter 2 legged stirrups.

49
Check for Maximum Spacing:
3
V RD  0 . 25 f cd . b w . d V RD  0 . 25 * 11 . 33 * 250 * 400 * 10  283 . 25 kN  Vsd

2/3 VRd = (2/3)*283.25 = 188.33 kN > Vsd

Hence maximum spacing = 0.5 d = 0.5 * 400 = 200 mm < 300 mm ---- Ok
Therefore, the provided spacing of 145 mm c/c for critical section and 170 mm c/c for
quarter span section are ok.

Example: 2. A RC beam has an effective depth of 300 mm and breadth of 150 mm. It is
reinforced with 4 – 20 mm diameter rods of S400 grade in tension. Determine the shear
resistance of concrete alone and the resistance offered by the section for diagonal compression
failure if
(a) C20 concrete is used;
(b) C30 concrete is used.

Solution: If C20 concrete is used:

d = 300 mm; b = 150 mm;
For C20, fck = 16 MPa (from table 2.3 of EBCS 2)
0 . 85 f ck 0 . 85 * 16
fcd =  = 9 MPa
 c
1 .5

For S400, fyk = 400 MPa,

f yk 400
fyd =   347 . 83 MPa
 s
1 . 15

V c  0 . 25 f ctd . k 1 . k 2 . b w . d

k 1  ( 1  50  )  2 . 0

4 *  * 20
2
As /4
    0 . 028
bw . d 150 * 300

k 1  ( 1  50 [ 0 . 028 ] )  2 . 39  2 . 0
Hence k1 is restricted to 2.0
k 2  ( 1 .6  d )  1 .0 ( d in meters ).

K2 = 1.6 – 0.3 = 1.3 >1 Hence ok

2 3 2 3
0 . 21 ( f cd ) 0 . 21 (16 )
f ctd    0 . 88 MPa
c 1 .5

Therefore, Vc = 0.25 * 0.88 * 2 * 1.3 * 150 * 300 * 10-3

= 26 kN
3
V RD  0 . 25 f cd . b w . d V RD  0 . 25 * 9 * 150 * 300 * 10  101 . 25 kN

If C30 concrete is used:

For C30, fck = 24 MPa (from table 2.3 of EBCS 2)

50
 0 . 85 f ck 0 . 85 * 24
fcd =  = 13.6 MPa
c 1 .5

k1 = 2; k2 = 1.3
2 3 2 3
0 . 21 ( f cd ) 0 . 21 ( 24 )
f ctd    1 . 16 MPa
c 1 .5

Therefore, Vc = 0.25 * 1.16 * 2 * 1.3 * 150 * 300 * 10-3

= 34 kN
3
V RD  0 . 25 f cd . b w . d V RD  0 . 25 * 13 . 6 * 150 * 300 * 10  153 kN

Example 3. A RC beam is 200 mm wide and 400 mm effective depth. At a particular section it

has 0.9% tension steel and is provided with 8 mm – 2 legged stirrups at 200 mm c/c. Calculate

the shear resistance of the section. Concrete grade C25 and steel having fyk = 300 MPa are used.

Solution:
V c  0 . 25 f ctd . k 1 . k 2 . b w . d

k 1  ( 1  50  )  2 . 0

  0 . 9 %  0 . 009

k 1  ( 1  50 [ 0 . 009 ] )  1 . 45  2 . 0
Hence ok
k 2  ( 1 .6  d )  1 .0 ( d in meters ).

K2 = 1.6 – 0.4 = 1.2 >1 Hence ok

2 3 2 3
0 . 21 ( f cd ) 0 . 21 ( 20 )
f ctd    1 . 0315 MPa
c 1 .5

Therefore, Vc = 0.25 * 1.0315 * 1.45 * 1.2 * 200 * 400 * 10-3

= 35.89 kN
2 *  (8 )
2
A V f yd d
VS  AV   100 . 53 mm
2

S 4

300 3
100 . 53 * * 400 * 10
1 . 15
VS   52 . 5 kN
200

Total shear resistance capacity = Vc + Vs = 35.9 + 52.5 = 88.4 kN

51
Bond and Development Length
The shear stress in between the steel and concrete interface is called bond stress. When this
bond is fully developed the two material acts as a composite member. If the bond is not
developed bars pull out of concrete, causing tension to drop.
The bond stress varies along the bar length and usually average bond stress is used
Bond stresses arise from two situations:
(1) By anchorage or development length
(2) By flexural bond stress (due to the change in bar force along its length as
bending moment change along the length)

Development length
Assume that the diameter of one bar of main reinforcement as Φ
Maximum tension (T) in the bar= (stress X Area)
T=fyd*πΦ2/4
This force must be transferred from steel to concrete through bond acting over the surface of
contact over certain length of bar equal to the development length or anchorage length (l b )
If fbd is the design bond stress acting over the surface area
Then π Φ lbfbd=fyd πΦ2/4
lb=Φ/4*( fyd/ fbd)
This is referred in EBCS-2 as the basic anchorage length (section 7.1.6.1)
The basic anchorage length is the embedment length to develop the full design strength of a
straight reinforcing bar.

Required Anchorage length (section 7.1.6.2)

The required anchorage length depends on the type of anchorage and on the stress in the
reinforcement, and can be calculated according to EBCS-2/95 as:
A s , c al
l b , ne t  a . l b .  l b , m in
A s , ef

where A s , cal --theoretical area of reinforcement required by the design

52
Dep't of Civil Engineering CoET-JJU Jigjiga University
A s , ef --area of reinforcement actually provided

a  1 .0  for straight bar-anchorage in tension or compression

a  0 .7  for anchorage in tension with standard hooks

l b , min --minimum anchorage length (as given below)

-Minimum anchorage length can be determined by

For tension bars:  l b , min  0 . 3 l b  10  b

Or  200mm
For compression bars:  l b , min  0 . 6 l b  10  b

Or  200mm

Standard hooks
If the actual available length is not adequate for full anchorage of tension reinforcement, special
mechanical anchorage such as hook must be provided at the end of the bar. A hook (end-
anchorage) for compression steel is not effective.
The following standard hooks (end anchorage) may be used for tension reinforcement according
to EBSC-2

Design bond strength (fbd) (section 7-1-5-1)

For good bond conditions, the design bond strength of plain bars may be taken as
fbd =fctd
For deformed bars, fbd = 2fctd
For other bond conditions, the design bond strength may be taken as 0.7 times the value for good
bond conditions.

Good bond conditions as per EBCS-2 are:

(a) All bars which are in the lower half of an element
(b) All bars in elements whose depth does not exceed 300 mm
(c) All bars which are at least 300 mm from the top of an element in which they are placed
(d) All bars with an inclination of 45˚ to 90˚ to the horizontal during concreting

53
Sections 7-1-6-4 (2) Anchorage by hooks (1350 to 1800) is required for plain bars
(3) Anchorage by bends (900 to 1350) is only allowed for deformed bars

Example 1: Find the basic anchorage length for 12mm Φ deformed rod of grade S300. What is the
maximum force it could transmit by bonding of good condition?

Solution; lb=Φ/4*( fyd/ fbd); fyd=300/1.15=260.87 MPa

For bond of good condition, fbd = 2fctd (for deformed bars)
fctd = [0.21*(fck)2/3]/1.5 = [0.21(24)2/3]/1.5 = 1.16 MPa
fbd = 2*1.16 MPa = 2.33 MPa
lb = 12/4 * [260.87/2.33] = 335.88 mm
Maximum bond force = πΦlbfbd = π*12*335.88*2.33 = 29503.7 N
=29.5 kN

Example 2: Find the required anchorage length for a 16mm Φ deformed rod in a section where
the ratio of As,cal/As,eff = 0.96. The anchorage is in tension with standard hook. Materials used are
S300 and C25.

Solution: fyd = 260.87 MPa For C25, fck = 20MPa

fctd = [0.21*(fck)2/3]/1.5 = [0.21(20)2/3]/1.5 = 1.03 MPa
fbd = 2*1.03 MPa = 2.06 MPa
lb = 16/4 * [260.87/2.06] = 506.54 mm
a = 0.7 for anchorage with standard hook
A s , c al
l b , ne t  a . l b .  l b , m in
A s , ef

= 0.7(506.54)(0.96) = 333.33 mm > lb,min = 0.3lb = 0.3(506.54) = 151.96mm

But 10Φ = 10(16mm) = 160mm lb,min=160mm
lb,net>lb,min ………………………Hence ok

54