Deep Beams

p
L
d

Flexural deformation Shear deformation

e
Flexur

Shear deformation dominate Bending deformation dominate

Deep beam behaviour Slender beam behaviour

Shear

Case (b) Case (a)

Fig: Relative contributions of flexural and shear deformations to the total deflection of a
cantilever beam.
 Plane sections remain plane before and after
bending.

Bending dominated response

(Effect of shear deformations is negligible)

Warping and hence shear strains are a maximum
at mid-depth of the beam. As a result, shear stress
is also the maximum at the mid-depth. Note that
degree of warping increases towards free end of
cantilever where bending moment is zero.

Shear dominated response Plane sections DO NOT remain plane before and after
bending.

(Effect of shear deformations is significant)

From numerical analysis

Elastic theory Elastic theory Elastic theory Elastic theory Elastic theory Elastic theory
Comparable

Not comparable
t

D d

l
D/t < 25 and L/t < 50 Additional requirements in CIRIA (U.K.)

Classification of deep beams in IS 456:2000

 Definition of a deep beam in the ACI 318-2014

Due to warping, plane sections do not remain plane after bending

lc 4h
h This portion is a deep beam

Strut-like
compression h
elements
lc 2h This portion is a slender beam
Further reading on Deep Beams
‘Tubular’ frame for resisting lateral loads

Internal framing for resisting gravity loads

Deep beams in a framed tube system for multi-storied buildings

 Columns

Raking column

Continuous deep beam as a transfer girder Continuous deep beam as a transfer girder

Continuous deep beams as transfer girders in framed buildings

In-plane compression is induced in this floor diaphragm

In-plane tension is induced in this floor diaphragm

Walking columns in a tall building
Continuous deep beam
as a transfer girder

Brunswick building, Chicago.

The whole of this framing acts
like a Virendeel girder (i.e., a
truss with rigid joints)
Column terminated on the deep beam

Single-span deep beam

Single-span deep beam being used as a transfer girder

 Wl2/ 24 Wl2/ 12

Span-1 Span-2 Span-3

Three-span (continuous) deep beam being used as a transfer girder

 Structural action in a slender and in a deep beam
Slender beam, a / d = 2000 / 575 = 3.47

f / τ = 3.7 / 1.1 = 3.4

Dominance of bending

Deep beam, a / d = 300 / 975 = 0.3

f / τ = 2 / 6.6 = 0.3

Dominance of shear
Principal stress trajectories and load transfer mechanisms in beams
 ‘Disturbed’or D-region ‘Beam’, ‘Bernoulli’ or B-region ‘Disturbed’or D-region

Development of a tied-arch within the beam

Stress trajectories are smooth and stream-lined

Stress trajectories are turbulent Stress trajectories are turbulent

Flexural and shear stresses Principal stresses

 ≈ 7d

Variable internal lever arm Variable internal lever arm

Internal lever arm ≈ constant

Turbulent Stream-lined Turbulent Turbulent Turbulent

(Stream-lined behaviour dominates) (Turbulent behaviour dominates)

Principal stress trajectories in a slender beam

D-region
D-region

Saint Venant’s Principle

 a

D-region
a

B-region
D-region
a

Before uniaxial tensile loading After uniaxial tensile loading

Illustration of Saint Venant’s Principle in tensile test on a rubber membrane
A parallel-chord truss is a good mechanical model for representing internal
forces in a slender beam
 CCT Node CCC Node
Prismatic strut Bottle-shaped strut

N A

Stirrup Load path

Conceptual model of load flow in a slender beam

Compression chord
Internal lever
arm ≈ constant
C1<C C
Z

T1<T T
M = CZ = TZ
Tension chord

• Moment is resisted by the couple due to compression and tensile chord forces
• Shear is resisted by: Inclined struts in web + tie (due to stirrups) in the web
Parallel chord truss model for a slender beam
Validation of the parallel-chord truss model for a slender beam
 100 kN

2500 2500
250
500

5000

Mu = WL / 4 = 100 x 5 / 4 = 125 kNm

Assume M25 grade concrete and Fe-415 grade steel

Assume, b = 250 mm, D = 500 mm, d = 460 mm

From Design Aids, SP:16, Mu / b *d*d = 125 x 106 / 250 x 460 x 460 = 2.36

From Table 3, percentage tension steel required = 0.744

Ast required = 855.6 mm2

Shear force = 100 / 2 = 50 kN

 100 kN
2500 mm 2500 mm

Resultant compression chord

235.3 + 77.2 *Cos 40.36 = 294.1

58.8 117.6 176.5 235.3 235.3 176.5 117.6 58.8

40.36°

425 mm
.2
.2

77

77
Jd= 425

77

77
.2

.2

77
77
-50.0

-50.0

-50.0

-50.0

-50.0

-50.0

-50.0

-50.0
77
.2

77

.2

.2
.2
77

.2

.2
77

40.36°
-58.8 -117.6 -176.5 -235.3 -294.1 -235.3 -176.5 -117.6 -58.8
≈ 0.85d

Resultant tension chord 5000 mm

Tie force indicates requirement of reinforcement for shear

Internal moment of resistance = 294.1 * 0.425 = 125 kNm = W L / 4

Area of steel required at mid-span = 294.1x 10 3 / 0.87 x 415 = 814 mm2 ≈ 855.6 mm2

Max. shear = 77.2 * Sin 40.36 = 50 kN

Mechanical model for “beam behaviour” is a parallel chord truss

A parallel-chord truss is NOT a good mechanical model for representing internal
forces in a deep beam
 2000 kN
500

4600 mm

4500 mm

4600 mm
Let us represent the internal forces in this deep beam with a parallel-chord truss model
 Axis of struts and ties is coinciding. Hence,
Resultant compression chord
2000 kN tension and compression forces will cancel
500 each other.
111.1 222.2 333.3 444.4 444.4 333.3 222.2 111.1

4600 mm
S tr u t)

1001.5
1006.1 (

1001.5

1006.1

1006.1

1006.1

1006.1
1006.1

1006.1

1006.1

4500 mm
-1000 (Tie) 6°
-1000

-1000

-1000

-1000

-1000

-1000

-1000
-111.1 -222.2 -333.3 -444.4 -500 -444.4 -333.3 -222.2 -111.1
Resultant tension chord
4500 mm
9 @ 500 mm
1000 kN Parallel chord truss model for a deep beam 1000 kN
Hence, a parallel chord truss is an unrealistic mechanical model for a deep beam

Most of the load transfer will occur due to development of compressive struts
between the loaded face and the beam supports.
 1500 mm
Vertical crack over almost
full depth of the beam

3000 mm
Deep beam without longitudinal reinforcement

Development of an internal
tied-arch

Deep beam with longitudinal reinforcement

Crack pattern in the deep beam
 The ‘internal arch’ is the locus
of the resultant compression
chord force

C C
T

Tie (made up of steel reinforcement). The tie carries a constant force. Hence, end
anchorage of the tension reinforcement is the most critical design requirement .

Formation of a tied internal arch in a deep beam

 Inclined cracks extending from the load to the reactions

Development of a notional arch in the beam

Internal arching in a beam under 4-point loading

Consider use of a single-panel triangular truss for representing the force
system within the deep beam
Since there are no vertical ties in the truss model,
shear reinforcement is NOT required. P
Y

Compression chord force for resisting moment

Shear, V, is resisted by vertical CSinθ is provided by horizontal component of
component of compression in compression in the inclined strut
the inclined strut C

V=P/2= CSinθ CCosθ Strut (Compression member)

Stirrups not Chord forces remain unchanged. Only the
required! internal lever arm changes in response to
variation in bending moment.
jd M = T(jd) = Ccosθ (jd)

Node

Tie (Tension member)

Y
V=P/2 P/2

Simplified truss model for the deep beam

 2000 kN
500

CCC Node

ut

Str
S tr

ut 1
8

4500 mm
118
111

4600 mm
4600

CCT Node Tie CCT Node

-500

4500 mm
1000 kN 1000 kN
 Compression Tension

Resultant compression

Internal lever arm

Resultant tension

Formation of a tie is indicated near

bottom of the beam

Principal stress trajectories in a deep beam Theoretical horizontal elastic stresses at

mid-span
 Conventional beam - Stress
distribution is linear. Plane sections
remain plane before and after bending.

Beginning of non-linearity in the

stress distribution at l / h = 2
The internal lever arm
is approximately the same
for all beams
Decreasing l/d

The depth of the tension

zone is relatively small
(= about 0.25 h). So all steel The distortion from a linear stress
must be placed in this depth variation occurs because of the
presence of shear stresses which
Flexural stresses are
are of a magnitude comparable to
more than twice the value
that of flexural stresses.
obtained from bending
theory

Distribution of horizontal flexural stresses at mid-span in a beam with varying a/d

(adapted from Park and Paulay 1974) 44
 Compressive strains

Tensile strains

Flexural strain distribution in a slender element (plane sections remain plane before and after
bending)
 Plane sections do not remain plane before and after bending

Non-linearity of longitudinal strains is due to warping of a short-span beam under shear

Can we use a single-panel triangular truss for representing the force
system within a slender beam?
 100 kN

2 76 m

425 mm
N
575 k

m
5° 572 kN

5000 mm

Outline of equivalent inclined prismatic strut between

load point and support.

Let beam thickness = 250 mm and let concrete grade be M25

Required width of the inclined strut = 575 * 10 3 / 250 x 25/3 = 276 mm

The above width CANNOT fit in the available space at the load-point and at the support.

If applied load = 500 kN, then required width of inclined strut = 276 x 5 = 1380 mm >>>>

HENCE, A NON-PARALLEL CHORD TRUSS CANNOT REPRESENT SLENDER BEAM BEHAVIOUR

> 25°
Dapped section in a beam

Whole of beam-column
joint is a D-region
How to develop Strut-and-Tie Models (STM) for a given loading?
(There exists no unique STM for a given loading)
 Stress resultants on opposite sides of a D-region
are connected by stream-lines which do not intersect

Load paths are replaced by polygons

Internal reactions due to curving of the load paths

Load-Path method
Load-Path method
How to select the optimum truss model for non-flexural behaviour?
Long length of tie

Tie at beam mid-depth is inadmissible

Bottle-shaped strut Refined truss model for the bottle-shaped strut

Refined truss model to represent flow of forces in the deep beam

 Compression

Load paths C
C’
Z
N A Z’

T T’

Tension

Principal stress trajectories in Analogy with beam bending: Theoretical

the deep beam horizontal elastic stresses at mid- and at
quarter-span
 C

T
T

M = CZ = TZ

Which of these 2 truss models is the optimum model?

Truss model super-imposed Horizontal elastic stresses at mid-span
on the horizontal elastic
stress distribution

Location of horizontal
strut coincides with
resultant of compressive
stress distribution

Location of horizontal
tie coincides with
resultant of tensile
stress distribution
Fan-shaped strut
(ACI 318)

Truss model for a deep beam subject to a UDL

Bottle-shaped strut
(ACI 318)

Alternate truss model for a deep beam subject to a UDL

resistance
 Applied load or shear Internal lever arm ‘jd’ is constant

‘Shear flow’ or variation in tension along the length of the beam

The above equation is the basis for the ‘parallel-chord’ truss analogy for a RCC beam
Resultant of the compression chord force

Resultant of the tensile chord force

Internal lever arm is constant

Parallel chord truss analogy for a slender RCC beam

jd1 > jd2 > jd3

Position of ‘T’ remains fixed. Hence, jd

changes by a shift in the line of action of ‘C’
 Flexural design of deep beams: How to estimate the internal lever arm?

Distribute flexural D
steel over a depth
of about 0.25 D Internal lever arm, jd
jd1
jd2

T = M / jd; Ast = T / 0.87 fy . Note that the area so calculated should not be less than the area obtained
from conventional bending theory. Bending moments are calculated as per usual procedure.
Internal lever arm for deep beams (adapted from Park and Paulay 1974)
 Deep beam as a transfer girder Column

Top-loaded deep beam

The load applied at the bottom Vertical wall of a silo acting as a

should be suitably transferred deep beam supporting the hopper
to the compression zone at the
top of the beam

Column supporting the vertical wall

The sloping hopper is supported by the

vertical wall. The vertical wall acts as a
bottom-loaded deep beam
Bottom-loaded deep beam
Eaxmple of a bottom-loaded deep beam (Hero Homes Towers 14, 15 and 16, Mohali, Punjab)
Bottom-loaded deep beam
 Wall acting as a deep beam

Wall steel lifts the slab reactions

to the compression zone Load transferred from adjoining
slab through arch action

Bottom-loaded deep beam

 Suspender stirrups
in the primary beam
 Nominal web reinforcement

Reinforcement to take care of heavy

bearing stresses at supports. Confine
concrete over the supports.

Tension steel

Recommended detailing of reinforcement in simply supported deep beam

(adapted from Park and Paulay 1974)
 (IS 456:2000)

C
Park & Paulay
D Z

Park & Paulay

Once the internal lever arm, Z, is known:
Horizontal web steel

1.Calculate the tensile chord force T

T = M/Z
Vertical web steel
2. Knowing T, calculate the area of tension steel

Ast = T / 0.87 fy Detail the tension reinforcement as per the codal guidelines

3.Check for compression in concrete is not usually required

4.Web reinforcement in deep beams is the same as that for walls:

Vertical steel shall be 0.12% for Fe 415 steel and the bar diameter shall not exceed 14
mm and the bars shall not be spaced more than 3 times the beam thickness or 450 mm.

Horizontal steel shall be 0.2% for Fe 415 steel and the bars shall not be more than 16
mm in diameter and shall not be spaced at more than 3 times the beam thickness or 450 mm.

5.As per IS 456:2000, no check for shear is required. It is assumed that shear will be resisted
by the arching action.

6.Bearing pressure on the support shall not exceed 0.45 fck

 l
D

0.25 D – 0.05 l
0.8 Ld
 In continuous deep beams, the tension zone is noted to
extend to a depth of almost 0.8D from the beam top
face at the intermediate support

0.5D 0.5D

0.5Ast Negative Ast 0.5Ast

0.2D

0.5D
0.3 D
0.8 D

0.3 D
0.5D

Zone of tension
at intermediate
support
l l
b
Design moments in continuous deep beams
Span moment = wL2 / 24 (1-e2)
Support moment = wL2 / 24 (1-e) (2-e)
e=b/l
 Hanger bars or
suspension Loads applied at the beam bottom have to
stirrups be transferred to the compression zone
using hanger or vertical reinforcement

Loads
These elements will have
Loading plate or to be designed as corbels
steel insert plate Bottom-loaded deep beam
Opening can be located in the
unloaded quadrants

Position of openings in deep beams

 Steps in designing deep beams (combination of IS 456:2000 and British practice)

1.Check whether the given beam is indeed a deep beam or not

2.Check the minimum thickness requirement with respect to buckling and minimum
shear capacity of concrete. Concrete alone should be resisting about 65% of the total
shear acting on the beam. Decide the thickness accordingly.

3.Design the flexural steel. Minimum percentage of tension steel = 0.3%

4.Provide the minimum web steel in the beam

5.Check for shear capacity. If the shear resisted by concrete and by arch action is
inadequate then provide additional web steel for resisting balance shear.

6.Check bearing pressure at support

7.If the beam is a bottom-loaded member then provide suitable ‘hanger’

reinforcement.

8.Detail reinforcement according to accepted practice.

Each column transfers an
unfactored reaction of
3750 kN
0.25 D – 0.05 l
 1000
1000

Total shear resistance

= shear resisted by
concrete + shear resisted
by arch action
Construction Industry Research and Information Agency (CIRIA)
1490
 0.2 x 4730

Steel rag bolts

Steel bearing plate

Support designed and detailed

as a pedestal

(Revise ‘t’ from 450 to 500 mm.)

( = 12926 / 2 x 490 = 13.18 ≈ 14 )
 Arch action in opposite directions
Longitudinal steel over intermediate
support

Span longitudinal steel Span longitudinal steel

Stirrups required to tie the two
arches together??

Dowel action of longitudinal steel

 Floating columns

ULS crack patterns

There is development of
some kind of a parallel
chord truss in a continuous Because of the presence of this
deep beam. tie typical arch does not
develop in such beams. Hence,
all shear has to be resisted by
(Force system)
concrete and no shear is taken
by arch action.

(Deformation profile)
Design moments in
continuous deep beams
Span moment = wL2 / 24 (1-e2)
Support moment = wL2 / 24
(1-e) (2-e)
e=b/l