10/10/2023 Torsion Stress

Design

Consultant Engineer Hanna Fawzy

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1- Torsion Definition
Torsion in beams is a twisting effect caused by the application of an
eccentric or offset load. This load does not align with the beam’s center of
shear, which is the point where the shear forces are balanced.

Types of Torsion

Equilibrium Compatibility
Torsion torsion

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 Equilibrium Torsion

Equilibrium torsion is a phenomenon that happens when the twisting force

acting on a structure is balanced by the internal resistance of the material and
cannot be reduced by changing the distribution of forces. This kind of torsion is
also called primary torsion, because it is independent of the bending
moments. Equilibrium torsion can cause structural failure if the material
cannot withstand the shear stresses generated by the twisting force.

Consultant Engineer Hanna Fawzy

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 Compatibility torsion

Compatibility torsion is a phenomenon that occurs when a structural member is

subjected to a torsional load that can be partially or fully relieved by internal force
redistribution, while maintaining the continuity of deformation between adjacent
parts of the structure. This kind of torsion is also called secondary torsion, as it is
not directly related to the applied load, but rather to the compatibility conditions
of the member. Compatibility torsion is often encountered in indeterminate
structures, such as continuous beams, frames, and trusses.

Consultant Engineer Hanna Fawzy

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1- Design section for torsion according ACI318

a- Tth = threshold torsional moment

Tu < ϕTth it shall be permitted to neglect torsional effects
Tth = threshold torsional moment, N·mm

Acp = area enclosed by outside perimeter of concrete cross section, mm2

Ag = gross area of concrete section, mm2 for a hollow section, Ag is the area of the concrete only
and does not include the area of the void(s)

pcp = outside perimeter of concrete cross section, mm

Aoh = area enclosed by centerline of the outermost closed transverse torsional reinforcement,
mm2

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Why Tu < ϕTth it shall be permitted to neglect torsional effects

The threshold torsion is defined as one-fourth the cracking torsional moment Tcr.
For sections of solid members, the interaction between the cracking torsional
moment and the inclined cracking shear is approximately circular or elliptical. For
such a relationship, a threshold torsional moment of Tth, as used in 22.7.4.1,
corresponds to a reduction of less than 5 percent in the inclined cracking shear,
which is considered negligible.

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b- Cracking torsion Tcr

Shall be calculated in accordance with Table 22.7.5.1 for solid and hollow cross
sections, where Nu is positive for compression and negative for tension.

C - Torsional strength

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According to the ACI318-19 code, the concrete strength is determined by the

combined action of the reinforcement stirrups and longitudinal bars. Some
engineers may overlook the importance of providing adequate longitudinal
reinforcement and assume that the closed stirrups can resist the torsion alone.
However, this is not a sound design practice and may compromise the structural
integrity and safety of the concrete members.

d- To prevent torsion from compromising the beam, we need to understand

how it affects the beam and how the beam can resist it.

 Area of Stirrups for Torsion

A cracked beam subjected to pure torsion can be modeled as shown

The beam is idealized as a space truss consisting of longitudinal bars in the

corners, closed stirrups, and diagonal concrete compression members that spiral
around the beam between the cracks.

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The height and width of the truss are yo and xo, which are approximately equal to
the distances between the centers of the longitudinal corner bars. The angle of the
cracks is Ɵ, which initially is close to 45°

To calculate the required area of stirrups, it is necessary to resolve the shear flow
into shear forces acting on the four walls of the tube, the shear force per unit length
of the perimeter of the tube or truss, referred to as the shear flow, q, is given by

𝑇
𝑞=
2𝐴0

𝑇
𝑉2 = 𝑉4 = 𝑦
2𝐴0 0
𝑇
𝑉1 = 𝑉3 = 𝑥
2𝐴0 0

𝑇 = 𝑉2 𝑥0 + 𝑉1 𝑦0

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Number of stirrups leg cutting the crack

𝑦0 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃
𝑛2 =
𝑠
Hence

𝐴𝑡 𝑓𝑦𝑡 𝑦0
𝑉2 = 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃
𝑠
Where fyt is the yield strength of the stirrups.

At one leg stirrup area

𝑇𝑛
𝑉2 = 𝑦
2𝐴0 0
𝐴𝑡 𝑓𝑦𝑡 𝑦0
𝑉2 = 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃
𝑠
𝐴𝑡 𝑓𝑦𝑡 2𝐴0
𝑇𝑛 = 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃
𝑠
Where u is the assumed angle of principal (diagonal) compression with respect to
the longitudinal axis of the member. Taking Ao = 0.85 Aoh and substituting Tu/ᴓ for
Tn gives the following strength requirement for transverse reinforcement.

Aoh=x0*y0

 Area of Longitudinal Reinforcement

The longitudinal reinforcement must be proportioned to resist the longitudinal
tension forces that occur in the space truss. As shown by the force triangle

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The shear force V2 can be replaced with a

diagonal compression force, D2, parallel to
the concrete struts and an axial tension
force, N2, where D2 and N2 are respectively
given by

Because the shear flow, q, is constant from point to point alongside 2, the force N2
acts along the centroid axis of side 2. For a beam with longitudinal bars in the top
and bottom corners of side 2, half of N2 will be resisted by each corner bar. A
similar resolution of forces occurs on each side of the truss (e.g. N1 = V1 cot Ɵ).
For a rectangular member, the total longitudinal force is

N=2(N2+N1)
𝑇
𝑉2 = 𝑉4 = 𝑦
2𝐴0 0
𝑇
𝑉1 = 𝑉3 = 𝑥
2𝐴0 0
N=2(V2 cotƟ +V1 cotƟ )

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𝑇𝑛 𝑇𝑛
𝑁 = 2( 𝑦0 cotƟ + 𝑥0 cotƟ)
2𝐴0 2𝐴0
𝑇𝑛
= 2(𝑦0 + 𝑥0 )cotƟ
2𝐴0
Where 2(xo + yo) is approximately equal to the perimeter of the closed stirrup, ph.
Longitudinal reinforcement with a total area of A/ must be provided for the
longitudinal force, N. Assuming that this reinforcement yields at nominal strength,
with a yield strength of fy produces

Conclusion
- The torsion capacity of reinforced concrete beams can be enhanced by using two
component closed shear and longitudinal reinforcement.

- The two component reinforcement consists of transverse stirrups and longitudinal

bars that form a closed loop around the beam cross-section.

- The transverse stirrups resist the shear stress and the longitudinal bars resist the
normal stress induced by torsion.

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- The two component reinforcement also improves the ductility and crack control
of the beam under torsion.

Value of Ɵ

According ACI318-19- Section 22.7.6.1

Ɵ= 45 degrees for non-pre-stressed members

 Area of Stirrups for Torsion

𝐴𝑡 (𝑇 /∅)
= 1.7 𝐴𝑢
𝑠 𝑜ℎ 𝑓𝑦𝑡

 Area of Longitudinal Reinforcement

𝑇𝑢 /∅ 𝑃ℎ
𝐴𝑙 =
1.7 𝐴𝑜ℎ 𝑓𝑦

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Example

Beam section 250x600 sustain Tu =50 KN.m fc’=24 MPA Fyt=Fyl=400 MPA
calculate Tth, Tcr and Design beam to sustain the applied Torsion.
Xo
2
Acp=250x600=150,000 mm

Yo
PCP=2(250+600) =1700 mm

Aoh=200x550=110,000 mm2

Ph=2(200+550) =1500 mm

𝑇 𝐴2𝑐𝑝
′
𝑡ℎ=.083√𝑓𝑐 ( )
𝑃𝑐𝑝

𝑇 1500002
𝑡ℎ=.083√24( )=5.4KN.m
1700

𝑇 𝐴2𝑐𝑝
′
𝑐𝑟=.33√𝑓𝑐 ( )
𝑃𝑐𝑝

𝑇 1500002
𝑐𝑟=.33√24( )=21.4KN.m
1700

Tu>Tth torsion cannot be neglected

Required stirrups leg area for resisting the torsion

𝐴𝑡 (𝑇 /∅) (50𝐸6/0.75)
= 1.7 𝐴𝑢 =1.7𝑥110,000𝑥400=0.891 mm2/mm T12@120
𝑠 𝑜ℎ 𝑓𝑦𝑡

Consultant Engineer Hanna Fawzy

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Required longitudinal reinforcement for resisting the torsion

𝑢 𝑇 /∅ 𝑃ℎ (50𝐸6/0.75)𝑥1500
𝐴𝑙 = 1.7 = =1336.5 mm2 334/face
𝐴 𝑜ℎ 𝑓𝑦 1.7𝑥110,000𝑥400
2T16/face

d- Cross section limits

A member loaded by torsion or by combined shear and torsion may fail by

crushing of the concrete due to the diagonal compressive forces. Also a
serviceability failure may occur if the inclined cracks are too wide at service loads.
The limit on combined shear and torsion in ACI Code Section 22.7.7.1 was derived
to limit service-load crack widths, but as is shown later, it also gives a lower bound
on the web’s crushing capacity.

e- Location of Critical Section for Torsion

The critical section for shear was often found to be Located at a distance d away
from the face of the support. For an analogous reason, ACI Code Section 9.4.4.3

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allows sections located at less than d from the support to be designed for the same
torque, Tu, which exists at a distance d from the support. This does not apply if a
large torque is applied within a distance d from the support.

g- Minimum torsional reinforcement

A minimum area of torsional reinforcement shall be provided in all regions where

Tu ≥ ϕTth

 If torsional reinforcement is required, minimum transverse reinforcement

(Av + 2At)min/s shall be the greater of (a) and (b):
𝑏𝑤
(a) 0.062√𝑓𝑐′
𝑓𝑦𝑡

𝑏𝑤
(b) 0.35
𝑓𝑦𝑡

The differences in the definitions of Av and At should be noted: Av is the area of

two legs of a closed stirrup, whereas At is the area of only one leg of a closed
stirrup. If a stirrup group has more than two legs, only the legs adjacent to the sides
of the beam are considered

 If torsional reinforcement is required, minimum area of longitudinal

reinforcement Aℓ,min shall be the lesser of (a) and (b):

0.42√𝑓𝑐′ 𝐴𝑐𝑝 𝐴 𝑓𝑦𝑡

(a) − ( 𝑡) 𝑝ℎ
𝑓𝑦 𝑆 𝑓𝑦

0.42√𝑓𝑐′ 𝐴𝑐𝑝 0.175𝑏𝑤 𝑓𝑦𝑡

(b) −( ) 𝑝ℎ
𝑓𝑦 𝑓𝑦𝑡 𝑓𝑦

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Compatible torsion

Some engineers believe that the compatible torsion can be totally

neglected, so they set the stiffness modifier for beams (not sustaining the
equilibrium torsion) in Etabs model equal to 0.001, thinking that this
action leads to a conservative design. Unfortunately, this may result in a
conservative design for slabs, but not for beams. ACI code allows to
ignore the torsion effect only if the torsion Tu (resulting from full
stiffness capacity, i.e., torsion modifier = 1.0) is less than Tth. The code
also permits to reduce Tu to Tcr for the case of compatible torsion, where
Tcr is four times the Tth. Therefore, for this case, the beam has to be
designed and reinforced according to the torsion equal to Tcr, as stated in
ACI318-19-22.7.3.

Consultant Engineer Hanna Fawzy