DESIGN OF BEAM AS PER IS: 456

Part-4: Design of RCC beam

The work of the structure designer is to
provide the beam size and reinforcement
detailing plan to the architect and
contractor.
The beam design mainly depends on the
total load. it is easy to design a beam,
once you understand the basic calculation
and design considerations for a reinforced
concrete beam.
The question is how to design a beam
manually?
Read the complete article and I'm sure you
will get the answer.

The basic steps to design a beam is,

 Assume the section size, grade of steel
and concrete according to the structure to
be built,
 Calculate the total UDL, point load and
other loads if applicable,
 Calculate the factored moment,
 Revise the size and grade of materials if
required,
 Calculate the area of steel required,
 Provide the reinforcement detail.
The above steps are for simple and singly
beam design.
Before going to start the design of beam,
let's understand the following three
concepts which are useful for design
calculation.
Beam type
There are two types of RCC beam, Singly
reinforced beam and doubly reinforced
beam.
Singly reinforced beam
If the factored moment (MuMu) is less than
the limiting moment ( Mulim ) then the beam
is designed as a singly reinforced beam.

( Mu<Mulim )
We mostly use the singly reinforced beam
in the building if the stresses are less.
The bottom reinforcements are designed to
resist the tensile load.
Top reinforcements are also provided in a
singly reinforced beam but it is designed
to hold the stirrups in position and not
designed to be carried the compression
load.
Doubly reinforced beam
When the factored moment (Mu) is greater
than the limiting moment (Mulim) then the
beam is designed as a doubly reinforced
beam.
 (Mu > Mulim)
The bottom reinforcements are designed to
resist the tensile load and top
reinforcements are designed to resist the
compressive load.
The doubly reinforced beam is most
suitable where there is a higher chance of
earthquake or stress reversal. also, if an
increase in depth is limited for the beam.
Neutral axis
Neatural axis separates the compression
and tension zones in the beam. it is denoted
by xu. formula to find xu is following,
xu=0.87 fy Ast0.36 fck bxu=0.87 fy Ast0.36 fck b

To avoid the brittle failure of concrete,

keep the maximum depth of the neutral
axis (xumax) always less than the neutral axis
(xu).
xu xumax
The value of xumax for different grade of
steel can be obtained from
IS 456, p- 70 or SP. 16, p-9.

Types of beam section

There are three types of beam section,
Balanced section
In the balanced section,
xu = xumax
pt = ptlim
Mu = Mulim
The strain in concrete and steel will reach
their limiting values simultaneously.
Under reinforced section
The steel will fail first with showing the
warning if under reinforced section is used
in the beam. the failure called ductile
failure.
Every designer prefers to design the
section according to the under the
reinforced section.
xu < xumax
pt < ptlim
Mu < Mulim
Over reinforced section
The concrete will fail first without showing
any sign. the sudden failure will occur if
the over reinforced section is used. the
failure will be called brittle failure.
xu > xumax
pt > ptlim
Mu > Mulim
Load calculation for beam
The loads are transferred from slab to
beam. so, we need to calculate that slab load
first.
 Beam design example

From the above image, it is clear that the

slab S-1 is resting on B-1 and B-3 and it is
a one-way slab.
To calculate the load on B-1, we need to
calculate the load coming from S-1.
I have given the full plan in the previous
article you can check it if you directly visited
this page.
Slab S-1 is a balcony. the live load for
balcony is 3 kN/㎡ and floor finish is taken
as 1 kN/㎡. There is no wall resting on B-1.
we assume the slab thickness as 125 mm for
this slab. if the slab is bigger, then the 150
mm slab could be assumed it is up to you.
So, the total slab load will be,
Slab load = ( slab thickness x density) + live
load + floor finish
= ( 0.125 x 25 ) + 3 + 1
= 7.125 kN/㎡

This is a total load of the slab. the load will

transfer in B-1 and B-3. so, the load on B-1
will be,
Imposed load = shorter span X slab load /2
= 1.14 x 7.125/2
= 4.06 kN/m
Self-weight of B-1 = width x depth x density
= 0.230 x 0.450 x 25
= 2.58 kN/m
Wall load = 0
Total load = imposed load + self-weight of
beam + wall load
= 4.06 + 2.58 + 0
= 6.64 kN/m
Factored load = Total load x 1.5
= 6.64 x 1.5
= 9.96 kN/m
The UDL for beam B-1 given in the
following image.

Beam design: UDL load

Depth of beam
We have assumed the depth D = 450 mm
and the breadth B = 230 mm. we mostly
change the depth of the beam if the moment
is higher.
We have the assumed values are, fckfck =
20, fyfy = 415, D = 450, B = 230.

Before starting the analysis and design, how

we confirm that our assumed depth is
sufficient or not. for that, we have a formula
which gives approx result let's check that,
but first, we need to calculate the factored
moment on B-1.
Factored moment = wl28wl28
= 9.96X5.1X5.189.96X5.1X5.18
= 32.38 kN m
Effective depth d = total depth D - cover -
Φ
= 450 - 20 - 10
d = 420 mm
Now, we will assume the balanced section
which means,
xu = xumax
pt = ptlim
Mu = Mulim
Mulim can be referred to (IS: 456-2000, P. -
96)

Mi–
m=0.36Xxumaxd(1−0.42xumaxd)bd2XfckMim=0.36Xxumax
d(1-0.42xumaxd)bd2Xfck

32.38X106=0.36X0.479(1−0.42X0.479)230Xd2X2032.38
X106=0.36X0.479(1-0.42X0.479)230Xd2X20

d2=32.38X106633.64d2=32.38X106633.64

d = 226.05 mm = 230 mm
we can take D = 300 mm which is equal to
12 inches and d will be 270 mm.

We first assumed a 9 x 18-inch beam, from

the above calculation it is confirmed that we
can reduce the depth of the beam, and now
our new beam size is 9 x 12 inches for B-1.
You can calculate the depth for all beams
using this formula.
Now, let's do a calculation for the new
beam. the slab load will remain the same
only self-weight of the beam will be
changed.
Imposed load = 4.06 kN/m
Self-weight of beam = width x depth x
density
= 0.230 x 0.300 x 25
= 1.73 kN/m
Total load = 4.06 + 1.73
= 5.79 kN/m
Factored load = 5.79 x 1.5
= 8.68 kN/m
Factored moment = 8.68X5.1288.68X5.128
Mu = 28.22 kN m
Mulim = 0.138 fck b d2 (SP. - 16, P- 10, table -
C)
=0.138X20X230X2702=0.138X20X230X2702
= 46.27 kN m
Mu < Mulim ( under reinforced section)
Area of steel

After calculating the moment, we can

achieve the required area of steel for the
particular beam.
There are three different methods for AstAst,
(1) By using design aid method
(2) By using the equation of pt
(3) By using the analytical method
We will use the equation of pt to get AstAst,
pt=50fckfy[1−√1−4.6Mufckbd2]pt=50fckfy[1-1-
4.6Mufckbd2]
= 2.40 x 0.22
pt = 0.521 %
Ast=pt100bdAst=pt100bd
=0.521100X230X270=0.521100X230X270
AstAst = 323.54 mm2

Detailing
When we have the area of steel, we can
easily provide the required reinforcement
either using IS code or formula.
( d = dia. of steel)
ast=π4d2ast=π4d2
For 12 mm, a = 113.04
16 mm, a = 201
20 mm, a = 314
Now, if we use 12 mm dia. steel just simple
divide AstAst by 113.04,
Provide, 323.54113.4323.54113.4
= 2.85 = 3
Hence,
For B-1, provide 3 nos 12 mm dia. bars.
That's it.
We have got the Final result. we completed
the design of the beam. we need to also
calculate the other beams.
Let's check the other beam example.

Beam design example

Now, we will calculate the B-22, which
transfers both the trapezoidal and
triangular load of different slabs.

Design of RCC beam example

You can see there is no point load acting on
B-22 and it is resting on B-6 and B-4.
The wall of 115 mm thick is resting on B-22.
S-4 is bedroom and S-5 is the toilet. The
load for S-4 will be live load = 2 kN/㎡, F.F
= 1 kN/㎡ and assumed depth of slab is 125
mm.
S-4 load = (0.125 x 25 + 2+ 1)
= 6.125 kN/㎡

S-5 is a toilet, Sunk load = 4.8 kN/㎡ , and

the thickness is 150 mm assumed.
S-5 load = (0.150 x 25 + 4.8)
= 8.55 kN/㎡

let's calculate the imposed load for B-22.

S-4 triangular load = load X shorter span/4
= 6.125 x 2.63/4
= 4.02 kN/m
S-5 trapezoidal load can be given by, lxlx =
Shorter span and lyly = Longer span of slab.
= ly+(ly−lx)2Xlx2Xloadlyly+(ly-lx)2Xlx2Xloadly
= 2.63+(2.63−1.64)2X1.642X8.552.632.63+(2.63-
1.64)2X1.642X8.552.63
= 4.82 kN/m
Wall weight = 0.115 x ( 3.04 - 0.450 ) x 20
= 5.96 kN/m
Self-weight of beam = 0.230 x 0.450 x 25
= 2.59 kN/m
Total UDL = 4.02 + 4.82 + 5.96 + 2.59
= 17.39 kN/m
Factored load = 17.39 x 1.5
= 26.08 kN/m
Factored moment
Mu = 26.08X2.632826.08X2.6328
= 22.55 kN m
Assume balanced section,
Mu = Mulim
xu = xumax
Mi–
m=0.36Xxumaxd(1−0.42xumaxd)bd2XfckMim=0.36Xxumax
d(1-0.42xumaxd)bd2Xfck

22.55X106=0.36X0.479(1−0.42X0.479)230Xd2X2022.55
X106=0.36X0.479(1-0.42X0.479)230Xd2X20

d = 188.65 = 200 mm
You can take the beam size of 9 x 9
minimum. but, we will take a 9 x 12-inch
size.
Now, let's calculate with a new beam size as
230 mm.

D = 300 mm, d = 270 mm

self-weight of beam = 0.230 x 0.300 x 25
= 1.725 kN/m
Total load = 4.02 + 4.82 + 5.96 + 1.725
= 16.525 kN/m
Factored moment
= 16.525X1.5X2.632816.525X1.5X2.6328
Mu = 21.43 kN m
Mulim = 0.138 fck b d2
=0.138X20X230X2702=0.138X20X230X2702
= 46.27 kN m
Mu < Mulim ( under reinforced section)
pt=50fckfy[1−√1−4.6Mufckbd2]pt=50fckfy[1-1-
4.6Mufckbd2]
= 0.384 %
Ast=pt100bdAst=pt100bd
= 239.05 mm
Provide 3 nos 12 mm bars.
We designed the B-22 which is rest in two
beams, Which means B-22 is point load for
B-4 and B-6.
So, if the load is increased in B-22 will affect
the beam B-4 and B-6.
DIY Problem
The design of a beam is based on formulas
and calculations. so, you need to practice it
more and more to become an expert in the
beam design.

I am giving you one example to solve by

your self and give the reinforcement detail
in the comment section.
Assumed section, 230 x 450 mm, fckfck = 20
and
fyfy = 415, d = 420, below S-1 is balcony and
S-3 is bedroom,
230 mm thick wall is resting on [Link]
of the floor is
10 feet.
Calculate the Beam B-3 from the below
image.
 RCC beam

I provided all the necessary information to

design the RCC beam for a two-story house.
if any point I missed, feel free to tell me in
the comment section.
In the next article, we will discuss the
cantilever beam design and how to calculate
the point load on a beam.