Lecture 2.b.

1-Flexure Analysis of RC
Beams
Compiled by RLF
 Bending or flexure stress
a b
Consider a straight horizontal e f Figure 1.a
beam as shown in Figure 1.a. c d
∆x
When transverse loads are
applied as shown in Figure 1.b, P (kN) w (kN/m)

the beam bends and deflects a b

e f Figure 1.b
as shown in Figure 1.c. The c d
applied loads cause the fibers ∆x
of the beam to deform. This
𝜌=radius of curvature
deformation is obviously caused 𝜃=curvature
𝜌
by bending or flexural stresses 𝜃
experienced by the fibers of the a b
e f Figure 1.c
beam. c d
 Three stages of loadings for a
reinforced concrete beam Moment-Curvature diagram for reinforced
concrete beam
Stage 1: No cracks in concrete

Variation of stress
in concrete
Stage 2: concrete cracks-Service
load range

Variation of stress
in concrete

Stage 3: Ultimate strength stage

Crushing of concrete here

Variation of stress
in concrete
 Stress Distribution in concrete at Service Load Range

Based on tests of reinforced concrete, it is confirmed that the strains vary

proportionately with distance from the neutral axis (NA). The corresponding
compression stresses vary approximately linearly from zero at the neutral axis to
about 0.50f’c at the topmost fiber (Service Load Range-Transform area analysis).

0.5f’c
𝜀𝑐

NA

𝜀𝑆
Beam’s Strain Stress variation at
Section Diagram Service Load

Figure 2
 Concrete stress variation at Ultimate Strength Range

When the beam is subjected to loading such that the compressive stress of concrete
goes beyond about 0.50f’c, the tensile cracks move upward. The neutral axis will also
shift upward. The topmost part of concrete will be crushed and the variation of
compression stresses in concrete change appreciably from linear to non-linear
distribution as shown in Figure 3.c

f'c
𝜀𝑐 =0.003
Concrete is crushed here
NA
Position of NA
at service load
𝜀𝑆
Beam’s Strain Stress variation at
Section Diagram ultimate load

Figure 3.c
Simplified Concrete Stress distribution by Whitney
The actual stress distribution given in Figure 4.b, for simplicity can be assumed
as rectangular, parabolic, trapezoidal, etc. The most common one is a
rectangular stress block of Whitney as shown in Fig 4.c.

f'c 0.85f’c Whitney’s equivalent

rectangular stress block has
c 𝑎 = 𝛽1 𝑐 intensity 0.85fc’ and a depth
NA
a (see Figure 4.c). The area
𝑇𝑠 = 𝐴𝑠 𝑓𝑦 of the rectangular stress
Beam’s Stress variation at Whitney’s block should be the same as
Section ultimate load equivalent the area of the curved stress
stress block
distribution.
Fig 4.a Fig 4.b Fig 4.c
 Height of Whitney rectangular stress block

f'c 0.85f’c The height of the rectangular stress block is

a = 1c
c 𝑎 = 𝛽1 𝑐
NA NSCP 2015
𝑇𝑠 = 𝐴𝑠 𝑓𝑦 1 = 0.85 for 17  fc '  28MPa
Stress variation at Whitney’s  0.05 ( fc '− 28 ) 
ultimate load equivalent 1 = 0.85 −   for 28  fc '  55MPa
stress block  7 
Fig 4.b Fig 4.c 1 = 0.65 for fc '  55MPa
 Nominal Ultimate Strength of a Rectangular Beam
Compressive force
0.85fc’ C = 0.85 fc '(ab)
a/2 Tensile force (Assuming steel yields)
c a C
T = As f y
NA d d-a/2 Balanced Design
As
C =T
T=Asfy 0.85 fc ' ab = As f y
b As f y Ay
a= let  =
0.85 fc ' b bd
a=depth of the stress block
d=distance from the topmost part of concrete
 f yd
a=
to the center of the steel reinforcement 0.85 fc '
b=width of the beam
 Nominal Strength of Rectangular Beams
0.85fc’ Nominal Moment Capacity
a/2  a
C M n = As f y  d − 
 2
d d-a/2  1   f y d 
M n = As f y  d −  
As 2  0.85 fc '  

T=Asfy
 0.59  f y 
b M n = As f y d 1 − 
 fc ' 
 Determine the nominal moment capacity of the beam shown,
knowing that f’c=28 MPa and fy=420 MPa

300mm

Solution
500mm Area of Steel Calculation
 (25)2
3-25mm bars 70mm As = ( 3)
4
Beam’s Section
As = 1472.62 mm 2
 Calculating the depth of stress block
0.85fc’
a/2
a C
d=430 d-a/2 Nominal Moment Capacity:  M C = M n
As=1472.62  a  a
Mn =T d −  = Cd − 
T=Asfy  2  2
b=300
 a
Mn = As f y  d − 
For equilibrium condition : T = C  2
As f y = 0.85 f ' c(a)(b)  86.62 
Mn = 1472.62 ( 420 )  430 − 
As f y 1472.62(420)  2 
a= =
0.85 f ' c(b) 0.85(28)(300) Mn = 239167920 N .mm or 239 kN .m
a = 86.62mm
 Another way of calculating the nominal moment capacity
0.85fc’
 0.59  f y 
a/2 Recall the formula: M n = As f y d 1 − 
C  fc ' 
d=430 As = 1472.62
d-a/2 As 1472.62
= = = 0.011416
As=1472.62 bd (300)(430)
T=Asfy f y = 420MPa
b=300 f ' c = 28MPa
 0.59 ( 0.011416 )( 420 ) 
M n = (1472.62 )( 420 )( 430 ) 1 − 
 ( )
28
 
M n = 239085295 N .mm or 239 kN.m
 Calculate the nominal or theoretical moment strength of the beam
section shown in the figure shown. Yield strength of steel is 420 MPa
and ultimate strength of concrete is 20.7 MPa.

150 150 150 Solution:

150mm 1) Calculate the area of steel

reinforcement
375mm
 (28) 2
4-28mm bars As = ( 4 ) = 2463 mm2
4
75mm 2) Determine the area of concrete required for
balanced condition (Assume steel yielded)
150 150 150

C =T
150mm
C Ac  0.85(20.7  = As f y
375mm Ac  0.85(20.7  = 2463(420)
4-28mm bars
T Ac = 58792.84 mm 2
75mm
 3) Determination of the depth of stress block

150 150 150 Ac = 450(a) − 300(150)

0.85f’c
58792.84 = 450(a) − 45000
150mm y
a C a = 230.65 mm
375mm 525-y 4) Locate the centroid of the concrete area
4-28mm bars
T
75mm Ay =  Ai yi
Ac = 450(a) − 300(a − 150)
(150 )
2
(230.65) 2
58792.84 y = 450 − 300
2 2
y = 146.2 mm
 5) Calculation of the nominal moment
150 150 150
0.85f’c
capacity
y
150mm
C M n = As f y ( 525 − y )
375mm 525-y
M n = 2463(420) ( 525 − 146.2 )
4-28mm bars
T M n = 391853448 N.m
75mm
or M n = 391.85 kN .m
End of Notes