Prepared by Professor Panos D.

Kiousis
Last Update:February 27, 2004 Page 1
SHEAR DESIGN OF BEAMS
1. General Principles
Design of cross-sections subjected to shear shall be based on: (ACI equation 11-1). V V
n u

V
u
is the shear force due to the factored loads (e.g. 1.2DL + 1.2LL) at the section that we
consider, and V
n
is the nominal shear strength computed as: (ACI equation (11- V V V
n c s
= +
2).
V
c
is the nominal shear strength provided by concrete and V
s
is the nominal shear strength
provided by shear reinforcement.
Average shear stress v
V
b d
w
=
Beams rarely if ever fail in actual shear. In stead, application of shear forces results in tensile
stresses, in oblique orientations, which in turn cause failure. Thus the average shear stress,
can only provide an indirect measurement or indication of failure.
It becomes clear that the average shear stress definition ignores the reduction of available
cross-section due to bending cracks. It is common practice to incorporate the effects of
bending (reduced available cross-section) in the strength.
In areas of large bending it is common to assume concrete shear strength equal to
(not the equation to use!) v f V f b d
c c c c w
= = 19 19 . ; .
In areas of no bending it is assumed that the concrete shear strength is equal to
v f V f b d
c c c c w
= = 35 35 . ; .
To incorporate the effects of bending and the dowel shear
strength provided by the bending reinforcement, ACI code
(Eq. 11-5) proposes the relation:
(1) V f
V d
M
b d f b d
c c w
u
u
w c w
= +
|
\

|
.
| 19 2500 35 . .
The ratio shall not be taken greater than 1.0 in computing V
c
in the equation above.
V d
M
u
u
The ACI code (Eq. 11-3) allows the use of the simplified equation: (2) V f b d
c c w
= 2
Shear Reinforcement: If a cross section cannot carry the shear load by itself, then shear
reinforcement in the form of stirrups of ties may be used. In essence, stirrups act as nails that keep
the top and bottom pieces of a beam with a shear crack together.
If we assume 45
o
crack, then the horizontal dimension of the crack is equal to the effective depth d.
Prepared by Professor Panos D. Kiousis
Last Update:February 27, 2004 Page 2
If stirrups are spaced at a distance s then there exist n
d
s
=
stirrups over the cracked area. If ultimate capacity of each of
these stirrups is where A
v
is the cross-sectional area of A f
v ys
the stirrup multiplied by the number of vertical legs of the stirrup
configuration. Thus, the shear force that is carried by the
stirrups is:
(3) V A f
d
s
s v y
=
The value of V
s
is commonly known (see Eq. 6). Thus, we can use Eq. 3 to find the maximum
spacing of the stirrups of a required shear reinforcement capacity V
s
:
(4) s
A f d
V
v ys
s
=
2. Practical Information
Shear design is now based on the following equation:
(5) V V V V
u n c s
= = +
where N = 0.75 for shear. From Equation (5) we can see:
(6) V
V V V
V
s
u c u
c
=

=

ACI code requirements:
Calculate the shear strength of the cross-section as:
(7) V f b d
c c w
= 2
or
(8)
V f
V d
M
b d f b d
c c w
u
u
w c w
= +
|
\

|
.
| 19 2500 35 . .
The first relation is preferred due to its simplicity.
Prepared by Professor Panos D. Kiousis
Last Update:February 27, 2004 Page 3
Criteria for design:
1. If : No shear reinforcement is necessary. V
V
u
c

2
2. If then minimum reinforcement is required. This is defined as:
V
V V
c
u c
2

s
A f psi
f b
s
A f psi
b
s
d
v ys
c w
v ys
w

( )
.
( )
075
50
2
3. If then reinforcement is required:
V V
c u

s
A f d
V
V
A f d
V V
s
d
v ys
u
c
v ys
u c

2
Note that the minimum reinforcement requirements of item 2 are still valid for item 3. So, if the
spacing of item 3 is larger than the spacing mandated in item 2, the one of item 2 controls.
4. In addition: if , then the max spacing is reduced to . V f b d
s c w
4 s d / 4
if , then the cross-section must be redesigned. V f b d
s c w
8
Prepared by Professor Panos D. Kiousis
Last Update:February 27, 2004 Page 4
3. Design Process. Step-by-step.
Consider a beam to be designed for shear reinforcement. The steps for the design are as follows:
1. Select size of stirrups. Usually we start by assuming #3 unless the problem statement requires
otherwise. If later on we find that #3 stirrups results in very small stirrup spacing we can
change to #4 or larger.
2. Calculate factored loads Q
u
3. Calculate and draw shear diagram V
u
due to factored loads.
4. Calculate shear capacity of concrete cross-section: . V f b d
c c w
= 2
5. Calculate the most critical shear V
u - cr
. This is commonly located at distance d from the
supports.
6. In the V
u
diagram locate the values NV
c
and NV
c
/ 2.
7. The region for which NV
c
/2 $ V
u
does not need shear reinforcement.
8. The region for which NV
c
/2 # V
u
# NV
c
is valid, is designed based on criterion 2 of the previous
section:
We calculate spacing and where A
v
is the total stirrup s
A f psi
f b
v ys
c w
=

( )
. 075
s
A f psi
psi b
v ys
w
=
( )
( ) 50
cross-section that is sheared (commonly 2 @A
tie
) and f
ys
is the yield strength of the stirrup steel.
We also calculate spacing as: . We accept the smaller spacing of the three. Note that s
d
=
2
in comparing the first two expressions, the first controls if f'
c
> 4444 psi, (the second controls
otherwise).
10. The region for which NV
c
# V
u
is valid, is designed based on criterion 3 of the previous section:
We calculate the shear that needs to be carried by the stirrups: and then V
V
V
s
u
c
=

spacing (A) s
A f d
V
v ys
s
=
If the cross-section needs to be redesigned (become bigger) to reduce V f b d
s c w
8
V
s
.
If then calculate (B-1) V f b d
s c w
4 s
d
=
4
Otherwise calculate (B-2) s
d
=
2
Accept the smaller of (A) and (B) - whichever of B-1 or B-2 is applicable.
Depending on the size of the range for which NV
c
# V
u
we may wish to apply the process
described in this step for multiple sub-regions to achieve better economy. This is a more
complex process that is described in your textbook but is not necessary here.
11. Make the proper rounding of the spacing values of reinforcement.
Prepared by Professor Panos D. Kiousis
Last Update:February 27, 2004 Page 5
Shear Design Example
Design the beam shown here for shear. We would like to use shear reinforcement consisting of #3,
Grade 40 stirrups.
f'
c
= 4,000 psi; f
y
= 60,000 psi; f
ys
= 40 ksi, Stirrups #3
w
b
= 150 lb/ft
3
x 12 x 28/144/1000 = 0.35 k/ft.
Solution
Simpler approach
1. Stirrup #3 as of problem statement.
2. Factored loads: w
u
= 1.2 x (0.933+0.35) + 1.6 x 1.488 =
3.92 k/ft.
3. Create the shear diagram V
u
:
4. and V f b d lbs
c c w
= = = 2 2 4 000 12 245 37 188 , . ,
NV
c
= 27891 lbs
5. Critical shear section at distance d = 24.5 inches = 2.04 ft from support. At that point shear V
u
= 78.4 - 3.92 @ 2.04 = 70.40 kips.
6. Find the location of NV
c
= 27.9 kips and NV
c
/2 = 14.0 kips on the V
u
diagram. This can be
found from the shear equation or from similar triangles: If we call the distance from the 0 shear
point x then: or x = 3.57 ft. Thus, the location of NV
c
/2 is 3.57 ft from the center of
x
14
20
784
=
.
Prepared by Professor Panos D. Kiousis
Last Update:February 27, 2004 Page 6
the beam or 16.43 ft. from the support. Similarly, or x = 7.12 ft. Thus, the location
x
27 9
20
784 . .
=
of NV
c
is 7.12 ft. from the center or 12.88 ft. from the support.
7. Note that the region from 17.02 to 20 ft (and its mirror image on the right half of the beam) has
V
u
that is less than NV
c
/2 and thus does not need reinforcement.
8. From 12.88 ft to 16.43 (and its mirror image on the right half of the beam) we have the design
case 2: Range = 16.43-12.88 = 3.55 ft.
(note that this equation controls because f'
c
< 4444 psi) s in

=
( . )
.
2 011 40000
50 12
14 7
and Thus s = 12.25 in. s in =
245
2
12 25
.
. .
9. In the range from 0 to 12.88 ft we have shear design case 3:
(Eq. 6) which is less than
V kips
s
= =
704
075
37 2 567
.
.
. .
4 4000 12 24 5 74377 = . lbs
and Thus s#3.80 in. s in


=
075 2 011 40 245
704 0 75 37 2
380
. ( . ) .
. . .
. . s in =
245
2
12 25
.
. .
10. From 0 to 12.88 ft: s#3.80 in. We shall use s = 3 in. which over 12.88 ft requires 52 stirrups
(the first one is placed 3 inches from the left support). The total length occupied by the stirrups
is 52x3 = 156 in. or 13 ft. Thus the first range is from 0 to 13 ft. We use 52 #3's at 3 in.
From 13 to 16.43 ft s# 12.25 in. We shall use s = 12 in. which over 3.43 ft. requires 4 stirrups
(for a total of 48 in. or 4.00 ft). Thus the second range is 4 ft long or from 13 to 17 ft. We use
4#3's at 12 in.
The final design becomes:
0.00 to 13.00 ft. : 52 #3's at 3 in (the first one is placed 3 in. from support).
13.00 to 17.00 ft: 4#3's at 12 in.
17.00 to 23.00 ft: No stirrups
23.00 to 27.00 ft: 4#3's at 12 in.
27.00 to 40.00 ft: 52 #3's at 3 in.
Total number of stirrups needed : 112.
Prepared by Professor Panos D. Kiousis
Last Update:February 27, 2004 Page 7
More complex (and potentially less expensive) approach .
Basic philosophy:
At any point of the beam we need to know the magnified applied shear load V
u
/N and the nominal
shear strength V
c
. Then, by examining the relative values of applied load vs. shear strength, we
decide whether we are in design case (1), (2), or (3) and design using the proper equations.
In designing beams for shear, it is usually sufficient to check a few points along the span and select
the stirrup spacing based on those points. In this design we shall use a more detailed (overkill)
approach taking advantage of the fact that the V and M equations are easy to produce and also the
fact that it is easy to place all calculations in a spread sheet.
Reactions: R
A
= wL/2 = 3.92@40 / 2 = 78.4 kips
M
A
= -wL
2
/12 = 3.92@40
2
/12 = -522.67 ft-k
Shear equation : V(x) = 78.4 - 3.92 @ x
Moment equation : M(x) = -522.67 + 78.4 x - 3.92@x
2
/2
x(ft) V
u
(k) M
u
(in-k) V
u
d/M
u
2500DV
u
d/M
u
NV
c
NV
c
/2 V
u
-NV
c
V
u
-NV
c
/2 V
s
s (in)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11)
2.00 70.56 -373.71 0.32 16.46 30.13 15.06 40.43 55.50 53.91 4.00
3.00 66.64 -305.11 0.37 19.04 30.69 15.35 35.95 51.29 47.93 4.50
4.00 62.72 -240.43 0.45 22.74 31.51 15.76 31.21 46.96 41.61 5.18
5.00 58.80 -179.67 0.56 28.53 32.79 16.39 26.01 42.41 34.68 6.22
6.00 54.88 -122.83 0.76 38.94 35.08 17.54 19.80 37.34 26.39 8.17
7.00 50.96 -69.91 1.00 51.02 37.75 18.87 13.21 32.09 17.62 12.24
8.00 47.04 -20.91 1.00 51.02 37.75 18.87 9.29 28.17 12.39 12.25
9.00 43.12 24.17 1.00 51.02 37.75 18.87 5.37 24.25 7.16 12.25
10.00 39.20 65.33 1.00 51.02 37.75 18.87 1.45 20.33 1.94 12.25
11.00 35.28 102.57 0.59 29.98 33.11 16.55 2.17 18.73 2.90 12.25
12.00 31.36 135.89 0.39 20.11 30.93 15.47 0.43 15.89 0.57 12.25
13.00 27.44 165.29 0.28 14.47 29.69 14.84 0.00 12.60 0.00 12.25
14.00 23.52 190.77 0.21 10.75 28.87 14.43 0.00 9.09 0.00 12.25
15.00 19.60 212.33 0.16 8.05 28.27 14.14 0.00 5.46 0.00 12.25
16.00 15.68 229.97 0.12 5.94 27.81 13.90 0.00 1.78 0.00 12.25
17.00 11.76 243.69 0.08 4.21 27.42 13.71 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
18.00 7.84 253.49 0.05 2.70 27.09 13.55 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
19.00 3.92 259.37 0.03 1.32 26.79 13.39 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
20.00 0.00 261.33 0.00 0.00 26.50 13.25 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Note that the absolute values of V/M are used to calculate V
c
Prepared by Professor Panos D. Kiousis
Last Update:February 27, 2004 Page 8
Notes on the tabulated calculations:
1. For x $17 ft, we have that V
u
< NV
c
/2 (negative values are marked as 0 in column 9). Thus
(case a) no stirrups are required.
2. For 13 # x #17 ft. we have that NV
c
/2 < V
u
< NV
c.
(negative values of V
u
- NV
c
mark the
beginning of this region and are marked as 0 in column 8) In this region we require minimum
reinforcement-case b. Stirrups are decided based on
s
A f psi
psi b
in
s
d
in
v y
w
=

=
= =
( )
( )
. ,
. .
.
. .
50
2 011 40 000
50 12
14 7
2
245
2
12 25
3. For 0 <x<13 ft V
u
> NV
c
, thus producing a requirement for shear bearing stirrups. The amount
of shear carried by the stirrups is shown in the table column with the V
s
heading. In this region,
the shear reinforcement is calculated as follows:
s
A f d
V V V V
and
d
in
v ys
u c u c

=


=

075 2 011 40 245

075
2
12 25
. . .
.
. .
where, V
u
is the shear force diagram value at the specific location, and V
c
is the nominal shear
strength at the same location. As can be seen from the table, the d/2 value was the governing
value for part of this region. (8 to 12 ft.)
The result of all these calculations is a spacing distribution as shown if the last column of the table. In
practice, it makes no sense to allow variation of the spacing for every footing. This is a more practical
spacing:
0 < x < 4 ft s = 4.0 in. (12 stirrups)
4 < x < 7 ft 4 in. s = 5 in. (10 stirrups)
7 ft 4 in < x <16 ft 4 in. s = 12 in. ( 9 stirrups)
16ft 4 in. < x < 20 ft No stirrups
From 20 ft to 40 ft reinforce in mirror image symmetry.
A total of 62 stirrups are needed.