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RCC 03 PDF
RCC 03 PDF
-Engineering Paper
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Goal: Mn > Mu
Strength Reduction Factor * Nominal Moment Strength > Required Strength
When designing a singly reinforced concrete beam, the flexural limit state is used to determine when
the beam will fail. The flexural limit state is found by multiplying the nominal moment strength (Mn) by
a factor of safety (). For singly reinforced beams that fail in tension, the strength reduction factor ()
will always be .9. This reduction factor is used for safety reasons when designing beams because of
variability in material strength and construction methods. As define by the American Concrete Institute
(ACI) the nominal moment strength is reached when the extreme concrete fiber crushes. This is when
the strain equals .003. The equations below have been derived from this concept.
Note: Designing a beam is not always a linear process and it may take several tries to satisfy the
design requirement. It is not uncommon to repeat this process 2-3 times before satisfying the strength
requirements.
For this example, we will use a span (L) of 20 feet and a uniformally disbruted load (w) of 1000
lbs/ft.
w = 1000lb/ft
L = 20
Mu = = = 500,000 lb-ft
For this example, we will use concrete with a compression strength (fc) of 4,000 psi.
For this example, we will use steel with a tensile strength (fy) of 60,000 psi.
For this example, we will assume we are designing a beam for a bridge and use a depth (h) of 24
inches and a width (b) of 24 inches.
Kyle Richards
Note: The area of steel provided must be slightly larger than the area of steel required.
Kyle Richards
a= = = 4.41 inches
Note: If this inequality is not satisfied we must go back to step 2 and increase the strength of
the concrete, step 3 and increase the tensile strength of the steel, or step 4 and make the
beams cross-section larger. If you go back, each step must be recalculated in sequence.
Appendix: Notation
a = depth of equivalent stress block
Jd = distance between the resultants of the internal compressive and tensile forces on a cross section
L = length of span
Glossary
Compression the result of the subjection of a material to negative stress