Chapter 8.

Flexural Analysis of T-Beams

8.1. Reading Assignments

Text Chapter 3.7; ACI 318, Section 8.10.

8.2. Occurrence and Configuration of T-Beams

• Common construction type.- used in conjunction with either on-way or two-way slabs.
• Sections consists of the flange and web or stem; the slab forms the beam flange, while
the part of the beam projecting below the slab forms is what is called web or stem.

Beam
Beam
Beam

Beam
Beam

Beam

(a) one-way slab (b) two-way slab

8.3. Concepts of the effective width, Code allowable values

In reality the maximum compression stress in T-section varies with distance from section
Web.

Real max, Longitudinal

compression sress Simplified equivalent
width, stress

CIVL 4135 156 T--Beam

CIVL 4135 157 T--Beam
Code allows the following maximum effective widths:
8.3.1. Symmetrical Beam

ACI318, Section 8.10.2.

b
hf span
1) b ≤
4
b − bw
2) ≤ 8h f
2

b − bw 1
3) ≤ clear distance between beams
2 2
bw

8.3.2. Flange on one side only (Spandrel Beam)

ACI318, Section 8.10.3.

b
hf span
1) b − b w ≤ 12

2) b − b w ≤ 6h f

3) b − b w ≤ 1 clear distance to next web

2
bw

8.3.3. Isolated T-Beam

ACI318, Section 8.10.4.

b
hf
1) b ≤ 4b w

bw
2) ≤ hf
2

bw

CIVL 4135 158 T--Beam

8.4. Analysis of T-Beams - ( a > hf)

Consider the total section in two parts:

1) Flange overhangs and corresponding steel;

2) Stem and corresponding steel;

b 0.85f c′
Cc
hf
a

Ts =As fy
= +
Asf As - Asf
bw
Case I Case II

For equilibrium we have:

8.4.1. Case I:

A sf f y = 0.85f c′h f (b − b w) (8.1)

or
0.85f c′ h f (b − b w) (8.2)
A sf =
fy

8.4.2. Case II:

(A s − A sf) f y = 0.85f c′ b wa (8.3)

Solve for “a”:

(A s − A sf) f y (8.4)
a =
0.85f c′ b w
and nominal moment capacity will be:
hf (8.5)
M n = A sf f y(d − ) + (A s − A sf) f y (d − a)
2 2

CIVL 4135 159 T--Beam

8.5. Balanced Condition for T-Beams
See Commentary page 48 of ACI 318-83 (old code).

b hf Á u = 0.003 0.85f c′
Cc
ab
cb

h d
d-c Ts=Asbfy
A bs Á y

bw

From geometry:
Áu 87, 000 (8.6)
cb = d = d
Áu + Áy 87, 000 + f y

CIVL 4135 160 T--Beam

8.6. Example.- Analysis of T-Beams in Bending:
40” hf =4” Á u = 0.003 0.85f c′

c Cc

20.5”
d-c Ts=Asfy
As = 6.88 in2 Á y

10”
Find the nominal moment capacity of the beam given above:
f c′ = 2, 400 psi
f y = 50, 000 psi

Solution:
Check to see if a T-beam analysis is required:

Assume a < hf

As fy 6.88 × 50
a = = = 4.22 in
0.85f c′ b 0.85 × 2.4 × 40

Since 4.22 in > 4.00 in, a T-beam analysis is required.

First find the reinforcement area to balance flanges (Asf = ?)

f c′
A sf = 0.85 (b − b w)h f = 0.85 × 2.4 × (40 − 10) × 4 = 4.90 in 2
fy 50

A s − A sf = 6.88 − 4.90 = 1.98 in 2

Solve for “a”

0.85f c′b wa = (A s − A sf)f y

(A s − A sf)f y 1.98 × 50
a = = = 4.86 in > 4in o.k.
0.85f c′b w 0.85 × 2.4 × 10
Assumption is o.k.

CIVL 4135 161 T--Beam

 c = a = 4.86 = 5.72
β1 0.85

c = 5.72 = .279 < 0.375 Tension-controlled

d 20.5

Find the nominal moment capacity of the beam:

hf
M n = A sf f y (d − ) + f y(A s − A sf) (d − a )
2 2

M n = 4.9(in 2) × 50(ksi) × (20.5 − 4) + 50(ksi) × 1.98(in 2) × (20.5 − 4.86)

2 2

M n = 4530 + 1790 = 6, 320 in − k

Note:
This could have been done by statics with
T s = A sf y

C c = (b − b w)(h f) × 0.85f c′ + ab w(0.85)f c′

CIVL 4135 162 T--Beam

8.7. Example.- Design of T-Beams in Bending- Determination of Steel Area for a given
Moment:

A floor system consists of a 3 in. concrete slab supported by continuous T beams of 24 ft

span, 47 in. on centers. Web dimensions, as determined by negative-moment requirements at the
supports, are bw = 11 in. and d = 20 in. What tensile steel area is required at midspan to resist a mo-
ment of 6,400 in-kips if fy = 60,000 psi and f’c = 3,000 psi.

b
hf

+
Asf As - Asf
bw
Case I Case II

Solution

First determining the effective flange width from Section (8.3.1.) or ACI 8.10.2

span 24 × 12
1) b ≤ = = 72 in
4 4
2) b ≤ 16h f + b w = (16 × 3) + 11 = 59 in

3) b ≤ clear spacing between beams + b w = center to center spacing between beams = 47 in

The centerline T beam spacing controls in this case, and b = 47 inches.

Assumption: Assuming that stress-block depth equals to the flange thickness of 3 inches (beam be-
haves like a rectangular shape).

Mu 6400 (8.7)
As = = = 6.40 in 2
φf y(d − a∕2) 0.9 × 60 × (20 − 3∕2)

CIVL 4135 163 T--Beam

Solve for “a”:

A sf y
a = = 6.40 × 60 = 3.2 in > h f = 3.0 Assumption incorrect
0.85f c′b 0.85 × 3 × 47

Therefore, the beam will act as a T-beam and must be designed as a T-beam. From Case I given above
and Section (8.4.1.) we have

0.85f c′ h f (b − b w) 0.85 × (3ksi) × (3in) × (47 − 11) (8.8)

A sf = = = 4.58 in 2
fy 60(ksi)

hf (8.9)
φM n1 = φA sff y d − ) = 0.9 × 4.58 × (60ksi) × (20 − 3∕2) = 4570 in--kips
2

φM n2 = M u − φM n1 = 6400 − 4570 = 1830 in--kips (8.10)

Find “a” value by iteration. Assume initial a = 3.5 inches

φM n2 1830 (8.11)
A s − A sf = = = 1.86 in 2
φf y(d − a∕2) 0.9 × 60 × (20 − 3.5∕2)

Find an improve “a” value

(A s − A sf) f y
a = = 1.86 × 60 = 3.97 in (8.12)
0.85f c′ b w 0.85 × 3 × 11

Iterate with the new a = 3.97 in.

φM n2 1830 (8.13)
A s − A sf = = = 1.88 in 2
φf y(d − a∕2) 0.9 × 60 × (20 − 3.97∕2)

Find an improve “a” value

(A s − A sf) f y
a = = 1.88 × 60 = 4.02 in (8.14)
0.85f c′ b w 0.85 × 3 × 11

φM n2 1830 (8.15)
A s − A sf = = = 1.88 in 2
φf y(d − a∕2) 0.9 × 60 × (20 − 4.02∕2)

CIVL 4135 164 T--Beam

Since there is no change between equations (8.13) and (8.15) we have arrived at the answer. There-
fore,

A s = A sf + (A s − A sf) = 4.58 + 1.88 = 6.46 in 2 (8.16)

Check with ACI requirements for maximum amount of steel (Tension-Controlled)

c = a = 4.02 = 4.73 (8.17)

β1 0.85

c = 4.73 = .237 < 0.375 Tension-controlled

d 20

Therefore, the T-beam satisfies the ACI provisions for tension failure. Next steps will be to select the
reinforcement and check all the spacing requirements and detail the beam.

CIVL 4135 165 T--Beam