Nodal Zones

The dimension of one side of a nodal zone is Design Strength (NSCP 2015 Section 423.3)
often determined based on the contact area of
the load, e.g., by a bearing plate, column base, or
beam support. If hydrostatic state of stress is For each applicable factored load combination,
desired, the dimensions of the remaining sides design strength of each strut, tie, and nodal
are selected to maintain a constant level of zone in a strut-and-tie model shall satisfy φSn ≥
stress p within the node. By selecting nodal zone U, including (a) through (c)
dimensions that are proportional to the applied
loads, the stresses on the faces of the nodal zone a. Struts φFns ≥ Fus
are equal. b. Ties φFnt ≥ Fut
c. Nodal zones φFnn ≥ Fun
If instead, the dimensions are determined based
on preselected strut dimensions, e.g., minimum
Fnn Nominal strength at
width, the state of stress will no longer be
face of a nodal zone, N
hydrostatic.
Fns Nominal strength of a
strut, N
Fnt Nominal strength of a
tie, N
Fun Factored force on the
face of the node, N
Fus Factored compressive
force in a strut, N
Fut Factored tensile force in
Steps involved in the completion of detailed a tie, N
strut-and-tie model Φ = 0.75 Strength-reduction
factor for struts, ties,
a. Define and isolate the D-regions. nodal zones, and
bearing areas (NSCP
b. Compute the force resultants on each D- 2015 Table 421.2.1)
region boundary.

c. Select a truss model to transfer the forces The Truss Model

across a D-regions.
d. Select dimensions for strut-and-tie nodal
zones.
e. Verify the capacity of the node and the strut,
the latter both at midlength and at the nodal
interface.
f. Design the ties and the tie anchorage.
g. Prepare design details and check minimum
reinforcement requirements.
- The layout of a truss model is
constrained by the geometric
requirement that struts must intersect
only at nodal zones.
- Because struts are typically much stiffer
than ties, a model with a minimum
number of tension ties is generally
preferred.
 effective
compressive strength
of the concrete.
As’ area of compression
reinforcement along
the length of the
strut
fs’ Strength on the
compression
reinforcement at the
Selecting Dimensions for Struts and Nodal
nominal axial
Zones
strength of the strut.
- To minimize cracking and to reduce It shall be permitted
complications that may result from to take f’s equal to fy
incompatibility in the deformations due for Grade 280 or
Grade 420
to struts shortening and ties elongating
reinforcement.
in nearly the same plane, the angle
between struts and ties at a node
should be greater than 25 deg.

Strength of Struts (NSCP 2015 Section 423.4)

The nominal compressive strength of a strut

shall be calculated by (a) or (b);

a. Strut without longitudinal reinforcement

b. Strut with longitudinal reinforcement

Transverse reinforcement requirement

Strength of Ties (NSCP 2015 Section 423.7)

The nominal tensile strength of a tie shall be

Effective compressive strength of concrete in a calculated by:
strut shall be calculated by

(fse + ∆fp) Shall not exceed fpy

Ace cross-sectional area Atp = 0 For non-prestressed
at the end of the srut member
under consideration ∆fp 420 MPa for bonded
Βs accounts the effect prestressed
of cracking and reinforcement and
crack-control 70 MPa for
reinforcement on the unbonded
 prestressed
reinfrocement
Strength of Nodal Zones (NSCP 2015 Section
423.9)
The nominal compressive strength of a nodal
zone shall be calculated by:
The effective compressive strength of concrete
at a face of a nodal zone:
Applications of Strut-and-Tie Model
While there are a number of possible
applications for a strut-and0tie model, Code
specifically allow deep beam and column
bracket design to be completed with this
method.
Deep Beams (NSCP 2015 Section 409.9)
Deep beams are members that are loaded on
one face and supported on the opposite face
such that strut-like compression elements can
develop between the loads and supports and
that satisfy (a) or (b):
a. Clear span does not exceed four times the
overall member depth, h;
b. Concentrated loads exist within a distance 2h
from the face of the support.
Deep Beams Dimensional Limits (NSCP 2015
Section 409.9.2)
Deep beam dimensions shall be selected such
that:
Deep Beams Reinforcement Limits (NSCP 2015
Section 409.9.3
Distributed reinforcement along the side faces
of deep beams shall be at least that required in
(a) and (b):
a. The area of distributed reinforcement
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
beam, Av shall be at least 0.0025bws, where s is
the spacing of the distributed transverse
reinforcement;
b. The area of distributed reinforcement parallel
to the longitudinal axis of the beam, Avh, shall
be at least 0.0025bws2, where s2 is the spacing
of the distributed longitudinal reinforcement.
Extended Nodal Zone
Example: Deep Beam. A transfer girder is to
carry two 24 in. square columns, each with
factored loads of 1200 kips located at the third
points of its 36 ft span, as shown in Fig, 10.14a.
The beam has a thickness of 2 ft and a total
height of 12 ft. Design the beam for the given
loads, ignoring the self-weight, using f’c=5000
psi and fy = 60,000 psi.

A. Definition of D-region
All of the supports and loads are within h of
each other or the supports, so the entire
structure may be characterized as a D-region.
Dimensional Limit Check on Deep Beam
Assumed depth d = 0.9h = 0.9*12=10.8 ft
φVn = 0.75*10*sqrt5000*24*10.8*12/1000
φVn = 1650 kips
Vu = 1200 kips < 1650 kips, OK!
B. Force resultants on D-region boundaries
C. Truss model
D. Selecting dimensions for strut and nodal
zones
Selection based on the geometry of the load-
bearing transfer elements to maintain a
constant level of stress p.
p = 1200 kips / (24in x 24 in) = 2.08 ksi
Design strength for C-C-C node, βn = 1.0
φfce = 0.75*0.85*1.0*5000/1000 = 3.19ksi >
2.08 ksi, therefore smaller truss member sizes
may be possible.
wac = 1500 kips / (24*2.08) = 30.0 in
By Pythagorean, wab = 38.5 in
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