Steps in Vertical Stirrup Design

I. Calculate the factored shear force 𝑣𝑢 at critical sections defined in Page 199, or at any
section you want the spacing to be determined.

II. Calculate the shear strength provided by concrete, 𝑣𝑐 .

example: 𝑣𝑐=0.17𝜆√𝑓′
𝑐 𝑏𝑤 𝑑

If 𝑉𝑢 >Ф 𝑉𝑐 stirrups are necessary, proceed to Set IV.

If 𝑉𝑢 >Ф 𝑉𝑐 but 𝑉𝑢 > 1⁄2 Ф 𝑉𝐶, proceed to step VI. (Sec.411.6.6)
If 𝑉𝑢 > 1⁄ 𝑉𝐶, beam section is capable to carry the required shear.
2Ф

IV. Calculate the shear strength 𝑉𝑠 to be provided by the stirrup.

1. 𝑉𝑛= 𝑉𝑢 ⁄ Ф
2. 𝑉𝑠= 𝑉𝑛− 𝑉𝑐= 𝑉𝑢 ⁄ Ф - 𝑉𝑐

If 𝑉𝑠 ≤ 0.66 √𝑓′ ͨ 𝑏𝑤 d,proceed to Step V (Sect. 411.6.7.9)

If 𝑉𝑠 > 0.66 √𝑓′ ͨ 𝑏𝑤 d, adjust the size of the beam (Sect.411.6.7.9)

V. Spacing of stirrups
𝐴𝑣 𝑓𝑦𝑡 𝑑
Spacing, s= 𝑉𝑠
; See figure 4.2 in Page 197 for the value of 𝐴𝑣 .

If s < 25 mm + 𝑑𝑡, increase the value of 𝐴𝑣 by either using a bigger bar size or
. adding more shear area
Maximum spacing, s: (411.6.4)

(a) When 𝑉𝑠 ≤ 0.33 √𝑓 ′ ͨ 𝑏𝑤 d, 𝑆max= d/2 or 600 mm

(b) When 𝑉𝑠 ≤ 0.33 √𝑓 ′ ͨ 𝑏𝑤 d, 𝑆max= d/4 or 600 mm

VI. If 𝑉𝑢 < Ф 𝑉𝑐 but 𝑉𝑢 > 1⁄2 Ф 𝑉𝑐 :

Minimum area of stirrup

𝑏𝑤 𝑆 𝑏𝑤 𝑆
𝐴𝑣 𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0.062 √𝑓 ′ ͨ 𝑓𝑦𝑡
≥ 0.35 𝑓𝑦𝑡
(Sect. 411.6.6.3)
Illustrative Problems
Note: If not specified all concrete in these illustrative problems are normal weight concrete, where
𝜆 = 1.0
Problem 4.1

A rectangular beam has a width of 260 mm and an overall depth of 470 mm. Concrete cover is 60 mm
from the centroid of bars. Concrete compressive strength 𝑓𝑐= 21 MPa. Steel yield strength provided by
concrete using the simplified calculation (a) if the beam is subjected to shear and flexure only, and (b) if
the beam is subjected to axial compressive force of 80 kN.

Solution
Effective depth, d=470-60=410mm
Gross are, 𝐴𝑔 =260(470) = 122,200 𝑚𝑚2

a) The beam is subject to shear and flexure only:

𝑉𝑐 = 0.17λ √𝑓 ′𝑐 𝑏𝑤 d
𝑉𝑐 = 0.17(1) √21 (260)(410)
𝑽𝒄 = 83.045 kN
b) The beam is subjected to axial compressive force of 80 kN.
𝑁𝑢
𝑉𝑐 = 0.17 (1 + 14 𝐴𝑔
) λ 𝑏𝑤 d

80,000
𝑉𝑐 = 0.17 (1 + 14(122,200)
) (1) (260) (410)

𝑽𝒄 = 86.93 kN

Problem 4.2

Determine the minimum cross section required for a rectangular beam from a shear standpoint so that
no web reinforcement is required by the Code if 𝑉𝑢= 142 kN and 𝑓𝑐= 27.6 MPa. Assume d=1.7b

Solution

According to 411.6.5, a minimum shear reinforcement is required only when 𝑉𝑢 exceed of 0.5Ф𝑉𝑐 .

𝑉𝑐 = 0.17 λ √𝑓′𝑐 𝑏𝑤 d
 𝑉𝑐 = 0.5Ф𝑉𝑐 142,000 = 0.5(0.75) [0.17(1) √27.6 𝑏𝑤 (1.7𝑏𝑤 )]

𝑏𝑤= 499.4 mm

d = 1.7 𝑏𝑤 d= 1.7 (499.4)

d= 849 mm

Using the 2001 NSCP; b= 469 mm, d = 798 mm

Problem 4.3

A rectangular beam has 𝑏𝑤= 280 mm, d = 510 mm. Determine the maximum factored shear can this
beam section carry. Use 𝜌𝑐= 24 MPa.

Solution

Shear strength provided by concrete:

𝑉𝑐 = 0.17 λ √𝑓′𝑐 𝑏𝑤 d 𝑉𝑐 = 0.17 (1) √24 (280)(510)

𝑉𝑐 = 118.928 kN

Maximum value of 𝑉𝑠 according to Section Sect. 411.6.7.9:

𝑉𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.66 √24 (280)(510) 𝑉𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.66 √24 (280)(510)

𝑉𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 461.719 kN

Nominal shear capacity of the section :

𝑉𝑛 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑉𝑐 + 𝑉𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑉𝑛 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 118.928 + 461.719

𝑉𝑛 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 580.647 kN

Ultimate (design) shear strength:

𝑉𝑢 = Ф 𝑉𝑛 𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑉𝑢 = 0.75(580.647)

𝑉𝑢 = 435.485 kN

Using the 2001 NSCP, 𝑉𝑢 = 493.55 kN

Problem 4.4 (CE BOARD)

A reinforced concrete bean has the following properties.

Beam width, b = 320 mm

Effective depth, d = 640 mm

Concrete strength, 𝑓𝑐 = 21 MPa.

Reinforcing steel strength, 𝑓𝑦 = 400 MPa.

If the factored shear force at the critical section is 210,000 N, compute the nominal shear carried by the
shear reinforcement.

Solution

Shear strength carried by concrete:

𝑉𝑐 = 0.17 √𝑓′𝑐 𝑏𝑤 d 𝑉𝑐 = 0.17 √21 (320)(640)

𝑉𝑐 = 159.547 kN

Required normal shear strength:

𝑉𝑢 210
𝑉𝑛 = Ф
𝑉𝑛 =0.75

𝑉𝑛 = 280 kN

Nominal shear strength of the section:

𝑉𝑛 = 𝑉𝑐 + 𝑉𝑠 280 = 159.547 + 𝑉𝑠

𝑉𝑠 = 120.453 kN

Using the 2001 NSCP, 𝑉𝑠 = 87.512 kN

Problem 4.5 (CE BOARD)

Determine the required stirrup spacing for a 10 mm diameter U- stirrups in a reinforced concrete beam
with effective beam depth of 400 mm to carry the net shear of 154 kN, if 𝑓𝑦ℎ = 270 MPa.

Solution

Net shear to be carried by stirrup, 𝑉𝑠 = 154 kN

𝐴𝑣 𝑓𝑦𝑡 𝑑
The required stirrup spacing is, s = 𝑉𝑠

𝜋 𝜋
𝐴𝑣 = 2 x dℎ2 𝐴𝑣 = 2 x (10)2
4 4

𝐴𝑣 = 157.1 𝑚𝑚2
𝐴𝑣 𝑓𝑦𝑡 𝑑 157.1(275)(400)
S= 𝑉𝑠
s= 154𝑥103

s = 112.2 mm

Problem 4.6

A rectangular beam has the following properties:

𝑏𝑤 = 320 mm Stirrup diameter, 𝑑𝑡 = 10 mm

d = 570 mm 𝑓𝑦𝑡 = 275 MPa

𝑓𝑐 = 24 MPa

Determine the required spacing vertical U- stirrup when the required shear strength 𝑉𝑢 is a) 50 kN, b) 90 kN,
c) 130 kN, d) 290 kN, e) 360 kN, and f) 570 kN. Use the 2010 NSCP.

Solution

Shear strength provided by concrete:

𝑉𝑐 = 0.17 λ √𝑓′𝑐 𝑏𝑤 d 𝑉𝑐 = 0.17(1) √24 (320)(570)

𝑉𝑐 = 151.908 kN

Ф 𝑉𝑐 = 0.75(151.91) = 113.931 kN
1⁄ Ф 𝑉 = 56.965 kN
2 𝑐

0.66 √𝑓′𝑐 𝑏𝑤 d = 589.759 kN

0.33 √𝑓′𝑐 𝑏𝑤 d = 294.879 kN

𝜋
𝐴𝑣 = 2 x 4 (10)2 = 157.08 𝑚𝑚2
 a) 𝑉𝑢 = 50 kN < 1⁄2 Ф 𝑉𝑐 Beam section capable to carry the required shear.
b) 𝑉𝑢 = 90 kN
𝑉𝑢 is less than Ф 𝑉𝑐 but more than 1⁄2 Ф 𝑉𝑐 a minimum area of shear reinforcement is
required.

Maximum stirrup spacing 𝑆𝑚𝑎𝑥1 = d/2 = 285 mm

𝑏𝑤 𝑆 0.35 𝑏𝑤 𝑆
𝐴𝑣 𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0.062 √𝑓′𝑐 𝑓𝑦𝑡
≥ 𝑓𝑦𝑡

𝐴𝑣 𝑓𝑦𝑡 157.08(275)
𝑆𝑚𝑎𝑥2 = = = 444 mm
0.062 √𝑓′𝑐 𝑏𝑤 0.062 √24 (320)

𝐴𝑣 𝑓𝑦𝑡 157(275)
𝑆𝑚𝑎𝑥3 = 0.35 𝑏𝑤
= 0.35(320) – 386 mm

Use s = 285 mm