Chapter 6.

Compression Reinforcement - Flexural Members

If a beam cross section is limited because of architectural or other considerations, it may hap-
pen that the concrete cannot develop the compression force required to resist the give bending mo-
ment. In this case, reinforcing is added in the compression zone, resulting in a so-called doubly rein-
forced beam, i.e., one with compression as well as tension reinforcement. Compression reinforced
is also used to improve serviceability, improve long term deflections, and to provide support for stir-
rups throughout the beam.

6.1. Reading Assignment:

Text Section 5.7; ACI 318, Sections: 10.3.4, 10.3.3, and 7.11.1

6.2. Strength Calculations

Á u = 0.003 0.85f c′
Cs
A’s Á s′
a b = β 1c b Cc
d’ cb
h d

A bs
d-c b h-c b T bs

b Ás = Áy
strains stresses forces

From geometry we can find the strain in compression steel at failure as:

Á s′ = 0.003 c −
c
d′ (6.1)

CIVL 4135 118 Compression Reinforcement

6.3. Nominal Resisting Moment When Compression Steel Yields

d’
Á u = 0.003 0.85f c′ 0.85f c′
Cs
A’s Áy a a
c Cc A s′f y Cc
d = +
h
As d-c Ts A s′f y

T s = (A s − A s′)f y
b > Áy
Case I Case II

Doubly Reinforced Rectangular Beam

Total resisting moment can be considered as sum of:

1. Moment from corresponding areas of tension and compression steel
2. The moment of some portion of the tension steel acting with concrete.

β 1c (6.2)
M n = (A s − A s′) f y (d − ) + A s′ f y (d − d′)
2

and from equilibrium:

0.85f c′ ab = (A s − A s′)f y (6.3)

Solve for “a”:

A s − A s′ (6.4)
a= f
0.85f c′ b y

CIVL 4135 119 Compression Reinforcement

6.4. Compression Steel below Yield Stress (strain compatibility check).
Whether or not the compression steel will have yielded at failure can be determined as fol-
lows:
d’
Á u = 0.003 0.85f c′
Cs
A’s Á s′ = Á y a
c Cc
d
h
As lim d-c Ts

b ≥ Áy

From geometry: Áu c (6.5)

=
Á′ s c − d′

if compression steel yield Á′ s = Á y then:

Áu c Áu
Áy = c − d ′ → c = d′ (6.6)
Áu − Áy

Equilibrium for case II:

(A lim
s − A′ s)f y = 0.85 × (β 1c) b f ′ c (6.7)

Substitute for “c” from Eq. (6.6) and (6.7) and divide both sides by “bd” gives:

(A lim
s − A′ s)f y
bd
= 0.85 × β 1 × b × f ′ c  Áu
Áu
− Áy
d′   1
bd (6.8)

or A lim
s
bd
=
A ′s
bd
f′
+ 0.85 × β 1 × c
fy
 Áu
Áu d′
− Áy d
 (6.9)

à lim = à ′ s + 0.85 × β 1 ×
f ′c
fy
× 
87, 000 d′
87, 000 − f y d
 (6.10)

this is common for shallow

if à actual > à lim then compression steel will yield beams using high strength
steel

if
As − A ′s
bd
f′
≥ 0.85 × β 1 × c ×
fy
87, 000
d′
87, 000 − f y d
 then compression steel
will yield

CIVL 4135 120 Compression Reinforcement

6.5. Example of analysis of a reinforced concrete section having compression reinforce-
ment.
Determine the nominal moment, Mn , and the ultimate moment capacity, Mu , of the reinforced
concrete section shown below.
2.5”

22.2 A’s= 3.8 in2

f c′ = 5, 000 psi

f y = 60, 000 psi

As= 7.62 in2

12”
Solution

Mn can be calculated if we assume some conditions for compression steel.

Assume that compression steel yields:

C c = 0.85f ′ c β 1 cb = 0.85 × (5 ksi) × (0.80) × c × (12) = 40.8c

C s = A s′f y = 3.8 × (60ksi) = 228 kips
T s = (7.62 in 2) × ( 60 ksi) = 457 kips

Equilibrium:
Cs + Cc = Ts
solve for c:
457 − 228
c = = 5.6 in
40.8 d’
0.85f c′ Á u = 0.003
check assumption
c Á′ s

c − d′ d
Á′ s = 0.003 c
5.6 − 2.5 Ts d-c
= 0.003 = 0.0017
5.6
Áy

fy 60
Á′ s = 0.0017 < = = 0.00207 wrong assumption
Es 29, 000

This means the compression steel does not yield. Therefore, our
initial assumption was wrong. We need to make a new assumption.

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Assume f ’s < fy
C s = A′ sf ′ s = A′ s Á′ s E s
c − 2.5 c − 2.5
= (3.8 in 2) × (0.003 c ) × (29, 000 ksi) = 330 c
Now for equilibrium: Cs + Cc = Ts
c − 2.5
40.8c + 330 × c = 457 kips → solve for c → c = 6.31 in

check assumption
6.31 − 2.5
f ′ s = 0.003 × × 29, 000 = 52.5 ksi < f y = 60 ksi
6.31
assumption o.k.

check ACI Code requirements for tension failure

c = 6.31 = 0.284 < 0.375 We are in the tension-controlled section and satisfy
d 22.2
the ACI code requirements.
φ = 0.9
φ = 0.75 + (Á t − 0.002)(50)
0.90

SPIRAL
0.75
φ
0.65
OTHER

Compression Tension
Transition
Controlled Controlled

Á t = 0.002 Á t = 0.005
c = 0.600 c = 0.375
dt dt

CIVL 4135 122 Compression Reinforcement

Calculate forces:
C c = 40.8 × (6.31 in) = 258 kips
258+200=458
C s = 3.8 × (52.5ksi) = 200 kips Equilibrium
is
satisfied
T s = (7.62 in 2) × ( 60ksi) = 457 kips

Take moment about tension reinforcement to determine the nominal moment capacity of the section:

Mn = Cc d − β 1c
2
 + C (d − d′)
s

Nominal moment capacity is:

M n = (258 kips) × (22.2 − 0.80 × 6.31) + 200(22.2 − 2.5)
2

= 5080 + 3940 = 9020 in − kips

Ultimate moment capacity is:

M u = φ M n = 0.9 × 9020 = 8118 in − k

CIVL 4135 123 Compression Reinforcement

6.6. Example of analysis of a doubly reinforced concrete beam for flexure

Determine whether the compression steel yield at failure.

2.5”

2 No. 7
A’s= 1.2 in2
f c′ = 5, 000 psi 21”

f y = 60, 000 psi 4 No. 10

As= 5.08 in2

14”
Solution

As
à = = 5.08 = 0.0173
bd 14 × 21
à − Ã′ = 0.0173 − 0.0041 = 0.0132
A′ s 1.2
Ã′ = = = 0.0041
bd 14 × 21

Check whether the compression steel has yielded, use Eq. (6.10):
?
0.0132 ≥ 0.85 × β 1 ×
f ′c
fy
× 87, 000 d′
87, 000 − f y d

?
0.0132 ≥ 0.85 × 0.80 × 5 ×
60

87, 000 2.5
87, 000 − 60000 21

?
0.0132 ≥ 0.0217

Therefore, the compression steel does not yield.

CIVL 4135 124 Compression Reinforcement

6.7. Example: Design of a member to satisfy a nominal moment capacity.
Assume we have the same size beam as Section 6.6. example and
wish to satisfy the same nominal conditions:
2.5 ”
f y = 60, 000 psi
22.2” A’s = ? in 2
f c′ = 5, 000 psi

Required M n = 9020 in − k
As = ? in 2

Solution 12”

For singly reinforced section:

use c = 0.375
d
f′
à = 0.85β 1 c × c
d fy
5 ksi
à = (0.85)(0.80)(0.375) = 0.0213
60 ksi
Maximum As1 for singly reinforced section then is:

A s1 = Ã × b × d = (0.0213) × (12) × (22.2) = 5.66 in 2


M n = Ãf y bd 2 1 − 0.59Ã
fy
f c′

 
M n = (0.0213 in 2)(60 ksi)(12 in)(22.2 in) 2 1–0.59(0.0213) × 60 = 6409 in.kips
5
M u2 = φM n = 0.9 × 6409 = 5747 in.kips
Moment which must be resisted by additional compression and tension reinforcement
M u1 = M u1 − M u2
M u1 = 0.9 × 9020 – 5747 = 2365 in.kips
Assuming compression steel yields we will have:
M u1 = φA′ s f y (d − d′) = 0.9 × A′ s × (60) × (22.2 − 2.5) = 1063.8 × A′ s
2365 in–k = 1063.8 × A′ s → A′ s = 2365 = 2.23 in 2
1063.8
Therefore, the design steel area for tension and compression reinforcement will be:

A s = 5.66 + 2.23 = 7.89 in 2 8-#9

A′ s = 2.23 in 2 3-#8

CIVL 4135 125 Compression Reinforcement

 2.5 ”

22.2” A’s = ? in 2

As = ? in 2

12”
Check whether the compression steel has yielded, use Eq. (6.10):

As − A ′s
bd
f′
≥ 0.85 × β 1 × c ×
fy

87, 000 d′
87, 000 − f y d

8 − 2.37 ≥ 0.85 × 0.80 × 5 ×
22.2 × 12 60

87, 000
87, 000 − 60000
2.5
22.2

0.0211 ≥ 0.206

Therefore the compression steel yields at failure

Check to make sure that the final design will fall under “tension-controlled”
(A s − A s′)f y
a=
0.85f c′b

(8.00–2.37)60
a= = 6.62 in
0.85(5)(12)

c = a = 6.62 = 8.28 in
β1 0.80

c = 8.28 = 0.373 < 0.375

d 22.2 Tension controlled

see the following page for the rest of the solution done in a speadsheet.

CIVL 4135 126 Compression Reinforcement