4

.................................... .
CHAPTER

Analysis of
the section
CHAPTER INTRODUCTION

A satisfactory and economic design of a concrete structure rarely depends on a

complex theoretical analysis. It is achieved more by deciding on a practical overall
layout of the structure, careful attention to detail and sound constructional practice.
Nevertheless the total design of a structure does depend on the analysis and design of
the individual member sections.
Wherever possible the analysis should be kept simple, yet it should be based on
the observed and tested behaviour of reinforced concrete members. The
manipulation and juggling with equations should never be allowed to obscure
the fundamental principles that unite the analysis. The three most important
principles are
1. The stresses and strains are related by the material properties, including the
stress-strain curves for concrete and steel.
2. The distribution of strains must be compatible with the distorted shape of the
cross-section.
3. The resultant forces developed by the section must balance the applied loads
for static equilibrium.
These principles are true irrespective of how the stresses and strains are distributed, or
how the member is loaded, or whatever the shape of the cross-section.
This chapter describes and analyses the action of a member section under load.
It derives the basic equations used in design and also those equations required for
the preparation of design charts. Emphasis has been placed mostly on the analysis
associated with the ultimate limit state but the behaviour of the section within the
elastic range and the serviceability limit state has also been considered.
Section 4.7 deals with the redistribution of the moments from an elastic
analysis of the structure, and the effect it has on the equations derived and the
design procedure.

53
W. H. Mosley et al., Reinforced Concrete Design
© W. H. Mosley, J. H. Bungey and R. Hulse 1999
54 Reinforced concrete design

4.1 Stress-strain relations

Short-tenn stress-strain curves are presented in BS 8110. These curves are in an
idealised fonn which can be used in the analysis of member sections.

4.1.1 Concrete
The behaviour of structural concrete (figure 4.1) is represented by a parabolic stress-
strain relationship, up to a strain EO, from which point the strain increases while the
stress remains constant. Strain EO is specified as a function of the characteristic strength
of the concrete ifcu), as is also the tangent modulus at the origin. The ultimate design
stress is given by
0.67!cu 0.67!cu
- - = -1-5- = 0.447!cu ~ 0.45!cu
1m .
where the factor of 0.67 allows for the difference between the bending strength and the
cube crushing strength of the concrete, and 1m = 1.5 is the usual partial safety factor for
the strength of concrete when designing members cast in situ. The ultimate strain of
0.0035 is typical for all grades of concrete.

Figure 4.1
Short-term design stress-strain
curve for concrete in
compression E Parabolic
E
Z
~
VI

£o,. 2.4xl0· ieu 0.003S

lm
Strain

4.1.2 Reinforcing steel

The representative short-tenn design stress-strain curve for reinforcement is given in
figure 4.2. The behaviour of the steel is identical in tension and compression, being
linear in the elastic range up to the design yield stress of hhm where h is the
characteristic yield stress and 1m is the partial factor of safety.
Within the elastic range, the relationship between the stress and strain is
stress = elastic modulus x strain
= Es XEs (4.1 )