T-BEAMS

Reinforced concrete floors usually consist of slabs and beams, which are placed or poured monolithically.
In this effect, the beam will have an extra width at the top(which is usually under compression)called
flanges, and the resulting section is called a T-beam. The beam may also be L- shaped if it is located at the
end of a slab.

ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF T-BEAMS

The analysis of T-beams is similar to rectangular beams, but in unlike rectangular beams wherein we
always check for maximum steel ratio( this limiting ratio is very seldom reached in T- beams
because the compression side of the beam is so large which makes the neutral axis so far away from

The compression block of a T-beam can fall either within the flange only or partly in the web. If it falls
within the flange as shown in Figure 3.1 (a), the rectangular beam formulas (in Chapter 2) apply since the
concrete below neutral axis is assumed to be cracked and its shape has no effect on the flexure
calculations(other than weight). If however it covers the web as shown in Figure 3.1(b), the compression
concrete no longer consist of a single rectangle and thus the rectangular beam formulas do not apply.

TENSION STEEL STRESS

In analysis of beams (whatever shape it is), once the value of c is known, the actual stress in tension steel
can be computed using Eq. 3-1.
From the strain diagram shown:

( )

THE c/d RATIO

One can actually predict (without further computation) when steel will yield once the value of c is known.
Note that the strain in concrete is taken as 0.003 and the strain in steel is .
For
As shown in Figure 3.2(a), the grade 415 still will not yield if c/dis greater than 0.59 and will yield if c/d
is less than 0.59. The grade 276 steel as shown in Figure 3.2(b) will yield if c/d is less than 0.7. Since the
maximum steel strength usually used in construction is the grade 415 (fy=415 MPa), we can therefore
conclude that if c/d is less than 0.59, the tension steel will yield.

In T-beams where the flange is in compression, the c/d ratio is usually that shown in Figure 3.2, which
easily lead us to a conclusion that the steel yields.

BALANCED AND MAXIMUM STEEL AREA

If a is less than the slab thickness t, that balanced steel ratio is compute. However, if a is greater than t,
the following formula will be used.

From the strain diagram shown:

Note =200000 MPa

( )

[T=C] [ ]
(

These equations applies only if a>t.

DESIGN OF T BEAMS WITH NEGATIVE MOMENTS

When T-beams are resisting negative moments so that their flanges are in
tension and the bottoms of their stems are in compression, the formulas
for rectangular beams will be applied. The following code requirements
shall be applied for this case:

5.10.6.6: Where flanges of T beams construction are in tension, part of

thee flexural tension reinforcement shall be distributed over an effective
flange width as defined in Sec. 5.8.10, or a width equal to 1/ 10 the span,
whichever is smaller. If the effective flange width exceeds 1/ 10 the span, some longitudinal
reinforcement shall be provided in the outer portions of the flange.

The intention of this section is to minimize the possibilities of flexural cracks that will occur at the top
face of the flange due to negative moments.

MINIMUM STEEL RADIO

Section 5.10.5.1 of NSCP provides that te minimum steel ratio be 1.4/ . It also states that in T beams
where the web is in tension, the ratio shall be computed for this purpose using width of web.
In checking for maximum ( , use = (
In checking for minimum ( ), use

CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR T-BEAMS (SECTION 5.8.10)

1. In T-beams construction, the flange and web shall be built integrally or otherwise effectively
bonded together.
2. The width of slab effective as a T-beams shall not exceed ¼ of the span of the beam, and the
effective overhanging flange on each side of the web shall not exceed:
(a) 8 times the slab thickness, and
(b) ½ the clear distance to the next web

3. For beams with slab on one side only, the effective overhanging flange shall not exceed:
(a) 1/12 the span length of the beam,
(b) 6 times the slab thickness, and
(c) ½ the clear distance to the next web.

For Interior Beam For Symmetrical Interior Beam ( =

is the smallest of: is the smallest of:
1. L/4 1. L/ 4
2. 16t + 2. 6t+
3. + 3. center-to-center spacing of beams

For End Beam

is the smallest of
1. L/ 12 +
2. 6t +
3.

4. Isolated beams in which T-shape are used to provide a flange for additional compression area
shall have a flange thickness not less than ½ the width of the web and an effective flange width not
more than four times the width of the web.

5. Where primary flexural reinforcement in a slab that is considered as a T- beams flange is parallel
to the beam, reinforcement perpendicular to the beam shall be provided in the top of the slab in
accordance with the following:
(a) Transverse reinforcement shall be designed to carry the factored load the overhanging slab
width assumed to act as a cantilever. For isolated beam, the full width of the overhanging
flange shall be considered. For other T-beams, only the effective overhanging slab needs to be
considered.
(b) Transverse reinforcement shall be spaced not farther apart than five times the slab thickness,
nor 450 mm.
STEPS IN DETERMINING THE TENSION STEEL AREA OF THE BEAMS WITH GIVEN AND OTHER
BEAM PROPERTIES:
I. Assume that the entire flange is in compression and solve for :
Compressive force in concrete, C= 0.85
( )

( )
If
If

II. a<t

Solve for a and As:

( )

( ( )
[T=C]

Solve for

If, (this seldom happen)

Solve for , 1.4/

, design is OK

III. a > t
 Solve for z and As

=
( )

( ( )

[T=C]

=0.85 + 0.85

Solve for
>
IF (

Solve for

[ ( ]

If
If (this seldom happen to T beams)

STEPS IN DETERMINING OF T BEAMS

I. Assume steel yields (
[C=T] 0.85
Area of compression flange, =
If
If , proceed to step III

II. a< t
Solve for a:
(

= ( )
( )

Verify if steel yields (this may not be necessary anymore)

If (
If , steel does not yield (this seldom happen to T- Beams)
III. a>t

Solve for z :

Verify if steel yields:

a= t+z
c= a/
(

If (
If , steel does not yield ( this seldom happen to T- Beams)

( )

( )

( )

( )

ILLUSTRATIVE DESIGN
1. Determine the effective flange with for a symmetrical T- beam with a span of 6 m. The width of web
is250 mm, the slab thickness is 120 mm, and the clear distance to adjacent beams is 3m.

SOLUTION
For a symmetrical T- beam, the effective flange width is the smallest of:
1. 1/4 of span= 6000/4 = 1500 mm
2. 16t + (
3. Clear spacing of beams +
Therefore

2. A reinforced concrete T-beam with bf=813 mm, d=300 mm, bw=200 mm, t=102 mm, f’c=20.7 MPa, and
fy=414 MPa is to be designed to carry an factored moment of 221kN-m. Determine the required steel
area As.

Solution
If the entire flange is in compression:
( ( (

( ( ( )

Therefore, a falls within the flange.

 ( )

( )
( ( ( (
0.50

[C=T] 0.85
0.85(20.7)(64)(813)= (

Check for maximum and minimum requirements:

[
(
( )
( )

( ( (
( )
(
03

Compare with

Compare with

(
Therefore;

3. Design a T beam for a floor system for which The beams are 4.8 m
long and spaced at 3m-on-center. The slab thickness is 100 mm.
(

SOLUTION:
Span length of beam, L=4.8 m
Slab thickness, t= 100 mm
Center- to-center spacing,
Beam width,
The effective flange width is the smallest of the following:
(a) L/4=4.8/4=1.2 m
(b) 16t + (
Use

[
( (

Assuming that the entire flange is in compression:

[ =0.85
( (
[ (

( ( )

( )

( )
( ( ( (
(
( ( (

z
( ( (

Assuming steel yields (

[T=C]
(
Check for maximum and minimum requirements:

Compare with

(OK)

(
( )

( )
(
* +

( ( ( (
( )

Therefore; use

4. Determine the ultimate moment capacity of a reinforced concrete T- beam with the following
properties: Flange width b =1500 mm, web width

Solution
Solve for the area of concrete under compression
[C=T]

( (

Flange area, (
Since Ac<Af; Thus, a<t

( )

( )

( ( ( )

5. A reinforced concrete T-beam has an effective flange width of 750 mm with a slab thickness of 100
mm. The effective depth is 750 mm and the width of web is 350 mm. The beam is reinforced with
6325 calculate the ultimate moment
capacity.
SOLUTION:
Solve for the area of concrete under compression;
Assume steel yields:
[C=T]

( (

Flange Area, (
Flange Area,
Thus part of a lies on the web

Steel Stress,
( )

( )
Steel Stress, (

(
( )
( ( ( (

( )

( )

( ( ( ( ( )