Example 1: Member with pure torsion

Determine the maximum torque which can be applied to

the member of Fig. E1 given that 𝑓𝑐𝑘 = 30 N/mm2, the
yield strength for the longitudinal reinforcement is
𝑓𝑦 = 460 N/mm2 and the yield strength for the stirrup
reinforcement is 𝑓𝑦 = 250 N/mm2.

1
Step 1: Material Properties
𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝐶 −∗∗ 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑒 ∶
∗∗
𝑓𝑐𝑘 = = 30 𝑀𝑝𝑎 (given)
1.25
0.85 ∗ 𝑓𝑐𝑘 0.85 ∗ 30
𝑓𝑐𝑑 = = = 17 𝑀𝑝𝑎
1.5 1.5
2 2
0.21∗ 𝑓𝑐𝑘 3 0.21∗ 30 3
𝑓𝑐𝑡𝑑 = = = 1.352 𝑀𝑝𝑎
1.5 1.5
𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑆 − 460 𝑅𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 (Longitudinal):
𝑓𝑦𝑘 460
𝑓𝑦𝑘 = 460 𝑀𝑝𝑎 & 𝑓𝑦𝑑 = = = 400 𝑀𝑝𝑎
1.15 1.15
𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑆 − 250 𝑅𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 (Stirrups):
𝑓𝑦𝑘 250
𝑓𝑦𝑘 = 250 𝑀𝑝𝑎 & 𝑓𝑦𝑑 = = = 217.39 𝑀𝑝𝑎
1.15 1.15 2
Step 2: Determine the Torsional Resistance (T):
The total area of longitudinal reinforcement available to
resist torsion is:
𝜋 ∗ 162
𝐴𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 = 4 = 804 𝑚𝑚2
4
From Fig. Example 1, the dimensions of the analogous thin
walled section are:

𝐴𝑔 350 ∗ 600
𝑡= = = 110 𝑚𝑚
𝑈 2 350 + 600
𝑥𝑜 = 350 − 𝑡 = 350 − 110 = 240 𝑚𝑚
𝑦𝑜 = 600 − 𝑡 = 600 − 110 = 490 𝑚𝑚
3
Hence assuming a compression strut angle of 45°,
equation (6.14)
𝑥𝑜 𝑦𝑜 (𝑓𝑦 /𝛾𝑠 )
𝑇 = 𝐴𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔
𝑥𝑜 + 𝑦𝑜 cot 𝜃
(840)(240)(490)(460/1.15)
𝑇= = 52 𝑘𝑁𝑚
240 + 490 1
Similarly, equation (6.10) gives the torsional capacity as
dictated by the area of stirrup reinforcement. The label
‘R10’ indicates a 10 mm diameter mild steel stirrup with a
characteristic yield strength of fy = 250 N/mm2
The area of one leg is:
𝜋 ∗ 102
𝑎𝑉 = = 78.5 𝑚𝑚2
4
4
 2𝑥𝑜 𝑦𝑜 (cot 𝜃) 𝑓𝑦
𝐻𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒: 𝑇 = 𝐴𝑙𝑒𝑔
𝑆 𝛾𝑠
2 240 490 1 250
𝑇= 78.5 = 26.758 𝑘𝑁𝑚
150 1.15
The effectiveness factor for torsion is, from equation (17):
𝑓𝑐𝑘 24
0.7 0.7 − = 0.7 0.7 − = 0.385
𝜈≥ 200 200
0.35
Hence the torque that would cause crushing of the
compression struts is, from equation (16)
2𝑥𝑜 𝑦𝑜 𝑡(sin 𝜃)(cos 𝜃)𝜈𝑓𝑐𝑘
𝑇𝑤 =
𝛾𝑐
5
 2(240)(490)(110)(1/ 2)(1/ 2)(0.385)(30)
𝑇𝑤 =
1.5
𝑇𝑤 = 99607200 𝑁𝑚𝑚
𝑇𝑤 = 100 𝑘𝑁𝑚

Thus, with a compression strut inclined at an angle of 45°,

the torsion capacity is governed by the area of stirrup
reinforcement. However, the strut inclination angles can
have any value in the range 22° ≤ 𝜃 ≤ 68° . Hence, cot
𝜃 can vary in the range 2.5 ≥ 𝜃 ≥ 0.4 . By trial and error (or
by equating the two equations for T), an optimum value for
cot 𝜃 can be found. Taking cot 𝜃 =1.4 ( 𝜃 =36°), the
longitudinal reinforcement dictates a torsional capacity of 37
kNm and the stirrup reinforcement dictates a capacity of 38
kNm. The corresponding value for Tw is 94 kNm. It can
therefore be concluded that this beam has the capacity to
resist torsion of 37 kNm. 6
Example 2: Torsion –RC Beams
Design a rectangular section of 300mm*600mm overall dimension
for torsion. The design torsion to be resisted is 26kNm. Materials to
be used are C-25 and S-300 steel.
Step 1: Material Properties
𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝐶 − 25 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑒 ∶
𝑓𝑐𝑘 = 25/1.25 = 20 𝑀𝑝𝑎
0.85 ∗ 𝑓𝑐𝑘 0.85 ∗ 20
𝑓𝑐𝑑 = = = 11.33 𝑀𝑝𝑎
1.5 1.5
2 2
0.21 ∗ 𝑓𝑐𝑘 30.21 ∗ 20 3
𝑓𝑐𝑡𝑑 = = = 1.032 𝑀𝑝𝑎
1.5 1.5
𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑆 − 300 𝑅𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙:
𝑓𝑦𝑘 300
𝑓𝑦𝑘 = 300 𝑀𝑝𝑎 & 𝑓𝑦𝑑 = = = 260.87 𝑀𝑝𝑎
1.15 1.15 7
Step 2: Determine the torsion to be resisted by reinforcement
𝑇𝑠𝑑 = 26 𝑘𝑁𝑚 𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑇𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

300 ∗ 600
𝑕𝑒𝑓 = = 100 𝑚𝑚
2(300 + 600)
𝐴𝑒𝑓 = 300 − 100 ∗ 600 − 100 = 100000 𝑚𝑚2
𝑈𝑒𝑓 = 200 ∗ 2 + 500 ∗ 2 = 1400 𝑚𝑚
𝑇𝐶 = 1.2𝑓𝑐𝑡𝑑 𝐴𝑒𝑓 𝑕𝑒𝑓 = 1.2 1.032 100000 100 ∗ 10−6
𝑇𝐶 = 2.06 𝑘𝑁𝑚
Torsion to be resisted by reinforcement (𝑇𝑒𝑓 ) will then be:
𝑇𝑒𝑓 = 𝑇𝑠𝑑 − 𝑇𝐶 = 26 − 2.06 = 23.94 ≈ 24 𝑘𝑁𝑚
2𝐴𝑒𝑓 ∗ 𝑓𝑦𝑑 ∗ 𝐴𝑆
𝑇𝑒𝑓 =
𝑆
8
Spacing of stirrups:
2 100000 260.87 𝜋 8 2
𝑆= = 109.27 𝑚𝑚
4 ∗ 24 ∗ 106
Provide a spacing of 100mmC/C.
Maximum permitted spacing;
𝑈𝑒𝑓 1400
𝑆𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 175 𝑚𝑚 > 100 𝑚. . . 𝐻𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑂𝑘!
8 8
𝑇𝑒𝑓 𝑈𝑒𝑓 24 1400
𝐴𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 = = = 643.99 𝑚𝑚2
2𝐴𝑒𝑓 𝑓𝑦𝑑 2(100000)(260.87)
643.99
𝑁𝑜 𝑜𝑓 12𝑚𝑚∅ 𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑠, 𝑛 = 2
= 5.69
𝜋 ∗ 12 /4
Provide 6 numbers of 12 mm diameter rods as torsional
longitudinal bar apart from longitudinal flexural
reinforcement.
9
Example 3: Torsion –RC Beams
A Rectangular section of 250mm breadth and 400mm effective
depth is reinforced with 3 number of 22mm diameter bar for
flexure. It has to resist a shear force of 160kN and torsional
moment of 10kNm. Materials C-30 Concrete, S-460 for
Longitudinal reinforcement and S-250 for stirrups.

Step 1: Material Properties

𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝐶 − 30 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑒 ∶
30
𝑓𝑐𝑘 = = 24 𝑀𝑝𝑎
1.25
0.85 ∗ 𝑓𝑐𝑘 0.85 ∗ 24
𝑓𝑐𝑑 = = = 13.6 𝑀𝑝𝑎
1.5 1.5
2 2
0.21∗ 𝑓𝑐𝑘 3 0.21∗ 24 3
𝑓𝑐𝑡𝑑 = = = 1.165 𝑀𝑝𝑎
1.5 1.5
10
𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑆 − 460 𝑅𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 (Longitudinal):
𝑓𝑦𝑘 460
𝑓𝑦𝑘 = 460 𝑀𝑝𝑎 & 𝑓𝑦𝑑 = = = 400 𝑀𝑝𝑎
1.15 1.15
𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑆 − 250 𝑅𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 (Stirrups):
𝑓𝑦𝑘 250
𝑓𝑦𝑘 = 250 𝑀𝑝𝑎 & 𝑓𝑦𝑑 = = = 217.39 𝑀𝑝𝑎
1.15 1.15
Step 2: Design the section for shear and Torsion
𝑉𝑠𝑑 = 160 𝑘𝑁 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑇𝑠𝑑 = 10 𝑘𝑁𝑚

𝑕 = 400 + 11 + 8 + 25 = 445 𝑚𝑚

𝐴𝑔 250 ∗ 445
𝑕𝑒𝑓 = = = 80 𝑚𝑚
𝑢 2(250 + 445)
𝐴𝑒𝑓 = 250 − 80 ∗ 445 − 80 = 62050 𝑚𝑚2
𝑈𝑒𝑓 = (250 − 80) ∗ 2 + (445 − 80) ∗ 2 = 1070 𝑚𝑚 11
Actual Values of 𝑇𝐶 and 𝑉𝐶 :
𝑇𝐶 = 1.2𝑓𝑐𝑡𝑑 𝐴𝑒𝑓 𝑕𝑒𝑓 = 1.2 1.165 62050 80 ∗ 10−6
𝑇𝐶 = 6.9 𝑘𝑁𝑚
𝑉𝐶 = 0.25𝑓𝑐𝑡𝑑 𝑘1 𝑘2 𝑏𝑤 𝑑 𝑤𝑕𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑘1 = 1 + 50𝜌 ≤ 2.0

222
𝐴𝑆 3 𝜋∗ 4
𝜌= = = 0.0114
𝑏𝑤 𝑑 250 ∗ 400

𝑘1 = 1 + 50𝜌 = 1 + 50[0.0114] = 1.57 ≤ 2.0 Ok!

H𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝒌𝟏 = 𝟏. 𝟓𝟕

𝑘2 = 1.6 − 𝑑 = 1.6 − 0.4 = 1.2 ≥ 1.0 Ok!

H𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝒌𝟐 = 𝟏. 𝟐
12
Therefore, 𝑉𝐶 = 0.25 ∗ 𝑓𝑐𝑡𝑑 ∗ 𝑘1 ∗ 𝑘2 ∗ 𝑏𝑤 ∗ 𝑑
𝑉𝐶 = 0.25 ∗ 1.165 ∗ 1.57 ∗ 1.2 ∗ 250 ∗ 400 ∗ 10−3 = 𝟓𝟒. 𝟖𝟕 𝒌𝑵
Reduction factor for torsion (𝛽𝑡𝑐 ) will then be;
1 1
𝛽𝑡𝑐 = = = 0.445
𝑉𝑠𝑑 /𝑉𝐶 2 160/54.87 2
1+ 1+
𝑇𝑠𝑑 /𝑇𝐶 10/6.9

𝐿𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑇𝐶 = 0.445 ∗ 6.9 = 3.07 𝑘𝑁𝑚

𝑅𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑕𝑎𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑇𝑒𝑓 :
𝑇𝑒𝑓 = 10 − 3.07 = 7𝑘𝑁𝑚
2𝐴𝑒𝑓 ∗ 𝑓𝑦𝑑 ∗ 𝐴𝑆
𝑇𝑒𝑓 =
𝑆
𝜋 ∗ 82
𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟, 𝐴𝑆 = = 50.3 𝑚𝑚2 𝑎𝑛𝑑
4
13
 2𝐴𝑒𝑓 ∗ 𝑓𝑦𝑑 ∗ 𝐴𝑆 2 62050 (217.39)(50.3)
𝑆𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑆 = = 6
= 193.85
𝑇𝑒𝑓 7 ∗ 10
Maximum Spacing of reinforcements permitted, 𝑆𝑚𝑎𝑥 ;
𝑈𝑒𝑓 1070
𝑆𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 133.75 𝑚𝑚 < 193.85 𝑚 … 𝑁𝑜𝑡 𝑂𝑘!
8 8
Hence provide a spacing of 130mm
𝑇𝑒𝑓 𝑈𝑒𝑓 7 1070
𝐴𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 = = = 150.88 𝑚𝑚2
2𝐴𝑒𝑓 𝑓𝑦𝑑 2(62050)(400)
150.88
𝑁𝑜 𝑜𝑓 12𝑚𝑚∅ 𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑠, 𝑛 = 2
= 1.334
𝜋 ∗ 12 /4
Provide 2 numbers of 12 mm diameter rods as torsional
longitudinal bar apart from longitudinal flexural reinforcement.

14
Example 4: Torsion –RC Beams
A RCC beam of rectangular cross section having b =
350mm and d = 460mm is subjected to a design torsional
moment of 44kNm. The material used are C-20 concrete;
S-460 steel for longitudinal bars; S-400 steel for stirrups.
There are 5 number of 14mm diameter longitudinal
flexural reinforcement provided using 8mm stirrups;
design the member for torsion.
Step 1: Material Properties
𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝐶 − 20 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑒 ∶
20
𝑓𝑐𝑘 = = 16 𝑀𝑝𝑎
1.25
0.85 ∗ 𝑓𝑐𝑘 0.85 ∗ 16
𝑓𝑐𝑑 = = = 9.07 𝑀𝑝𝑎
1.5 1.5
15
 2 2
0.21 ∗ 𝑓𝑐𝑘 3 0.21 ∗ 163
𝑓𝑐𝑡𝑑 = = = 0.8889 𝑀𝑝𝑎
1.5 1.5
𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑆 − 460 𝑅𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 (Longitudinal):
𝑓𝑦𝑘 460
𝑓𝑦𝑘 = 460 𝑀𝑝𝑎 & 𝑓𝑦𝑑 = = = 400 𝑀𝑝𝑎
1.15 1.15
𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑆 − 400 𝑅𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 (Stirrups):
𝑓𝑦𝑘 250
𝑓𝑦𝑘 = 400 𝑀𝑝𝑎 & 𝑓𝑦𝑑 = = = 347.83 𝑀𝑝𝑎
1.15 1.15
Step 2:Determine the 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑻𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏
𝑉𝑠𝑑 = 41 𝑘𝑁 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑇𝑠𝑑 = 44 𝑘𝑁𝑚

Overall height of the section

𝑕 = 460 + 25 + 7 + 8 = 500 𝑚𝑚
16
 𝐴𝑔 350 ∗ 500
𝑕𝑒𝑓 = = = 102.94 = 103 𝑚𝑚
𝑢 2(350 + 500)

𝐴𝑒𝑓 = 350 − 103 ∗ 500 − 103 = 98059 𝑚𝑚2

𝑈𝑒𝑓 = (350 − 103) ∗ 2 + (500 − 103) ∗ 2 = 1288 𝑚𝑚
Actual Values of 𝑻𝑪 and 𝑽𝑪 :
𝑇𝐶 = 1.2𝑓𝑐𝑡𝑑 𝐴𝑒𝑓 𝑕𝑒𝑓 = 1.2 0.8889 98059 103 ∗ 10−6
𝑇𝐶 = 10.77 𝑘𝑁𝑚
𝑉𝐶 = 0.25𝑓𝑐𝑡𝑑 𝑘1 𝑘2 𝑏𝑤 𝑑 𝑤𝑕𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑘1 = 1 + 50𝜌 ≤ 2.0
142
𝐴𝑆 5 𝜋∗
4
𝜌= = = 0.00478
𝑏𝑤 𝑑 350 ∗ 460

𝑘1 = 1 + 50𝜌 = 1 + 50[0.00478] = 1.24 ≤ 2.0 Ok!

H𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝒌𝟏 = 𝟏. 𝟐𝟒
17
𝑘2 = 1.6 − 𝑑 = 1.6 − 0.46 = 1.14 ≥ 1.0 Ok!
H𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝒌𝟐 = 𝟏. 𝟏𝟒
𝑉𝐶 = 0.25 ∗ 0.8889 ∗ 1.24 ∗ 1.14 ∗ 350 ∗ 460 ∗ 10−3
= 𝟓𝟎. 𝟓𝟖 𝒌𝑵
Reduction factor for torsion (𝛽𝑡𝑐 ) will then be;
1 1
𝛽𝑡𝑐 = = = 0.980
𝑉𝑠𝑑 /𝑉𝐶 2 41/50.58 2
1+ 1+
𝑇𝑠𝑑 /𝑇𝐶 44/10.77

𝐿𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑉𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑇𝐶 = 0.980 ∗ 10.77 = 10.6 𝑘𝑁𝑚

𝑅𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑕𝑎𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑇𝑒𝑓 :
𝑇𝑒𝑓 = 44 − 10.6 = 733.4 𝑘𝑁𝑚
18
 2𝐴𝑒𝑓 ∗ 𝑓𝑦𝑑 ∗ 𝐴𝑆 2𝐴𝑒𝑓 ∗ 𝑓𝑦𝑑 ∗ 𝐴𝑆
𝑇𝑒𝑓 = 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑆𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔, 𝑆 =
𝑆 𝑇𝑒𝑓
2𝐴𝑒𝑓 ∗ 𝑓𝑦𝑑 ∗ 𝐴𝑆 2 98059 (347.83)(50.24)
𝑆= = 6
= 102.68 𝑚𝑚
𝑇𝑒𝑓 33.4 ∗ 10
Maximum Spacing of reinforcements permitted, 𝑆𝑚𝑎𝑥 ;
𝑈𝑒𝑓 1288
𝑆𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = = 161 𝑚𝑚 > 102.68 𝑚𝑚 … 𝑂𝑘!
8 8
Hence provide 8mm stirrups @c/c spacing of 100mm
𝑇𝑒𝑓 𝑈𝑒𝑓 33.4 1288 ∗ 106
𝐴𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 = = = 548.33 𝑚𝑚2
2𝐴𝑒𝑓 𝑓𝑦𝑑 2(98059)(400)
548.89
𝑁𝑜 𝑜𝑓 14𝑚𝑚∅ 𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑠, 𝑛 = 2
= 3.56
𝜋 ∗ 14 /4
Provide 4 numbers of 14mm diameter rods at corner of the beam as
torsional reinforcement apart from the longitudinal flexural
reinforcements. 19
Exercises: Torsion – RC Beams
1. Do Examples 1 and 2 using EBCS-2, 1995 design
procedures and Example 3 using equivalent truss analogy.

2. Given a cantilever beam with l=2.5m ,P=70kN applied

at an eccentricity of 400mm from the beam center line
and materials C-25 concrete, S-460(longitudinal bars) and
S-300(stirrups), Design the beam for flexure, shear and
torsion. (Assume θ=450 & b/D =300/500.
3. Design a rectangular RC beam to sustain a design torque
of 56kN-m; where this beam is made from C-25 concrete
and S-300 reinforcing steel (Both Long. & lat.). Assume the
concrete work is Class-II Work.

20