T-BEAMS

A T-beam in construction is a load-bearing structure of reinforced concrete, wood or metal

with a T-shaped cross section. The Top of the T-shaped cross section serves as a flange
or compression member in resisting compressive stresses. The web (vertical section) of
the beam below the compression flange serves to resist shear stress and to provide
greater separation for the coupled forces of bending.
For concrete floor construction, it is necessary to pour the beams and slabs together to
be monolithic. When a beam and a slab act as one, it forms a T-beam. It is the flange that
takes most of the compressive forces with the portion of the stem being neglected.

ACI code specifies that effective width of slab or flange shall be taken as follows:
a) It shall not exceed one fourth of the span length of the beam. (L/4)
b) The overhanging width of the flange on either side of the stem or web shall not
exceed 8 times the slab thickness.
c) In any case, the flange width must not be greater than the center to center of
adjacent beams.
The neutral axis may either be in the flange or in the web depending upon the relation
between the thickness of the flange, depth of beam and steel reinforcement. When the
neutral axis of the T-beam is on the flange, the analysis of this beam is similar to that of
a rectangular beam of width b, so all formula used in the design of a rectangular beam
could be used.
But if the neutral axis falls within the stem, then the formula for rectangular section will no
longer be used.

b'

First Method
By ratio and proportion:
ƩFh = 0
C=T

𝑓𝑐𝑏𝑡(2𝑘𝑑−𝑡 ) 𝑓𝑐𝑏𝑡(2𝑘𝑑−𝑡)(𝑗𝑑)
C= Mc =
2𝑘𝑑 2𝑘𝑑
T = Asfs Ms = Tjd Ms = Asfsjd

𝑏𝑡2
𝐴𝑠𝑛𝑑+ (3𝑘𝑑−2𝑡) 𝑡
𝑛
kd = z= jd = d – z
𝑏𝑡+𝐴𝑠𝑛 (2𝑘𝑑−𝑡 ) 3
For L- Shaped flange
1 1
b= of span or b = b’ + 6t or b = center to center spacing of beams
12 2
 SECOND METHOD

𝑓𝑠𝑏𝑡 2 (3𝑑−𝑡)
M1 = M2 = M – M1 M = External moment
6𝑛(𝑑−𝑡)
T = T1 + T2 T = Asfs
M1 = T1 d1 M2 = T2 d2

THIRD METHOD
Moment capacity for steel:

𝑡 𝑀
M = Asfs (d – )
2 As = 𝑡 - at the center
𝑓𝑠 (𝑑− )
2
𝑀
As = - at the support
𝑓𝑠𝑗𝑑
Moment capacity of concrete

𝑓𝑐𝑏𝑡 𝑡 𝑀
Mc = (𝑑 − 2) d=√
2 𝑅𝑏
Assume dead load to be 10% - 15% of live load
Dead load includes anything placed on the slab

SAMPLE PROBLEM
A T-beam is having a span of 4 meters and a thickness of 100 mm. the beam has a
spacing of 1.2 meters center to center. It carries a total moment of 45 kN-m including its
own weight. Use fc = 9.4 MPa, fs = 138 MPa, n = 10. Use 25mm diameter bars. Compute:
1. Moment of inertia about the neutral axis.
2. Moment capacity of concrete.
3. Moment capacity of steel.
Solution:
Assume b’ = 200 mm (Minimum)
Assumption of flange width:
𝐿 4 (1000)
a) b = = = 1000 mm
4 4

b) b = 2(8)(t) + 200 = 2(8)(100) + 200 b = 1800 mm

c) b = spacing of beams (centers)

b = 1.2(1000) b =1200mm

use b = 1000mm

𝑛 10
k= 𝑓𝑠 = 138 = 0.41
𝑛+ 10+
𝑓𝑐 9..4
assume d = 360 mm

1. Moment of inertia about the neutral axis

kd = 0.41(360)
kd = 147.6mm

(3𝑘𝑑−2𝑡 ) 𝑡 [3(147.6)−2(100)] 100

z= (
(2𝑘𝑑−𝑡 ) 3
) =
[2(147.6)−1000]
( 3 ) = 41.46 mm

jd = d – z = 360 – 41.46 = 318.54mm

𝑀 45(1000)(1000)
As = = = 1,024 mm2
𝑓𝑠𝑗𝑑 138(318.54)

Try 2 – 25 mm ∅ bars
 𝜋(25)2
Area of 2 - 25mm = (2) = 981.25 mm2
4
𝑏𝑡2 (1000)(100)2
𝐴𝑠𝑛𝑑+ (981.25)(10)(360)+
2 2
kd = =
𝑏𝑡+𝐴𝑠𝑛 (1000)(100)+(981.25)(10)
kd = 77.7mm ---- kd is within the flange

Check by transformed section method:

𝑥 𝑥
bx ( ) = nAs (d – x) 1000x ( ) = 9812.5 (360 – x)
2 2
500x2 = 3532500 – 9812.5x
x2 + 19.625x – 7065 = 0 x = 74.81 d – x = 360 – 74.81= 285.19

𝑏𝑥 3 1000(74.81)3
I= + nAs (d – x) =2
+ 9812.5 (285.19)2
3 3
I = 937.6 x 106 mm4
2. Moment capacity of concrete
𝑀𝑐 𝑥 𝑓𝑐 𝐼 9.4 (937.6 𝑥 106
fc = Mc = =
𝐼 𝑥 74.81
Mc = 117.8 kN-m

3. Moment capacity of steel

𝑓𝑠 𝑀𝑠 (𝑑−𝑥) 𝑓𝑠 𝐼 138(937.6 𝑥106
= Ms = =
𝑛 𝐼 𝑛(𝑑−𝑥) 10(285.19)
𝑴𝒔 = 45.36 kN-m > 45 kN-m safe