CON4339 – R C Design

Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi)

Department of Construction
Laboratory Instruction Sheet

The following are attached with this Instruction Sheet (the Instruction):
 Drawing showing the details of the beam specimen and experimental setup
(the Drawing)
 A template of Laboratory Report with Worksheets (the Worksheets)

1 Title of the Experiment

Loading Test of a Reinforced Concrete Beam

2 Objectives
To appreciate the structural behaviour of a reinforced concrete beam when being
loaded to failure, including:
(a) Deformation
(b) Strain distribution
(c) Cracks
(d) Failure modes

3 Test Specimen and Apparatus

(a) Two test specimens
i. A precast reinforced concrete beam constructed according to the
Drawing
ii. A 150 concrete cube for compressive strength test
(b) Steel loading frame
(c) 2 hydraulic jacks for applying point loads onto the beam
(d) 2 load cells for measuring the magnitude of the applied force
(e) A displacement transducer LVDT for measuring the deflection of the
beam
(f) “Demec” Mechanical Strain Gauge with locating discs & strain gauge
(g) Data logger and Visual Log software for the acquisition of test data
(h) Crack detection microscope
(i) Compression machine for concrete cube test

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4 Experimental Setup
(a) The precast reinforced concrete beam specimen fixed with strain gauge
is simply supported on the steel load frame per the Drawing.
(b) The distance between supports is set to L as specified in the Drawing.
(c) Two hydraulic jacks with the load cells are set at a distance av from each
end support, as specified in the Drawing, to apply two point loads onto
the beam specimen.
(d) Displacement transducer is positioned to measure the mid-span
deflection of the beam.
(e) The load cells, displacement transducer and strain gauge are connected
to the data logger.

5 Test Procedures
(a) Check the setup of the test specimen and apparatus.
(b) Verify the principal dimensions.
(c) Check the connections to the data logger and record which channels are
used to record the data.
(d) Apply 10kN at the two hydraulic jacks and then release the load to check
the proper functioning of the apparatus.
(e) Set all readings to zero.
(f) Measure the initial distances of the Demec discs.
(g) Apply equal load to the two hydraulic jacks at 10kN increment until the
beam fails. After each load increment, perform the following:
i. Record the loads at the load cells and the mid-span deflection,
and monitor the load-deflection curve.
ii. Record the strain in the reinforcement.
iii. Trace and mark the crack pattern, and measure the crack width
by using the crack detection microscope. Take photos of the
crack pattern.
iv. Measure the distances of the Demec discs.
(h) Test the compressive strength of the concrete cube.
(i) Complete the Worksheets in a neat and tidy manner.
(Ensure all the data required in the Worksheets are properly recorded during the
laboratory session.)

6 Points to Address
You are required to address the following points in the analysis and
discussion of the experimental results, and then draw conclusion and

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CON4339 – R C Design

recommendations. The Worksheets are provided to facilitate you in

recording and analyzing the data. You may have to provide additional
calculations, graphs, charts, etc. to substantiate your discussion.
(a) Compare the theoretical design shear and moment capacities of the
beam with the measured ultimate capacities.
(b) Identify the ultimate limit states and serviceability limit states.
(c) Review the assumption on the strain distribution "plane section remain
plane" in deriving the design formula.
(d) Describe the crack patterns observed and discuss their possible causes.
(e) Identify and comment the failure mode observed.
(f) Review the experimental setup and procedures and make suggestions
for improvement.
(g) Any other issues worth discussing.

7 Report
Each group shall prepare and submit a laboratory report with the following
contents:
(a) A cover page
(b) An index showing the sections, subsections and page numbers
(c) Experimental setup and procedures
 A brief description of the experimental setup and test procedures
with annotated photos/diagrams
 Reporting any deviations from that specified in the Instructions
(d) Data and analysis
 The test data, graphs and calculations in the Worksheets
properly completed and indexed.
 Additional calculations, graphs, charts, diagrams, etc. where
necessary, to analyze the data.
 Annotated photos/diagrams, where necessary, showing the test
results or observations.
(e) Discussion (refer to para.6 above)
(f) Conclusion and Recommendations

8 Marking Scheme
Your performance will be assessed with the following marking scheme:
(a) Quality of the experimental record (20%)
 The experimental setup is clearly illustrated with annotated
diagrams/photos with comprehensive descriptions.

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CON4339 – R C Design

 Any deviations in the setup and procedures from that specified in the
Instructions are properly recorded.
 All required data are properly taken and recorded using appropriate
units and accuracy, and are presented clearly and neatly.
 Observations, if any, are clearly described and, where appropriate,
with the aides of annotated diagrams/photos with salient results
highlighted.
(b) Data analysis (30%)
 The experimental data are appropriately analyzed and presented in
appropriate manners, e.g. tables, charts, graph, ratios, etc., to
facilitate interpretation or comparison.
 Appropriate theories are adopted and properly presented.
 The working of the calculations, procedures in evaluation and
methodology of analysis are presented logically and in
comprehensible manner.
(c) Discussion, conclusion and recommendation (30%)
 The results and/or observations are appropriately interpreted and
evaluated.
 Relevant theories are applied to discuss the validity or implications
of the results and/or observations.
 The experimental setup and procedures are reviewed with proposal
for improvements.
 Conclusion and recommendations are drawn from the discussion
and presented in a precise and concise manner.
(d) Report presentation (20%)
 The report is presented in good English, and properly organized and
structured.
 All the tables, graphs, charts, diagrams, photos, etc. are properly
numbered and are referred to in the text.
 Relevant literatures are properly referenced.
 Appropriate and consistent format is applied throughout the report,
including, font style, font size, line spacing, margin, paper size,
headings, pagination, etc.

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CON4339 – R C Design

 
Jack Drawing 

Load cell

point load P point load P

225 mm
R.C. Beam

support support
displacement
transducer
100 mm 100mm
675 mm 750 mm 675 mm

Fig. 1  

150

2R8
225

R6 links @ 125 c/c

2T20

Fig. 2 - Cross Section of the R.C. Beam

 
Grade of concrete: C40 
T denotes Grade 500 steel 
R denotes Grade 250 steel 
Nominal cover = 20mm 
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CON4339 – R C Design

Top of the R.C. Beam

Drawing 
C
L of the beam
50 50
Level 1

50 30 30
Level 2
locating
disc Level 3

50
Level 4

T20 bottom bar

strain gauge (level 5)

(Dimensions shown are approx. values,
exact values to be measured during the experiment)

Figure 3  
 

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Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (Tsing Yi)
Department of Construction
Laboratory Report

Experiment Title: Loading Test of a Reinforced Concrete Beam

Date:
Time:
Programme/Class:

Reported by:
Student Name Student Number Contribution Signed by
(Note 1) (Note 2) the student
(Note 3)

Total:
Notes:
1. The number of team members should not be more than 6 or less than 4; unless otherwise approved by the
Lecturer, marks will be deducted for large and small teams.
2. Estimate the percentage of the laboratory work and report that you have contributed to. The total sum of the
percentages of all members should be equal to 100%.
3. You have to signify your agreement by signing on this form.

Marks (to be filled in by the Lecturer)

Description Weighting Score
(a) Quality of the experimental record 20%
(b) Data analysis 30%
(c) Discussion, conclusion and recommendations 30%
(d) Report presentation 20%
Total: 100%

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Index

Contents Page

Cover page i

Index ii

1 Experimental Objectives, Setup and Procedures

2 Worksheets
Worksheet 1 – Principal Dimensions, Channels of Data Logger and Location
of Strain Gauges
Worksheet 2 – Load-Deflection Relationship
Worksheet 3 – Load-Strain Relationship
Worksheet 4 – Strain Distribution
Worksheet 5 – Calculation of Design Ultimate Moment Capacity
Worksheet 6 – Calculation of Design Ultimate Shear Capacity
Worksheet 7 – Cracking
Worksheet 8 – Concrete Compressive Strength

3 Discussions

4 Conclusion and Recommendations

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Worksheet 1 – Principal Dimensions, Channels of Data Logger and Location of Strain

Gauge

The Principal Dimensions (mm)

Measurement 1 Measurement 2 Average
Span, L =
Distance of the point load from the supports, av =
Beam depth, h =
Beam breadth, b =
Concrete cover to main bar =
Distance of the transducer from left support =

Channels of the Data Logger

Channel No. Description of the data to be captured
000
001
002
003

Locations of Strain Gauges

Level Distance from the top (mm)
Measurement 1 Measurement 2 Average
1 0 0 0
2
3
4
Steel bar

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Worksheet 2 – Load-Deflection Relationship

Load-Deflection Data
Loading Point Load on Point Load on Average Point Mid-span Remarks /
Stage the left the right Load, F Deflection Observations

(kN) (kN) (kN) (mm)

0 0 0 0

10

11

Plot "average point load" vs "mid-span deflection" on the graph on next page and then identify the following
from the graph.

Deflection (mm) Load (kN) (Read from Graph 01)

Deflection at L/500

Deflection at L/250

Calculate the moment capacity of the beam section

Ultimate load at collapse Fu = kN

The moment when the beam fails M = Fu av = kN-m

The shear when the beam fails V = Fu = kN

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Graph 01

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Worksheet 3 – Load-Strain Relationship

Load-Strain Data
Loading Ave Strain Strain of Concrete
Stage Point of
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
Load Steel
Reading Strain Reading Strain Reading Strain Reading Strain
(kN) (x 10-6)
(x 10-6) (x 10-6) (x 10-6) (x 10-6)

0 0

10

Formula for calculating the concrete strain:

Gauge length of zero reading is D = 100mm
Initial reading at level i at zero loading is Rio
Reading at level i at loading j is Rij
Strain at level i at loading j = (Rij - Rio) / (D + Rio)
(+ve for tension and -ve for compression)

Plot two curves on the graph on next page (Graph 02).

(i) Loading vs Steel Strain
(ii) Loading vs Maximum Concrete Strain (i.e. at Level 1) ignoring the sign
Annotate the curves properly.
Identify the load when the steel bars yield.

Theoretically, the strain of steel when it Steel yield strain, Ɛy = 0.87 x 500 / 200 000
yields, Ɛy = 0.87fy / E = 2,175 x 10-6
where fy = 500 N/mm2
The load, F, when steel yield =
E = 200 000 N/mm2 kN
(Read from the Graph 02)

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Graph 02

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Worksheet 4 – Strain Distribution

Plot the curves of strain vs depth for each loading on the graph below.

Annotate the curves properly.

Identify the depth of neutral axis when the beam collapses, x =

mm
(Read from Graph 03 below.)

Measure the minimum distance from the top of the beam to the nearest flexural
mm
cracks when the beam collapses: (Measured from the test specimen or photo.)

Graph 03

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Worksheet 5 – Calculation of the Design Ultimate Moment Capacity of the Section

b 0.45fcu

s = 0.9 x
s/2
x
Fcc
Neutral
   Axis
M
d z

Fst
As

Section Simplified Rectangular

Stress Block

Compression in concrete Fcc = 0.45 fcu (b s) = 0.405 fcu b x

Tension in the rebar Fst = 0.87 fy As
Equilibrium of forces Fcc = Fst
that is 0.405 fcu b x = 0.87 fy As
re-arranging, x= 2.148 fy As / (fcu b)
Take moment about Fcc M= Fst (d – 0.45x) = 0.87 fy As (d – 0.45x)
(Identify the assumptions that have been made in deriving the above formula and discuss their validity in the Discussion section.)

b= fcu =

d= fy =

As =

Depth of neutral axis at ultimate limit state, x (mm)

Design Ultimate Moment Capacity of the section, M(kN-m)

Actual moment recorded when the beam fails (Refer to Worksheet 2) =

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Worksheet 6 – Calculation of the Design Shear Capacity of the Section

The shear capacity of the section composed of two components:

Shear strength of the concrete
where, vc
Shear strength of the links
The total shear capacity
(Identify the assumptions that have been made in deriving the above formula and discuss their validity in the Discussion section.)
= vc bv d
= the design concrete shear which can be obtained from Table 6.3 of
HKCP-2013 with the following parameters:
(100As/bvd)
(400/d)
(fcu/25)
= 0.87 fyv (d/sv)Asv
= 0.87 fyv d (Asv /sv)
= vc bv d + 0.87 fyv d (Asv /sv)

As = Asv/sv =

Calculate the shear capacity of concrete

(100As/bvd) =

(400/d) =

(fcu/25) =

vc =

vc bv d =

Calculate the shear capacity of links

0.87 fyv d (Asv /sv) =

Design Ultimate Shear Capacity of the section (kN)

Actual shear recorded when the beam fails (Refer to Worksheet 2) =

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Worksheet 7 – Cracking

Loading Ave Point Load Maximum Crack Observations (highlight when flexural crack and shear crack first appears
Stage (kN) Width (mm) and when the maximum crack width just exceeds 0.3mm)

0 0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Photo Record of Crack Patterns

(A) When the crack width just exceeds 0.3mm
(Identify and annotate the types of crack, and highlight cracks exceeding 0.3mm.)

(B) At failure
(Identify and annotate the cracks with substantial increase in width upon failure.)

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Worksheet 8 – Compressive Strength of the Concrete

The specified characteristic strength, fcu : N/mm2

Date of casting :

Date of test :

Age of the specimen : days

From Cube Test

Dimensions of the cube : mm mm

Area of the cube : mm2

Maximum load applied : kN

Mode of failure :

The cube strength, fcu :

N/mm2

Compressive strength = 0.67 fcu

N/mm2

From Beam Test

b= d=

Ultimate moment (from Worksheet 2), Mu =

(i) Compression area in the compression zone (ii) Lever arm

Acc = b (0.9x) z = d -0.45x

= =

= =

(iii) Compression force in the compression zone (iv) Compressive strength of concrete

Fcc = Mu / z = Fcc / Acc

= =

= =

N/mm2

(Identify the assumptions that have been made in the above calculations and discuss their validity in the Discussion section.)

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