MODULE 2:

FLEXURAL ANALYSIS
OF BEAMS
Reinforced Concrete Design
CEng 144

Engr. MARCELO T. ABRERA, Jr.

Instructor
LESSON 2.3

ULTIMATE STRENGTH STAGE

Reinforced Concrete Design

CEng 144

Engr. MARCELO T. ABRERA, Jr.

Instructor
STAGE 3. ULTIMATE STRENGTH STAGE

Assume a concrete beam with tensile reinforcing is applied with

small transverse load, and that the load is gradually increased in
magnitude until the beam fails

As this takes place, the beam will go through three (3) distinct stages:
1. the Uncracked Concrete Stage
2. the Concrete Cracked – Elastic Stresses Stage
3. the Ultimate Strength Stage
STAGE 3. ULTIMATE STRENGTH STAGE

STAGE 1. the UNCRACKED CONCRETE STAGE

▪ tensile stress is less than the modulus of rupture

𝒇 < 𝒇𝒓
▪ bending moment is less than the cracking moment

𝑴 < 𝑴𝒄𝒓
▪ the beam’s concrete gross section can resist the load.
STAGE 3. ULTIMATE STRENGTH STAGE

STAGE 2. the CONCRETE CRACKED – ELASTIC STRESSES

STAGE

▪ Cracks started to develop since tensile stress in the bottom of the beam becomes
equal to the modulus of rupture. Moreover, the actual moment becomes equal to
the cracking moment, 𝑀𝑐𝑟 .
▪ It is assumed that all of the concrete on the tensile side of the beam is cracked and
must be neglected in the flexure calculations.
STAGE 3. ULTIMATE STRENGTH STAGE

STAGE 3. the ULTIMATE STRENGTH STAGE

(BEAM FAILURE)

As the load is increased further so that the compressive stresses are greater than
0.50𝑓𝐶′ , the tensile cracks move farther upward, as does the neutral axis, and the
concrete compression stresses begin to change appreciably from a straight line.

𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 ≥ 0.5𝑓𝑐 ′ 𝑆𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 ≥ 𝑓𝑦

STAGE 3. ULTIMATE STRENGTH STAGE

▪ Brief calculation of the Ultimate or Nominal Flexural Strength

of Beams

▪ It is assumed that the tensile reinforcing bars are stressed to their

yield point before the concrete on the compressive side beam is
crushed.
STAGE 3. ULTIMATE STRENGTH STAGE

▪ After the concrete compression stresses exceed about

0.50𝑓𝑐′ , they no longer vary directly as the distance from the
neutral axis or as a straight line.

▪ It is assumed that the curved compression diagram is replaced

with a rectangular one with a constant stress of 0.85𝑓𝑐′ over a
depth 𝑎 equal to 𝛽1 𝑐 where 𝛽1 is a value determined by the code.
STAGE 3. ULTIMATE STRENGTH STAGE
Simple steps to obtain the nominal or theoretical moment
strength of the beam:

1. Compute the total tensile force 𝑇 = 𝐴𝑠 𝑓𝑦 .

2. Equate the total compression force 𝐶 = 0.85𝑓𝑐′ 𝑎𝑏 to T and solve for 𝑎. In

this expression, ab is the assumed area stressed in compression at 0.85𝑓𝑐 ′. The
compression force C and the tensile force T must be equal to maintain equilibrium
at the section.

3. Calculate the distance

between the centers of gravity of
T and C. (For rectangular cross-
𝑎
section, it equals 𝑑 − .)
2

4. Determine 𝑀𝑛 , which
equals T or C times the distance
between their centers of gravity.
STAGE 3. ULTIMATE STRENGTH STAGE

EXAMPLE PROBLEM 1
Determine the nominal moment strength of the beam shown in the
figure if 𝑓𝑐′ = 28 𝑀𝑃𝑎 and 𝑓𝑦 = 420 𝑀𝑃𝑎
STAGE 3. ULTIMATE STRENGTH STAGE

EXAMPLE PROBLEM 2
Determine the nominal or theoretical ultimate moment strength of the
beam, in kip-ft, shown in the figure if 𝑓𝑐′ = 3000 𝑝𝑠𝑖 and 𝑓𝑦 = 60,000 𝑝𝑠𝑖. The
6-in.-wide ledges on top are needed for the support of precast concrete
slabs.
Thanks guys…

_sirMars_