RC Detailing to Eurocode 2

Jenny Burridge
MA CEng MICE MIStructE
Head of Structural Engineering

Structural Eurocodes

BS EN 1990 (EC0): Basis of structural design

BS EN 1991 (EC1): Actions on Structures

BS EN 1992 (EC2): Design of concrete structures

BS EN 1993 (EC3): Design of steel structures

BS EN 1994 (EC4): Design of composite steel and concrete structures

BS EN 1995 (EC5): Design of timber structures

BS EN 1996 (EC6): Design of masonry structures

BS EN 1999 (EC9): Design of aluminium structures

BS EN 1997 (EC7): Geotechnical design

BS EN 1998 (EC8): Design of structures for earthquake resistance

Eurocode 2 - contents

• General
• Basis of design
• Materials
• Durability and cover to reinforcement
• Structural analysis
• Ultimate limit state
• Serviceability limit state
• Detailing of reinforcement and prestressing tendons – General
• Detailing of member and particular rules
• Additional rules for precast concrete elements and structures
• Lightweight aggregated concrete structures
• Plain and lightly reinforced concrete structures

Eurocode 2 - Annexes

A. (Informative) Modification of partial factors for materials

B. (Informative) Creep and shrinkage strain
C. (Normative) Reinforcement properties
D. (Informative) Detailed calculation method for prestressing steel
relaxation losses
E. (Informative) Indicative Strength Classes for durability
F. (Informative) Reinforcement expressions for in-plane stress
conditions
G. (Informative) Soil structure interaction
H. (Informative) Global second order effects in structures
I. (Informative) Analysis of flat slabs and shear walls
J. (Informative) Examples of regions with discontinuity in geometry or
action (Detailing rules for particular situations)

EC2 Annex J - replaced by Annex B in PD 6687

Standards
BS EN 13670
Execution of
Structures

N.A.
BS EN 206-1 NSCS
Specifying BS EN 1992
Concrete Design of concrete structures
BS EN 10080
Part 1-1: General & buildings Reinforcing
BS 8500 Part 1-2: Fire design Steels
Specifying
Part 2: Bridges
Concrete
Part 3: Liquid retaining BS 4449
Reinforcing
Steels

PD 6687-1 (Parts 1 & 3)

National Annex
PD 6687-2 ( Part 2) BS 8666
Reinforcement
Scheduling

Specification – NSCS, Finishes

NSCS Guidance:
1 Basic
2 Ordinary
3 Plain
4 Special –Visual Concrete
Labour and Material (Peri)

24%
58%

18%

Rationalisation of Reinforcement

Optimum cost depends

on:
• Material cost
• Labour
• Plant
• Preliminaries
• Finance
Team decision required
Detailing

Reinforcement
Reinforcement

EC2 does not cover the use of plain or mild steel reinforcement

Principles and Rules are given for deformed bars, decoiled rods,
welded fabric and lattice girders.

EN 10080 provides the performance characteristics and testing methods

but does not specify the material properties. These are given in Annex
C of EC2

Properties of reinforcement
(Annex C)
Product form Bars and de-coiled rods Wire Fabrics

Class A B C A B C

Characteristic yield 400 to 600

strength fyk or f0,2k (MPa) cold worked hot rolled seismic

k = (ft/fy)k ≥1,05 ≥1,08 ≥1,15 ≥1,05 ≥1,08 ≥1,15

<1,35 <1,35

Characteristic strain at ≥2,5 ≥5,0 ≥7,5 ≥2,5 ≥5,0 ≥7,5

maximum force, εuk (%)

Fatigue stress range

(N = 2 x 106) (MPa) with 150 100
an upper limit of 0.6fyk

The UK has chosen a maximum value of characteristic yield strength, fyk, = 600 MPa,
but 500 MPa is the value assumed in BS 4449 and 4483 for normal supply.
Extract BS 8666

www.ukcares.co.uk
www.uk-bar.org

UK CARES (Certification - Product & Companies)

1. Reinforcing bar and coil

2. Reinforcing fabric
3. Steel wire for direct use of for further
processing
4. Cut and bent reinforcement
5. Welding and prefabrication of reinforcing
steel
www.ukcares.co.uk
www.uk-bar.org

Reinforcement supply

Coil up to 16mm (2.5T)

Bar – 12,14,15 and 18m

Cut and bent – approx £550 to £650/T

Table power bender
 Health & Safety
Potential Risk factor
High Risk
Low
Medium
33,51,56,63,64 & 99?
High
SC Detail Comment
33 Sausage Link.
Health and safety risk is high with
larger diameter bar.
Also the risk increases with small
dimensions.
When bent on an automatic link bender
with small diameter bars the risk is
relatively low. When bending on a
manual bender the risk is high,
especially with larger diameters and
non standard formers.
64 Boot Link.
Greater risk than shape code 51 as the
bars have to cross over twice to
achieve the shape.
Health and safety risk becomes higher
with larger diameter bar.
Also the risk increases with small
dimensions.
See Note SN2.
When bent on an automatic link bender
with small diameter bars the risk is
relatively low. When bending on a
manual bender the risk is higher,
especially with larger diameters.
Bending
Minimum Bending & projections
Minimum Bends
6mm - 16mm = 2x Dia Internal
20mm - 50mm = 3.5x Dia Internal
Minimum of 4 x dia between bends
End Projection = 5 x Dia from end of bend
BS8666, Table 2
Designer Fabricator
This shape is designed for See Note SN2.
producing small to medium Great care should be taken
sized links in small diameter when bending this shape. If
bar. the operator has concerns
Do not detail this shape in when producing this shape
large diameter bar, try to he should consult his
use an alternative (eg. 2 no. supervisor.
shape code 13’s facing each
other to create a shape
code 33).
See Note SN2.
Smaller diameter bars cause
less of a problem as they
can often be produced on
an automatic link bending
machine. Larger diameter
bars have to be produced on
a manual power bender with
the potential to trap the
operator’s fingers. Try to
avoid/minimise the use of
shapes which cause a scissor
action, especially with
larger diameter bars.
Tolerances (not in EC2—BS8666)

Minimum Cover for Bond

For bars: Bar diameter

For post-tensioned tendons:

Circular ducts: Duct diameter

Rectangular ducts: The greater of:

the smaller dimension or
half the greater dimension

For pre-tensioned tendons:

1.5 x diameter of strand or wire

2.5 x diameter of indented wire
Structural Fire Design
BS EN 1992-1-2

Scope:
Part 1-2 Structural fire design gives several methods for fire engineering
Tabulated data for various elements is given in section 5

Reinforcement cover
Axis distance, a, to centre of bar
a = c + φm/2 + φl

Axis
a Distance

Allowance in Design for

Deviation

∆cdev: Allowance for deviation = 10mm

A reduction in ∆cdev may be permitted:

• for a quality assurance system, which includes measuring concrete

cover,
10 mm ≥ ∆cdev ≥ 5 mm

• where very accurate measurements are taken and non conforming

members are rejected (eg precast elements)
10 mm ≥ ∆cdev ≥ 0 mm
Nominal Cover

Nominal cover, cnom

Minimum cover, cmin

cmin = max {cmin,b; cmin,dur ; 10 mm}

Allowance for deviation, ∆cdev

Axis distance, a
Fire protection

Procurement

Lead-in times should be 4 weeks for rebar

Express reinforcement (and therefore expensive) 1 – 7 days

The more complicated the scheduling the longer for bending

Standard Detailing

Practicalities
12m maximum length H20 to H40
(12m H40 = 18 stone/ 118Kg)
Health & safety
9m maximum length H16 & H12
6m maximum length H10 & H8
Transport
Fixing

Control of Cracking
EC2: Cl. 7.3

In Eurocode 2 cracking is controlled in the following ways:

• Minimum areas of reinforcement cl 7.3.2 & Equ 7.1

As,minσs = kckfct,effAct this is the same as

• Crack width limits (Cl. 7.3.1 and National Annex). These

limits can be met by either:

– direct calculation (Cl. 7.3.4) – crack width is Wk – Used

for liquid retaining structures

– ‘deemed to satisfy’ rules (Cl. 7.3.3)

Note: slabs ≤ 200mm depth are OK if As,min is provided.
Minimum Reinforcement Area
EC2: Cl. 9.2.1.1, Eq 9.1N

The minimum area of reinforcement for slabs (and beams) is given by:

0.26 fctm bt d
A s,min ≥ ≥ 0.0013 b t d
fyk

Crack Control Without Direct

Calculation EC2: Cl. 7.3.3

Provide minimum reinforcement.

Crack control may be achieved in two ways:
• limiting the maximum bar diameter using Table 7.2N
• limiting the maximum bar spacing using Table 7.3N

Note: For cracking due to restraint use only max bar size
Spacing of bars
EC2: Cl. 8.2

• Clear horizontal and vertical distance ≥ φ, (dg +5mm) or 20mm

• For separate horizontal layers the bars in each layer should be

located vertically above each other. There should be room to allow
access for vibrators and good compaction of concrete.

Ultimate bond stress

EC2: Cl. 8.4.2
The design value of the ultimate bond stress, fbd = 2.25 η1η2fctd
where fctd should be limited to C60/75
η1 =1 for ‘good’ and 0.7 for ‘poor’ bond conditions
η2 = 1 for φ ≤ 32, otherwise (132- φ)/100
Direction of concreting Direction of concreting

α 250

a) 45º ≤ α ≤ 90º c) h > 250 mm

Direction of concreting
Direction of concreting

≥ 300
h h

b) h ≤ 250 mm d) h > 600 mm

unhatched zone – ‘good’ bond conditions
hatched zone - ‘poor’ bond conditions
Basic required anchorage length
EC2: Cl. 8.4.3

lb,rqd = (φ / 4) (σsd / fbd)

where σsd is the design stress of the bar at the position

from where the anchorage is measured.

• For bent bars lb,rqd should be measured along the

centreline of the bar

Design Anchorage Length, lbd

EC2: Cl. 8.4.4

lbd = α1 α2 α3 α4 α5 lb,rqd ≥ lb,min

However:
(α2 α3 α5) ≥ 0.7
lb,min > max(0.3lb,rqd ; 10φ, 100mm)
Alpha values
EC2: Table 8.2

Table 8.2 - Cd & K factors

EC2: Figure 8.3

EC2: Figure 8.4

Anchorage of links
EC2: Cl. 8.5

Design Lap Length, l0 (8.7.3)

EC2: Cl. 8.7.3

l0 = α1 α2 α3 α5 α6 lb,rqd ≥ l0,min

α1 α2 α3 α5 are as defined for anchorage length

α6 = (ρ1/25)0,5 but between 1.0 and 1.5

where ρ1 is the % of reinforcement lapped within 0.65l0 from the
centre of the lap

Percentage of lapped bars < 25% 33% 50% >50%

relative to the total cross-
section area
α6 1 1.15 1.4 1.5
Note: Intermediate values may be determined by interpolation.

l0,min ≥ max{0.3 α6 lb,rqd; 15φ; 200}

 Worked example

Anchorage and lap lengths

Anchorage Worked Example

Calculate the tension anchorage for an H16 bar in the

bottom of a slab:
a) Straight bars
b) Other shape bars (Fig 8.1 b, c and d)

Concrete strength class is C25/30

Nominal cover is 25mm
Bond stress, fbd
fbd = 2.25 η1 η2 fctd EC2 Equ. 8.2
η1 = 1.0 ‘Good’ bond conditions
η2 = 1.0 bar size ≤ 32
fctd = αct fctk,0,05/γc EC2 cl 3.1.6(2), Equ 3.16
αct = 1.0 γc = 1.5
fctk,0,05 = 0.7 x 0.3 fck2/3 EC2 Table 3.1
= 0.21 x 252/3
= 1.8 MPa
fctd = αct fctk,0,05/γc = 1.8/1.5 = 1.2

fbd = 2.25 x 1.2 = 2.7 MPa

Basic anchorage length, lb,req

lb.req = (Ø/4) ( σsd/fbd) EC2 Equ 8.3

Max stress in the bar, σsd = fyk/γs = 500/1.15
= 435MPa.
lb.req = (Ø/4) ( 435/2.7)
= 40.3 Ø
For concrete class C25/30
 Design anchorage length, lbd

lbd = α1 α2 α3 α4 α5 lb.req ≥ lb,min

lbd = α1 α2 α3 α4 α5 (40.3Ø) For concrete class C25/30

Alpha values
EC2: Table 8.2 Concise: 11.4.2
Table 8.2 - Cd & K factors
EC2: Figure 8.3 Concise: Figure 11.3

EC2: Figure 8.4

Design anchorage length, lbd

lbd = α1 α2 α3 α4 α5 lb.req ≥ lb,min
lbd = α1 α2 α3 α4 α5 (40.3Ø) For concrete class C25/30
a) Tension anchorage – straight bar
α1 = 1.0
α3 = 1.0 conservative value with K= 0
α4 = 1.0 N/A
α5 = 1.0 conservative value
α2 = 1.0 – 0.15 (cd – Ø)/Ø
α2 = 1.0 – 0.15 (25 – 16)/16 = 0.916
lbd = 0.916 x 40.3Ø = 36.9Ø = 590mm
Design anchorage length, lbd
lbd = α1 α2 α3 α4 α5 lb.req ≥ lb,min
lbd = α1 α2 α3 α4 α5 (40.3Ø) For concrete class C25/30
b) Tension anchorage – Other shape bars
α1 = 1.0 cd = 25 is ≤ 3 Ø = 3 x 16 = 48
α3 = 1.0 conservative value with K= 0
α4 = 1.0 N/A
α5 = 1.0 conservative value
α2 = 1.0 – 0.15 (cd – 3Ø)/Ø ≤ 1.0
α2 = 1.0 – 0.15 (25 – 48)/16 = 1.25 ≤ 1.0
lbd = 1.0 x 40.3Ø = 40.3Ø = 645mm

Worked example - summary

H16 Bars – Concrete class C25/30 – 25 Nominal cover

Tension anchorage – straight bar lbd = 36.9Ø = 590mm
Tension anchorage – Other shape bars lbd = 40.3Ø = 645mm
lbd is measured along the centreline of the bar
Compression anchorage (α1 = α2 = α3 = α4 = α5 = 1.0)
lbd = 40.3Ø = 645mm
Anchorage for ‘Poor’ bond conditions = ‘Good’/0.7
Lap length = anchorage length x α6
Anchorage & lap lengths
How to design concrete structures using Eurocode 2

Arrangement of Laps
EC2: Cl. 8.7.2, Fig 8.7

If more than one layer a maximum

of 50% can be lapped
Arrangement of Laps
EC2: Cl. 8.7.3, Fig 8.8

Transverse Reinforcement

Anchorage of bars

There is transverse tension – reinforcement required

 Transverse Reinforcement

Lapping of bars

F tanθ

F θ F
F tanθ

F/2 F/2

There is transverse tension – reinforcement required

Transverse Reinforcement at Laps

Bars in tension
EC2: Cl. 8.7.4, Fig 8.9 only if bar Ø ≥ 20mm or laps > 25%
• Where the diameter, φ, of the lapped bars ≥ 20 mm, the transverse
reinforcement should have a total area, ΣAst ≥ 1,0As of one spliced bar. It
should be placed perpendicular to the direction of the lapped
reinforcement and between that and the surface of the concrete.

• If more than 50% of the reinforcement is lapped at one point and the
distance between adjacent laps at a section is ≤ 10 φ transverse bars should
be formed by links or U bars anchored into the body of the section.
• The transverse reinforcement provided as above should be positioned at
the outer sections of the lap as shown below.

ΣAst /2
ΣAst /2
l 0 /3
l 0 /3
≤150 mm F
Fs s

l0
Beams
EC2: Cl. 9.2
• As,min = 0,26 (fctm/fyk)btd but ≥ 0,0013btd

• As,max = 0,04 Ac
• Section at supports should be designed for a
hogging moment ≥ 0,25 max. span moment
• Any design compression reinforcement (φ) should be
held by transverse reinforcement with spacing ≤15 φ

Beams
EC2: Cl. 9.2

• Tension reinforcement in a flanged beam at

supports should be spread over the effective width
(see 5.3.2.1)
Shear Design: Links
EC2: Cl. 6.2.3

Variable strut method allows a shallower strut angle –

hence activating more links.
As strut angle reduces concrete stress increases

V s V

z d z d
θ

x x

Angle = 45° V carried on 3 links Angle = 21.8° V carried on 6 links

Short Shear Spans with Direct

Strut Action
EC2: Cl. 6.2.3 (8)

d d

av av

• Where av ≤ 2d the applied shear force, VEd, for a point load

(eg, corbel, pile cap etc) may be reduced by a factor av/2d
where 0.5 ≤ av ≤ 2d provided:
− The longitudinal reinforcement is fully anchored at the support.
− Only that shear reinforcement provided within the central 0.75av is
included in the resistance.

Note: see PD6687-1:2010 Cl 2.14 for more information.

 Shear reinforcement
EC2: Cl. 9.2.2

• Minimum shear reinforcement, ρw,min = (0,08√fck)/fyk

• Maximum longitudinal spacing, sl,max = 0,75d (1 + cotα)

For vertical links sl,max = 0,75d

• Maximum transverse spacing, st,max = 0,75d ≤ 600 mm

Shear Design
EC2: Cl. 6.2.3

z d

x
s V

z d
θ

x
Curtailment of reinforcement
EC2: Cl. 9.2.1.3, Fig 9.2

Envelope of (M Ed /z +N Ed )
lbd
Acting tensile force lbd

Resisting tensile force lbd

∆Ftd
al

al
lbd
∆Ftd
lbd lbd
“Shift rule”
lbd lbd

• For members without shear reinforcement this is satisfied with al = d

• For members with shear reinforcement: al = 0.5 z Cot θ

But it is always conservative to use al = 1.125d

Anchorage of Bottom
Reinforcement at End Supports
EC2: Cl. 9.2.1.4
Tensile Force Envelope
al

Shear shift rule

Simple support (indirect) Simple support (direct)

• As bottom steel at support ≥ 0.25 As provided in the span

• lbd is required from the line of contact of the support.

• Transverse pressure may only be taken into account with
a ‘direct’ support.
Simplified Detailing Rules for
Beams

Supporting Reinforcement at
‘Indirect’ Supports
EC2: Cl. 9.2.5
B
A supporting beam with height h1
B supported beam with height h2 (h1 ≥ h2)
≤ h 2 /3
≤ h 2 /2

Plan view

• The supporting reinforcement is in

≤ h 1 /3
addition to that required for other A
reasons ≤ h 1 /2

• The supporting links may be placed in a zone beyond

the intersection of beams
Solid slabs
EC2: Cl. 9.3
• Curtailment – as beams except for the “Shift” rule al = d
may be used
• Flexural Reinforcement – min and max areas as beam
• Secondary transverse steel not less than 20% main
reinforcement

• Reinforcement at Free Edges

Solid slabs
EC2: Cl. 9.3

• Where partial fixity exists, not taken into account in design: Internal
supports: As,top ≥ 0,25As for Mmax in adjacent span
End supports: As,top ≥ 0,15As for Mmax in adjacent span

• This top reinforcement should extend ≥ 0,2 adjacent span

Particular rules for flat slabs
Distribution of moments
EC2: Table I.1

Particular rules for flat slabs

EC2: Cl. 9.4

• Arrangement of reinforcement should reflect behaviour

under working conditions.

• At internal columns 0.5At should be placed in a width =

0.25 × panel width.

• At least two bottom bars should pass through internal

columns in each orthogonal directions.
Columns
EC2: Cl. 9.5.2

• h ≤ 4b
• φmin ≥ 12
• As,min = 0,10NEd/fyd but ≥ 0,002 Ac

• As,max = 0.04 Ac (0,08Ac at laps)

• Minimum number of bars in a circular column is 4.

• Where direction of longitudinal bars changes more than

1:12 the spacing of transverse reinforcement should be
calculated.

Columns
≤ 150mm
EC2: Cl. 9.5.3

scl,tmax

≤ 150mm

• scl,tmax = min {20 φmin; b ; 400mm}

• scl,tmax should be reduced by a factor 0,6:

– in sections within h above or below a beam
or slab
– near lapped joints where φ > 14.
A min of 3 bars is required in lap length
scl,tmax = min {12 φmin; 0.6b ; 240mm}
 Walls
Vertical Reinforcement
• As,vmin = 0,002 Ac (half located at each face)
• As,vmax = 0.04 Ac (0,08Ac at laps)
• svmax = 3 × wall thickness or 400mm
Horizontal Reinforcement
• As,hmin = 0,25 Vert. Rein. or 0,001Ac
• shmax = 400mm
Transverse Reinforcement
• Where total vert. rein. exceeds 0,02 Ac links required as
for columns
• Where main rein. placed closest to face of wall links are
required (at least 4No. m2). [Not required for welded mesh or bars
Ø ≤ 16mm with cover at least 2Ø.]

Detailing Comparisons

Beams EC2 BS 8110

Main Bars in Tension Clause / Values Values
As,min 9.2.1.1 (1): 0.26 fctm/fykbd ≥ 0.0013 bh
0.0013 bd
As,max 9.2.1.1 (3): 0.04 bd 0.04 bh
Main Bars in Compression
As,min -- 0.002 bh
As,max 9.2.1.1 (3): 0.04 bd 0.04 bh

Spacing of Main Bars

smin 8.2 (2): dg + 5 mm or φ or 20mm dg + 5 mm or φ
Smax Table 7.3N Table 3.28
Links
Asw,min 9.2.2 (5): (0.08 b s √fck)/fyk 0.4 b s/0.87 fyv
sl,max 9.2.2 (6): 0.75 d 0.75d
st,max 9.2.2 (8): 0.75 d ≤ 600 mm d or 150 mm from main bar
9.2.1.2 (3) or 15φ from main bar
Detailing Comparisons

Slabs EC2 BS 8110

Main Bars in Tension Clause / Values Values
As,min 9.2.1.1 (1): 0.26 fctm/fykbd ≥ 0.0013 bh
0.0013 bd
As,max 0.04 bd 0.04 bh
Secondary Transverse Bars
As,min 9.3.1.1 (2): 0.2As for single way 0.002 bh
slabs
As,max 9.2.1.1 (3): 0.04 bd 0.04 bh
Spacing of Bars
smin 8.2 (2): dg + 5 mm or φ or 20mm dg + 5 mm or φ
9.3.1.1 (3): main 3h ≤ 400 mm
Smax secondary: 3.5h ≤ 450 mm 3d or 750 mm
places of maximum moment:
main: 2h ≤ 250 mm
secondary: 3h ≤ 400 mm

Detailing Comparisons
Punching Shear EC2 BS 8110
Links Clause / Values Values
Asw,min 9.4.3 (2): Link leg = 0.053 sr st Total = 0.4ud/0.87fyv
√(fck)/fyk
Spacing of Links
Sr 9.4.3 (1): 0.75d 0.75d
St 9.4.3 (1): 1.5d
within 1st control perim.: 1.5d
outside 1st control perim.: 2d
Columns
Main Bars in Compression
As,min 9.5.2 (2): 0.10NEd/fyk ≤ 0.002bh 0.004 bh
As,max 9.5.2 (3): 0.04 bh 0.06 bh
Links
Min size 9.5.3 (1) 0.25φ or 6 mm 0.25φ or 6 mm
Scl,tmax 9.5.3 (3): min (12φmin; 0.6 b;240 mm) 12φ
9.5.3 (6): 150 mm from main bar 150 mm from main bar
How to…Compendium

Detailing
www.eurocode2.info

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