Prepared by Putul Haldar, IIT Ropar

Indian Institute of Technology Ropar

Department of Civil Engineering
CE 404: Reinforced Concrete Structures (Prepared by Dr. Putul Haldar)

Limit State of Collapse, Flexure:

Section AA

Total compressive force C= C1+C2 ; Total tensile force=T

−>T = C= C1+C2 considering equilibrium; ∑ 𝐻 = 0]

Force C1 for rectangular block =𝟎. 𝟒𝟒𝟔𝒇𝒄𝒌 × 𝒙𝟏 × 𝒃
𝟐
Force C2 for parabolic block = 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑡𝑡𝑜𝑚 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑏𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑘= 𝟑 (𝟎. 𝟒𝟒𝟔𝒇𝒄𝒌 × (𝒙𝒖 − 𝒙𝟏 ) × 𝒃)
𝒇𝒚
Tensile force T = 𝟏.𝟏𝟓 × 𝑨𝒔𝒕 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟕𝒇𝒚 × 𝑨𝒔𝒕
𝟐
T=C= C1+C2 ∴ 𝟎. 𝟖𝟕𝒇𝒚 × 𝑨𝒔𝒕 = (𝟎. 𝟒𝟒𝟔𝒇𝒄𝒌 × 𝒙𝟏 × 𝒃) + 𝟑 (𝟎. 𝟒𝟒𝟔𝒇𝒄𝒌 × (𝒙𝒖 − 𝒙𝟏 ) × 𝒃)
. .
Using Strain compatibility (similar triangles; red and blue marked in the above figure), ( )
=

∴ 𝒙𝟏 = 𝟎. 𝟒𝟑𝒙𝒖
0.87 fy Ast = 0.36 b xu fck
Numerical 1: Determine the neutral axis depth at ultimate limit state for the beam
section shown in figure where, b= 300mm; d=D-effective cover=550mm; Ast provided
as 4 nos. of 25mm diameter mild steel bars (fy=250Mpa) and M20 grade of concrete.
Section AA

x1

How to approach: Based on the assumption “The maximum strain in the tension
reinforcement in the section at failure shall not be less than .
+ 0.002 “, an

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 Prepared by Putul Haldar, IIT Ropar

expression for the depth of the neutral axis at the ultimate limit state can be easily
obtained from the strain diagram above, considering similar triangles,
𝜀 0.0035
=
(𝑑 − 𝑥 ) 𝑥

As, ε ≥ + 0.002; there will be a limiting value of x , let us designate it as x

.
. . .
corresponding to ε = .
+ 0.002; .
( )
= ==≫ = .
.

The maximum depth of the neutral axis xu max increases with lowering the grade of steel.
As 𝐱 𝐮 depends on the area of steel, Ast, lim can also be calculated from equation 0.87 fy
Ast = 0.36 b xu fck using xu = xu, max and Ast, =Ast, lim; as
. .
𝑥 = .
; ==≫ × 100% = .
× 100= 𝑝 (% 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡)
The pt lim increases with lowering the grade of steel for a particular grade of
concrete while pt lim increases with increasing the grade of concrete for a specific grade
of steel.

Note that, Case i = xu = xu, max ; The limiting depth

of neutral axis xu,max corresponds to balanced
section, i.e., a section that is expected to result in
balanced failure at the ultimate limit state in
flexure.
Case ii = xu < xu, max; If the neutral axis depth xu is
less than xu,max, then the section is under-
reinforced resulting in a tension failure.
Case iii = xu > xu, max ; If xu exceeds xu,max, it is over-
reinforced section resulting in compression
failure. When xu >xu, max , two possibilities can occur. When the top compressive strain
in concrete reaches 0.0035, the tensile steel strain is still less than .
+ 0.002 which
is minimum specified by IS:456 (2000) therefore violating the assumption. Further,
when the steel tensile strain reaches .
+ 0.002 , by that time the compressive strain
of concrete exceeds 0.0035 which also violates the assumption that “The maximum
strain in concrete at the outer most compression fibre is taken as 0.0035 in bending”.
It can be concluded that the depth of xu should not become more than xu, max.
Therefore, the depth of the neutral axis has a limiting or maximum value = xu, max
and if for any section, xu > xu, max, the section must be redesigned.

For any given section, the depth of the neutral axis should be such that (C= T) it
satisfies equilibrium of forces.
𝟎.𝟖𝟕 𝒇𝒚 𝑨𝒔𝒕 ;
T=C= C1+C2  0.87 fy Ast = 0.36 b xu fck  𝒙𝒖 = 𝟎.𝟑𝟔 𝒃 𝒇𝒄𝒌
valid only for xu ≤ xu,max

That if the section is under reinforced of balanced. For over reinforced section
(xu ≥xu,max), at the ultimate limit state, the steel would not have yielded (i.e., strain
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𝑓𝑦
𝜀 < + 0.002 therefore the steel stress cannot be taken as 0.87fy as steel stress
1.15𝐸𝑠
𝑓𝑦
linearly varying with strain below yield strain 𝜀 = + 0.002 . When the steel has
1.15𝐸𝑠
not yielded, the true location of the neutral axis is obtained by a trial-and-error
method, called strain compatibility method.
Solution of the Problem 1:

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 Prepared by Putul Haldar, IIT Ropar

Numerical 2: Find out the ultimate limit state of flexure which implies determination of ultimate
moment of resistance (MUR) of the beam described in the Numerical problem number 1.

How to approach:

When xu < xu, max : This represents under reinforced section. Therefore, steel yielded
𝑓𝑦
and reaches stain of 𝜀 = + 0.002 before concrete reaches ultimate stain 0.0035.
1.15𝐸𝑠
Therefore, Mu can be computed as: Mu = T (lever arm) = 0.87 fy Ast (d - 0.42 xu)
𝑓𝑦
When xu = xu, max: Steel reaches stain of 𝜀 = + 0.002 and concrete also reaches
1.15𝐸𝑠
its maximum strain value 0.0035 simultaneously. However, strain of steel can further
increase but the reaching of limiting strain of concrete should be taken into
consideration to determine the limiting M u as Mu, lim as Mu, lim = C (lever arm) [See the
solution of Numerical 2 for finding lever arm. Please note that x=3/7 x u =0.43xu as
obtained using strain compatibility equation from similar triangles; CG of rectangular
compression block C1 is ½ of 0.43xu from top fibre and CG of parabolic compression
block C2 is [1/3rd of (xu - 0.43xu ) +0.43xu ]from top fibre.
When xu > xu, max: In this case the failure is due to crushing of concrete as it reaches
maximum strain 0.0035 whereas steel has still not yielded i.e., tensile strain of steel is
much less than + 0.002 . Code does not recommend such design and redesign of
.
the section is suggested. However, for any existing over reinforced concrete beam M
u
is calculated by restricting x to x only and the corresponding M will be as per
u u, max u
the case when x = x . Solution of the Problem 2:
u u, max

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 Prepared by Putul Haldar, IIT Ropar

Numerical 3: hey rectangular section of effective size 300mm (width)X 500mm (depth)
is used as a simply supported beam of effective span 7 metres. What maximum
uniformly distributed load (w) due to live load can be allowed on the beam if the
maximum percentage of steel is provided only in tension site? Also, determine the
amount of steel to be provided. use M20 concrete and Fe415 steel.
Solution of the Problem 3:

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