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)

# Over-Reinforced Section#
An “over-reinforced” section is the section where percentage of steel provided is
higher than the balanced section. The area of tension steel is such that at the ultimate
limit state, the ultimate compressive strain in concrete (0.0035) is attained, however
the tensile strain in the reinforcing steel remains elastic i.e., lower than the yield strain
(εy= + 0.002). The concrete fails in compression before the steel reaches its yield
.
point. Hence, the failure occurs without warning and is very brittle. This failure is
termed as “compression failure”. We may revisit lecture on “Limit State Analysis” to
brush up the following concept.

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.

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Difference between balanced section, under reinforced section and over reinforced
section is summarized below.
Balanced Section
Steel and Concrete both are
fully stressed
Neutral axis equal to critical
neutral axis,
Xu = Xumax
Percentage of steel is
optimum
uneconomical
The moment is balanced at
the natural axis
Sudden failure as both
concrete reaches ultimate
strain in flexure and steel
yield simultaneously.
Under-Reinforced Section
Steel is fully stressed
Neutral axis lies above the
critical neutral axis,
Xu < Xumax
Percentage of steel is less
than balanced section
Economical
The moment of resistance is
less than balanced section
Safe and ductile failure as
steel yield first and owing to
its very high ultimate strain,
continues to deform till
concrete reaches maximum
flexure strain of 0.0035.
Over-Reinforced Section
Concrete is fully stressed
Neutral axis lies below the
critical neutral axis,
Xu > Xumax
Percentage of steel more
than balanced section
uneconomical
The moment of resistance is
more than balanced section
Sudden failure as concrete
reaches its ultimate strain in
flexure (0.0035) even before
steel reaches its yield strain
(εy= + 0.002)
.

#Analysis of Doubly Reinforced RC Beam#

Doubly reinforced beams have moment of resistance more than the singly reinforced
beams of the same depth for particular grades of steel and concrete.

Situations where these sections are used:

• From architectural or any other construction requirements may restrict the

overall depth of the beams
• Some sections of a continuous beam with moving loads undergo change of sign
of the bending moment which makes compression zone as tension zone or vice
versa.
• Where the ductility requirement has to be followed
• Reduction of long-term deflection is needed
The procedure similar to the one used for analysis of singly reinforced sections can be
used for the analysis of doubly reinforced sections (refer figure below).

(a) Strain of doubly reinforced rectangular (b) Stresses of doubly reinforced section
Beam section
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The above stress strain diagram of doubly reinforced section can be simplified as
shown in figure below. assuming that the beam is equivalent to two beams as shown
in Figure above. Thus, the real beam may be considered as consisting of one singly
reinforced beam, which reaches its ultimate strength, and another imaginary steel
beam (without any concrete) but has only compression and tension steel. The moment
of resistance of the doubly reinforced beam (MU) is thus the sum of the moment of
resistance of the two beams.
MU = MU1 + MU2
where MU1 is the limiting moment of resistance of the singly reinforced beam and M U2
is the moment capacity of the steel beam.

(a) Strain of doubly reinforced (b) Stresses of singly (c) Stresses in

rectangular Beam section reinforced section reinforcement

For any given section, the depth of the neutral axis should be such that (C= T) it
satisfies equilibrium of forces. Applying the condition of force equilibrium:

C=T
 CC + CS = T, [C =Resultant compressive force in concrete; C = Compressive force in compression
C s

steel]

 CC = 0.36 fck b xu ; CS=(fsc - 0.446 fck) Asc ; T = 0.87 fy Ast

For convenience in calculation, without considering actual compression area of
concrete which is equal to b X xu - Asc, the full area (=b X xu) of the concrete under
compression is assumed to be effective in estimating CC. This approximation has been
taken care of while calculating CS. The compression steel has already been assumed
to be stressed up to the level of stress in concrete (=0.446 fck) while calculating CC.
Therefore, the only remaining balance of stress (= fsc - 0.446 fck) has been considered
while calculating compressive force CS in compression reinforcement.

𝑴𝑼𝟏 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟔 𝒇𝒄𝒌 𝒃 𝒅 × (𝒅 − 𝟎. 𝟒𝟐𝒙𝒖 ) = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟕𝒇𝒚 × 𝑨𝒔𝒕 × (𝒅 − 𝟎. 𝟒𝟐𝒙𝒖 )

𝑴𝑼𝟐 = ( 𝒇𝒔𝒄 − 𝟎. 𝟒𝟒𝟔𝒇𝒄𝒌 ) × 𝑨𝒔𝒄 × (d - 𝒅 )

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where f is the stress in compression steel, corresponding to the strain given by

𝜖 = 0.0035 as given in the following Table or can be read from the stress-
strain curve of steel (Fig.1.2.4) from IS 456 (2000).

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 Prepared by Putul Haldar, IIT Ropar

Numerical 1: An RC beam has a width of 200 mm and an effective depth of 450 mm.
The effective covers for tension and compression reinforcement are 50 mm and 30 mm,
respectively. The beam is reinforced with three bars of 20 mm diameter in tension and
three bars of 16 mm diameter of Fe 415 grade in compression. Assuming M20 concrete,
calculate the ultimate moment carrying capacity of the beam.
Solution of the Problem 1:

Doubly Reinforced Beam Section

How to approach:
The given values are as follows: b = 200 mm, d = 450 mm, d′ = 30 mm, d′/d = 0.067, fck
= 20 MPa, fy = 415 Mpa. Ast (3 X 20 mm bars) = 942.5 mm2, and Asc (3 × 16 mm bars) =
603.2 mm2

Step 1. Calculate Xu

Assume, Xu = Xulim

.
𝑋 = d; 𝑋 = 215.6 𝑚𝑚
. . /
Step 2. Calculate 𝜖

.
𝜖 = 0.0035 = 0.0035 ( ) = 0.00301
.

Corresponding value of 𝑓 from Table or Figure above is 355.9 N/mm2 and 𝑓 =

0.447 𝑓 = 8.94 N/mm2

Step 3. Compute Xu

. ( )
𝑋 = = 90.97 mm
.
Since, 𝑋 < 𝑋 , section is under-reinforced.

Now, assume 𝑋 = 90.97 𝑚𝑚 and repeat steps 2 and 3 until the solution converges.

So, again estimating 𝜖 = 0.00234 and 𝑓 from Table/Figure is 341.5 N/mm2

And calculating 𝑋 = 97 𝑚𝑚

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This procedure shall be repeated until solution converges and converged value of
solution for this problem is 𝑋 = 97 𝑚𝑚 and 𝑓 from Table 1 is 343.3 N/mm2

Hence, moment of resistance of the section

MU = MU1 + MU2
MU = 0.36 𝑏 𝑓 𝑋 (𝑑 − 0.42𝑋 ) + ( 𝑓 − 0.446 𝑓 ) 𝐴 (d - 𝑑 )
MU = 141.5 kNm

Numerical 2: Design a simply supported rectangular RC beam, having a span of 5.5

m, subjected to a uniformly distributed load of 33.8 kN/m. Compute the required
reinforcement, assuming the breadth of beam as 230 mm, effective depth 500 mm and
the effective cover for compression and tension reinforcement as 50 mm. Assume that
the beam is supported by load-bearing masonry of thickness 230 mm. Use M20
concrete and Fe 415 grade steel.
Solution of the Problem 2:
Data given, b = 230 mm, d = 500 mm, 𝑑 = 50 mm, and D = 500 + 50 = 550 mm
How to approach:
Step 1: As per clause 22.2 IS 456-2000, Effective span = Lesser of distance between
supports and clear span plus d
Effective span = 5.5 m or 5.5 -0.23 + 0.5 m
Effective span = 5.5 m or 5.77 m
Hence, effective span = 5.5 m
Distributed load due to self-weight = 0.23 X 0.55 X 25 = 3.2 kN/m
Total load = 33.8 + 3.2 = 37 kN/m
Bending moment = 140 kNm and Design bending moment, Mu = 210 kNm

Step 2. Calculate the limiting neutral axis depth: 𝑋 𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 0.48d = 239.5 mm

Step 3. Calculate 𝑀 𝑙𝑖𝑚 and 𝐴 𝑙𝑖𝑚 for single reinforced beam

𝑀 𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 0.138 𝑓 𝑏 𝑑 = 158.7 kNm and 𝐴 𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 1098 mm2

Step 4. Mu > 𝑀 𝑙𝑖𝑚 and hence, doubly reinforced beam is required and additional
moment of resistance to be resisted by the beam is Mu2 = 210 – 158.7 = 51.3 kNm
Step 5. Compute 𝐴 and 𝐴
𝐴 = = 316 mm2
. ( )

Total 𝐴 = 1098 + 316 = 1414 mm2

Hence, Provide four 22 mm diameter bars as tension steel

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The compression steel 𝐴 can be calculated as

𝐴 =
( )( )

Strain at compression steel 𝜖 = 0.0035 = 0.0075 and corresponding 𝑓

from Table/Figure is 351.63 N/mm2
So, 𝐴 = 333 𝑚𝑚2
Hence, Provide three 12 mm diameter bars as compression steel

References:
1. “IS: 456; Code for Practice: Plain and Reinforced Concrete”, Bureau of Indian
standards; New Delhi, 2000.
2. Brooks, J.J.; Neville, A. M.; “Concrete Technology”, Pearson.
3. Design Aids for Reinforced Concrete to IS: 456 – 1978, BIS, New Delhi.
4. Nilson, A. H.; Darwin, D.; and Dolan, C. W.; “Design of Concrete Structures”,
McGraw-Hill.
5. Pillai, S.U.; & Menon, D., “Reinforced Concrete Design”, Tata McGraw Hill.
6. Reynolds, C.E.; Steedman, J.C.; “Reinforced Concrete Designer’s Handbook”, E &
FN SPON.
*******

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