Guidelines for structural

design

Dr. Moonis Zaheer

 Design guidelines-columns
𝐵
• Width of column, B ≥ 300 𝑚𝑚 and ≥ 0.4
𝐷
𝐵
• Width of beam, B ≥ 200 𝑚𝑚 and ≥ 0.3
𝐷
𝐵
• If span of beam > 5 𝑚 (B ≥ 300 𝑚𝑚 and ≥ 0.3)
𝐷
• Better to apply clear cover of 40 mm to ties NOT to main bars.
• Common bar sizes = 16, 20 and 25 mm.
• For preliminary sizing of columns, use 1% of 𝐴𝑔 . (generally, 1.5-2% in GF, and 1-1.5% in roof)
• Practically, max. area of steel = 3% to avoid congestion at splicing section.
• c/c spacing of main bars ≯ 300 mm. In any case, parallel leg spacing of a tie < 300 𝑚𝑚.
• No. of bars in 230, 300, 450, 600, 750 sides are 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 #
• For proper detailing of column as well as EQ requirement, min. size of column = 300 mm.
• For beams, min. requirement of width is 230 mm so that at joints beam bars easily pass through
column reinforcement.
• Min. 4 bars in columns if size is 400 x 400 as in that case spacing between bars is less than 300 mm
400 − 40 × 2 − 8 × 2 − 12 = 292 𝑚𝑚 .
• It is advisable to provide additional ties at splicing location of longitudinal bars.
• If tie bar is bent through 135˚, then bent length is 8𝜙
• For EQ design, pitch of tie = 1 2 × 𝐿. 𝐿. 𝐷.
• Maximum distance B/W end restraint ≯ 60 × 𝐿. 𝐿. 𝐷 (Columns for aesthetic
purposes near the entrance of buildings).
• For EQ design, lap splices should be only in central portion of columns beams (away
from plastic hinge locations). Spacing of ties in splice portion = 150 mm.
• For EQ design, lesser spacing of ties near beam/column joint (150 mm)and more
spacing towards centre.
• For EQ design, min. number of bars in rectangular column = 8, for gravity load = 4
• For EQ design, 𝜙 𝑡𝑖𝑒 = 8𝑚𝑚 . If 𝜙 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 > 25 𝑚𝑚, 𝜙 𝑡𝑖𝑒 = 10𝑚𝑚
• For EQ zones, spacing of longitudinal bars =200 mm or 1/3 the dimension in the
considered direction for (rectangular column) or 1/3 the diameter (circular col.)
• It is advantageous to use higher conc. Grade in column (M 25). Results in less size
and steel.
• L-, T, or + shaped columns are often used at outside and re-entrant
building corners for architectural purposes, but they should not be
used in EQ zones as they may crack at re-entrant corners.
• Better to provide equal reinforcement on all sides whether the
column is uni-axial or bi-axial
• Above the top of footing, a pedestal of height 250 mm is provided
with 1#12 𝑚𝑚 𝜙 𝑈 −shaped bars are provided at each face of
pedestal.
• In the design of column, assume 𝐿𝑒𝑓𝑓 = 𝐿 (this is on safer side)
 Design guidelines-slabs
• Practically, it is a common practice that if 𝐿 𝐵 > 1.5, design it one way slab.
• If 𝐿𝑥 > 3 𝑚: it is advisable to provide two way slab.
• Common depth of slabs = 5”, 6” (125 mm, 150 mm); max=200 mm (for load = 5 𝑘𝑁 𝑚𝑚2 ).
• 𝐿 𝐷 ratios:
• One way S.S slab 𝐿 𝐷 = 20 × 𝑚. 𝑓 = 20 × 1.4 = 28 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑝𝑡 = 0.3%, 𝑚. 𝑓 = 1.4 . Adopt 𝐿 𝐷 = 25.
• One way continuous, above value (25) shall be multiplied by 26 20 = 1.3 = 25 × 1.3 = 32.5. Adopt 𝐿 𝐷 = 32.
• Two way S.S slab 𝐿 𝐷 = 28 (for 𝐿𝑥 ≤ 3.5𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐿. 𝐿 ≤ 3 𝑘𝑁 𝑚2 )
• Two way continuous slab 𝐿 𝐷 = 32 (for two way slab, shorter of the two spans be used to calculate 𝐿 𝐷 ratio
• Common diameter of bars = 8, 10, 12 mm. (dia. ≯ 𝐷 8)
𝑀𝑢
• Approx. area of main steel in slabs, 𝐴𝑠𝑡 = 0.8𝑑.𝑓 (𝑀𝑢 = 0.138𝑓𝑐𝑘 𝑏𝑑 2 )
𝑦

• Theoretically, calculated 𝐴𝑠𝑡 is provided in middle strip and min. 𝐴𝑠𝑡 is provided in edge strip. In practice, bars are
uniformly provided spaced throughout spans in both directions.
• Assume 𝐴𝑠𝑡 = 0.3 − 0.45% (one way slab)
• Assume 𝐴𝑠𝑡 = 0.2 − 0.3% (two way slab)
• Assume 𝐴𝑠𝑡 = 0.5% (one way continuous)
• Maximum area of main steel in slab = 4% 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝐷 (As per ACI).
• All top reinforcement of slabs shall continue upto 𝐿 3 of span at both sides of C/L of wall or
beam.
• Corners free to lift: casted over walls and no parapet above
• Roof slab with corner held down is achieved by 230 mm parapet wall, 600 mm high and 2 m
length on either side of corner
• Area of distribution steel = 0.12% 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝐷 (For floor slab)
• Area of distribution steel = 0.24% 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝐷 (For roof slab)
• Short span bars are provided in bottom layer.
• If two different dia. bars are used, provide larger dia. bars at bottom layer.
• Due to openings in slabs, area of steel interrupted be replaced by equivalent amount, half of
which should be placed along each edge of the opening.
• Practical considerations of one way slab
• Spacing shall be between 150-200 mm (main bars)
• Spacing shall be between 150-300 mm (distribution bars)
• Max. Spacing of bars 3𝑑 or 300 mm, whichever is less.
 Design guidelines-beams
• Usual widths of beam in India: 230, 300, 350, 400, 450 mm (230 and 300 mm are common).
• Usual depths of beam in India : 300 (12”), 350 (14”), 450(18”), 500(20”), 600(24”), 750 mm.
• Timber planks available in India are: 4’’(100); 6”(150); 9” (230); 12” (300);14” (350 mm)
• Depth of beam = 85 mm/m of span; or assume B= 300 mm, then 𝐷 𝐵 ≥ 0.3
• Recommended depth/width = 1.5 - 2.0 (or width = 1/2 - 2/3 depth).
𝑀𝑢
• Approx. area of main steel, 𝐴𝑠𝑡 = (𝑀𝑢 = 0.138𝑓𝑐𝑘 𝑏𝑑 2 )
0.8𝑑.𝑓𝑦
Xu, lim Mu, lim Pt, lim 𝑅 = 𝑀𝑢,𝑙𝑖𝑚 𝑏𝑑 2
• If area of steel is known, then 𝑀𝑅 = 0.71𝐴𝑠𝑡 𝑓𝑦 . 𝑑
Fe 250, 𝑥𝑢,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.53𝑑 𝑀𝑢,𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 0.148𝑓𝑐𝑘 𝑏𝑑 2 𝑝𝑡,𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 1.75% 2.99
Fe 415, 𝑥𝑢,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.48𝑑 𝑀𝑢,𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 0.138𝑓𝑐𝑘 𝑏𝑑 2 𝑝𝑡,𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 0.95% 2.77
Fe 500, 𝑥𝑢,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.46𝑑 𝑀𝑢,𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 0.133𝑓𝑐𝑘 𝑏𝑑 2 𝑝𝑡,𝑙𝑖𝑚 = 0.75% 2.67

• It is economical to select singly reinforced sections with 𝑝𝑡 = 0.75 − 0.8 𝑝𝑡,𝑙𝑖𝑚

• 𝑝𝑡,𝑙𝑖𝑚 means max. % of steel for balanced section (roughly 1.0 % 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝐷)
• For preliminary design of doubly reinforced beam, Assume 𝑝𝑡 = 1.2 − 1.5%
• Minimum % of tension steel = 0.3% 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝐷 (for singly, doubly and flanged beam)
• Minimum % of compression steel = 0.2% 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝐷
• As per IS 456, min. 40% tension steel to be provided as comp. steel.
• 𝑝𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑥. = 2.5% 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝐷 (for both tension and compression steel, too high as per IS 13920).
1 2
• Generally, we provide 1.2-1.5% of 𝐴𝑠𝑡 and 𝐴𝑠𝑐 = − 𝐴𝑠𝑡
2 3
• Minimum dia. of anchor or holding bars = 10 mm. these bars are considered as compression
steel if percentage is > 0.2%.
• Size of secondary beams should be smaller by 50 mm than main beams to accommodate
bottom bars in secondary beams.
• Maximum no. of bars in one layer = 6#.
• Common bar sizes for beams = 12, 16, 20, 22, 25 and 32 mm (some are not easily available)
• Prefer combination of two adjacent bar sizes (e.g, 16 and 12 mm; 20 and 16 mm)
• Minimum dia. of bar for main steel = 12 mm, for anchor bar = 10 mm.
• Max. no. of bars in one layer in beams with widths 230, 300 and 450 mm are 3, 3 and 4.
• For diff. sizes of bars in one layer, provide larger dia. near faces and smaller dia. towards
• Horizontal distance between bars, greater of:
1. Dia. of larger bar
2. Aggregate size + 5 mm
Vertical distance between bars, greater of:
1. Dia. of larger bar
2. 15 mm
3. 2/3 of max. agg. size
• Checking of beam width = 𝑁 × 𝜙 + 𝑁 + 1 × 25
• Suppose we have 3 # 20𝜙 in a beam 230 mm wide; = 3 × 20 + 3 + 1 × 25 = 160 𝑚𝑚 < 230 𝑚𝑚 𝑂𝐾
• Check for spacing of bars; let 𝜙=16 mm, b=230 mm, No of bars=5;
• 230 − 25 × 2 − 8 × 2 − 5 × 16 4 = 21 𝑚𝑚 < 25 𝑚𝑚(𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒)
• In any building, beams are generally doubly reinforced.
• For doubly reinforced beam, 𝑀𝑢 𝑏𝑑 2 = 3 − 5 (𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒 4)
• 𝑀𝑢 to be calculated from code coefficients.
• For continuous beam 𝐿 𝐷 = 10 − 15 (𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒 12). For S.S beam, take 15 (for singly)and take 12 (for
doubly)
• If actual 𝑙 𝑑 < basic 𝑙 𝑑 (ok)
• Bed block is provided under beam, if beam is supported over walls
• Size = 1000 × 230 × 230 𝑚𝑚
Design guidelines-footings
• Shallow foundation: 𝐷 𝐵 = 0.25 − 1.0
• Deep foundation: 𝐷 𝐵 = 5 − 20
• For design of footing – allowable or net safe B.C is used,𝑞𝑎 = 𝑞𝑢 𝐹𝑂𝑆
• In case of normal soils, provide base of footing at 1.0 – 1.5 m from NGL.
• For black cotton soils, provide base of footing at 2.5 – 4.0 m from NGL.
• Better to provide cover of 75 mm under all exposure conditions.
• Minimum thickness of isolated footing = 600 mm.
• Thickness of raft footing = 800 mm - 1500 mm (steel: 20 dia @ 150 c/c both ways at Top and Bottom.)
• Axial load ± 20% (same footing)
• Min. steel in each direction = 0.2% 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝐷
• For thick foundation (𝑡 > 1.0𝑚), provide a nominal reinf. of 360 mm2/m in each direction on each face (bottom
and top).
• Levelling course, 100 mm thick is provided as (1:5:10 or 1:4:8).
• As a thumb rule, if the spacing between two isolated footings is < 0.5𝑚, provide combined footing
• For combined footing, 𝐿 𝐵 ≯ 1.5 (if this is the case, increase B)
• If 𝑃1 close to property line and 𝑃2 > 𝑃1 , use eccentric combined footing.
1 𝑃
• If 𝑃1 close to property line and 2 < 𝑃2 < 1, use trapezoidal combined footing.
1
𝑃 1 𝐷
• If 𝑃1 close to property line and 𝑃2 < 2 and 𝐵 > 2.5, use strap combined footing.
1

• Offset of raft from exterior column = depth of raft (say 800 mm)
• Provide extra reinf. At bottom for 𝐿 3 around each column in raft foundation, except side columns or columns on retaining
wall
• The column bars be bent at 90° into the footing for a length of 300 mm. same practice should be adopted while terminating
the bars at the top of building.
• Design steps:
1.1 𝑃𝑢 1.5
• Area of footing is calculated based on working load, 𝐴𝑓 = 𝑆𝐵𝐶
𝐷−𝑏 𝐷−𝑏 2
• Length of footing, 𝐿𝑓 = + + 𝐴𝑓
2 2

• Width of footing, 𝐵𝑓 = 𝐴𝑓 𝐿𝑓
• Projections:
• Parallel to depth of column, 𝑋 = 𝐿𝑓 − 𝐷 2
• Parallel to width of column, Y = 𝐵𝑓 − 𝑏 2
• Upward footing reaction (due to 𝑃𝑢 ) causing bending in footing, 𝑤𝑢 = 𝑃𝑢 𝐴𝑓 < 𝑆𝐵𝐶.
Design guidelines-plinth beams
• Provided to ensure the column remains short because for first storey,
column height is about (3+3=6 m) and 𝑙 𝑟 > 12.
 Design guidelines-loadings
• To convert triangular load to u.d.l, 𝐸𝑞𝑣. 𝑢𝑑𝑙 = 0.67 × 𝑤 × ℎ𝑡. 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑧𝑜𝑖𝑑
• To convert trap. load to u.d.l, 𝐸𝑞𝑣. 𝑢𝑑𝑙 = 0.8 − 0.95 × 𝑤 × ℎ𝑡. 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒
• When loading is not on full span, 𝐸𝑞𝑣. 𝑢𝑑𝑙 = 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑑 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
• Assume toilet sunk load (DL) = 10 𝑘𝑁 𝑚2 and (LL) = 2 𝑘𝑁 𝑚2
• Assume LL for stair and corridor = 4 𝑘𝑁 𝑚2
Design guidelines-Stirrups
• For EQ design, near beam column joint, spacing of stirrups≯ 100 𝑚𝑚
• Spacing of shear reinforcement, 300 mm or 0.75d, whichever is less.
• If width of beam is > 400 mm (500 -1000), provide 4 legged stirrup.
• If width of beam is less than or equal to 300mm, provide 2 legged stirrup.
 Design guidelines-development length
• For +ve moment, 𝐿𝑑 = 47𝜙 (for M 20 and Fe 415)
• For +ve moment, 𝐿𝑑 = 57𝜙 (for M 20 and Fe 500)
• For –ve moment, 𝐿𝑑 = 𝐿 4
• 2) At least 1 3 of the +ve moment steel in S.S. beam and 1 4 of the +ve moment steel in continuous beam extends to
support for a distance of 𝐿𝑑 3
1
• If total bars = 6, therefore 3 × 6 ≥ 2 (means 2 bars will curtail and 4 go to support)
• For cantilever beam, available development length is nearly equal to span length
• For continuous beam, available length = 𝑥𝑜 + D or 12𝜙 or 𝐿 16 (whichever is greater); 𝑥𝑜 = length of –ve moment
region, i.e., the distance between point of contra flexure from centre of support.
• In practice, usually bars are provided for a length = 𝐿 4 from centre of support which then becomes the available length.
• At least 1 3 of the -ve steel should have an embedment length beyond the point of inflection not less than
1. D or 12𝜙 or 𝐿 16 (whichever is greater)
• Top steel in beams is to be spliced at mid span (for 𝐿𝑑 ) and bottom bars to be
spliced near support after (2𝐷 𝑜𝑟 𝐿 4).
• Lap of bottom steel in slab is to be done near support (if required)
• At junction of beam/shear wall, 𝐿𝑑 = 1.5𝐿𝑑
• If bars are provided in 2 layers, it is better to curtail bars of layer 2 only.
• For beams of upto 2.5 m, no need of curtailment of top and bottom bars, i.e., all
bars are ALTH (all through).
• Curtailment:
𝐿 𝑁′
• TPC from centre of support, 𝑥1 = 1 − , 𝑁 ′ =no of bars to be curtailed;
2 𝑁𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝑁𝑚𝑎𝑥 = no of bars at mid span
• Actual point of cut off (APC) from centre of support= 𝑥1 − 𝑒𝑓𝑓 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ(𝑑)
Design guidelines-splicing
• IS 456 recommends that splices in flexural members should be located
where 𝐵. 𝑀 < 50% of M.R.
• ≯ 50% of the bars be spliced at a section.
• Rules for splicing:
• For bars in flexural tension (e.g beams),𝐿𝑠𝑝 ≥ 𝐿𝑑 ≥ 30𝜙
• For bars in direct tension ,𝐿𝑠𝑝 ≥ 2𝐿𝑑 ≥ 30𝜙
• For bars in compression(e.g columns),𝐿𝑠𝑝 ≥ 𝐿𝑑 ≥ 24𝜙
• When bars of different dia. are spliced, the lap length is calculated based
on smaller dia. bars.
• At spliced location, five stirrups @ 100 c/c be provided in spliced portion;
splice should be staggered.
 EQ considerations
• Wind and EQ loads are considered when
1. no. of floors > 4.
2. Ht. of the building > 2 × transverse dimension.
• Upto 4 storeys, elements are designed for critical combinations of DL and LL.
• Critical load arrangements, as per IS code
 Maximum load = 1.5 𝐷𝐿 + 𝐿𝐿
 Minimum load = 0.9𝐷𝐿 (minimum LL being zero)
• At a beam column joint, splicing should not be done in 2𝐷 (in beams) and 𝐻 6 (in columns) from the
joint. In this portion, special confining reinforcement in the form of stirrups are provided @ 100 mm c/c.
• special confining reinforcement shall extend into a footing for 300 mm from top of footing.
• Mim width of column and beam = 300 mm
𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ
• > 0.3
𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ
𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
• Cross section aspect ratio for columns= ≮ 0.45
𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛
300
• E.g., if W=300 mm, 𝐷 = = 667 𝑚𝑚 (max. depth = 665 mm)
0.45
Curing periods
• Minimum = 7 days
• Slabs:
• span < 4.5 𝑚 − 7 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠
• span > 4.5 𝑚 − 14 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠
• Beams:
• span < 6.0 𝑚 − 14 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠
• span > 6.0 𝑚 − 21 𝑑𝑎𝑦𝑠
• Columns/walls:
• Stripping time: 2 days
• Curing time: 7 days
Stages in structural planning
• After architectural planning, structural planning is done:
1. Column positions
a) Positioning
b) Orientation
2. Beam locations
3. Spanning of slabs
4. Layout of stairs
5. Type of footings
Orientation of columns
• Aesthetics and utility
• Projection of columns outside the walls especially at the corners of
the room
• The depth shall be in the plane of bending
• T and L shaped columns, (if provided) at the intersection of walls so
that area of such columns be matched with that of rect. Columns
• L shaped generally at corners and T shaped in between corners.
Beam locations
• Beams are generally provided under the walls. Therefore, beam
spacing depend upon wall locations at above floor.
• Beam spacing is also decided on the basis of maximum spans of slabs
𝐿𝐿 < 5 𝑘𝑁 𝑚𝑚2
Simply supported Continuous/fixed
Slab type One way Two way One way Two way
Max. span (m) 3.5 4.5 4.5 6.0
cantilever slab or beam ≯ 1 3 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑎𝑐𝑘 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛
Spanning of slabs
• One way: support on two opposite long parallel edges, even if 𝐿 𝐵 < 2.
• Two way: support on all 4 edges. It also depend on
• 𝐿 𝐵 ratio
• Reinforcement in two directions
• Boundary conditions (continuity at support)
• Therefore, designer is free to decide as whether the slab should be designed
as one way or two way. This decision is based on:
1. In practice, a slab is desined as two way when 𝐿 𝐵 < 1.5
2. Two way slab is economical than one way slab (lesser depth)
3. Two way action is advantageous for span > 3𝑚 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐿. 𝐿 > 3 𝑘𝑁 𝑚𝑚2
4. A two way slab can be made to act as one way by providing main steel along short span and
dist. Steel along long span. In this condition, care should be taken to provide min. steel at top
across short span to avoid cracking.
5. Spanning of slab is also decided by the necessity of continuity to adjacent span.
Layout of stairs
• Longer flights be avoided (more than 12 steps in one flight)
• Avoid supporting flights on landing. Best to provide beam before and
end of waist slab.
• If the span of the flight is more than 4.5 m, best is to provide stringer
beam (used in banks, public buildings, hotels etc.)
Choice of footing
• Depends on column load and bearing capacity
• Isolated: preferred in most cases of low height buildings
• If low B.C soil or black cotton soil exists for greater depth: choose pile
• If columns are closely spaced and B.C is low: choose raft
• Columns on boundary line: choose combined/ strap
• If column areas overlap: choose combined
Design assumptions and approximations
1. Regarding support condition: A slab/beam is assumed to be S.S at
discontinuous end and continuous at other end.
2. Provide steel at top of S.S beam = 1 3 of mid span steel to account for
partial fixidity.
3. If beam reinf. only goes straight into column: joint is simply supported
4. If beam reinf. goes into column for length 𝐿𝑑 as well as into slab for 𝐿𝑑 at
top: joint is rigid

5. Assumption regarding beam section: a beam is acting as flanged, if

a) A slab is acting as flange on compression side and
b) Having minimum transverse reinforcement at top and
c) Stirrups running through total depth (including slab thickness)
How beams are classified
1. End condition:
• S.S at both ends and carries udl only
• S.S at both ends and carries udl and point load
2. S.S at one end and continuous at other end and carrying udl only
3. Beam continuous at both ends and carrying udl only
4. Cantilever beam
5. overhanging beam
• Beams under each category is further subdivided into different groups on the
basis of
A. Equality of spans ±20%
B. Equality of loads ±20%
C. Type of section (rectangular, flanged)
′ ′
• Assume 𝑑 = 50 𝑚𝑚 (rectangular); 𝑑 = 60 𝑚𝑚 (flanged);
Bricks
• Strength = 7.5MPa
• Mortar (1:6) for 230 mm wall
• Mortar (1:4) for 115 mm wall (partition wall)
• Fineness modulus ≮ 1.25
• Bed block is to be provided under beam, if beam is supported over
walls; size: 230 𝑏 × 1000 𝑙 × 150 𝑑 ; steel
2#10𝜙(𝑇&𝐵), 8𝜙@200 𝑐 𝑐 as stirrups