Fundamentals

of
Reinforced
Concrete
Design
 Fundamentals of Reinforce
Concrete Design
CHAPTER 1
introduction

REINFORCED CONCRETE
As with most like mass, concrete has a very high compressive strength but have a very low tensile strength. As a
structural member, concrete can made to carry tensile stresses (as in beam in flexure). In this regard, it is
necessary to provide steel bars to provides the tensile strength lacking in concrete. The composite member is
called reinforce concrete.

CONCRETE:
Concrete is a mixture of water, cement, sand, gravel, crushed rock, or other aggregates. The aggregates
(sand, gravel, crushed rock) are held together in a rocklike mass with a paste of cement and water.

AGGREGATES
Aggregates used in concrete may be fine aggregates (usually sand) and coarse aggregates (usually gravel or
crushed stone). Fine aggregates are those that passes through a No. 4 sieve (about 6 mm in size). Materials
retained are coarse aggregates. The nominal maximum sizes of coarse aggregate are specified in Section 5.3.3
of NSCP. These are as follows: 1/5 narrowest dimension between sides of forms, 1/3 the depth of slabs, or ¾
the minimum clear spacing between individual reinforcing bars wires, bundles of bars, or prestressing
tendons or ducts. These limitations may not be applied if, in the judgment of the Engineer, workability and
methods of consolidation are such that concrete can be placed without honeycomb or void.

WATER
According to Section 5.3.4, water used in mixing concrete shall be clean and free from injurious amount of
oils, acids, alkalis, salts, organic materials, or other substances that may be deleterious to concrete or
reinforcement. Mixing water for pre stressed concrete or for concrete that will contain aluminum
embedments, including that portion of mixing water contributed in the form of free moisture on aggregates,
shall not contain deleterious amounts of chloride ion. Non-potable (non-drinkable) water shall not be used in
concrete unless the following are satisfied; (a) Selection of proportions shall be based on concrete mixes using
water from the same source and (b) mortar test cubes made with non-potable mixing water shall have 7-day
& 28-day strengths equal to at least 90 percent of strengths of similar specimens made with potable water

CONCRETE PROPORTIONS
Proportions of materials for concrete shall be established to provide:
(a) workability and consistency to permit concrete to be worked readily into forms and around
reinforcement under conditions of placement to be employed, without segregation or excessive bleeding, (b)
resistance to special exposures and (c) conformance with strength test requirements.

With different materials are to be used for different portions of proposed work, each combination shall be
evaluated. Concrete proportions, including water – cement ratio shall be established based on field
experience and / or trial mixtures with materials to be employed.

LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE
Concrete lighter in weight than ordinary sand-and-gravel concrete is used principality to reduce dead load,
or for thermal insulation, nail ability, or fill. Disadvantages of lightweight structural concretes include higher
cost, need for more care in placing, greater porosity, and more drying shrinkage. For a given percentage of
cement, usually the lighter the concrete, the lower the strength
LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE
Table 1.1 Approximate Weights of Lightweight Concrete
AGGREGATE CONCRETE WEIGHT, kN/m3
Cinders:
Without Sand 13.4
With Sand 17.3 – 18.1
Shale or Clay 14.1 – 17. 3
Pumice 14.1 – 15.7
Scoria 14.1 – 17.3
Perlite 7.9 – 12.6
Vermiculite 5.5 – 11.8

HEAVYWEIGHT CONCRETE
Concrete weighing up to about 60.5 kN/m3 can be produced by using heavier-than-ordinary aggregate.
Theoretically, the upper limit can be achieved with steel shot as fine aggregate and steel punching as coarse
aggregate. The heavy concrete is used principally in radiations shield and counterweights.

Concrete made with barite develops an optimum density of 36.5 kN/m3 and compressive strength of 41.35
Mpa; with limonite and magnetite, densities from 33 to 35 kN/m3 and strengths of 22 Mpa to 39.3 Mpa;
with steel punching and sheared bars as coarse aggregate and steel shot as fine aggregate, densities from 39.3
to 45.3 kN/m3 and strengths of about 38.6 Mpa.

MODULUS OF ELASTICITY
Unlike steel and other materials, concrete has no definite modulus of elasticity. Its value is dependent on the
characteristics of cement and aggregates used, age of concrete and strengths.

According to NSCP (Section 5.8.5), modulus of elasticity Ec for concrete for values of wc between 1500 and 2500
kg/m3 may be taken as

Where fc is the 28-day compressive strength of concrete in Mpa, wc is the unit weight on concrete in kg/m3. For
normal weight concrete,
Ec = 4700 Modulus of elasticity Es for nonprestressed reinforcement may be taken as 200,000 Mpa.

Ec = wc1.5 0.043 √ f 1c ( in Mpa) Eq. 1- 1

MODULUS OF ELASTICITY
Table 1.2
Values of Modulus of Elasticity for Normal Weight Concrete
f ‘c (Mpa) Ec (Mpa)
20.7 21,760
24.1 23,503
27.6 25,130
31.0 26,650
34.5 28,030

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH
Depending on the mix (specially the water-cement ratio) and the time and quality of curing, compressive
strengths of concrete can be obtained up to 97 Mpa or more. Commercial production of concrete with
ordinary aggregates is usually in the 21 to 83 Mpa range with the most common ranges for cast-in-place
buildings from 21 to 41 Mpa. On the other hand, precast and prestressed applications often expect strengths
of 27.6 to 55.1 MPa

COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH
The 28-day compressive strength of concrete can be estimated from the 7-day strength by formula proposed
by W.A. Sater:

S28 = S7 + 2.5 Eq. 1-2

Where S28= 28 day compressive strength, MPa

S7 = 7 day compressive strength, Mpa

Concrete strength may increase significantly after 28 days, particularly when cement is mixed with fly ash.

The stress-strain diagram for concrete of a specified compressive strength is curved line as in Figure 1.1.
Maximum Stress is reached at a strain of 0.002 mm/mm, after which curve descend

WATER-CEMENT RATIO
Concrete strength is influenced chiefly by the water-cement ration; the higher this ratio, the lower the
strength. In fact, the relationship is approximately linear when expressed in terms of C/W, the ration of
cement to water by weight. For a workable mix, without the use of water reducing admixtures.

Proportioning by Water-Cement Ratio

With the absence of any required data, concrete proportions shall be based on water-cement ratio limits in
Table 1.3, if approved by the engineer.

Proportioning by Water-Cement Ratio

 5
6
4
2
2
8
1
4

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

01 02 03 04

STRESS, MPA
STRAIN, MM PER MM
Figure 1.1 Stress-strain curves for Concrete

Proportioning by Water-Cement Ratio

Table 1.3 Maximum Permissible Water Cement Ratios for concrete when strength data from field experience
or trial mixtures are not available
Specified Compressive Absolute water-cement ratio by weight
Strength, Non – air – Air – entrained
fc Mpa Entrained Concrete
Concrete
17 0.66 0.54
20 0.60 0.49
25 0.50 0.39
30 0.40
Proportioning by Water-Cement Ratio
Table 1.4
Estimated Compressive Strength of Concrete for
Various Water-Cement Ratios
Water-Cement 28-day Compressive Strength, Mpa
Ratio by Air-Entrained Concrete Non-Air – Entrained
Weight Concrete
0.40 29.6 37.2
0.45 26.9 33.8
0.50 24.1 29.6
0.55 21.4 26.2
0.60 18.6 23.4
0.65 16.5 20.7
0.70 15.2 18.6

Required Average Strength

Required average compressive strength fcr used as the basis for selection of concrete proportion shall be the
larger of Eq. 1-5 using a standard deviation calculated in accordance with Sec.5.5.3.1.1 or Sec. 5.5.3.1.2 of the
Code.

Where s = standard deviation, MPa

f cr = f c + 1.34s Eq. 1-4
OR
f cr = f c + 2.33s – 3.5 Eq. 1-5

Required Average Strength

Table 1.5
Estimated Compressive Strength of Concrete for
Various Water-Cement Ratios
Specified Compressive Required average compressive strength,
Strength, f cr MPa f cr Mpa
Less than 20 Mpa f c + 7.0
20 to 35 f c + 8.5
Over 35 f c + 10.0

METAL REINFORCEMENT
Metal reinforcement in concrete shall be deformed, except that plain reinforcement be permitted for spiral or
tendons; and reinforcement consisting of structural steel, steel pipe, or steel tubing. Reinforcing bars to be
welded shall be indicated on the drawing and welding procedure to be used shall be specified. PNS
reinforcing necessary to conform to welding procedures specified in “Structural Welding Code – Reinforcing
Steel” (PNS/AWS D 1.4) of the American Welding Society and/or Welding of Reinforcing Bars (PNS / A5-
1554) of the Philippines National Standard.

PLAIN REINFORCEMENT
Plain bars for spiral reinforcement shall conform to the specification listed in Section
5.3.5.3.1 of NSCP. For wire with specified yield strength fy exceeding 415 Mpa, fy shall be
the stress corresponding to a strain of 0.35 percent if the yield strength specified in the
design exceed 415 Mpa.

PLAIN REINFORCEMENT
Table 1.6 Weight, Area, and Perimeter of Individual Bars
Bar Diameter Weight Area Perimeter
No. in. mm kg/m mm2 mm
3 0.375 9.52 0.560 71 30
4 0.500 12.70 0.994 129 40
5 0.625 15.88 1.552 200 50
6 0.750 19.05 2.235 284 60
7 0.875 22.22 3.042 387 70
8 1.000 25.40 3.973 510 80
9 1.128 28.65 5.060 645 90
10 1.270 32.26 6.404 819 101
11 1.410 35.81 7.907 1006 113
14 1.693 43.00 11.384 1452 135
18 2.257 57.33 20.238 2581 180

PLAIN REINFORCEMENT
Table 1.7 Reinforcement Grades and Strength
Referenced Min.Yield Ultimate
ASTM Types Grade Strength Strength Size
Standard fy (Mpa) fu (Mpa) Restriction
A615-85 Billet Steel Grade 40 276 483 #3 to # 6 only
Grade 60 414 620
A615-85 Rail Steel Grade 50 345 551 #3 to # 11 only
Grade 60 414 620 #3 to # 11 only
A617-85 Axle Steel Grade 40 276 483 #3 to # 11 only
Grade 60 414 620 #3 to # 11 only
A706-84a Low alloy Grade 60 414 551
A496-85 Def. Wire Reinf. 517 586
A497-79 Fabric 483 551
A82-85 Cold-Drawn Reinf. 483 551
wire Fabric 448,386 517,483

SPACING LIMITS FOR REINFORCEMENT

According to Section 5.7.6 of NSCP, the minimum clear spacing between parallel bars in a
layer should be db but not less than 25 mm. Where parallel reinforcement is placed in two or
more layers, bars in the upper layer should be placed directly above bars in the bottom layer
with clear distance between layers not less than 25 mm. In spirally reinforced or tied
reinforced compression members, clear distance between longitudinal bars shall be not less
that 1.5 db nor 40 mm.

In walls and slab other than concrete joist construction, primary flexural reinforcement
shall be spaced not farther apart than three times the wall or slab thickness, nor 450 mm.

BUNDLED BARS
Groups of parallel reinforcing bars bundled in contact to act as a unit shall be limited to
four in any bundle. Bundled bars shall be enclosed within stirrups or ties and bars larger
than 32 mm shall not be bundled in beams. The individual bars within a bundle terminated
within the span of flexural members should terminate at different points with at least 40db
stagger. Since spacing limitations and minimum concrete cover of most members are based on a
single bar diameter db bundled bars shall be treated as single bar of diameter derived from
the equivalent total area.

Figure 1.2 Bundled-bar arrangement

BUNDLED BARS
Diameter is single bar equivalent to bundled bars according to NSCP to be used for spacing limitation and
concrete cover.

3 – 25mm Equivalent Diameter, D

Precast concrete (Manufactured Under Plant Conditions). The following minimum concrete shall be
provided for reinforcement:
Minimum cover, mm
(a) Concrete exposed to earth
Wall Panels:
32 mm bar and smaller 20
Other members:
20 mm through 32 mm bars 40
16 mm bar, W31 or D31 30
wire, and smaller
(b) Concrete not exposed to weather
or in contact w/ ground
Slabs, wall, joist: 15
32 mm bar and smaller
Beams, Columns: db but not less than 15 &
need not exceed 40
Primary reinforcement
10
Ties, stirrups, spirals
Shells, folded plate members: 15
20 mm through 32 mm bars 10
16 mm bar, W31 or D31
wire, and smaller

Prestressed Concrete

The following minimum concrete cover shall be provided for prestressed and nonprestressed reinforcement,
ducts and end fittings
Minimum cover, mm
(a) Concrete cast against and 75
permanently exposed to earth
(b) Concrete exposed to earth or
weather: 25
Wall panels, slabs, joists 40
Other members
(c) Concrete not exposed to weather
or in contact w/ ground: 20
Slabs, walls, joist
Beam, Columns: 40
Primary reinforcement
25
Ties, stirrups, spirals
Shells, folded plate members 10
16 mm bar, W31 or D31
wire, and smaller db but not less than 20

Other reinforcement
Bundled Bars

For bundled bars, the minimum concrete cover shall be equal to the equivalent diameter of the bundle, but need
not be greater than 50 mm, except for concrete cast against and permanently exposed to earth, the minimum
cover shall be 75 mm.

STANDARD HOOKS
The term standard hook refers to one of the following:
(a) 180o bend plus 4 db extension but not less than 65mm at free end
(b) 90o bend plus 12 db extension at free end of bar
(c) For stirrups and tie hooks:
(1) 16mm bar and smaller 90o bend plus 6 db extension at free end of bar, or
(2) 20mm and 25mm bar, 90o bend plus 12db extension at free end of bar, or
(3) 25 mm bar and smaller 135o bend plus 6db extension at free end of bar.

MINUMUM BEND DIAMETER

The diameter of bend measured on the inside of the bar, other than for stirrups and ties in sizes 10 mm
through 15 mm shall not be less than the following:
(a) 6db for 10 mm to 25 mm bar,
(b) 8db for 28 mm to 32 mm bar and,
(c) 10db for 36 mm bar.
The inside diameter bend of stirrups and ties shall not be less than 4db for 16 mm bar and
smaller. For bars larger than 16 mm, the diameter of bend shall be in accordance with the
previous paragraph.

LOADS
The most important and most critical task of an engineer is the determination of the loads that can be applied
to a structure during its life, and the worst possible combination of these loads that might occur
simultaneously. Loads on a structure may be classified as dead loads or live loads.

DEAD LOADS
Dead loads are loads of constant magnitude that remain one position. This consists mainly of the weight of
the structure and other permanent attachment to the frame.

LIVE LOADS
Live loads are loads that may change in magnitude and position. Live loads that move under their own power
are called moving loads. Other live loads are those caused by wind, rain, earthquakes, soil, and temperature
changes. Wind and earthquake loads are called lateral loads.
ARRANGEMENT OF LIVE LOAD
Live loads may be applied only to the floor or roof under consideration, and the far ends of columns built
integrally with the structure may be considered fixed. It is permitted by the code to assume the following
arrangement of live loads:
 Factored dead load on all spans with full factored live load on
 two adjacent spans, and

(b) Factored dead load on all spans with full factored live load on
alternate spans.

Table 1.8: Uniform and Concentrated Loads (NSCP)

USE OF OCCUPANCY Uniform Concentrated
Category Description Load, Pa Load, N
1 Armories 7,200 0
Assembly areas & Fixed seating 2,400 0
2 auditorium and areas
balconies therewith Movable seating & 4,800 0
other areas
Stage areas and 6,000 0
enclosed platform
3 Cornices, 3,000 0
marquees &
residential
balconies
4 Exit facilities 4,800 0
General storage 4,800
5 Garage &/or repair
Private pleasure 2,400
car storage

Table 1.8: Uniform and Concentrated Loads (NSCP)

USE OF OCCUPANCY Uniform Concentrated
Category Description Load, Pa Load, N
6 Hospitals Ward and Rooms 2,000 4,500
Reading Rooms 3,000 4,500
7 Libraries Stock rooms 6,000 6,700
Light 3,600 8,900
8 Manufacturing Heavy 6,000 13,400
9 Offices 2,400 8,900
Press rooms 7,200 11,200
 Composing & 4,800 8,900
10 Printing Plants linotype rooms

Table 1.8: Uniform and Concentrated Loads (NSCP)

USE OF OCCUPANCY Uniform Concentrated

Category Description Load, Pa Load, N
11 Residential 2,000 0
12 Rest rooms Not less that the
load for the
occupancy with
which they are
associated but need
not exceed 24 Pa

13 Reviewing stands,
grandstands and 4,800 0
bleachers

14 Roof deck Same as area

served for the type
of occupancy

15 Schools Classrooms 2,000 4,500

Table 1.8: Uniform and Concentrated Loads (NSCP)

USE OF OCCUPANCY Uniform Concentrated
Category Description Load, Pa Load, N
16 Sidewalks & Public access 12,000
Driveways
Light 6,000
17 Storage Heavy 12,000
18 Stores Retail 3,600 8,900
Wholesale 4,800 13,400
19 Low cost housing 1,500 0
unit

Table 1.9: Minimum Roof Live Loads (NSCP)

Tributary Loaded Area for Structural Member
ROOF SLOPE 0 to 20 m2 61 to 60 m2 Over 60 m2
1 Flat or rise less
than 1 vertical to 3 1000 Pa 800 Pa 600 Pa
horizontal; Arch or
dome with rise less
1/8 of span
2 Rise 1 vertical per
3 horizontal to less 800 Pa 700 Pa 600 Pa
that 1 horizontal;
Arch or dome with
 rise 1/8 of span to
less than 3/8 of
span
3. Rise 1 Vertical to 1 600 Pa 600 Pa 600 Pa
horizontal; Arch or
dome with rise 3/8
of span or greater
4 Awnings, Except 250 Pa 250 Pa 250 Pa
cloth covered
5 Green Houses, 500 Pa 500 Pa 500 Pa
lathhouses and
agricultural building

Table 1.10: Special Loads (NSCP)

USE Vertical Lateral
Category Description Load Load
Pa Pa
1 Construction, Walkway, Canopy 7,200
public access at
the site (Live Load)
2 Grandstands, Seats and 1,750
reviewing stands footboard
and bleacher (live
load)
Gridirons & fly 3,600
galleries
3 Stage accessories Loft block wells 3,650 3,650
Head block wells & 3,650 3,650
sheave beams
4 Ceiling framing Over Stages 1,000
All uses except 500
over stage

Table 1.10: Special Loads (NSCP)

USE Vertical Lateral
Category Description Load Load
Pa Pa
5 Partition & Interior 250
Walls
6 Elevator & 2
dumbwaiter By total loads
(Dead load & Live
load)
7 Mechanical & Total load
 Electrical
equipment
8 Cranes (Dead & Total load including 1.25 0.10
Live load) impact increase By total loads By total loads
Exit Facilities 750
9 Balcony railings, serving an
guardrails and occupant load
handrails greater than 50
Other 300
10 Storage racks Over 2.4 m Total load