ANALYSIS OF

REINFORCED
CONCRETE BEAM

Architectural Structures
Ar. Elviro T. Apuya
 Basic Assumptions in Flexural Theory for Reinforced concrete
If a beam is made of homogenous and linearly elastic material, the maximum bending stress can be obtained by
using the flexural formula MC
f=
I
At ultimate load, the reinforced concrete is neither homogenous nor elastic, thereby making the expression not
applicable in evaluating for stresses, but the basic principles of the theory of bending can still be used to analyzed
the reinforced concrete beams. The following assumptions are used in defining the behavior of a reinforced
concrete beam.

1. Strain distribution is assumed to be linear. This assumption is based on Bernoullis hypothesis that plane
sections before bending remain plane and perpendicular to the neutral axis after bending.

2. Strain in the steel and surrounding concrete is the same prior to the cracking of concrete or yielding of
steel.

3. Concrete is weak in tension. Tensile strength of concrete is neglected in the flexural analysis and design
computations, and the tension reinforcement is assumed to take all the total tensile force.
 Basic Assumptions in Flexural Theory for Reinforced concrete
4. Strain in reinforcement and concrete shall be assumed directly proportional to the distance from the
neutral axis except for deep flexual members with overall depth to clear span ratios greater than 2/5 for
continuous spans and 4/5 for simple spans, a non linear distribution of strain shall be considered. The
maximum usable strain at extreme concrete compression fiber shall be assumed to be 0.003.

5. Stress in reinforcement below specified yield strength fy for grade reinforcement used shall be taken as Es
f =E
times steel strain that is s s ε. For strains greater than that corresponding to fy, stress in
reinforcement shall be considered independent of strain and equal to fy.

6. Concrete stress of 0.85 fc' shall be assumed uniformly distributed over an equivalent compression zone
bounded by the edges of the cross section and a straight line located parallel to the neutral axis at a distance
a = βc from the fiber of maximum compressive strain.

7. Distance c from fiber of maximum strain to the neutral axis shall be measured in a direction perpendicular to
the axis.

8. Based on 2010 NSCP Specifications, factor β shall be taken as 0.85 for concrete strengths fc' up to and
including 28 MPa.
 NOTE 2010 NSCP SPECIFCATIONS

The factor β shall be taken as follows:

a. β = 0.85 for fc' ≤ 28 MPa

b. β = 0.85-
0.05 (fc' - 28) but not less than 0.65
7
c. β = 0.65 for fc' > 56 MPa

The actual distribution of the compressive stress in a beam section has the form of a rising
parabola. For parabolic shape of stress block, it is difficult to evaluate the volume of the
compressive stress block so an equivalent rectangular stress block by Whitney having a depth
"a" and average compressive strength of 0.85 fc' is more equivalent that that of the parabolic
form but by applying the β factor in solving for "a" makes the area of the equivalent rectangular
block the same as that of the parabolic compressive block.
Three types of reinforced concrete beams, depending
on the type of failure, that is the yielding of steel or
crushing of the concrete.

1. Balanced section:
In a balanced section, steel starts yielding when the concrete
just reaches its ultimate strain capacity and commences to
crush. At the start of failure, the permissible extreme fiber
compressive strain is 0.003 while the tensile strain in the steel
equals the yield strain εy = fy
Es

0.003 εy
= 600 (d- cb) = cbfy
cb d-c

cbfy cb = 600 d
0.003 (d- cb) = 600 + fy
Es

cbfy
0.003 (d-c ) =
b 200000
Three types of reinforced concrete beams, depending
on the type of failure, that is the yielding of steel or
crushing of the concrete.

2. Over reinforced section:

In over reinforced section, failure occurs by initial crushing of
the concrete. At the start of failure, the steel strain εs will be
lower than the yield strain hence the steel stress fs will be
lower than its yielded strength fy.

This condition occurs when there are more reinforcement at

the tension side than that required for balanced condition. In
this condition, concrete crushes before steel yields and
concrete failure is sudden since it is a brittle material. It is nt
recommended to have a designed based on this condition.
From the strain diagram shown shows the relation of the yield
strain of steel εy and steel in ε s .
Three types of reinforced concrete beams, depending
on the type of failure, that is the yielding of steel or
crushing of the concrete.

3. Under reinforced section:

In under reinforced section, failure occurs by initial yielding of
the steel. The steel continues to stretch as the steel strain
increases beyond the yield strain εy. This condition occurs
when the area of tension reinforcement used in the beam is
less than that required for the balanced strain condition.

Almost all codes of practice recommend designing under

reinforced beams to provide sufficient warning such as
excessive deflection before failure. From the strain diagram
shown, shows that the relation of the yield strain to steel εy
and steel strain εs .
Balanced Steel Ratio
The area of tension steel required to cause a yield
strain εy when the strain in the extreme concrete
fiber is equal to the max. usable compression strain
0.003.

cb d ρb = Asb
=
0.003 εy + 0.003
bd

ρ 0.85 fc ' β b c b
d (0.003) b =
cb =
bd fy
(εy + 0.003)

0.85 fc ' β d (0.003)

T=C ρb =

d fy (εy + 0.003)

Asb fy = 0.85 f c ' ab

0.85 f c ' β
where a = β c
ρb = (0.003)
Balanced Steel Ratio:

fy
( Es
) fy
+ 0.003

0.85 fc ' β (600)

ρ =
Asb fy = 0.85 fc ' β cb b b


fy (f y + 600)
0.85 fc ' β (0.003) (200000)
ρb =
Asb = 0.85 f c' β b cb
fy

fy [ fy + 200000 (0.003) ]
Recommended Steel Ratio in Determining c d
the Steel Area Requirement for Beams =
0.003 0.008 As β (0.85) fc' (0.003)
=
Reinforced for Tension only bd fy (0.008)
0.003d
To obtain a reduction factor of 0.90, the max. c= 0.008
reinforcement ratio corresponding to a net tensile

T=C (0.85 fc ' β) (0.003)

strain of 0.005 must be equal to: ρ=

fy (0.008)

Asbfy = 0.85 fc' ab
(0.85 fc' β) (0.003)
ρ=

fy (0.008)
where a = β c

0.85 fc' ab = As fy

0.85 fc' β c b = As fy

As 0.85 fc'
=
βcb fy

As 0.85 fc'
=
β b (0.003) d fy
0.008


Maximum Steel Ratio (ρmax) Minimum Steel Ratio:

ρmax = 0.75 ρb
√fc' 1.4

ρmin = but not less than

4
fy fy
Where:

ρb = 0.85 fc' β (600)

fy (fy + 600) Minimum Steel Area:

As (min) = ρmin bw d
Max. Steel Ratio:

√fc' 1.4
As (min) = bw d but not less than bw d
To ensure that concrete beams fail in a ductile 4
fy fy
manner, the code requires that beams in regions of
low seismic activity be reinforced with an area of
steel As not greater than 0.75 Asb
Where:



fc' = 28 day compressive strength of concrete (MPa)
As (max) = 0.75 ρb bw d fy = yield strength of steel reinforcement (MPa)

bw = the width of beam (mm)
As(max)= ρmaxbw d d = effective depth of beam (mm)

Minimum Steel Area when Flexure produces Design of Singly Reinforced Rectangular
Tension in the Flange of a Statically Beam
Determinate T-Beam

The minimum steel area required is equal to or

greater than the smaller values of:

√fc'
As (min) = bw d

2 fy

√fc'
As (min) = bw d

4 fy

Where:
bw = width of web (mm)
d = effective depth (mm)
T=C ρ 2
fy [1 - 0.59ω
[
M u = θ As fy (d- a/2) Mu = θ (0.85) bd
As fy = 0.85 fc' ab ρ fy d [
[
M u = θ As fy d- M u = θ (0.85) bd 2 ω fc' [1 - 0.59ω
[
0.85 fc' (2)

M u = θ As fy d- ω d Mu = θ (0.85) fc' bd2 ω[1 -0.59ω

[
[
[
a = As fy
1.7
0.85 fc' b
ω
[
Mu = θ A f
s y d 1 -[ 1.7
ω = ρ fy
M u = θ As fy d [1 - 0.59ω
[
fc'

As ω fc'
=ρ ρ=
bd fy

ρ bd fy = ω fc'
a = fy
0.85 fc' b fy

ρ fy d
a = As = ρ bd
0.85 fc'
Coefficient of Resistance Ultimate Moment Capacity:

R n = fc' ω (1 -0.59ω Mu = θ As fy (d- a/2)

(

Rn = coefficient of resistance M u = θ Mn
2
Mu = θ bd Rn

Where:
Mu
Rn = As = the area of steel in tension
2
θ bd
fy = the yield stress of reinforcing steel
d = effective depth of the beam
a = depth of compressive block
Nominal Moment Capacity:
Ma = nominal moment
Mu = ultimate moment or factored moment
Mn = As fy (d- a/2)
Distribution of Flexural Reinforcement to Control Flexural Cracking in Beams and One Way Slab
Spacing limits for Reinforcement:
3. When parallel reinforcement is placed in two or
1. The spacing "s" pf reinforcement closest to a more layers, bars in the upper layers shall be
surface in tension shall not exceed that given placed directly above bras in the bottom layer with
by: 280 -2.5 C
( clear distance between layers not less than 25 mm.
S = 380 ( fs
c

4. In spirally reinforced or tied reinforced

( 280 compression members shall not be less than 1.5 db
(
But not greater than 300 , where C s is the
fs
least distance from the surface of reinforcement to or less than 40 mm.
the extreme tension face. Calculated stress in
reinforcement fs in MPa closest to the tension face 5. Clear distance limitation between bars shall
shall be computed on the unfactored moment. It apply also to clear distance between a contact lap
shall be permitted to take fs= 23 fy splice and adjacent splices or bars.

2. Min. clear spacing between parallel bars in a 6. In walls and slabs other than concrete joist
layer shall be d b but not less than 25 mm. construction primary flexural reinforcement shall
not be spaced farther apart 3 times the wall or slab
thickness not farther than 450 mm.

Bundled Bars:
1. Groups of parallel reinforcing bars
bundled in contact to set as a unit
shall be limited to four (4) bars in
one bundle.
2. Bundled bars shall be enclosed
within stirrups or ties.
3. Bars larger than 36 mm diameter
shall not be bundled in beams.
4. Individual bars within a bundle
terminated within the span of
flexural members shall be
terminate at different points with
at least 40 db stagger.
5. Where spacing limitations and
minimum concrete cover are
based on bar diameter d b a unit of
bundled bars shall be treated as a
single bar of a diameter derive fom
the equivalent total area.
CONRETE POTECTION FOR REINFORCING BARS
Minimum cover for Cast in Place Concrete
(Non pre stressed)
1. Concrete cast against and permannently 75 mm
exposed to the earth
2. Concrete exposed to earth or weather
a. 20 mm θ through 36 mm θ bars 50 mm
b. 16 mm θ bar, MW200 or MD200 wire and smaller 40 mm
3. Concrete not exposed to weather or in contact
with the ground.
a. Slabs, wall, joists:
40 mm
42 mm θ and 58 mm θ bars
20 mm
36 mm θ and smaller
b. Beams, columns:
Primary reinforcement, ties, stirrups, spirals 40 mm
c. Shells, folded plate mebers
20 mm θ bars and larger 20 mm
16 mm θ bars, MW200 or MD200 wire and smaller 12 mm
4. For bundled bars, the minimum concrete cover shall not be less than the equivalent
diameter of the bundle, but need not be greater than 50 mm, except for concrete cast
against and permanently exposed to earth, minimum cover shall not be less than 75 mm

Steps in Design of Rectangular Beam Reinforced for Tension only

Step 1: Compute for the ultimate moment: (0.85 fc' β) (0.003)

Step 3: Assume ρ=

fy (0.008)
Mu = 1.2 MD + 1.6 M L
The max. reinforcement ratio corresponding to a
Step 2: Compute the balanced steel ratio net tensile strain of 0.005 in order to obtain a
reduction factor of 0.90

0.85 fc' β 600

ρb =

fy (+ 600 fy )
The factor β shall be taken as follows: Step 4: Compute
the max. steel

ratio
ρmax = 0.75 ρb
a. β = 0.85 for fc' ≤ 28 MPa

0.05(fc ' - 28) Step 5: Compute the tension reinforcment index:

b. β = 0.85 - but not less than 0.65
7 fy
ω =ρ
c. β = 0.65 for f ' > 56 MPa fc'
c
Step 6: Compute for the coefficient of resistance. Step 9: Try bar diameter: Db solve for number of bars N

Mu = θ fc' ω bd 2 (1 - 0.59) π Db2 N = As

4
R n = fc' ω (1 -0.59 ω)
As(4)
N= π D2
b

Step 7: Trial area of Beam.

Check for actual ρ and compare with ρmm and
Step 10:
Mu ρmax
2
bd =
θ Rn

As 1.4
ρ= ρmin =
d bd fy
make b = (roughly)

ρmax = 0.75 ρb


ρmin ρ ρmax
> >

Step 8: Solve for As: (steel area)

0.85 fc' β (600)

ρmax = (0.75)

fy (600 +f y)
As = ρ bd

The beam is under reinforced: fs = fy