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4.3 Torsion

4.3.1 Occurrence and analysis

In Clause 2.4 of BS 8110 Part 2 it is stated that "except where the design relies on
torsional resistance of a member, no specific calculations for torsion will be
necessary".
In normal slab-and-beam or framed construction,
torsional cracking is adequately controlled by shear
reinforcement – this is compatibility torsion.

Design calculations are made when the member is

subjected to a statically determinate torque, as in the
case of the overhanging slab shown where external
load has no alternative to being resisted except by
torsion – this is equilibrium or primary torsion.

In practical cases, torsion will occur in combination

with vertical shear and bending.
Figure 4.28: Compatibility torsion

Figure 4.29: Primary or equilibrium torsion action

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Rigid frame buildings, though three-dimensional, are usually analysed for design as a
series of plane frames in which torsion stiffness is much less than bending stiffness.

Figure 4.30: Three dimensional frame - bending in the end frame causes torsion in the
in side beams

Figure 4.31: Floor system - loading on the intermediate floor beam causes torsion in
the support beams

4.3.2 Calculation of Torsion Rigidity (G x C)

Torsion is governed by the following equation

where: T - the torsion moment

C - the St Venant's torsion constant
G - the shear modulus
 - the rotation per unit length

If torsion rigidity is required in structural analysis or design, BS 8110 Part 2 stipulates

the following:

Torsion rigidity = G x C
G = 0.42 Ec where Ec is modulus of elasticity of concrete.
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C = 1/2 x St. Venant value for plain concrete section.

St. Venant torsion stiffness, C, of a rectangular section is defined by:

C =  hmin3hmax; Equation (1) in BS 8110 (Part 2)

Where;  is a coefficient depending on the ratio, h/b (overall

depth of member divided by the breadth).

Table 2.2: (BS 8110 (Part 2) Values of the coefficient 

hmax/hmin 1 1.5 2 3 5 >5

 0.14 0.20 0.23 0.26 0.29 0.33

Torsion Rigidity = GC = 0.42Ec h3minhmax

The St. Venant torsion stiffness of a non-rectangular section may be obtained by

dividing the section into a series of rectangles and summing the torsional stiffnesses
of these rectangles, viz. [ h3minhmax]. The division of the section should be arranged
so as to maximise the calculated stiffness, viz. maximise (h 3minhmax). This is generally
achieved if the widest rectangle is made as long as possible (see figure below).

Figure 4.32: St. Venant torsion stiffness in a non-rectangular section

4.3.3 Torsion Shear Stresses

In an elastic material, the maximum shear stress due to pure torsion occurs at the
middle of the longer side and is given by:

Where; T is the applied torque

K2 is a constant
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Using the membrane analogy, it is found that the slope of the membrane, covering a
thin wall tube of same shape as section and subjected to pressure, at any point is
proportional to the torsional shear stress, vt, at that point while the volume enclosed
by membrane is proportional to one-half the applied torque T.

In the plastic state when the stress reaches the yield value, the slope of the membrane
is constant and the shear is at its ultimate value, vt.

Figure 4.33: Torsion in rectangular section under ULS

For rectangular sections under ultimate limit state, the torsional shear stress v t at any
section should be calculated assuming a plastic stress distribution which is conical,
pyramidal or roof-shaped thus:
hmax, hmin = section dimensions
vt = ultimate shear stress = slope of membrane
T = ultimate torque = 2 x volume enclosed by membrane
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T-, I- or L-section are divided into their component rectangles such as to maximize
the (hmin3 hmax). The torsion shear stress vt carried by each rectangle may be
calculated by treating them as rectangular sections subjected to torsional moment of
magnitude Ti defined by:

Figure 4.34: Roof-shaped distribution of torsion shear stresses

Figure 4.35: Rectangular and hollow section

For hollow sections, viz. box and other sections, if the wall thickness exceeds one
quarter the overall thickness of the member (t > 0.25h) in the direction of
measurement, the section may be treated like a solid rectangular section; otherwise
refer to specialist literature.

4.3.4 Limit to shear stress

To avoid concrete spalling at covers in small sections, the sum of shear stress
resulting from shear force and torsion is governed by;

(v + vt) ≤ vtu (Table 2.3 BS8110 Part 2)

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In the case of small sections where y1 < 550 mm

vt  vtuy1/550; where y1 is the larger dimension of the link.

Table 4.3 (BS 8110 Part 2) Values of vt,min and vtu

Concrete grade vt,min (N/mm2) vtu (N/mm2)
25 0.33 4.00
30 0.37 4.38
≥ or = 40 0.40 5.00
Note 1. Allowance is made for γm = 1.25 (partial factor of safety)
Note 2. Values for vt,min and vtu(N/mm2) are derived from the equations :

Where the torsion shear stress vt > vt,min in Table 2.3 of BS 8110 Part 2, reinforcement
should be provided. Otherwise no shear reinforcement is required.

Table 4.4 Reinforcement for shear and torsion

Torsion vt ≤ vt,min vt > vt,min
Shear
v ≤ vc -Nominal shear reinforcement, Designed torsion
-No torsion reinforcement reinforcement only
v > vc -Designed shear reinforcement Designed shear and
-No torsion reinforcement torsion reinforcement

4.3.5 Torsion reinforcement

(1) Design considerations

Torsion moments produce shear stress which result in principal tensile stresses
inclined at approximately 45o to the longitudinal axis of the member.

Diagonal
cracking in
spiral form
occurs when
these tensile
stresses exceed
the tensile
strength of the
concrete.

Figure 4.36: Diagonal cracking pattern

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Torsion reinforcement is provided in the form of longitudinal bars spaced around the
perimeter of the section enclosed with links. This steel together with the 45 0 struts of
concrete in compression form an orthogonal space truss which resist torsion.

As the torsional moment increases failure will eventually occur by reinforcement

yielding coupled with crushing of concrete.

Figure 4.37: Orthogonal space truss formed to resist torsion

Assuming that once the torsion shear stress on a section exceeds the value to cause
cracking, tension reinforcement in form of closed links must be provided to resist the
full torsion moment; then tension in the link, Fsv, is defined by:

Where Asv = cross section of two legs.

Figure 4.38: Torsional resistance

Torsion moment for a vertical leg, about the centre:

Torsion moment for a horizontal leg, about the centre:

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Total moment provided by the links

Where links are provided at a distance sv apart, torsion resistance of the system of
links is obtained by multiplying the moment due to each leg in the expression above
by the number of legs crossing each crack, viz y1/sv for vertical leg, and x1/sv for
horizontal leg, thus;

Introducing a coefficient of 0.8 to allow for error in assumptions about the space truss
behaviour;

Thus in additional to any requirement for shear if vt > vt,min, links must be provided
such that;

To ensure proper action of these links, longitudinal bars evenly distributed round the
inside perimeter of the links must be provided. This reinforcement resists the
longitudinal component of the diagonal tension forces and should thus equal in
quantity to the same area as the steel in the links (suitably adjusted to allow differing
strengths); Thus in additional to any requirements for bending provide:

(2) Spacing and type of links

The value sv should not exceed the least of x1, y1/2 or 200mm. The links
should be of closed type as shown below.

Figure 4.39: Closed link

(3) Arrangement of longitudinal torsion reinforcement
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Longitudinal torsion bars should be distributed evenly around the inside perimeter of
the links. The clear distance between these bars should not exceed 300 mm and at
least four bars one in each corner should be used.

In practice, longitudinal steel areas for moment and torsion and the link size and
spacing for shear and torsion are calculated separately and combined.

Torsion reinforcement should extend a distance, at least equal to largest dimension of

the section beyond where it theoretically ceases to be required, viz. anchorage length
≥ hmax.

(4) Arrangement of links in T-, L-, and I-sections

In the component rectangles, the reinforcement cages should be detailed so that they
interlock and tie the component rectangles of the section together. Where the torsional
shear stress in a minor component rectangle does not exceed v t,min, no torsion
reinforcement need be provided in that rectangle.

Figure 4.40: Arrangement of links

Example 4.5

A rectangular beam section has an overall depth of 500 mm and a breath of 300 mm.
It is subjected to an ultimate vertical hogging bending moment of 256 kNm, an
ultimate vertical shear force of 197 kN and a torque of 12 kNm. Design the
longitudinal steel and links required at a section. The materials are of grade 25
concrete and mild steel reinforcement. Provide nominal cover equal to 30 mm.

Solution

(a) Effective dimensions

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y1= 432mm, x1=232mm

(b) Flexural reinforcement (– doubly reinforced section)

- Flexural capacity of a section is governed by moment arm, z

- Reinforcement design

A’s = 269.2 mm2

It should be remembered at this juncture that the longitudinal steel required for torsion
will have to be added to the flexural steel.

(c) Shear reinforcement

- Nominal shear stress, v

- Shear resistance of the section, vc

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vc = 0.855N/mm2 < v =1.47N/mm2 (Table 3.9 BS 8110 Part 1)

vc < v

It should be remembered at this juncture that this shear reinforcement is to be

added to that required for torsion.

Asv/sv = bv(v-vc)/0.87fyv
= 300(1.47-0.855)/0.87x250
= 0.848 mm2/mm

(d) Torsion reinforcement

v + vt = 1.47+0.67 = 2.14N/mm2 < vtu= 4.0N/mm2

vt < vtu . y1/550 = 3.14N/mm2
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(e) Reinforcement schedule

Spacing must satisfy conditions

Bottom reinforcement

Top reinforcement

Side reinforcement
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