TCS 6203: ADVANCED REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN

1.0: BASIS OF DESIGN

Introduction
This Course will apply to design of Buildings and other Civil Engineering Structures in Concrete. The major
emphasis shall be on Buildings. It is to Follow EN 1992, Design of Concrete Structures (Eurocode2). Eurocode 2 is
based on Limit state principles. Eurocode 2 consists of 4 parts
Part 1.1: General rules and rules for buildings
Part 1.2: Structural fire design
Part 2: Reinforced and prestressed concrete bridges
Part 3: Liquid retaining and containment structures
The major emphasis shall be on part 1.1; General rules and rules for buildings; which consists of the following
sections
Section 1: General
Section 2: Basis of design
Section 3: Materials
Section 4: Durability and cover to reinforcement
Section 5: Structural analysis
Section 6: Ultimate limit states
Section 7: Serviceability limit states
Section 8: Detailing of reinforcement and prestressing tendons - General
Section 9: Detailing of members and particular rules
Section 10: Additional rules for precast concrete elements and structures
Section 11: Lightweight aggregate concrete structures
Section 12: Plain and lightly reinforced concrete structures
Annexes
A (Informative): Modification of partial factors for materials
B (Informative) Creep and shrinkage strain
C (Normative) Reinforcement properties

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I (Informative) Detailed calculation method for prestressing steel relaxation losses
J (Informative) Indicative Strength Classes for durability
D (Informative) Reinforcement expressions for in-plane stress conditions
E (Informative) Soil structure interaction
F (Informative) Global second order effects in structures
G (Informative) Analysis of flat slabs and shear walls
H (Informative) Examples of regions with discontinuity in geometry or action

Other Codes to Be referred to

EN1990 Basis of Structural Design (Eurocode 0)
EN1991 Action on Structures (Eurocode 1)
EN1997 Geotechnical design (Eurocode 7)
EN1992, Part 1.2 Structural Fire Design
EN206 Concrete; Specification, Performance, Production and Conformity
EN 10080 Steel for the reinforcement of concrete

Principles and Application Rules

The clauses in EN1992 are divided into principles and application rules
Principles
 Principles are general statements, definitions, requirements and models for which no alternative is
permitted
 Principles are indicated by the letter P after the clause number
Application Rules
 Application rules are generally recognized rules which follow the statements and satisfy the requirements
of the principles
 The clauses number without a letter P are application rules
Nationally Determined Parameters
 EN1992 allows some parameters and design methods to be determined at the national level
 Where a nationally determined parameter is allowed, it is shown in a note in the normative text under the
relevant clause
 In this course the UK national Annex to Eurocode 2 shall be used

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Limit state design
Designed such that the structure will not become unfit for its intended use, ie it will not reach its limit state.
Two limit states are considered.
(a) Ultimate Limit State
(b) Serviceability limit state

Ultimate Limit State

Design such that it will not collapse, buckle, overturn, and withstand accidental damage.

Serviceability Limit States

(a) Deflection; appearance, or efficiency must not be affected by deflection
(b) Cracking; damage due to cracking must not affect the appearance, efficiency or durability of the
structure
(c) Durability; Considers proposed life of structure and its exposure conditions
(d) Fire Resistance; considered in terms of resistance to collapse, flame penetration, and heat transfer
(e) Excessive Vibration; Vibrations should not cause discomfort, alarm or damage
(f) Fatigue; considered if cyclic loading is likely
(g) Special circumstances such as earthquake.

Structures except water retaining structures are designed based on ultimate limit state and checked for
serviceability limit state. Durability and Fire resistance influence initial member sizing and concrete grade.

Characteristic Material Strength

 For a given material (steel or concrete) if a large number is tested, the distribution of strength will
be approximately normal.
 The characteristic strength is taken as the value below which 5% of the results fall
f k  f m  1.64 s
(1)
Where;
fk = characteristic strength

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 fm = mean strength

s = standard deviation

Number of
test Specimen

fk fm Strength

Characteristic Actions
These are actions above which only 5% of the expected loads fall
Characteristic Load  Mean Load  1.64 s
The lower value of the characteristic actions applies when considering stability.
EN1991, (Eurocode 1) gives design guidance and actions for the structural design of buildingsand civil
Engineering works including geotechnical aspects for the following;
(i) Densities of construction materials and stored materials
(ii) Self weight of construction works
(iii) Imposed loads on buildings

Partial Factors of Safety for Materials γ m 

Characteri stic strength  f k 
Design strength 
Partial factor of safety  m  (2)

The partial safety factor for materials are given in Table1.1, [extracted from 2.1 of EC2]

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 Table 1.1: Partial Safety Factor for Materials
Limit State γ c for concrete γ s for steel

Ultimate Limit State 1.5 1.15

Serviceability Limit State 1.0 1.0

Partial Safety Factor for Loads γ f 

The partial safety factors cater for errors and inaccuracies arising from;
(i) Design assumptions and calculations
(ii) Possible unusual load increases
(iii) Unforeseen stress distribution
(iv) Constructional inaccuracies

Design Actions (Clause 2.4.1)

The design value of an action Fd  is obtained by multiplying the representative value Frep by the partial

safety factor for the action γ f  .

Fd   f Frep (3)

Table 1.2 and 1.3 show values of partial safety factors for permanent and variable loads for the ultimate
limit state of strength and equilibrium

Table 1.2: Load Combinations and partial Safety Factors for Ultimate Limit State of Strength
Limit State /Load Combination Load Type
Permanent Load Imposed Load Wind Load
Unfavourable Favourable Unfavourable Favourable
Permanent & Variable 1.35 / 1.35 1.0 1.5 0 -
Permanent & Wind 1.35 / 1.35 1.0 - - 1.5
Permanent, Imposed & Wind (a) 1.35 1.0 1.5 0,1 0 1.5 0, 2

Permanent, Imposed & Wind (a) 1.35 / 1.35 1.0 1.5 0 1.5 0

Permanent, Imposed & Wind (a) 1.35 / 1.35 1.0 1.5 0 0 1.5

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 Table 1.3: Partial Safety Factors for Ultimate Limit State of Equilibrium
Limit State /Load Combination Load Type
Permanent Load Imposed Load Wind Load
Unfavourable Favourable Unfavourable Favourable Unfavourable
Equilibrium 1.10 0.9 1.5 0 1.5 0

In equation (3) Frep may be any of the following:

(i) The characteristic value of a permanent or leading variable action Fk 

(ii) The accompanying value Fk  of a variable action

The accompanying value of a variable action may be a combination of;
(i) The combination value  0 Fk 

(ii) The frequent value  1 Fk 

(iii) The quasi –permanent value  2 Fk 

The frequent and the quasi –permanent values are used to determine values of accidental actions such as
impact and explosions, and to check serviceability criteria (deflection and cracking)
The combination, frequent, quasi permanent factors are obtained from Table A1.1 of EN1990

The Combination Factor

 The combination factor  0 takes account of the fact that where a structure is subject to two

independent variable actions, it is unlikely that both will reach their maximum value simultaneously.
 It is assumed that the leading variable action Qk ,1  is at its maximum value and any

accompanying variable action will attain a reduced value  0 Qk , 2 

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Load Combinations
Assuming the structure is subjected to both permanent and a single variable action for example (Dead +
imposed load or Dead + wind Load), The design value of action effects Ed ,[ based on equation 6.10 of
EN1990] is given by:
Ed    G , j Gk , j   Q ,1Qk ,1 (4)
j 1

Using the partial factors from Table 1.2

Ed  1.35Gk  1.5Qk (5)
This corresponds to load combination (1) and (2) in Table 1.2

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The design value Ed Ed ,[ based on equation 6.10 of EN1990] of an action effect due to permanent and
two (or more) variable actions for example dead plus imposed plus wind is given by equation 6
Ed    G , j Gk , j   Q ,1Qk ,1    Q ,i 0,i Qk ,i (6)
j 1 i 1

Equation (6) yields two or more estimates of the design action and the higher one is selected for design.
For example if a structure is subjected to permanent Gk , imposed office, Qk and wind loads, Wk the
values of the design actions are;
Ed  1.35Gk  1.5Qk  1.50.5Wk  (7) [load combination 3(b)in table 1.2]

E Ed  1.35Gk  1.50.7Qk   1.5Wk (8) [load combination 3(c)in table 1.2]

For improving the structural Efficiency EN1990 give two alternative equations, equations 6.10 and 6.10b
reproduced below as equations (9) and (10) respectively.
E d    G , j Gk , j   Q ,1 0,1Qk ,1    Q ,i 0,i Qk ,i (9)
j 1 i 1

E d    G , j Gk , j   Q ,1Qk ,1    Q ,i 0,i Qk ,i (10)

j 1 i 1

Where:
  0.925 , is a reduction factor for unfavourable permanent action

 Equation (9) yields only one estimate of Ed ; [Load combination 3(a)]

 Equation (10) yields two equations; [load combination 3(b) and 3(c)]

Load Combinations and partial Safety Factors for Serviceability Limit State
Limit State /Load Combination Load Type
Permanent Load Imposed Load Wind Load
Permanent & Variable 1.0 1.0 -
Permanent & Wind 1.0 - 1.0
Permanent, Imposed & Wind 1.0 0.9 0.9

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The favourable and unfavourable combinations in Table 1.2 are obtained from Table A1.2A of EN1990

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 2.0: PROPERTIES OF REINFORCED CONCRETE & ITS MATERIALS

S/N Property Concrete Steel

1 Strength in tension Poor 1.6  5.0N/mm 2  Very Good 400  600N/mm 2 
2 Strength in Compression Good 15  90N/mm 2  Very Good 400  600N/mm 2 
3 Strength in Shear Fair Good
4 Durability Good Corrodes if unprotected
5 Fire Resistance Good Poor

 Concrete is assumed not to carry tensile stresses.

 Reinforcement is designed to carry all tensile stresses.
 The stresses are transferred by bond between the interface of the two materials
 Perfect bond is assumed such that the strain in reinforcement is the same as that in adjacent
concrete.
 The coefficient of thermal expansion for steel and concrete are of the same order of
10x10 6 per 0 C and 7  12x10 6 per 0 C respectively, therefore no stresses/strains arise from
differential expansion of the two materials over normal temperature ranges.

Concrete
Strength
 The characteristic strength of concrete is the strength below which no more than 5% of the cylinder
strength f ck samples at 28 days fall

 The characteristic Strength are given in Table 3.1 of EC2

 The strength of concrete increases throughout the life of the structure. But the 28 day strength is
used in design.
Concrete Strength at a time (t)
The compressive strength of concrete at a an age t depends on:
(i) Type of cement
(ii) Temperature
(iii) Curing conditions.

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The concrete compressive strength f ck t  at a time t is given by:

f ck t   f cm t   8MPa  for 3  t  28 days

f ck t   f ck for t  28 days

For a mean temperature of 20 0 C and curing in accordance with EN12390 , f cm t  is obtained from
equations 3.1 and 3.2
f cm t   βcc t  f cm (3.1)

  
 28  2  
1

 cc t   exps 1      (3.2)
   t   

Where:
f cm t  = is the mean concrete compressive strength at an age t days

f cm = is the mean compressive strength at 28 days from table 3.1

 cc t  = is a coefficient which depends on the age of concrete t

t = is the age of concrete in days

s = is a coefficient that depends on the type of cement
 = 0.2 for cement strength classes CEM (42.5R.52.5R.52.5N)
 = 0.25 for cement strength classes CEM(32.5R, 42.5N)
 = 0.38 for cement strength class CEM 32.5N
Tensile Strength of Concrete
The tensile strength is determined as a result of splitting tensile strength, f ct.sp . The axial tensile strength is

given by equation 3.3.

f ct  0.9 f ct ,sp (3.3)

Development of tensile strength depends on:

(i) Curing
(ii) Drying Conditions
(iii) Dimensions of the structural members

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Page 12 of 18
The tensile strength is given by equation 3.4
f ctm t    cc t  . f ctm (3.4)


Where
  
 28  2  
1

 cc t   exps 1     
   t   
(3.2)
  1 for t  28 days

 2 for t  28 days
3
f ctm are given in table 3.1

Flexural Tensile Strength (Clause 3.1.8)

The mean flexural tensile strength of reinforcement members is given by equation (3.23)
 h  
f ctm, fl  max1.6   f ctm ; f ctm 
 1000  
Where:
h = is the total member depth in mm
f ctm = is the mean axial tensile strength from table 3.1

Stress Strain Curve for Non Linear Structural Analysis (clause 3.1.5)
The stress-strain curve for non linear analysis is given in Figure 3.2 and equation 3.14
c k   2
 (3.14)
f cm 1  k  2
Where;
c

 c1

 c1 = is the strain at peak stress according to table 3.1

k  1.05 Ecm .
 c1  = 1.05
f ctm

f ctm is obtained from table 3.1

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Design Compressive and Tensile Strength of Concrete (Clause 3.1.6)
The value of design compressive strength is given by equation (3.15)
 cc f ck
f cd  (3.15)
c
Where:
 c  1.5 ; is the partial safety factor for concrete

 cc  0.85 ; is a coefficient taking into account of long term effects on the compressive strength and of
unfavourable effects resulting from the way the load is applied.

The value of the design tensile strength is given by equation (3.16)

 ctd f ctk , 0.05
f ctd  (3.16)
c
Where:
 c  1.5 ; is the partial safety factor for concrete

 cc  1.0 ; is a coefficient taking into account of long term effects on the tensile strength and of
unfavourable effects resulting from the way the load is applied.

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Stress-Strain relations for design of cross sections
For design of cross sections equation (3.17), (3.18) and Figure 3.3 are used
   n 
 c  f cd 1  1  c   for 0   c   c 2 (3.17)
   c1  

 c  f cd for  c 2   c   cu 2
(3.18)
Where:
n is the exponent according to Table 3.1
B
 cu 2 is the ultimate strain according to Table 3.1

Modulus of Elasticity of Concrete (Clause 3.1.3.(2))

 It is controlled by the moduli of elasticity of its components.
 The modulus of elasticity is approximately the secant value between   0 and   0.4 f cm

 For concretes with Quartzite aggregates, Ecm are given in Table 3.1

 For concretes with limestone aggregates, Ecm are 0.9 x values in Table 3.1

 For concretes with Sandstone aggregates, Ecm are 0.7x values in Table 3.1

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  For concretes with Basalt aggregates, Ecm are 1.2x values in Table 3.1

 Variation of modulus of elasticity with time is given by equation 3.5

 f t  
0 .3

Ecm t    cm  Ecm (3.5)

 f cm 

Poisson’s Ratio (Clause 3.1.3.(4))

Poisson’s ratio   0.2 for uncracked concrete,   0 for cracked concrete

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (Clause 3.1.3.(5))

The linear coefficient of thermal expansion,   10 x10 6 K 1

Reinforcing Steel
The behaviour of Reinforcing steel is specified by the following properties;
(i) 
Yield Strength f yk or f 0.2 k 
(ii) Maximum actual yield strength
(iii) Tensile strength
(iv) Ductility
(v) Bendability
(vi) Bon Characteristics (Annex C)
(vii) Section Sizes & Tolerances
(viii) Fatigue Strength
(ix) Weld ability (Table 3.4)
(x) Shear and Weld strength for Welded Fabric & lattice girders.
EC2 applies to ribbed and weldable reinforcement

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Strength of Reinforcement (clause 3.2.3)
 The yield strength f yk , or 0.2% proof stress f 0.2 k are the characteristic value of the yield load

divided by the nominal cross sectional area.

 The tensile strength f tk is the characteristic maximum load in direct axial tension divided by the
nominal cross sectional area.
 The application rules for design an detailing are valid for yield strength range
f yk  400  600MPa

 The stress Strain curve for hot rolled and cold worked steel is given in Figure 3.7
Ductility Characteristics of Steel
Ductility is defined by:
 
(i) The ratio of tensile strength to the yield stress  f tk 
 f yk 

(ii) The elongation at maximum force  uk

 
The values of  f tk  and  uk for class A, B and C are given in Annex C
 f yk 

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