STRUCTURAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A

6.7m CANTILEVER GALLERY

BY

ENGR. (DR.) VICTOR O. OYENUGA, PPNIStructE, FNSE, FNIStructE, FNICE, FNIHTE, MNIOB
Chief Executive Officer: Vasons Concept Consultants Ltd.
(Consulting Engineers and Town Planners)
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Some architectural designs pose a huge pressure on the thinking faculty of the Structural Engineer to achieve both a
safe and yet economical structure. Such structures include cantilevered galleries and cantilevered rooms.

These are required either to allow for more space over the ground level which cannot be accommodated at the ground
floor because of town and physical planning restrictions and setbacks or simply to provide additional space as in the
case discussed here under.

The central theory behind their design is that the cantilever must be provided with adequate tie-back structure to
prevent uplift due to negative shear that can develop at the other support. The tie-back beams must be longer than the
cantilever beam and loaded, with the other end encastred (fixed) into the supporting column.

2.0 TYPES OF FRAMES

The author has encountered about four of such in practice and had been involved in the design and construction
supervision of three of them. These include:

• A 6.7m cantilever gallery to sit 150students. The required space was for 450students in the Faculty of Law of
a private University and only 300students can be accommodated at the raked and elevated ground floor level
due to space constraint.

• A 3.0m by 3.6m (L x B) cantilever room to be used as a private library.

• Cantilevered rooms on 2nd and 3rd Floors of a multi-purpose Alumni-building of a College of Technology and

• Multi-level Conference hall such as the World Hall, opposite CNN Headquarters, Atlanta, Georgia.

The sketches in Figures 1 through 4 show the various types as described above and Plates 1 through 3 revealed the
pictures of some of such buildings.

Figure 1: A Cantilevered Gallery. Figure 2: A cantilevered Room.

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 L1

L1 > L2

Figure 3: Multi-level Floor Cantilever. Figure 4: Multi-level Gallery Hall.

Plate 1: A building with a Cantilever Room

1st Floor
1st Floor
r

Plate 3: A building with Cantilever Rooms on 2nd

Plate 2: A building with a Cantilevered Gallery and 3rd Floors.

The black colour shows the essential frames (columns and beams) for each of the Cases. The tie-back here is well
evident. In the cases of Figures 3 and 4, the external façade will also be framed.

The discussions and design following elucidate the design procedure that is typical for each. However, the case
considered here is that as illustrated in Figure 1 and Plate 1.

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 3.0 DESIGN OF A TYPICAL MIDDLE FRAME.

3.1 DESIGN PHILOSOPHY

This design will be based on the Limit States design philosophy of Ultimate and Serviceability as enunciated in
Eurocode 2 – Design of Concrete Structures with cross references to Eurocode 1 – Actions on Structures and Eurocode
– Basis of Structural Design.

3.2 STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS AND DESIGN.

The case for consideration here is a university faculty building theater to accommodate 450students. Unfortunately,
only 300students can be accommodated at the raised ground floor as shown in Figure 5 and the rest to be on a
cantilevered gallery as shown in Figure 6. Figure 7 shows the general section while Figure 8 is the enlarged Section
after agreeing with the Architect on how to support the cantilevered gallery.

Figure 5: Lower Floor Sitting Area.

Figure 6: Gallery Sitting Area.

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 A Column previously
inserted by the Architect.

Figure 7: General Section.

Figure 8: Enlarged Section as Finalized with the Architect.

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For clarity, the actual gallery structural layout is as shown in Figure 9 since this is a live project not a theoretical one.

Figure 9: Gallery Layout.

The typical frame on gridline D is designed to illustrate the procedure. The frame beam size is 1350 by 600mm and
the main column size is 600mm by 600mm.

The force diagram for the analysis is as shown in Figure 10.

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3.2.1 Analysis
Figure 10: Force Diagram of Gallery Beam on Gridline D.
P1kN P2kN P3kN P4kN
wkN/m wkN/m

4605 4450 3225

1350 9055 6450

LOADING:
Library live load = 5.0kN/m2.
Galleries live load = 5.0kN.m2.

Udl – Library area.

Slab own load = 3.60kN/m2.
Finishes = 1.20 ,,
Partition allowance = 1.00 ,,
Total dead load = 5.80kN/m2.
Thus, total ultimate load per m, F = 5.80 x 1.35 + 5.0 x 1.50 kN/m per m run.
= 15.33kN/m2 , say, 15.50kN/m per m run.
Udl – Gallery area.
Step is 1250 by 300mm.
Slab own load = 3.60kN/m2.
Finishes, say = 2.20 ,, (to allow for permanent seats)
Step 0.5 x 0.3 x 24 = 3.60 ,,
Slope factor = 1.03.
Thus, total load per m, F = ((5.80 x 1.03) + 3.60) x 1.35 + 5.0 x 1.50 kN/m per m run.
= 20.425kN/m2, say, 20.50kN/m per m run.
Udl – Beam own load.
Own load 1.2 x 0.6 x 24 x 1.35 = 23.33kN/m.
Finishes 3.3 x 0.3 x 1.35 = 1.34 ,,
Total = 24.76kN/m., say, 25kN/m.

Point Load P1
Roof loading: 2.25(0.6 +1.350/2)(7.5 + 6.41)/2 = 19.95kN.
Roof beam 5.0 (7.5+6.411)/2 = 34.78kN.
Col own, say = 10.00kN.
So, the total point load, P1, = 19.95 + 34.78 + 10 = 64.73kN., say = 65kN.

Point Load P2
Slab own load 15.5(9.055)/2 = 70.17kN/m.
Beam own load and finishes = 5.00 ,,
Total = 75.17kN/m.
So, the total point load, P2, 75.17 x (7.5 + 5.541)/2 = 490.15kN say = 490kN.

Point Load P3
Slab own load 20.5 x 3.225 = 66.11kN/m.
Beam own load and finishes = 5.00 ,,
Total = 71.11kN/m.
So, the total point load, P3, 71.11 x (7.5 + 4.085)/2 = 411.9kN say = 412kN.

Point Load P4
Slab own load 20.5 x 3.225/2 = 33.05kN/m.
Beam own load and finishes = 5.00 ,,
Total = 38.05kN/m.
So, the total point load, P4, 38.05 x (7.5 + 3.535)/2 = 209.94kN say = 210kN.

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Thus, we have:

Figure 11: Beam Force Diagram of Gallery Beam on Gridline D.

65kN 490kN 412kN 210kN

25kN/m 25kN/m

4605 4450 3225

1350 9055 6450

1 3
Bending Moment.
M1 = 65 x 1.35 + 25 x 1.352 x 0.5 = 111kN.m.
M3 = (210 x 6.450) + (412 x 3.225) + (25 x 6.452 x 0.5) = 3203kN.m.
490 𝑥 4.605 𝑥 4.450 4.528
Mfreespan (at the midspan) = 25 x 9.0552 x 0.125 + 𝑥 = 1,346.60kN.m
9.055 4.605
490 𝑥 4.605 𝑥 4.450
Mfreespan (at the 490kN) = 25 x 9.055 x 0.5 x 4.605 – 25 x 4.6052 x 0.5 + = 1,365.06kN.m.
9.055
Using the higher value at the point load, being maximum, because the udl is small and the point load is large. The span
free span moment = 1,365.06kN.m. or 1365kN.m.

Based on the principle of superimposition, we have the following Bending Moment Diagram shown in Figure 12.

Figure 12: Bending Moment Diagram of Gallery Beam on Gridline D.

3203kN.m

111kN.m
318.5kN.m

1.35.m 9.055m 6.45m

Mspan = 1365 - [111 + (4.605/9.055)x(3203 – 111)] = -318.5kN.m.

Thus, because of the large right overhang moment the entire frame span moment is negative. In this case the free span
moment value is used in designing for the span reinforcements, that is, 1365kN., and because the section is very large
the beam can be considered as rectangular even at the midspan. Note that in fact, the section is in tension even at this
midspan, in reality at the ultimate loading.

Shear
V1,left = 65 + 1.35 x 25 = 98.75kN.
25 𝑥 9.055 490 𝑥 4.45 (111 − 3203)
V1,right = + + = 12.525kN.
2 9.055 9.055
25 𝑥 9.055 490 𝑥 4.605 (3203−111)
V3,left = + + = 703.850kN.
2 9.055 9.055
V3,right = 210 + 412 + 25 x 6.45 = 783.25kN.

Reactions and Loads.

Reaction at gl 1 = 98.75 + 12.525 = 111.275kN.
Reatction at gl. 3 = 703.850 + 783.250 = 1,487.10
Summation of Reactions = 111.275 + 1,487.10 = 1,598.375kN
Summation of Loads = 65 + 490. + 412 + 210 + 25(1.35 + 9.055 + 6.450) = 1,598.37kN. OK
Thus ∑ 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 = ∑ 𝐿𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑠 OK.

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3.2.2 Design

The design values are as shown in Table 1

Table 1: Design Parameters.

S/N SECTION MOMENT, MEd, – kN.m. SHEAR, V, –
kN.
1. Span 1 -318.5, 1,365.0 (Simply supported) Left Right
Support 1 -111.0 98.75 12.52
Support 3 -3203.0 703.85 783.25

Span Reinforcements: MEd = 1,365kN. Section is 1350 x 600mm.

1365 𝑥 106
K = = 0.067, thus, la = 0.937 and
20 𝑥 600 𝑥 13002
1365 𝑥 106
As = = 3142mm2.
0.87 𝑥 410 𝑥 0.937 𝑥 1300
Provide 3 – Y32mm + 2 – Y25mm bars Btm. (3394mm2).

Supports Reinforcements: Support 1, MEd = 318kN.m. This is nominal.

Minimum Steel = 0.004 x 600 x 1300 = 3120mm2.
Provide 3 – Y32mm + 2 – Y25mm bars Top. (3394mm2).

Support 3, MEd = 3203kN.m.

3203 𝑥 106
K = = 0.158, thus, la = 0.832 and
20 𝑥 600 𝑥 13002
3203 𝑥 106
As = = 8302mm2.
0.87 𝑥 410 𝑥 0.832 𝑥 1300
Provide 8 – Y32mm + 4 – Y25mm bars Top. (8,396mm2).
Percent steel provided = 8,396 x 102/(600 x 1300) = 1.076% OK.

Shear Reinforcements.
The following procedures are enunciated in EC2 for shear design.
The maximum shear resistance when 𝜃 is 22o is calculated from:
VRd,max(22) = 0.124bwd(1 – fck/250)fck N.
And when 𝜃 is 45o, we have:
VRd,max(45) = 0.180bwd(1 – fck/250)fck N.
Noting: V – the ultimate shear force at the center of bearing of the member,
VEf – the ultimate shear force at the face of the column,
VEd – the ultimate shear at a distance, d, from the face of the column,
Vwd – the shear force in the link and
VRd,s – the shear resistance of the links
VRd, max – the maximum design value of the shear which can be resisted by the concrete strut.
When VRd,max(22) < VEf < VRd,max(45) then 22o < 𝜃 < 45o. When VEf > VRd,max(45) the section must be increased, or a
higher concrete strength chosen.

In this case and using the maximum value of V of 783.25kN.

Then, VEf = 783.25 – 0.30 x 25 = 775.75kN., at the centre of bearing.
VEd = 775.75 – 1.300 x 25 = 743.25kN.
Thus, VRd, max = 0.124 x 600 x 1300 (1 - 20/250) x 20N = 1,779.65kN > VEf, thus 𝜃 can be assumed as 22o and
Cot 𝜃 taken as 2.5.

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 𝐴𝑠𝑤 0.78𝑑𝑓𝑦𝑘 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃
Spacing of the links , s, is calculated from s =
𝑉𝐸𝑑
157 𝑥 0.78 𝑥 1300 𝑥 410 𝑥 2.5
s = = 219.55mm.
743.25 𝑥 1000
Provide 4legs Y10mm at 425mm c/c as links.
𝐴𝑠𝑤,𝑚𝑖𝑛 0.5
0.08𝑓𝑐𝑘
= 𝑏𝑤
𝑠 𝑓𝑦𝑘

= 0.08(20)0.5 x 600/410 = 0.523mm.

Thus, using 2legs Y10mm, max spacing = 157/0.523 = 300mm.

𝐴𝑠𝑤 0.78𝑑𝑓𝑦𝑘 𝑐𝑜𝑡𝜃

VRd, s = N
𝑠
= (157/219.55) x 0.78 x 1300 x 410 x 2.5 = 767.90kN. OK.
Vmin = (157/300) x 0.78 x 1300 x 410 x 2.5 = 543.927kN.
The practical implication of Vmin is as shown in the shearing force diagram in Figure 13.

Figure 13: Shearing Force Diagram of Gallery Beam on Gridline D.

783.25

Y10mm @ 300mm c/c links. 2 x Y10mm @ 425mm c/c 702.625 Y10mm @ 300mm c/c links.
Vmin VEd
links. Vmin 290.625 210.00
12.52

65.00 98.75
102.605

592.605
703.85

The middle band, around gridline 3, is where the calculated shear links is required (as shown). Outside this band the
shearing force is less than 543.927kN., hence, the minimum shear links of Y10mm @ 300mm will be used.

MAJOR REFERENCES AND FOR FURTHER READING:

1. Eurocode 2: Design of Concrete Structures

2. Simplified Reinforced Concrete Design by Victor O. Oyenuga, 3rd Edition, Vasons Concept
Consultants Ltd, Surulere, Lagos, Reprint 2020.
Eurocodes are available at BSI Group Headquarters, 389 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 4AL,
UK. Tel: +44 (0) 208996 9001 and +44 (0) 208996 7001.

MANY THANKS FOR LISTENING.

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 APPENDIX

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