ANALYSIS OF

T-BEAMS
STRUCTURAL DESIGN 2
T-beams are formed when reinforced concrete floor slabs,
roofs, and decks are cast monolithically with their
supporting beams. Generally, formworks are placed for
the bottom and sides of the beams and soffit of slabs.
Bent up bars and stirrups of the beam are extended up
into the slab. After that, all the elements are cast at once,
from the lowest point of the beam to the top of the slab.
The part of the slab around the beam, called flange,
would work with the beam and resist longitudinal
compression force. Interior beams have flanges on
both sides and are termed as T-beams, while edge
beams have flanges on one side and are called L-
beams. The part of the beam extending below the
slab is called a stem or web.
The design of the reinforced concrete T-beams is similar
to that of a rectangular reinforced concrete beam except
for flanges that need to be considered.
Effective Flange Width
The effective flange width (be) of a T-beam needs to be
determined in order to begin the design process.
Limits of the Effective Flange Width “be” as controlled by ACI Code:
For T-beams
Use the Smallest value of be
1. be = ¼ of span
2. be = 16tf + bw
3. be = center to center spacing of beams
Limits of the Effective Flange Width “be” as controlled by ACI Code:
For Isolated T-beams
1. tf ≥ bw/2
2. be ≤ bw
Limits of the Effective Flange Width “be” as controlled by ACI Code:
For L-beams
Use the Smallest value of be
𝟏
1. be = of span + bw
𝟏𝟐
2. be = 6tf + bw
𝟏
3. be = center to center spacing of beams
𝟐
 T1 = As1 fy
C1 = 0.85 fc’ (be – bw)tf
T2 = (As – As1) fy
C2 = 0.85 fc’ abw

T = T1 + T2
T = C1 + C2
T = Asfy
Asfy = 0.85 fc’ (be – bw)tf + 0.85 fc’ abw
tf
M = C1(d - ) + C2 (d - )
Mu = фMn
 MAXIMUM & MINUMUM STEEL RATIO FOR T-BEAMS

ρw= ρf + ρb
ρmax = 0.75ρw
ρmax = 0.75(ρf + ρb)

.
ρmin =
ρw =
w
As1 To ensure against brittle failure
ρf = ρmin < ρ < ρmax
w
. ( )
ρb =
( )
ANALYSIS OF T-BEAMS
CASE 1: When the neutral axis falls on the flange;
CASE 1: When the neutral axis falls on the flange;
Solve for a:
If a < tf – treat as a rectangular beam

T=C
Asfy = 0.85 fc’ ab
Solve for As;

1. be = ¼ of span Check for ductility;

2. be = 16tf + bw ρ=
3. be = center to center spacing of beams .
- Use the smallest value of “be” ρmin =
ρmax =0.75ρb
Mu = applied ultimate moment ρb =
. ( )
Mu = ф C (d-a/2) ( )

Mu = ф 0.85fc’ ab (d-a/2) ρmin < ρ < ρmax

CASE 2: When the neutral axis falls on the web;
CASE 2: When the neutral axis falls on the web;
Solve for a:
If a > tf – treat as a T-beam
C1 = 0.85fc’ tf (be – bw)
T1 = C1
As1fy = 0.85 fc’ tf (be – bw)

Solve for As1;

1. be = ¼ of span M1 = фT1(d - tf/2)
2. be = 16tf + bw M1 = ф As1fy (d - tf/2)
3. be = center to center spacing of beams
- Use the smallest value of “be” Solve for M1
M2 = M u – M 1
Assume first that the N.A. is at the flange M2 = ф C2 (d – a/2)
Mu = ф C (d-a/2) C2 = 0.85 fc’ abw
Mu = ф 0.85fc’ ab (d-a/2) M2 = ф 0.85 fc’ abw(d – a/2)
CASE 2: When the neutral axis falls on the web;
Solve for As2:
As = As1 + As2
As = total steel area in tension

Check for ductility;

ρw =
w
As1
ρf =
M2 = ф 0.85 fc’ abw(d – a/2) w
. ( )
ρb =
( )
Solve for a: ρmax = 0.75(ρf + ρb)
C2 = 0.85 fc’ abw
.
Solve for C2: ρmin =
C2 = T2
C2 = As2fy ρmin < ρ < ρmax
CASE 2: When the neutral axis falls on the web;
ACI code requirement:

Asmin must be equal to or greater

than the small

Asmin =

Mininum As = bwd
Asmin =
.
but not less than bwd
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1:
The floor system shown has a slab thickness of 75mm. Spacing of beams center to
center is 1.8m. Span of beam is 5.4m. The beam is subjected to dead load moment
of 270 kN.m and a live load moment of 460 kN.m, fc’ = 20.7 MPa, fy =345.6MPa.

a. Compute the depth of the compression stress block.

b. Compute the area of steel in tension.
c. Compute the maximum steel ratio required by the NSCP Specs.
SOLUTION: Mu = 1.4MDL + 1.7MDL
a. Compute the depth of the Mu = 1.4(270) + 1.7 (460)
compression stress block
Mu = 1160kN.m
1. be = ¼ of span = 5400/4 = 1350
2. be = 16tf + bw = 1575
3. be = center to center spacing of
beams = 1800m
Use: be = 1350mm
Solutions: 1286634 = As1fy
C1 = 0.85 fc’ (75)(487.5 x 2) As1 = 3723
C1 = 1286634 M1 = ф C1 (d – 75/2)
C1 = T1 M1 = 0.9(1286634)(600-37.5)
1286634 = As1fy M1 = 651.36 kN.m
Solutions: 508.64x106 = 0.9(6598a)(600-a/2)
M1 = 651.36 kN.m 85655.59 = 600a - .5a2
171311.17 – 1200a + a2 = 0
Mu = M1 + M2 a = 165.62mm
M2 = Mu – M1
M2 = 1160 – 651.36 C2 = 6598 (165.62)
M2 = 508.64 kN.m C2 = 1092760
M2 = фC2(d-a/2) T2 = C2
C2 = 0.85 (20.7)(a)(375) As2fy = C2
C2 = 6598a As2 = 3162
M2 = 0.9(6598a)(600-a/2) As = As1 + As2
508.64x106 = 0.9(6598a)(600-a/2) As = 3723 + 3162 = 6885
As = 3723 + 3162 = 6885

Compute the maximum steel ratio required by the NSCP

Specs

. ( ) . ( . (. ) ( )
ρb = =
( ) ( . )( . )

ρf = = = 0.0165
( )

ρmax = 0.75(ρf + ρb)

Ρmax = 0.033
ρ = As/bd = 6885/(375)(600) = 0.0306 <0.033
Using 2015 specs

SOLUTION: Mu = 1.2MDL + 1.6MLL

a. Compute the depth of the Mu = 1.2(270) + 1.6(460)
compression stress block
Mu = 1060kN.m
1. be = ¼ of span = 5400/4 =
1350
2. be = 16tf + bw = 1575
3. be = center to center spacing
of beams = 1800m
Use: be = 1350mm
 1286634 = As1fy
Solutions: As1 = 3723
Assume ф = 0.9
C1 = 0.85 fc’ (75)(487.5 x 2)
M1 = ф C1 (d – 75/2)
C1 = 1286634 M1 = 0.9(1286634)(600-37.5)
C1 = T1 M1 = 651.36 kN.m
1286634 = As1fy
 408.64x106 = 0.9(6598a)(600-a/2)
Solutions: fs = 600 =
68815.47= 600a - .5a2
M1 = 651.36 kN.m 1782.37>1000MPa
137630.94 – 1200a + a2 = 0
a = 128.44mm
Mu = M1 + M2
a = βc
M2 = Mu – M1
c = 151.11mm
M2 = 1060 – 651.36
M2 = 408.64 kN.m
M2 = фC2(d-a/2)
C2 = 0.85 (20.7)(a)(375) εt = 0.0089>0.005 assume ф =0.9 ok
C2 = 6598a
M2 = 0.9(6598a)(600-a/2) c/d = 151.11/600 = 0.251 < 0.375 ok
408.64x106 = 0.9(6598a)(600-a/2)
Solutions:
. ( ) . ( . (. ) ( )
C2 = 6598a ρb = =
( ) ( . )( . )
C2 = 6598(128.44) ρf = = = 0.0165
( )
C2 = 847447
T2 = C2 ρmax = 0.75(ρf + ρb)
As2 = 847447/345.6 Ρmax = 0.033
ρ = As/bd = 6175.1/(375)(600) = 0.028 <0.033
As2 = 2452.10

As = As1 + As2
As = 3723 + 2452.1
As = 6175.1
SAMPLE PROBLEM 1:
The T-beam in the floor system shown has a slab thickness of 100mm. Which is
supported by 6.5m span length beams cast monolithically with the slab, spacing of
beams are 2.4m on centers and have a web of 300mm and a total depth of 550mm.
Assume steel covering of 65mm. The beam carries a live load moment of 163 kN.m
and a deadload moment of 84 kN.m (including the wt. of the floor system. fc’ = 20.7
Mpa, fy = 413.7MPa.

a. Compute the factored ultimate moment.

b. Compute the effective width of the beam
c. Compute the steel Area required.
Solutions: Using NSCP 2001
1. be = ¼ of span = 6500/4 = 1625
Mu = 1.4MDL + 1.7MLL
2. be = 16tf + bw = 1900
Mu = 1.4 (84) + 1.7(163)
3. be = center to center spacing of beams = 400m
Mu = 394.7kN.m
Use: be = 1625mm
Solutions:
d = 550 – 65 = 485
Mu = ф 0.85fc’ ab (d – a/2)
394.7x106 = 0.9(0.85)(a)(207)(1625)(485 – a/2)
a = 32.73 < 100 (tf) – regular triangle
C=T
0.85fc’ (32.73)(1625) = As (413.7)
As = 2262.05 mm2
Solutions: using 2015 specs
1. be = ¼ of span = 6500/4 = 1625
Mu = 1.2MDL + 1.6MLL
2. be = 16tf + bw = 1900
Mu = 1.2(84)+1.6(163)
3. be = center to center spacing of beams = 400m
Mu = 361.6 kN.m
Use: be = 1625mm
Solutions:
C=T
d = 550 – 65 = 485
0.85(20.7)(29.89)(1625) = As(413.7)
Mu = ф 0.85fc’ ab (d – a/2)
As = 2065.78mm2
Assume ф = 0.9

361.6x106 = 0.9(0.85)(a)(207)(1625)(485 – a/2)

a = 29.89 < 100 (tf) – regular triangle
a = βc
c = 35.16

εt = 0.038>0.005 ok