3.6.

3 Beams
Reinforcement for a beam normally forms a cage. The main reinforcement is
provided lengthwise at near the bottom face and near the top face. For
beams deeper than 750mm, additional reinforcement may be required on the
side faces.

Just as is the case for slabs, reinforcement details of concrete beams and
should specify clearly about cover to reinforcement, length of reinforcement,
curtailment of reinforcement, number and diameter of reinforcement to be
provided.
3.6.3.1 Types of beams (based on cross-section shape)
 Rectangular beam
 L-shape beam
 Circular shape beam
 T-shape beam

When a beam is designed with slab, called slab beam or Tee-beam,

reinforcements are provided as shown in figure below. The beam is generally
designed as simple beam but additional reinforcement provided on top with
slab to make it behave like a Tee-beam.

Rectangular beam

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Tee Beam
3.6.3.2 Types of Reinforcement in Beams
Generally, a beam consists of following steel reinforcements:

i. Longitudinal reinforcement at tension and compression face.

ii. Shear reinforcements in the form of vertical stirrups and or bent up
longitudinal bars.
iii. Side face reinforcement in the web of the beam provided when the
depth of the web in a beam exceeds 750 mm.
3.6.3.3 Reinforcement Cover in Beam
Minimum cover in beams must be 25 mm or shall not be less than the larger
diameter of bar for all steel reinforcement including links.
3.6.3.4 Stirrups
This type of reinforcement act against shear force. Following are the types of
stirrups provided in beams:

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  Preferred minimum diameter for stirrups is 8mm
 Minimum pitch - 100mm or [50 + 12.5 (No. of legs)]mm, whichever
is greater. This ensures that the space taken up by links along the
beam is not overlooked.
 Maximum pitch - 300mm or 0.75d or 12×diameter of compression bar,
whichever is least.

(Use 200mm spacing for stirrups)

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3.6.3.5 Reinforcement Layout

3.6.3.6 Detailing information

Design information for detailing should include:

• Layout and section drawings including details of nibs and upstands, etc.

• Concrete grade and aggregate size (standard 30/37MPa and 20mm).

• Nominal cover to reinforcement (standard 35 or 40mm), and the criteria

governing this (fire resistance or durability).

• Details of the main reinforcement and links including:

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– bar size and number or pitch

– type of reinforcement and bond characteristics (standard T)

– curtailment of bars if other than standard lap length or other than normal
tension lap.

• Details of any special moment bar connecting beam to edge columns with
sketches at large scale.

• Details of insertion and openings, e.g. conduit, cable ducting, etc., should be
given where the placing of reinforcement is affected.
3.6.3.7 Presentation of working drawings (Traditional method)
Recall beam layout drawings that we discussed earlier:

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Individual beams are drawn related to specific grid lines. This method is
normally used where the job has little repetition and it is simpler to show
the details of all beams individually

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Typical Edge beam

Cantilever Beams

3.6.4 Columns
Generally, columns consist of square, rectangular or circular sections. They are
normally reinforced with a cage consisting of the primary longitudinal
reinforcement held together by lateral stirrups to prevent buckling of the
primary bars. Most other reinforcement guidelines are similar to those
discussed for beams above.

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Design information for detailing should include:

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• The section dimensions and its position and orientation relative to particular
grid lines.

• Outline drawings which show clearly what happens to the column above the
lift being considered.

• Kicker height if other than 75mm.

• Concrete grade and aggregate size

• Nominal cover to all reinforcement (standard 35mm internal, 40mm

external). Supplementary

mesh reinforcement if required.

• A simple sketch of cross-section of column showing the longitudinal

reinforcement in each

face of the column, i.e.

– number and position of bars

– type of reinforcement and bond

characteristics (standard H)

– diameter of bars

– lap length if other than normal compression lap the linking reinforcement.

– type of reinforcement (standard H)

– diameter of links

– spacing

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3.6.5 Staircases
In this section, we shall consider only one type of staircase (U-turn).

Recall our earlier discussion on layout drawings for staircases:

A staircase is reinforced much like a one-way slab on each flight and landing

Design information for detailing should include:

 Layout and section drawings of staircase and landings. The setting out
of the soffit should be
 clearly shown.
 Concrete grade and aggregate size
 Nominal cover to reinforcement and controlling design consideration, fire
or durability (standard 20mm for internal conditions/40mm for
external conditions).
 Details of design reinforcement required including:

– type of reinforcement

– bar diameter

– pitch or number

– where it is required
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3.6.6 Foundations
Two types of foundations are considered:

 Pad footings
 Strip foundations

Nominal cover to reinforcement = 50mm

3.6.6.1 Detailing information
Design information for detailing should include:

 Layout drawings including column and wall outlines.

 Plan dimensions including depth and level.
 Dimensions and positions of kickers (standard kicker height below ground
150mm, above
 ground 75mm).
 Blinding details
 Floor slab reinforcement and damp proofing (where applicable)
 Blinding information

Recall our earlier discussion on foundation layout:

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Foundation Layout

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Pad footing

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3.7 Project
1. RC Beam details

Develop RC working drawings from any one beam of your house (Elevation &
cross section)

 Bottom steel = 2T16

 Top steel = 2T12

 Links = T8@200mm centres

 Elevation scale = 1:50

 Sections Scale = 1:20

 Concrete cover to steel = 20mm

5. RC Column details

Develop RC working drawings from one typical column of your house

(Elevation & cross section)

 Main reinforcement = 4T12

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  Links = T8@200mm centres

 Elevation scale = 1:50

 Sections Scale = 1:20

Concrete cover to steel = 20mm

6. RC Pad & Strip footing

Develop RC working drawings for a typical pad footing and a typical strip
foundation cross-section

Pad footing:

 Main reinforcement = T12@250mm centres B1 & B2

 Column starters: 4T12

 Links = T8@200mm centres

 Dimensions: 1200 x 1200 x 450mm thick

 Sections Scale = 1:20

Concrete cover to steel = 50mm

Strip footing:

Reinforcement: T10@200B1 & 3T8 B2

Dimensions: 600mm wide by 200mm thick

Submission Deadline: 17th Nov. 2023

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