Haramaya University

Haramaya Institute of Technology

Department of Civil Engineering
Reinforced Concrete Structures III

Teshome Ch.
MSc. [Structural Eng.]
 Chapter 1
Deep Beams and Corbels: Applications of STM
Contents
➢ Introduction to Strut and Tie Model (STM)

➢ Formulation of The Strut and Tie Model

➢ Design of the Ties

➢ Control of Compression Stresses

2
 1.1. Introduction to Strut and Tie Model (STM)

❑ Discussion points Deep beams: members that are loaded on one

face and supported on the opposite face
➢Elastic beam theory
(a) Clear span does not exceed four times the
My Mc overall member depth h
= or  = (b) Concentrated loads exist within a distance 2h
I I
➢ Finite Element Analysis (FEA) from the face of the support

✓ Finite Element Analysis simulates the physical phenomena using mathematical numerical
techniques by discretizing them into small elements.

➢Strut and Tie Model (STM)

✓Representation of the internal forces within discontinuity regions using a statically
determinate truss. → Analysis based on truss analogy.
Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:
Applications of STM 3
 1.1. Introduction to Strut and Tie Model (STM)

❖ Elastic beam theory becomes inaccurate when the span-to-depth ratio of a beam is
less than 4.
▪ The arrangement of
struts and ties provides a
realistic representation
of the cracked behavior.
▪ The STM method is
used for modelling areas Bernoulli’s stress Stress distribution Notional arrangement
of stress concentration distribution from elastic FEA of struts and ties
within structures. Def.: A D-region is that portion of
a member that is within a distance
▪ These are termed ‘D-regions’, with D for discontinuity. equal to the member height h from
Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:
a force or geometric discontinuity
Applications of STM 4
 1.1. Introduction to Strut and Tie Model (STM)

❖ Areas where conventional beam theory proves accurate are termed ‘B-regions’,
where B stands for beam.

❖ The D-regions are generally assumed to be square in proportion, i.e., equal in length
to the member depth
➢ The D-regions result
from either geometric
discontinuities or from
concentrated loading.
➢ Examples: connections, corners,
openings in beams, and deep
beams, such as pile caps.

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:

Applications of STM 5
 1.2 FORMULATION OF THE STRUT AND TIE MODEL

❖ The STM is used to design the reinforcement within the D-regions, whereas
standard theory is used for the B-regions.

❖ The positioning of the struts and ties should ideally correspond with the natural
flow of stresses in cracked RC.

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:

Applications of STM 6
 1.2 FORMULATION OF THE STRUT AND TIE MODEL

❖ Rebars are positioned on the centerline of the ties

❖ The standard models

➢ When deciding upon which

model to use, the designer
should select one that involves
the lowest strain energy, where
strain energy = force  length  strain
➢ Strain energy is highest in ties,
because rebar strain tends to be much
higher than the strain in the concrete
struts.
➢ Therefore, the length of the ties should be minimized when
Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels: deciding which arrangement of struts and ties to use. 7
Applications of STM
 1.2 FORMULATION OF THE STRUT AND TIE MODEL

❖ Rebars are positioned on the centerline of the ties

❖ The standard models

➢ When deciding upon which

model to use, the designer
should select one that involves
the lowest strain energy, where
strain energy = force  length  strain
➢ Strain energy is highest in ties,
because rebar strain tends to be much
higher than the strain in the concrete
struts.
➢ Therefore, the length of the ties should be minimized when
Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels: deciding which arrangement of struts and ties to use. 8
Applications of STM
 1.2 FORMULATION OF THE STRUT AND TIE MODEL

Partial discontinuity

➢ If b < H/2, then the member composed of B- and D-regions and this is known as
partial discontinuity.

A partial discontinuity Stress trajectories

member
position of rebar

Idealized forces one side

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels: Strut and tie model (EC2)
9
Applications of STM
 1.2 FORMULATION OF THE STRUT AND TIE MODEL

Partial discontinuity
Considering moment equilibrium around point X

 b Lb 
0.5F *  −  = T *0.5b
4 4 
Therefore, the force in the tie is
F  b − Lb 
T=  
4 b 

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:

10
Applications of STM
 1.2 FORMULATION OF THE STRUT AND TIE MODEL

Partial discontinuity

According to the theory, the zone directly below

the point load (0.4H) can go unreinforced;
however it would be inadvisable to not reinforce
this area, because laboratory tests show that the
crack will grow and extend higher. Therefore, the
reinforcement should be extended above to control
cracking.

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:

11
Applications of STM
 1.2 FORMULATION OF THE STRUT AND TIE MODEL
Full discontinuity
If b > H/2 the entire member is a
D-region and this is called a full
discontinuity member.

A full discontinuity Stress trajectories

member (EC2)

Idealized forces one side position of rebar

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels: Strut and tie model (EC2) 12
Applications of STM
 1.2 FORMULATION OF THE STRUT AND TIE MODEL

Full discontinuity
Considering moment equilibrium around point X

 0.5H + 0.65Lb Lb  F
0.25H * T =  − *
 4 4 2
Which rearranges to
 0.5H + 0.65Lb Lb  2 F
T=  − *
 4 4 H
F  0.7 Lb 
T = 1 − 
Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels: 4 H 
13
Applications of STM
 1.3 DESIGN OF THE TIES
Examples of Anchorage
The strength of a tie is calculated using Equation

T = 0.87 As f yk
✓ More than one rebar can be represented
Straight bar
as a single tie, in which case the rebars standard 90-degree hook
are spread equally either side of the
center line of the notional tie in the
STM.
✓ Particular care must be taken to ensure
that ties are adequately anchored
beyond node points

T-headed bar bearing plate

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:
14
Applications of STM
 1.4 CONTROL OF COMPRESSION STRESSES

❖Compression struts are classified into two main types: prismatic and bottle shaped

❖The important difference between these is that stress is spreading in bottle-shaped

struts, whereas it is uniform for prismatic ones

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:

15
Applications of STM
 1.4 CONTROL OF COMPRESSION STRESSES

❖Spreading stresses create sideways tensile stresses and these

➢ Cause tension cracking
➢Reduce compression strength
❖The struts and ties intersect at nodes

❖The allowable stresses depend on the

type of node, with stresses falling in the

presence of tensile stresses from ties

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:

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Applications of STM
 1.4 CONTROL OF COMPRESSION STRESSES

❖The Eurocode 2 limiting stresses of the struts are as follows:

Prismatic struts in CCC nodes, Rd = 1.00    f cd
Prismatic struts in CCT nodes, Rd = 0.85    f cd
Prismatic struts in CTT nodes, Rd = 0.75    f cd
Unreinforced bottle-shaped struts, Rd = 0.6  f cd
Reinforced bottle-shaped struts, Rd = 1.0  f cd
f cd is the design compressive stress for concrete
✓ The limit for unreinforced bottle-shaped struts, which tend
f ck
  = 1− to be critical over the other stress limits, i.e.,
250  f ck 
 Rd = 0.6* 1 −  *0.567 f ck
Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:
Applications of STM
 250  17
 1.4 CONTROL OF COMPRESSION STRESSES

❑Reinforced bottle-shaped struts

➢If transverse (bursting) reinforcement is
required, a submodel of the bottle-shaped strut
is needed

➢The dimensions of the bottle-shaped strut will

depend on the width-to-length ratio of the strut
(b/H)

➢If b/H > 0.5, then the full discontinuity

approach should be used
Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:
18
Applications of STM
 1.4 CONTROL OF COMPRESSION STRESSES

❑Reinforced bottle-shaped struts

➢Providing reinforcement perpendicular to the strut angle is not usually practical

➢The bursting stress reinforcement should be provided in two layers: [horizontal and
vertical]

➢The combined tensile strength of

the horizontal and vertical

reinforcement is
T = 0.87 f yk Ah sin  + 0.87 f yk Av cos 
Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:
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Applications of STM
 1.4 CONTROL OF COMPRESSION STRESSES

❑Reinforced bottle-shaped struts

T = 0.87 f yk Ah sin  + 0.87 f yk Av cos 
F  0.7 Lb 
Remember, T = 1 − 
4 H 
✓These areas can be restricted to the
central 0.6 region of the strut more
sensibly extended to the whole of
the diagonal strut for extra control
of cracking.

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:

20
Applications of STM
 1.4 CONTROL OF COMPRESSION STRESSES

❑ The calculation of strut widths

✓The width of the diagonal struts needs to be calculated in order to determine
the stress.

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:

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Applications of STM
 1.4 CONTROL OF COMPRESSION STRESSES
WT1 would be twice the depth
❑ The calculation of strut widths to the center of the rebar

WC2 is twice the depth to the

compression strut C1

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:

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Applications of STM
 SUMMARY

❖Application of a detailed strut-and-tie model involves completion of the

following steps.
➢Define and isolate the D-regions.
➢Compute the force resultants on each D-region boundary.
➢Select a truss model to transfer the forces across a D-region.
➢Select dimensions for strut-and-tie nodal zones.
➢Verify the capacity of the node and the strut, the latter both at midlength and at
the nodal interface.
➢Design the ties and the tie anchorage.
➢Prepare design details and check minimum reinforcement requirements.
Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:
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Applications of STM
 EXAMPLE 1 (FROM HANDOUT)

❖Example 1.1: Control of cracking for a column supporting a concentrated

load
➢A 600 mm square column is subjected to an 840 kN
concentrated load, applied through a 240 mm square
bearing plate. Design the reinforcement at the head
of the column to control cracking. fyk = 500 N/mm2
and fck = 40 N/mm2.

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:

24
Applications of STM
 EXAMPLE 1 (FROM HANDOUT)

Step 1: Formulate the strut and tie

model.

➢ The D-region is taken as a square

600 × 600 mm region from the top
of the column

➢ The remaining column is B-region;

therefore, this is a partially
discontinuous model
Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:
25
Applications of STM
 EXAMPLE 1 (FROM HANDOUT)

Step 1: Formulate the strut and tie

model.

➢ This is a 2D model of a 3D
problem, because splitting can occur
on all four faces of the column.
Therefore, the rebar (T1) is required
in both orthogonal directions.

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:

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Applications of STM
 EXAMPLE 1 (FROM HANDOUT)

Step 2: Design the tie.

➢ Since this is a partial discontinuity,

Equation 1.1 is applied.

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:

27
Applications of STM
 EXAMPLE 1 (FROM HANDOUT)

Step 2: Design the tie.

As 290
Number of bars = = = 10.25 → 11
as 28.27
[using mm  6bars]

➢ Since the reinforcement is hoop shaped,

each rebar counts twice.

➢ There for 11/2 = 5.5 → 6 bars are needed

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:

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Applications of STM
 EXAMPLE 1 (FROM HANDOUT)

Spacing → 360/5 = 72mm

→Provide 6 mm diameter shear links at 75 mm spacing across the top 600

mm of the column.

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:

29
Applications of STM
 EXAMPLE 1 (FROM HANDOUT)

Step 3: Check compression stresses.

➢ The width of the bottle-shaped strut needs to be deter-

mined using Equation 1.14.

➢ The stiff bearing length (Lb) is 120 mm

➢ The width of C3 is twice the distance from the top of

the column to the center of the node

→wC3 = 2 × 120 = 240 mm

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:

30
Applications of STM
 EXAMPLE 1 (FROM HANDOUT)

Step 3: Check compression stresses.

➢ model the angle of inclination of the diagonal 120

strut is
420-120 = 300
 300 
 = tan  −1
 = 73.33
θ

 90  (300-120)/2 = 90
➢ From equilibrium, the force in the bottle-shaped
strut, C2, is 600/2

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:

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Applications of STM
 EXAMPLE 1 (FROM HANDOUT)

Step 3: Check compression stresses.

➢ The compression stress is

➢ The limiting stress is

 f ck 
 Rd = 0.6* 1 −  *0.567 f ck
 250 

Since this is greater than the applied stress, the strut is adequate.

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:

32
Applications of STM
 ASSIGNMENT I (10%)
Prepare an excel template for the design of a symmetrical deep beam given in
example 2. Also check the design outputs of Example 2 using your excel
template.
➢ Do it in a group of four
P(kN) a x a square P/2 P/2
plate ➢ Copying from each other will
nullify your result, so make
h’ sure you do your assignment
from scratch by yourself.

H
h ➢ Submission date: March 15,
B
2024 (early submission is
acceptable).
100 mm
➢ Submit via email
C1 L C1
C1 x C1 Address:
Teshome.Chala@haramaya.edu.et
Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:
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Applications of STM
 EXAMPLE 3 (FROM HANDOUT)

Deep Beam.

➢ A 450 mm wide beam supports a 450 mm

square column and is supported on two
500 mm × 450 mm rectangular columns as
shown in Figure. The ultimate applied
load is 3360 kN. Develop a STM and
calculate the reinforcement required.
Material properties are fyk = 500 N/mm2
and fck = 35 N/mm2.
Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:
34
Applications of STM
 EXAMPLE 3 (FROM HANDOUT)

Step 1: Formulate the strut and tie model.

➢ The centroid of the tension steel is

assumed to be 100 mm above the soffit and

➢ all the diagonal struts have a 1:2 slope for

simplicity

➢ Step 2: Calculate the member axial loads

and design the ties.

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:

35
Applications of STM
 EXAMPLE 3 (FROM HANDOUT)

Step 2: Calculate the member axial loads and design the ties.
➢ Provide six No. 25 mm diameter rebars from Nodes A to E with the bar ends bent 90°
at the ends of the beam to provide anchorage at the nodes.
➢ This should be spread across the tie width, which is 650 mm; therefore,

➢ 16 mm diameter links at 100 mm spacing will provide 2 × 2011 = 4021 mm2/m (the
links pass through each side of the beam and therefore are counted twice in this area
calculation).

Chapter one: Deep Beams and Corbels:

36
Applications of STM