SPACING LIMITS FOR REINFORCEMENT IN BEAMS AND

COLUMNS
Clear Distance Between Bars (ACI Code)
a) Not less than the bar diameter nor 25mm for beams
b) Not less than 1.5 bar diameter nor 40mm for columns
c) When bars are place in several layers, the clear distance between
layers must not be less than 25mm.
Maximum Size of the Aggregates to be Used
The 1992 National Structural Code of the Philippines provides that
the nominal maximum size of aggregate shall not be larger than:
1. 1/5 the narrowest dimension between sides forms, nor
2. 1/3 the depth of the slab, nor
3. ¾ the minimum clear spacing between individual reinforcement
bars or wires, bundles of bars, or prestressing tendons or ducts.
Section 5.7.7.1 of the NSCP specifies the minimum
concrete cover provided for the reinforcement for a
cast in place (non prestressed) as follows:
1. Concrete cast against permanently exposed to earth .......75mm
2. Concrete exposed to earth or weather
20mm through 36mm .........50mm
16mm, W31 or D31 wire or smaller......40mm
3. Concrete not exposed to weather or in contact to the ground
a) Slabs, walls, joists 32mm bar and smaller .....20mm
b) Beam, columns: Primary reinforcement, ties, stirrups,
spirals........40mm
c)Shells, folded plate members: 20mm bar and larger......20mm
16mm bar, W31 or D31 wire and smaller....15mm
 INVESTIGATION OF BEAMS REINFORCED FOR TENSION
Case 1 – UNDER REINFORCED: fs = fy if steel in tension will yield,
(Pmin < P < Pmax)
Case 2 - OVER REINFORCED: fs not equal to fy if steel in tension
does not yield, (Pmin < P < Pmax)
Assume first fs = fy to determine the values of “a” so we could draw
the strain diagram and check for the actual values of ԑs if less or
greater than ԑy = fy/Es.
 EXERCISES
1. A rectangular beam having a width of 250 mm and an effective
depth of 360 mm is reinforced with steel area in tension equal
to 600 mm². fc’ = 30 MPa, fy = 375 MPa, Es = 200000 MPa.
a) Compute the distance of the neutral axis below the
compression surface.
b) Compute the nominal flexural strength of the beam.
c) Prove whether the steel will yield or will not.
2. A rectangular beam has a width of 280 mm and an effective
depth of 500 mm and is reinforced with steel area in tension
equal to 4000 mm². fc’ = 25 MPa, fy = 415 MPa.
d) Compute the depth of the compression stress block.
e) Compute the ultimate moment capacity of the beam.
f) Prove that the steel will or will not yield.