Chapter Four: Shear and Diagonal Tension in Beams

Chapter Four: Shear and Diagonal Tension in Beams 4.1 Introduction A beam resists loads primarily by means of internal moments M, and shear V. In the design of RC members, flexure is usually considered first, leading to the size of the section and arrangement of reinforcement to provide the necessary moment resistance. Limits are placed on the amounts of flexural reinforcement which can be used to ensure that if failure were ever to occur; it would develop gradually in a ductile manner, giving warning to the occupants. The beam is then proportioned for shear. Because a shear failure is frequently sudden and brittle, the design for shear must ensure that the shear strength equals or exceeds the flexural strength at all points in the beam. Shear failure in concrete beams is of a complex nature and can occur in several ways. It is important to realize that shear analysis and design is not really concerned with shear as such. The shear stresses in most beams are far below the direct shear strength of the concrete. The real concern is with the diagonal tension stress, resulting from the combination of shear stress and longitudinal stress. A typical failure mode, for a simply supported beam is illustrated in Fig. 4.1.

Fig. 4.1 Typical failure mode due to shear for a simply supported beam 4.2 Basic Theory Shear and Diagonal Tension in Homogenous Elastic Beams Consider a rectangular beam made of homogenous, isotropic, and elastic material (see in Fig. 4.2a). From the principle of classical mechanics, the normal stress f and the shear stress v in a cross section at a distance y from the neutral axis can be written as:

f =
And

My I

(4.1a)

v=

VQ Ib

(4.1b)

Where: M and V are bending moment and shear force on the cross section Q = first moment about the neutral axis of the part of the cross sectional area lying further from the neutral axis than the point where the shear stresses are being calculated. Y = distance from the element to the neutral axis I = moment of inertia of the cross section. b = width of the member where the stresses are being calculated

Reinforced Concrete I

Yibeltal Temesgen

Chapter Four: Shear and Diagonal Tension in Beams

f l e

r as h l e s ta r r e

s st r e

s s

Fig. 4.2 Stress trajectories in rectangular homogenous beam

Fig. 4.2b and d show the internal stresses acting on the infinitesimal elements 1 and 2. The stresses that act on an element can again be combined into a pair of inclined compression stresses and a pair of inclined tension stresses that act at right angles to each other. They are known as principal stresses (see Fig. 4.2c and e). Their value is given by:

t=
And their inclination by:

f 1 2 2

f 2 + 4v 2

(4.2a)

tan 2 =

2v f

(4.2b)

Since the magnitudes of the shear stresses and the bending stresses f change both along the beam and vertically with distance from the neutral axis, the inclination a as well as the magnitudes of the resulting principal stresses t also vary from one place to another. Figure 4.2f shows the inclinations of these principal stresses for a rectangular beam uniformly loaded. That is, these stress trajectories are lines which, at any point, are drawn in that direction in which the particular principal stress, tension or compression, acts at that point. Shear and Diagonal Tension in Reinforced Concrete Beams In reinforced concrete beams, the exact distribution of shear stresses over the depth of cross section is not known. The shear stress distribution is the same as the homogenous beam up to the neutral axis and it is maximum at the neutral axis and remains constant below the neutral axis. Since concrete is ignored, the shear flow in the tension zone of concrete will be constant. The shear stresses suddenly become zero at the level of tensile steel since the differential compressive force between two adjacent sections is exactly balanced (See Fig. 4.3).

Reinforced Concrete I

Yibeltal Temesgen

Chapter Four: Shear and Diagonal Tension in Beams

C d V z T a p o r t i o n o f a s h e a r b e a m s t r e s s N . A

Fig. 4.3 Shear stress distribution in Reinforced concrete beam It is seen from Eq. (3.1) that the diagonal tension stresses t represents the combined effect of shear stresses v and the bending stresses f. these, in turn, are respectively, proportional to the shear force V and then bending moment M at the particular location in the beam. Depending on configuration, support conditions, and load distribution, a given location in a beam may have a large moment combined with a small shear force or the reverse, or large or small values for both shear and moment (see Fig. 4.4)

Fig. 4.4 Typical locations of critical combinations of shear and moment If flexural stresses are negligibly small at the particular location, diagonal cracks called webshear cracks form mostly at or near the neutral axis where the shear stresses are maximum and propagate from that location (see Fig. 4.5a). If the shear stresses are negligibly small at a location, vertical cracks called flexural cracks form at the bottom of the beam where the flexural stresses are larger and propagate to ward the neutral axis (see Fig 4.5). The situation is different when both the shear force and bending moment have large values At such locations, in a well proportioned and reinforced beam, flexural tension cracks form first. Their width and length are well controlled and kept small by the presence of longitudinal reinforcement. However, when the diagonal tension stresses at the upper end of one or more of theses cracks exceeds the tensile strength of the concrete, the crack bends in a diagonal

Reinforced Concrete I

Yibeltal Temesgen

Chapter Four: Shear and Diagonal Tension in Beams

direction and continues to grow in length and width (see Fig. 4.5b) theses cracks are known as flexural shear cracks and are more common than web-shear cracks,

Fig. 4.5 Diagonal tension cracking in reinforced concrete beams In order to prevent this diagonal crack, inclined reinforcement (bent up bars) or vertical reinforcement (stirrups), which are called shear reinforcements are provided as shown in figure below.

(a) Shear reinforcement introduced to prevent failure

(b) Shear reinforcement in the form of bent-up bars and stirrups

(c) Detail of shear reinforcement in the form of stirrups Fig. 4.6 Shear reinforcement

Reinforced Concrete I

Yibeltal Temesgen

Chapter Four: Shear and Diagonal Tension in Beams

4.3 Behavior of Diagonally Cracked Beams: Figure 4.7a shows a portion of a beam, arbitrary loaded, in which a diagonal tension crack has formed. Consider the part of the beam to the left of the crack shown in solid lines. There is an external up ward shear force Vext = R1 P1 acting on this portion.

Fig. 4.7 Forces at a diagonal crack in a beam without web reinforcement It may be seen that the total external transverse force Vext, is resisted by the combination of:

1. A shear force across the uncracked portion of the concrete Vcz 2. A dowel force transmitted across the crack by the flexural reinforcement Vd 3. The vertical component of inclined shearing force transmitted across the inclined crack
by means of interlocking of the aggregate particles Viy Thus for equilibrium: Vext = Vcz+ Viy + Vd (4.3)

In a beam provided with longitudinal reinforcement only, the portion of the shear force resisted by the steel in dowel action is usually quite small. In fact, the reinforcing bars on which the dowel force Vd acts are supported against vertical displacement chiefly by thin concrete layer below. The bearing pressure caused by Vd creates the vertical tension stress. Because of theses stresses, diagonal cracks often result in splitting of the concrete along the tension reinforcement. This reduces the dowel force Vd and also permits the diagonal crack to widen. This in turn reduces the interface force Vii, and frequently leads to immediate failure. Consider moments about points a at the intersection of Vcz and C: The external moment, Mext,a = R1 xa P1 (xa x1) The internal moment, Mint,a = Tb z + Vd p Vi m Equilibrium requires that Mint,a = Mext,a

Tb =

M ext , a Vd p + Vi m z

(4.4)

Neglecting the forces Vd and Vi, which decreases with increasing crack opening, one has, with very little error,

Reinforced Concrete I

Yibeltal Temesgen

Chapter Four: Shear and Diagonal Tension in Beams

Tb =

M ext , a z

(4.5)

The formation of diagonal crack, then, is seen to produce the following redistribution of internal forces and stresses:

1) In the vertical section through point a, the average shear stress before crack formation

was Vext/bd. After crack formation, the shear force is resisted by a combination of the dowel shear, the interface shear, and the shear force on the much smaller area by of the remaining uncracked concrete. As tension splitting occurs along the longitudinal bars, Vd and Vi decreases; this, in turn increases the shear force and the resulting shear stress on the remaining uncarcked concrete area. traverses some part of the compression zone before it is arrested by the compression stresses. Consequently, the compression force C also acts on an area by smaller than that on which it acted before the crack was formed. Correspondingly, formation of the crack has increased the compression stresses in the remaining uncracked concrete. proportional to, the bending moment in a vertical section through the same point b. As a consequences of the diagonal crack, however, Eq. (4.5) shows that the tension in the steel at b is now caused by, and is proportional to, the bending moment at a. since the moment at a is evidently larger than that at b, formation of the crack has caused a sudden increase in the steel stress at b. (see this relation with bar cutting ( addition of d or 12 Db
beyond ld)

2) The diagonal crack, as described previously, usually rises above the neutral axis and

3) Prior to cracking, the tension force in the steel at point b was caused by, and

4.4 Reinforced Concrete Beams with shear reinforcement When the design shear force is greater than the shear strength of concrete, the must be web reinforcement to with stand the excess shear. Measurements show that the web steel is practically free of stress prior to crack formation. After diagonal cracks have developed, web reinforcement augments the shear resistance of a beam in fore separate ways:

1. Part of the shear force is resisted by the bars which traverse a particular crack. 2. The presence of these same bars restricts the growth of diagonal crack and reduces

3. 4.

their penetration in to the compression zone. This leaves more uncrcked concrete available at the head of the crack for resisting the combined action of shear and compression. The stirrups also counteract the widening of the cracks, so that the two crack faces stay in close contact. This makes for a significant interface force Vi . The stirrups are so arranged that they tie the longitudinal reinforcement in to the main bulk of concrete. This provides some measure of restraint against the splitting of concrete along the longitudinal reinforcement and increases the shear force resisted in dowel action.

Form this it is clear that failure will be imminent when the stirrups start yielding. This not only exhausts their own resistance but also permits a wider crack opening with consequent reduction of the beneficial resisting effects, points 2 to 4, above.

Reinforced Concrete I

Yibeltal Temesgen

Chapter Four: Shear and Diagonal Tension in Beams

Most frequently, web reinforcement consists of vertical stirrups. The forces acting on the portion of such a beam between the crack and the near by support are shown in Fig. 4.8.

Fig. 4.8 Forces at a diagonal crack in a beam with vertical stirrups Equilibrium in the vertical direction requires: Vext = Vcz + Vd + Viy + Vs (4.6)

Where Vs = nAvfs, is the vertical force in the stirrups n = the number of stirrups traversing the crack Av = cross sectional area of the stirrup and for U- shaped stirrups it is twice the area of one bar. If s is the stirrup spacing and p the horizontal projection of the crack, as shown, then n = p/s. After the formation of inclined cracks, the stirrups yield, the dowel action V d and the vertical component of aggregate interlock force Viy will fall off rapidly due to widening of the inclined cracks and longitudinal splitting. Thus; Vext = Vc + nAvfs (4.7)

The diagonal crack form at about 45o from the horizontal, hence the horizontal projection of the crack is assumed equal to d.

Vext = Vc + nAv f s p d Vext = Vc + Av f s Vext = Vc + Av f s s s Av f s d Vext Vc = s A fd A fd s= v s Vs = v s Vs s

(4.8)

For inclined web reinforcement, the forces acting on the portion of such a beam between the crack and the near by support are shown in Fig. 4.8.

Reinforced Concrete I

Yibeltal Temesgen

Chapter Four: Shear and Diagonal Tension in Beams

Fig. 4.8 Forces at a diagonal crack in a beam with incline web reinforcement As in the case of vertical stirrups shear failure occurs, when the stress in the web reinforcement reaches the yield point. The crack with horizontal projection P and inclined length i = p/(cos) is crossed by inclined bars horizontally spaced a distance s apart. The inclination of the bar is and that of the crack , as shown. The distance between bars measured parallel to the direction of the crack is seen from the irregular triangle to be:

a=

s sin (cot + cot ) p (1 + cot tan ) s

The number of bars crossing the crack, n = i/a, after some transformation, is obtained as:

n=

The vertical component of the force in one bar or stirrup is Avfssin, so that the total vertical component of the forces in all bars which cross the crack is:

Vs = nAv f v sin = Av f v

p (sin + cos tan ) Vs s Av f yd (sin + cos tan ) s Av f yd (sin + cos tan ) Vs

(4.9)

As in the case of vertical stirrups:

Vext = Vc + Vs s=

Vext = Vc +

Av f yd (sin + cos tan ) Vext Vc

s=

4.5 Truss model for shear analysis and design The best physical model for the behavior of beams with web reinforcement is the truss model. Consider the following beam with inclined cracks.

Reinforced Concrete I

Yibeltal Temesgen

Chapter Four: Shear and Diagonal Tension in Beams

i f o

r m

l y

l o

a d e d

b e a m

s i m

l e

t r u s s

d e l

Fig. 4.9 Truss model for beams with web reinforcement The structural action of the beam can be represented by the truss of Fig.4.9b, with the main steel providing the tension chord, the concrete top flange acting as the compression chord, the stirrups providing the vertical tension web members, and the concrete between inclined cracks acting as a 45o compression diagonals. The truss is formed by lumping all of the stirrups cut by section a-a into one vertical member and all of the diagonal concrete struts cut by section b-b into one compression diagonal.

( a ) B e a m s h w e a ai nt r h d l o n g i t u d i n a l s t e e l

( b ) e n s i o n d u es h t e o a r

i n

(c) rD i z i ao g n o t na l a lb ac r o s m o n b e a m w e b

p V

r e s s i o n ( d ) e r t i c a l

(e) t e n E q u i l i d b i ra i g u r m a m s fi oo nr c i e n ss h sd te u i a er rr tu o p s o f

Fig. 4.10 Basis of compression field theory Figure 4.10b illustrates that the net shear V at a section a distance x from the support is resisted by the vertical component of the diagonal compression force in the concrete struts. The horizontal component of the compression in the struts must be equilibrated by the total tension force N in the longitudinal steel. Thus with reference to Fig. 4.10b & e:

Reinforced Concrete I

Yibeltal Temesgen

Chapter Four: Shear and Diagonal Tension in Beams

10

N =

V tan

(4.10)

Where is the angle of inclination of the diagonal struts. This forces superimposed on the longitudinal forces owing to flexure. From Fig.4.10c, the diagonal compressive stress in a web having width bw is:

f cd =

V bwd v sin cos

(4.11)

The tensile force in the vertical stirrups, each having area A v and assumed to act at the yield stress fy, can be found from the free body of Fig. 4.10d. with stirrups assumed to be at uniform spacing s,

Av f y =

Vs tan dv

(4.12)

Location of maximum shear In a beam loaded on the top flange and supported on the bottoms as shown in Fig., the closest inclined cracks that can occur adjacent to the supports will extend outward from the supports at roughly 45o. Loads applied to the beam within a distance, d, from the support in such beam will be transmitted directly to the support by the compression fan above the 45o cracks and will not affect the stresses in the stirrups crossing the cracks (see Fig. 11). As a result, EBCS-2 recommends that sections located less than a distance d from the face of the support may be designed for the same shear, Vsd, as that computed at a distance d.

( a )

b e a m

( b s )h

e f ao r r c e

d i a g r a m

Fig. 4.11 Shear force diagram for design 4.6 Design of Beam and Slabs for Shear as per EBCS 2, 1995 General

Reinforced Concrete I

Yibeltal Temesgen

Chapter Four: Shear and Diagonal Tension in Beams

11

1) The ultimate limit state in shear is characterized by either diagonal compression failure

of the concrete or failure of the web reinforcement due to diagonal tension 2) Resistance to diagonal tension is obtained as the sum of resistances of the web reinforcement and of the concrete section. 3) The critical section for shear is at a distance d from the face of the supports. Sections closer than d shall be designed for the shear at d. Limiting values of ultimate shear force In order to prevent diagonal compression failure in concrete, the shear resistance V RD of a section given as follow shall not be less than the applied shear force VSD. VRD = 0.25fcdbwd Where bw is the minimum width if the web Shear resistance of concrete The shear force Vc carried by the concrete in members with out significant axial forces shall be taken as: VC = 0.25fctdk1k2bwd (4.14) Where K1 = (1 + 50p) 2.0 k2 = 1.6 - d 1.0 (d in meters). For members where more than 50% of the bottom reinforcement is curtailed, k2 = 1.0 p = As/bwd As is the area of the tensile reinforcement anchored beyond the intersection of the steel and the line of a possible 45o crack starting from the edge of the section ( see Fig. 4.12) (4.13)

Fig. 4.12 As to be introduced in equation 4.14 Design of shear reinforcement

Reinforced Concrete I

Yibeltal Temesgen

Chapter Four: Shear and Diagonal Tension in Beams

12

1) In beams bent-up bars shall not be used as shear reinforcements except in combination 2) 3) 4)

with stirrups. At least 50% of the design shear force VSD shall be resisted by vertical stirrups. Where inclined reinforcement is used, the angle between the reinforcement and the longitudinal axis of the beam shall not be less than 45o. Where the load is not acting at the top of the beam or when the support is not at the bottom of the beam suspension reinforcement shall be provided to transfer the load to the top of the beam. When shear reinforcement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is used, its shear resistance Vs may be calculated as:

Vs =
as:

Av f yd d s

Where Av is the area of shear reinforcement with in distance s

5) When inclined stirrups are used, the shear resistance of the stirrups may be calculated Vs = Av df yd (sin + cos ) s
Where is the angle of inclination from the horizontal.

6) When shear reinforcement consists of a single bar or a single group of parallel bars, all Vs = Av f yd sin

bent up at the same distance from the support, the shear resistance of the reinforcement may be calculated as :

Minimum shear reinforcement

1) All beams , except joists of ribbed slabs, shall be provided with at least the minimum
web reinforcement given by:

min =
below:

0.4 f yk

where fyk is in MPa

2) The maximum spacing Smax between stirrups, in the longitudinal direction, shall be as given 2 S max = 0.5d 300mm if Vsd Vrd 3 2 S max = 0.3d 200mm if Vsd > Vrd 3 3) The transverse spacing of legs of stirrups shall not exceed d, or 800 mm, whichever is
smaller.

Reinforced Concrete I

Yibeltal Temesgen