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BS 8110)

Design Parameters for Longitudinal Bars (Beams: BS 8110)

For each of these parameters, the user defined limits (specified in Design Op ons > Beam > Reinforcement Se ngs) are considered in addi on to
any BS 8110 recommenda ons.
Minimum Distance between Bars

To allow you to make decisions regarding access for concrete compac on or size of aggregate, a value for the minimum clear distance between bars
is specified in Design Op ons > Beam > Reinforcement Se ngs - separate values being set for bars in the top of the beam and for those in the
bo om of the beam.

The minimum clear horizontal distance between individual parallel bars, scl,min, is given by;1

scl,min ≥ MAX[hagg + 5mm, scl,u,min]

where

hagg = maximum size of coarse aggregate

scl,u,min = user specified minimum clear distance between bars

The minimum clear ver cal distance between horizontal layers of parallel bars, scl,min, is given by;

scl,min ≥ 2hagg/3

IF

φ > hagg + 5mm,

THEN

scl,min > φ

where

φ = the maximum diameter of bar

Maximum Spacing of Tension Bars

When the maximum crack width is limited to 0.3mm and nominal cover to reinforcement does not exceed 50 mm,

scl,max ≤ 47000/fs ≤ 300mm

where

scl,max = maximum clear horizontal distance between bars in tension

fs = the design service stress in the tension reinforcement of a

memberA

fs = (5*fy *As req)/(8*As prov) * (1/βb)

As req = required area of tension reinforcement

As prov = provided area of tension reinforcement

βb = (moment at the sec on a er redistribu on) / (moment at

the sec on before redistribu on)

ABS 8110-1:1997 equa on 8

In Tekla Structural Designer when designing to BS 8110 the value of crack width is limited to 0.3mm.

Minimum Area of Reinforcement

The minimum area of longitudinal tension reinforcement, As,min, is given by;A

a) For rectangular sec ons:

As,min ≥ 0.0024*b*h (For fy = 250 N/mm2)

As,min ≥ 0.0013*b*h (For fy = 500 N/mm2)

b) For flanged beams, web in tension:

i) bw/b ˂ 0.4

As,min ≥ 0.0032*bw*h (For fy = 250 N/mm2)

As,min ≥ 0.0018*bw*h (For fy = 500 N/mm2)

ii) bw/b ≥ 0.4

As,min ≥ 0.0024*bw*h (For fy = 250 N/mm2)

As,min ≥ 0.0013*bw*h (For fy = 500 N/mm2)

c) For flanged beams, flange in tension:

i) T beam

As,min ≥ 0.0048*bw*h (For fy = 250 N/mm2)

As,min ≥ 0.0026*bw*h (For fy = 500 N/mm2)

ii) L beam

As,min ≥ 0.0036*bw*h (For fy = 250 N/mm2)

As,min ≥ 0.002*bw*h (For fy = 500 N/mm2)

A BS 8110-1:1997 3.12.5.3, Table 3.25

The minimum area of longitudinal compression reinforcement, As’,min, is given by;

a) For rectangular sec ons:

As’,min ≥ 0.002*b*h (For fy = 250 N/mm2)

As’,min ≥ 0.002*b*h (For fy = 500 N/mm2)

b) For flanged beam:

i) Flange in compression

As’,min ≥ 0.004*b*hf (For fy = 250 N/mm2)

As’,min ≥ 0.004*b*hf (For fy = 500 N/mm2)

ii) Web in compression

As’,min ≥ 0.002*bw*h (For fy = 250 N/mm2)

As’,min ≥ 0.002*bw*h (For fy = 500 N/mm2)

where

b = breadth of sec on

bw = breadth or effec ve breadth of the rib for T or L sec on,

average breadth of the concrete below the flange

fy = characteris c strength of reinforcement

h = overall depth of the cross-sec on of a reinforced member

hf = depth of flange

The minimum percentage of reinforcement is given in Table 3.25 of BS 8110-1:1997

for fy 250 Mpa and 500 Mpa. For other grades linear interpola on is applied.
Maximum Area of Reinforcement

The maximum area of longitudinal tension reinforcement, As,max, is given by2;

As,max ≤ 0.04*Ac

The maximum area of longitudinal compression reinforcement, As’,max, is given by;

As’,max ≤ 0.04*Ac

where

Ac = the cross sec onal area of the beam

= h*b (For rectangular sec on)

= h*bw (For flanged sec on)

Parent topic
• Beam Design to BS 8110

1. BS 8110-1:1997 3.12.11.1
2. BS 8110-1:1997 3.12.6.1