Beams may be designed to be larger than required for strength consideration owing to

aesthetics or other reasons. As such, the corresponding steel ratio is very low and the
moment capacity of pure concrete section based on the modulus of rupture is higher
than its ultimate moment of resistance. As a result, reinforcement yields first and
extremely wide cracks will be formed. A minimum area of reinforcement is specified to
avoid the formation of wide cracks.

On the other hand, a maximum area of reinforcement is specified to enable the placing
and compaction of fresh concrete to take place easily.