Reinforced Concrete Design

Detailed description of the steps involved in the design of reinforced concrete members and
structures, according to the Limit state method.

To analyse a continuous beam or slab, we must know the 'effective span' of each of the spans of
the beam or slab. Various codes gives different methods to calculate the effective span. First we will see
the provisions in Eurocode-2.

In the cl 5.3.2.2 of the Eurocode-2, the basic formula for finding the effective span is given as

Eq.7a.1: leff = ln + a1 + a2

where:

ln is the clear distance between the faces of the supports,

a1 and a2 are the quantities at the beginning and end of a member which are to be
determined from the appropriate ai values in fig 5.4 of EC-2. This fig. is shown in Fig.7a.1 below:
 Fig.7a.1

Effective span calculation

We will now do an example which will demonstrate the application of the above fig.7a.1. While
doing example, we will also check the provisions given by IS 456.

Example 1:
 The continuous beam ABCDE is part of a framed structure. It is a secondary beam, supported on
some primary beams. The width of each of these primary beams is 300 mm. The clear spans and other
details are shown in the fig.7a.2 below:

Fig.7a.2

Part plan
 Calculations:

Let us first take span AB. Clear span ln =3850mm

• Support 'A' is non-continuous.

• So we have to use (a) of Fig.7a.1 above.

• Height of the beam is 350mm. So h = 350

• Width of the supporting beam is 300mm. So t =300

• Value of ai is the lesser of h/2 and t/2. So a1 =lesser of {350/2 ; 300/2} = 150

• Support 'B' is continuous.

• So we have to use (b) of Fig.7a.1 above.

• Height of the beam is 350mm. So h = 350

• Width of the supporting beam is 300mm. So t =300

• Value of ai is the lesser of h/2 and t/2. So a2 =lesser of {350/2 ; 300/2} = 150

From Eq.7a.1, leff = ln + a1 + a2 =3850 +150 +150 =4150mm

The above result can be summarized as in Table 7a.1 below:

Table 7a.1

Span AB, ln =3850

Support A Support B
Type of support Non-continuous support Continuous support
Fig. to use Fig.(a) Fig.(b)
h 350 350
t 300 300
ai = lesser of {h/2; t/2} 150 150

leff = ln + a1 +a2 =4150

Now let us calculate the effective span of this same span using the provisions given in IS456. The
clause applicable to continuous beams and slabs is cl.22.2(b). A 'flow chart' like presentation of this
clause is given below: