ABASYN UNIVERSITY ISLAMABAD CAMPUS

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

CE-415
Reinforced Concrete Design- 2

Engr. Shehryar Ahmed

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Lecture 12

Analysis and Design for Torsional

Loading
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The shear stress induced due to applied torque on a member is called as

torsional shear stress or torsional stress.

Applied Torque, T
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Torsional stresses in solid circular members can be computed as:

𝑇𝜌
𝜏=
𝐽

Where,
T = applied torque,
ρ = radial distance,
J = polar moment of inertia.
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Torsional stress variation in rectangular members is relatively complicated.

Torsional stress close to the faces of the rectangular member is much greater than
that of interior section.
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• The largest stress occurs at the middle of the wide face “a”.
• The stress at the corners is zero.
• Stress distribution at any other location is less than that at the middle and
greater than zero.

𝑇
𝜏𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 2
𝛼𝑏 𝑎
Table: Variation of α with ratio a/b.

a/b 1 1.5 2 3

α 0.2 0.23 0.24 0.267

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Torsional Stresses From Thin Walled Tube Analogy

• Torsional stresses are concentrated in a thin outer skin of the solid cross section. This leads

to the concept of thin walled tube analogy.

• According to ACI code, torsional stresses in a solid rectangular section are computed

using Thin Walled Tube Analogy.

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• In the thin-walled tube analogy the resistance is assumed to be provided by

the outer skin of the cross section roughly centered on the closed stirrups.

• According to thin walled tube analogy, shear stress and thus shear flow remains

constant within the thin walls of the tube i.e.,

𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
τ (shear stress) = = constant
𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎

𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
q (shear flow) = = constant
𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
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𝑆ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑉1
• 𝑆ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 = , 𝜏1 =
𝑆ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑥𝑜 𝑡

• According to thin-walled tube theory,

𝑉1 𝑉2 𝑉3 𝑉4
= = = = 𝜏 = 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝑥𝑜 𝑡 𝑦𝑜 𝑡 𝑥𝑜 𝑡 𝑦𝑜 𝑡
• And,
𝑉1
𝑞1 =
𝑥𝑜
• Therefore
𝑞1 = τ𝑡
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• As the terms V1 through V4 are induced shear and

cannot be easily determined, therefore, they can be
expressed in terms of torque. Taking moments about
centerline of thin walled tube,
𝑉4 𝑥𝑜 𝑉2 𝑥𝑜 𝑉1 𝑦𝑜 𝑉3 𝑦𝑜
𝑇= + + +
2 2 2 2
𝑥𝑜 𝑦𝑜
𝑇 = (𝑉4 +𝑉2 ) + (𝑉1 +𝑉3 )
2 2
• As, V4 = V2 and V3 = V1, therefore,
𝑥𝑜 𝑦𝑜
𝑇 = (2𝑉2 ) + (2𝑉1 )
2 2
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• As,
𝑉1 𝑉2
𝑞1 = and 𝑞2 =
𝑥𝑜 𝑦𝑜

• Therefore,
2𝑞𝑦𝑜 𝑥𝑜 2𝑞𝑥𝑜 𝑦𝑜
𝑇= + = 2𝑞𝐴𝑜
2 2
• As,
𝑞= τ𝑡
• Therefore,

𝑇
τ=
2𝐴𝑜 𝑡
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Torsional Strength of Concrete as per ACI Code

• Shear strength of concrete is given by

𝑉𝑐 = 2 𝑓𝑐 ′
• Average shear stress is given by
𝑉
𝑉𝑎𝑣𝑔 =
𝑏𝑑
• Therefore,
𝑉
= 2 𝑓𝑐 ′
𝑏𝑑
𝑉 = 𝑉𝑐 = 2 𝑓𝑐 ′ 𝑏𝑑
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• In case of torsion induced shear stresses (torsional stresses),

“cracking is assumed when tensile stresses reach 4 𝑓𝑐 ′ ” ACI 318-19

𝜏𝑐 = 4 𝑓𝑐 ′

• Torsional stresses in thin walled tube are given by

𝑇
τ=
2𝐴𝑜 𝑡
• Hence,

𝑇𝑐 = 4 𝑓𝑐 ′ 2𝐴𝑜 𝑡
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• According to ACI 318-19

2 3 𝐴𝑐𝑝
𝐴𝑜 = 𝐴 and 𝑡 =
3 𝑐𝑝 4 𝑃𝑐𝑝

Where, 𝐴𝑐𝑝 = 𝑥𝑦, 𝑃𝑐𝑝 = 2(𝑥 + 𝑦)

• Substituting values of Ao and t in equation for 𝑇𝑐 gives:

𝐴𝑐𝑝 2
𝑇𝑐 = 4 𝑓𝑐 ′
𝑃𝑐𝑝

This equation represents the capacity of rectangular concrete member in torsion.

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Ao = gross area enclosed by shear flow path.

Aoh = area enclosed by centerline of the
outermost closed transverse
torsional reinforcement;
Acp = area enclosed by outside perimeter of
concrete cross section
Pcp = outside perimeter of the concrete cross
section
Ph = perimeter of centerline of outermost
closed transverse torsional reinforcement
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• According to thin-walled analogy, as the resistance is assumed to be provided

by the outer cross section roughly centered on the closed stirrups, Ao should be
equal to Aoh;
• However to account for cracking ACI 318-19 requires Ao to be calculated as
Ao = 0.85Aoh.
• Therefore,
Aoh = xoyo and Ao = 0.85Aoh
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Requirements for Flexural Reinforcement

• Elastic Range Flexural Capacity
For an uncracked concrete beam, the flexural stresses are given by:
𝑀𝑦
𝑓=
𝐼
According to ACI code, at 𝑓 = 𝑓𝑟 = 7.5 𝑓𝑐 ′ , concrete is at the verge of failure in tension.
Therefore capacity of section at that stage is:
𝑓𝑟 𝑦
𝑀 = 𝑀𝑐𝑟 =
𝐼
• Ultimate Flexural Capacity
For a cracked RC beam at ultimate stage, the flexural capacity is given as:
𝑀𝑛 = 𝑀𝑐 + 𝑀𝑠
Where,

𝑀𝑐 = Nominal flexural capacity of concrete in tension.

𝑀𝑠 = Nominal flexural capacity of tension steel.
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• As concrete is weak in tension ,

𝑀𝑐 ≈ 0
• therefore,
𝑎
𝑀𝑛 ≈ 𝑀𝑠 = 𝐴𝑠 𝑓𝑦 𝑑 −
2

• So the tension reinforcement along with the concrete in

compression acts as a couple to resists the flexural demand on the
member.
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• Statically Indeterminate Case

For statically indeterminate case, no torsional reinforcement is required if
∅𝑇𝑐 ≥ 𝑇𝑢

• Statically Determinate Case

For statically determinate case, no torsional reinforcement is required if
∅𝑇𝑐
≥ 𝑇𝑢
4
𝐴𝑐𝑝 2
𝑇𝑐 = 4 𝑓𝑐 ′
𝑃𝑐𝑝
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Design Procedure of Reinforced Concrete Members Subjected to Torsion

∅𝑇𝑐
• Determine ∅𝑇𝑐 , if < 𝑇𝑢 for statically determinate case or ∅𝑇𝑐 < 𝑇𝑢 for
4
indeterminate case, torsional reinforcement is required.
• Check dimensions of member according to ACI 318-19.
𝑇𝑢𝑠
• Calculate 𝐴𝑡 (2 legged) = 𝐴 {where 𝐴𝑜 = 0.85𝐴𝑜 ℎ)
∅𝑓𝑦𝑣 𝑜
𝑉𝑢 −∅𝑉𝑐 𝑠
and 𝐴𝑣 (2 legged) =
∅𝑓𝑦 𝑑
• 𝐴𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 = 𝐴𝑡 + 𝐴𝑣 . Then determine spacing.
• Check spacing with maximum spacing requirements of ACI 318-19.
𝑇𝑢 𝑝ℎ
𝐴𝑙 =
∅2𝐴𝑜 𝑓𝑦 𝑙
• Check maximum spacing, minimum reinforcement and diameter of longitudinal bars.
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Problem
Design of Cantilever Beam:
• A cantilever beam supports its own dead load plus a concentrated
load. The beam is 54 inches long, and the concentrated load acts at a
point 6 inches from the end of the beam and 6 inches away from the centroidal
axis of the member.
• The un-factored concentrated load consists of a 20-kip dead and 20 kip live
load. The beam also supports an un-factored axial compressive dead load of
40 kip.
• Use normal weight concrete with fc′ = 3000 psi and both fy and fyt= 60000 psi.
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Step No. 01: Sizes

• According to ACI 9.5.2.1, table 9.5 (a):
• Minimum thickness of beam (cantilever) = hmin = L/8
• As L = 54″, therefore
• hmin = (54/8) = 6.75″ (Minimum requirement by ACI 9.5.2.1).
• Though any depth of beam greater than 6.75″ can be taken as per ACI
minimum requirement, we will use a depth equal to 24″.
• Let the width of beam section (bw) be equal to 14″.
• Therefore, bw = 14″ ; h = 24″ ; d = h – 2.5 = 21.5″
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Step No. 02: Loads

• Factored self weight of beam per running foot = 1.2 x (14×24/144)×0.15
= 0.42 kip/ft.
• Factored concentrated load = 1.2DL + 1.6LL = 1.2 × 20 + 1.6 × 20
= 56 kips.
• Factored axial load (Nu) = 1.2 × 40
= 48 kips
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Step No. 03: Analysis

• Analysis for Shear:
Vmax = 57.9 kips
Vu = 57.1 kips
• Analysis for Flexure:
Mu = - 226 kip-ft
• Analysis for Torsion:
Tu = 28.0 kip-ft
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Step No. 04: Design

• Check if Pu ≥ 0.1 fc′Ag

Pu = 48 kip
0.1fc′Ag = 0.1 × 3 × 14 × 24 = 100.8 kip
• Pu < 0.1 fc′Ag
• Therefore, axial force effect can be neglected in flexural design. Incase Pu
> 0.1 fc′Ag, member shall be designed for bending and axial load
both.
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Step No. 04: Design

• Analysis for Flexure:
• Mu = 228 ft-kip = 2736 kip-in.
• By trial and success method, As = 2.62 in2 (6 #6 bars)
• Asmax = ρmaxbwd
ρmax = 0.85 × 0.85 × (3/60) × {0.003/ (0.003 + 0.005)} = 0.01355
Asmax = 0.01355 × 14 × 21.5 = 4.07 in2
• Asmin = ρminbwd = (greater of 3 √fc′/fy OR 200/fy)bwd
= 0.0033 × 14 × 21.5 = 0.993 in2
Asmin< As <Asmax, O.K.
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Step No. 04: Design

• Design for Torsion and Shear both:
The design parameters required for torsion design are as follows,
• bw = 14″; d = 21.5″; h = 24″; hf = 6″
• Acp, pcp, Aoh, ph, Ao:
Acp = bwh = 14 × 24 = 336 in2
pcp = 2h +2bw = 2 × 24 + 2 × 14 = 76 in
• With 1 ¾ in cover to the center of the stirrup bars from all faces xo = 14 – 2 × 1 ¾ =
10.5 in
yo = 24 – 2 × 1 ¾ = 20.5 in
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Step No. 04: Design

• Design for Torsion and Shear both:
The design parameters required for torsion design are as follows,
• Thus,
Aoh = xoyo = 10.5 × 20.5 = 215.25 in2 Ao = 0.85Aoh = 182.96 in2
ph = 2 (xoh + yoh) = 2 (10.5 + 20.5) = 62 inches
• Finally,
Acp = 336 in2; pcp = 76 inches; Aoh = 215.25 in2; ph = 62 inches; Ao = 182.96 in2
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Step No. 04: Design

• Design for Torsion and Shear both:
The design parameters required for torsion design are as follows,
(i) Check for size of beam: ACI 11.5.3,
√ [{Vu/ (bwd)} 2 + {Tuph/ (1.7Aoh )} ] ≤ Φ {2√ (fc′) + 8√ (fc′)}
• Where, Vu and Tu at critical section. Therefore,
√[{57.1/(21.5×12)}2+{28×12×62/(1.7×215.252)}2]≤0.75×10×√ (3000)/1000
0.345 ksi ≤ 0.411 ksi
• Therefore size of the beam is O.K.
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Step No. 04: Design

• Design for Torsion and Shear both:
The design parameters required for torsion design are as follows,
(ii) Check if ΦTc/4 ≥ Tu (For statically determinate case):
• ΦTc = 0.75 × 4√ (fc′)Acp2/pcp
= 0.75 × 4 × {√ (3000)/ (12 × 1000)} × 3362/ 76 = 20.34 ft-kip
• No reinforcement is required if ΦTc/4 ≥ Tu ΦTc/4 = 20.34/4 = 5.085 ft-kip
• As ΦTc/4 < Tu, therefore torsional reinforcement is required.
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Step No. 04: Design

• Design for Torsion and Shear both:

(a) Torsional Reinforcement (at critical section, two legged):

• At (2 legged) = Tus/(ΦfyvAo)

• Therefore,

At (2 legged) = (28 × 12) s/ (0.75 × 60 × 182.96) = 0.041s

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Step No. 04: Design

• Design for Torsion and Shear both:
(b) Shear Reinforcement:
• As an axial load of 48 kips is acting on the beam, therefore ΦVc shall be calculated
using Vc = 2{1+ Nu/ (2000Ag)}√(fc′)bwd, where Ag is the gross area and Nu is the
axial force.
• ΦVc = Φ2{1+ Nu/ (2000Ag)}√(fc′)bwd
= 0.75×2×{1+48/(2000×336)}×√(3000)×14×21.5/1000
= 24.73 kips
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Step No. 04: Design

• Design for Torsion and Shear both:
(b) Shear Reinforcement:

• Av (2 legged) = (Vu – ΦVc)s/ (Φfyvd)

• Av (2 legged)= {57.1 – 24.73}s/ (0.75 × 60 × 21.5)

• Av (2 legged) = 0.03346s
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Step No. 04: Design

• Design for Torsion and Shear both:
• Atotal = At (2 legged) + Av (2 legged) = 0.041s + 0.03346s
Atotal = 0.07446s
• Assuming 3/8″ Φ, 2 legged with total bar area Ab = 0.22 in2
Sdesign = 0.22/0.07446 = 2.95 inches
• Trying 1/2″ Φ, 2 legged with total bar area Ab = 0.40 in2
Sd = 0.40/0.07446 = 5.37 inches
We will use 1/2” Φ bars at 5” c/c
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Step No. 04: Design

• Design for Torsion and Shear both:
(c) Maximum Spacing Requirement (ACI 11.5.5)
• For torsion s = ph/8 or 12″= 62/8 = 7.75″ or 12″
• For shear s = d/2 or 24″= 21.5/2 = 10.75″ or 24″
• Therefore maximum spacing allowed = 7.75″
• First stirrup is to be placed at a distance (Sd/2 = 5/2 ≈ 2.5″) from the face of the
support.
• Therefore 2.5 inches from face of the support provide s = 5 inches throughout.
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Step No. 04: Design

• Design for Torsion and Shear both:
Longitudinal reinforcement.
• Al = Tuph/ (Φ2Aofyl) = 28 × 12 × 62/ (0.75 × 2 × 182.96 × 60) = 1.265 in2
• Almin = 5{√(fc′)/fyl}Acp – (At/ 2s)phfyv/ fyl
= 5{√(3000) × 336/60000} – (0.041s/2s) × 62 × 60/60 = 0.262 in2
• According to the ACI Code, the spacing must not exceed 12 in., and the bars may not
be less than No.3 (No. 10) in size nor have a diameter less than 0.042s.
dmin = 0.042s = 0.042 × 5 = 0.21 inch
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Step No. 04: Design

• Design for Torsion and Shear both:
Longitudinal reinforcement.
• Reinforcement will be placed at the top, mid depth, and bottom of the member, each level
to provide not less than 1.265/3 = 0.422 in2. Two No. 6 bars will be used at mid depth,
and reinforcement to be placed for flexure will be increased by 0.422 in2 at the top and
bottom of member.
• Therefore final flexural reinforcement is:
• As, main = 2.62 + 0.422 = 3.042 in2 (7 #6 bars)
• Whereas 2 # 6 bars will be provided for bottom and mid depth reinforcement each
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Step No. 05: Detailing

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References
• Design of Concrete Structures (14th / 15 Ed.) by Nilson, Darwin and Dolan.

• Reinforced Concrete – Mechanics and Design [6th Ed.] by James MacGregor.

• ACI 318-19

• Prof Dr. Qaiser Ali