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5.5 Design For Torsion (Part I) : 5.5.1 General Comments
5.5 Design For Torsion (Part I) : 5.5.1 General Comments
Devdas Menon
For equilibrium torsion in a straight beam with distributed torque (tu), the maximum
torsional moment (Tu) is near the restraint at the support. The following figure shows a
schematic representation of the distributed torque.
Tu
tu
L
The torsional moment near the support is given by the following expression.
tu L
Tu = (5-5.1)
2
Here,
L = clear span of the beam
tu = distributed torque per unit length.
For a straight beam with a point torque, the maximum torsional moment (Tu) is near the
closer support. If the location of the point torque is variable, Tu is calculated for the
location closest to a support. For a curved beam, Tu is calculated based on structural
analysis.
To vary the amount of reinforcement along the span, other sections may be selected for
design. Usually the following scheme is selected for the stirrup spacing in beams under
uniformly distributed load.
1) Close spacing for quarter of the span adjacent to the supports.
2) Wide spacing for half of the span at the middle.
For large beams, more variation of spacing may be selected. The following sketch
shows the typical variation of spacing of stirrups. The span is represented by L.
First, an equivalent flexural moment Mt is calculated from Tu. Second, for the design of
primary longitudinal reinforcement, including the prestressed tendon, the total
equivalent ultimate moment (Me1) is calculated from the flexural moment (Mu) and Mt.
Third, the design of longitudinal reinforcement for other faces based on equivalent
ultimate moments Me2 and Me3 is necessary when the equivalent moment Mt is larger
than Mu. The following sketch shows the equivalent ultimate moments for design.
Me3
Me1 Me2
The design for Me1 is similar to the design of a prestressed section for flexure.
The design for Me2 is similar to the design of a prestressed concrete or reinforced
concrete section. The design for Me3 is similar to the design of a reinforced concrete
section. The design of stirrups including torsion is similar to the design of stirrups in
absence of torsion.
The design for the limit state of collapse for torsion is based on the Skew Bending
Theory. For a beam subjected to simultaneous flexure and torsion, an equivalent
ultimate bending moment at a section is calculated.
The design for torsion involves the design of longitudinal reinforcement as well as the
transverse reinforcement. The longitudinal reinforcement is designed based on the
equivalent ultimate bending moment.
The transverse reinforcement is designed based on the Skew Bending Theory and a
total shear requirement. For the capacity of concrete, to consider the simultaneous
occurrence of flexural and torsional shears, an interaction between the two is
considered.
The equations in IS:1343 - 1980 are applicable for beams of the following sections.
1) Solid rectangular, with D > b.
2) Hollow rectangular, with D > b and t ≥ b/4.
3) Flanged sections like T-beams and I-beams.
The sections are shown in the following sketch.
b b
bw
D
t
Solid rectangular Hollow rectangular Flanged
Figure 5-6.4 Different sections for torsion design
For the design of the longitudinal reinforcement, there are three expressions of the
equivalent ultimate bending moment for the three modes of failure (Reference: Rangan,
B. V. and Hall, A. S., “Design of Prestressed Concrete Beams Subjected to Combined
Bending, Shear and Torsion”, ACI Journal, American Concrete Institute, March 1975,
Vol. 72, No. 3, pp. 89 – 93). The modes of failure are explained in Section 5.4, Analysis
for Torsion. The figures of the failure pattern are reproduced here for explanation.
Mode 1 Failure
Zone
under Cu
M e1
Tu
Figure 5-6.5 Idealised pattern and design moment for Mode 1 failure
The equivalent ultimate bending moment for Mode 1 failure (Me1) is given by the
following equation.
M e1 = M u + M t (5-5.2)
2D ⎞
Mt = Tu ⎛⎜ 1+ ⎟ (5-5.3)
⎝ b ⎠
Since, the torsion generates tension in the reinforcement irrespective of the sign, the
sign of Mt is same as that of Mu.
Mode 2 Failure
Tu Me 3
Zone
under Cu
Figure 5-6.6 Idealised pattern and design moment for Mode 2 failure
The equivalent ultimate transverse bending moment for Mode 2 failure (Me3) is given as
follows.
2
⎛ 1+ 2b ⎞
⎜ D ⎟
Me 3 = Mt ⎛⎜ 1+ 1 ⎞⎟ ⎜
x (5-5.4)
⎟
⎝ 2e ⎠ ⎜ 1+ 2D ⎟
⎝ b ⎠
y1
x1
Figure 5-6.7 Dimensions of a closed stirrup
The transverse bending moment Me3 is considered when the numerical value of Mu is
less than Mt. Me3 acts about a vertical axis.
Mode 3 Failure
Tu
Me2
Zone
under Cu
Figure 5-6.8 Idealised pattern and design moment for Mode 3 failure
The equivalent ultimate bending moment for Mode 3 failure (Me2) is given by the
following equation.
Me2 = Mt – Mu (5-5.5)
The expression of Mt is same as for Mode 1 failure, given before.
Mode 3 failure is checked when the numerical value of Mu is less than that of Mt. Me2
acts in the opposite sense of that of Mu.
The longitudinal reinforcement is designed for Me1 similar to the flexural reinforcement
for a prestressed beam. The design of flexural reinforcement is covered in Section 4.2,
Design of Sections for Flexure (Part I) and Section 4.3 Design of Sections for Flexure
(Part II). When Me2 is considered, longitudinal reinforcement is designed similar to a
prestressed concrete or reinforced concrete beam. When Me3 is considered,
longitudinal reinforcement is designed similar to a reinforced concrete beam. For a
singly reinforced rectangular section, the amount of longitudinal reinforcement (As) is
solved from the following equation.
⎛ f A ⎞
0.87fy As d ⎜ 1- y s ⎟ = Mu (5-5.6)
⎝ fck bd ⎠