CHAPTER V

ANALYSIS AND DESIGN OF T-BEAMS

5.1 T – Beams

Reinforced concrete floor systems normally consist of the slabs and beams that
are place monolithically. As result, the slab and beam act together to resist loads. In
effect the beams have extra width at their tops, called FLANGES, and the resulting T –
shaped beams are called T – Beams. The part of a T – beam below the slab is referred to
as the WEB or STEM. The beams maybe L – shaped if the stem is at the end of the slab.
The stirrups in the web extend up into the slabs, as perhaps do bend – up bars, with the
result that the further make the beams and slabs act together.

The flanges of a T – beam be rather stocky and compact in cross – section,

bending stresses will be fairly distributed across the compression zone. If, however the
flange is flat and thin, bending stress will vary quite a bit across the flange due to shear
deformations. The further a particular part of the slab a flange is away from the web or
stem, the smaller will be its bending stress. Instead of varying stress situation across the
full width of the flange, the code limits for the smaller width with a amused uniform
stress distribution for design purposes. The objective is to have the same total
compression force in the reduced width that actually occurs in the full width with its
varying stresses.

5.2 Analysis of T – Beam

The analysis of T – Beams is handled quite similarly to the method used for
rectangular beams, and the tensile steel strength is limited to 0.75 required for a balance
design.

The neutral axis of T – Beams can fall either in the flange or in the web or stem,
depending on the proportions of slabs and stems. If it falls in the flange, the rectangular
beams and formula applies. The concrete below the neutral axis is weight. The section
above the neutral axis is rectangular. If the section is below the neutral axis, the section
above the neutral axis is no longer consists of a single rectangle, see methods in the
analysis of beam below.

Figure 5.1 EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR T – BEAMS

Where:
b = Effective width of flange of interior beams
b’ = Effective width of flange of exterior beam
bw = stem or web width of interior beams
b’w = stem or web width of exterior beam
t = thickness of flange
d = effective depth; the distance from the extreme compression fiber
to center of tension reinforcement
 cc = concrete cover; distance from extreme tension fiber to the center
of tension reinforcement
5.3 Effective width of flange

From ACI Code:

a. For T – shaped flange
1. It shall not exceed one – fourth of span length of beam.
b = L/4
2. The overhanging of the flange on either side of stem should not exceed 8
times slab thickness.
b = bw + 8t
3. The flange width must not be greater that the distance center to center of
adjacent beams.
b=S
b. For L – shaped flange
1. It should not exceed L/12; b = L/12
2. The overhanging of the flange on either side of stem should not exceed 16
times slab thickness.
b’ = b’w + 16t
3. The flange should be equal to ½ center to center of the beams ; b’ = S/2

5.4 Methods in Analyzing T – Beams

5.41 First Method:

When the neutral axis is in the flange thickness, beam is analyzed as rectangular
beam with width b and formulas use in it are applicable.

5.42 Second Method:

When neutral axis is within the stem or below the flange thickness. This method
considers only the stresses for Compression concrete and Tension reinforcement.

Figure 5.2 – Compression and Tensile stress on a section.

Second Method

From stress diagram;

( )
fc1 = ; Average stress = 𝑏𝑡
where; bt = area subjected to this stress
( )
Thus; C = Compressive force or stress
T = Asfy Tensile force or stress

Distance from compression extreme fiber or neutral axis:

/
kd =
For moment due to tensile stress:
Ms = Tjd = Asfsjd
For moment due to compression stress given by concrete:
( )
Mc = Cjd =
From Design constants:

( )
fc1 = ; fc – fc1 = [1 − ] 𝑓𝑐
( )
z= ; jd = d – z
( )

5.43 Third Method

When neutral axis is within the stem or below the flange thickness. This method
considers the method of doubly reinforce concrete where M = M 1 + M2, C = C1 + C2, As =
As1 + As2 and T = T1 + T2.

Figure 5.3 Third Method Illustration

For couple Moment

M = M1 + M2 ; M = Asfsjd  external moment

T = T1 + T2
( )
M1 = ; M2 = M – M 1
( )

5.44 Fourth Method (Approximate Method)

When neutral axis is within the stem or below the flange. This method considers
the compressive stress at the bottom of stem and flange in Tension at the support. The
dead load at this method is assumed to be 10% to 20% of live load.

Figure 5.4 Fourth Method Illustrate

At support:

For Moment: M = T(d – t/2) = Asfy(d – t/2)

M = C(d – t/2) = fc/2(bt)(d – t/2)

Where:
C = fc/2(bt)

At the center: As =

At the support: As =
Assumed width of stem and compute for depth
d=

5.5 Example Problem in Design of T – Beams

5.51 Problem 1
Determine the effective depth and width of its web of a continuous T – Beam having a
clear upon between supports equal to 5.50 meters and carries a uniformly distributed
load of 210 kN/m. Use f’c = 18 MPa, n = 10, fs = 135 MPa, v = 1.7 MPa.

Given:
d=? f’c = 18 MPa n = 10
bw = ? fs = 135 MPa v = 1.7 MPa
L = 5.50 m W = 210 kN/m

Solution:
Compute for moment: (continuous beam)
( . )
M= = = 96.25 kN.m
Try bw = 280 mm
Compute for Design constants:
fc = 0.45 f’c = 0.45(18) = 8.10 MPa
k= = = 0.375
.
.
j=1- =1– = 0.875
R = ½ fckj = ½ (8.1)(0.375)(0.875) = 1.33 MPa
Compute for depth:
.
d= = = 508 mm
. ( )
Therefore:
Effective depth = 508 mm
Width of web = 280 mm

Problem 2

Figure shows an interior portion of a concrete floor system. The columns are
space 5m x 6m. The girders which support the alternate rows of beams connect the
columns in the 5.0 meter direction. Design the slabs and beams using the following
data:
-M = , +M = , for slabs; -M = , +M = for beams. Live load = 7.5 kN/m2
f’c = 15 MPa, fs = 130 MPa, n = 12, v = 0.40 MPa, u = 1.25 MPa.

Figure:
-M =
Given:
S = 5.0 m Slab moments Beam moments
L = 6.0 m -M = +M =
LL = 7.5 kN/m3 +M = +M =
f’c = 15 MPa v = 0.4 MPa cc = 25 mm for slab
fs = 130 MPa u = 1.25 MPa
n = 12 cc = 60 mm for beam

Solution:
For slab:
Consider 1-m strip
S/L = 2.5/6 = 0.42 < 0.50 one-way slab
For slab thickness:
( . )
h= = 94.40 mm ; use minimum thickness = 100 mm
Compute for weight:
W = DL + LL
DL = (0.10)(1m)(2,400 kg/m)(9.81 N/kg)
DL = 2.354 kN/m
LL = 7.5 kN/m2(1m) = 7.5 kN/m
W = 2.354 kN/m + 7.5 kN/m = 9.854 kN/m
. ( )
v= = 0.154 MPa < 0.40 MPa ok
( )
Check for bond stress:
u= ; ∑o = (𝜋)(12) = (𝜋)(12) = 203.78 mm  at support
∑

At center, ∑o = (𝜋)(12) = 157.10 mm

At support:
,
u= = 0.86 MPa < 1.25 MPa safe
. ( . )( )

At center:
,
u= = 1.13 MPa < 1.25 MPa safe
. ( . )( )

Design for Beams:

Live load = 7.5 kN/m2(2.5m) = 18.75 kN/m
Weight of slab = 2.5(0.10)(2,400)(9.81) = 5.9 kN/m
Weight of web = Assume 15% of live loead
= 18.75 kN/m (0.15) = 2.81 kN/m
WT = 18.75 + 5.9 + 2.81 = 27.46 kN/m

Compute for Moment:

 ( . )( )
At support: -M = = = 89.87 kN∙m
( . )( )
At center: +M = = = 61.79 kN∙m
Assume bw = 300 mm

d= − = = 478.2 say 479 mm

. ( )
h = d + cc = 479 + 60 = 539 mm
height of web = 539 – 100 = 439 mm
wt. of web = (0.30)(0.439)(2,400)(9.81) = 3.1 kN/m > 2.81 unsafe
Assume weight of web = 20% of live load
= 18.75(0.20) = 3.75 kN/m
WT = 18.75 + 5.9 + 3.75 = 28.4 kN/m

Compute for slab moments:

. ( . )
For Negative ; At support -M = = = 5.13 kN∙m

. ( . )
For Positive; At midspan: +M = = = 3.85 kN∙m

Compute for design constants:

fc = 0.45f’c = 0.45(15) = 6.75 MPa
k= = = 0.384
.
.
j=1- =1- = 0.872
R = ½ fckj = ½(6.75)(0.384)(0.872) = 1.13 MPa
Actual Depth = h – cc = 100 – 25 = 75 mm
, ,
d= = = 67 mm < 75 mm ok
. ( )

For Reinforcing Bars:

As = at mid span
, ,
As = = 452.835 mm2
( )( . )( )
Use 12 mm main bars:
( )
Ab = = 113.10 mm2

( ) . ( )
Spacing(S) = = = 249.76 mm
.

Say, S = 240 mm.o.c.

At the support: (using 12mm)

 , ,
As = = = 603.40 mm2
( . )( )
( . )
Spacing (S) = = 187.44 say 185 mm.o.c.
.

( )
Ab = = 78.54 mm2

Check for shearing stress:

. ( . )
v= ;V= – Wd = – 9.854(0.075) = 11.58 kN

Compute for Moment:

. ( )
At support: -M = = = 92.95 kN∙m
. ( )
At center: +M = = = 63.9 kN∙m

Compute for depth:

, ,
d= = 486.33 mm say 487
. ( )
height = 487 + 60 = 547 mm
height of web = 547 – 100 = 447 mm
weight of web = (0.30)(0.447)(9.81)(2,400) = 3.16 kN∙m < 3.75 kN∙m

For steel Reinforcement:

, ,
At support: As = = = 1,683.70 mm2
( . )( )
Use 25 mm RSB:
( )
Ab = = 490.90 mm2
, .
N= = = 3.43 say 4 pcs
.

At the center: use 25 mm RSB

, ,
As = = = 1,125.68 mm2
( ) ( )
, .
N= = 2.29 say 3 pcs
.

Check for shear:

. ( )
v= ;V= − 𝑊𝑑 = – 28.4(0.487) = 71.37 kN
 DEEP BEAMS AND T-BEAMS

6-1 Provisions from Code:

1.) Beams with overall depth to clear span ratios greater than 2/5 for continuous
spans, or 4/5 to simple spans, shall be designed as deep flexural members
taking into account non-linear distribution of strain and lateral buckling.
2.) Beams with web depth that exceed 900mm have a tendency to develop
excessive wide cracks in the upper parts of their tension zones.
3.) If the deep exceeds 900mm, longitudinal skin reinforcement shall be
distributed along both side faces of the member for a distance d/2 nearest the
flexural tension reinforcement.
4.) The area of skin reinforcement, Ask, per meter of height on each side face shall
be:

Ask ≥ 1.016 (d – 750)

5.) The max. spacing of the skin reinforcement shall not exceed the lesser of d/b
or 300mm. Such reinforcement maybe included in strength computations if a
strain compatibility analysis is made to determine stresses in the individual
bars.
6.) Total Area of longitudinal skin reinforcement in both faces need not exceed ½
of the required flexural tensile reinforcement.

6-2 T – BEAMS
1.) Reinforced concrete floors usually consist of slabs and beams, which are
placed or poured monolithically. In this effect, the beam will be an extra width
at the top, which is usually under compression, called flanges, and the
resulting section is called T – Beams.

2.) The beam may be in L-shaped if it is located at the end of slab.

CODE REQUIREMENT FOR T-BEAMS: (Section 5.8.10)

1.) In T-Beam construction, the flange and web shall be integrally or
otherwise effectively bonded together.

2.) The width of slab effective as a T-beam shall not exceed ¼ of the span
of the beam, and the effective overhanging flange on each side of the
web shall not exceed:
(a.) 8 times the slab thickness
(b.) ½ the clear distance to the next web

3.) For beams with slab on one side only, the effective overhanging flange
shall not exceed:
(a.) 1/12 the span length of the beam
(b.) 6 times the slab thickness
(c.) 1/12 the clear distance to the next web.