CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

BEAMS REINFORCED FOR

COMPRESSION
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

Compression Steel

The steel that is occasionally used on the compression sides of beams is

called compression steel, and beams with both tensile and compressive
steel are referred to as doubly reinforced beams. Compression steel is
not normally required in sections designed by the strength method
because use of the full compressive strength of the concrete decidedly
decreases the need for such reinforcement, as compared to designs
made with the working-stress design method.
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

Occasionally, however, space or aesthetic requirements limit beams to

such small sizes that compression steel is needed in addition to tensile
steel. To increase the moment capacity of a beam beyond that of a
tensilely reinforced beam with the maximum percentage of steel], it is
necessary to introduce another resisting couple in the beam. This is done
by adding steel in both the compression and tensile sides of the beam.
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

Compressive steel increases not only the resisting moments of concrete

sections but also the amount of curvature that a member can take
before flexural failure. This means that the ductility of such sections will
be appreciably increased. Though expensive, compression steel makes
beams tough and ductile, enabling them to withstand large moments,
deformations, and stress reversals such as might occur during
earthquakes. As a result, many building codes for earthquake zones
require that certain minimum amounts of compression steel be included
in flexural members.
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

Compression steel is very effective in reducing long-term

deflections due to shrinkage and plastic flow. Continuous
compression bars are also helpful for positioning stirrups (by tying
them to the compression bars) and keeping them in place during
concrete placement and vibration.
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

Tests of doubly reinforced concrete beams have shown that even if the
compression concrete crushes, the beam may very well not collapse if
the compression steel is enclosed by stirrups. Once the compression
concrete reaches its crushing strain, the concrete cover spalls or splits
off the bars, much as in columns. If the compression bars are
confined by closely spaced stirrups, the bars will not buckle until
additional moment is applied. This additional moment cannot be
considered in practice because beams are not practically useful after
part of their concrete breaks off.

(Would you like to use a building after some parts of the concrete
beams have fallen on the floor?)
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

For doubly reinforced beams, an initial assumption is made that the

compression steel yields as well as the tensile steel. (The tensile steel is
always assumed to yield because of the ductile requirements of the ACI
Code.) If the strain at the extreme fiber of the compression concrete is
assumed to equal 0.00300 and the compression steel, 𝐴′𝑠 , is located two-
thirds of the distance from the neutral axis to the extreme concrete fiber,
then the strain in the compression steel equals 2/ 3 × 0.003 = 0.002. If
this is greater than the strain in the steel at yield, as say 50,000/(29 × 106 )
= 0.00172 for 50,000-psi steel, the steel has yielded. It should be noted
that actually the creep and shrinkage occurring in the compression
concrete help the compression steel to yield.
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

Sometimes the neutral axis is quite close to the compression steel.

As a matter of fact, in some beams with low steel percentages, the
neutral axis may be right at the compression steel. For such cases,
the addition of compression steel adds little, if any, moment
capacity to the beam. It can, however, make the beam more
ductile.
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

When compression steel is used, the nominal resisting moment of

the beam is assumed to consist of two parts: the part due to the
resistance of the compression concrete and the balancing tensile
reinforcing, and the part due to the nominal moment capacity of the
compression steel and the balancing amount of the additional tensile
steel.
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

This situation is illustrated in Figure 5.13. In the expressions

developed here, the effect of the concrete in compression, which is
replaced by the compressive steel, 𝐴′𝑠 , is neglected. This omission
will cause us to overestimate 𝑀𝑛 by a very small and negligible
amount (less than 1%).
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

The first of the two resisting moments is illustrated in Figure 5.13(b).

𝑎
𝑀𝑛1 = 𝐴𝑠1 𝑓𝑦 𝑑 −
2

The second resisting moment is that produced by the additional tensile

and compressive steel (𝐴𝑠2 and 𝐴′𝑠 ), which is presented in Figure 5.13(c).

𝑀𝑛2 = 𝐴′𝑠 𝑓𝑦 𝑑 − 𝑑′
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

Up to this point it has been assumed that the compression steel has
reached its yield stress. If such is the case, the values of 𝐴𝑠2 and 𝐴′𝑠 will
be equal because the addition to T of 𝐴𝑠2 fy must be equal to the
addition to C of 𝐴′𝑠 𝑓𝑦 for equilibrium. If the compression steel has not
yielded, 𝐴′𝑠 must be larger than 𝐴𝑠2 .

Combining the two values, we obtain

𝑎
𝑀𝑛 = 𝐴𝑠1 𝑓𝑦 𝑑 − + 𝐴𝑠2 𝑓𝑦 𝑑 − 𝑑′
2
𝑎
𝜙𝑀𝑛 = 𝜙 𝐴𝑠1 𝑓𝑦 𝑑 − + 𝐴𝑠2 𝑓𝑦 𝑑 − 𝑑′
2
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

Initially the stress in the compression steel is assumed to be at yield

(𝑓′𝑠 = 𝑓𝑦 ). From Figure 5.14, summing forces horizontally in the force
diagram and substituting β1 𝑐 for a leads to

𝐴𝑠 𝑓𝑦 = 0.85𝑓′𝑐 β1 𝑐 𝑏 + 𝐴′𝑠 𝑓𝑦

( 𝐴𝑠 −𝐴′ 𝑠 )𝑓𝑦
𝑐=
0.85𝑓′𝑐 β1 𝑏
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

Referring to the strain diagram of Figure 5.14, from similar triangles

(𝑐 − 𝑑′)(0.003)
𝑠=
′
𝑐
If the strain in the compression steel ′ 𝑠 > 𝑦 = 𝑓𝑦 / 𝐸𝑠 , the assumption is
valid and 𝑓′𝑠 is at yield, 𝑓𝑦 . If ′ 𝑠 < 𝑦 , the compression steel is not yielding,
and the value of c calculated above is not correct. A new equilibrium
equation must be written that assumes 𝑓′𝑠 < 𝑓𝑦 .
(𝑐 − 𝑑′)(0.003)
𝐴𝑠 𝑓𝑦 = 0.85𝑓′𝑐 β1 𝑐 𝑏 + 𝐴′𝑠 𝐸𝑠
𝑐
where 𝐸𝑠 = 29,000,000 psi = 29,000 ksi. 𝐸𝑠 = 200GPa=200000MPa
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

Design of Doubly Reinforced Beams

Steps in Designing of Doubly Reinforced Beams
1. Compute 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.75𝑏
0.85 𝑓′𝑐 𝛽1 600
0.85 𝑓′𝑐 𝛽1 600 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.75
𝑏 = 𝑓𝑦 𝑓𝑦 + 600
𝑓𝑦 𝑓𝑦 + 600
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

NSCP 2015 Code

Values of 𝛽1 for Equivalent Rectangular Concrete Stress Distribution

for 17𝑀𝑃𝑎 ≤ 𝑓′𝑐 ≤ 28𝑀𝑃𝑎 ; 𝛽1 = 0.85

0.05(𝑓 ′ 𝑐 − 28)
for 28𝑀𝑃𝑎 < 𝑓′𝑐 < 55𝑀𝑃𝑎 ; 𝛽1 = 0.85 −
7

for 𝑓′𝑐  55𝑀𝑃𝑎 ; 𝛽1 = 0.65

CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

2. Use  = 90% 𝑚𝑎𝑥

3. Compute for the resisting moment of concrete 𝑀𝑢1

𝜌𝑓𝑦
𝑀𝑢1 = 𝜙𝜌𝑓𝑦 𝑏 𝑑2 1 − 0.59
𝑓′𝑐

4. Compute for the maximum applied moment of concrete 𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥

If 𝑀𝑢1 > 𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 , Analyze as singly-reinforced

If 𝑀𝑢1 < 𝑀𝑚𝑎𝑥 , Provide compression bars
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

5. Compute for 𝑀𝑢2

𝑀𝑢 = 𝑀𝑢1 + 𝑀𝑢2

𝑀𝑢2 = 𝑀𝑢 − 𝑀𝑢1

6. Solve for 𝐴𝑠1

𝐴𝑠1 = 𝑏 𝑏𝑑
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

7. Check if 𝑓𝑠 = 𝑓𝑦 and 𝑓′𝑠 = 𝑓𝑦

𝐴𝑠1 𝑓𝑦
Assume 𝑓𝑠 = 𝑓𝑦 𝑎 =
0.85𝑏 𝑓′𝑐
𝐶1 = 𝑇1
𝑎 = 𝛽1 𝑐
0.85 𝑓′𝑐 𝑎 𝑏 = 𝐴𝑠1 𝑓𝑦
𝑎
𝑐=
𝛽1
𝑠 > 𝑦 ; 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑦𝑒𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑠; 𝑓𝑠 = 𝑓𝑦
′ 𝑠 > 𝑦 ; 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑙 𝑦𝑒𝑖𝑙𝑑𝑠 ; 𝑓′𝑠 = 𝑓𝑦
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

8. Solve for 𝐴𝑠 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑠

𝑀𝑢2 = 𝜙𝐴𝑠2 𝑓𝑠 𝑑 − 𝑑′ 𝑓𝑠 = 𝑓𝑦

𝑀𝑢2 𝑀𝑢2
𝐴𝑠2 = 𝐴𝑠2 =
𝜙𝑓𝑠 𝑑 − 𝑑′ 𝜙𝑓𝑦 𝑑 − 𝑑′

𝐴𝑠 = 𝐴𝑠1 + 𝐴𝑠2
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

9. Solve for 𝐴′𝑠 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑎𝑟𝑠

𝐼𝑓𝑠 > 𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑′ 𝑠 > 𝑦 , then 𝑓𝑠 = 𝑓′𝑠 = 𝑓𝑦

𝐴′𝑠 𝑓𝑦 = 𝐴𝑠2 𝑓𝑦

𝐴′𝑠 = 𝐴𝑠2
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

10. Check for ductility

1. When compression steel has yielded
Maximum permissible 𝐴𝑠 = 0.75𝑏 𝑏𝑑 + 𝐴′𝑠
or 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.75𝑏 + ’
2. When compression steel has not yielded
Maximum permissible 𝐴𝑠 = 0.75𝑏 𝑏𝑑 + 𝐴′𝑠 𝑓′𝑠 / 𝑓𝑦
or 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.75𝑏 + ’ 𝑓′𝑠 / 𝑓𝑦

0.85 𝑓′𝑐 𝛽1 600𝑑′

 −’ >
𝑓𝑦 𝑑 600 −𝑓𝑦
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

Investigation of Doubly Reinforced Beams

Steps in Investigating of Doubly Reinforced Beams
1. Solve for 𝐴′𝑠 and 𝐴𝑠
2. Solve for 𝐴𝑠1 assuming 𝑓𝑠 = 𝑓′𝑠 = 𝑓𝑦 where 𝐴𝑠1 = 𝐴𝑠 − 𝐴′𝑠
3. Check if steel yields
𝐼𝑓𝑠 > 𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ′ 𝑠 > 𝑦 , compression and tensile steel bars yield then 𝑓𝑠 = 𝑓′𝑠 = 𝑓𝑦
𝐼𝑓𝑠 > 𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ′ 𝑠 < 𝑦 , compression bars do not yield and tensile steel bars yield
𝑓𝑠 = 𝑓𝑦 ; 𝑓′𝑠 < 𝑓𝑦
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

assuming 𝑓𝑠 = 𝑓′𝑠 = 𝑓𝑦
𝐶1 = 𝑇1
0.85 𝑓′𝑐 𝑎 𝑏 = 𝐴𝑠1 𝑓𝑦
𝐴𝑠1 𝑓𝑦
𝑎 =
0.85𝑏 𝑓′𝑐

𝑎 = 𝛽1 𝑐
𝑎
𝑐=
𝛽1
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

𝐼𝑓𝑠 > 𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ′ 𝑠 > 𝑦 , compression and tensile steel bars yield then 𝑓𝑠 = 𝑓′𝑠 = 𝑓𝑦

𝑎
𝑀𝑛1 = 𝐴𝑠1 𝑓𝑦 𝑑 − 𝑀𝑛2 = 𝐴′𝑠 𝑓𝑦 𝑑 − 𝑑′
2
𝑀𝑛 = 𝑀𝑛1 + 𝑀𝑛2

𝑀𝑢 = 𝜙𝑀𝑛
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

𝐼𝑓 𝑠 > 𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ′ 𝑠 < 𝑦 , compression bars do not yield and tensile steel bars yield
𝑓𝑠 = 𝑓𝑦 ; 𝑓′𝑠 < 𝑓𝑦

𝑇 = 𝐶1 +𝐶2 𝑓′𝑠 = ′ 𝑠 𝐸𝑠
𝑇 = 𝐴𝑠 𝑓𝑦
𝐶1 = 0.85 𝑓′𝑐 𝑎 𝑏 𝑎 = 𝛽1 𝑐

𝐶1 = 0.85 𝑓′𝑐 𝛽1 𝑐 𝑏

𝐶2 = 𝐴′𝑠 𝑓′𝑠
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑐, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛𝑓′𝑠

𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎
𝑎
𝑀𝑛1 = 0.85 𝑓′𝑐 𝑎 𝑏 𝑑 − 𝑀𝑛2 = 𝐴′𝑠 𝑓𝑦 𝑑 − 𝑑′
2

𝑀𝑛 = 𝑀𝑛1 + 𝑀𝑛2

𝑀𝑢 = 𝜙𝑀𝑛
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

Design of Doubly Reinforced Beams

Sample 1: Design a rectangular beam to carry a uniform live load of

10kN/m and dead load of 25kN/m (including its own weight) on a
simple span of 6m. The beam is limited in cross-section to 250mm x
450mm. Using 𝑓′𝑐 = 21MPa, 𝑓𝑦 = 345MPa, determine the
reinforcement. Use covering of 60mm for top and bottom.
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

Sample 2: Find the safe live load that the rectangular beam
could carry if it is reinforced with 2- 36mm diameter bars at
the top and 5 – 36mm diameter bars placed at the bottom
with an effective depth of 510mm. Steel covering is 50mm at
the top and bottom. 𝑓′𝑐 = 35MPa , 𝑓𝑦 = 400MPa . Span of
beam is 6m. b = 280mm
CE 368 PRINCIPLES OF REINFORCED/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE

Sample 3: Find the safe live load that the rectangular beam
could carry if it is reinforced with 2- 25mm diameter bars at
the top and 3 – 36mm diameter bars placed at the bottom
with an effective depth of 510mm. Steel covering is 50mm at
the top and bottom. 𝑓′𝑐 = 35MPa , 𝑓𝑦 = 400MPa . Span of
beam is 6m. b = 280mm