DESIGN OF T-SECTIONS

In slab–beam–girder construction, the slab dimensions as well as the spacing and position of
beams are established first. The next step is to design the supporting beams, namely, the
dimensions of the web and the steel reinforcement. Referring to the analysis of the T-section in
the previous chapter, we can see that a large area of the compression flange, forming a part of the
slab, is effective in resisting a great part or all of the compression force due to bending.
If the section is designed on this basis, the depth of the web will be small; consequently, the
moment arm is small, resulting in a large amount of tension steel, which is not favorable. Shear
requirements should be met, and this usually requires quite a deep section.

In many cases web dimensions can be known based on the flexural design of the section at the
support in a continuous beam. The section at the support is subjected to a negative moment, the
slab being under tension and considered not effective, and the beam width is that of the web.

When d is given and we must calculate As:

a. Check if the section acts as a rectangular or T-section by assuming a =hf and calculating the
moment strength
of the whole flange:
h
∅ M nf = ∅ 0.85 f 'c be hf d− f
2 ( )
If Mu >𝜙 Mnf, then a > hf.
If Mu <𝜙Mnf, then a < hf, and the section behaves as a rectangular section.

As
b. If a < hf, then calculate 𝜌 using, and As = 𝜌bd. Check that 𝜌𝑤 = ≥ 𝜌min.
bw d
c. If a > hf, determine Asf for the overhanging portions of the flange,
'
0.85 f c ( b−bw ) h f
A sf =
fy
M uw =M u−M uf

R=
M uw
∅bd 2
; m=
fy
0.85 f
'
c
; ρw =
1
m[ √
1− 1−
2 mR
fy ]
A s= A sf + A sw

Then check that As <As, max, . Also check that 𝜌𝑤 > As/(b𝑤d) =𝜌min.

2. When d and As are not known, the design may proceed as follows:
a. Assume a = hf and calculate the amount of total steel, Asf, needed to resist the compression
force in the whole flange, be:
'
0.85 f c ( b−bw ) h f
A sf =
fy

1
b. Calculate d based on Asf and a = hf from the equation

(
M u= ∅ A sf f y d− f
h
2)
If the depth, d, is acceptable, then As = Asf and h = d + 65 mm, for one row of bars or h = d +
100 mm for two rows of bars.
c. If a new d1 is adopted greater than the calculated d, then the section behaves as a rectangular
section, and 𝜌 can be calculated; As = 𝜌bd < Asf.
d. If a new d2 is adopted that is smaller than the calculated d, then the section will act as a T-
section, and the final As will be greater then Asf In this case, proceed as in step 1(c) to calculate
As.

Example (1): (Design of RC T-Sections)

The T-beam section shown in figure below has a web width, b𝑤, of 250 mm, a flange width, b,
of 1000mm, a flange thickness of 100 mm, and an effective depth, d, of 365 mm. Determine the
necessary reinforcement if the applied factored moment is 380 kN.m.
Given: f'c= 21 MPa and fy = 414 MPa.

Solution
1. Check the position of the neutral axis; the section may be rectangular. Assume the depth
of compression block a is 100 mm; that is, a = hf = 100 mm
Then:

(
∅ M f n= ∅ 0.85 f 'c b e h f d −
hf
2 )
∅ M n=0.9 ×0.85 × 21× 1000× 100× 365− ( 100
2 )
×10−6 = 506 kN.m

2
 ¿Mu, applied=380 kN.m

∴ Rectangule Section Design ( singly Reinforcement )

Determine the area of tension steel, considering a rectangular section , b=1000 mm, and
d=365 mm

Mu 380× 10
6
R= 2
= 2
=3.17
∅bd 0.9× 1000 ×365

fy 414
m= '
= =23.2
0.85∗f c
0.85 ×21

ρ=
1
m [ √
1− 1−
2 mR
fy 23.2 ] [ √
= 1 1− 1− 2 ×23.3 ×3.17 = 0.0085
414 ]
∴ A s=0.0085∗1000∗365=3103 mm2

Use 25 mm steel bars, As, bar=491 mm2

3103
No. of bars = =6.32 …… Use 6-Ø25 mm +2-Ø10
491

1000 mm

100
2-Ø10

365
Ø10@ …..
450 mm
6-Ø25 mm +2-Ø10

250

 Check the strain for the steel reinforcements…..

3
Example (2) :

The two-hinged frame shown in Figure below carries a uniform service dead load (including
estimated self-weight) of 3.2 kN/m and a uniform service live load of 2.1 kN/m on frame beam
BC. The moment at the corner B (or C) = 360 kN.m, and ME = 1000 kN.m. A typical section of
beam BC is show. It is required to design the beam BC for the factored moments, positive and
negative, using f'c= 23 MPa and fy = 414MPa. Show reinforcement details.

4
1. Design of section (E) at mid-span: Mu = + 1000 kN.m. Assuming two rows of bars,
d= 550-40-10-28-14 =458mm
Now, Calculate the moment capacity of the flange using a = 100mm:

Then:

(
∅ M n (¿ flange)=∅ 0.85 f 'c be h f d−
hf
2 )
∅ M n=0.9 ×0.85 × 23× 1200 × 100× 458− ( 100
2 )
×10−6 = 861.5 kN.m
¿Mu, applied=1000 kN.m

∴ T −Section Design
'
0.85 f c ( b−bw ) h f 0.85 ×23 × ( 1 2 00−400 ) × 100
A sf = = =3778 m m2
fy 414

M uw =M u−M uf

5
⟹ M uw =1000−861.5=138.5 kN . m , to find A sw ;

M uw 138.5 ×10
6
R= 2
= 2
=1.834
∅bd 0.9× 400 × 458

fy 414
m= '
= =21.18
0.85∗f c
0.85 ×23

ρw =
1
m[ √
1− 1−
2 mR
fy ] [ √
= 1 1− 1− 2 ×21.18 × 1.834 = 0.00466
21.18 414 ]
∴ A s w =0.0 0466∗400∗458=854 mm 2
2
A s= A sf + A sw =3778+854=4632 mm

0.628∗0.85∗0.85∗23
∗600
ρmax =0.628∗ρb =
414
600+414
∗
( 458+28+14 )
458 (
=0.0 01628 )
Max As = Asf (flange) + 𝜌max(b𝑤d)(web)
2 2
→ A s , max=3778+ ( 0.01 628∗400∗458 )=6761m m < A s=4632 mm Ok.

{
1.4
∗400∗458=620 mm2 … … ..control
414
A s ,min =
√ 23 ∗400∗458=531 m m2
4∗414

Also, A s> A s ….. OK.

Use 28 mm steel bars, As, bar=615 mm2

4632
No. of bars = =7.53 …… Use 8-Ø28 mm
615

As,prov.= 4920 mm2

Check the strain if steel reinforcement at tension fiber:

ε s= ( d −c
c )
t
∗0.003

d t =458+ 28+14=500 mm

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 a 1 854∗414
c= = × =43.7 mm
β 1 0.85 0.85∗28∗400

ε s= ( 500−43.7
43.7 )
∗0.003=0.0313 >0.00507……… OK Ø=0.9

2. Design of section (B) or (C) at mid-span: Mu = + 360 kN.m

Rectangule Section Design ( singly Reinforcement )

Determine the area of tension steel, considering a rectangular section , b=400 mm, and d=458
mm

Mu 360 ×10
6
R= 2
= 2
=4.767
∅bd 0.9× 400 × 458

fy 414
m= '
= =23.2
0.85∗f c
0.85 ×21

ρ=
1
m[ √
1− 1−
2 mR
fy ] [ √
= 1 1− 1− 2 ×23. 2 ×4.767 = 0.0137
23.2 414 ]
∴ A s=0.0 137∗400∗458=2509 mm2

Use 28 mm steel bars, As, bar=615 mm2

2509
No. of bars = =4.1 …… Use 5-Ø28 mm
615

As, prov.=615 *5 = 3075mm2

Check the strain if steel reinforcement at tension fiber:

ε s= ( d −c
c )
t
∗0.003

d t =458+ 28+14=500 mm

a 1 3075∗414
c= = × =133.72 mm
β 1 0.85 0.85∗28∗400

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ε s= ( 500−133.72
133.72 )
∗0.003=0.00821> 0.00507……… OK Ø=0.9

B A
2-Ø28 mm

B A 3-Ø28 mm
5-Ø28 mm

10 m

100
2-Ø28

458 mm
Ø10@ …..
550 mm
8-Ø28 mm

Section A-A
400
100
2-Ø28

458 mm
Ø10@ …..
550 mm
8-Ø28 mm

400 Section B-B