Structural

My Notes
Engineers
DESIGN OF CONCRETE STRUCTURE
SHEAR AND DIAGONAL TENSION
Overview

The relatively abrupt nature of a shear failure, as compared to ductile flexural failure, makes it
desirable to design members so that strength in shear is equal to, or greater than, strength in flexure.
To ensure a ductile flexural failure, the code:

a. Limits the minimum and maximum amount of longitudinal reinforcement

b. Required a minimum amount of shear reinforcement in all flexural members if the factored
shear force Vu exceeds one-half of the shear strength provided by the concrete (Vu >
0.5Vc), except for certain type of construction.

The determination of the amount of shear reinforcement is based on a modified form of the truss
analogy. The truss analogy assumes that shear reinforcement resists the total transverse shear.
Considerable research has indicated that shear strength provided by concrete Vc can be assumed
equal to the shear causing inclined cracking; therefore, shear reinforcement need be designed to
carry only the excess shear.

Types of Shear Failure

Diagonal Tension Failure occur when the shear span is greater than 3d or 4d. Requires a minimum
amount of shear in flexural members if

Diagonal Compression Failure occur when the shear span is from d to 2.5d.

1
 Structural
My Notes
Engineers
DESIGN OF CONCRETE STRUCTURE
SHEAR AND DIAGONAL TENSION

Splitting or True Failure when the shear span is less than the effective depth d.

BASIC CODE REQUIREMENTS (NSCP C101-10)

Design provisions for shear are presented in terms of shear forces (rather than stresses) to be
compatible with the other design conditions for the strength design method, which are expressed in
terms of loads, moments, and forces.

Accordingly, shear is expressed in terms of the factored shear force Vu, using the basic shear
strength requirement:

Sect 411.2.1 Except for members designed in accordance with Section 427 (Strut and Tie
Models), design of cross-sections subject to shear shall be based on

Vn Vu

where 0.75 (Sect 409.4.2.3)

Vu factored shear force considered
Vn nominal shear strength computed by

Vn = Vc + Vs

Vc nominal shear strength by concrete in accordance with Sect 411.4 or Sect

411.5
Vs nominal shear strength provided by shear reinforcement in accordance with
Sect 411.6.6

Sect 411.4 Shear Strength Provided by Concrete for Non Prestressed Members

Sect 411.4.1 Simplified Calculation for Vc

For members subject to shear and flexure only

For members subject to axial compression

2
 Structural
My Notes
Engineers
DESIGN OF CONCRETE STRUCTURE
SHEAR AND DIAGONAL TENSION
Quantity Nu/Ag shall be expressed in MPa
= 0.85 for sandlightweight concrete
= 0.75 for all lightweight concrete
= 1.0 for normal weight concrete

If average splitting tensile strength of lightweight concrete fct is specified

For members subject to significant axial tension, Vc shall be taken as zero, unless a more detailed
analysis is made using Sect 411.4.2.3.

Sect 411.4.2 Detailed Calculation for Vc

But not greater than Vud/Mu shall not be taken greater than 1.0.

Types of Shear Reinforcement

Sect 411.6.1.1 Shear reinforcement may consist of:

a. Stirrups perpendicular to axis of members
b. Welded wire fabric with wires located perpendicular to axis of member; and
c. Spirals, circular ties, or hoops.

Sect 411.6.1.2 For non Prestressed members, shear reinforcement may also consist of:
a. Stirrups making an angle of 45 or more with longitudinal reinforcement.
b. Longitudinal reinforcement with bent portion making an angle of 30 or more with
the longitudinal reinforcement.
c. Combination of stirrups and bent longitudinal reinforcement.

Types of Stirrups in Beams

Designed Yield Strength

Sect 411.6.2 The design yield strength of shear reinforcement shall not exceed 415 MPa.

Stirrups and other bars or wires used as shear reinforcement shall extend to a distance d from
extreme compression fiber and shall be anchored at both ends to develop the design yield strength of
reinforcement.

3
 Structural
My Notes
Engineers
DESIGN OF CONCRETE STRUCTURE
SHEAR AND DIAGONAL TENSION

Spacing Limits of Shear Reinforcement, S

Sect 411.6.5.1 The spacing S of shear reinforcement placed perpendicular to axis of members shall
not exceed d/2 in non Prestressed members and 3/4h in Prestressed members, nor
600 mm.

Sect 411.6.5.2 Inclined stirrups and bent longitudinal reinforcement shall be so spaced that ever 45
line, extending toward the reaction from middepth of member d/2 to longitudinal
tension reinforcement, shall be crossed by at least one line of shear reinforcement.

Sect 411.6.5.3 When Vs exceed maximum spacing given by the above limit shall be
reduced by .

Minimum Shear Reinforcement

Sect 411.6.6.1 A minimum shear area of shear reinforcement shall be provided in all reinforced
concrete flexural members (prestressed and non prestressed) where factored shear
force Vu exceeds one-half (1/2) the shear strength provided by concrete Vc, except:

a. Slabs and footings

b. Concrete joist construction
c. Beams with total depth not greater than 250 mm
d. Beams integral with slab with total depth h not greater than 600 mm; 2 times
thickness of flange, or the width of web, whichever is greatest.

Where shear reinforcement is required, the minimum area of shear reinforcement

shall be computed by

but shall not be less than (0.35bws)/fyt, where bw and s are in mm.

Shear Strength Provided by Reinforcement

When factored shear force Vu exceeds strength Vc, shear reinforcement shall be provided.

Sect 411.6.7.9 The shear strength provided by the stirrups is given by the following but not be taken
greater than

a. Where shear reinforcement perpendicular to axis of member is used (Sect

411.6.7.2)

4
 Structural
My Notes
Engineers
DESIGN OF CONCRETE STRUCTURE
SHEAR AND DIAGONAL TENSION
where Av = area of shear reinforcement within a distance S
Av = 2Ab for U stirrups

b. When inclined stirrups are used as shear reinforcement

where = the angle between inclined stirrups and longitudinal axis of member

Derivation of Equation

The shear force to be carried by reinforcement, Vs is equal to the total shear

resistance of the bars within a distance d.

Vs = (Avfy) x n

where Av = cross section area each stirrup has crossing the crack
n = number of stirrups within a distance d, equal to d/s

Vs = Avfyd/s

Critical Sections for Beam Shear

The maximum force Vu at supports may be computed in accordance with the following conditions
provided that:

a. The support reaction, in direction of applied shear, introduces compression into the end
regions of member, and
b. No concentrated load occurs between the face of
the support and the location of the critical section.

1. For non prestressed members, sections located less

than a distance d from the face of support may be
designed for the same shear Vu as that computed at a
distance d.

2. For prestressed members, section located less than a

distance h/2 from face of support may be designed for
the same shear Vu as that computed at a distance h/2.

5
 Structural
My Notes
Engineers
DESIGN OF CONCRETE STRUCTURE
SHEAR AND DIAGONAL TENSION

Steps in Vertical Stirrups Design

1. Calculate the factored shear force Vu at critical section or at any section you want the spacing to
be determined.
2. Calculate the shear strength provided by concrete, Vc.

If Vu > Vc, stirrups are required. Proceed to Step 3.

If Vu < Vc but Vu > 1/2Vc, proceed to Step 5.

If Vu < 1/2Vc, stirrups are not required.

3. Calculate the shear strength Vs to be provided by the stirrups.

a. Vn = Vu/
b. Vs = Vn Vc = Vu/ Vc
If Vs proceed to Step 4.
If Vs > adjust beam size.

4. Spacing of stirrups
Spacing, s = Avfyd/Vs
If s < 25, increase the value of Av by either using a bigger size or adding more shear
area.
Maximum spacing, s:
a. When Vs Smax = d/2 or 600.
b. When Vs > Smax = d/4 or 300.

5. If Vu < Vc but Vu > Vc

Minimum area of stirrups,

but shall not be less than (0.35bws)/fyt

6
Structural
My Notes
Engineers
DESIGN OF CONCRETE STRUCTURE
SHEAR AND DIAGONAL TENSION

7
 Structural
My Notes
Engineers
DESIGN OF CONCRETE STRUCTURE
SHEAR AND DIAGONAL TENSION
Design Sample
Sample 1
Determine the minimum cross section required for a 6-m simply supported rectangular beam from
a shear standpoint so that no web reinforcement is required by the Code if design shear load Vu =
168 KN, fc = 27.6 MPa and fy = 276 MPa. Use Vc = 0.17 bwd. Assume d = 1.75b.

Given
Simply supported beam with span, S 6.0 m
Design shear load, Vu 168 KN
Material strength
Compressive strength of concrete, fc 27.6 MPa
Yield strength of steel, fy 276 MPa
Beam section
Effective depth, d 1.75b

Required
Minimum cross section so that no web reinforcement is required

Solution
According to Section 411.6.6.1, if Vu < 1/2Vc, stirrups are not required.

Vc = 0.17 bwd

Vc = 0.17(1.0) 27.6 ( )d = 0.51d2
1.75
1
Vu = Vc
2
168(1000) = 0.5(0.75)(0.51d2)

Solving for d:
d = 937 mm and say d =940 mm
937
b= = 535 mm b = 540 mm
1.75

Use b = 540 mm and d = 940 mm

8
 Structural
My Notes
Engineers
DESIGN OF CONCRETE STRUCTURE
SHEAR AND DIAGONAL TENSION
Sample 2
A reinforced concrete beam has the following properties:
Beam width, b 300 mm
Effective depth, d 580 mm
Concrete strength, fc 27.6 MPa
Reinforcing steel strength, fy 414 MPa

If the factored shear force at the critical section is 200,000 N, compute the nominal shear carried
by the shear reinforcement according to ACI Specifications:

Given
Design shear load, Vu 200 KN
Material strength
Compressive strength of concrete, fc 27.6 MPa
Yield strength of steel, fy 414 MPa
Beam section
Effective depth, d 580 mm
Beam width, b 300 mm

Required
Nominal shear carried by the steel, Vs

Solution
Nominal shear capacity of the section is given as:

Vn = Vc + Vs

Vc = 0.17 bwd = 0.17(1.0) 27.6 (300)(580) = 155.4 KN

Vn = = Vc + Vs

200
Vs = Vc = 155.4
0.75

Vs = 111.3 KN

9
 Structural
My Notes
Engineers
DESIGN OF CONCRETE STRUCTURE
SHEAR AND DIAGONAL TENSION

Sample 3
A simply supported reinforced concrete beam with a width b = 250 mm and an effective depth d
of 500 mm has a span of 8.0 m. the carries a live load of 25 KN/m and a dead load of 12 KN/m
including its own weight. Using 10-mm diameter stirrups, determine the required spacing near the
support. Assume fy = 276 MPa and fc = 28 MPa.

Given
Design load
LL 25 KN/m
DL 12 KN/m

Material strength
Compressive strength of concrete, fc 28.0 MPa
Yield strength of steel, fy 276 MPa
Beam section
Effective depth, d 500 mm
Beam width, b 250 mm

Required
Required spacing near support

Solution
W u = 1.2DL + 1.6LL = 1.2(12) + 1.6(25) = 54.4 KN/m
R = W uL/2 = 54.4(8.0)/2 = 217.6 KN
Vu = R W ud = 217.6 54.4(0.5) = 204.1 KN

Vc = 0.17 bwd = 0.17(1.0) 28 (250)(500) = 112.4 KN

Vc = 0.75(112.4) = 84.3 KN

Since Vu > Vc web reinforcement is necessary.

Solving for Vs
Vs = 217.6 -

10