DESIGN OF CORBELS

3-Oct-17 1
 Failure Mechanism of RC Beams
Deep Beams (a/d < 1.0)
Arch Action

Compression Chord

Tension Tie (Yielding/Fracture)

Arch Rib Failure

Anchorage Failure

Bearing Failure

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 Corbels
Brackets and corbels projecting from the faces of columns
are widely used in precast concrete construction to support
beams and girders.

Conventionally, Brackets and corbels are designed under the

assumption that they are cantilever beams, with usual beam
provisions for shear being applied.

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 Corbels
When a/d is less than about 1.0, deep beam theory should apply.

However, Brackets and corbels differ from deep beams; in corbels

design for horizontal forces must also be made.

Beams supported on corbels change in length.

Since they are attached to bracket, restrained creep, shrinkage,

and temperature deformations of beam give rise to horizontal
forces (Nuc in Fig. 1)

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 Corbels
Vu

a
N uc
As bd

Fig. 1. Bracket or Corbel

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 V V

N N

Potential failure
surface

As shown on drawing (b) As bent

V V

N N

(c) Cracking in corbel with too (d) Cracking in corbel with outer
shallow an outer face face of sufficient depth

Fig. 2. Corbel details and possible failure modes. 6

3-Oct-17
 Failures in Corbels
Typically, reinforcement for brackets or corbels consists of
several bars across width of bracket bent, as shown in Fig. 2a.

When minimum bend radii are considered, actual arrangement is

as shown in Fig. 2b, then a potential failure surface is indicated
by dashed line.

When outer face is too shallow, critical inclined crack forms in

the location shown in Fig. 2c.

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 Failures in Corbels
When bracket is deep enough, crack will tend to extend back
into column (Fig. 2d) with portion between crack and sloping
face acting as a compression element.

If compression strut is developed, bracket will have reserve

capacity after inclined cracking; if strut cannot develop (as in
Fig. 2c), failure will be instantaneous upon formation of crack.

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Outer edge of the
bearing area
a
As
As
N uc =
bd

b cprbel width
d1

d 2d1

Fig. 3 Effective depth of bracket or corbel.

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 Type of Reinforcement in Corbels

Steel angle

As

Ah d h

Clear
Framing bars

Column

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 Reinforcement in Corbels

For all cases minimum amount of closed ties or stirrups

parallel to main tension reinforcement shall be
uniformly distributed within two thirds of the effective
depth adjacent to the main tension reinforcement.

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 Reinforcement in Corbels
We use both tension (flexure) and horizontal (shear)
reinforcement in corbels.

Whereas stirrups (horizontal) make a considerable and

consistent contribution to strength of a corbel subjected to
vertical load only

Their contribution to strength of a corbel subject to combined

vertical and horizontal loads is smaller and more variable

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 Reinforcement in Corbels

Thus only horizontal tension reinforcement is used when only

horizontal tension is present

Whereas both tension and horizontal (shear) reinforcement

are used when vertical loads are applied.

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 IS Code Provisions

A corbel is a short cantilever projection

supporting a load bearing member; where:
a) Distance between line of reaction to supported load
and root of corbel is less than, d (effective depth of
root of corbel); and

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 IS Code Provisions
b) Depth, d1 at outer edge of contact area of supported load
is not less than one-half of depth at the root of corbel.
Depth of corbel at face of support is determined in
accordance with 40.5.1 (Enhanced shear strength of
sections close to supports).

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 28.2 Design of Corbels
28.2.1. Simplifying Assumptions
Concrete and reinforcement are assumed to act as
elements of a simple strut-and-tie system, with the
following guidelines:
Resistance provided to horizontal force should be not
less than one-half of design vertical loads on corbel
(see 28.2.4).

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 28.2 Design of Corbels
Compatibility of strains between strut-and-tie at corbel root
should be ensured.

It should be noted that horizontal link requirement described in

28.2.3 will ensure satisfactory serviceability performance.

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 28.2 Design of Corbels
28.2.2. Reinforcement Anchorage
At the front face of corbel, reinforcement should be anchored either by:

Welding to a transverse bar of equal strength- in this case bearing

area of load should stop short of the face of support by a distance equal to the
cover of tie reinforcement, or

Bending back bars to form a loop- in this case bearing area of the load
should not project beyond straight portion of bars forming main tension
reinforcement.

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 Reinforcement in Corbels
28.2.3. Shear Reinforcement:

Shear reinforcement should be in the form of horizontal links

distributed in upper two-third of effective depth of root of
corbel;

this reinforcement should be not less than one-half of the area

of main tension reinforcement and should be adequately
anchored.

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 Reinforcement in Corbels
28.2.4. Resistance to Applied Horizontal Force
Additional reinforcement connected to the supported
member should be provided to transmit this force in
its entirety.

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