1.

0 Properties of reinforced concrete

1.1 Composite action
 Tensile strength of concrete only 10% of its compressive strength. So, for R.C.
structures, tensile strength is carried by the reinforcement.

Composite Action

 In the above figure, the steel reinforcement is to resist the tensile forces, while the
compressive forces in the top of the beam are carried be the concrete.
 When tension occurs, cracking of concrete will take place. Still safe provided there
is good reinforcement bond to restrain the cracks.

1.2 Stress – stain relations

1.2.1 Concrete
 Have wide range of strengths and stress – stain curves.
 In the figure below, the ration between stress – strain curve is behaving in
an elastic manner.
 Eventually, the curve is no longer linear and concrete behaves more as a
plastic material, if loading is continue been apply. If the load is removed,
the recovery would not be complete and a permanent deformation would
remain.
 Concrete generally increase its strength with age.
 Modulus of elasticity of concrete

6
5
4
Stress

3
2
1
0
0 1 2 3 4 5
Strain

Stress – strain curve for concrete in compression

1.2.2 Steel
 Mild steel behaves as an elastic material up to the yield point. At that
point, there is a sudden increase in strain with no change in stress.
 After that, mild steel becomes a plastic material & the strain increase
rapidly up to the ultimate value.
 High yield steel does not have a definite yield point but shows a gradual
change from elastic to a plastic behavior.
 Specific strength used in design is based on the yield stress for mild steel.
For high yield steel, the strength is based on specific proof stress.
 Removal of load within the plastic range would cause ‘stain hardening’ or
‘work hardening’.

Stress – strain curve for steel

Stain hardening
1.3 Creep
 Creep is a continuous deformation of a member under sustained load,
which is particularly evident with concrete.
 Affected by the aggregated and the concrete mix design.
 Characteristics of creep are:
- Final deformation of the member can be 3 to 4 times the short – term
elastic deformation.
- The deformation is roughly proportional to the intensity of loading and
to the inverse of concrete strength.
- If the load is removed, only the instantaneous elastic deformation will
recover – the plastic deformation will not.
- There is a redistribution of load between the concrete and any steel
present. The redistribution of load is caused by the change in the
compressive steel stresses are increased so that the steel takes a larger
proportion of the load.
20
Deformation

15
10
5
0
0 1 2 3
Time (Years)

Typical increase of deformation with time for concrete

1.4 Durability
 Durability of concrete is influenced by:
- The exposure conditions
- The concrete quality
- The cover to the concrete
- The width of any cracks
1.5 Specification of material
1.5.1 Concrete
 Concrete strength is assessed by measuring the crushing strength or cubes
or cylinder of concrete made from the mix. These are usually cured, and
tested after 28 days according to the standard procedures.
 Strength of concrete
1.5.2 Reinforcing steel
Specific characteristic
Designation Nominal sizes (mm)
strength, fy (N/mm2)
Hot – rolled mild steel All sizes 250
Hot – rolled high yield All sizes 460
Strength of reinforcement

 Mild steel have smooth surface so that the bond with the concrete is by
adhesion only. It can be readily bent, so often use as links in narrow
beams or column.
 High yield bars are manufactured either with ribbed surface or in the
form of a twisted square. All deformed bars have an additional
mechanical bond with concrete so that higher ultimate bond stress may
be specified. Bending of bars is liable to cause cracking.
 High yield steel bars are only slightly more expensive than mild steel
bars. Because of their significant stress advantage, it is more
economical.
 Mild steel is represented as R – bars. (R6, R8, R10,R12…)
 High yield steel is represented as
- Y – bars, type 1
Y10, Y12, Y16, Y20, Y25…
- T – bars, type 2
T10, T12, T16, T20, T25…