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Design of Reinforced
Concrete Beams
Part 1

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Prepared by : Ir. Dr. Zainorizuan Mohd Jaini
Edited by : Koh Heng Boon

Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering

University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia
 Introduction
 Behaviour of beam in bending: consider a simply supported
beam subjected to gradually increasing load. The load causes
the beam to bend and exert a bending moment.

 The top surface of the

beam is seen to shorten
under compression, and
the bottom surface
lengthens under tension.

 As the concrete cannot

solely resist tension (low
ft), steel reinforcement is
introduces at the bottom
surface to resist tension.

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 Introduction
 The loads also cause the continuous beam to bend downward
between the support and upward bending over the support.

 This will produce tensile zone at both span and support. As

the concrete cannot resist flexural tension, steel reinforcement
would be introduced.

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 Basic Assumption
 In the design of reinforced concrete beam the following
assumptions are made based on En 1991: Cl. 6.1.(2):

1) Plane section through the beam before bending remain

plane after bending.

2) The strain in bonded reinforcement, whether in tension or

compression is the same as that in the surrounding
concrete.

3) The tensile strength in the concrete is ignored.

4) The stresses in the concrete and reinforcement can be

derived from the strain by using stress-strain curve for
concrete and steel.

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 Basic Assumption
 In the design of reinforced concrete beam the following
assumptions are made based on En 1991: Cl. 6.1.(2):

Deformation rate 
of steel and 
concrete is similar

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 Distribution of Stress-Strain
 The cross section of a RC beam subjected to bending and the
resultant strain and stress distribution in the concrete.
εcc ηαccfck/γc
b fcc ηfcd

x s = λx Fcc

h d
z

Fst
εst fst fyd

(1) (2) (3) (4)

(1) Strain distribution
(2) Triangular stress distribution applies when the stresses are very nearly 
proportional to the strains, which generally occurs at the loading levels 
encountered under working load conditions and is, therefore, used at the 
SLS.
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 Distribution of Stress-Strain
(3)  Rectangular parabolic stress block represents the distribution at failure. 
Therefore, used at the ULS.
(4) Simplified rectangular stress block.

For fck ≤ 50 N/mm2:

η = 1 (defining the effective strength), εc = 0.0035, αcc = 0.85,
λ = 0.8, γc = 1.5, fcd = 1.0 x 0.85 x fck / 1.5 = 0.567 fck

For 50 N/mm2< fck ≤ 90 N/mm2

• Due to the tensile strength of concrete is very low, all the tensile
stresses at the bottom fibre are taken by reinforcement.

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 Distribution of Stress-Strain

Parabolic-rectangular Short-term design

stress-strain diagram stress-strain curve
for concrete in for reinforcement
compression

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 Distribution of Stress-Strain
 The distribution of strains across the beam cross section is
linear. That is, the normal strain at any points in a beam
section is proportional to its distance from the neutral axis.
 The steel strain in tension εst can be determined based on:

 st  cc  dx d
   st   cc   x
(d  x ) x 
1   st 
 x 
  cc 

 Since, εcc = 0.0035 for class ≤ C50/60, steel with fyk = 500
N/mm2 and the yield strain is εst = 0.00217, by substituting εcc
and εst ,thus x=0.167d.
 To ensure yielding of the tension steel at limit state the depth
of neutral axis, x should be less than or equal to 0.617d.
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 Failure of RC Beam
 As applied moment on the beam section increased beyond
the linear elastic stage, the concrete strains and stresses
enter the nonlinear stage.
 The behavior of the beam in the nonlinear stage depends on
the amount of reinforcement provided.
 The reinforcing steel can sustain very high tensile strain
however, the concrete can accommodate compressive strain
much lower compare to it.
 So, the final collapse of a normal beam at ultimate limit state
is cause by the crushing of concrete in compression,
regardless of whether the tension steel has yield or not.
 Failure on RC beam may occur in the form of flexural, shear
crack or dowel.

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 Failure of RC Beam
 Depending on the amount of reinforcing steel provided,
flexural failure may occur in three ways:

1) Balanced: Concrete crushed and steel yields

simultaneously at the ultimate limit state. The
compressive strain of concrete reaches the ultimate
strains εcu and the tensile strain of steel reaches the yield
strain εy simultaneously. The depth of neutral axis,
x = 0.617d.

2) Under-reinforced: Steel reinforcement yields before

concrete crushes. The area of tension steel provided is
less than balance section. The depth of neutral axis, x <
0.617d. The failure is gradual, giving ample prior warning
of the impending collapse. This mode if failure is preferred
in design practice.

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 Failure of RC Beam
 Flexural failure (cont…):

3) Over-reinforced: Concrete fails in compression before

steel yields. The area of steel provided is more than area
provided in balance section. The depth of neutral axis,
x > 0.617d. The failure is sudden (without any sign of
warning) and brittle. Over-reinforced are not permitted.

 For a singly reinforced beam EC2 limits the depth to the

neutral axis, x to 0.45d (x ≤ 0.45d) for concrete class
≤ C50/60 to ensure that the design is for the under-reinforced
case where failure is gradual.

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 Analysis of Section
 Section 6.1 EN 1992-1-1, deal with the analysis and design of
section for the ultimate limit state design consideration of
structural elements subjected to bending.
 The two common types of reinforced concrete beam section
are:
1) Rectangular section : Singly and doubly reinforced
2) Flanged section : Singly and doubly reinforced

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 Singly Reinforcement
 Beam cross section, strains and stresses distribution at ULS
of singly reinforced rectangular beam:

0.0035 0.567fck
b

x s = 0.8x Fcc
Neutral axis
h d
z = d – 0.5s

Fst
εst

Notation:
h = Overall depth d = Effective depth
b = Width of section s = Depth of stress block
As = Area of tension reinforcement x = Neutral axis depth
fck = Characteristic strength of concrete z = Lever arm
fyk = Characteristic strength of reinforcement

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 Singly Reinforcement
Tension force of steel, Fst

Fst = Stress x Area = 0.87fyk  As

Compression force of concrete, Fcc

Fcc = Stress x Area = 0.567fck  b  0.8x   0.454fck bx

For equilibrium, total force in the section should be zero

Fst = Fcc 0.87fyk  As  0.454fck bx

0.87fyk As
x
0.454fck b

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 Singly Reinforcement
Moment resistance with respect to the steel

M  Fcc  z   0.454fck bx  d  0.4x 

 0.454x  d  0.4x 
M     fck bd 2

 d  d 
0.454x  d  0.4x 
Lets   K M  Kfck bd 2
 d  d 
Moment resistance with respect to the concrete
o

M  Fst  z   0.87fy k As   d  0.4x 

M Required area of
As 
0.87fyk (d  0.4x ) tension reinforcement
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 Singly Reinforcement
 To ensure that the section designed is under-reinforced it is
necessary to place a limit on the maximum depth of the
neutral axis (x). EC2 suggests x ≤ 0.45d.
 Then ultimate moment resistance of singly reinforced section
or Mbal can be obtained by:
Mbal   0.454fck bx  d  0.4x 
Mbal  [0.454fck b(0.45d )][d  0.4(0.45d )]

Mbal  (0.2043fck bd )(0.82d )

Mbal  0.167fck bd 2

Mbal  Kbal fck bd 2

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 Singly Reinforcement
 Therefore:
M  Kfck bd 2

Mbal  Kbal fck bd 2

where Kbal  0.167

 If
Singly reinforced rectangular
M  Mbal or K  Kbal beam (tension reinforcement
only)

Doubly reinforced
M  Mbal or K  Kbal rectangular beam (requires
compression reinforcement)

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 Example 1
The cross section of rectangular beam is shown in the figure
below. Using the stress block diagram and the following data,
determine the area and the number of required reinforcement.

b = 250 mm

Design moment,
MEd = 200 kN.m

d = 450 mm Chac. strength of concrete

fck = 25 N/mm2

Chac. strength of steel

fyk = 500 N/mm2

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 Example 1
 Ultimate moment resistance of section:

Mbal  0.167fck bd 2
 0.167(25)(250)(4502 )
Singly
 211.36kNm  M  200kNm reinforcement
 Neutral axis depth, x
M   0.454fck bx  d  0.4x 
200  106  0.454(25)(250)( x )(450  0.4x )
x 2  1125x  176211.45  0
x  188mm or 937mm
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 Example 1
 Use x = 188mm
x 188 < 0.617 under
 Check   0.42  0.45 reinforcement
d 450
 Lever arm, z   d  0.4x 

 450   0.4  188   374.8mm

 Therefore, area of reinforcement
M 200  106
As  
0.87fyk z 0.87(500)(374.8)
As,req  1227mm2
Provide 4H 20 ( As,prov  1257mm2 )
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 Example 2
Figure below shows the cross section of a singly reinforced
beam. Determine the resistance moment for that cross section
with the assistance of a stress block diagram. Given
fck= 25 N/mm2 and fyk = 500 N/mm2.

250 mm

450 mm

2H25

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 Example 2
 A stress block diagram is drawn with the important values and
notations.
0.567fck
b = 250

x s = 0.8x Fcc=0.454fckbx
d = 450 Neutral axis
z = d – 0.4x

Fst=0.87fykAs
As = 982 mm2

 For equilibrium
Fcc  Fst
0.87fyk As
0.454fck bx  0.87fyk As x
0.454fck b
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 Example 2
 Neutral axis depth, x
0.87(500)(982)
x  151 mm
0.454(25)(250)
x 151
 Check   0.34  0.45
d 450
 Moment resistance of section

M  Fcc  z or M  Fst  z
M   0.454fck bx  d  0.4x 
M  (0.454  25  250  151)(450  0.4(151))
M  167 kNm
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 Doubly Reinforcement
 When the load applied increases gradually and it will reach a
state that the compressive strength of concrete is not
adequate to take additional compressive stress. Compression
reinforcement is required to take the additional compressive
stress. This section is named as doubly reinforced section
and the stress-strain block diagram is:
0.0035 0.567fck
b

d’ Fsc
As’ εsc
x s = 0.8x Fcc

h d Neutral axis
z1 = d – d’
z = d – 0.4x

As

Fst
εst
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 Doubly Reinforcement
 Internal forces
Fcc  0.454fck bx
Fst  0.87fyk As and Fsc  0.87fyk As '
 Lever arm

z  d  0.4x and z1  d  d '

 For equilibrium of internal force

Fst  Fcc  Fsc

0.87fyk As  0.454fck bx  0.87fyk As '

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 Doubly Reinforcement
 Taking moment about the centroid of the tension steel
M  Fcc z  Fsc z1
M  (0.454fck bx )(d  0.4x )  (0.87fyk As ')(d  d ')
 For design purpose, x = 0.45d
M  (0.454fck bx )[d  0.4(0.45d )]  (0.87fyk As ')(d  d ')
 0.167fck bd 2  (0.87fyk As ')(d  d ')
 Mbal  (0.87fyk As ')(d  d ')
 Therefore, the area of compression reinforcement
(M  Mbal ) or (K  Kbal )fck bd 2
As '  As ' 
0.87fyk (d  d ') 0.87fyk (d  d ')
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 Doubly Reinforcement
 In order to determine the area of tensile reinforcement,
multiplied equilibrium internal force equation by z.
 Limiting x = 0.45d and z = d – 0.4(0.45d) = 0.82d

0.87fyk As z  0.454fck bxz  0.87fyk As ' z

0.87fyk As z  0.454fck b(0.45d )(0.82d )  0.87fyk As ' z

0.87fyk As z  0.167fck bd 2  0.87fyk As ' z

0.167fck bd 2
As   As '
0.87fyk z
Kbal fck bd 2
As   As '
0.87fyk z
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 Doubly Reinforcement
 The derivation of design formula for doubly reinforced section
assumed that the compression reinforcement reaches the
design strength of 0.87fyk at ultimate limit state.
 The strain diagram:

b
0.0035
 sc 0.0035

d’ ( x  d ') x
As’ εsc
x
h d ( x  d ')  sc

x 0.0035
As
d'   sc 
εst  1  
x  0.0035 

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 Doubly Reinforcement
 For the design strength 0.87fyk to be reached, εsc = 0.87fyk / Es

0.87fyk 0.87(500)
 sc    0.002175
Es 200  103

'
d 0.002175 
 1     0.38
x  0.0035 

 Therefore, if d’/x < 0.38 the compression reinforcement can

be assumed reach the design strength of 0.87fyk. If d’/x >
0.38, a reduced stress should be used.
fsc  Es . sc
fsc  200  103 (0.0035)(1  d '/ x )  700(1  d '/ x )

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 Example 3
The cross section of rectangular beam is shown in the igure
below. Using the data given, determine the area and the number
of required reinforcement.

b = 250 mm

Design moment,
MEd = 450 kN.m

d = 500 mm Chac. strength of concrete

fck = 25 N/mm2

Chac. strength of steel

fyk = 500 N/mm2

d’ = 50mm
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 Example 3
 Ultimate moment resistance of section:

Mbal  0.167fck bd 2
 0.167(25)(250)(5002 )(106 )
 260.94kNm  M  450kNm
Compression reinforcement is required
 Area of compression reinforcement

As '  (M  Mbal ) / 0.87fyk (d  d ')

 (450  260.94)  106 / 0.87(500)(500  50)
 966mm2
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 Example 3
 Check d’/ x ratio

x  0.45d  0.45(500)  225mm

d '/ x  50 / 225  0.22  0.38
Compression steel achieved it design strength at
0.87fyk

 Area of tensile reinforcement

 Mbal  260.94  106
As     As '   966
 0.87fyk z  0.87  500  (0.82  500)

 2429mm2
Provide 2H25 (As’ Prov. = 982 mm2) Compression reinforcement
Provide 5H25 (As Prov. = 2454 mm2) Tension reinforcement
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 Example 4
Calculate moment resistance of the doubly reinforced section
shown in the figure below. Given the following data:

b = 250 mm d’ = 50 mm

3H20
Chac. strength of concrete
fck = 30 N/mm2
d = 500 mm
Chac. strength of steel
fyk = 500 N/mm2
5H25
d’ = 50mm

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 Example 4
 A stress block diagram is drawn with the important values and
notations.
b = 250 mm d’ = 50 mm

3H20 Fsc = 0.87fykAs’

x 0.8x Fcc = 0.454fckbx

d = 500 mm
Neutral Axis
Z1 Z

5H25
Fst = 0.87fykAs
 Reinforcement used 3H20 (As’ = 943 mm2 ) and 5H25
(As = 2455 mm2). Neutral axis depth,
0.87fyk ( As  As ') 0.87(500)(2455  943)
x   193mm
0.454fck b 0.454(30)(250)
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 Example 4
 Check the stress of steel
x / d  193 / 500  0.39  0.45
d '/ x  50 / 193  0.26  0.38
Steel achieved it design strength 0.87fy
 Moment resistance of section
M  Fsc z1  Fcc z
 0.87fyk As '(d  d ')  0.454fck bx(d  0.4x )
 0.87(500)(943)(500  50) 
0.454(30)(250)(193)(500  0.4(193))  106
 462kNm
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 Area of Reinforcement
 The minimum area of reinforcement is to control thermal and
shrinkage cracking within acceptable limits.
 This ensures that the reinforcement does not yield when
concrete in tension zone cracks due to sudden transfer of
stress to the reinforcement.
 Based on Cl.7.3.2, the minimum area of reinforcement that
must be provided within tensile zone is:

As , m in  k c kf ct , eff Act / f yk

where: kc is a coefficient to allow the stress distribution; k is a

coefficient to allow the effect of non-uniform stresses; fct,eff is
mean tensile strength of concrete; Act is area of concrete in
tension zone; and fyk is the maximum stress permitted in the
reinforcement

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 Area of Reinforcement
 The minimum area of reinforcement for beam also specified in
Cl.9.2.1 as:

As , min  0.26( f ctm / f yk ) bt d  0.0013b t d

where fctm is the mean value of axial tensile strength; bt is

mean width of the tension zone; and d is the effective depth.

 The maximum area of reinforcement (for both compression

and tension) is specified in Cl.9.2.1 as:

As , max  0.04 Ac  0.04 bt h

where Ac is the cross section area; bt is mean width of the

tension zone; and h is the total depth.

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