ADVANCED REINFORCED CONCRETE

BS 8110-1:1997

Chapter 07 – Lesson 4
Design of Continuous Beam Sections for
Flexure

F. M. M Abdullah
 Chapter 07. Lesson 4 REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN TO BS 8110-1:1997

CHAPTER 07 – LESSON 04
DESIGN OF CONTINUOUS BEAMS FOR FLEXURE

7.1 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

At the end of this unit you should be able to

1. Define continuous beam
2. Calculate total ultimate load of continuous beam
3. Use moment and shear force coefficients given in BS 8110 to solve problems
4. Calculate the area of reinforcement for continuous beam
5. Provide the calculations for the total number of bars and bar size for continuous beam
6. Sketch reinforcement details for continuous beam

7.2 INTRODUCTION

Continuous beams are used in structural designs when three or more spans exists. Continuous beam occur
frequently in cast in-situ construction when a single span of construction is linked to adjacent span.
Bending moment of continuous beams does not confine to a single span only but it will affect the whole
system.
The design of a continuous beam sections is based on an analysis to determine maximum sagging and
hogging moments and shear forces in the members. Note that the sagging moment and hogging moments
occurs at middle of span while hogging moment occurs at support. Causing tension zone at the bottom at
middle and top of the beam section respectively.

Prepared By:
F. M. M Abdullah
B.Tech (Civil Eng) (Hons) (OUSL), MSc (Structural) (Reading), AMIE(SL)
pg. 1
 Chapter 07. Lesson 4 REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN TO BS 8110-1:1997

When sagging moment occurs, the beam and slab act together and hence the beam can be designed as
having T section. At supports, the beam must be designed as rectangular sections because hogging
moment at this point can cause tension in the slab. Therefore, tension reinforcement must be provided
near middle span. The bottom section (termed as bottom steel) and top section (termed as top steel) at
supports. Note that, to ensure continuity, reinforcement must be extended beyond the points that they
required

Top steel

Bottom steel

Fig. Location of reinforcement

7.3 LOAD ARRANGEMENT AND STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS

For continuous beams, the load acting at a particular span is not necessarily the same as that acting at
other span. Therefore, the bending moment and shear forces at the supports and middle span will always
vary according to the load they actually carry. This aspect should be taken into account when designing,
by assigning the most severe loading case at any section t give the maximum bending moment and shear
force possible. The selection of the critical load arrangements should be carried out according to clause
3.2.1.2.2, BS 8110

Prepared By:
F. M. M Abdullah
B.Tech (Civil Eng) (Hons) (OUSL), MSc (Structural) (Reading), AMIE(SL)
pg. 2
 Chapter 07. Lesson 4 REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN TO BS 8110-1:1997

Clause 3.2.1.2.2

It will normally be sufficient to consider the following arrangements o vertical load

 All spans loaded with the maximum design ultimate load (1.4Gk + 1.6Qk)
 Alternative spans loaded with the maximum design ultimate load (1.4Gk+1.6Qk)
And all other spans loaded with minimum design load (1.0Gk)

There are three different methods that can be used to determine the bending moments and shear force.
They are as follows
 Using the bending and shear force coefficient given by BS 8110
 Elastic analysis using moment distribution
 Computer analysis

Before we use the table there are conditions which must be satisfied. See Clause 3.4.3
 The beams should be approximately equal span
 The characteristic imposed load Qk may not exceed the characteristic dead load.
 Loads should be substantially uniformly distributed over a three or more spans
 Variations in span length should not exceed 15% of the longest

Prepared By:
F. M. M Abdullah
B.Tech (Civil Eng) (Hons) (OUSL), MSc (Structural) (Reading), AMIE(SL)
pg. 3
 Chapter 07. Lesson 4 REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN TO BS 8110-1:1997

ACTIVITY

Fill in the blanks with the correct answers.

1. When a single span of construction is linked to an adjoining span, this beam is

designed as __________________________.

2. ___________________ span confine bending to that span alone, while

bending of continuous beams affect the whole system.

3. The deflected forms of continuous beam resemble a __________________

moment near middle span and __________________ moment at supports.

4. The most ________________________ condition of loading is to be used in

the design of continuous beams.

5. All spans are to carry _________________________ while alternate spans

carry _________________________.

6. In this unit ________________ method is used to calculate bending moment

and shear forces.

7. Tension reinforcement in continuous beams is denoted as

a. ___________________ steel and provided near middle span and
b. ____________________ are to be provided at supports.

Example No 01

A continuous beam with the following specification is shown below. Given

𝑘𝑁
𝐺𝑘 = 45
𝑚
𝑘𝑁
𝑄𝑘 = 35
𝑚
4 Number of spans and each span is 6 m

Prepared By:
F. M. M Abdullah
B.Tech (Civil Eng) (Hons) (OUSL), MSc (Structural) (Reading), AMIE(SL)
pg. 4
 Chapter 07. Lesson 4 REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN TO BS 8110-1:1997

Calculate the following at each location along the span

a. The total design ultimate load
b. Bending moment
c. Shear forces

7.4 SUB-FRAME ANALYSIS

The design code BS 8110 permits the use of approximate analysis techniques in which the structure can be
considered as a series of sub-frames. The complexity of the sub-frames considered (i.e. the extent to which
various columns and beams are included) is given in Clauses 3.2.1.2.1 to 3.2.1.2.5 for monolithic frames
not providing lateral stability, e.g. as shown in Figure 5.75 (where the shear walls resist the lateral wind
loads).

In Clause 3.2.1.3.1 and Clause 3.2.1.3.2 provisions are given for frames providing lateral stability. Consider
the multi-storey frame indicated in Figure 5.77 in which it is assumed that the lateral loading is resisted
by separate elements not indicated, such as shear cores. The slabs, beams and columns transfer only
vertical loads by rigid-frame action.

 Clause 3.2.1.2.1 (simplification into sub-frame)

Prepared By:
F. M. M Abdullah
B.Tech (Civil Eng) (Hons) (OUSL), MSc (Structural) (Reading), AMIE(SL)
pg. 5
 Chapter 07. Lesson 4 REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN TO BS 8110-1:1997

 Clause 3.2.1.2.3 (Alternative simplification for individual beams and associated columns)

 Clause 3.2.1.2.4 (Continuous beam simplifications)

 Clause 3.2.1.2.5 (Assymmetrically loaded column where a beam has been analyzed in
accordance with 3.2.1.2.4)

Prepared By:
F. M. M Abdullah
B.Tech (Civil Eng) (Hons) (OUSL), MSc (Structural) (Reading), AMIE(SL)
pg. 6
 Chapter 07. Lesson 4 REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN TO BS 8110-1:1997

Example No 01
The arrangement of a continuous, is shown below

2.0 m

2.0 m

The width of the beam is 300 mm and the overall depth is 660 mm. It has three equal spans of 5.0
m each. The beam is arranged at 4.0 m from centre to centre, while the thickness of the slab is 180
mm. The imposed live load qk on the beam is 50 kN/m and the dead load gk inclusive of self-
weight of the beam is 85 kN/m. The characteristic strength of materials are f cu = 30 N/mm2, fy =
460 N/mm2 and fyv = 250 N/mm2. Assume that the mild exposure for the beam and the nominal
cover of 25 mm.
Use the table given in BS 8110 to calculate bending moments

Example No 02

The plan and elevation of the structure shown in the next page relate to a proposed structural layout of a
three-storied building for a school. Design the first floor slab, assuming all the loads are uniformly
distributed. Following loading values are to be applicable for the structure. Design the beam along
section X-X for flexure only
Structural loadings:
Characteristic Dead Load gk = 0.75 kN/m2 Section Properties

Characteristic Imposed Load qk = 1.5 kN/m2 Slab Thickness (mm) 150

Weight of brick wall = 15 kN/m2 Beam (mm) 300 x 450

Consider dead loads of slab and beam Columns (mm) 300 x 300

Prepared By:
F. M. M Abdullah
B.Tech (Civil Eng) (Hons) (OUSL), MSc (Structural) (Reading), AMIE(SL)
pg. 7
 Chapter 07. Lesson 4 REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN TO BS 8110-1:1997

Material properties

Concrete Grade 'fcu' [N/mm2] 30

Main Steel Grade 'fy' [N/mm2] 460

Exposure condition mild

Secondary Steel Grade 'fyv' [N/mm2] 250

Unit weight of concrete (kN/m3) 24

Assume 150 mm thk block walls are provided

on each beam and height is 3 m

Prepared By:
F. M. M Abdullah
B.Tech (Civil Eng) (Hons) (OUSL), MSc (Structural) (Reading), AMIE(SL)
pg. 8
 Chapter 07. Lesson 4 REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN TO BS 8110-1:1997

SUMMARY

1. Continuous beams occur in cast in-situ construction.

2. Arrangement of loads on continuous beams is to give maximum moments.
3. To obtain the shear forces and moments for design, Table 3.6, BS 8110 can be used. These
values are subjected to the following conditions: -
 the loading is uniformly distributed
 the characteristic dead load is greater than the characteristic imposed load
 the beam must consist of three or more than 15% of the longest span.
4. To obtain shear forces and bending moments we can use manual calculations or software
5. When sagging moment occurs near mid-span, the beam is designed as a T- beam.
6. At supports where hogging moment occurs, the beam is designed as rectangular section
7. At the supports, top steel is provided.
8. Near the middle-span, steel is provided.

Prepared By:
F. M. M Abdullah
B.Tech (Civil Eng) (Hons) (OUSL), MSc (Structural) (Reading), AMIE(SL)
pg. 9
 Chapter 07. Lesson 4 REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN TO BS 8110-1:1997

SELF-ASSESSMENT

Use the following parameters for each design, if necessary

Material properties

Concrete Grade 'fcu' [N/mm2] 30 Wall loads

Main Steel Grade 'fy' [N/mm2] 460 Brick (assume 225 thk) (kN/m2) 15

Secondadry Steel Grade 'fyv' [N/mm2] 250

Diameter of main steel [mm] 25 Section Properties

Diameter of links [mm] 8 Slab Thickness (mm) 150

Secondary Steel Grade 'fyv' [N/mm2] 250 Beam (mm) 300 x 450

Unit weight of concrete (kN/m3) 24 Columns (mm) 300 x 300

Exposure condition mild

Fire resistance 1 hr

EXERCISE 01

The figure given below show section of a beam and floor slab of a building. Design the beam along section
B-B for flexure only

Prepared By:
F. M. M Abdullah
B.Tech (Civil Eng) (Hons) (OUSL), MSc (Structural) (Reading), AMIE(SL)
pg. 10
 Chapter 07. Lesson 4 REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN TO BS 8110-1:1997

EXERCISE NO 03

The figure given below show section of a beam and floor slab of a building. Design the beam along
section 01-01 for flexure only

ADDITIONAL NOTES

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Prepared By:
F. M. M Abdullah
B.Tech (Civil Eng) (Hons) (OUSL), MSc (Structural) (Reading), AMIE(SL)
pg. 11
 Chapter 07. Lesson 4 REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN TO BS 8110-1:1997

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Prepared By:
F. M. M Abdullah
B.Tech (Civil Eng) (Hons) (OUSL), MSc (Structural) (Reading), AMIE(SL)
pg. 12
 Chapter 07. Lesson 4 REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN TO BS 8110-1:1997

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Prepared By:
F. M. M Abdullah
B.Tech (Civil Eng) (Hons) (OUSL), MSc (Structural) (Reading), AMIE(SL)
pg. 13