BEAM DESIGN & DETAILING

– CONTINUOUS BEAM

ECS559 – REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN

PREPARED BY: DR. NADIAH SAARI

 Course Outcomes
CO1: Design reinforced concrete structural members and
frames using relevant code of practice for safety and
economics consideration (C6).

CO2: Evaluate reinforced concrete structures for safety

adequacy using relevant code of practice (C4).

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 Programme Outcomes
PO3: Design solutions for complex civil engineering
problems and design systems, components or processes
that meet specified needs with appropriate consideration for
public health and safety, cultural, societal, and
environmental considerations.

PO5: Create, select and apply appropriate techniques,

resources and modern engineering and IT tools, including
predictions and modelling, to complex civil engineering
problems, with an understanding of the limitations.

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 Learning Outcomes
At the end of this topic students should be able to:

1. Understand the definition of continuous beam (CO1-PO3).

2. Determine the effective width of the flange (CO1-PO3).

3. Identify section with and without shear reinforcement (CO1-

PO3).

4. Design for shear reinforcement according to code of practice

(CO1-PO3).

5. Check for deflection and crack & illustrate continuous beam

detailing (CO2-PO5, CO1-PO3).
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 Introduction
• Continuous beams are beams that have more than one span
and normally cast in-situ at construction sites.

• Figure below shows the failure mode of a continuous beam, the

associate bending moment diagram and the position of main
reinforcements at supports and mid-spans of the beam.

• Actions on the beam are from slabs, secondary beams, brick

wall and other structural members such as staircase, roof truss,
water tank etc.

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Introduction

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 Assumption of slab action
• Load distribution from the slabs depend on the geometry of
slabs (one-way or two-way slab), types of support condition
(simply supported or restrained) and continuity of the slabs
(continuous edge and non-continuous edge).

• For a rectangular slab which is supported on its four sides, the

following assumptions are used:

i. One-way slab (ly/lx > 2.0)

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 Assumption of slab action

where n = uniformly distributed load on slab (kN/m2)

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 Assumption of slab action
• Two-way slab (ly/lx  2.0)

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 Load cases and combinations
• Variables actions can usually cover all or any span of a
continuous beam. Therefore, a continuous beam should be
analyzed for the loading arrangements which give the
maximum stresses at each section.

• According to cl. 5.1.3, EC2-1-1:

i. Load set 1 – Alternate or adjacent spans loaded

▪ Alternate span carrying the design permanent and variable

actions (1.35Gk + 1.5Qk) while other spans carrying only
the design permanent action (1.35Gk).

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Load cases and combinations
Alternate spans loaded

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 Load cases and combinations
▪ Any two adjacent spans carrying the design permanent
and variable actions (1.35Gk + 1.5Qk) while all other
spans carrying only the design permanent action (1.35Gk).

Adjacent spans loaded

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 Load cases and combinations
i. Load set 2 – All or alternate spans loaded

▪ All spans carrying the design permanent and variable

actions (1.35Gk + 1.5Qk).

All spans loaded

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 Load cases and combinations
▪ Alternate spans carrying the design permanent and variable
actions (1.35Gk + 1.5Qk) while other spans carrying only the
design permanent action (1.35Gk).

Alternate spans loaded

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 Method of analysis
• There are a few methods that can be used to obtain shear
forces and bending moments of a continuous beam for
design purposes:

i. Moment distribution method

ii. Stiffness method
iii. Use of shear and moment coefficient (Table 3.5, BS 8110)

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Method of analysis

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BMD and SFD of a continuous beam

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 Types of flanged beam
• Flanged beams – when slabs are cast integrally with the
supporting beams.

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 Types of flanged beam
• There are two types of flanged beam:

1. T-beam

▪ Consists of a stronger flanged beam than L-beam.

▪ T-beams are very efficient as the slab portion (flange)

carries the compressive loads and the reinforcement bars
at the bottom of the stem (web) carry the tension loads.

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 Types of flanged beam
2. L-beam

▪ End beams which have slabs on one side only.

▪ In bending, the steel bars carry the tension forces while

the slab carries the compression forces.

▪ As L-beams receive their loads from one side only, they

are subjected to considerable amount of torsional
moment.

▪ L-beams are subjected to bending moment, shear force

and torsional moment.

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Types of flanged beam

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 Stress block analysis for flanged beam
i) Neutral axis in flange (M  Mf)

0.87 fyk

Section can be designed as a rectangular section because

the non-rectangular section below the neutral axis is in tension
and is considered inactive.
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Stress block analysis for flanged beam

The moment of resistance,

M = Fcc . z

= 0.567 fck bf (0.8x) (d-0.4x)

At ultimate moment of resistance, 0.8x is assumed to be similar

to hf. Thus,

Mf = 0.567 fck bf hf (d - hf /2)

where Mf = ultimate moment of resistance of flange

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 Stress block analysis for flanged beam
ii) Neutral axis below flange (M > Mf) – singly reinforced section

0.87 fyk

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Stress block analysis for flanged beam

Moment of resistance with respect to steel,

M = Fcc1.z1 + Fcc2.z2

= (0.454 fck bw x) (d-0.4x) + 0.567 fck (b-bw) hf (d-0.5hf)

Ultimate moment of resistance is achieved when x = 0.45d,

Mbal = 0.454 fck bw (0.45d) (d-0.4(0.45d)) + 0.567 fck (b-bw) hf (d-0.5hf)

= 0.167 fck bw d2 + 0.567 fck (b-bw) hf (d-0.5hf)

If the design moment, M < Mbal, the compression reinforcement is

not required.

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Stress block analysis for flanged beam

Divide by fck bd2,

Mbal = 0.167 bw + 0.567 hf 1 – bw 1 - 0.5hf

fck b d2 b d b d

Mbal = f fck b d2

Moment of resistance with respect to concrete (Fcc2),

M = Fst.z2 + Fcc1.(z2 - z1)

= 0.87 fyk As (d-0.5hf) – (0.454 fck bw x) [(d-0.5hf) - (d-0.4x)]

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Stress block analysis for flanged beam

When x = 0.45d,

M = 0.87 fyk As (d-0.5hf) – (0.2 fck bw d) [(d-0.5hf) - (d-0.18d)]

= 0.87 fyk As (d-0.5hf) – (0.2 fck bw d) (0.18d-0.5hf)

Rearranging,

As = M + 0.1 fck bw d (0.36d-hf)

0.87 fyk (d-0.5hf)

This equation should not be used when hf > 0.36d

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 Stress block analysis for flanged beam
iii) Neutral axis below flange (M > Mf) – doubly reinforced section

0.87 fyk

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Stress block analysis for flanged beam
Moment of resistance,

M = Fcc1.z1 + Fcc2.z2 + Fsc.z3

= (0.454 fck bw x) (d-0.4x) + 0.567 fck (b-bw) hf (d-0.5hf) + 0.87 fyk As’
(d-d’)

When x = 0.45d,

M = 0.167 fck bw d2 + 0.567 fck (b-bw) hf (d-0.5hf) + 0.87 fyk As’ (d-d’)

= Mbal + 0.87 fyk As’ (d-d’)

Rearranging, As’ = (M – Mbal)

0.87 fyk (d-d’)

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Stress block analysis for flanged beam

Equilibrium of forces,

Fst = Fcc1 + Fcc2 + Fsc

0.87 fyk As = (0.454 fck bw x) + 0.567 fck (b-bw) hf + 0.87 fyk As’

When x = 0.45d,

0.87 fyk As = 0.2 fck bw d + 0.567 fck (b-bw) hf + 0.87 fyk As’ (d-d’)

Rearranging,

As = 0.2 fck bw d + 0.567 fck hf (b-bw) + As’

0.87 fyk

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 Design procedure of cont. beam
1. Determination of the effective width
2. Calculation of design load
3. Analysis of bending moment and shear force
4. Determination of the nominal cover
5. Calculation of the effective depth
6. Design of main reinforcements
7. Design of shear reinforcements
8. Deflection check
9. Crack check
10. Detailing

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 1. Effective width (beff or bf)
• The effective flange width for a T-beam or L-beam may be
derived as:

𝑏eff = ෍ 𝑏eff,i + 𝑏w ≤ 𝑏

where,

𝑏eff,i = 0.2𝑏i + 0.1𝑙0 ≤ 0.2𝑙0

𝑏eff,i ≤ 𝑏

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1. Effective width (beff or bf)

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1. Effective width (beff or bf)

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1. Effective width (beff or bf)

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 1. Effective width (beff or bf)
• The effective width of flange should be based on the
distance 𝑙0 between points of zero moment, which may be
obtained from Figure 5.2.

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 1. Effective width (beff or bf)
• Continuous beams

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 2. Design load
• At ultimate limit state:

Design load, w = 1.35 Gk+ 1.5 Qk

• At serviceability limit state:

Design load, w = 1.0 Gk+ 1.0 Qk

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 Loadings
Permanent actions, Gk

a) Self-weight of the beam = unit weight of concrete × bw × h

b) Self-weight of slabs

c) Finishes / building services etc.

d) Point loads (from secondary beams)

Variable actions, Qk

a) loads from moving objects/people

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3. Analysis of BM and SF

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BMD and SFD of a continuous beam

V = 0.45F V = 0.55F V = 0.55F V = 0.60F

V = 0.60F V = 0.55F V = 0.55F V = 0.45F

Msup = 0.11Fl Msup = 0.08Fl Msup = 0.11Fl

M=0 M=0

Mmid-span = 0.09Fl Mmid-span = 0.07Fl Mmid-span = 0.07Fl Mmid-span = 0.09Fl

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 4. Nominal cover, cnom
• The nominal cover is determined based on:

a) bond & durability requirement (EC2-1-1:2004)

b) fire resistance requirement (EC2-1-2:2004)

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4. Nominal cover, cnom

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4. Nominal cover, cnom

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 4. Nominal cover, cnom

For structural class S4 and exposure class XC1 (for example), the value of cmin,dur = 15 mm

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 4. Nominal cover, cnom
• BS EN 1990, Eurocode - Basis of structural design, (Eurocode 0) gives indicative
design working lives (in Table 2.1) for design purposes for various types of structures,
as follows:

Design Working
Category Structures
Life (years)

1 <10 Temporary structures

Replaceable structural parts, gantry girders,

2 10 to 25
bearings

3 15 to 30 Agricultural and similar structures

Building structures and other similar

4 50
structures
Monumental buildings, bridges and other
5 100
civil engineering structures

6 >100 Special structures

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4. Nominal cover, cnom

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4. Nominal cover, cnom

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4. Nominal cover, cnom

Fire resistance
requirement
(EC2-1-2:2004)

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4. Nominal cover, cnom

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 5. Effective depth
d = distance from the compression face to the centre of
the tension reinforcement.

d’ = distance from the compression face to the centre of

the compression reinforcement.

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 6. Design of main reinforcement
• Main reinforcement design for mid-span beam:

i. Calculate the flange moment, Mf

ii. If MEd,mid-span ≤ Mf , neutral axis is in the flange design

as a rectangular section.

iv. If MEd,mid-span > Mf , neutral axis is in the web design as

a flanged section.

• Main reinforcement design for support beam – design as a

rectangular section.

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6. Design of main reinforcement

At support : design as a rectangular section

At mid-span : design as a rectangular / flanged section
(L- or T-beam)
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 6. Design of main reinforcement
• At support – design as a rectangular section

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 6. Design of main reinforcement
• For support beam – design as a rectangular section

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 6. Design of main reinforcement
• For support beam – design as a rectangular section

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Design procedure for flanged beam
• At mid-span

1. Calculate Mf = 0.567 fck bf hf (d- hf /2)

2. If MEd ≤ Mf, neutral axis is in the flange → design as a rectangular

section.

3. If MEd > Mf, neutral axis is in the web → design as a flanged section.

i. Calculate f = 0.167 bw + 0.567 hf 1 – bw 1 - 0.5hf

bf d bf d

ii. Mbal = f fck bf d2

iii. Compare MEd and Mbal

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Design procedure for flanged beam
• At mid-span

4. If MEd  Mbal, compression reinforcement is not required → design as

a singly reinforced flanged section.

i. As = M + 0.1 fck bw d (0.36 d - hf)

0.87 fyk (d - 0.5 hf)

5. If MEd > Mbal, compression reinforcement is required → design as a

doubly reinforced flanged section.

i. As’ = (M – Mbal)
0.87 fyk (d - d’)

ii. As = 0.2 fck bw d + 0.567 fck hf (bf - bw) + As’

0.87 fyk
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EC2-1-1:2004

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7. Shear reinforcement design

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 Vertical shear resistance
EC2-1-1:2004

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 Vertical shear resistance
cl. 6.2.2, EC2-1-1:2004

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 Additional longitudinal reinforcement
• The applied shear force VEd causes an additional longitudinal
(tensile) force to develop in the tension reinforcements.

• It is assumed that half of this force is carried by the tension

reinforcements in the tension zone of the beam. Thus, the
remaining additional tensile force can be obtained from this
equation:
∆𝐹td = 0.5 𝑉Ed cot θ < MEd,max/z

• The required additional tensile reinforcement at the tension

zone of the beam to resist bending can be determined by:

𝐴𝑠 = Δ𝐹td /0.87𝑓yk

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 8. Deflection
• Deflection is one of the elements that has to be checked under
serviceability limit state (SLS).

• Extreme deflection of beams could cause defects to slab, wall,

finishes, partitions etc.

• Compare ratios: (l/d)actual ≤ (l/d)allowable

where, (l/d)allowable = (l/d)basic × modification factor

(l/d)basic from Eqn. 7.16a or Eqn. 7.16b (EC2-1-1:2004)

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 (l/d)basic
cl. 7.4.2, EC2-1-1:2004

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 Modification factor
cl. 7.4.2, EC2-1-1:2004

(upper limit = 1.5)

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 9. Crack control
• As specified in cl. 8.2, EN 1992-1-1 the clear distance
between bars should not be less than the minimum spacing,
Smin.

• Smin is obtained from the maximum of:

i. the maximum bar size,

ii. the maximum aggregate size + 5 mm, or
iii. 20 mm

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 9. Crack control
EC2-1-1:2004

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 9. Crack control
• For crack control, the spacing between bars must not exceed
the maximum spacing, Smax obtained from cl. 9.2.2, EC2-1-
1:2004.

• Spacing between bars can be determined from Table 7.3N,

where the steel stress is,

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9. Crack control

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9. Crack control

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 Spacing between links
cl. 9.2.2, EC2-1-1:2004

For vertical links, α = 90°

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 10. Detailing
• Curtailment rules for continuous beam

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 10. Detailing
For continuous beam:

i) Tension reinforcement (at support)

• All bars (100%) must be extended with a distance of 0.15L or

45∅ from the side of support, whichever is greater.

• At least 60% of the bars must then be extended with a

distance of 0.25L from the side of support.

• At least 20% of the bars have to be extended to the end of

span.

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 10. Detailing
For continuous beam:

ii) Tension reinforcement (at mid-span)

• All bars at mid-span must be extended to a distance of 0.15L

from the center of the interior support and 0.1L from the
center of the outer support.

• At least 30% of this bar has to be extended to the center of

the support.

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