Paper: Al-Shawi

Paper

Design charts for corbels

F. A. N. Al-Shawi, BEng, PhD
Sheffield Hallam University

Synopsis Charts basedon BS 8110’

The design of corbels using the strut-and-tie model entails a The recommendations, as laid out in clause 5.2.7, are as follows:
trial-and-error procedure in the determination of tension
(a) The distance a,.between the line of the reaction to the supported load V
reinforcement. This is a laborious method and mightalso lead to
and the root of the corbel is less than d (the effective depth of the root
unacceptable depth ofthe compression block or the vertical shear
of the corbel); and
capacity being exceeded. This means that the whole procedure
(b) the depth at the outer edge of the contact area of the supported load is
needs to be repeated until all design criteria are satisfied.
not less than one-half of the depth at the root of the corbel.
In thispaper; design chartsbased on BS 8110 and EC2
recommendations are presented. These charts take into The design simplifying assumptions are that theconcrete and reinforcement
consideration all constraints. Therefore, they can be used as a may be assumed to act as elements of a simple strut-and-tie system. Note
design aid. that other systems are also available?.
Referring to Fig l(a)
Notation
is the area of tension reinforcement V= C sin 8 ....(1)
is the area of concrete cross-section T= CCOS~ ....(2)
are the distances from the line of action of the load to the root of where
the corbel in BS 8 l l0 and EC2, respectively
is the width of corbel
....(3 )
is the compressive force developed by the concrete (strut force)
is the effective depth at the root of the corbel
is the total tensile force to be developed by the tension (see clause 3.4.4.4 for the stress block)
reinforcement
is the vertical force acting on the corbel (EC2) and
is the characteristic compressive strength of concrete cylinders

is the characteristic compressive strength of concrete cubes (BS

81 10)
are the characteristic strengths of steel reinforcement in BS 8 I I O
and EC2 respectively 1 - 0.45n
are the depths at the root of corbel in BS 8110 and EC2, :. tan 8 = - ....(4)
a
respectively
are the horizontal forces acting on the corbel in BS 8 1 10 and EC2, hence,
respectively (1 - 0.45n)
is the non-dimensional factor, ....(5)
= V/bdfc,,(BS 8 1 10) sin = JW
= F,/bdf,k (EC2)
is the depth factor for shear resistance and,
is the design axial force (compression positive)
is the ratio of the depth of the compression zone to the effective ....(6)
depth of the corbel = x/d = -*J
is the non-dimensional factor,
= A,f,/bdf,.,, (BS 8 1 1 0) substitution of eqns. (3), (S) and (6) in eqn. ( 1 ) (noting that ‘yc = l .SO, as

1,
= A,fJbdf,.k (EC2) given in clause 2.4.4) gives
is the. tensile force in the strut-and-tie model
is the vertical force acting on the corbel (BS 8 l IO)
is the design shear resistance without shear reinforcement
is the maximum design shear force that can be carried without
crushing
is the design shear stress at a cross-section (BS 8 110)
v=(-) 0.9 x b a (1 - 0.45n)
a 2+ (1 - 0.45n)’I
1
dividing by bdf,.,, (noting that x = nd) and introducing the parameter
....(7)

is the design concrete shear stress (BS 81 10) K = V&&.,,, eqn. (7) becomes
is the depth of the compression zone at the root of corbel (0.202K+0.182a)n2-(0.9K+0.405a)n+K(l +a2)=0 ....(8)
= a,/d (BS 8 l 10)
= a,/d (EC2) solving the above quadratic equation gives
is the shear enhancement factor
is the partial safety factor for concrete (0.9K + 0.40%~)- ,,/(0.9K + 0 . 4 0 5 ~-~4(0.202K
)~ + 0.182a)K(1+ a’)
is the partial safety factor for steel reinforcement n=
2(0.202K + 0 . 1 8 2 ~ ~ ) ....(9)
is the angle between the direction of the strut compressive force
and the horizontal Having found n, the tensile forceT can be evaluated from (2) as
is the coefficient of friction between the contact surfaces at the
support
is the efficiency factor used in the assessment of shear strength
-
T=(0.y)0.9 x b a 2 ( a 2+ (1 - 0.45n)’
JlO)
is the average stress in concrete due to axial force
is the basic design shear strength of members without shear If the horizontal frictional force H ( = p V ) is added to the above force, then
reinforcement the total tensile force is given by:

222 The Structural EngineerNolume 74/No 13/2 July 1996

 Paper: Al-Shawi

where
2 2d
p=-=- ....(21:
a" a
f l c L.,,should not be taken as greater than 40N/mm2.
1OOA,y
should not be taken asgreater than 3.0
bd

400
d
should not be taken as less than 1 .O

Equating eqns. (19) and (20) and noting that V/bd = Kf,.,, 100A,/bd =
100~C,.,/f,,
and taking the depth factor 400/d here as 1.O (safe), in order not
(4 (b) to involve the dimensional quantity d, will give the following equation:
Fig 1. Strut-and-tie system ( a ) BS 8110 model; (b)EC2 model 0. l 24K3a3f 2CLf f,.
r= ....(22)
f *cu
FT=T+pV ....(11) (NOTE: p,,should not be taken as greater than 40N/mm2 but.f;., can take
substituting equation(10) into (1 l ) gives higher values, and the limit on r is such that 100A,/bd is not more than 3.0.)
Solving eqns. (15) and (22) simultaneously for the two unknowns K and r
0.402fC, nd. b a 2 will give the co-ordinates of the point ofintersection, i.e. the limit of applic-
a 2 + (1 - 0.45)2 J + P v ....(12)
ability of eqn.( 15).

the area of tensile reinforcementis given by Charts basedon ECZ3

The main recommendations, as laid out in clause 2.5.3.7.2, are as follows:
A,7 = -
FT
....(13)
(f,/Y,) (a) Corbels with 0.4hCI a, Ih, (see Fig 1(b)) may bedesigned using a sim-
ple strut-and-tie model.
substituting eqn. (1 2) into eqn. ( I 3) (noting that 7, = 1.15, as given in clause (b) Unless special provision is made to limit horizontal forces on the sup-
2.4.4) gives port, or other justification is given, the corbel should be designed for the
vertical force F, and a horizontal force H, > 0.2Fv acting at the bearing
0.462&.,., b d n a2
A, = +- 1.l5pV ....(14) area.
[a2+ (1 - 0.45n)'] fv
The equations for the determination of tension reinforcement are similar to
those of BS 8 1 10 except as regards the following:
Dividing by bd&'f,, (noting that K = Vhdf,.,,),and introducing the parame-
ter r (= Af,/bdf,.,,), eqn. ( 14) becomes (i) The depth of the equivalent rectangular stress block is 0 . 8 instead
~ of
0 . 9 ~ and
, the uniform compressive stress is 0.85jJx. instead of
r=[ (0.462 n.a ) ]+1.15pK 0.67f,&. (clause 4.2. l .3.3).
....(15) (ii) The factor 0.20 associated with the horizontal force is equivalent to a
a 2+ ( I - 0.45n)'
coefficient of friction p of 0.20.
So, for any value of K and a, n can be evaluated from eqn. (9) and substi- Therefore, the equations for n ( = dd)and r (= A,f,/bdf,,,) are:
tuted (together with K , a and y) in eqn. (1 5 ) to give r.

Constraints
For any given value of a, eqn. (15 ) gives the value of r for different values
n = (0.8K+0.453a)- ,(
(0.8K+0.435a)2 -4(0.16K+0.181a)K(l+a2
2(0.16K+O.l81a)
1)
....(23)
of K, which is a measure of the magnitude of the applied shear force V rel-
ative to the corbel dimensions and the characteristic concrete strength and
(bdfc,,).Obviously, there are limits on the value of K beyond which the K-r
0.521 n a 2 +0.23K
curve cannot be used. These limits are: r= ....(24)
+ (1 - 0.4n)2
(1)The ratio of the depth of thecompression zone to the effective depth (dd)
must not exceed 0.50 (clause 3.4.4.4). (Note that x, = 1.50 and "/S = 1.15 as given in clause 2.3.3.2, i.e. the same as
(2)The magnitude of the resistance provided to horizontal force should not in BS 8 1 10.)
be less than one-half of the design vertical load (clause 5.2.7.2.1(a)), i.e.
T 2 V/2. It follows from eqn. (1 1) that Constraints
The limits of applicability of the K-r curve, as given by eqn. (24), are:
FT2 1/2V+ pV ....( 16)
(1) The ratio of the compression zone to the effective depth is restricted by
The aboveequation can be simplified and rearranged to give:
clause 2.5.3.4.2 as follows:
r 2 1.15K(0.5+p) ....( 17) )0.45 forf,.k5 35N/mm2
(dd5
(3) The vertical design shear stress v should not exceed the lesser of 50.35 for& > 35N/mm2
(dd)
0 . 8 0 a and 5N/mm2. It should also not exceed the design concrete shear
stress v, (clause 3.4.5). This implies that this limit is given by: (2) Clause 4.3.2.3 states that the applied vertical force FVshould not exceed
the maximum design shear force which is given by:
v = v, ....( 18)
where VRd2 = 0.45 V k b d ....(25)
Y C

v=- V ....(19: where

bd
and v = 0.7 - fck
200
but not less than 0.5 ....(26)
1 1 I
In addition, Fv should not exceed the design shear resistance V,,,. This
v, = 0.79 (%)'p (
100As 7 400 )
3 (d) 4 ....(20:
implies that the limit is given by:

The Structural Engineer/Volume 74/No 13/2 July 1996 223

Paper: Al-Shawi

K Results
Fig 2 is a chart for p = 0.00 and in accordance with BS8110. It can also be
0.08

0.07 1- BS 8110, p=O.O

6
used ‘safely’ for other values of p provided that the horizontal frictional
force pVis catered for by an additional amount of tension reinforcement (see
example 2). This is on the safe side because the increase in shear resistance
0.06 due to the additional tension reinforcement is not taken into account. Some
typical values of p are given in ref. 4. Fig 4 is the chart based on EC2 rec-
0.05
ommendations and Fig 3 is the equivalent chart based on BS 8 1 10 with the
0.04 value of p = 0.20 for comparison.

0.03 Conclusions
Vertical shear constraint lines (1) The charts presented in this paper can be used for the direct design of
0.02
- - - - - - - f = 250 N/rnrn* corbels, thus avoiding the lengthy trial-and-error process.
0.01 _-_.__
f = 460 N/rnrn2 (2) Charts based on BS 8 l 10 for p = 0.00 can be usedfor other values of p,
I I I 1
with the provision of additional tensile reinforcement to resist the horizon-
0 tal frictional force.
0 0.020.01 0.03
0.060.050.04 r
(3) There is good agreement between the results obtained from BS 8 1 10and
Fig 2 BS 8110 chart with p = 0.00 EC2 charts as can be seen from examples 3 and 4 in Appendix A.

References
....(27) 1. BS 81 10 Structural use ofconcrete: Part l , London, British Standards
Institution, I985
2. Somerville, G: ‘The behaviour and design of reinforced concrete cor-
....(28) bels’, Cement & Concrete Association, Technical Report 472, August
1972
p=-=-5d with 1 .O Ip 55.0 (clause4.3.2.2) ....(29) 3. Eurocode 2, ‘Design of concrete structures, Part 1, General rules and
a, a rules for buildings’, DD ENV 1992-1-1: 1992, British Standards
2
- Institution.
Z R d = 0.035 f
,: (see also clause
3.1.2.3) ....(30) 4. Structuraljoints in precast concrete,London, Institution of Structural
Engineers, August 1978
k=(1.6-d)butnotlessthan
l.O(dinm) ....(31) 5. Handbook to BS 8110: 1985 Structural use of concrete, Viewpoint
Publication, I987
( k is taken, here, as I .O (safe) in order not to involve the dimensional quan-
tity d) Appendix A. Examples
p = - -As - rfck but not more than
0.02
Calculate the steel reinforcement requirements for the following cases:
fyk
Example I : BS 8110 chart
and
V = 300kN, a, = 250mm, b = 400mm, h = 550mm, d = 500mm, p = 0.00,
A., = 35N/mm2,f, = 250N/mm2
Solution :
a 250
a = 2 = -= 0.50 < 1.0 ok
d 500
Equating eqns. (27) and (28), simplifying and rearranging gives the fol-
Iowing equation:

.(32:
Enter Fig 2 (for BS 8 I IO, p = 0.00) with the value of K = 0.043 and project
horizontally to intersect with the line of a = 0.50, then project vertically to
Solving eqns. (24) and (32) simultaneously for the two unknowns K and r read the values of r as 0.028 (note the vertical shear constraint line for
will give the co-ordinates of the point of intersection, i.e. the limit ofapplic- A., = 35N/mm2 andf,, = 250N/mm2).
ability of eqn. (24).

K -

0.08 -

0.07 - BS 81 10, 1.1 = 0.2 H/=0.45

0.4
K r
0.08

0.07
c EC2, equivalent p = 0.2
= 0.5
0.06 - 0.06

0.05 - 0.05

0.04 - 0.04
0.03 - 0.03
0.02 .- 0.02
Vertical shear constraint lines
0.01 - 0.01
f = 460 N/rnrn2
n I I 1 1 l 1
0
“0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 r 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 r
Fig 3. BS 8110 chart with p = 0.20 Fig 4. EC2 chart with an equivalent p = 0.20

2 24 The Structural EngineedVolurne 74/No 13/2 July 1996

 Paper: Al-Shawi

r b d f,, - 0.028 x 400 x 500 x 35 Shear reinforcement:

A, --
fv 250 A,, = 0.50 x 603 = 302mm2
= 784mm2 Use 2T10 links (four legs, A = 3 12mm2 > 302mm2 ok) at a spacing of
llOmm c/c.
(As)min= z b h (clause 3.12.5)
100 Example 3: EC2 chart
= 0.24
100
x 400 x 550 = 528mm2 < 784mm20k F" = 215kN, a, = 225mm, b = 350mm, h, = 450mm, d = 405mm, fck =
30N/mm2,fq.k = 460N/mm2
:. use 4R 16 (A = 804mm2 784mm2 ok) Solution:
shear reinforcement:
A,, = 0.50 A, (clause 5.2.7.2.3) h, 450
= 0.50 x 804 = 402mm2
225
a = 5 = -= 0.56 (interpolate betweena = 0.50 and a = 0.60)
use 3R 10links (six legs, A = 468mm2 > 402mm2 ok) over a depth of two- d 405
thirds of the effective depth, i.e. 334mm. This will require a spacing of
115mm c/c.
Typical detail of reinforcement is shown in Fig 5(a)5.
From Fig 4, r is read as 0.047
Example 2: BS 8110 chart
A, r b dfck
x--
- 0.047 x 350 X 405 x 30 = 435mm2
V = 150kN, a , = 200mm, b = 300mm, h = 350mm, d = 3 lOmm, p = 0.35,
fyk 460
f,,= 30N/mm2,f,, = 460N/mm2
Solution: ( A , )m .m =- oh but not less than 0.0015bd (clause 5.4.2)
fyk
Consider p = 0.00 first and find the reinforcement required.
forfyk = 460N/mm2, (As)min
is given by 0.0015 bd
200 (A&,, = 0,0015 x 350 x 405 = 2 1 3mm2 435mm2 ok
a=-=0.65<l.Ook
3 10
use 4T12 (A = 452mm2 > 435mm2 ok)
since a is 0.65, then interpolate between a = 0.6 and a = 0.7.
Shear reinforcement:
K= 150 x lo3 = 0.054
300x310~30 A,,=0.4AS (clause 5.4.4)
A,, = 0.4 x 452 = 181mm2
From Fig 2, r is read as 0.046
use 2T8 links (4 legs, A = 200mm2 > 18 l mm2 ok)
0.046 X 300 X 3 10 X 30 = 279mm2
A, = Typical detail of reinforcement is shown in Fig 5(b)3
460
determine the reinforcement required to resist the horizontal frictional force, Example 4: repeat example3 using BS 8110 chart
H , as follows: Since the equivalent coefficient of friction p is 0.20, Fig 3 is used in this
H = pV = 0.35 X 150 =52.5kN case. Note that the equivalent concrete cube strength to fck = 30N/mm2 is
f,,= 37N/mm2 (Table 3.1 ofEC2).
225
a = 5= -= 0.56 < 1.0 ok
d 405
:. total tension steel reinforcement = A, = (A,) additional (interpolate between a = 0.50 and a = 0.60)

= 279 + 132 = 411mm2

(A,)min = 0100
.13x 300 X 310 = 121mm2 41 Imm20k From Fig 3, r is read as 0.038

*",/-c;
:. use 3T 16 (A = 603mm2 > 4 11mm2 ok)
A, =
0.038 X 350 X 405 X 37 = 433mm2
460
0.13
Main tension reinforcement Main tension reinforcement
(As)min = - X 350 X 450 = 205mm2 < 433mm20k
100
cross bar looped horizontally
.: use 4T12 (A = 452mm2 > 433mm2 ok)
Shear reinforcement:
A,,= 0.5A, = 0.5 x 452 = 226mm2
therefore use 2T10 links (4 legs, A = 3 12mm2> 226mm2 ok) at 140mm c/c.

Bars provided
to anchor shear
reinforcement
(a) (W

Fig 5. Typical detailing (a) UKpractice; (b)EC2 recommendation

The Structural Engineer/Volume 74/No 13/2 July 1996 225