HANDOUT 3: ULTIMATE STRENGTH DESIGN FOR BEAMS

NSCP Provisions: (NOTE: Notations and Terminologies may be seen at Section 402)
§404.2.1 Design properties of concrete shall be selected to be in accordance with
Section 419.
§404.2.2 Design properties of steel reinforcement shall be selected to be in accordance
with Section 420.
§404.3.1 Loads and load combinations considered in design shall be in accordance with
Section 405 (refer to Table 405.3.1 Load Combinations).

ASSUMPTIONS:
(a) Loads increase depending on the factored load combinations.
(b) Strength is reduced depending on the Strength Reduction Factor (Φ)
(c) Concrete sections are considered to have reached their flexural capacities when
the compressive fiber develop a strain equal to 0.003.
(d) Compressive stress distribution of concrete can be represented by the
corresponding stress-strain relationship between concrete and reinforcement.

The actual geometric shape of the concrete compressive stress distribution varies
considerably. Given the complexity, the variation of compressive stress was replaced
with a fictitious section with a simple shape given the same intensity of compressive force
C applied at the same location.

It is seen at the actual stress distribution, the depth a = β 1c can be easily

calculated. The stress intensity factor is essentially independent of f’c and can be taken
as 0.85 throughout to compute the actual compressive force
𝐶 = 0.85𝑓′𝑐 𝑎𝑏

Where: C = compressive strength of concrete

a = fictitious depth of compressive block = β1c
β1= factor relating depth of equivalent compressive block
(See Table 422.2.2.4.3 of NSCP)
c = distance from compressive fiber to neutral axis
b = base of rectangular beam
 Assuming that the compressive force C is equal to the tension force T = Asfy, we
can consider that
𝐴𝑠𝑓𝑦
𝑎=
0.85𝑓′𝑐 𝑏
The ratio of tension steel area to the effective concrete area is considered as
𝐴𝑠
𝜌=
𝑏𝑑
NOTE:
 §409.6.1.2. Asmin shall be the greater of the following:

0.25√𝑓′𝑐 1.4
a) 𝑏𝑑 and b) 𝑏𝑑
𝑓𝑦 𝑓𝑦

 The maximum value of the steel ratio is assumed to be:

𝜌𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.75𝜌𝑏𝑎𝑙
0.85𝑓′ 𝑐𝛽1 600
Where: 𝜌𝑏𝑎𝑙 = ( )
𝑓𝑦 600+𝑓𝑦

 §409.6.1.3. If As provided at every section is at least one third greater than the
As required by analysis, §409.6.1.1 and §409.6.1.2 need not applied.
When we consider the first assumption, making the strength larger by an
appropriate amount than the larger loads that can be expected during the lifetime of
the structure can ensure an adequate margin of safety. Considering the second
assumption to compare, the applied (design load) and resisting (allowable load) shall be
𝑀𝑢 ≤ 𝜑𝑀𝑛
Where: Mu = ultimate moment
Mn = nominal moment
Φ = strength reduction factor (See Table 421.2.1 of NSCP)

Applying a reduction factor in the performance of concrete may control the

failure that the structural member has to encounter.

Problem: FREE DESIGN

1. Design a simply-supported rectangular beam 4 meters long to carry a DL of 10
kN/m and LL of 10 kN/m. f’c = 27.6 MPa, fy = 276 MPa, and unit wt = 23.6 kN/m3.
Assume singly-reinforced and d = 1.5b

2. Given the properties of the concrete beam b = 300mm, d = 540mm, f’c = 27.6
MPa, fy = 345 MPa, M DL = 10kN-m and MLL = 20 kN-m, find the necessary area of
steel, assuming singly-reinforced.