Design of RC Structures Dr. N.

Subramanian

1

SOLUTION MANUAL FOR CHAPTER 18
Exercise 18.1 Design of a Tie Member in a Truss
1. Design the tie member of a reinforced concrete truss, subjected to a tensile force of 400 kN,
including dead and imposed loads. Assume M 30 grade concrete, Fe 415 steel, and mild
environment. Check for crack width.

Solution
From Table 4.12, Table 18.1 and 18.2, the admissible stresses in the mild environment for Fe 415 steel
and M30 concrete are:
f
ast
= 230 MPa, f
act
= 3.6 MPa (Clause B-2.1.1 of IS 456), 0 . 10 =
cbc
o MPa (Table 21 of IS 456)
Modular ratio, m =
10 3
280
3
280

= =
cbc
m
o
= 9.3
Factored tension force, T
u
= 1.5 x 400 = 600 kN

Step 1: Required area of steel reinforcement
Required area of tension reinforcement as per IS 456

( )
2
1662
415 87 . 0
1000 600
87 . 0
mm
f
T
A
y
u
st
=

= >
Required area of tension reinforcement as per serviceability criteria

2
1739
230
1000 400
mm
f
T
A
ast
st
=

= =
Note that the area of reinforcement required by serviceability criteria is more than that of strength
consideration. Provide 4 numbers of 20 mm bars + 4 numbers of 16 mm bars (A
st
= 2060 mm
2
).

Step 2: Total area of concrete section
From Eqn. 18.4, the required area of concrete section is given by

2
013 , 94 2060 ) 1 3 . 9 (
6 . 3
1000 400
) 1 ( mm m A
f
T
bt A
st
act
c
=

= = =
Provide a section of size 250 mm by 400 mm with area = 100,000 mm
2
Distribute the main reinforcement across the cross-section as shown in Fig. 18.12, with a clear cover of
45 mm.
Design of RC Structures Dr. N. Subramanian

2


Fig 18.12 Cross-section of member of Exercise 18.1

Step 3 Check for minimum area of steel
From Table 18.3, For M30, f
ct
= 1.3 N/mm
2

Minimum area of steel as per Eqn. 18.5 is
% 313 . 0 100
415
3 . 1
100 = = =
y
ct
crit
f
f
p
Provided p
t
= 100
250 400
2060

= 2.06 % > 0.313%

Step 4 Transverse reinforcement

Even in tension members it is necessary to provide transverse reinforcement.
As per clause 26.5.1.6, the area of transverse reinforcement
y
v
sv
f
bs
A
87 . 0
4 . 0
= ,
where s
v
should not exceed 0.75 times the least dimension of section, as per clause 26.5.1.5.

Adopting s
v
as 180 mm < 0.75x250 = 187.5 mm,
415 87 . 0
180 250 4 . 0
87 . 0
4 . 0

= =
y
v
sv
f
bs
A = 49.85 mm
2
Provide 8 mm ties at 180 mm c/c.

Step 5 Check for crack width
Assuming that the limiting design crack width is 0.2 mm
4
5 2
10 618 . 1
2060 10 2 3
400 250 2
3
2

=


= =
s s
t
A E
D b
c
Tensile stress at steel, f
s
= =

2060
1000 400
194.2 N/mm
2
Design of RC Structures Dr. N. Subramanian

3

Hence strain,
4 5
1
10 709 . 9 10 2 / 2 . 194 /

= = =
s s
E f c
Average strain =
3 4 4
2 1
10 809 . 0 10 618 . 1 10 709 . 9

= = = c c c
m

Let us calculate the crack width at the middle of the long side
Cover, c = 45 + 8 + 20/2 = 63 mm
Spacing of bar, s = (400 63 x 2)/2 = 137 mm

( ) ( ) 83 2 / 20 63 2 / 137 2 / 2 / [
2 2 2 2
= + = + =
b cr
d c s a mm
Crack width, mm a W
m cr
201 . 0 10 809 . 0 83 3 3
3
= = =

c 0.2 mm
Hence the crack width is within limits.

Exercise 18.2 Design of wall of cylindrical water tank
Design the wall of a reinforced concrete cylindrical tank (with a sliding joint at the base), subjected to a
hoop tension of 150 kN per meter. Assume M 35 grade concrete, Fe 415 steel, and moderate
environment.


Solution
From Table 18.1 and 18.2, the admissible stresses in the mild environment for Fe 415 steel and M35
concrete are:
f
ast
= 230 MPa, 5 . 11 =
cbc
o MPa (Table 21 of IS 456), f
act
= 1.6 MPa (cracking not permitted as
per IS 3370).

Modular ratio, m =
5 . 11 3
280
3
280

= =
cbc
m
o
= 8.1
Factored tension force, T
u
= 1.5 x 150 = 225 kN

Step 1: Required area of steel reinforcement
Required area of tension reinforcement as per IS 456

( )
2
623
415 87 . 0
1000 225
87 . 0
mm
f
T
A
y
u
st
=

= >
Required area of tension reinforcement as per serviceability criteria (IS 3370)

2
1154
130
1000 150
mm
f
T
A
ast
st
=

= =
Note that the area of reinforcement required by serviceability criteria is more than that of strength
consideration. Provide 12 mm diameter bars at 90 mm c/c at centre of the slab (A
st
= 1257 mm
2
).

Step 2: Thickness of concrete section
From Eqn. 18.4, the required area of concrete section is given by

2
84825 1257 ) 1 1 . 8 (
6 . 1
1000 150
) 1 ( mm m A
f
T
bt A
st
act
c
=

= = =
Hence required thickness, t = 84825/1000 = 84.8 mm
Design of RC Structures Dr. N. Subramanian

4

Provide 100 mm thick wall with 12 mm diameter bars at 90 mm c/c at the centre of wall. Spacing is less
than 100 mm (thickness of wall) or 300 mm. Hence OK.

Step 3: Check for minimum area of steel for crack control
From Table 18.3, For M35, f
ct
= 1.45 N/mm
2

Minimum area of steel as per Eqn. 18.5 is
% 35 . 0 100
415
45 . 1
100 = = =
y
ct
crit
f
f
p
p
t
provided = % 257 . 1 100
1000 100
1257
=

, Hence provided reinforcement is sufficient.

Assuming that the tank is less than 15 m in diameter, the required amount of secondary steel is 0.24
percent for HYSD bars (clause 8.1 of IS 3370-Part 2)
Hence
2
240 ) 1000 100 (
100
24 . 0
mm A
sd
= =
Provide 8 mm bars at 200 mm c/c with A
sd
= 251 mm
2
vertically with a nominal cover of 45 mm.

Exercise 18.3 Design of water pipe
A reinforced concrete water pipe line of 350 mm radius is carrying water at a pressure of 6 m head of
water. Design the pipe with grade 415 steel and M 30 concrete.
Solution
From Table 18.1 and 18.2, the admissible stresses in the mild environment for Fe 415 steel and M30
concrete are:
f
ast
= 130 MPa, f
act
= 1.5 MPa (cracking not permitted as per IS 3370).
Modular ratio, m =
10 3
280
3
280

= =
cbc
m
o
= 9.3
Specific weight of water = 9.807 kN/m
3

Water pressure in the pipe, p = 6 m of head = 6 x 9.807 = 58.84 kN/m
2

Hoop tension in the pipe, T = pR = 58.84 x 0.35 = 20.6 kN/m
Neglecting the self weight of pipe and considering 1 m length of pipe,
The factored hoop tension = 1.5 x 20.6 = 30.9 kN/m

Step 1: Required area of steel reinforcement
Required area of tension reinforcement as per IS 456

( )
m mm
f
T
A
y
u
st
/ 86
415 87 . 0
1000 9 . 30
87 . 0
2
=

= >
Required area of tension reinforcement as per serviceability criteria (IS 3370)
m mm
f
T
A
ast
st
/ 159
130
1000 6 . 20
2
=

= =
The serviceability criterion controls the design. Provide 8 mm diameter bars at 250 mm c/c at centre of
the slab (A
st
= 201 mm
2
).

Step 2: Thickness of concrete section
From Eqn. 18.4, the required area of concrete section is given by

Design of RC Structures Dr. N. Subramanian

5

m mm m A
f
T
bt A
st
act
c
/ 11658 250 ) 1 3 . 9 (
5 . 1
1000 6 . 20
) 1 (
2
=

= = =
Hence required thickness of pipe, t = 11658/1000 = 11.7 mm
As the above thickness is too small, provide 65 mm thick wall, so that about 25 mm cover is available for
the reinforcement.

Step 3: Check for minimum area of steel for crack control
From Table 18.3, For M30, f
ct
= 1.3 N/mm
2

Minimum area of steel as per Eqn. 18.4 is
% 31 . 0 100
415
3 . 1
100 = = =
y
ct
crit
f
f
p
Hence required area= 0.31 x 65 x 1000/100 = 201.5 mm
2
/m 201 mm
2
/m. Hence the provided
reinforcement is sufficient.
Required longitudinal reinforcement = 0.31 x area of cross-section/100
= m mm / 484 65 ) 5 . 32 350 ( 2 100 / 31 . 0
2
= + t
Provide 7 numbers of 10 mm bars (area = 549 mm
2
)uniformly distributed along the circumference of the
pipe, as shown in Fig. 18.13.


Fig. 18.13 Cross-section of RC pipe of Exercise 18.3

Exercise 18.4 Member subjected to Tension with small eccentricity
A reinforced concrete truss member of length 5 m in a mild environment is subjected to a direct tensile
force of 100 kN and a bending moment of 5.5 kNm. Design the member.

Solution:

Step 1 : Choose grade of steel and concrete
The beam is subjected to mild environment, hence as per Table 5 of IS 456, the minimum grade of
concrete to be adopted id M20. Let us select M 25 concrete and Fe 415 grade steel. As per Table 18.1,
the permissible tensile stress in reinforcement is 230 N/mm
2
and the allowable direct tensile stresses in
concrete in direct tension and bending are 1.3 N/mm
2
and 1.8 N/mm
2
respectively (Table 1 of IS 3370-
Part 2)
Design of RC Structures Dr. N. Subramanian

6


Step 2: Calculate the eccentricity and assume section
Eccentricity 55 1000
100
5 . 5
= = =
T
M
e mm
The length of the member is 5 m. Hence the depth may be taken greater than L/20 = 250 mm (Clause
23.2.1). Let us assume a size of 350 mm by 250 mm and a cover of 30 mm for both faces (Table 16 of IS
456) and 20 mm bars. Hence d = d = 30 +10 = 40 mm, d = 350 40 = 310 mm,

Step 3: Check weather eccentricity is small
Eccentricity = 55 mm < D/2 d = 175-40 =135 mm
The eccentricity is small and hence the entire section will be in tension

Step 4: Calculate area of steel
190 40 55 2 / 350 ' 2 / ' = + = + = d e D e mm
80 40 55 2 / 350 ' 2 / " = = = d e D e mm
Hence from Eqn. 18.7
) ' (
'
d d f
Te
A
s
s

= = 305
) 40 310 ( 230
190 1000 100
=


mm
2
From Eqn. 18.8
=

=
) ' ( '
"
'
d d f
Te
A
s
s
129
) 40 310 ( 230
80 1000 100
=


mm
2
Select 3 numbers 16 bars at bottom (3x 201 = 603 mm
2
) and 2 numbers 12 bars at top (226 mm
2
).

Step 5 Check provided cross-section is adequate
Modular ratio, 3 . 13
7 3
280
3
280
=

= =
cbc
m
o

Transformed area of cross-section, A
tr
= ) ' )( 1 (
s s c
A A m A + +
) 226 603 )( 1 3 . 13 ( 350 250 + + = = 87,500 + 10,196 = 97,696 mm
2
Axial tensile stress in concrete = 696 , 97 / 1000 100 =1.02 N/mm
2
< 2.8 N/mm
2

Hence it is within allowable limits.

Step 6: Check for allowable bending and tensile stresses
Centroid of the transformed section is obtained by taking moments of areas about the centre of the
concrete cross-section
Depth of neutral axis,
tr
s s
A
d A d A m bD
x
) ' ' )( 1 ( 2 /
2
+ +
=
=
696 , 97
) 40 226 310 603 )( 1 3 . 13 ( 2 / 350 250
2
+ +
= 181.4 mm
Moment of Inertia I
tr
= ] ) ' ( ' ) ( )[ 1 ( ] ) ( [ 3 /
2 2 3 3
d x A x d A m x D x b
s s
+ + +
=
] ) 40 4 . 181 ( 226 ) 4 . 181 310 ( 603 )[ 1 3 . 13 ( ] ) 4 . 181 350 ( 4 . 181 [ 3 / 250
2 2 3 3
+ + +
= 896.810
6
+ 178.2 10
6
= 107510
6
mm
4
Design of RC Structures Dr. N. Subramanian

7

The maximum tensile stress due to combined tension and bending occurs at the bottom fibre of the
section as is given by
tr tr
I
My
A
T
f + =
max
= 9 . 0 02 . 1
10 1075
175 10 5 . 5
696 , 97
1000 100
6
6
+ =

= 1.92 N/mm
2

As it is only slightly greater (6.7%) than the allowable value of 1.8 N/mm
2
, the section is safe.

Exercise 18.5 Member Subjected to Moment with Small Tension

A reinforced concrete wall of a rectangular tank is subjected to a direct tension of 60 kN/m and a
moment of 100 kNm/m. Design the section using M30 concrete and Fe 415 grade steel reinforcement.
Assume moderate environment.

A reinforced concrete wall of a rectangular tank is subjected to a direct tension of 50 kN/m and a
moment of 90 kNm/m. Design the section using M25 concrete and Fe 415 grade steel reinforcement.
Assume moderate environment.

Solution:
Step 1: Trial section
Let us make a guess on the thickness of wall based on tension considerations and increase the size later
suitably based on the bending moment.

The allowable direct and bending stresses for M30 concrete are 1.5 N/mm
2
and 2.0 N/mm
2
as per Table
1 of IS 3370-Part 2. Neglecting the area of steel, required area of concrete section is
Approximate A
c 000 , 40
5 . 1
1000 60
=

= =
act
f
T

mm
2
Considering 1 m width, required thickness = 40 mm. Note that the section has to resist bending moment
also.
3 . 9
10 3
280
3
280
=

= =
cbc
m
o
(Clause B-2.1.2 and Table 21 of IS 456),
10 3 . 9
130
1
1
1
1

+
=
+
=
cbc
st
m
k
o
o
= 0.417 (Table 4 of IS 3370-Part 2), 86 . 0 3 / 417 . 0 1 3 / 1 = = = k j ,
793 . 1 10 86 . 0 417 . 0 5 . 0 5 . 0 = = =
cbc
kj Q o
Depth required for resisting bending moment,
236
1000 793 . 1
10 100
6
=

= =
Qb
M
d mm
Assuming 20 mm bars and a clear cover of 40 mm, adopt D = 350 mm with d = 350 - 40 - 10 = 300 mm
Equivalent moment = 2 . 92 2 / ) 04 . 0 30 . 0 ( 60 100 2 / ) ' ( = = d d T M kNm
Approximate reinforcement to resist bending
2749
300 86 . 0 130
10 2 . 92
6
=


= =
jd
M
A
st
st
o
mm
2
Area of tension reinforcement required to resist the axial force
Design of RC Structures Dr. N. Subramanian

8

4625
130
1000 60
1
=

= =
s
st
f
T
A mm
2
; Total area required = 2749 + 462 = 3211 mm
2
Provide 20 mm bars at 90 mm c/c (A
st
= 3491 mm
2
)

Step 2: Calculate Neutral axis depth
From Eqn. 18.19, with A
sc
=0, we get
(

+
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
.
|

\
|
M
D x
d T bx x d m A
TD
M
st
2 3
5 . 0 ) (
2
2

(

+
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
.
|

\
|

6 3 2 3 6
10 100
2
350
3
300 10 60 1000 5 . 0 ) 300 ( 3 . 9 3491
2
350
10 60 10 100
x
x x

Simplifying we get
0 10 17 . 87 573 , 290 5375
6 2 3
= + x x x
The above cubic equation may be solved by trial and error or by using online calculators (by example at
http://www.easycalculation.com/algebra/cubic-equation.php)
Thus, x = 103.96 mm
Step 3: Check for Compressive Stress in Concrete
The compressive stress in concrete is found by using Eqn. 18.18
2 3 2
D
T M
x
d
f
bx
c
=
|
.
|

\
|

2
350
10 60 10 100 )
3
96 . 103
300 (
2
96 . 103 1000
3 6
=
c
f

Thus f
c
= 6.49 N/mm
2
< 10 N/mm
2
(as per Table 2 of IS 3370-Part 2)

Step 4: Check for Tensile Stress in Steel
The tensile stress in steel is found from the stress diagram as
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
.
|

\
|
=
96 . 103
96 . 103 300
49 . 6 3 . 9
x
x d
mf f
c s
= 113.8 N/mm
2
< 130 N/mm
2
(Table 4 of IS 3370-Part
2)
Hence the stresses are within the permissible limits.

Note: You can also design using LSM, in which case the stresses should be within 0.87 f
y
and 0.45 f
ck

respectively for steel and concrete. Moreover while using LSM, it is necessary to calculate crack widths
and check whether they are within allowable limits.

Exercise 18.6 Crack width for Members with large moment and small tension
Calculate the crack width for the wall in Exercise 18.5.

Solution:
Step 1: Calculate strain at steel level
From Exercise 18.5, tensile stress at steel, f
s
= 113.8 N/mm
2
Hence strain,
4 5
10 69 . 5 10 2 / 8 . 113 /

= = =
s s s
E f c
Step 2: Apparent strain at the surface of wall
Design of RC Structures Dr. N. Subramanian

9

4 4
1
10 141 . 7
96 . 103 300
96 . 103 350
10 69 . 5

=

=
x d
x D
s
c c
Step 3: Tension stiffening effect
Let us consider that the crack width should be less than 0.2 mm
4
5 2
10 474 . 1
) 96 . 103 300 ( 3491 10 2 3
) 96 . 103 350 )( 96 . 103 350 ( 1000
) ( 3
) ' )( (

=


=

=
x d A E
x a x D b
s s
t
c
Average strain at the surface
4 4
2 1
10 667 . 5 10 ) 474 . 1 141 . 7 (

= = = c c c
m

Calculate a
cr
27 . 57 2 / 20 ) 2 / 20 40 ( ) 2 / 90 [( 2 / ) 2 / ( ) 2 / [(
2 2 2 2
= + + = + + =
b b cr
d d c s a
mm

Calculate crack width
mm
x D
c a
a
W
cr
m cr
085 . 0
) 96 . 103 350 (
) 40 27 . 57 (
2 1
10 667 . 5 27 . 57 3
) (
) (
2 1
3
4
min
=

+

=

+
=

c
< 0.2 mm
Hence the crack width is within allowable limits.

Exercise 18.7 Crack width for Members Subjected to Direct Tension
Calculate the crack width for a section of depth 400 mm and breadth 1000 mm, subjected to a direct
tension of 500 kN/m. Assume a clear cover of 40 mm and that the section is provided with 20 mm bars
of Fe 415 grade on each face at 200 mm c/c.

Solution
m mm A
s
/ 3140 2 ) 5 314 (
2
= =
Strain in steel,
4
5 1
10 96 . 7
10 2 3140
1000 500

=

= =
s s
E A
T
c
Assuming that the crack width is to be restricted within 0.2 mm
Strain due to stiffening effect of concrete,

4
5 2
10 25 . 4
3140 10 2 3
400 1000 2
3
2

=


= =
s s
A E
bD
c
Average strain,
4 4 4
2 1
10 71 . 3 10 25 . 4 10 96 . 7

= = = c c c
m

Distance to the point considered, ( ) 10 50 100
2 2
+ =
cr
a = 101.8 mm
Crack width, mm a W
m cr
113 . 0 10 71 . 3 8 . 101 3 3
4
= = =

c < 0.20 mm
Note: If the calculation results in a crack width that is higher than 0.20 mm, the reinforcement has to be
increased.

Exercise 18.8 Use of Design Aids and Interaction Equation
Design a tension member of size 250 mm by 400 mm subjected to a working tensile force of 150 kN and
a bending moment of 45 kNm, using the charts given in SP 16. Use M 25 concrete and Fe 415 steel.
Check the section using interaction equation.



Design of RC Structures Dr. N. Subramanian

10

Solution:
We will use the Charts presented in Design Aids SP 16, for designing this member.
150 5 . 1 =
u
T = 225 kN, and 5 . 67 5 . 1 45 = =
u
M kNm
Thus, we shall calculate
09 . 0
400 250 25
1000 225
=


=
bD f
T
ck
u

068 . 0
400 250 25
10 5 . 67
2
6
2
=


=
bD f
M
ck
u

Assuming 20 mm bars and a clear cover of 30 mm, d= 30 + 10 = 40 mm,
d/D = 40/400 = 0.10
Let us consider that the reinforcement is distributed equally on two sides,
From Chart 69, we get p/f
ck
=0.075,
Hence, 875 . 1 25 075 . 0 100 = = =
bD
A
p
st
. Thus 1875
100
400 250 875 . 1
=

=
st
A mm
2
Provide 3 nos of 20 mm bars at top and bottom (Area = 2 942 = 1884 mm
2
)
Note that when a member is subjected to bending and tension, unsymmetrical reinforcement is
required to be provided-more reinforcement at bottom and less at bottom. Thus, the use of charts as
given in SP 16, forces the designer to use uneconomical symmetrical reinforcement.

Check for interaction:
2 . 680 1000 / 1884 415 87 . 0 ) ( 87 . 0 = = + =
sc st y n
A A f T kN
( ) ( ) | | jd A f bd f k Min M
st y ck n
87 . 0 ;
2
2
=
78 . 111 10 / ) 40 400 ( 250 25 138 . 0
6 2
1
= =
n
M kNm
95 . 97 10 / 360 8 . 0 942 415 87 . 0
6
2
= =
n
M kNm
Hence M
n
= 97.95 kNm
Now using the interaction equation, we get
95 . 97
5 . 67
2 . 680
225
+ = +
n
u
n
u
M
M
T
T
= 0.331 + 0.689 = 1.02 1.0
Hence safe.