This page includes some notes on reinforced concrete as

used in the construction of walls and structures. It is

important to note that I have based most of the content of
this page on BS 8110 -1:1997. This standard has now been
replaced by Eurocode BS EN1992. There are a number of
differences between BS 8110 and BS EN 1992 e.g the
symbols are generally different (N in BS8110 = N ED in BS EN
1992). The notes are not intended to enable detail design to
the latest codes they are simply provided to enable
mechanical engineers to understand the topic and produce
basic design studies. Formal design work must be completed
in accordance with the relevant codes.
Reinforced concrete is probably the most prolific and
versatile construction material . It is composed of two
distinct materials concrete and reinforcement , each of which
can be varied in quality disposition and quantity to fulfill a
wide range of construction requirements.
The concrete composition is an based on three constituents :
aggregate, cement and water. These are mixed together in a
homogeneous mass and are then put in place and left for the
chemical and physical changes to occur that result in a hard
and durable material. Information on concrete forms is
provided on webpage concrete. The strength and durability
of the resulting concrete depends on the quality and quantity
of each of the constituents and on any additional additives
have been added to the wet mix. Much of the mixing is now
done off site by ready mix companies ..The strength of the
resulting mixes is generally confirmed by a cube crushing
test.
The concrete reinforcement is generally steel although other
materials are sometimes used such as glass fibre. The main
reinforcement bars are generally high yield deformed bars ( f
2
y >= 460 N/m ) . Reinforcement links are often mild steel ( f
2
y >= 250 N/m ) although high yield steel is becoming more
popular. For reinforced concrete slabs and walls it is
convention to use mesh reinforcement.
The reinforcement is generally located to compensate for the
concrete being weak in tension e.g in spanning beams the
reinforcement is primarily located in the bottom half of a
section and at the midspan. In a cantilever beam the
reinforcement will generally be at the top of the beam with
the maximum concentration at the support.

In the notes below the characteristic strength for concrete ( f

cu ) is the value of the cube strength and the characteristic
strength for the reinforcement ( f y ) is the designated
proof/yield strength. The referenced standard for these notes
(BS 8110) also identifies a partial factor of safety m which is
applied to these strengths to take into account the difference
between test and practical conditions. It should be noted
that the strength of concrete related to flexure is actually
accepted as 0,67. f cu.
The characteristic load regime on a structure comprises a
characteristic dead load (G k) and a characteristic imposed
load ( Q k ) and sometimes a characteristic wind load ( W k )
these are each modified by an appropriate partial safety
margin f
Structures made from concrete to BS 8110 (and to the latest
codes ) should be designed to transmit the design ultimate
dead , wind , and imposed loads safely from the highest
supported level to the foundations. The structure and
interactions between the included members should ensure a
robust and stable design . The design should also be such
that the structure is able to remain is service . Account
should be taken of temperature, creep, shrinkage, sway,
settlement and cyclic loading as appropriate.
Summary of load symbols
f = Partial safety factor for load
E n = Characteristic Earth Load
G k = Characteristic dead Load
Q k = Characteristic Wind Load
Summary of strength symbols
m = Partial safety factor for material strength
f cu = Characteristic strength of concrete
f y = Characteristic strength of reinforcement
When completing analysis of cross sections to determine the
ultimate resistance to bending certain assumptions are made
1)The strain distribution in tension or compression
assumes plane sections remain plane

2) The compressive stresses in concrete are

derived from stress strain curve shown below with
m = 1,5
3) The tensile strength of concrete is ignored
4) The stresses in the reinforcement are derived
from the stress/strain curve as shown below m =
1,15
5) When the section is resisting only flexure the
lever arm should not be greater than 0,95x the
effective depth
The effective depth is the depth from the compression face
to the centre of the area of the main reinforcement group

Formwork
The formwork is the timber , steel or plastic moulds into
which the concrete is poured on site to create the various
concrete components. It is a vital part of the construction
process and the formwork costs can be up to 50% of the
concrete construction costs. The reinforcement must be
located in the formword prior to pouring the concrete.
The formwork must be leaktight, strong and rigid to contain
and maintain dimensions of the full liquid concrete mass. It

must also be designed for standardisation and reuse to

reduce the construction costs to a minimum.
It is clear that the formwork should not only be designed for
construction it should also include features allowing safe and
convenient removal and re-use

Relevant Standards
The design notes provided on this page relate to BS 8110-1 :1997 which has
been superseded by the standards referenced below.
Code Reference
Number
BS EN 1992-1-1:2004
BS EN 1992-1-2:2004
BS EN 1992-2:2005
BS EN 1992-3:2006
BS EN 1992-3:2006
BS EN 206-1:2000
BS EN 206-9:2010

Title
General rules and rules for
buildings..Replaces BS 8110-1, BS
8110-2 and BS 8110-3
Eurocode 2:General rules. Structural
fire design
Eurocode 2:Concrete bridges. Design
and detailing rules..Replaces BS 54004, BS 5400-7 and BS 5400-8
Eurocode 2:Liquid retaining and
containing structures...Replaces BS
8007
Eurocode 2:Liquid retaining and
containing structures...Replaces BS
8007
Concrete. Specification, performance,
production and conformity
Concrete. Additional rules for selfcompacting concrete (SCC)y

symbols
A s = Area of tension reinforcement
A' s = Area of Compression reinforcement

b = width or effective width of section

b w = average width of web
d = effective depth of section (compression face to centre of
reinforcement )
d' = depth to compression reinforcement
h f = thickness of flange
L = effective span of beam
M = Design Ultimate moment at section
x = Depth to neutral axis
z = lever arm
f cu =Characteristic strength for concrete ( f cu ) = cube strength
M u = Ultimate moment capacity of unreinforced beam
b = ratio (Moment at the section after redistribution)/ (Moment at the
section before redistribution)
m partial factor of safety applied to characteristics strengths of concrete
and reinforcement
A c = Area of concrete at section
A sv = Total cross section area of links at the neutral axis , at section
f y =Characteristic strength of reinforcement ..Proof /yield strength
f yv =Characteristic strength of links ..Proof /yield strength
s v= spacing of links along section
V = design shear force at ultimate loads
v = Design shear stress at cross section
v c = Design shear capacity
Columns..................
A c = net cross section area of concrete in column
A sc = Area of vertical reinforcement
a u = deflection at ULS
b = width of column section (smallest cross section dimension
h = depth of column section
l e = effective height of column
l o = clear height of column between restraints
l c = centre height of column between restraint centres
M 1= Smaller initial end moment due to design ultimate loads
M 2= Larger initial end moment due to design ultimate loads
N = design ultimate axial load on column
N bal = design ultimate axial load of a balanced section : (if symmetrically
reinforced assume 0,25f cubd )
Walls..................
e a = additional eccentricity due to deflections
e x = resultant eccentricity of load at right angles to plane of wall
e x1 = resultant eccentricity at top of wall
e x2 = resultant eccentricity at bottom of wall
h = thickness of wall

l e = effective height of wall

l o = clear height of wall between lateral supports
Slabs
V eff = Effective shear force at ultimate loads and moments
U = Shear perimeter around column head.
U o = shear perimeter around column head at column face
U i = shear perimeter around column head location away from column
face. (see notes.)

Concrete building components

Beams
Beams are horizontal structural items specifically design to
support vertical loads . Concrete beams are generally rectangular in
section with width b and height h and length L. Beams can also be
of a variety of section including channel section, tee section,
I section etc. There are a number of support configurations
for beams including cantilever, simply supported ,
continuous, etc each one tending to produce different stress
and deflection characteristics. As concrete is not able to
withstand tensile stress , loaded concrete beams are
generally reinforced in the area under tensile stress.
Concrete columns
Vertical structural elements of clear height = l and cross
section = b x h where h < 4b are columns , otherwise they
are walls. A column should not have an unrestrained length
greater than than 60b.
Concrete Walls
Vertical load bearing element with length exceeding 4 times
the thickness. The clear height is designated l o and the
thickness h. Concrete walls can be plain walls which have
zero to minimum reinforcement (< 0,4% of section area ) or
reinforced walls with reinforcemnt > 0,4% of area .
Flat Slabs
Flat slabs are horizontal slabs , used for floors or upper
structural surface which are supported on walls or beams.
Solid Slabs

These are horizontal slabs supported on pads or columns

instead of walls

Rough preliminary sizing of concrete elements

Element

Typical
spans
(m)

Overall Depth or Thickness

Simply
Continuous Cantilever
supported

One way
spanning
slabs

5-6

L /(22-30)

L/(28-36)

L/(7-10)

Two way
spanning
slabs

6-11

L /(24-35)

L/(34-40)

Flat slabs

4-8

L /27

L/36

L/(7-10)

Rectangular
9-10
beams

L /12

L/15

L/6

Flanged
beams

5-15

L /10

L/12

L/6

Columns

2,5 -8

H / (10-20)

H / (10-20)

H/10

Walls

2-4

H / (30-35)

H / 45

H/ (15-18)

L = effective span = smaller of distance between bearing

centres or clear distance (between supports ) + depth of
section

Partial Safety margins....

Typical Values of
transient)

for Ultimate limit state... (Persistent and

Reinforceme
nt & Pre
1,15
stressing
Concrete in
flexure or
axially
loaded

1,5

Shear
strength
without
1,25
reinforceme
nt
others

=> 1,5

Load Combinations and values f for Ultimate limit state.

Load type
Load
Dead ( G k)
Imposed ( Q k) Earth +
Wind
combinatio
Water
Advers Benefici Advers Benefici Pressur Pressur
ns
e
e
al
e
al
e
Dead and
Imposed (+
earth and 1,4
water
pressure)

1,0

1,6

1,6

1,2

Dead and
Wind (+
earth and 1,4
water
pressure)

1,0

1,2

1,4

Dead +
Imposed +
Wind (+
1,2
earth and
water
pressure)

1,2

1,2

1,2

1,2

1,2

Simple Reinforced beam design

The theory supporting the relationships in this section,in
outline, is covered on web page Reinforced concrete beams
theory

The sketch below identifies the types of simple reinforced

beams that are relevant to the notes provided

Condition of strain and stress in a rectangular section

at ultimate limit state of loading is shown in the
figure below

Note: The factor 0,67 is not a partial safety margin it relates

to the direct relationship between the cube strength as
indicated by f cu and the strength in flexure of the concrete.
The total compressive force generated within the concrete at
the ultimate moment capacity is
0,9 . 0,67.fcu . b . x / (

=1,5) = 0,4 . fcu. b. x

The ultimate moment capacity of a unreinforced concrete

beam section where there is less than 10% moment
distribution is
M u = 0,156 .F
M = K.[ f

cu

cu

.b.d2

.b.d2 ]

Factors for lever arm (z) and neutral axis depth (x)
x 0,13.d 0,15.d

0,19.
0,25d 0,32.d 0,39.d 0,45.d 0,5.d
d

z 0,942.d 0,933.d 0,91.d 0,887.d 0,857.d 0,825.d 0,798.d 0,775.d

K 0,05

0,057

0,070 0,090

0,110

0,130

0,145

0,156

Area of Reinforcement bars

If the applied moment is less than M
tension reinforcement =

then the area of

If the applied moment is greater than M u ( K > 0,156 ) then

tension and compression reinforcement is necessary
The tension reinforcement required is.

Compression reinforcement required is

Application of equations to concrete tees

Mu is simply calculated as 0,4.fcu.b.hf.(d - hf/2) if this is

greater than M then the neutral axis is within the flange and
the tee can be assessed using the equations above..

Shear Strength of concrete beams

The design shear capactity (v) in a concrete beam at any
section is calculated from
v = V / (b v.d )
V is the Shear force at a section
v should never exceed 0,8 f cu or 5 N/mm2 if lower.
Values of concrete shear capacity v c related to %
reinforcement and effective depth (d) of section

%
Effective Depth (mm) - d
Reinforceme 125 150 175 200 225 250 300 400
nt
N/mm N/mm N/mm N/mm N/mm N/mm N/mm N/mm
=
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
100 A s /b v.d
= < 0,15

0,45

0,43

0,41

0,40

0,39

0,38

0,36

0,34

0,25

0,53

0,51

0,49

0,47

0,46

0,45

0,43

0,40

0,50

0,67

0,64

0,62

0,60

0,58

0,56

0,54

0,50

0,75

0,77

0,73

0,71

0,68

0,66

0,65

0,62

0,57

1,00

0,84

0,81

0,78

0,75

0,73

0,71

0,68

0,63

1,50

0,97

0,92

0,89

0,86

0,83

0,81

0,78

0,72

2,0

1,06

1,02

0,98

0,95

0,92

0,89

0,86

0,80

>= 3,0

1,22

1,16

1,12

1,08

1,05

1,02

0,98

0,91

Form of Shear Reinforcement

If the applied shear stress is less than 0,5 v c throughout the
beam then
Minimum links should be provided, and in elements of low
importance e.g lintels then no links need be included
Suggested shear area provided = A
(0,87 .f yv)

sv

> 0,2 b v.s v /

If the applied shear stress is greater than 0,5 v c and less

than (0,4 + v c) throughout the beam then
Minimum links should be provided for the whole length of
beam to provide shear resistance of 0,4 N/mm2
Suggested shear are provided = A
(0,87 . f yv)

sv

> 0,4 b v.s v /

If the applied shear stress is greater than (0,4 + v c) and less

than (0,8 Sqrt(F cu or 5 N/mm2) + v c) throughout the beam
then
Links should be provided for the whole length of beam to
provide shear resistance at no more than 0,75d spacing . No
tension bar should be more the 150 mm for a vertical shear
link.

Suggested shear are provided = A

c) / (0,87 . f yv)

sv

> b v.s v (v - v

>

Stiffness and Deflection

A table is provided below which gives the basic span/ depth
ratio for beams which limit the total deflection to span/250 or
20mm (if less) , for spans up to 10m.

Type
Cantilever

Rectangular
Section

Flanged
Section

b w/b =1,0

b w/b =< 0,3

5,6

Simply support 20

16,0

Continuous

20,8

26

For b w/b >0,3 interpolation between the rectangular and

flanged values is acceptable

Allowable span/depth ratio

The allowable span/depth = F 1.F 2F 3F 4. Basic span/depth

ratio
F 1 For long spans exceeding 10m the values in the table
should be multiplied by 10/span.
F 2= A factor to allow for tension reinforcement. See chart
below
F 3= A factor to allow for compression reinforcement. See
chart below
F 4= A factor to allow for stair waists where the staircase
occupies over 60% of the span

Simple Column design

Cross section of a typical simple column.

A column should not have a clear distance between
restraints which exceeds 60.b ( b being the small cross
section dimension ). If one end of a column is not restrained
(a cantilever column) then its clear height must be the
smaller of 60.b or 100.b2 /h .
It is important early in the design process to determine if the
column is a stocky design and if there is significant bracing
associated with the columns. The effective length of a
column l e = l o.where is the effective length constant
which is dependent on the end support conditions (see
tables below). A column is considered a stocky column if its
effective length divided by b = l e/b is less than 15. A longer
column must be assessed in the design for risk of buckling.
Some simple rules for column reinforcement.
A sc should by more than 1% and less than 6% of gross cross
section area of column (b x h)
The minimum dia of bars should be 12mm.
Lateral binders/ties should be arranged to restrain each bar
from buckling and the end of the binders should be
anchored. The pitch of the binder should not exceed b or 12
times the dia of the longitudinal bars, nor 300 mm . The
diameter of the binders should not be less than 25% of the
diameter of the longitudinal bars

Typical column head designs. (columns and associated heads can also
be circular.

Braced Columns -Table of effective length coefficients ()

A column is considered to be braced if lateral stability is
provided by walls or buttresses. The column is effectively
only taking axial loads and moments resulting from
eccentricity of lateral loads

End Condition at
Bottom
Pinned
End
with
Conditio Rigidl
some
n at Top
y Fixed angula
Fixed
r
restrai
nt
Rigidly

075

0,80 0,90

Fixed
Fixed

0,80

Pinned
with
some
0,9
angular
restraint

0,85 0,95

0,95 1,00

Unbraced Columns -Table of effective length coefficients ()

End Condition at
Bottom
Pinned
End
with
Conditio Rigidl
some
n at Top
y Fixed angula
Fixed
r
restrai
nt
Rigidly
Fixed

1,2

1,3

1,6

Fixed

1,3

1,5

1,8

Pinned
with
some
1,6
angular
restraint

1,8

Free

2,2

Rigidly Fixed
The end of the column is connected monolithically
(solidly) to beams on either side which are at least
as deep as the overall dimension of the column in
the plane considered. Where the column is
connected to a foundation structure, this should be
of a form specifically designed to carry moments.
Fixed.
The end of the column is connected monolithically

to beams or slabs on either side which are

shallower than the overall dimension of the column
in the plane considered
Pinned with some angular restraint
The end of the column is connected to members
which, while not specifically designed to provide
restraint to rotation of the column will,
nevertheless, provide some nominal restraint.
Free.
The end of the column is unrestrained against both
lateral movement and rotation. e.g the free end of
a cantilever column in an unbraced structure
Design Calculations
When a stocky column is subject to a simple axial loads with
induced moments , assuming a well balanced load scenario ,
it need only be design for the ultimate design axial force + a
nominal allowance for an eccentricity of force (e c ) of h/20
(with a maximum of 20mm).
When a stocky column is subject Axial forces and bending
stresses it is generally necessary to use design charts
.Reference Column Design charts.
Stocky beams resisting moments
Following equations include provision for m.
When a stocky column cannot be subjected to significant
moments,it is sufficient to design the column such that the
design ultimate load is less than
N = 0,4 f

cu

.A c + 0,75 A sc.f

When a stocky column is supporting to a reasonably

symmetrical arrangement of beams of similar spans and
which are for uniformly distributed loads , it is sufficient to
design the column such that the design ultimate load is less
than
N = 0,35 f

.A c + 0,67 A sc.f

cu

Biaxial bending in columns

When it is necessary to consider biaxial moments, the design

moment about one axis is enhanced to allow for the biaxial

loading condition and the column is designed around the
enhanced axis. Consider the column as loaded below.

The relevant moment is modified as below

N/
( b.h
0
.F
cu )

1,0

0,10 0,20 0,30 0,40 0,50 >=0,60

0,88 0,77 0,65 0,53 0,42 0,3

Design of Walls
The design axial forces in a reinforced wall may be
calculated on the assumption that the beam and floor slabs
being supported are simply supported.
The effective length of a wall l e should be obtained as if the
wall was a column which is subject to moments in the plane
normal to the wall. The determination if a wall is stocky or
slender is also obtained using the same criteria as for a
column.
Stocky reinforced walls
A stocky braced reinforced wall supporting reasonably
symmetrical load should be designed such than..
n

= 0,55.f

cu

.A c + f y.0,67A

SC

n w = total design axial load on wall due to design ultimate

loads :providing the slab loads are uniform in loading and
relatively evenly distributed.
Except for short braced walls loaded symmetrically the
eccentricity in the direction at right angles to a wall should
not be less than h/20 or 20mm if less.
When the eccentricity results from only transverse moments
the design axial load may be assumed to be evenly
distributed along the length of the wall. The cross section
should be designed to resist the design ultimate load and the
transverse moment . The assumptions made for the
calculation of beam sections apply.
When a wall is subject to in-plane moments and uniform
axial forces the cross section of the wall should be designed
to support the ultimate resulting axial loads and inplane
moments.
Slender reinforced walls
The maximum slenderness ratio l e/h should be 40 for braced
walls with <1% reinforcement: 45 for braced walls with =>
1% reinforcement: 30 for unbraced walls

A suitable design procedure is to first consider axial forces

and in-plane moments to obtain the distribution of forces
along the wall assuming the concrete does not resist tension.
The transverse moments are then calculated. At various
points along the wall the results are combined.
Walls subject to significant transverse moments additional to
the ones allowed for by assuming a minimum eccentricity
are considered by assuming such walls are slender columns
bent about the minor axis . If the wall is reinforced with only
one central layer of reinforcement the additional moments
should be doubled
Plain walls
Plain walls include less than 0,4% reinforcement.
The effective height of plain unbraced concrete walls is
assessed as ( l e = 1,5 l o ) if the wall is supporting a roof or
floor slab, otherwise it is calculated as (l e = 2 l o).
When a plain concrete wall is braced with lateral supports
resisting both rotation and movement then ( l e = 0,75 l o )
Where the lateral support only resists lateral movement then
( l e = l o )or if relevant ( l e = 2,5 (distance between support
and a free edge )

Design of solid slabs

Solid slabs can be simply one-way loaded plates or two way
loaded plates depending on the support arrangements

Design Moments and shear forces in simple one way

spanning continuous slabs
Uniformly Distributed Loads
F = Total Design Ultimate load on one slab (1,4 G k + 1,6 Q k)
l s = is effective span of slab

G k = Dead Load
Q k = Imposed load)

Design Moments and shear forces in simple one way

spanning continuous slabs
End support/ Slab connection
Simple
Supports

At
Middl
At
At First
e of Interior
Near
Near Suppor
interi support
t
Outer Middl Outer Middl
or
s
Support e of Support e of
span
s
end
s
end
span
span
Continuous

Moment 0

F.l s /
11,5

-F.l s /25

F.l s /
13

-F.l s /
11,5

FL /
15,5

-F.l s /
15,5

Shear

6 F /13

3 F /5

F/2

F / 2,5

Design Moments and shear forces in two way

spanning continuous slabs
Uniformly Distributed Loads

Type of
Panel and
Location 1,0

Short span coefficient

For values of l y/l
1,1

1,2

1,3

1,4

sx

1,5

1,75 2,0

Long
span
coefficie
nt sy

Interior Panels
Moment
at
-0,032
continuo 0,031 0,037 0,042 0,046 0,050 0,053 0,059 0,063
us edge
Moment
at mid- 0,024 0,028 0,032 0,035 0,037 0,040 0,044 0,048 0,024
span
One short edge discontinuous
Moment
at
-0,037
continuo 0,039 0,044 0,048 0,052 0,055 0,058 0,063 0,067
us edge
Moment
at mid- 0,029 0,033 0,036 0,039 0,041 0,043 0,047 0,050 0,028
span
One long edge discontinuous
Moment
at
-0,037
continuo 0,039 0,049 0,056 0,062 0,068 0,073 0,082 0,089
us edge

Moment
at mid- 0,030 0,036 0,042 0,047 0,051 0,055 0,062 0,067 0,028
span
Two adjacent edges discontinuous
Moment
at
-0,045
continuo 0,047 0,056 0,063 0,069 0,074 0,078 0,087 0,093
us edge
Moment
at mid- 0,036 0,042 0,047 0,051 0,055 0,059 0,065 0,070 0,034
span
Two short edges discontinuous
Moment
at
continuo 0,046 0,050 0,054 0,057 0,060 0,062 0,067 0,070
us edge
Moment
at mid- 0,034 0,038 0,040 0,043 0,045 0,047 0,050 0,053 0,034
span
Two long edges discontinuous
Moment
at
continuo
us edge

-0,045

Moment
at mid- 0,034 0,046 0,056 0,065 0,072 0,078 0,091 0,10 0,034
span
Three edges discontinuous-1 long edge discontinuous
Moment
at
continuo 0,057 0,065 0,071 0,076 0,081 0,084 0,092 0,098
us edge
Moment
at mid- 0,043 0,048 0,053 0,057 0,060 0,063 0,069 0,074 0,044
span
Three edges discontinuous- 1 short discontinuous
Moment
at
continuo
us edge

-0,058

Moment
at mid- 0,042 0,054 0,063 0,071 0,078 0,084 0,096 0,105 0,044
span
Four edges discontinuous
Moment
at mid- 0,055 0,065 0,074 0,081 0,087 0,092 0,103 0,111 0,056
span

Design Moments and shear forces in two way

spanning continuous slabs

Shear Force coefficients

Short span coefficient sx
Type of
For values of ly/lx
Panel and
Location 1,0 1,1 1,2 1,3 1,4 1,5 1,75 2,0

Long
span
coefficie
nt vy

Interior Panels Four Edges continuous

Continuous
0,33 0,36 0,39 0,41 0,43 0,45 0,48 0,50 0,33
edge
One short edge discontinuous
Continuous
0,36 0,39 0,42 0,44 0,45 0,47 0,50 0,52 036
edge
Discontinuo
us Edge

0,24

One long edge discontinuous

Continuous
0,36 0,40 0,44 0,49 0,51 0,55 0,59 0,36 -0,037
edge
Discontinuo
0,24 0,27 0,29 0,32 0,34 0,36 0,38 us Edge

0,028

Two adjacent edges discontinuous

Continuous
0,40 0,44 0,47 0,50 0,52 0,54 0,57 0,60 0,40
edge
Discontinuo 0,26 0,29 0,31 0,33 0,34 0,35 0,38 0,40 0,26

us Edge
Two short edges discontinuous
Continuous
0,40 0,43 0,45 0,47 0,48 0,49 0,52 0,54 edge
Discontinuo
us Edge

0,26

0,40

Two long edges discontinuous

Continuous
edge

Discontinuo
0,26 0,30 0,33 0,36 0,38 0,40 0,44 0,47 us Edge
Three edges discontinuous-1 long edge discontinuous
Continuous
0,45 0,48 0,51 0,53 0,55 0,57 0,60 0,63 edge
Discontinuo
0,30 0,32 0,34 0,35 0,36 0,37 0,39 0,41 0,29
us Edge
Three edges discontinuous- 1 short discontinuous
Continuous
edge

0,45

Discontinuo
0,29 0,33 0,36 0,38 0,40 0,42 0,45 0,48 0,30
us Edge
Four edges discontinuous
Discontinuo
0,33 0,36 0,39 0,41 0,43 0,45 0,48 0,50 0,33
us Edge

Deflection .
The deflection can be limited by the application of the
span/depth ratio as indicated in the table for beams and
modified by the use of F2 as shown in the relevant graph
Design of Beams...... Only conditions at the centre of slab in
the width of the should be used to influence the deflection.
For two way spanning slabs the ratio should be based on the
shorter span.

Design of Flat Slabs

Flat slabs should be designed to satisfy deflection
requirements and to resist the shear load around the column
supports.

BS 8110 allows for a simplified method for determining

moments subject to certain provisions
1) design is based on a single load case of all
spans being loaded with the maximum design
ultimate load.
2) There are at least three rows of panels of approx
equal span in the direction under consideration
4)The ratio of imposed to dead load does not
exceed 1,25
5)The characteristic imposed load does not exceed
5kN/m2
This method involve simply using the table provided for
design moments in simple one way spanning continuous
slabs as provided above as copied below.
Moments at supports resulting from the table below are
reduced by 0,15F.h c
The design moments resulting should be divided between
the column strips and mid-strips as shown in the figure
below in proportions as shown in table below
F = Total Design Ultimate load (1,4 G k + 1,6 Q k) l
= is effective span of slab G k = Dead Load Q k =
Imposed load)
End support/ Slab connection
Simple
Supports

Continuous

Near
Outer Middl Outer
Support e of Support
s
end
s
span

Near
Middl
e of
end
span

At
Middl
At
At First
e of Interior
Suppor
interi support
t
or
s
span

Moment
(M)

F.l s /
11,5

-F.l s /25

F.l s /
13

-F.l s /
11,5

FL /
15,5

-F.l s /
15,5

Distribution of
design
moments across
panels in flat
slabs
apportionm
ent
between
strips
as a
percentage
Desig
of total
n
negative
Mome or positive
nt
moments
Midd
Colu
le
mn
Strip
strip
strip
%
%
negativ
75
e

25

positiv
55
e

45

Punching shear forces in Flat Slabs

The critical shear condition for flat slabs is punching shear
around the column heads. The shear load supported by a
column is the basic calculated shear force (V) uprated to
account for moment transfer. For slabs with approximately
equal spans the uprated shear force, designated the
effective shear force V eff ,can be simply estimated using the
following rules.
For
For
For
For

internal columns V eff = 1,15 V

corner columns V eff = 1,15 V
corner columns V eff = 1,15 V
edge columns with the moment parallel to the

edge V eff = 1,25 V

For edge columns with the moment normal to the
edge V eff = 1,4 V
The slab shear at the column face is calculated as

d = thickness of slab and U o is the perimeter of the slab at

the column head edge
o should be less than 0,8 f

cu

or 5 N/mm2 if less

Perimeters U i radiating out from the column edge should be

checked with the first perimeter (i =1) at a distance 1,5.d
from the column face and subsequent perimeters i = 2,3...
with intervals of 0,75.d

successive perimeters are checked until the applied shear

stress i is less than the allowable shear stress c.
Reinforcement links are required between the perimeters at
which the shear stress is greater than c.

Deflection .
When the gross width of drops in both directions exceed 1/3
the respective span the deflection can be limited by the
application of the span/depth ratio as indicated in the table
for beams Design of Beams...... Otherwise the resulting
span/effective depth should be multiplied by 0,9.
The assessment should be completed for the most critical
direction.

Reinforcement Data
Cross sectional area of number of bars ( mm2 )

Cross sectional area of number of bars (mm2)

Bar
Size
(mm 1
)

3
85

10

11

12

28

57

113 141 170

198

226

254

283

311

339

50

101 151 201 251 302

352

402

452

503

553

603

10

79

157 236 314 393 471

550

628

707

785

864

942

12

113 226 339 452 565 679

792

905

1018 1131 1244 1357

16

201 402 603 804 1005 1206 1407 1608 1810 2011 2212 2413

20

314 628 942 1257 1571 1885 2199 2513 2827 3142 3456 3770

25

491 982 1473 1963 2454 2945 3436 3927 4418 4909 5400 5890

32

804 1608 2413 3217 4021 4825 5630 6434 7238 8042 8847 9651

40

1257 2513 3770 5027 6283 7540 8796 10053 11310 12566 13823 15080

50

1963 3927 5890 7854 9817 11781 13744 15708 17671 19635 21598 23562

Cross sectional area of number of bars ( mm2 ) per metre

spacing
Bar
Size
( m 50
m)

Bar Spacing
75

100

125

150

175 200 225 250 275 300 400

565 377

283

226

188

162

141 126 113 103 94

1005 670

503

402

335

287

251 223 201 183 168 126

10

1571 1047 785

628

524

449

393 349 314 286 262 196

12

2262 1508 1131 905

754

646

565 503 452 411 377 283

16

4021 2681 2011 1608 1340 1149 1005 894 804 731 670 503

20

6283 4189 3142 2513 2094 1795 1571 1396 1257 1142 1047 785

25

9817 6545 4909 3927 3272 2805 2454 2182 1963 1785 1636 1227

32

10723 8042 6434 5362 4596 4021 3574 3217 2925 2681 2011

40

12566 10053 8378 7181 6283 5585 5027 4570 4189 3142

50

19635 15708 13090 11220 9817 8727 7854 7140 6545 4909

Link reinforcement in beams, Asv/sv ( mm2/mm ) - 2 legs

Bar Link reinforcement in beams, Asv/sv (mm2/mm) - 2

71

Size
(mm
) 50

legs
Spacing of Links (mm)
75

100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300 400

1.13 0.75 0.57 0.45 0.38 0.32 0.28 0.25 0.23 0.21 0.19 0.14

2.01 1.34 1.01 0.80 0.67 0.57 0.50 0.45 0.40 0.37 0.34 0.25

10

3.14 2.09 1.57 1.26 1.05 0.90 0.79 0.70 0.63 0.57 0.52 0.39

12

4.52 3.02 2.26 1.81 1.51 1.29 1.13 1.01 0.90 0.82 0.75 0.57

16

8.04 5.36 4.02 3.22 2.68 2.30 2.01 1.79 1.61 1.46 1.34 1.01

Link reinforcement in beams, Asv/sv ( mm2/mm ) - 3 legs

2
Bar Link reinforcement in beams, Asv/sv (mm /mm) - 3
legs
Size
(mm
Spacing of Links (mm)
) 50
75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300 400

1.70 1.13 0.85 0.68 0.57 0.48 0.42 0.38 0.34 0.31 0.28 0.21

3.02 2.01 1.51 1.21 1.01 0.86 0.75 0.67 0.60 0.55 0.50 0.38

10

4.71 3.14 2.36 1.88 1.57 1.35 1.18 1.05 0.94 0.86 0.79 0.59

12

6.79 4.52 3.39 2.71 2.26 1.94 1.70 1.51 1.36 1.23 1.13 0.85

16

12.06 8.04 6.03 4.83 4.02 3.45 3.02 2.68 2.41 2.19 2.01 1.51

Link reinforcement in beams, Asv/sv ( mm2/mm ) - 4 legs

Link reinforcement in beams, Asv/sv (mm2/mm) - 4
legs

Bar
Size
(mm
) >
50

Spacing of Links (mm)

75

100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300 400

2.26 1.51 1.13 0.90 0.75 0.65 0.57 0.50 0.45 0.41 0.38 0.28

4.02 2.68 2.01 1.61 1.34 1.15 1.01 0.89 0.80 0.73 0.67 0.50

10

6.28 4.19 3.14 2.51 2.09 1.80 1.57 1.40 1.26 1.14 1.05 0.79

12

9.05 6.03 4.52 3.62 3.02 2.59 2.26 2.01 1.81 1.65 1.51 1.13

16

16.08 10.72 8.04 6.43 5.36 4.60 4.02 3.57 3.22 2.92 2.68 2.01

mesh reinforcement in beams, Asv/sv ( mm2/mm ) - 4 legs

Mesh size
Cross section Nomin No. of
nominal Diameter
area per metre
al
sheet
pitch of
of wire
width
mass
s
wires

BS448
Mai Cros Mai Cros
3
s
n
s
Fabric n
mm mm mm mm

Main

Cross

mm2(/sup mm2(/sup
>

>

per
tonne

kg/m

Square mesh
A393

200 200

10

10

393

393

6.16

15

A252

200 200

252

252

3.95

22

A193

200 200

193

193

3.02

22

A142

200 200

142

142

2.22

40

A98

200 200

98

98

1.54

57

Structural mesh
B1131

100 200

12

1131

252

10.9

B785

100 200

10

785

252

8.14

11

B503

100 200

503

252

5.93

15

B385

100 200

385

193

4.53

20

B283

100 200

283

193

3.73

24

B196

100 200

196

193

3.05

29

Long mesh
C785

100 400

10

785

70.8

6.72

13

C636

100 400

636

70.8

5.55

16

C503

100 400

503

49

4.34

21

C385

100 400

385

49

3.41

26

C283

100 400

283

49

2.61

34

Wrapping mesh
D98

200 200

98

98

1.54

57

D49

100 100

2.5

2.5

49

49

0.77

113

Nominal thick cover *(mm)of reinforcement bars for fire

resistance (hours)

Nominal thickness cover in mm

Beams
Floors
Ribs
Columns
Hour
Simply
Simply
Simply
Simply
s
Continuo
Continuo
Continuo
Support
Support
Support
Support
us
us
us
ed
ed
ed
ed
0,5

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

20

1,5

20

20

25

20

35

20

20

40

30

35

25

45

35

25

60

40

45

35

55

45

25

70

50

55

45

65

55

25

Minimum Section width for fire resistance.

Minimum
Wall
Thickness

Column width
Fire
Maximu Rib Min floor
Resistanc m beam Widt Thicknes
e
width
h
s

mm

mm

mm

One
Fully
50%
p<
Face
Expose expose
0,4
Expose
d
d
%
d
mm

mm

mm

0,4
%<p>
p < 1%
1%

mm mm

m
m

0,5

200

125

75

150

125

100

150 100 75

1,0

200

125

95

200

160

120

150 120 75

1,5

20

125

110

250

200

140

175 140 100

2,0

20

125

125

300

200

160

160 100

3,0

240

150

150

400

300

200

200 150

4,0

280

175

170

450

350

240

240 180

Characteristic strength of concrete

Concrete strength classes
f

ck

MPa

12 16 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 70 80 90

(N/mm2)
f

cu

MPa
15 20 25 30 37 45 50 55 60 67 75 85 95 105
(N/mm2)

cm

MPa
20 24 28 33 38 43 48 53 58 63 68 78 88 98
(N/mm2)

E GPa
2 27 29 30 31 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 41 42 44
cm (N/mm )

Characteris
Flexur Indirec
tic
al
t
Modulu
2
strength ( f Cube strength (N/mm ) at the age strengt tensile s of
of:
h after strengt Elasticit
cu )
after 28
28 h at 28
y
days
days days.
(N/mm2)

1 28
2
3
6
1 (N/mm (N/mm (kN/mm
day day mont
2
2
2
months months year
)
)
)
s
s
h
-

-<td-<
td="">

- </td-<>

13.5 20

22

23

24

25

2.3

1.5

24

25

16.5 25

27.5 29

30

31

2.7

1.8

25

30

20

30

33

35

36

37

3.1

2.1

26

40

28

40

44

45.5

47.5

50

3.7

2.5

30

50

36

50

54

55.5

57.5

60

4.2

2.8

32

15

20

15

Characteristic strength of Reinforcement

Modulu
Characterist
s of
Designatio ic strength f
Elasticit
n
y
yE
N/mm2
kN/mm2
Hot rolled
Mild Steel

250

200

High Yield
Steel (Hot
or Cold
Rolled)

500

200

Reinforcement bar bending

Details based on BS 8666 .Normally grade H bars used f y =
500 N/m2