24

4.3rx
4.3.1

Torsion
Occurrence and analysis

In Clause 2.4 of BS 8110 Part 2 it is stated that "except where the design relies on
torsional resistance of a member, no specific calculations for torsion will be
necessary".
In normal slab-and-beam or framed construction,
torsional cracking is adequately controlled by shear
reinforcement this is compatibility torsion.
Design calculations are made when the member is
subjected to a statically determinate torque, as in the
case of the overhanging slab shown where external
load has no alternative to being resisted except by
torsion this is equilibrium or primary torsion.
In practical cases, torsion will occur in combination
with vertical shear and bending.
Figure 4.28:

Compatibility torsion
W /L
W

T o rs io n a l
m om ent

B
L

W
a

W = W

+ W

W
2

SFD

A
W L
12

W s .a
L

W s .a
L

W s .a
2
TM D

C o lu m n s
e n d re s tra in t
to b e a m

Figure 4.29:

BM D

W s .a
2

W L
12
W L
24

Primary or equilibrium torsion action

W
2

25

Rigid frame buildings, though three-dimensional, are usually analysed for design as a
series of plane frames in which torsion stiffness is much less than bending stiffness.
T o rs io n in
s id e b e a m s

B e n d in g in
fra m e m e m b e r

Figure 4.30:

Three dimensional frame - bending in the end frame causes torsion in the
in side beams

T o rs io n
B e n d in g
Figure 4.31:

4.3.2

Floor system - loading on the intermediate floor beam causes torsion in

the support beams

Calculation of Torsion Rigidity (G x C)

Torsion is governed by the following equation

T
G T GC (torsion rigidity )( )
C

where: T - the torsion moment

C - the St Venant's torsion constant
G - the shear modulus
- the rotation per unit length
If torsion rigidity is required in structural analysis or design, BS 8110 Part 2 stipulates
the following:
Torsion rigidity = G x C
G = 0.42 Ec where Ec is modulus of elasticity of concrete.

26

C = 1/2 x St. Venant value for plain concrete section.

St. Venant torsion stiffness, C, of a rectangular section is defined by:
C = hmin3hmax; Equation (1) in BS 8110 (Part 2)
Where; is a coefficient depending on the ratio, h/b (overall
depth of member divided by the breadth).

hmax/hmin

Table 2.2: (BS 8110 (Part 2) Values of the coefficient

1
1.5
2
3
5

0.14

0.20

0.23

0.26

0.29

>5
0.33

Torsion Rigidity = GC = 0.42Ec h3minhmax

The St. Venant torsion stiffness of a non-rectangular section may be obtained by
dividing the section into a series of rectangles and summing the torsional stiffnesses
of these rectangles, viz. [ h3minhmax]. The division of the section should be arranged
so as to maximise the calculated stiffness, viz. maximise (h 3minhmax). This is generally
achieved if the widest rectangle is made as long as possible (see figure below).
h m in
h m ax

h m ax

h m in

Figure 4.32:

4.3.3

St. Venant torsion stiffness in a non-rectangular section

Torsion Shear Stresses

In an elastic material, the maximum shear stress due to pure torsion occurs at the
middle of the longer side, of the section, and is given by:
v

T
2
min

K 2h

hmax

Where; T is the applied torque

K2 is a constant

27

Using the membrane analogy, it is found that the slope of the membrane, covering a
thin wall tube of same shape as section and subjected to pressure, at any point is
proportional to the torsional shear stress, vt, at that point while the volume enclosed
by membrane is proportional to one-half the applied torque T.
In the plastic state when the stress reaches the yield value, the slope of the membrane
is constant and the shear is at its ultimate value, vt.

h m ax

h m in
h m ax
Figure 4.33:

h m in

Torsion in rectangular section under ULS

For rectangular sections under ultimate limit state, the torsional shear stress v t at any
section should be calculated assuming a plastic stress distribution which is conical,
pyramidal or roof-shaped thus:
hmax, hmin
=
section dimensions
vt
=
ultimate shear stress = slope of membrane
T
=
ultimate torque = 2 x volume enclosed by membrane
1
a vt hmin
2
1
1 2

T 2 hmin
a hmin a hmax hmin
2
3

1 2 1

1
1

T 2 hmin
2 vt hmin 2 hmin 2 vt hmin hmax hmin
3

1
1 1 2
T vt hmin hmin
hmax hmin
2
3 2
1
2
hmax hmin 1 hmin

6
2

T vt hmin

1 2
T vt hmin
hmax 1 hmin

2
3

2T
vt
1

2
hmin
hmax 3 hmin

Eqn.2 BS8110

28

T-, I- or L-section are divided into their component rectangles such as to maximize the
(hmin3 hmax). The torsion shear stress vt carried by each rectangle may be calculated
by treating them as rectangular sections subjected to torsional moment of magnitude
Ti defined by:

Ti T

Figure 4.34:

3
[hmin
hmax ]i
3
[hmin hmax ]i

Roof-shaped distribution of torsion shear stresses

3
2

h m ax

hm

in

Figure 4.35:

Rectangular and hollow section

For hollow sections, viz. box and other sections, if the wall thickness exceeds one
quarter the overall thickness of the member (t > 0.25h) in the direction of
measurement, the section may be treated like a solid rectangular section; otherwise
refer to specialist literature.
4.3.4

Limit to shear stress

To avoid concrete spalling at covers in small sections, the sum of shear stress
resulting from shear force and torsion is governed by;
(v + vt) vtu

(Table 2.3 BS8110 Part 2)

29

In the case of small sections where y1 < 550 mm

vt vtuy1/550; where y1 is the larger dimension of the link.
Table 4.3 (BS 8110 Part 2) Values of vt,min and vtu
Concrete grade
vt,min (N/mm2)
vtu (N/mm2)
25
0.33
4.00
30
0.37
4.38
or = 40
0.40
5.00
Note 1. Allowance is made for m = 1.25 (partial factor of safety)
Note 2. Values for vt,min and vtu(N/mm2) are derived from the equations :
vt , min 0.067
vtu 0.8

f cu 0.4 N / mm 2

f cu 5 N / mm 2

Where the torsion shear stress vt > vt,min in Table 2.3 of BS 8110 Part 2, reinforcement
should be provided. Otherwise no shear reinforcement is required.
Table 4.4 Reinforcement for shear and torsion
Torsion
vt vt,min
Shear
v vc
-Nominal shear reinforcement,
-No torsion reinforcement
v > vc
-Designed shear reinforcement
-No torsion reinforcement
4.3.5

Torsion reinforcement

(1)

Design considerations

vt > vt,min
Designed torsion
reinforcement only
Designed shear and
torsion reinforcement

Torsion moments produce shear stress which result in principal tensile stresses
inclined at approximately 45o to the longitudinal axis of the member.

T
45
Figure 4.36:

Diagonal cracking pattern

D ia g o n a l
c ra c k s
D ia g o n a l te n s io n
(w ith v e rtic a l a n d
h o riz o n ta l c o m p o n e n ts )

Diagonal
cracking
in
spiral
form
occurs
when
these
tensile
stresses exceed
the
tensile
strength of the
concrete.

30

Torsion reinforcement is provided in the form of longitudinal bars spaced around the
perimeter of the section enclosed with links. This steel together with the 450 struts of
concrete in compression form an orthogonal space truss which resist torsion.
As the torsional moment increases failure will eventually occur by reinforcement
yielding coupled with crushing of concrete.

Fsv
y1

x
Figure 4.37:

L in k s

F sv
45

Orthogonal space truss formed to resist torsion

Assuming that once the torsion shear stress on a section exceeds the value to cause
cracking, tension reinforcement in form of closed links must be provided to resist the
full torsion moment; then tension in the link, Fsv, is defined by:
A
Fsv sv 0.87 f yv
2
Where Asv = cross section of two legs.
S v = L in k s p a c in g
Fsv
y1

F sv
x

Figure 4.38:

C ra c k le n g th

Torsional resistance

Torsion moment for a vertical leg, about the centre:

x
T Fsv 1
2
Torsion moment for a horizontal leg, about the centre:

31

T Fsv

y1
2

Total moment provided by the links

y
x
T Fsv 1 2 Fsv 1 2
2
2
T Fsv y 1 x 1
Where links are provided at a distance sv apart, torsion resistance of the system of
links is obtained by multiplying the moment due to each leg in the expression above
by the number of legs crossing each crack, viz y1/sv for vertical leg, and x1/sv for
horizontal leg, thus;
T Fsv x1 (
T

y1
x
) Fsv y1 ( 1 )
sv
sv

Asv
y
A
x
(0.87 f yv ) 1 x1 sv (0.87 f yv ) 1 y1
2
sv
2
sv

Asv
x1 y1 (0.87 f yv )
sv
Introducing a coefficient of 0.8 to allow for error in assumptions about the space truss
behaviour;
A
T sv x 1 y 1 ( 0.87 f yv ) 0.8
sv
Thus in additional to any requirement for shear if vt > vt,min, links must be provided
such that;
Asv
T

sv
x1 y1 (0.87 f yv ) 0.8
T

To ensure proper action of these links, longitudinal bars evenly distributed round the
inside perimeter of the links must be provided. This reinforcement resists the
longitudinal component of the diagonal tension forces and should thus equal in
quantity to the same area as the steel in the links (suitably adjusted to allow differing
strengths); Thus in additional to any requirements for bending provide:
Asl

Asv f yv
( x1 y1 )
sv f yl

f yl 460

(2)

characteristic yield strength of longitudinal steel

Spacing and type of links

The value sv should not exceed the least of x1, y1/2 or 200mm. The links
should be of closed type as shown below.
L in k

(3)

Figure 4.39:

Closed link

Arrangement of longitudinal torsion reinforcement

32

Longitudinal torsion bars should be distributed evenly around the inside perimeter of
the links. The clear distance between these bars should not exceed 300 mm and at
least four bars one in each corner should be used.
In practice, longitudinal steel areas for moment and torsion, and the link size and
spacing for shear and torsion are calculated separately and combined.
Torsion reinforcement should extend a distance, at least equal to largest dimension of
the section beyond where it theoretically ceases to be required, viz. anchorage length
hmax.
(4)

Arrangement of links in T-, L-, and I-sections

In the component rectangles, the reinforcement cages should be detailed so that they
interlock and tie the component rectangles of the section together. Where the torsional
shear stress in a minor component rectangle does not exceed v t,min, no torsion
reinforcement need be provided in that rectangle.

Figure 4.40:

Arrangement of links

Example 4.5
A rectangular beam section has an overall depth of 500 mm and a breath of 300 mm.
It is subjected to an ultimate vertical hogging bending moment of 256 kNm, an
ultimate vertical shear force of 197 kN and a torque of 12 kNm. Design the
longitudinal steel and links required at a section. The materials are of grade 25
concrete and mild steel reinforcement. Provide nominal cover equal to 30 mm.
Solution
= 32 m m

lin k
h = 500

d
d'

= 20 m m

b = 300

(a) Effective dimensions

33

32
8 30
2
d 446mm
d 500

20
8
2
d ' 48 mm
d ' 30

y1= 432mm, x1=232mm

(b)

Flexural reinforcement ( doubly reinforced section)

- Flexural capacity of a section is governed by moment arm, z

K '

z d 0.5 0.25

0.9

0.156

z 446 0.5 0.25

0.9

z 346.49 mm 0.95d 432.7 mm

- Reinforcement design
A's
A's

K K ' f cubd 2
0.87 f y d d '
256 232.7 106
0.87 250 446 48

As = 269.2 mm2
As

K ' f cu bd 2
A' s
0.87 f y z

0.156 25 300 446 2

269.2
0.87 250 346.49
As 3357.4mm 2
As

It should be remembered at this juncture that the longitudinal steel required for torsion
will have to be added to the flexural steel.
(c)

Shear reinforcement
- Nominal shear stress, v
V
bd
197000
v
300 446
v

v 1.47 N / mm 2 0.8 f cu 4 N / mm 2

- Shear resistance of the section, vc

34

100 As 100 3357.4

bd
300 446
100 As
2.51%
bd

vc = 0.855N/mm2 < v =1.47N/mm2 (Table 3.9 BS 8110 Part 1)

vc < v
It should be remembered at this juncture that this shear reinforcement is to be
added to that required for torsion.
Asv/sv = bv(v-vc)/0.87fyv
= 300(1.47-0.855)/0.87x250
= 0.848 mm2/mm
(d)

Torsion reinforcement
2T

vt

2
hmin
hmax 3 hmin

6
2 12 10
vt
300

300 2 500
3

vt 0.667 N / mm 2
vt , min 0.33 N / mm 2 (Table 2.3 BS 8110 ( Part 2))

v + vt = 1.47+0.67 = 2.14N/mm2 < vtu= 4.0N/mm2

vt < vtu . y1/550 = 3.14N/mm2
Asv
sv

Asv
sv

Asv
sv

0.688mm

Asl

T
0.8 x1 y1 ( 0.87 f

yv

12 10 6
0.8 232 432 0.87 250

Asv
sv

yv

yl

x1

/ mm spacing

y1

0.688

250
250

232 432

456.8m

35

(e)

Reinforcement schedule
Asv

sv

0.848 0.688 1.536mm 2 / mm

total
Try 10mm
157
sv
102mm
1.536
take R10 100mm c / c
Try 12mm

spacing

256
147mm
1.536
take R12 125mm c / c
sv

Spacing must satisfy conditions

s v 0.75 d 334.5 mm
s v x 1 232 mm
y 1 432

216 mm
2
2
s v 200 mm
sv

Bottom reinforcement
A' s

Asl x1
232
269.2 456.8
349mm 2
2 x1 y1
2 664

Try 2 R16 402mm 2

Top reinforcement

As

Asl x 1
3357.4 79.8 3437.2 mm 2
2 x 1 y 1

Try 4 R 25 2 R 32 As 1964 1608 3572 mm 2

Side reinforcement
Asl

y1
432
456.8
148.6 mm 2
2 x 1 y 1
2( 664 )

Try 2 R12 ( As 226 mm 2 )

Spacing

not to exceed 300 mm

36

R 32

R 25

R 1 2 -1 2 5 c /c
lin k s
R 12

R 16