McCormac c02.tex V2 - January 10, 2013 6:34 P.M.

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48 C H A P T E R 2 Flexural Analysis of Beams

2.4 Ultimate or Nominal Flexural Moments

In this section, a very brief introduction to the calculation of the ultimate or nominal flexural
strength of beams is presented. This topic is continued at considerable length in the next chapter,
where formulas, limitations, designs, and other matters are presented. For this discussion, it is
assumed that the tensile reinforcing bars are stressed to their yield point before the concrete on
the compressive side of the beam is crushed. You will learn in Chapter 3 that the ACI Code
requires all beam designs to fall into this category.
After the concrete compression stresses exceed about 0.50fc , they no longer vary directly
as the distance from the neutral axis or as a straight line. Rather, they vary much as shown
in Figure 2.11(b). It is assumed for the purpose of this discussion that the curved com-
pression diagram is replaced with a rectangular one with a constant stress of 0.85fc , as
shown in part (c) of the figure. The rectangular diagram of depth a is assumed to have
the same c.g. (center of gravity) and total magnitude as the curved diagram. (In Section
3.4 of Chapter 3 of this text, you will learn that this distance a is set equal to β 1 c, where
β 1 is a value determined by testing and specified by the code.) These assumptions will
enable us to easily calculate the theoretical or nominal flexural strength of reinforced concrete
beams. Experimental tests show that with the assumptions used here, accurate flexural strengths
are determined.
To obtain the nominal or theoretical moment strength of a beam, the simple steps to
follow are illustrated in Figure 2.11 and Example 2.8.
1. Compute total tensile force T = As fy .
2. Equate total compression force C = 0.85fc ab to As fy and solve for a. In this expression,
ab is the assumed area stressed in compression at 0.85fc . The compression force C and
the tensile force T must be equal to maintain equilibrium at the section.
3. Calculate the distance between the centers of gravity of T and C. (For a rectangular beam
cross section, it equals d − a/2.)
4. Determine Mn , which equals T or C times the distance between their centers of
gravity.

F I G U R E 2.11 Compression and tension couple at nominal moment.

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2.4 Ultimate or Nominal Flexural Moments 49

Example 2.8

Determine Mn , the nominal or theoretical ultimate moment strength of the beam section shown
in Figure 2.12, if fy = 60,000 psi and fc = 3000 psi.

SOLUTION

Computing Tensile and Compressive Forces T and C

T = As fy = (3.00 in.2 ) (60 k/in.2 ) = 180 k

C = 0.85fc ab = (0.85) (3 k/in.2 ) (a) (14 in.) = 35.7a

Equating T and C and Solving for a

T = C for equilibrium
180 k = 35.7a
a = 5.04 in.

Computing the Internal Moment Arm and Nominal Moment Capacity

a 5.04 in.
d− = 21 in. − = 18.48 in.
2 2
Mn = (180 k) (18.48 in.) = 3326.4 in-k = 277.2 ft-k

0.85fc′

a C

d = 21 in. d− a
24 in. 2
3 #9 bars
(As = 3.00 in.2)
T
3 in.

b = 14 in.

F I G U R E 2.12 Beam cross section for Example 2.8.

In Example 2.9, the nominal moment capacity of another beam is determined much as
it was in Example 2.8. The only difference is that the cross section of the compression area
(Ac ) stressed at 0.85fc is not rectangular. As a result, once this area is determined, we need to
locate its center of gravity. The c.g. for the beam of Figure 2.13 is shown as being a distance
y from the top of the beam in Figure 2.14. The lever arm from C to T is equal to d − y (which
corresponds to d − a/2 in Example 2.8) and Mn equals As fy (d − y).
With this very simple procedure, values of Mn can be computed for tensilely reinforced
beams of any cross section.
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50 C H A P T E R 2 Flexural Analysis of Beams

6 in. 6 in. 6 in. c.g. of

compression
area Ac
6 in. 36 in.2
y 6 in.
a = 9.23 in.
24 in. 58.12 in.2
15 in.
4 #9 bars d−y
(As = 4.00 in.2) 58.12 in. = 3.23 in.
18 in.
3 in.

18 in.

18 in.
F I G U R E 2.13 Beam cross section for
Example 2.9.
F I G U R E 2.14 Area under compression stress
block for Example 2.9.

Example 2.9

Calculate the nominal or theoretical ultimate moment strength of the beam section shown in
Figure 2.13, if fy = 60,000 psi and fc = 3000 psi. The 6-in.-wide ledges on top are needed for
the support of precast concrete slabs.

SOLUTION

T = As fy = (4.00 in.2 ) (60 k/in.2 ) = 240 k

C = (0.85fc ) (area of concrete Ac stressed to 0.85fc )
= 0.85fc Ac

Courtesy of EFCO Corp.

Finger piers for U.S. Coast Guard base, Boston, Massachusetts.

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2.5 SI Example 51

Equating T and C and Solving for Ac

T 240 k
Ac = = = 94.12 in.2
0.85fc (0.85) (3 k/in.2 )
The top 94.12 in.2 of the beam in Figure 2.14 is stressed in compression to 0.85fc . This area
can be shown to extend 9.23 in. down from the top of the beam. Its c.g. is located by taking
moments at the top of the beam as follows:
 
2 2 3.23 in.
(36 in. ) (3 in.) + (58.12 in. ) 6 in. +
2
y= = 5.85 in.
94.12
d − y = 21 in. − 5.85 in. = 15.15 in.
Mn = (240 k) (15.15 in.) = 3636 in-k = 303 ft-k

2.5 SI Example
In Example 2.10, the nominal moment strength of a beam is computed using SI units.
Appendix B, Tables B.1 to B.9 provide information concerning various concrete and steel
grades, as well as bar diameters, areas, and so on, all given in SI units.

Example 2.10

Determine the nominal moment strength of the beam shown in Figure 2.15 if fc = 28 MPa
and fy = 420 MPa.

SOLUTION
T=C

As fy = 0.85fc ab
As fy (1530 mm2 ) (420 MPa)
a= = = 90 mm
0.85fc b
(0.85) (28 MPa) (300 mm)
 a  a  a
Mn = T d − =C d− = As fy d −
2 2 2
 
90 mm
= (1530 mm2 ) (420 MPa) 430 mm −
2

= 2.474 × 108 N • mm = 247.4 kN • m

430 mm
500 mm
3 #25 bars

70 mm

300 mm
F I G U R E 2.15 Beam cross section for
(As = 1530 mm2 from Appendix B, Table B.4) Example 2.10.
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52 C H A P T E R 2 Flexural Analysis of Beams

2.6 Computer Examples

On the John Wiley website for this textbook, several spreadsheets have been provided for
the student to use in assisting in the solution of problems. They are categorized by chapter.
Note that most of the spreadsheets have multiple worksheets indicated by tabs at the bottom.
The three worksheets available for Chapter 2 include (1) calculation of cracking moment, (2)
stresses in singly reinforced rectangular beams, and (3) nominal strength of singly reinforced
rectangular beams.

Example 2.11

Repeat Example 2.1 using the spreadsheet provided for Chapter 2.

SOLUTION

Open the Chapter 2 spreadsheet and select the worksheet called Cracking Moment. Input only
the cells highlighted in yellow (only in the Excel spreadsheets, not in the printed example), the
first six values below.

fc = 4000 psi

M = 25 ft-k
b = 12 in.
h = 18 in.
γc = 145 pcf
λ = 1.00
Ig = bh3 /12 = 5832 in.4
fr = 7.5λ SQRT(fc ) = 474 psi
f = 463 psi
Mcr = 307,373 in-lb
Mcr = 25.6 ft-k

The last five values are the same as calculated in Example 2.1.

Example 2.12

Repeat Example 2.3 using the spreadsheet provided for Chapter 2.

SOLUTION

Open the Chapter 2 spreadsheet and select the worksheet called Elastic Stresses. Input only the
cells highlighted in yellow, the first seven values below.

b = 12 in.
d = 17 in.
n = 9
As = 3 in.2
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2.6 Computer Examples 53

M = 70 ft-k
fc = 3000 psi
γc = 145 pcf
Ec = 3,155,924 psi
n = 9.19
nρ = 0.132
x = 6.78 in.
Icr = 4067 in.4
fc = Mx/I = 1401 psi
fs = nM(d − x)/I = 18,996 psi

The last four values are the same (within a small roundoff) as calculated in Example 2.2.

Example 2.13

Repeat Example 2.8 using the spreadsheet provided for Chapter 2.

SOLUTION

Open the Chapter 2 spreadsheet, and select the worksheet called Nominal Moment Strength.
Input only the cells highlighted in yellow, the first five values below.

fc = 3000 psi

b = 14 in.
d = 21 in.
As = 3 in.2
fy = 60 ksi
a = 5.04
Mn = 3326.2 in-k
= 277.2 ft-k

The third worksheet, called Nominal Moment Strength, can be used to easily work Example
2.8. In this case, enter the first five values, and the results are the same as in the example.
The process can be reversed if ‘‘goal seek’’ is used. Suppose that you would like to
know how much reinforcing steel, As , is needed to resist a moment, Mn , of 320 ft-k
for the beam shown in Example 2.8. Highlight the
cell where Mn is calculated in ft-k (cell C11), then
go to ‘‘Data’’ at the top of the Excel window and
select ‘‘What-If Analysis’’ and ‘‘Goal seek . . . ’’ The
Goal Seek window shown will open. In ‘‘Set cell,’’
C11 appears because it was highlighted when
you selected ‘‘Goal seek . . . ’’. In ‘‘To value,’’ type
320 because that is the moment you are seeking.
Finally, for ‘‘By changing cell,’’ insert C7 because
the area of reinforcing steel is what you want to
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54 C H A P T E R 2 Flexural Analysis of Beams

vary to produce a moment of 320 ft-k. Click OK, and the value of As will change to 3.55. This
means that a steel area of 3.55 in.2 is required to produce a moment capacity Mn of 320 ft-k.
The Goal Seek feature can be used in a similar manner for most of the spreadsheets provided in
this text.

PROBLEMS
Cracking Moments

For Problems 2.1 to 2.5, determine the cracking

 moments for the Problem 2.4
sections shown if fc = 4000 psi and fr = 7.5 fc.
6 in.
Problem 2.1 (Ans. 34.8 ft-k)

20 in.
18 in.
21 in. 26 in.

4 #9 4 #8 3 in.
3 in. 3 in.

12 in. 18 in.

Problem 2.2 Problem 2.5 (Ans. 85.3 ft-k)

9 in.
18 in.
21 in.
2 #9 9 in. 27 in.

3 in.
3 #10
9 in.
14 in. 3 in.
6 in. 6 in. 6 in.
Problem 2.3 (Ans. 31.6 ft-k)
18 in.
30 in.

4 in.

17 in. 24 in.

1 #11
3 in.

6 in.