International Journal of Civil & Environmental Engineering IJCEE-IJENS Vol:13 No:04 32

Universal Design Model for Reinforced Concrete

Sections in Flexure
Solomon Teminusi Orumu.
Department of Civil Engineering and Hydrology Niger Delta University Wilberforce Island, Nigeria
Tel: 08037112365, Email:solorumu@yahoo.com
The research was sponsored by ABSOVI @ COY NIG.

Abstract-- The development of a design model for steel In order to develop a design method that is easy to understand,
reinforced concrete section is presented in this paper. The the author looked at basic principles of Strength of materials
required area of reinforcement steel in the concrete can be easily and formulated the model presented in this work.
found using the model. Various geometrical cross- sections
including solid and hollow rectangular and non-regular sections 2.0 MATERIALS AND METHOD
can be treated by the method for both elastic and plastic designs. There are basically three requirements to have a design
The only requirements in the method are the yield stresses of done. These are the
Steel and Concrete, and the section modulus of the cross section
a) Stress resultants (moments, shear etc) needed for
chosen. Results from the proposed design method are
comparable to those of various codes and standards in the case of design and is established from analytical tools of
reinforced concrete and so validate the method. Some new results structural analysis (calculations).
are established for cross sections that cannot be easily handled by b) The section modulus (geometric property of section)
the present codes and standards. required to find the maximum fibre stresses at the
tension and compression zones of the section chosen.
Index Term-- working stress; max bending moment; area of These maximum stresses are used to determine the
steel; section moduli area of reinforcement required to carter for the out of
balance stresses (permissible strength less the
1.0 INTRODUCTION working stress of the material)
The limit state analysis, load-factor design and the modular- c) The material properties obtained from laboratory
ratio theory are the three basic methods of designing experiments
reinforced concrete members permitted by the codes of
practice in the United Kingdom and other developing nations 2.1 Theoretical formulation
including Nigeria. All three methods have two common basic
assumptions: The governing equation for choice of material or
of section of a pre-selected material in flexure is
a) that distribution of strain across a section is linear given by
and eq.1
b) that the strength of concrete in tension is usually
neglected Where M is the maximum bending moment
of the idealized structure
Other assumptions that differ from method to method exist.
The available design methods evolved from modular-ratio to Z is the section modulus of the
load-factor to the limit state. In each case the succeeding cross-section
method attempts to overcome the problems of the preceding
one. σ is the permissible working stress
of the material in flexure
In assessing the strength of any section at failure by the
rigorous limit-state analysis, the BS 8110 laid down four If the section is not reinforced, then the area of
assumptions. This led to the consideration of a concrete stress- material is given as
block the shape of which consists of a combination of a
rectangle and a parabola. This is popularly called parabolic- Amaterial= Aactual eq.2
rectangular stress-block. Although this ultimate limit state
method of design has been accepted by many and it is Where Aactual is the actual area of the cross-
presently in use, the rigours involved in formulating the section
method appears not to have been comprehended by many.
If the section is to be reinforced, then the area of
reinforcement required is directly proportional to the

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Area of the reinforcing material assuming it is to be From where

used alone without the chief material i.e

Arf α Ar eq.3 ds ( ) eq.10

Where Arf is the total area of the

reinforcement required Zc eq.11
b
and Ar is the equivalent area of the cross-
section if the reinforcing material where
used alone.

This becomes d
Arf =C Ar eq.4

The constant of proportionality C has been found to

be

C eq.5

Therefore the area of reinforcing material becomes For a common breadth b of the section, the total steel
that should have been used for a steel section alone is
Arf Ar eq.6
As=bds eq.12
Where
Back substituting equations 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12
Zr is the section modulus of the cross- appropriately in equation 7, we have area of
section if the reinforcing material where reinforcement Ars as
used alone.
Ars ( ) eq.13
Zm is the section modulus of the actual
cross-section.

For steel reinforced concrete the equation 6 becomes

For fully plastic design eq.13 become
Ast As eq.7
Ars ( ) eq.14
To implement equation 7 above, find each of Zs and
As in terms of yield stress fyst and Moment M. And for elasto-plastic design (general equation)
Express Zc only in geometric form

Case 1. Rectangular sections Ars ( ) eq.15

Zs eq.8
If the strength of concrete in tension is considered
then
Zs eq.9
Ars ( ) eq.16

Where is the ratio of elastic depth to total depth of

the cross-section.

fcu is the compressive strength of the concrete used

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Case 2. Circular sections

Zs eq.17 From where

dso ( ) eq.26
Zs eq.18

Zc eq.27

For a common diameter d of the section, the total

steel that should have been used for a steel section
d alone is

( )
As= eq.28

Back substituting equations 24,27, and 25 in 28

From where appropriately, we have area of reinforcement Ars.
Here f is the ratio of inner to outer diameter .
ds ( ) eq.19
Case 4. Hollow Rectangular sections

Zc eq.20 Zs eq.29
For a common diameter d of the section, the total
steel that should have been used for a steel section Zs eq.30
alone is

As= eq.21

Back substituting equations 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21

appropriately in equation 7, we have area of
reinforcement Ars as d1 d
b1
Ars ( ) eq.22

Case 3. Hollow Circular sections

If the strength of concrete in tension is considered

then b

Ars ( ) eq.23

Where fcu is the compressive strength of the concrete used

From where
Zs eq.24
ds ( ) eq.31
( )
Zs = eq.25
Zc eq.32

For a common depth d of the section, the total steel

that should have been used for a steel section alone is

di As=
do

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As= eq.33 doubly reinforced. The author can explain this as: If
the working stress ( ) of the designed section is
Back substituting equations 29, 32, and 31 in 33 appropriately, greater than the compressive strength fcu of the
we have area of reinforcement Ars concrete, the compression portion of the section
needs to be reinforced for the excess stress i.e

> f cu eq.38

Reinforcement of the compression portion for a total

Case 5. Triangular sections stress of

Zs eq.34 f cu eq.39

is required from simple proportionality of moments

Zs eq.35 and stresses.

From where The area of compression and tension reinforcement

required is respectively
ds ( ) eq.36
Acomp= ( ) eq.40
Zc eq.37
ATen=As-Acomp eq.41

2.2 Shear Reinforcement

From the forgoing, the required area for shear
d
reinforcement Asv is derived as
Asv= ( )
Where is the allowable concrete shear stress
the calculated shear stress ( )
b

3.0 APPLICATION
For a common depth d of the section, the total steel
that should have been used for a steel section alone is Application 1

As= eq. 38 A typical problem from RC design by Reynolds pg 276-279 is

taken here to illustrate the model. Design a rectangular beam
(using high-yield tension reinforcement only) to withstand an
Back substituting equations 34, 37, and 36 in 38 ultimate bending moment of 61KNm, if fcu=460N/mm2
appropriately, we have area of reinforcement Ars fcu=30N/mm2.Take b=200mm, d=257mm

Solution: If the given data is inputed into eqn 13

Ars ( ) eq. 39 Ars ( ) eq.13

Ars=759.81 mm2

2.1.1 Doubly reinforced Section Using BS8100

Available design codes show that when the moment Ars=725 mm2
of resistance Mr of the design cross-section is less
than the working moment, the section should be

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To check if compression steel is needed, we consider

equations 38 and 39
=39.96N/ mm2 > 27.5N/mm2

This shows that compression steel is required.

=4.62 mm2 < 30N/mm2
Compression steel from equation 40 is given as
This shows that compression steel is not required.
Acomp= ( ) eqn 40
Application 2

A typical problem from RC design by Reynolds pg 280 is Acomp= ( )

taken here again to illustrate the model. Design a rectangular
beam to withstand an ultimate bending moment of 100KNm, =231.65mm2
if fcu=460N/mm2 fcu=25N/mm2, b=200mm, d=300mm
Application 4
Solution: If the given data is inputed into eqn 13 taken
effective depth deff=260mm A typical problem for solid rectangular, circular and triangular
sections will be designed to further illustrate the model.
Ars ( ) eq.13 Design a rectangular, circular and triangular beam to
withstand an ultimate bending moment of 100KNm, if
Ars=1558.22 mm2 fcu=410N/mm2 fcu=21N/mm2, b=200mm, d=350mm. take
perpendicular to base of triangle to the vertex h=700mm,
To check if compression steel is needed, we consider b=200mm. take diameter of circular section d=298.541mm
equations 38 and 39 (all sections have equal area)

Solution:

Rectangular section
=44.4 mm2 > 25N/mm2
take effective depth deff=310mm
This shows that compression steel is required.

Compression steel from equation 40 is given as Ars ( ) eq.13

Acomp= ( ) eqn 40 Ars=1302.6 mm2

To check if compression steel is needed, we consider

Acomp= ( ) equations 38 and 39

=449.63mm2
Application 3
=31.22N/ mm2 > 21N/mm2
A typical problem from RC design by Reynolds pg 282 is
taken here again to illustrate the model. Design a rectangular This shows that compression steel is required.
beam to withstand an ultimate bending moment of 90KNm, if
fcu=350N/mm2 fcu=27.5N/mm2, b=200mm, d=300mm Compression steel from equation 40 is given as

Solution: If the given data is inputed into eqn 13 taken

Acomp= ( ) eqn 40
effective depth deff=260mm

Ars ( ) eq.13 Acomp= ( )

Ars=1330.43 mm2 =243.97mm2

To check if compression steel is needed, we consider

equations 38 and 39

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ii circular section ultimate bending moment of 100KNm, if fcu=410N/mm2

fcu=30N/mm2, b=d=diameter=300mm. Take the concrete
take effective depth deff=258.541mm thickness as 100mm.

Ars ( ) eq.22 Solution:

Hollow Rectangular section

Ars=2071.1 mm2
From eqn 29
To check if compression steel is needed, we consider
equations 38 and 39 Zs m3

From equation 32

Zc=4444444.44444mm3
=58.94N/ mm2 > 21N/mm2
From eqn 31
This shows that compression steel is required.
ds=70.27819mm
Compression steel from equation 40 is given as
From eqn 33
Acomp= ( ) eqn 40
As=18740.85mm2

Acomp= ( ) Ast As eq.7

=1069.63mm2 Ars=1028.461 mm2

To check if compression steel is needed, we consider

iii Triangular section take effective depth deff=660mm equations 38 and 39

Ars ( ) eq. 39

Ars=2299 mm2 =22.5N/ mm2 < 30N/mm2

To check if compression steel is needed, we consider This shows that compression steel is not required.
equations 38 and 39

Hollow circular section

From eqn 24
=27.55N/ mm2 > 21N/mm2
Zs m3
This shows that compression steel is required.
From equation 27
Compression steel from equation 40 is given as
Zc=2617993.878mm3
Acomp= ( ) eqn 40
From eqn 26

Acomp= ( ) ds=136m

=266.51mm2 From eqn 33

As=12912.54mm2
Application 5

A typical problem for hollow rectangular and circular sections Ast As eq.7
will be designed to again further illustrate the model. Design a
hollow rectangular and hollow circular beam to withstand an Ars=1202.98 mm2

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To check if compression steel is needed, we consider A comparative design of a solid rectangular beam of the same
equations 38 and 39 properties of hollow rectangular sections as in application 6
above will follow here now. Ultimate bending moment of
100KNm, if fcu=410N/mm2 fcu=30N/mm2, b=d =300mm.

=38.2N/ mm2 > 30N/mm2 Solution: If the given data is imputed into eqn 13

This shows that compression steel is required. Ars ( ) eq.13

Compression steel from equation 40 is given as
Ars=1135.66 mm2

Acomp= ( ) eqn 40 To check if compression steel is needed, we consider

equations 38 and 39
Acomp= ( )

=119.545mm2
=22.22 N/mm2 < 30N/mm2
Application 6
This shows that compression steel is not required.

The table below shows a comparative design of application 6 for various ratio of internal depth to outer depth

% gain in
% gain in concrete
Di/Do As Acompression % As steel Aconcrete
0
0 1135.659 0 1.261843 0 90000
0.04
0.02 1135.205 0 1.261339 0.039948062 89964
0.16
0.04 1133.846 0 1.259829 0.159588699 89856
0.36
0.06 1131.593 0 1.257325 0.358035109 89676
0.64
0.08 1128.46 0 1.253845 0.633867228 89424
1
0.1 1124.471 0 1.249412 0.985120461 89100
1.44
0.12 1119.654 0 1.24406 1.409308385 88704
1.96
0.14 1114.042 0 1.237824 1.903450863 88236
2.56
0.16 1107.675 0 1.23075 2.464106784 87696
3.24
0.18 1100.596 0 1.222885 3.087410564 87084
4
0.2 1092.854 0 1.214283 3.769111434 86400
4.84
0.22 1084.502 0 1.205002 4.504614481 85644
5.76
0.24 1075.593 0 1.195104 5.289022379 84816
6.76
0.26 1066.188 0 1.184654 6.117176735 83916
7.84
0.28 1056.348 0 1.17372 6.98369798 82944
9
0.3 1046.134 0 1.162372 7.883022777 81900

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10.24
0.32 1035.614 0 1.150682 8.80943792 80784
11.56
0.34 1024.851 0 1.138724 9.757109777 79596
12.96
0.36 1013.915 0 1.126572 10.72010832 78336
14.44
0.38 1002.873 0 1.114303 11.69242481 77004
16
0.4 991.7937 0 1.101993 12.66798221 75600
17.64
0.42 980.7476 0 1.08972 13.64063731 74124
19.36
0.44 969.8051 0 1.077561 14.6041734 72576
21.16
0.46 959.0379 0 1.065598 15.55228232 70956
23.04
0.48 948.5188 0 1.05391 16.47853408 69264
25
0.5 938.3229 0 1.042581 17.37633218 67500
27.04
0.52 928.5276 0 1.031697 18.23885192 65664
29.16
0.54 919.214 0 1.021349 19.05895807 63756
31.36
0.56 910.4678 0 1.011631 19.82909717 61776
33.64
0.58 902.3813 0 1.002646 20.54115786 59724
36
0.6 895.0548 0 0.994505 21.18628994 57600
38.44
0.62 888.5999 0 0.987333 21.75466939 55404
40.96
0.64 883.1428 0 0.98127 22.23519086 53136
43.56
0.66 878.8288 0 0.976476 22.61506104 50796
46.24
0.68 875.8285 0 0.973143 22.87925366 48384
49
0.7 874.3463 0 0.971496 23.00976757 45900
51.84
0.72 874.6321 1.266166 0.971813 22.98459747 43344
54.76
0.74 876.9979 11.25622 0.974442 22.77627587 40716
57.76
0.76 881.8417 28.04932 0.979824 22.3497568 38016
60.84
0.78 889.6835 51.53264 0.988537 21.65925753 35244
64
0.8 901.2202 82.40368 1.001356 20.64339149 32400
67.24
0.82 917.4149 121.8816 1.01935 19.2173796 29484
70.56
0.84 939.6438 171.7919 1.044049 17.26001505 26496
73.96
0.86 969.959 234.8413 1.077732 14.59062714 23436
77.44
0.88 1011.582 315.1775 1.12398 10.92552311 20304
81
0.9 1069.925 419.5448 1.188805 5.788165901 17100

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84.64
0.92 1154.951 559.9241 1.283279 -1.69879951 13824
88.36
0.94 1287.622 760.6024 1.430691 -13.381085 10476
2. The extension of the model to design involving shear
4.0 D ISCUSSION and torsion and in fact combined bending, shear and
The model presents a simple but very reliable tool in the torsion.
design of reinforced concrete members. The results are 3. Though research work on reinforcement of concrete
striking. Results from application 4 show that solid using other materials other than steel has reached
rectangular section is most economical compared to solid advance stages, the model recommended to be used
circular section which follows and solid triangular section for the design of any of composite structure.
which comes last of the three compared. The story is the same

for hollow sections. However, application 6 shows that a APPRECIATION

hollow rectangular section is more economical than its solid My appreciation goes to Professor T. Johnharry, Prof.
equivalent. Further calculated examples show that the T.M. Oguara, Prof. J.G. Chinwah and Dr. M.E. Ephraim
thickness of the hollow rectangular section influences the area who have mentored me through this area of research.
of steel required. The model can be used to get the most
economical hollow section for any given beam and even slab. REFERENCES
In finding out this, the rule of thumb should be that the area of [1] NSE-NIStructE Code 1: 2009 The Structural Use of Reinforced
Concrete.
the web should be able to carry the applied shear. The [2] BS 8110 2001: The Structural Use of Concrete. British Standard
Institution
[3] Reynolds C.E. and Steedman J.C. (1985) Reinforced Concrete
Designers Manual, University Press Cambridge.
[4] ACI Committee 318:(1995). Building Code Reguirements for
application of hollow reinforced sections can be seen in Reinforced Concrete. Detroit. American Concrete Instutute.
culverts, bridges, underground tunnels, and buildings to [5] Reynolds, C.E and Steedman, J. C. (2005) Reinforced Concrete
mention but a few. The proposed model is amenable to any of Designer’s Handbook,10thEd. SPON press, pgs. 21-24, pp.178-
these applications mentioned. Savings in materials could be 191.
[6] Mark Fintel,(2004) Handbook of Concrete Engineering, 2nd Ed.,
channeled to other developmental projects. For instance in the CBS Publishers& Distributors, New Delhi
application 6 above a saving of over 49% in concrete can be
saved and another savings of over 23% in steel has been saved
at a ratio of 0.7.

5.0 CONCLUSION
The hitherto sought single model to aid in the design of
reinforced concrete (flexural members) is herein formulated.
The extensive application of it to solid and hollow geometrical
sections of all shapes with the striking results, show some
promises for another perspective in the design of reinforced
concrete. The limit state method is not in any way undermined
in this work; rather it is the basis upon which the basic
principles in the formulation of the model are founded. There
is hardly any known single design model that can handle the
design of flexural members with different geometrical
sections. Different material strengths can be imputed in the
proposed method unlike other methods which will restrict the
designer to certain material strengths and pre-fixing of the
ratio together with other parameters. Practicing Engineers
would want a model as flexible as this, using a hand calculator
for design

6.0 RECOMMENDATION
1. Extensive laboratory work needs to be carried out on
hollow sections to further concretize the proposed
method or modify it.

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