How to calculate anchorage and lap

lengths to Eurocode 2

This is the first in a series of articles, previously printed in

The Structural Engineer magazine, which will be collated to
form a Concrete Structures 15 publication. For other articles
in this series, visit www.concretecentre.com.

Introduction In EC2, anchorage and lap lengths are proportional to the stress in the
bar at the start of the anchorage or lap. Therefore, if the bar is stressed
This article provides guidance on how to calculate anchorage and lap
to only half its ultimate capacity, the lap or anchorage length will be half
lengths to Eurocode 2. EC2 provides information about reinforcement
what it would have needed to be if the bar were fully stressed.
detailing in Sections 8 and 9 of Part 1-1 (BS EN 1992-1-1)1. Section 8
provides information on the general aspects of detailing and this is
where the rules for anchorage and lap lengths are given. Section 9 sets
out the rules for detailing different types of elements, such as beams,
slabs and columns.

The calculation for anchorage and lap lengths is as described in EC2

and is fairly extensive. There are shortcuts to the process, the first
being to use one of the tables produced by others2–4. These are based
on the bar being fully stressed and the cover being 25mm or ‘normal’.
These assumptions are conservative, particularly the assumption that
the bar is fully stressed, as bars are normally anchored or lapped away
from the points of high stress. Engineering judgement should be used
when applying any of the tables to ensure that the assumptions are
reasonable and not overly conservative.

This article discusses how to calculate an anchorage and lap length for
steel ribbed reinforcement subjected to predominantly static loading
using the information in Section 8. Coated steel bars (e.g. coated with
paint, epoxy or zinc) are not considered. The rules are applicable to Figure 1 Tension Anchorage

normal buildings and bridges.

Ultimate bond stress
An anchorage length is the length of bar required to transfer the force in
Both anchorage and lap lengths are determined by the ultimate bond stress
the bar into the concrete. A lap length is the length required to transfer
fbd which depends on the concrete strength and whether the anchorage or
the force in one bar to another bar. Anchorage and lap lengths are
lap length is in a ‘good’ or ‘poor’ bond condition.
both calculated slightly differently depending on whether the bar is in
compression or tension. ƒbd = 2.25η1η2ƒctd (Expression 8.2 from BS EN 1992-1-1)

For bars in tension, the anchorage length is measured along the where:
centreline of the bar. Figure 1 shows a tension anchorage for a bar
ƒctd is the design tensile strength of concrete, ƒctd = αctƒctk,0,05/γC
in a pad base. The anchorage length for bars in tension can include
ƒctk,0,05 is the characteristic tensile strength of concrete, ƒctk,0,05 = 0.7 × ƒctm
bends and hooks (Figure 2), but bends and hooks do not contribute to
ƒctm is the mean tensile strength of concrete, ƒctm = 0.3 × ƒck (2/3)
compression anchorages. For a foundation, such as a pile cap or pad
ƒck is the characteristic cylinder strength of concrete
base, this can affect the depth of concrete that has to be provided.
γC is the partial safety factor for concrete (γC = 1.5 in UK National
Most tables that have been produced in the UK for anchorage and lap Annex5)
lengths have been based on the assumption that the bar is fully stressed αct is a coefficient taking account of long-term effects on the
at the start of the anchorage or at the lap length. This is rarely the case, tensile strength and of unfavourable effects resulting from
as good detailing principles put laps at locations of low stress and the the way the load is applied (αct = 1.0 in UK National Annex)
area of steel provided tends to be greater than the area of steel required.

2 I Concrete Structures 15
Figure 2 Typical bends and hooks bent through 90o or more

Confinement of concrete results in the characteristic compression

strength being greater than ƒck and is known as ƒck.c. If the concrete
surrounding a steel reinforcing bar is confined, the characteristic
strength of the concrete is increased and so will be the bond stress
between the bar and the concrete. Increasing the bond stress will reduce
the anchorage length. Concrete can be confined by external pressure,
internal stresses or reinforcement.

Anchorage lengths

Figure 4 gives the basic design procedure for calculating the anchorage
length for a bar. There are various shortcuts, such as making all α
coefficients = 1, that can be made to this procedure in order to ease the
design process, although they will give a more conservative answer.

Both anchorage and lap lengths are determined from the ultimate bond
strength ƒbd. The basic required anchorage length lb,rqd can be calculated
from:

Figure 3 ‘Good’ and ‘Poor’ bond conditions

lb,rqd = (ø/4) (σsd/ƒbd)

where σsd is the design stress in the bar at the position from where the
Table 1 gives the design tensile strengths for structural concretes up to anchorage is measured. If the design stress σsd is taken as the maximum
C50/60. allowable design stress:
η1 is the coefficient relating to the bond condition and σsd = ƒyd = ƒyk/γs = 500/1.15 = 435MPa
η1 = 1 when the bond condition is ‘good’ and η1 = 0.7 when
the bond condition is ‘poor’ This number is used for most of the published anchorage and lap length
tables, but the design stress in the bar is seldom the maximum allowable
It has been found by experiment that the top section of a concrete pour design stress, as bars are normally anchored and lapped away from
provides less bond capacity than the rest of the concrete and therefore positions of maximum stress and the As,prov is normally greater than As,req.
the coefficient reduces in the top of a section. Figure 8.2 in BS EN 1992-
1-1 gives the locations where the bond condition can be considered The design anchorage length lbd is taken from the basic required
‘poor’ (Figure 3). Any reinforcement that is vertical or in the bottom of a anchorage length lb,rqd multiplied by up to five coefficients, α1 to α5.
section can be considered to be in ‘good’ bond condition. Any horizontal lbd = α1 α2 α3 α4 α5 lb,rqd ≥ lb,min
reinforcement in a slab 275mm thick or thinner can be considered to
be in ‘good’ bond condition. Any horizontal reinforcement in the top where the coefficients α1 to α5 are influenced by:
of a thicker slab or beam should be considered as being in ‘poor’ bond α1 – shape of the bar
condition.

η2 = 1.0 for bar diameters ø ≤ 32mm

η2 = (132–ø)/100 for ø > 32mm (η2 = 0.92 for 40mm bars)
ø is the diameter of the bar

Concrete Structures 15 I 3
Figure 4: flow chart for anchorage lengths.

α1, α2, α3 and

Start α5=1.0 No

Determine fctd from Table 1

Yes Is the bar in
compression?

No
Is the bar in ‘good’ η1= 0.7
position?
α4 = 0.7 α4 = 1.0

Yes
No
η2 = 1.0

Yes Does the bar have

transverse reinforcement
No welded to it?
Is bar diameter η2 = (132‐ø)/100
ø ≤ 32mm
Take lbd = lb,rqd

Yes
Determine the coefficients α1 to α5 (see Table 2)
η2 = 1.0

No
Determine ultimate bond stress
fbd = 2.25 η1 η2 fctd
Yes
Can lb,rqd be used as the design
anchorage length lbd?

Determine As,req and As,prov where the anchorage starts

Determine basic anchorage length

Determine ultimate design stress in bar lb,rqd = (ø/4) (σsd/fbd)
σsd = 435 As,req / As,prov (This can be conservatively used as the design anchorage length, lbd)

Figure 4 Flow chart for anchorage lengths

α2 – concrete cover To calculate the values of α1 and α2 the value of cd is needed. cd is

obtained from Figure 8.3 in BS EN 1992-1-1 and shown here in Figure 5.
α3 – confinement by transverse reinforcement
cd is often the nominal cover to the bars. In any published anchorage
α4 – confinement by welded transverse reinforcement
tables, a conservative value for the nominal bar cover has to be assumed
α5 – confinement by transverse pressure and 25mm is used in the Concrete Centre tables. If the cover is larger
than 25mm, the anchorage length may be less than the value quoted in
The minimum anchorage length lb,min is:
most published tables. For hooked or bent bars in wide elements, such
max {0.3lb,rqd; 10ø; 100mm} for a tension anchorage as slabs or walls, cd is governed by the spacing between the bars.
max {0.6lb,rqd; 10ø; 100mm} for a compression anchorage
In Table 8.2 of BS EN 1992-1-1 anchorage length alpha coefficients
The maximum value of all the five alpha coefficients is 1.0. The minimum are given for bars in tension and compression. The alpha values for a
is never less than 0.7. The value to use is given in Table 8.2 of BS EN 1992- compression anchorage are all 1.0, the maximum value, except for α4
1-1. In this table there are different values for α1 and α2 for straight bars which is 0.7, the same as a tension anchorage. Hence, the anchorage
and bars called other than straight. The other shapes are bars with length for a compression anchorage can always conservatively be used
a bend of 90° or more in the anchorage length. Any benefit in the α as the anchorage length for a bar in tension.
coefficients from the bent bars is often negated by the effects of cover.
Note that the product of α2 α3 and α5 has to be ≥ 0.7.

4 I Concrete Structures 15
 Yes Is the bar
straight?

α1 = 1.0
α2 =1‐0.15(cd‐ø)/ø No END
0.7≤ α2 ≤1.0

α1= 0.7 if cd > 3ø

Check lbd >
α1=1.0 if cd ≤ 3ø
max{0.3lb,rqd;10ø;100mm}
α2 =1 ‐ 0.15 (cd‐3ø)/ø
0.7≤ α2 ≤1.0

lbd = α1∙α2·α3·α4∙α5·lb,rqd

Does the bar have

another bar between the
surface of the concrete
and itself? Take α2·α3·α5 = 0.7
Yes

Yes
α3 = 1 – Kλ
0.7≤ α3 ≤1.0 No No
Is α2∙α3∙α5 < 0.7?
α3 = 1.0

α5=1– 0.04p
Is the bar confined 0.7≤ α5 ≤1.0
α5=1.0
by transverse
pressure?

Yes
No

Alpha values for tension anchorage Table 1: Design tensile strength, ƒctd
Alpha values for tension anchorage are provided in Table 8.2 of BS EN
C20/25 C25/30 C28/35 C30/37 C32/40 C35/45 C40/50 C50/60
1992-1-1.
ƒctm 2.21 2.56 2.77 2.90 3.02 3.21 3.51 4.07
α1 – shape of the bar
ƒctk, 0.05 1.55 1.80 1.94 2.03 2.12 2.25 2.46 2.85
Straight bar, α1 = 1.0
ƒctd 1.03 1.20 1.29 1.35 1.41 1.50 1.64 1.90
There is no benefit for straight bars; α1 is the maximum value of 1.0.

Bars other than straight, α1 = 0.7 if cd > 3ø; otherwise α1 = 1.0

If we assume that the value of cd is 25mm, then the only benefit for bars
other than straight is for bars that are 8mm in diameter or less. For bars
larger than 8mm, α1 = 1.0. However, for hooked or bobbed bars in wide
elements, where cd is based on the spacing of the bars, α1 will be 0.7 if
the spacing of the bars is equal to or greater than 7ø.

α2 – concrete cover
Straight bar, α2 = 1 – 0.15(cd – ø)/ø ≥ 0.7 ≤ 1.0

There is no benefit in the value of α2 for straight bars unless (cd – ø) is

positive, which it will be for small diameter bars. If cd is 25mm, then
there will be some benefit for bars less than 25mm in diameter, i.e. for
20mm diameter bars and smaller, α2 will be less than 1.0. Bars other than
straight, α2 = 1 – 0.15(cd – 3ø)/ø ≥ 0.7 ≤ 1.0
Concrete Structures 15 I 5
Figure 5 Values of Cd (C and C1 are taken to be Cnom)

Figure 6 Values of K

Table 2: Anchorage and lap lengths for locations of maximum stress

Bond Reinforcement in tension, bar diameter, Ф (mm) Reinforcement

Condition 8 10 12 16 20 25 32 40 in compression

Straight Good 230 320 410 600 780 1010 1300 1760 40Ф
bars only Poor 330 450 580 850 1120 1450 1850 2510 58Ф
Anchorage
length, lbd Good 320 410 490 650 810 1010 1300 1760 40Ф
Other
bars only Poor 460 580 700 930 1160 1450 1850 2510 58Ф
50% lapped Good 320 440 570 830 1090 1420 1810 2460 57Ф
in one
location
(a6=1.4) Poor 460 630 820 1190 1560 2020 2590 3520 81Ф
Lap length,
lo 100%
lapped Good 340 470 610 890 1170 1520 1940 2640 61Ф
in one
location Poor 490 680 870 1270 1670 2170 2770 3770 87Ф
(a6=1.5)

Notes
1) Nominal cover to all sides and distance between bars ≥2mm (i.e. α2<1). At laps, clear distance between bars ≤50mm.
2) α1 = α3 = α4 = α5 = 1.0. For the beneficial effects of shape of bar, cover and confinement see Eurocode 2, Table 8.2.
3) Design stress has been taken as 435MPa. Where the design stress in the bar at the position from where the anchorage is measured,
σsd, is less than 435MPa the figures in this table can be factored by σsd/435. The minimum lap length is given in cl. 8.7.3 of Eurocode 2.
4) The anchorage and lap lengths have been rounded up to the nearest 10mm.
5) Where 33% of bars are lapped in one location, decrease the lap lengths for ‘50% lapped in one location’ by a factor of 0.82.
6) The figures in this table have been prepared for concrete class C25/30.

Concrete class C20/25 C28/35 C30/37 C32/40 C35/45 C40/50 C45/55 C50/60

Factor 1.16 0.93 0.89 0.85 0.80 0.73 0.68 0.63

6 I Concrete Structures 15
 For example, if anchoring an H25 bar in a beam with H10 links at 300mm
centres:

As = 491mm2 for a 25mm diameter bar

ΣAst,min = 0.25 × 491 = 123mm2

ΣAst = 4 × 78.5 = 314mm2, assuming links will provide at least four 10mm
diameter transverse bars in the anchorage length

λ = (ΣAst – ΣAst,min)/ As = (314 – 123)/491 = 0.38

α3 = 1 – Kλ = 1 – 0.1 × 0.38 = 0.96

Figure 7 Anchorage of bottom reinforcement at end supports in beams and slabs where
directly supported by wall or column

Figure 8 Plan view of slab illustrating transverse tension

There is no benefit in the value of α2 for bars other than straight unless α4 – confinement by welded transverse reinforcement
(cd – 3ø) is positive. If we assume that the value of cd is 25mm, then α4 = 0.7 if the welded transverse reinforcement satisfies the requirements
the only benefit for bars other than straight is for bars that are 8mm in given in Figure 8.1e of BS EN 1992-1-1. Otherwise α4 = 1.0.
diameter or less. For bars larger than 8mm α2 = 1.0. Again, for hooked
α5 – confinement by transverse pressure
or bobbed bars in wide elements, where cd is based on the spacing of
All bar types, α5 = 1 – 0.04p ≥ 0.7 ≤ 1.0 where p is the transverse pressure
the bars, α2 will be less than 1.0 if the spacing of the bars is equal to or
(MPa) at the ultimate limit state along the design anchorage length, lbd.
greater than 7ø.
One place where the benefit of α5 can be used is when calculating the
α3 – confinement by transverse reinforcement
design anchorage length lbd of bottom bars at end supports. This benefit
All bar types, α3 = 1 – Kλ ≥ 0.7 ≤ 1.0 is given in BS EN 1992-1-1 cl. 9.2.1.4(3) and Figure 9.3, and is shown here
in Figure 7. It applies to beams and slabs.
where:
Lap lengths
K depends on the position of the confining reinforcement.
The value of K is given in Figure 8.4 of BS EN 1991-1-1 and A lap length is the length two bars need to overlap each other to transfer
shown here in Figure 6. A corner bar in a beam has the a force F from one bar to the other. If the bars are of different diameter,
highest value for K of 0.1. Bars which are in the outermost the lap length is based on the smaller bar. The bars are typically placed
layer in a slab are not confined and the K value is zero next to each other with no gap between them. There can be a gap, but
if the gap is greater than 50mm or four times the bar diameter, the gap
λ is the amount of transverse reinforcement providing
distance is added to the lap length.
confinement to a single anchored bar of area
As = (ΣAst – ΣAst,min) / As Lapping bars, transferring a force from one bar to another via concrete,
results in transverse tension and this is illustrated in Figure 8 which is a
ΣAst is the cross-sectional area of the transverse reinforcement
plan view of a slab. Cl.8.7.4.1 of BS EN 1992-1-1 gives guidance on the
with diameter øt along the design anchorage length
amount and position of the transverse reinforcement that should be
lbd
provided. Following these rules can cause practical detailing issues if you
ΣAst,min is the cross-sectional area of the minimum transverse have to lap bars where the stress in the bar is at its maximum. If possible,
reinforcement = 0.25 As for beams and zero for slabs lapping bars where they are fully stressed should be avoided and, in

Concrete Structures 15 I 7
 Figure 9: flow chart for lap lengths.

Start

Determine fctd from Table 1

END
Is the bar in No
‘good’ position? η1 = 0.7

Yes

η2 = 1.0 Check l0 >

max{0.3α6∙lb,rqd; 15ø; 200mm}

Is smaller bar diameter No

η2 = (132-ø)/100
ø ≤ 32mm
l0 = α1∙α2∙α3∙α5∙α6∙lb,rqd
Yes

η2 = 1.0

Determine ultimate bond stress

fbd = 2.25 η1 η2 fctd

Take α2∙α3∙α5 = 0.7

Determine As,req and As,prov where the lap starts

Yes
Determine ultimate design stress in bar
σsd = 435 As,req / As,prov
No
Is α2·α3∙α5 < 0.7?

Determine basic anchorage length

lb,rqd = (ø/4) (σsd/fbd)

α5 =1.0

Determine α6
α5 = 1 – 0.04p
α6 = 1.4 for 50% lapped at a section
No 0.7≤α5≤1.0
α6 = 1.5 for 100% lapped at a section

Yes
Is the bar confined
Is lb,rqd· α6 by transverse
Yes pressure?
satisfactory as the
lap length?

Take l0 = lb,rqd·α6
No
α3 =1.0
Determine the coefficients α1, α2, α3 and α5
α3 = 1 – Kλ
(see Table 2) No
0.7≤ α3 ≤1.0

Does the bar have

Yes
Is the bar in another bar between the
compression? surface of the concrete
Yes and itself?

No
α1, α2, α3 and
α5=1.0
Yes Is the bar
straight? α1 = 0.7 if cd > 3ø
α1 = 1.0 if cd ≤ 3ø
α2 = 1‐ 0.15(cd‐3ø)/ø
α1 =1.0 0.7≤ α2 ≤1.0
α2 = 1-0.15(cd‐ø)/ø No
0.7≤ α2 ≤1.0

Figure 9 Flow chart for lap lengths

8 I Concrete Structures 15
“The largest possible savings in lap and anchorage length can be obtained
by considering the stress in the bar where it is lapped or anchored.”

typical building structures, there is usually no need to lap bars where Recommendations
they are fully stressed, e.g lapping bars in the bottom of a beam or slab
The largest possible savings in lap and anchorage length can be
near mid-span. Examples where bars are fully stressed and laps are
obtained by considering the stress in the bar where it is lapped or
needed are in raft foundations and in long-span bridges.
anchored.
The wording of this clause regarding guidance on the provision of
For most locations, the old rule of thumb of lap lengths being equal to
transverse reinforcement is that it should be followed rather than
40ø should be sufficient. For this to be the case, the engineer should
it must be followed. This may allow the designer some scope to use
use their judgement and should satisfy themselves that the lap and
engineering judgement when detailing the transverse reinforcement,
anchorage locations are away from locations of high stress for the bars
e.g increasing the lap length may reduce the amount of transverse
being lapped or anchored. Where it is not possible to lap or anchor away
reinforcement.
from those areas of high stress, the lengths will need to be up to the
All the bars in a section can be lapped at one location if the bars are in values given in Table 2.
one layer. If more than one layer is required, then the laps should be
This article presents the rules currently set out in EC2. However, there
staggered.
has been significant recent research which may find its way into the
A design procedure to determine a lap length is given in Figure 9 and, next revision of the Eurocode. For example, research into the effect of
as can be seen in the flow chart, the initial steps are the same as for the staggering on the strength of the lap (α6) was discussed by John Cairns
calculation of an anchorage length. in Structural Concrete (the fib journal) in 20146. In the review of the
Eurocodes, the detailing rules have been the subject of 208 comments
Design lap length, l0 = α1 α2 α3 α5 α6 lb,rqd ≥l0,min
(18% of the total for EC2) and it is acknowledged that the rules need to
(Eq. 8.10 in BS EN 1992-1-1) be simplified in the next revision.

The coefficients α1, α2, and α5 are calculated in the same way as for
anchorage lengths and, again, all the coefficients can be taken as = 1.0
as a simplification. References:

α3 is calculated slightly differently. When calculating α3 for a lap length 1) British Standards Institution (2004) BS EN 1992-1-1:2004 Design of
ΣAst,min = As(σsd /fyd), with As = area of one lapped bar. concrete structures. General rules and rules for buildings, London, UK: BSI

The design lap length can therefore be determined by multiplying the 2) Bond A. J., Brooker O., Harris A. J. et al. (2011) How to Design Concrete
design anchorage length by one more alpha coefficient α6, provided α3 Structures using Eurocode 2, Camberley, UK: MPA The Concrete Centre
has been calculated for a lap rather than an anchorage.
3) The Institution of Structural Engineers and the Concrete Society
Design lap length, l0 = α6 lbd ≥ l0,min (2006) Standard method of detailing structural concrete: A manual
for best practice. (3rd ed.), London, UK: The Institution of Structural
Minimum anchorage length, l0,min = max {0.3 α6 lb,rqd; 15ø; 200mm}
Engineers
α6 – coefficient based on the percentage of lapped bars in one
4) The Institution of Structural Engineers (2006) Manual for the
lapped section, ρ1
design of concrete building structures to Eurocode 2, London, UK: The
α6 = (ρ1/25)0.5 ≥ 1.0 ≤ 1.5
Institution of Structural Engineers
where:
5) British Standards Institution (2005) NA to BS EN 1992-1-1:2004 UK
ρ1 is the percentage of reinforcement lapped within 0.65l0 from
National Annex to Eurocode 2. Design of concrete structures. General
the centre of the lap length considered
rules and rules for buildings, London, UK: BSI
In most cases either the laps will all occur at the same location, which is
6) Cairns J. (2014) ‘Staggered lap joints for tension reinforcement’,
100% lapped and where α6 = 1.5, or the laps will be staggered, which is
Structural Concrete, 15 (1), pp 45–54
50% lapped and where α6 = 1.4.

For vertically cast columns, good bond conditions exist at laps.

Concrete Structures 15 I 9