Document No. IITGN-WB-EQ4-V3.

0
IITGN-WB-EQ5-V3.0
Final Report: IS 13920 Code and Commentary
IITGN - World Bank Project on Seismic Codes

Ductile Design and Detailing of Reinforced

Concrete Structures Subjected to Seismic
Forces – Code of Practice (IS 13920 : 2016)
Proposed Modifications and Commentary

by

Svetlana Brzev1
Sudhir K. Jain1
Durgesh C Rai2

with assistance from

Parthesh Sunilbhai Oza1

Parul Srivastava2

1) Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar

2) Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur

November 2019
 Revisions in this document have been shown with strikethrough font
when the content has been removed, or underlined when new content
has been added.
 This document has been developed under the World Bank-sponsored
Project on Improving Seismic Resilience of Built Environment in India
at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar.
 This report presents the proposed modifications and commentary for
the code on Ductile Detailing of Reinforced Concrete Structures
Subjected to Seismic Forces (IS 13920: 2016). Proposed revisions in the
code have been shown with strikethrough font when the content has
been removed, or underlined when new content has been added.
 Some of the commentary content in this document has been taken
from IITK-GSDMA document Proposed Draft Provisions and
Commentary on Ductile Detailing of RC Structures Subjected to
Seismic Forces (EQ11- V.2.0 and EQ16-V1.0) (https://www.nicee.org/IITK-
GSDMA_Codes.php). However, the original commentary has been
significantly revised and expanded to address current IS 13920 : 2016
and proposed changes.
 The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and not
necessarily of the World Bank, IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Kanpur, or the
Bureau of Indian Standards.
 Comments and feedback may please be forwarded to:
Prof. Sudhir K. Jain, IIT Gandhinagar, Palaj, Gujarat 382355
email: [email protected], [email protected]

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 Acknowledgements
 We gratefully acknowledge the World Bank for sponsoring this project on Improving
Seismic Resilience of Built Environment in India. Special thanks are due to Keiko
Sakoda, Thomas Moullier, Anup Karanth and Deepak Singh at the World Bank.
 The authors are also grateful to the World Bank’s reviewer, Prof. Andreas J. Kappos,
United Kingdom for providing comprehensive set of recommendations that
contributed to enhancing the quality of this document.
 The authors acknowledge input and feedback received from internal reviewers
Nilesh Shah and Hemal Mistry and other Indian colleagues, including Anal Shah,
Hiten Shah, Vipul Ahuja, A K Jain, etc.
 We sincerely appreciate the participation of following colleagues in the roundtable
workshop held at IIT Gandhinagar on April 8, 2019 to review and discuss seismic
design codes, IS 1893 (Part 1) and IS 13920:
Ahuja, Vipul Consulting Engineer, New Delhi Mistry, Hemal Consulting Engineer, Surat
Bhowmick, Alok Consulting Engr., New Delhi Pathak, Jayanta Assam Engineering College, Guwahati
Brzev, Svetlana IIT Gandhinagar Perez-Gavilan, Juan Jose Universidad Nacional
Goswami, Rupen IIT Madras Autónoma de México
Ingle, R. K. VNIT Nagpur Rai, Durgesh C. IIT Kanpur
Jain, Sudhir K. IIT Gandhinagar Shah, Anal Consulting Engineer, Ahmedabad
Jaiswal, O. R. VNIT Nagpur Shah, Bhavin Consulting Engineer, Ahmedabad
Karanth, Anup The World Bank, Delhi Shah, Nilesh Consulting Engineer, Surat
Kaushik, Hemant B. IIT Guwahati Sharma, Rajeev Consulting Engineer, Delhi
Khandelwal, Praveen NTPC Delhi Sheth, Alpa Consulting Engineer, Mumbai
Kochak, Narayan Consulting Engineer, Pune Singh, Deepak The World Bank, Delhi
Kumar, Arun S Bureau of Indian Standards, Delhi Singh, Yogendra IIT Roorkee
Kumar, Hemant Consulting Engineer, Delhi Singhal, Vaibhav IIT Patna
Kumar, Manish IIT Gandhinagar Tandon, Mahesh Consulting Engineer, Delhi
Murty, C. V. R. IIT Madras

 A seminar-cum-workshop was organized at IIT Gandhinagar, wherein more than

180 academicians, practising engineers and students participated from across the
country to publicly discuss the proposed modifications in seismic codes IS 1893 (Part
1) and IS 13920, in addition to discussing the codal compliance in seismic design of a
few real-life buildings. We sincerely appreciate their time and effort which proved
extremely helpful in revising the report.

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 Proposed Modifications & Commentary IS 13920 : 2016

Table of Contents

FOREWORD....................................................................................................... 5

1 SCOPE............................................................................................................ 17

2 REFERENCES ............................................................................................... 20

3 TERMINOLOGY.............................................................................................. 21

4 SYMBOLS....................................................................................................... 25

5 GENERAL SPECIFICATION.......................................................................... 30

6 BEAMS OF SPECIAL MOMENT RESISTING FRAMES.............................. 34

7 COLUMNS AND INCLINED MEMBERS OF SPECIAL MOMENT

RESISTING FRAMES......................................................................................... 49

9 8 BEAM-COLUMN JOINTS OF SPECIAL MOMENT RESISTING FRAMES 67

9 INTERMEDIATE MOMENT RESISTING FRAMES........................................ 72

10 SPECIAL SHEAR STRUCTURAL WALLS.................................................. 76

11 INTERMEDIATE STRUCTURAL WALLS.................................................... 103

12 GRAVITY-LOAD RESISTING FRAMES, WALLS, AND FLATS SLABS .. 105

13 TWO-WAY SLABS WITHOUT BEAMS....................................................... 111

14 FOUNDATIONS……………………............................................................... 114

ANNEX A ........................................................................................................... 116

COMMENTARY REFERENCES ....................................................................... 120

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Foreword Foreword

This Indian Standard (Second Revision) was

adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards,
after the draft finalized by the Earthquake
Engineering Sectional Committee had been
approved by the Civil Engineering Division
Council.
IS 4326 : 1976 ‘Code of Practice for
earthquake-resistant design and construction of
buildings’ had provisions for addressing special
features in the design and construction of
earthquake-resistant RC buildings. It included
then, some details for achieving ductility in
reinforced concrete (RC) buildings. To keep
abreast with the rapid developments and
extensive research on earthquake-resistant
design of RC structures, the technical
committee decided to formulate separate
provisions for earthquake-resistant design and
detailing of RC structures, which resulted in the
formulation of IS 13920 : 1993 ‘Code of
Practice for Ductile Design and Detailing of
Reinforced Concrete Structures Subjected to
Seismic Forces’.
IS 13920 : 1993 incorporated some important
provisions that were not covered in IS 4326:
1976 for design of RC structures. The
formulation of the standard addressed the
following salient aspects:
a) Significant experience gained from
performance of RCreinforced concrete
structures (that were designed and
detailed as per IS 4326 : 1976 during
past earthquakes. Many deficiencies
were identified and corrected.
b) Provisions on design and detailing of
beams and columns as given in IS
4326 : 1976 were revised with an aim
to provide them with adequate
stiffness, strength and ductility and to
make them capable of undergoing
extensive inelastic deformations and
dissipating seismic energy in a stable
manner.
c) Specifications were included on lower
limits for strengths of material of
earthquake-resistant RC structural

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systems.
d) Geometric constraints were imposed
on cross-sections of flexural members.
Provisions were revised on minimum
and maximum reinforcement limits.
Requirements were made explicit for
detailing of longitudinal reinforcement
in beams at joint faces, splices and
anchorage requirements. Provisions
were included for calculating seismic
design shear force, and detailing
transverse reinforcement in beams.
e) For members subjected to axial load
and bending moment, constraints
were imposed on cross-sectional
aspect ratio and on absolute
dimensions. Also, provisions are
included for (1) location of lap splices,
(2) calculation of seismic design for
shear force of structural walls, and (3)
special confining reinforcement in
regions of columns that are expected
to undergo cyclic inelastic
deformations during a severe
earthquake shaking.
f) Specifications were included on a
seismic design and detailing of
reinforced concrete RC structural
walls. These provisions assisted in (1)
estimation of design shear force and
bending moment demand on structural
wall sections, (2) estimation of design
moment capacity of wall sections, (3)
detailing of reinforcement in the wall
web, boundary elements, coupling
beams, around openings, at
construction joints, and (4) providing
sufficient length for development, lap
splicing and anchorage of longitudinal
steel.
Following the earthquakes that occurred after
the release of IS 13920 : 1993 (especially the
1997 Jabalpur, 2001 Bhuj, 2004 Sumatra, 2006
Sikkim, and 2011 Sikkim earthquakes), it was
felt that this Code neededs further improvement,
hence IS 13920 : 2016 was issued. In this
revision, The following changes were
incorporated in the 2016 edition:
a) The title is revised to reflect the ‘Design’
provisions that existed and new ones
added, that determine the sizing,
proportioning and reinforcement in RC

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members meant to resist earthquake

shaking. All RC frames, RC walls and
their elements in a structure need not be
designed to resist lateral loads and the
designer may judiciously select effective
lateral load resisting RC frames and walls
and design those members for full design
lateral force. All columns in frames not
designed as lateral load resisting frames
will be designed as gravity columns in
line with the requirements of 1112.
Most provisions that existed earlier have
been redrafted. Also, the sequence of
sections is re-organized for greater clarity
to designers and for removing
ambiguities. All the figures have been
redrawn which increases the clarity.
Some new figures have been added.
b) The following new provisions arewere
added:
1) Column-to-beam strength ratio
provision has been added in keeping
with the strong column — weak beam
design philosophy for moment resisting
frames;
2) Shear design of beam-column joints;
3) Design of slender RC structural walls is
improved. The principle of
superposition is dropped for estimating
the design moment of resistance of
structural walls with boundary elements.
Instead, procedure is mentioned for
estimating the same.
c) Additional significant modifications
incorporated are were as under:
1) The detail of anchorage of longitudinal
beam bars at exterior beam-column joint
has been revised (see 6.2.5).
2) Clauses giving detail about mechanical
couplers, welded splices in beam,
column and shear wall have been
added (see 6.2.6.2, 6.2.6.3, 7.3.2.2,
7.3.2.3, 10.8.3.2 and 10.8.3.3).
3) The minimum diameter of a link has
been changed to 8 mm in all cases
(see 6.3.2).
4) The factored axial compressive stress in
columns consisting of all load
combinations related to seismic loads is
limited to 0.40 fck has been added
(see 7.1).

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5) The minimum dimension of a column

has been modified to 20 db or 300 mm
(see 7.1.1).
6) The expression for area of cross-
section Ash for the bars forming circular
or spiral and rectangular links or spiral
have been modified [see 7.6.1(c)].
7) Design of beam-column joints of
moment resisting frames has been
added and expressions for evaluating
nominal shear strength is also given
(see 8.1.1, previously 9.1.1).
8) Expression for calculating special
confining reinforcement in boundary
element in shear wall is added (see
10.4.4).
9) A figure showing reinforcement detail of
coupled shear wall with diagonal
reinforcement has been added (see
10.5.3).
Challenges associated with the implementation of
IS 13920 : 2016 standard prompted a need for
numerous proposed revisions which are contained
in this document.
a) The following key changes have been
made:
1) It is proposed to revise the hook
extension length in transverse
beam/column reinforcement to 6
times diameter (but not less than 65
mm) (3.5). It is currently prescribed
to use 8 times diameter but not < 75
mm. The proposed length is
considered to be safe and more
feasible for field applications.
2) It is proposed to increase the
minimum grade of concrete to M25 -
previously M20 grade was permitted
for some applications (5.2). Also,
maximum concrete grade (M70) has
been prescribed, but higher grades
are permitted under certain
conditions.
3) It is proposed to revise provision
pertaining to the actual 0.2 percent
proof strength of steel (5.3.1): this
strength should not exceed the
characteristic 0.2 percent proof
strength by more than 125 MPa
(instead of the current 20% limit).
4) It is proposed to increase the ratio of
the ultimate strength to 0.2 percent
proof strength for steel from 1.15 to

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1.25 (5.3.3). This is in line with

properties of commercially available
steel in India and requirements of
international codes.
5) It is proposed to revise one of the
requirements regarding the lap
splices in beams (6.2.6.1(c)3)
because the current requirement is
not clear and is difficult to implement
in practice.
6) Signs in the equations for
determining required shear capacity
for beam sway to left are incorrect
and had to be revised (6.3.3).
7) Ignoring contribution of concrete
towards shear strength of beams is
overly conservative for certain cases
(6.3.4). Hence, contribution of
concrete towards the shear strength
of beams in plastic hinge conditions
has been considered under certain
conditions.
8) It is proposed to revise the
requirements pertaining to maximum
permitted spacing of links in beams
(6.3.5). The spacing requirement b)
has been relaxed - from 6 to 8 times
the diameter of the smallest
longitudinal bar. Requirement c) has
also been relaxed – from 100 to 250
mm.
9) The provision regarding the shortest
cross-sectional dimension of a
column have been revised (7.1.1).
According to the requirement a) the
minimum dimension shall not be less
than 20db for rectangular columns
and 30db for circular columns, where
db is the largest longitudinal
reinforcing bar diameter.
Requirement b) 300 mm has
remained unchanged.
10) It is proposed to change the
multiplier in summation of bending
moments at beam-column joints from
1.4 to 1.2 (7.2.1). The value of 1.4
was first introduced in the 2016
version of IS 13920, and it has
caused significant implementation
challenges. The implications of this
clause are significant increase in the
size of columns and amount of
longitudinal reinforcement. Since the
purpose of this clause is to ensure
that beams yield before the columns,

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it is believed that a multiplier of 1.2

provides a reasonable margin in
flexural overstrength.
11) Strong column-weak beam can be
relaxed for certain reinforced
concrete moment resisting frames
(7.2.1.3).The 2016 edition requires
strong column-weak beam design for
special moment resisting frames
(SMRFs) which may be hard to
implement for buildings in moderate
seismic regions and may not be
justified (1.1.1). Hence, Intermediate
moment resisting frames have been
introduced for application in low-to-
moderate seismic regions (9).
12) The requirement for lap splices in
columns has been modified to have
“lap splices shall be provided only in
the centre of clear column height”
(7.3.2.1).
13) The cross-tie hooks in columns
which engage both links (hoops) and
peripheral longitudinal bars project
into the concrete cover and may
corrode easily (7.4.2). Cross-ties and
links need to engage only the
peripheral longitudinal bars - Figure
10 has been corrected accordingly.
14) Figure 15 shows various joint
dimensions for calculation of joint
shear but it is not sufficiently clear
(8.1.1 – previously 9.1.1). An
isometric figure of the beam-column
joint is now included which provides
better illustration of beam and
column dimensions required for joint
shear calculation. Also, the joint
shear strength equations have been
corrected by deleting area term.
15) It is proposed to avoid welded
splices in beams (6.2.6.3) and
columns (7.3.2.3) of Special moment
resisting frames, as well as Special
structural walls (10.8.3.3). The
provision which permitted welded
splices was first introduced in the
2016 revision of IS 13920.
International codes (e.g. ACI 318-14)
permit the use of welded splices in
RC structural members, but the
provisions are more detailed than the
current IS 13920, and specify
minimum size of reinforcement for
welded splices (19 mm diameter)

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and steel tensile strength, among

others. Unless more specific
provisions are included in IS 13920 it
is recommended to avoid welded
splices due to possibility of a brittle
failure at the splice location.
16) Provisions related to Special shear
(structural) walls (10) have been
modified and expanded. These
modifications were required to make
the provisions more comprehensive
and in line with international state-of-
the-art seismic design and
construction practice. Major revisions
are summarized below:
i. The term “shear wall” has
been replaced by “structural
wall” in line with the
international codes and IS
1893 (Part 1).
ii. The minimum wall thickness
requirement has been
revised to include
slenderness ratio limit, which
is relevant for preventing
instability (buckling) within
the wall’s compression zone
(10.1.2).
iii. Dimensional limits for walls
have been revised: minimum
length-to-thickness ratio of
6.0 has been proposed
(earlier the value was equal
to 4.0); this is in line with
international codes (10.1.3).
iv. Classification of walls has
been simplified to include
only squat walls and flexural
walls (intermediate walls
were removed). This is in
line with most international
codes (10.1.4).
v. Minimum distributed
reinforcement requirements
were revised to align with
international codes and
simplify current requirements
(10.1.6).
vi. A new clause defining plastic
hinge region has been
introduced (10.1.11).
Previously there was no
specific clause but the length
of plastic hinge region was
defined by 10.8.2.

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vii. Design for shear has been

revised to consider an
increase in design shear
force due to flexural
overstrength and the effect
of higher vibration modes in
tall buildings (10.2).
viii. A ductility check has been
introduced to prove that a
Special structural wall has an
ability to deform in an
inelastic manner within the
plastic hinge zone (10.3.3).
ix. Provisions for boundary
elements in Special
structural walls have been
revised and expanded to
facilitate design of these
elements, by recommending
the minimum dimensional
requirements and design
procedure (10.4). It is
proposed to provide
boundary elements in all
Special structural walls.
x. Provisions for coupled
structural walls have been
significantly expanded and
clarified (10.5).
xi. Additional requirements
related to design of squat
structural walls have been
introduced (10.9). It has
been recognized that seismic
response of squat walls is
different from flexural walls,
hence special provisions are
required to address their
design and detailing.
17) Provisions related to gravity columns
have been significantly clarified and
expanded (12 – previously 11). The
clause title has been revised from
“Gravity Columns” to “Gravity Load-
Resisting Frames, Walls, Joints, and
Flat Slabs” in recognition of the fact
that several different structural
elements which are not a part of the
lateral force resisting system are
subjected to increased displacement
demands. Provisions for detailing of
gravity load-resisting structural
elements at different seismic demand
levels have been proposed.

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b) The following new provisions have been

added:
1) Intermediate Moment Resisting Frames
(IMRFs) have been introduced as an
alternative to Special Moment Resisting
Frames (SMRFs) which require
significant effort in design, construction
and quality control (9). Application of
IMRFs is limited to zones III and IV
(1.1.1). The detailing provisions are
less stringent than for SMRFs but the R
factor is lower (according to proposed
change in IS 1893).
2) Intermediate structural walls (ISWs)
have been introduced as an alternative
to special structural walls which require
significant effort in design, construction
and quality control (11). Application of
ISWs is limited to zones III and IV
(1.1.1). The detailing provisions are
less stringent than for special structural
walls but the R factor is lower
(according to a proposed change in IS
1893).
3) Two-way slabs without beams (flat
slabs/plates) have been permitted as a
lateral force resisting system in zone
III. A set of design and detailing
provisions for these slabs has been
introduced (13).
4) Seismic design provisions for the
foundations of RC buildings designed
according to IS 13920 have been
introduced. Foundations are critical
elements of a seismic load path in
buildings and need to be addressed by
IS 13920 (14).
c) The following provisions require
substantial deliberations and are
proposed for consideration in future code
revisions:
1) The code has been drafted keeping
in view the requirements of buildings,
and may not be suitable for certain
other type of structures. Hence, in
title of the code “structure” may be
replaced by “buildings.”
2) Clauses in the code may need to be
sequenced better, so as to provide
requirements on “demand” in one
place, and followed by provisions for
the “capacity”.

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3) Provisions related to the design of

precast and prestressed RC
structures in seismic zones (1.1.2)
may need to be added.
4) The current provisions for the
anchorage of longitudinal beam bars
at the external beam-column joint
require significant modifications so
as to align these with international
practices (6.2.5).
5) Provisions for shear strength of
concrete in a beam-column joint may
need to consider both diagonal
compression and diagonal tension
failure (8.1.1).
6) A ductility check has been proposed
for RC structural walls (10.3.3).
However similar checks need to be
considered for other ductile RC
structural elements, such as beams
and columns covered by 6 and 7,
respectively.
7) Soil-structure interaction needs to be
considered in seismic design of
foundations, specifically with regards
to foundation movements (14.2).
wWhile the common methods of design and
construction have been covered in this standard for
RC structural systems with moment resisting
frames and RC structural systems with structural
walls that participate in resisting earthquake
force, design and construction of other lateral
loadforce resisting structural systems made of
reinforced concrete but not covered by this
standard, may be permitted by the approving
agency or a Committee constituted by the agency
only on production of satisfactory evidence from
experiments on prototype sub-assemblages and
structures, and non-linear analyses
demonstrating their adequacy to resist
earthquake shaking expected in the region where
the structures are expected to be built. Such non-
linear analyses shall demonstrate that the
collapse mechanism of the proposed structure
is desirable and that the lateral deformation
capacity of the structure is sufficient to resist the
ground deformation imposed in the region where
the structure is located. The Committee of the
approving agency shall comprise of competent
engineers with the necessary experience and
shall have the authority to review the data
submitted, ask for additional data, tests and to
frame special rules for such structural systems

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not covered under this Code.

The Committee responsible for the
formulation of this standard has taken into
consideration the views of manufacturers, users,
engineers, architects, builders and technologists,
and has related the standard to the practices
followed in the country in this field. Also, due
weightage has been given to the need for
international coordination among standards
prevailing in different seismic regions of the
world.
In the formulation of this standard, assistance
has been derived from the following
publications:
ACI 318-14 and ACI 318-19, ‘Building code
requirements for structural concrete and
commentary’, issued by the American
Concrete Institute.
ACI 318-11, ‘Building code requirements for
structural concrete and commentary’, issued by
the American Concrete Institute.
CSA A23.3-14, ‘Design of concrete
structures and explanatory notes’, issued by
the Canadian Standards Association.
IBC 2012 ‘International Building Code’,
published by International Code Council,
Inc.
EN 1998-1:2005 (E) Eurocode 8: ‘Design of
structures for earthquake resistance — Part 1:
General rules, seismic actions and rules for
buildings’, issued by European Committee for
Standardization, Brussels, edition 2005-06-01.
prEN 1998-1-2:2019.2 (E) Eurocode 8: ‘Design
of structures for earthquake resistance — Part 1-
2: Rules for new buildings’, official 2nd draft
issued by European Committee for
Standardization, Brussels.
NZS 3101(Part 1): 2006 ‘Concrete structures
standard (including Amendments 1, 2, and 3)’,
issued by Standards Council, New Zealand.
The composition of the Committee
responsible for the formulation of this
standard is given at Annex B of IS 13920 :
2016.
For the purpose of deciding whether a particular
requirement of this standard is complied with,
the final value, observed or calculated,

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expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be

rounded off in accordance with IS 2 : 1960 ‘Rules
for rounding off numerical values (revised)’. The
number of significant places retained in the
rounded off value should be same as that of
the specified value in this standard.

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1 – Scope
.

1.1 – C1.1 –
This standard covers the requirements for The code is targeted at buildings even though its
designing and detailing of members of title says “structures”. The standard is not
reinforced concrete (RC) structures, mostly applicable to design of bridge piers and large
buildings, designed to resist lateral effects of wells.
earthquake shaking so as to give them
adequate toughness and ductility to resist
severe earthquake shocks without collapse.
Even though the general concepts adopted in
this standard for structures are also
applicable for RC bridge systems, provisions
of this standard shall be taken only as a
guide for RC bridge piers and wells of large
cross-sections, but are not sufficient. This
standard addresses lateral loadforce
resisting structural systems of RC structures
buildings composed of,

a) RC moment resisting frames,

b) RC moment resisting frames with
unreinforced masonry infill walls,
c) RC moment resisting frames with RC
structural walls, and
d) RC structural walls.

1.1.1 – C1.1.1 –
Provisions of this standard shall be adopted Requirements of the original IS 13920 standard
in all lateral loadforce resisting systems of issued in 1993 were mandatory only for all
RC structures located in Sseismic Zzones III, structures in seismic zones IV and V, and for
IV or V. The standard is optional in Seismic important buildings, industrial structures and
Zone II. Sections 9 and 11 are options for RC buildings taller than 5 storeys in zone III. After
structures in seismic zones III and IV. several RC buildings in Ahmedabad (zone III)
However, sections 9 and 11 are not collapsed in the 2001 Bhuj earthquake, ductile
applicable to RC structures located in requirements were made mandatory for all
seismic zone V. structures in seismic zones III, IV and V.
However, ductile detailing requires substantially
higher effort in design, construction, and quality
control. Hence it is desirable to have the option
for zone III to provide lower level of ductility
through alternative lateral force resisting systems:
Intermediate RC moment resisting frames and
Intermediate RC structural walls. This is in line
with seismic design provisions in other countries,
e.g. Canada. National Building Code of Canada
2015 permits the use of lateral force load-resisting

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systems with lower ductility levels, but restricts

building height, and seismic hazard level (seismic
zone) for specific design applications.
Members where load combinations involving
earthquake load do not govern the design, this
code should still be followed, for instance, when
wind loads are higher than seismic loads. This
issue is clarified in Clause 6.3.1.1 of IS 1893 :
2016 (Part 1) which states, “Even when load
combinations that do not contain earthquake
effects, indicate larger demands than
combinations including them, the provisions shall
be adopted related to design, ductile detailing and
construction relevant for earthquake conditions,
which are given in this standard, IS 13920 and IS
800.”

1.1.2 – C1.1.2 –
The provisions for RC structures given herein Due to poor performance in past earthquakes,
apply specifically to monolithic RC some international seismic and RC design codes
construction and the lateral force load- (e.g. ACI 318-14 and CSA A23.3-14) restrict
resisting systems which are identified in application of flat slabs (two-way slabs without
IS1893 (Part 1) : 2016 (Table 9). Note that m beams) as lateral force load-resisting system to
Monolithic RC flat slab structures must are sites with low seismicity. Basic design and
recognized as a primary lateral force detailing requirements for flat slabs are presented
resisting system in seismic zones II and III in Clause 13.
according to Cl.7.2.6 of revised IS 1893 (Part
1) : 2016. capable of providing similar level of Most international codes treat bonded and
performance as envisioned in this standard. unbonded post-tensioning systems separately for
Their structural components must be seismic applications, and restrict the applications
designed and detailed as per 13 and of unbonded system in earthquake-prone areas by
checked for drift compatibility as per 12. imposing heavy penalties. Indian code IS 1343:
Specialist literature must be referred to for 2012 does not contain stringent requirements for
design and construction of such structures. application of unbonded system in seismic zones,
The adequacy of such designs shall be as related to design, durability, corrosion
demonstrated by adequate, appropriate protection, and limited contribution of post-
experimentation and nonlinear dynamic tensioning in design strength of section for
structural analyses. seismic applications (only 20-25%). According to
many international codes, bonded post-tensioning
Also, precast and/or pre-stressed concrete system can be used in low and moderate seismic
members may be used, only if they are zones without any penalty, provided that the RC
designed to provide similar level of ductility members satisfy ductility requirements (refer to
as that of monolithic RC structures with the New Zealand code NZS 3101-2006 and
same lateral force load-resisting system Australian code AS3600).
identified in IS 1893 (Part 1) : 2016 during or
after an earthquake. Provisions of pertinent Until Indian code provisions are developed for
international seismic design codes and precast concrete structures, provisions of
specialist literature should be referred to for international codes, e.g. Eurocode 8 (prEN 1998-1-
design and construction of such structures. 2:2019.2) can be followed. The following
Likewise, references are also relevant for design of precast
and prestressed concrete structures:
1. Negro,P. and Toniolo,G., Design
Guidelines for Connections of Precast
Structures under Seismic Actions, European

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Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute

for the Protection and Security of the Citizen,
Luxembourg, 2012.
2. FIB, Seismic Design of Precast Concrete
Building Structures, International Federation
for Structural Concrete, Bulletin 27,
Lausanne, Switzerland, 2004.
3. FIB, Structural Connections for Precast
Concrete Buildings, International Federation
for Structural Concrete, Bulletin 43,
Lausanne, Switzerland, 2008.
4. Englekirk, R.E., Seismic Design of
Reinforced and Precast Concrete Buildings,
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2003.
5. PCI, Design Handbook for Precast and
Prestressed Concrete, Eight Edition, Precast
and Prestressed Concrete Institute, Chicago,
2017.
6. Ghosh, S.K., Cleland, N.M., and
Naito,C.J., Seismic Design of Precast
Concrete Diaphragms: A Guide for
Practicing Engineers. NIST GCR 17-917-47,
NEHRP Seismic Design Technical Brief No.
13, The National Institute of Standards and
Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, USA, 2017.

1.1.3 –
All RC frames, RC walls and their elements
in a structure need not be designed to resist
lateral loads and the designer can judiciously
identify the lateral load force resisting system
based on relative stiffness and location in the
building and design those members for full
lateral force. RC monolithic members
assumed not to participate in the lateral force
resisting system (see 3.67) shall be
permitted, provided that their contribution in
resisting lateral load is not considered and
their effect on the seismic response of the
system is accounted for. Consequence of
failure of structural and non-structural
members which are not part of the lateral
force resisting system (also known as
“gravity load-resisting system”) shall also be
considered in design.

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2 – References

The following standards contain provisions C2.1 –

which, through reference in this text,
constitute provisions of this standard. At the The original code (IS 13920 : 1993) emerged
time of publication, the editions indicated from the following papers, which also provide the
were valid. All standards are subject to commentary on different specifications of this
revision, and parties to agreements based on code:
this standard are encouraged to investigate Medhekar, M.S., Jain, S.K, and Arya, A.S,
the possibility of applying the most recent "Proposed Draft for IS 4326 on Ductile
editions of the standards indicated below: Detailing of Reinforced Concrete Structures,"
IS No. Title Bulletin of the Indian Society of Earthquake
Technology, Vol 29, No. 3, September 1992,
456 : 2000 Plain and reinforced 15 - 35.
Concrete ( fourth
revision) Medhekar, M.S., and Jain, S.K., "Seismic
1343 : 2012 Code of Practice for Behaviour, Design, and Detailing of RC
pre-stressed concrete Shear Walls, Part I: Behaviour and Strength,"
(second revision) The Indian Concrete Journal, Vol. 67, No. 7,
1786 : 2008 High strength deformed July 1993, 311-318.
steel bars and wires for Medhekar, M.S., and Jain, S.K., "Seismic
concrete reinforcement Behaviour, Design, and Detailing of RC
(fourth revision, Shear Walls, Part II: Design and Detailing,"
reaffirmed 2013) The Indian Concrete Journal, Vol. 67, No. 8,
IS 1893 Criteria for earthquake September 1993, 451-457.
design Medhekar, M.S., and Jain, S.K., "Proposed
of structures Minimum Reinforcement Requirements for
(Part 1) : 2016 General provisions and Flexural Members," The Bridge and
buildings (sixth revision) Structural Engineer, ING-IABSE, Vol. 23,
No. 2, June 1993, 77-88.
(Part 2) : 2014 Liquid retaining tanks —
Elevated and ground Sheth, A., “Use of Intermediate RC Moment
supported Frames in Moderate Seismic Zones,” The
(Part 4) : 2015 Industrial structures Indian Concrete Journal, Vol. 77, No. 11,
including stack like November 2003, 1431-1435.
structures (first revision)
4326 : 2013 Earthquake resistant
design and construction
of buildings — Code of
Practice (third revision)
16172 : 2014 Reinforcement couplers
for mechanical splices
of bars in concrete—
Specification

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3 – Terminology
For the purpose of this standard, the
following definitions shall apply.

3.1 – Beams
These are members (generally horizontal) of
moment resisting frames with flexural and
shearing actions.

3.2 – Boundary Elements

These are portions along the ends of a
structural wall that are strengthened
reinforced by concentrated longitudinal
reinforcement and confined by transverse
reinforcement. Their y may have the same
thickness may preferably be the same as that
of the wall web, however in some cases
larger thickness may be required.

3.3 – Columns
These are members (generally vertical) of
moment resisting frames with designed for
axial, flexural and shearing actions.

3.4 – Cover Concrete Cover

It is that portion of an RC concrete structural
member which is not confined by transverse
reinforcement.

3.5 – Transverse
Reinforcement
It is a continuous bar having a 135° hook with
an extension of 8 6 times diameter (but not <
6575 mm) at one end and a hook not less
than 90° with an extension of 8 6 times
diameter (but not < 6575 mm) at the other
end. The hooks shall engage peripheral
longitudinal bars. In general, the 90° hooks of
two successive cross-ties engaging the same
longitudinal bars shall be alternated end for
end. Transverse reinforcement in columns
and beams is typically called in the form of

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links, spirals and stirrups and that in beams

is called cross-ties.

3.5.11 - Link
A link (or hoop) is a single steel bar bent into
a closed loop having a 135° hook with an
extension of 6 times its diameter, ( but not <
less than 65 mm), at each end , which is
embedded in the confined core of the
section, and placed normal to the longitudinal
axis of the RC beam or column. The
extension shall be embedded in confined
concrete core and shall be placed normal to
the longitudinal axis of the RC beam or
column.

3.5.2 - Spiral
Spiral is a continuous helical bar wrapping
around the longitudinal bars in a column.

3.5.3 - Cross-tie
A cross-tie is a single steel bar bent at one
end with 135° hook having an extension of 6
times its diameter but not less than 65 mm;
and at the other end with either a 135° hook
(type 1) or a 90° hook (type 2) with an
extension of 6 times its diameter. A cross-tie
shall engage the peripheral longitudinal bars
with hook.

3.6 – Gravity-Load Resisting

Frame Columns in Buildings
It is a frame consisting of slabs and/or beams
supported by columns and/or walls which are
not considered to be a part of the lateral
force resisting system.
column, which is not part of the lateral load
resisting system and designed only for force
actions (that is, axial force, shear force and
bending moments) due to gravity loads. But,
it should be able to resist the gravity loads at
lateral displacement imposed by the
earthquake forces.

1
Previously 3.9

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3.7 – Lateral Force Resisting

System
It is that part of the structural system which
participates in resisting forces induced by
earthquake.

3.8 – Moment Resisting Frame

It is a three-dimensional structural system
composed of interconnected members,
without structural walls, so as to function as a
complete self-contained unit with or without
the aid of horizontal diaphragms or floor
bracing systems, in which the members
resist gravity and lateral forces primarily by
flexural actions.

3.8.1 – Special Moment Resisting

Frame (SMRF)
It is a moment-resisting frame specially
detailed to provide ductile behaviour as per
the requirements specified in 5, 6, 7 and
87.6.

3.8.2 – Intermediate Moment

Resisting Frame (IMRF)
It is a moment-resisting frame with lower
ductility and relaxed detailing provisions
compared to SMRF and intended for
application in lower seismic zones, and which
meets the requirements of 9.

3.8.2 3.8.3 – Ordinary Moment

Resisting Frame (OMRF)
It is a moment resisting frame not meeting
special seismic detailing requirements for
ductile behaviour set by IS 13920.

3.9 – Link
It is a single steel bar bent into a closed loop
having a 135° hook with an extension of 8
times diameter (but not < 75 mm) at each
end, which is embedded in the confined core
of the section, and placed normal to the

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longitudinal axis of the RC beam or column.

3.910 – Structuralhear Wall

(also called Sheartructural
Wall)
It is a vertically oriented planar element that
is primarily designed to resist lateral force
effects (axial force, shear force and bending
moment) in its own plane.

3.11 3.9.1 – Special Structural

Shear Wall (SSW)
It is a structural wall meeting special detailing
requirements for ductile behaviour specified
in 10.

3.9.2 – Intermediate Structural

Shear Wall (ISW)
It is a structural wall with lower ductility and
relaxed detailing requirements compared to
Special Structural Wall and intended for
application in lower seismic zones, which
meets the requirements of 11.

3.9.3 – Ordinary ShearStructural

Wall (OSW)
It is a structural wall not meeting special
seismic detailing requirements for ductile
behaviour set by IS 13920.

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4 – Symbols
For the purpose of this standard, the
following letter symbols shall have the
meaning indicated against each; where
other symbols are used, they are
explained at the appropriate place. All
dimensions are in millimetres, loads in
Newtons and stresses in MPa, unless
otherwise specified.
Ae Effective cross-sectional area
of a joint
Aej Effective shear area of a joint
Ag Gross cross-sectional area of
column or wall
Ah Horizontal reinforcement area
within spacing Sv
Ak Area of concrete core of
column
As Area of longitudinal
reinforcement in a boundary
element
Asd Reinforcement along each
diagonal of coupling beam
Ash Area of cross-section of bar
forming spiral or link
Ast Area of uniformly distributed
vertical reinforcement in a
structural wall along its length
Astw Area of uniformly distributed
vertical reinforcement within
the web of a structural wall
Av Vertical reinforcement at a joint
bb Width of beam
bw Width of wide beam; length of
a boundary element in a
structural wall
Bc ,bc Width of column

Bc’, Dc’ Spacing of longitudinal bars

supported by respectively
shorter and longer dimension
of rectangular confining link
bj Effective width of a beam-
column joint

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D Overall depth of beam

Dc Overall depth of rectangular
column (diameter of circular
column)
Dk dDiameter of column core
measured to the outside of
spiral or link
d Effective depth of member
db Diameter of longitudinal bar
dw Effective depth of wall section;
width of boundary element
Es Elastic modulus of steel
fck Characteristic compressive
strength of concrete cube
fy Yield stress of steel reinforcing
bars, or 0.2 percent proof
strength of reinforcing steel
h Longer dimension of
rectangular confining link
measured to its outer face
hc Depth of column
hj Effective depth of a joint
hst Clear sStorey height
LAB Clear span of beam
Ld Development length of bar in
tension
lo Length of member over which
special confining reinforcement
is to be provided
Lw Horizontal length of wall/
longer cross-section dimension
of wall
Ls Clear span of a couplings
beam
Mu Design moment of resistance
of entire RC beam, column or
wall section
Mb Design moment of resistance
for beam (Figure 8)
Mc Design moment of resistance
for column (Figure 8)

MuAh Hogging design moment of

resistance of beam at end A

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MuAs Sagging design moment of

resistance of beam at end A

M uBh Hogging design moment of

resistance of beam at end B

M uBs Sagging design moment of

resistance of beam at end B
BL Design moment of resistance
Mu of beam framing into column
Mbl joint from the left

Design moment of resistance

MuBR of beam framing into column
Mbr joint from the right

Mct Design moment of resistance

framing into the joint from top
Mcb Design moment of resistance
framing into the joint from
bottom
Muw Design moment of resistance
of web of RC structural wall
alone
Pu Factored axial load
sv Spacing of links along the
longitudinal direction of beam
or column
tw Thickness of web of RC
structural wall
VjdX, VjdY Design shear demands on
joints in X and Y directions
respectively

VuD,a L Factored shear force demand

at end A of beam due to dead
and live loads

Vu,Db L Factored shear force demand

at end B of beam due to dead
and live loads
Vj Design shear resistance at a
joint
Vu Factored shear force
Vus Design shear resistance
offered at a section by steel
links
wj Effective depth of a beam-
column joint

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x u , x u* Depth of neutral axis from

extreme compression fibre
Αα Inclination of diagonal
reinforcement in coupling
beam
Δu Elastic lateral displacement
due to factored seismic force
Vu

Ρ Area of longitudinal
reinforcement as a fraction of
gross area of cross-section in a
RC beam, column or structural
wall
ρw Area of longitudinal
reinforcement as a fraction of
gross area of cross-section
within the web of a structural
wall
ρc Area of longitudinal
reinforcement on the
compression face of a beam as
a fraction of gross area of
cross -section
ρmax Maximum area of longitudinal
reinforcement permitted on the
tension any face of a beam as
a fraction of gross area of
cross-section
ρmin Minimum area of longitudinal
reinforcement to be ensured on
the tension any face of a beam
as a fraction of gross area of
cross-section
τc Design shear strength of
concrete
τc, max Maximum nominal shear stress
permitted at a section of RC
beam, column or structural wall
τjc Nominal shear strength of
concrete in beam-column joint
τjdX, τjdY Design shear stress demand
in beam-column joint for X and
Y directions respectively
uv Factored shear stress at critical
section of a flat slab for seismic
load combination

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τv Nominal shear stress at a

section of RC beam, column or
structural wall

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5 – General Specification

5.1 – C5.1 –
The design and construction of RC reinforced Note that provisions of IS 456 are applicable to
concrete buildings shall be governed by design of structures subjected to earthquake
provisions of IS 456, except as modified by effects, but IS 13920 provisions are over and
the provisions of this standard for those above those of IS 456.
elements participating in lateral force
resistance.

5.2 – C5.2 –
Minimum grade of concrete shall be M20 (fck 1978 version of IS 456 allowed M15 Grade
= 20 MPa), but M25,. for buildings, more than concrete, but minimum grade of concrete as per
15 m in height in Seismic Zones III, IV and V; IS 456 : 2000 is restricted to M20. It is proposed
and but not less than that required by IS 456 to increase the minimum grade of concrete from
based on exposure conditions. M20 to M25, because the latter grade has been
widely used in Indian construction practice and
Maximum grade of concrete shall be M70.
ensures a durable structural performance. Note
Grade higher than M70 may be permitted
that grade M25 is the lowest grade for “standard
provided that a parabolic stress-strain
concrete” according to IS 456 : 2000 Table 2.
diagram is used with the maximum
compression strain of 0.002. Most international codes specify higher grade of
concrete for seismic regions. For example, ACI
318-14 allows concrete with 17.2 MPa (2500 psi)
cylinder compressive strength for ordinary
constructions, but a minimum of 20.7 MPa (3000
psi) cylinder compressive strength for seismic
constructions (the latter value corresponds to M25
concrete grade in India). Eurocode 8 requires a
minimum grade C20 for concrete construction in
seismic regions; this corresponds to cylinder
compressive strength of minimum 20 MPa and
the corresponding cube strength of 25 MPa.
IS 456 : 2000 stress-strain curves and stress block
parameters are applicable to concrete with
conventional strength characteristics, and are
expected to give unconservative results for high-
strength concrete (grade M70 and higher).
Research studies on high-strength concrete
specimens have shown that as the compression
strength increases, the slope of both ascending
and descending portions of the stress-strain curve
becomes steeper and the failure is more explosive
(Caldarone, 2009), see Fig. C1. There are several
empirical stress-strain equations for high-strength
concrete, as discussed by Ayub, Shafiq and
Nuruddin (2014). In the absence of IS 456 : 2000
equations it is proposed to keep a parabolic
portion of the current stress-strain curve and limit
the maximum strain to 0.002, as illustrated in Fig.

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C2.

Fig. C1 – Typical stress-strain relationship for concrete with different strengths (new
figure)

Fig. C2 – Stress-strain curve for conventional concrete (IS 456 : 2000) and a proposed
curve for high-strength concrete (new figure)

5.3 – C5.3-
Steel reinforcements resisting earthquake- In case of discrepancy, requirements of 5.3.1,
induced forces in RC frame membersand in 5.3.2 and 5.3.3 shall overrule the requirements of
boundary elements of and RC structural IS 1786.
walls shall comply with 5.3.1, 5.3.2 and 5.3.3.

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5.3.1 – C5.3.1 –
Steel reinforcements used for construction of The original (1993) version of the code required
structural members in special moment the use of Fe 415 steel grade (or less) for the
resisting frames and special structural walls seismic design applications. However,
shall conform to IS 1786, which identifies specifications for high strength deformed bars
grade Fe 415S or less (conforming to IS have evolved over time. Amendment 1 of IS 1786
1786 and grade Fe 500S to be acceptable for : 2008 standard (reaffirmed 2013) introduced steel
seismic design applications. and Fe 550, that grades 415S and 500S with ductility
is; high strength deformed steel bars characteristics suitable for seismic design
produced by thermo-mechanical treatment applications. These steel grades satisfy
process having elongation more than 14.5 mechanical property requirements for steel as
percent, and conforming to IS 1786,. stipulated by this code (5.3.2 and 5.3.3).
Steel grades 415, 500, and 600 can be used
for reinforcement in structural members of
intermediate moment resisting frames,
intermediate structural walls, and gravity
load-resisting frames, walls, and flat slabs.

5.3.2 – C5.3.2 –
The actual 0.2 percent proof strength of steel When the difference of actual yield strength and
bars based on tensile test must not exceed specified yield strength is very high, the shear or
their characteristic 0.2 percent proof strength bond failure may precede the flexural hinge
by more than 125 MPa20 percent. formation, and the capacity design concept may
not work. Hence, a restriction is imposed on the
maximum difference between the actual yield
strength and the specified yield strength of steel
to 20 percent – but it is proposed to set the
maximum difference to 125 MPa in line with IS
1786.

5.3.3 – C5.3.3 –
The ratio of the actual ultimate strength to the To develop inelastic rotation capacity, a structural
actual 0.2 percent proof strength shall be at member needs adequate length of yield region
least 1.15, but preferably more than 1.25. along axis of the member. The larger the ratio of
ultimate to yield moment, the longer the yield
region. Therefore, the code requires the ratio of
actual ultimate tensile strength (UTS) to actual
yield strength (YS) of at least 1.15. The minimum
UTS/YS ratio of 1.15 will allow necessary strain
hardening and energy dissipation for required
ductility.
It is required to have actual UTS/YS ratio of 1.25
or higher to ensure sufficient length of plastic
hinges and their spread across the frame. The
anticipated brittle shear failure mode is mitigated
as actual YS is not allowed to exceed specified
YS by 125 MPa in 5.3.2 (this is similar to ASTM
A706 and ASTM A615 requirements). IS 1786
limits YS only for S grade steel but UTS/YS ratio
is still 1.5.

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C5.4 –
5.4 –
In industry practice it is common to provide
In RC frame buildings, lintel beams shall lintels in the frames without modelling them in
should preferably not be integrated into the the analysis. This practice should be avoided as
columns to avoid short column effect. this may cause a captive column failure. When
However, Wwhen lintel beams need to be lintels are not integrated in the frame they should
integrated into the frame, they shall should be well integrated within the walls as
be included in the analytical numerical model nonstructural components.
for structural analysis. Similarly, plinth beams
(where provided), and staircase beams and
slabs framing into columns shall should be
included in the analytical numerical model for
structural analysis.

5.5 –
RC regular moment-resisting frame buildings
shall should have planar frames oriented
along the two principal plan directions of
buildings. Irregularities listed in IS 1893 (Part
1) shall should be avoided. Buildings with
any of the listed irregularities perform poorly
during earthquake shaking; in addition,
buildings with floating columns and set-back
columns also perform poorly. When
irregularities appear in a building as listed in
Tables 5 or 6 of IS 1893 (Part 1), the
guidance given therein for the respective
irregularity in Tables 5 or 6 shouldshall be
followed.

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6 – Beams of Special
Moment Resisting Frames

6.1 – General C6.1 –

Requirements of this section shall apply to Beams are usually subjected to bending moments
beams that form a part of the lateral force and shear forces, but internal axial forces may
resisting system resisting earthquake- also be induced when beams act as chord
induced effects and are proportioned members in diaphragms.
primarily to resist flexure and shear. Beams,
in which the factored axial compressive
stress exceeds 0.08 fck, shall be designed as
columns per requirements of IS 456, in
addition to the requirements of 7.

6.1.1 – C6.1.1 –
Beams shallshould preferably have a width- This clause restricts the applicability of ductility
to-depth ratio of more than 0.3. provisions to normally proportioned beams.
Flexural members with very low width-to-depth
ratio, such as deep beams, may develop high
flexural resistance but are prone to shear failure
under cyclic inelastic deformations. Also, it is
difficult to confine concrete through stirrups in
narrow beams.

6.1.2 – C6.1.2 –
Beams shall not have width less than 200230 Minimum beam width prescribed by the current
mm. clause (200 mm) is significantly less than the
minimum column width of 300 mm (7.1.1). RC
beams are usually constructed on top of 230 mm
thick masonry walls, hence it is appropriate to set
beam width equal to wall thickness.

6.1.3 – C6.1.3 –
Beams shallshould not have depth D more When the ratio of total depth of a beam to its clear
than 1/4th of clear span. This may not apply span is greater than 1/4, the beam may behave
to the floor beam of frame staging of elevated like a deep beam. The behaviour of deep beams
RC water tanks. under inelastic cyclic deformations is
significantly different from that of relatively
shallow ones and different design procedures are
applicable. This is a rationale for setting
maximum span-to-depth limit for beams in RC
frames and is in line with ACI 318-14 Cl.18.6.2.1.
Beams with a depth D less than or equal to 1/4th
of clear span can be designed as coupling beams
according to 10.5.2.

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6.1.4 – C6.1.4 –
Width of beam bw shallshould not exceed the It is recommended that the depth of a wide beam
width of supporting member c2 plus a (band beam) shall not be less than 16 times the
distance on either side of supporting member diameter of the largest column reinforcing bar.
equal to the smaller of (a) and (b)
a) Width of supporting member, c2, and
b) 0.75 times breadth of supporting
member, c1 (see Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B)
For circular columns c2 shall be replaced by
0.8Dc, where Dc is column diameter.
Transverse reinforcement for When the
beam width of a beam that exceeds width of
the column width c 2, transverse
reinforcement shall be provided as shown in
Fig. 1BC shall be provided throughout the
beam span, including within the beam
column joint.

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1A Plan View of a Beam Column Joint Showing Effective Breadth and Width of Wide
Beam Joint

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 Proposed Modifications & Commentary IS 13920 : 2016

. 1B Maximum Effective Width of Wide Beam and Required Transverse Reinforcement

1C Elevation of Wide Beam and Column showing Required Transverse Reinforcement

(previously 1B)
FIG.1 WIDE BEAMS BEAM COLUMN JUNCTIONS (new drawings)

6.2 – Longitudinal C6.2 – Longitudinal

Reinforcement Reinforcement

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 Proposed Modifications & Commentary IS 13920 : 2016

6.2.1 – C6.2.1 –
The longitudinal reinforcement in beams shall a) Under the effect of earthquake forces, the
be as given below: zone of moment reversal may extend for a
considerable distance towards midspan.
a) Beams shall have at least two 12
Therefore, the code recommends provision of
mm diameter bars each at the top
at least two bars of 12 mm diameter
and bottom faces
throughout the member length.
b) Minimum longitudinal steel ratio 𝜌min
b) This clause is meant to ensure adequate
required on any face at any section
reinforcement for resisting the tensile stresses
is:
after the cracking of concrete has taken place.
Before the cracking the entire concrete section is
f ck
 min  0.24 engaged in resisting tensile stresses.
fy When the amount of tension steel is not adequate
to resist the tensile stresses transferred by the
Where fck and fy are expressed in concrete upon cracking, the beam will fail
MPa. suddenly and in a brittle manner.
This provision governs for members with a large
cross-section due to architectural requirements. A
sudden failure can also be prevented by ensuring
that the moment of resistance of the section is
greater than its cracking moment. Note that
cantilever T-beams with flange in tension will
require significantly higher reinforcement ratio
than specified in this clause to prevent brittle
failure.
Derivation of this equation and more detailed
discussion can be found in :
Medhekar, M.S., and Jain, S.K., "Proposed
Minimum Reinforcement Requirements for
Flexural Members," The Bridge and Structural
Engineer, ING-IABSE, Vol. 23, No. 2, June
1993, 77-88.

6.2.2 – C6.2.2 –
Maximum longitudinal steel ratio ⍴max This provision is primarily intended to avoid
provided on any face at any beam section is congestion of reinforcement in the beam section,
0.025. which may cause poor bond between the
reinforcement and concrete. This clause
prescribes a fairly generous upper bound value for
steel ratio. In most situations, a lower than
maximum amount of reinforcement should be
used, because excessively high amount of
longitudinal steel may lead to undesirable brittle
compression failure.

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6.2.3 – C6.2.3 –
The amount of Llongitudinal steel on bottom This provision recognizes that substantial sagging
face of a beam framing into a column (at the moment may develop at beam ends during strong
face of the column) shall be at least half ½ shaking which may not be reflected through
the steel on its top face at the same section. analysis (Fig. C3). This is due to the nature of
At exterior joints, the anchorage length seismic excitation, which causes reversible
calculation shall be determined by seismic moments, and seismic forces may
considering theis bottom steel to be as largely exceed design values during strong
tension steel. earthquake shaking.
Example: Let us say at the beam end, gravity
moment = –500 kNm, seismic moment =
±700 kNm. The analysis, therefore, will
indicate a hogging moment of 1200 kNm and
sagging moment of 200 kNm. Application of
this clause ensures capacity of 1200 kNm in
hogging and 600 kNm in sagging. During
earthquake shaking, actual seismic moment
may be higher, say ±1400 kNm; in this case,
gravity plus seismic will be –1900 kNm and
+900 kNm. Note that design negative
moment has increased from 1200 kNm to
1900 kNm (58%) but positive moment from
200 kNm to 900 kNm (450%). Hence, this
clause is crucial under moment reversal.
Note that an additional objective of this provision
is to ensure adequate compression reinforcement
at the locations of potential yielding, since the
compression reinforcement increases ductility.
Fig. C4 shows an example for the application of
this clause.
In some cases it may be appropriate to follow
provisions of international codes (e.g. ACI 318-
14) and compare the positive/negative design
moment resistances in the beam - as opposed to
the amount of longitudinal reinforcement at
specific locations within the span. For example,
positive design moment resistance at the bottom
face of the beam framing into a column (at the
face of the column) should be at least one-half the
negative moment resistance on its top face at the
same section. This is required for post-tensioned
beams with a combination of prestressed and non-
prestressed reinforcement having different yield
strengths, and may be also appropriate for RC
beams with longitudinal reinforcement having
different yield strengths.

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Figure C3 – Reversal of moments due to earthquake

loading

Fig. C4 – Longitudinal reinforcement at the joints in a beam

6.2.4 – C6.2.4 –
Amount of Llongitudinal steel in beams at Sufficient reinforcement should be available at
any section on top or bottom face shall be at any section along the beam span to account for
least 1/4th of longitudinal steel provided at load reversal or unexpected distribution of
the top face of the beam at the face of the bending moments. Hence, the code specifies that
column;. Wwhen the top longitudinal steel in longitudinal steel is to be provided at both the top
the beam at the two supporting column faces and bottom face of the member at any section
is different, the larger of the two amounts along its length as a fraction of the corresponding
shall be considered for the design. maximum negative moment steel provided at the
face of either joint. Fig. C4 is an example for the
application of this clause. Refer to comment for
clause 6.2.3.

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6.2.5 – C6.2.5 –
At an exterior joint, top and the bottom bars During an earthquake, the zone of inelastic
of beams shall be provided with anchorage deformation that exists at the end of a beam, may
length, X, beyond the inner face of the extend for some distance into the column. This
column, but not extending below the beam makes the bond between concrete and steel
soffit level, equal to development length of ineffective in the beam-column joint region,
the bar in tension, Ld, plus 10 times bar particularly in case of exterior joints. An
diameter (10db) minus the allowance for 90° experimental research study on this subject was
bend. (see Fig. 2). performed by Murty, Rai, Bajpai, and Jain (2003).
The extension of top bars of beam into column
below soffit of the beam causes construction
problem, hence it is important to use adequate
depth of the column members. In fact, the
anchorage beyond the 90° bend is effective up to
the length of 12 bar diameters, hence even the
current provision of anchorage length up to beam
soffit is not entirely satisfactory. The anchorage
should be preferably limited to the length of 12
bar diameters only after the 90° bend.
In case, it is not possible to provide sufficiently
deep columns, one of the following alternative
anchorage solutions (in line with Eurocode 8, Part
1 Cl. 5.6.2.2.3) can be used:
a) The beam may be extended horizontally in the
form of an exterior stub. (see Fig. C5A), or
b) Anchor plates welded to the end of the bars
may be used (see Fig. C5B).

B
Fig. C5 – Alternative anchorage solutions of
longitudinal beam bars at exterior beam-
column joint (adapted from Eurocode 8, Part
1)

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FIG. 2 ANCHORAGE OF LONGITUDINAL BEAM BARS AT EXTERIOR BEAM-COLUMN

JOINT

6.2.6 – Splicing of longitudinal

bars

6.2.6.1 − Lap Splices C6.2.6.1 –

When adopted, closed links shall be provided Lap splices are not reliable under cyclic inelastic
over the entire length over which the deformations, hence they should not be avoided
longitudinal bars are spliced. Further, in critical regions of beams. Closely spaced links
within the spliced region help improve the
a) the spacing of these links shall not performance of a lap splice after the concrete
exceed 150 mm (see Fig.3). cover spalls off.

b) the lap length shall not be less than Part c) 3) was revised for improved clarity and is
the bar development length in in line with ACI 318-14 Cl.18.6.3.3c). Plastic
tension of the largest longitudinal hinge region exists in structural members with
reinforcement bar in tension. flexure dominant seismic behaviour, such as RC
beams, columns and structural walls. Special
detailing is required in this region to ensure
c) lap splices shall not be provided, ductile response. Plastic hinge zone in RC
1) within a joint,. structural walls is discussed in 10.1.11.
2) within a distance of 2d from
joint face of the column; and
3) within a distance of 2d from
critical sections where
flexural yielding is likely to
occur as a result of inelastic
lateral displacements. within
a quarter length of the beam
adjoining the location where
flexural yielding may
generally occur under the
effect of earthquake forces
effects.
d) not more than 50 percent of area of
steel bars on either top or bottom
face shall be spliced at any one
section.
.

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FIG. 3 LAP LENGTH CLOSED LINKS AT LOCATION OF SPLICING OF LONGITUDINAL

BARS IN BEAM

6.2.6.2 – Mechanical couplers C6.2.6.2 –

Mechanical couplers (conforming to IS Application of mechanical couplers may be
16172) shall may be used when longitudinal appropriate for beams with longitudinal bars of
steel bars have to be continued due to large large diameters, since in those cases the
beam spans larger than exceeding their application of lap splices may be challenging.
manufactured lengths. Further,
Some international codes (e.g. ACI 318-14)
a) only those mechanical couplers recommend staggering of splices when
which are conforming to IS 16172 mechanical couplers are used. This is done for
and capable of developing the constructability purposes and for providing
specified tensile strength in spliced enough space around the splice for installation.
bar shall be permitted. At any
section, not more than 50 percent of Alternate coupling of bars shall not be mandatory,
bars shall be coupled, and the next when the requirements of 6.2.6.2 (b) have been
location of couplers shall be at least met.
300 mm away; and
b) the spacing between adjacent
longitudinal bars shall be also
determined by considering based
also on the outer size of the coupler
to allow easy flow of concrete.

6.2.6.3 – Welded splices C6.2.6.3 –

Welded splices shall not be used for Welding of reinforcement in columns can lead to
longitudinal reinforcement in beams. for a local embrittlement of the steel and should not be
distance equal to two times the depth of the permitted at the splice locations. The provision
member from the member face or in any which permitted welded splices was first
location where yielding of reinforcement is introduced in the 2016 revision of IS 13920.
likely to take place. At any location, not more International codes (e.g. ACI 318-14) permit the
than 50 percent of area of steel bars shall be use of welded splices in RC structural members,
spliced at any one section. but the provisions are more detailed than the
current IS 13920, and specify minimum size of
Welding of links, ties, inserts or other similar reinforcement for welded splices (19 mm
elements to vertical longitudinal beam diameter) and steel tensile strength, among others.
reinforcement bars required as per design is Unless more specific provisions are included in IS
not permitted, in any seismic zone. 13920 it is recommended to avoid welded splices
due to possibility of a brittle failure at the splice
location.
Welding may be permitted to facilitate fabrication
or placement of column reinforcement at the

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construction stage.

6.3 – Transverse C6.3

Reinforcement Transverse reinforcement (links and cross-ties) in
RC beams have three roles, namely (i) they carry
resist the shear force and thereby prevent the
occurrence of diagonal shear cracks, (ii) they
provide confinement of the concrete section, and
(iii) they prevent the buckling of the compression
bars.

6.3.1 – C6.3.1 –
Only vertical links shall be used in beams Vertical links should be bent into a 1350 hook and
(see Fig. 4A); inclined links shall not be used. extended sufficiently into the confined concrete
And beyond this hook to ensure that the link does not
a) iIn normal practice, a link is made of a open out during strong earthquake shaking. It is
single bent bar. But, it may be made of two proposed to provide hook extension length equal
bars also, namely a U-link with a 135° hook to 6 bar diameters (but not <65 mm). Larger
with an extension of 6 8 times diameter (but extensions (8 diameters proposed in IS 13920 :
not less than 65 75 mm) at each end, 2016) may lead to considerable construction
embedded in the core concrete, and a cross- difficulties. Laboratory testing in the United
tie (see Fig. 4B). States showed that 6 diameter extension may be
adequate. As a result, ACI 318-02 standard had
c)b) tThe hooks of the links and cross-ties changed the requirement of 10 diameter extension
shall engage around peripheral longitudinal to 6 diameter extension. ACI 318-19 standard
bars. Consecutive cross-ties engaging the also requires a 6 diameter hook extension for
same longitudinal bars shall have their 90° vertical links.
hooks at opposite sides of the beam. When Cross-ties with a 90 hook are not as effective as
the longitudinal reinforcement bars are either cross-ties with 135 hook or links in
secured by cross-ties in beams that have a providing confinement. Construction problem
slab on one side, the 90° hooks of the cross-
arises in placing cross-ties with 135 hooks at
ties shall be placed on that side. both ends. Tests have shown that if cross-tie ends
with 90 hooks are alternated, confinement will be
sufficient. Therefore, it is allowed to use cross-
ties with 90 hook at one end and 135 hook at
other end.

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FIG.4 DETAILS OF TRANSVERSE REINFORCEMENT IN BEAMS (revised drawing

content shown in red)

6.3.2 –
The minimum diameter of a link shall be 8
mm.

6.3.3 – C6.3.3 –
Shear force capacity of a beam shall be more This clause ensures that a brittle shear failure does
than larger of, not precede the actual yielding of the beam in
flexure. Clause 6.3.3(b) simplifies the process of
a) factored shear force as per linear calculating plastic moment capacity of a section
structural analysis; and by taking it to be 1.4 times the calculated moment
b) factored gravity shear force, plus capacity with usual partial safety factors. The 1.4
equilibrium shear force when plastic value is based on the consideration that plastic
hinges are formed at both ends of the moment capacity of a section is usually calculated
beam (see Fig. 5) given by by assuming the stress in flexural reinforcement
i) for sway to right: as 1.25 fy (against 0.87fy in the moment capacity
calculation).
 M As  M uBh 
Vu ,a  VuD,a L  1.4  u  and The notation M u, lim used in 1993 edition of the
 LAB  code was not consistent with IS 456 : 2000. To
 M  Mu 
As Bh ensure consistency, the earlier notation of
Vu ,b  VuD,b L  1.4  u  M u, lim has now been replaced by M u .
 LAB 
When torsional effects are considered, the shear
ii) for sway to left:
force capacities (maximum of 6.3.3a and b)

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 M Ah  M uBs  should be converted into equivalent design shear

Vu ,a  VuD,a L  1.4  u  and force as per clause 41.3.1 of IS 456 : 2000.
 LAB  The equations in this clause (part ii) were revised
 M Ah
 M Bs
 to show a correct sign in front of the multiplier
Vu ,b  VuD,b L  1.4  u u
 1.4 (in line with Fig. 5).
 L AB 
where M uAs , M uAh , M uBs and M uBh are
sagging and hogging moments of
resistance of the beam section at ends
A and B, respectively. These shall be
calculated as per IS 456. LAB is clear
span of beam. VuD,a L and VuD,b L are
the factored shears forces at ends A
and B, respectively, due to vertical
loads acting on the span. tThe partial
safety factor for dead and live loads
shall be 1.2, and the beam shall be
considered to be simply supported for
this estimation.

The design shear force demand at end

A of the beam shall be larger of the two
values of Vu , a computed above.
Similarly, the design shear force
demand at end B shall be larger of the
two values of Vu ,b computed above.

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6.3.4 – C6.3.4 –
In the calculation of design shear force Due to cyclic nature of seismic loads, shear force
capacity of RC beams, contributions of the can change direction. The inclined links and bent
following shall not be considered a) bent up up bars, effective in one direction for resisting
bars and b) inclined links shall not be shear force, will not be effective for opposite
considered., and c) Further, concrete direction of shear force.
contribution, in the RC shall not be Part c) is related to the shear resistance of
considered when earthquake-induced shear concrete section. Note that the 2016 version of the
force calculated in accordance with 6.3.3 code requires exclusion of concrete contribution
represents at least one-half of the maximum in shear capacity calculation, which may be too
required shear capacity within the applicable conservative in some cases. It is proposed to
beam length. neglect the concrete contribution to shear force
capacity of RC beams which are subjected to
higher seismic demands. When applicable, a
reduced shear contribution of concrete shall be
used for the design of transverse reinforcement at
the beam ends (within the length of 2d from the
column face). The proposed revision is in line
with some international codes (e.g. ACI 318-14
Cl.18.6.5.2 and Eurocode 8, Part 1) which
prescribe a partial reduction in the concrete shear
contribution for ductile RC beams in some cases.

6.3.5 – Close Spacing of Links C6.3.5 –

Spacing of links over a length of 2d at either Closely spaced links at the ends of the beams
end of a beam shall not exceed, which are parts of SMRF are required to achieve
a) d/4; adequate confinement and energy dissipation
b) 6 8 times the diameter of the capacity. However, it is proposed to increase the
smallest longitudinal bar; and maximum spacing in parts b) and c) because
c) 100 250 mm (see Fig. 6). excessively small spacing may be too restrictive
However, the spacing of links need not be in deep beams. Requirement b) is in line with IS
less than 100 mm. 13920 : 1993. Requirement c) is in line with the
ACI 318-19 provisions.

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FIG.6 DETAILS DISTRIBUTION OF TRANSVERSE REINFORCEMENT IN BEAMS

6.3.5.1 −
The first link shall be at a distance not
exceeding 50 mm from the joint face.

6.3.5.2 − C6.3.5.2 −
Closely spaced links shall be provided over a The link spacing is specified as d/2 over the
length equal to 2d on either side of a section remaining length of the beam to prevent the
where flexural yielding may occur under occurrence of an unexpected shear failure in this
earthquake effects. Over the remaining region. IS 456 allows 3d/4 as against the
length of the beam, vertical links shall be requirement of d/2 in this clause. One should bear
provided at a spacing not exceeding d/2. in mind that the provisions of IS 13920 are over
and above those contained in IS 456.

6.3.5.3 –
Construction joint shall not be provided in the
regions of beam having closely spaced
transverse reinforcements.

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7 – Columns and Inclined

Members of Special
Moment Resisting Frames

7.1 – Geometry C7.1 -

Requirements of this section shall apply to When the factored axial load is low (less than
columns and inclined members in special 0.08 fck), the frame member will be considered as
moment resisting frames that form a part of a beam and will be detailed as per clause 6. On
the lateral force resisting system and are the other hand, high axial compression level in
proportioned primarily to resist axial forces, columns may result in buckling of longitudinal
flexure, and shear. Inclined members with reinforcement and a decrease of shear and axial
the factored axial compressive stress due to capacity, hence the upper limit for axial stress of
gravity and earthquake effects of less than or 0.40 fck has been prescribed. Higher transverse
equal to 0.08 fck shall be designed according reinforcement is required to hold the longitudinal
to 6. The factored axial compressive stress bars in position and maintain desired shear and
considering all load combinations relating to axial capacity.
seismic loads shall be limited to 0.40 f ck in all
International codes (e.g. ACI 318-14 and NZS
such members, except in those covered in 7
3101-2006) contain more stringent requirements
10.
for confinement reinforcement in columns with
factored axial compressive stress of more than
For columns of shapes other than 0.25fck. Eurocode 8 prescribes a limit for the
rectangular and circular (such as ‘T’, ‘X’ and maximum normalised axial force to 0.65 for the
‘+’ shaped), which form part of the lateral medium ductility class and 0.55 for the high
load force resisting system, appropriate ductility class (note that these limits correspond to
designs and detailing shall be carried out the cylinder compressive strength and that
using specialist literature. corresponding limits for cube compressive
strength are 0.52 and 0.44).
Design of columns with L-, T-, X- and other
irregular shapes should be performed with caution
due to concerns related to torsional instability
which is usually not addressed by commonly
available commercial software. Chinese code JGJ
149-2017 (Technical specification for concrete
structures with specially shaped columns)
provides guidance regarding the analysis, design
and detailing of columns with non-rectangular or
non-circular shapes (including seismic design).

7.1.1 – C7.1.1 –
The minimum shortest cross-sectional A small column width may lead to the following
dimension of a column, measured on a two problems: i) the moment capacity of column
straight line passing through the geometric section is very low since the lever arm between
centroid, shall not be less than the larger of, the compression steel and tension steel is very
small, and ii) beam longitudinal reinforcement
a) 20db for rectangular columns and
does not get enough anchorage in the column
30db for circular columns, where db is
(both at exterior and interior joints).
diameter of the largest diameter
longitudinal reinforcing ement bar Hence, many seismic codes recommend that the
(either single bar or individual dimension of a column should not be less than 20
bundled bar) in the beam passing times the diameter of largest bar in the beam
through or anchoring into the column running parallel to the column dimension. That is,
at the joint, andor if beam uses a 20 mm diameter bars, minimum

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 Proposed Modifications & Commentary IS 13920 : 2016

b) 300 mm (see Fig. 7). dimension for column in the direction parallel
with the beam should be 400 mm (see Fig. 7).
It is recommended to set the minimum diameter
of 30db for circular columns based on the
equivalent square dimension.

FIG. 7 MINIMUM SIZE OF RC COLUMNS BASED ON DIAMETER OF LARGEST

LONGITUDINAL REINFORCEMENT BAR IN BEAMS FRAMING INTO IT

7.1.2 – C7.1.2 –
The cross-section aspect ratio (that is, ratio This clause is provided to ensure better
of smaller dimension to larger dimension of confinement of concrete core in RC columns. The
the cross-section of a column or inclined studies have shown that the confinement is better
member) shall not be less than 0.4. Vertical in relatively square columns than in columns
members of RC buildings whose cross- with large width-to-depth ratio. However, the
sectional aspect ratio is less than 0.4 shall be same clause suggests that columns with cross-
designed as per requirements of 10.1.3 9. sectional aspect ratio of less than 0.4 should be
designed as special RC structural walls. Seismic
design and detailing requirements for RC
structural walls are different than RC columns
and a rational distinction between these structural
elements is provided in the proposed clause
10.1.3.

7.2 – Relative Strengths of C7.2 - Relative Strengths of

Beams and Columns at a Beams and Columns at a Joint
Joint The provisions of 7.2 are not applicable to flat
slab structures.

7.2.1 – C7.2.1 –
The following requirements shall be followed The intent of this clause is to reduce chances of
to avoid yielding of columns which are part of yielding in columns that are considered as part of
the lateral force-resisting system in special the lateral force-resisting system. It is intended to

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RC frames: make the building fail in weak beam-strong

a) At each beam-column joint of a column mechanism, according to which beams
moment-resisting frame, the sum of yield before columns. If columns are not stronger
nominal design moments of design than beams framing into a joint, there is a
resistance for of columns framing likelihood of flexural yielding at both ends of all
meeting at the at joint (with nominal columns in a given storey, resulting in
strength calculated for the factored undesirable strong beam-weak column failure
axial load in the direction of the mechanism (storey mechanism) that could lead to
lateral force under consideration so collapse. Therefore, a column should be stronger
as to give least column nominal than the beams meeting at a joint.
design strength) along each principal
The current clause sets beam moment multiplier
plane shall be at least 1.2 1.4 times
of 1.4 in the summation. This value leads to high
the sum of nominal design moments
column moments of resistance and high amount
of resistance design strength of for
of longitudinal reinforcement. The basis for the
beams framing meeting at the at
1.4 value is same as for Clause 6.3.3. It is
same joint in the same plane (see
proposed to keep the value of 1.2 which is in line
Fig. 8).
with ACI 318-14 Cl. 18.7.3.2. It is believed that
b) The design moment of resistance of
the value of 1.2 is appropriate given that a
a column shall be estimated
multiplier higher than 1.0 has been first
calculated for the factored axial
introduced in IS 13920 : 2016. However, a 1.4
forces, consistent with the direction
multiplier (or higher) may be recommended for
of the lateral forces considered,
designs with higher seismic safety objectives.
resulting in the lowest flexural
Research studies have shown that the multiplier
strength arising in all load
of 1.5 or higher may be required to prevent a
combination using the design P-M
formation of a soft storey mechanism (Kappos,
interaction diagram.
1997).
The moments of resistance shall be summed Current clause also stipulates that factored axial
such that the column moments oppose the forces arising in all load combinations should be
beam moments. The equation shall be considered for the column moment of resistance.
satisfied for beam moments acting in both It is proposed that only the factored axial load
principal directions in the vertical plane of the resulting in the minimum flexural strength should
frame considered. The effect of biaxial be considered for the column moment of
moments acting in the columns should also resistance calculation in this clause.
be considered.
It is important that the check is satisfied for beam
bending moments acting in both principal
In the event of When a beam-column joint
directions in the vertical plane of the frame
does not conforming to meet the above
considered. The effect of biaxial moments should
requirements, the lateral strength and
be evaluated in the design; this can be
stiffness of the columns framing into the joint
accomplished by considering the maximum
shall be ignored, and the columns shall be
expected bending moments in the direction under
considered to be designed as gravity
consideration and the corresponding bending
columns only and shall (not be considered as
moment in perpendicular direction obtained from
part of the lateral forceload-resisting system).
the analysis. When the effect of biaxial moments
is disregarded in the design it is recommended to
reduce the column capacity by 30% (based on
Eurocode 8).
In T-beam construction, where slab is subjected
to tension under moments at the face of the joint,
it is recommended to consider contribution of slab
reinforcement to negative moment capacity of
beam within an effective slab width defined in IS
456 : 2000. The slab reinforcement shall be
developed at the critical section for flexure.

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 Proposed Modifications & Commentary IS 13920 : 2016

FIG. 8 STRONG COLUMN – WEAK BEAM REQUIREMENT (revised drawing content

shown in red)

7.2.1.1 −
The design moments of resistance of a beam
shall be estimated based on the principles of
mechanics and the limiting strain states of
the limit states design method enunciated in
IS 456. The design moment of resistance of
a column shall be estimated for factored axial
forces arising in all load combination using
the design P-M interaction diagram.

7.2.1.2 –
This check shall be performed at each joint
for both positive and negative directions of
shaking in the plane under consideration.
Further, in this check, design moments of
resistance in beam(s) meetingframing at a
joint shall be considered in the same
direction, and similarly the design moments
of resistance of column(s) at the same joint
shall be considered to be in the direction
opposite to that of the moments in the
beams.

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 Proposed Modifications & Commentary IS 13920 : 2016

7.2.1.3 – It is proposed to waive this check for RC frames

in single-storey buildings, and upper portions of
This check shall be waived for
multi-storey buildings (as specified in the code).
a) single-storey buildings,
This is in line with international codes and
b) top storey of the buildings up to 6
practices and is expected to facilitate more
storeys tall, and
economical design solutions.
c) top two storeys of buildings more
than 6 storeys tall. roof level only, in
buildings more than 4 storeys tall.

The provisions of 7.2 are not applicable for

flat slab structures.

7.3 – Longitudinal
Reinforcement

7.3.1 – Minimum and Maximum

Bar Diameter
Longitudinal reinforcement in columns shall
meet the following minimum requirements:
a) Circular columns shall have minimum of 6
bars with the minimum 12 mm bar diameter.
b) Maximum diameter of longitudinal
reinforcement should be such that 1.25 times
bar development length is less than half the
clear height of column.

7.3.2 – Splicing of Longitudinal

Bars

7.3.2.1 − Lap Splices C7.3.2.1–

When adopted, closed links shall be provided Seismic bending moments in columns are largest
over the entire length over which the just above and below the floor level, and it is
longitudinal bars are spliced. Further, expected that the spalling of concrete may take
place (Fig. C7), hence longitudinal reinforcement
a) the spacing of these links shall not must not be spliced at those locations. Lap splices
exceed 100 mm. are permitted only around the column midheight
where bending moments are the smallest. The
b) the lap length shall not be less than current parts c 1) and 2) of the clause are proposed
the development length of the largest to be removed since part c) stipulates that the
longitudinal reinforcement bar in splices shall be provided within the column
tension. midheight. In part c) it is proposed to permit lap
splices at the column base, but an increased lap
c) lap splices shall should be provided splice length should be used in such cases.
only in the central central half of
The restriction on percentage of lapping bars at
clear column height. However, if that
one location means that only half the bars can be
is not possible these splices may be
spliced at one storey and the other half at the next
provided at the column base, but an
storey. However, when this is not possible due to
increased lap splice length of at least

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 Proposed Modifications & Commentary IS 13920 : 2016

1.3 times the development length Ld construction challenges, it is proposed to allow all
of the largest longitudinal bars to be lapped at the same location but with
reinforcement bar in tension should increased lap length of 1.3Ld, where Ld is the
be used. and not development length in tension as per IS 456 :
1) within a joint, or 2000.
2) within a distance of 2d from face
of the beam.

d) not more than 50 percent of area of

steel bars shall be spliced at any one
section/floor, but it shall be permitted
to splice all bars at a section,
provided that splice length is at least
1.3 1.4 times the development length
Ld of the largest longitudinal
reinforcement bar in tension.

e) lap splices shall not be used for bars

of diameter larger than 32 mm for
which mechanical splicing shall be
adopted.

Region for
lap splices

Bending Moment Diagram

Fig. C7 – Region for lap splices

7.3.2.2 − Mechanical Couplers C7.3.2.2-

Only Mmechanical couplers conforming to IS Alternate coupling of bars shall not be mandatory,
16172 shall be used. Further, when requirements of 7.3.2.2(b) have been met.
(a) only those mechanical splices ACI 318-14 commentary states that staggering is
capable of developing the specified encouraged and may be necessary i) for
tensile strength of spliced bar shall constructability, ii) for providing enough space
be permitted. and At any section, not around the splice for installation, and/or iii) for
more than 50 percent of bars shall meeting the clear spacing requirements.
be coupled. The next section of
couplers shall be at least 300 mm
away.
(b) the spacing between adjacent
longitudinal bars shall take into
account the outer size of the coupler

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to allow easy flow of concrete.

7.3.2.3 − Welded Splices C7.3.2.3-

Welded splices shall not be used in columns. It is proposed to avoid welded splices in columns
for a distance equal to two times the depth of of Special moment resisting frames. The provision
the member from the member face or in any which permitted welded splices was first
location where yielding of reinforcement is introduced in the 2016 revision of IS 13920.
likely to take place. At any section, not more International codes (e.g. ACI 318-14) permit the
than 50 percent of area of steel bars shall be use of welded splices in RC structural members,
spliced at any one section. But, welding of but the provisions are more detailed than the
links, ties, inserts or other similar elements to current IS 13920, and specify minimum size of
vertical reinforcement bars required as per reinforcement for welded splices (19 mm
design is not permitted, in any seismic zone diameter) and steel tensile strength, among others.
Unless more specific provisions are included in IS
13920 it is recommended to avoid welded splices
due to possibility of a brittle failure at the splice
location.

7.3.3 – C7.3.3 –
A column that extends more than 100 mm Even when column extensions are considered as
beyond the confined core owing to non-structural, they contribute to its stiffness. If
architectural requirement (see Fig. 9) shall be the extensions are not properly tied with the
detailed in the following manner: column core, a severe shaking may cause spalling
of this portion leading to a sudden change in the
a) When the contribution of this area
stiffness of the column. Therefore, the code
is considered in the estimate of
requires that such extensions be detailed at least as
column strength f columns, it shall
per IS 456 requirements for columns.
have at least the minimum
longitudinal and transverse
reinforcement given in this
standard.
b) When the contribution of this area
is not considered in the estimate of
column strength of columns, it
shall have at least the minimum
longitudinal and transverse
reinforcement given in IS 456.

FIG. 9 REINFORCEMENT REQUIREMENT IN COLUMNS WITH PROJECTION MORE

THAN 100 mm BEYOND CORE

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7.4 - Transverse C7.4 –

Reinforcement Transverse reinforcement has the following three
purposes: (a) provides shear resistance to the
member, (b) confines the concrete core and
thereby increases the ultimate strain of concrete
which improves ductility, and (c) provides lateral
resistance against buckling to the compression
reinforcement.

7.4.1 - C7.4.1 –
Transverse reinforcement shall consist of See commentary of clause 6.3.1.
closed loop,
a) spiral or circular links in circular
columns, and
b) rectangular links in rectangular
columns.

In either case, the closed link shall have 135°

hook ends with an extension of 6 8 times its
diameter (but not less than 65 mm) at each
end, which are embedded in the confined
core of the column (see Fig. 10A).

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FIG. 10 DETAIL OF TRANSVERSE REINFORCEMENT IN COLUMNS (revised drawing

content shown in red)

7.4.2 – C7.4.2 –
When rectangular links are used, Part d) of IS 456 allows the link spacing to be
equal to the least lateral dimension of the column
a) the minimum diameter permitted of while this clause restricts it to half the least lateral
transverse reinforcement bars is dimension. Closer spacing of links is desirable to
shall be 8 mm, when diameter of ensure better seismic performance.
longitudinal bar is less than or equal
to 32 mm, and 10 mm, when
diameter of longitudinal bar is more
than 32 mm;

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 Proposed Modifications & Commentary IS 13920 : 2016

b) the maximum spacing of parallel legs

longitudinal bars supported by
corners of a rectangular links and/or
cross-tie shall be 300 mm centre to
centre;

c) a cross-tie shall be provided, if the

length of any side when the spacing
of the longitudinal bars supported by
the corners of a link (h'c or B'c)
exceeds 300 mm (see Fig. 10B); the
cross-tie shall be placed
perpendicular to theis link whose
length that supports the corner
longitudinal bars with spacing that
exceeds 300 mm. Alternatively, a
pair of overlapping links cross-ties
may be provided within the column
(see Fig. 10C). In either case, the
hook ends of the links and cross-ties
shall engage around peripheral
longitudinal bars. Consecutive cross-
ties engaging the same longitudinal
bars shall have their 90° hooks on
opposite sides of the column. Cross-
ties of the same or smaller bar size
as the hoops shall be permitted;

d) the maximum spacing of links shall

be lesser of one-half the least lateral
dimension of the column and 150
mm., except where special confining
reinforcement is provided as per 7.6.

e) Construction joints shall not be

provided in regions of columns with
closely spaced transverse
reinforcement.

7.5 – Design Shear Force in C7.5 –

Columns This clause is intended to ensure development of a
The design shear force for columns shall be strong column-weak beam failure mechanism in
the larger of: RC columns. Here, column shear is evaluated
a) factored shear force demand as per based on beam flexural yielding with the
linear structural analysis;, and expectation that yielding will occur in beams
rather than in columns. The factor of 1.4 is based
b) factored equilibrium shear force on the consideration that plastic moment capacity
demand when plastic hinges are of a section is usually calculated by assuming the
formed at both ends of the beams stress in flexural reinforcement as 1.25 fy (as
given by: against 0.87fy in the moment capacity calculation).
1) For sway to right larger of the The effect of flexural yielding at column ends has
following two values: also been taken into account in the revised
equations and illustrated in Fig.11B. This is also

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 Proposed Modifications & Commentary IS 13920 : 2016

 M As  M uBh  in line with international codes (e.g. ACI 318-14

Vu  1.4  u  Cl.18.7.6.1.1).
 hst  Note that the shear capacity of a column just
and above the foundation (where there are no framing
 M   M u2C  beams) should be based on moment capacity
Vu  1.4  u1C  (flexural overstrength) of column.
 hst 
2) For sway to left larger of the
following two values:
 M Ah  M uBs 
Vu  1.4  u 
 hst 
and
 M   M u2C 
Vu  1.4  u1C 
 hst 
As
Where hst is the storey height and M u ,
M uAh , M uBs and M uBh are design sagging and
hogging moments of resistance of beams
framing into the column on opposite faces A
and B, respectively, with one hogging
moment and the other sagging (see Fig.
11A).;
 -  -
M u1C , M u1C , M u2C and M u2C are design
positive and negative moments of resistance
of column associated with range of Pu
(factored axial force) at column ends 1 & 2
(see Fig. 11B).
and.
The design moments of resistance of for
beam and column sections shall be
calculated as per IS 456.

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(A)

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(B) – new drawing

FIG. 11 EQUILIBRIUM DESIGN SHEAR FORCE DEMAND ON COLUMN WHEN PLASTIC
HINGES ARE FORMED (A) AT BEAM ENDS AND (B) AT COLUMN ENDS

7.5.1 – C7.5.1-
The calculation of design shear force Contribution of concrete in the calculation of
capacity of RC columns shall be calculated design shear force capacity of an RC column may
as per IS 456. not be considered when both (i) & (ii) occur:
(i) The earthquake-induced shear force calculated
in accordance with 7.5 represents at least one-half
of the maximum required shear strength from the
analysis, and
(ii) The factored axial compressive stress,
including earthquake effects, is less than 0.04fck.
Contribution of concrete in resisting shear should
be considered outside the confined zone.
For rectangular or square columns, longitudinal
reinforcement within 1/3rd of overall member
depth from extreme tension face of section should
be considered as tension reinforcement for
calculation of concrete shear capacity as per IS
456 : 2000.
For circular columns, 1/3rd of total longitudinal
reinforcement should be considered as tension
reinforcement for the calculation of concrete shear
capacity as per IS 456 : 2000. Equivalent section
width should be taken equal to the column
diameter, and the effective depth should be 0.8
times the column diameter.
IS 456 : 2000 specifies a factor (δ) in clause
40.2.2 to enhance concrete shear capacity in
column to account for axial compression, but no
such factor is provided to account for axial
tension.

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7.6 – Special Confining C7.6–

Reinforcement Columns may be subjected to large inelastic
The requirements of this section shall be deformations and experience flexural yielding
applicable to be met with in beams and during strong ground shaking. Hence, special
columns, unless a larger amount of confining reinforcement is provided to ensure
transverse reinforcement is required from adequate ductility and provide restraint against
shear strength considerations given in 6.3.3 buckling to the compression reinforcement in
for beams and 7.5 for columns. columns. Clause 7.6 should apply to columns
only, because provisions related to confining
reinforcement for beams are included in Clause
6.3.5. This is in line with international codes (e.g.
ACI 318-14).

7.6.1 – C7.6.1 –
Flexural yielding is likely during strong b) This requirement is to ensure adequate
earthquake shaking in columns when the concrete confinement, and it is similar to ACI
shaking intensity exceeds the expected 318-14 Cl.18.7.5.3. The requirement that spacing
intensity of earthquake shaking (see Fig. 12). should not exceed one-fourth of the member
This sSpecial confining reinforcement shall dimension is to obtain adequate concrete
(see Fig. 12), confinement. The requirement that spacing should
a) be provided over a length lo from the not exceed 6 bar diameters is intended to restrain
face of the joint, towards mid- longitudinal reinforcement buckling after
span, of beams and mid-heights of spalling. The maximum 100 mm spacing limit is
columns, on either side of the joint intended to ensure adequate concrete
where ‘lo’ shall not be less than the confinement. ACI 318-14 Cl.18.7.5.3 permits this
greatest of is not less than limit to be relaxed to maximum 150 mm provided
1) larger cross-sectional lateral that the spacing of cross-ties or legs of
dimension of the column overlapping links is 200 mm or less.
member at the joint face or at
c)
the section where yielding is
likely to occurs, 1) This provision is intended to provide
adequate confining reinforcement to the column.
2) 1/6 of clear span of the member The first equation is obtained by equating the
column, or maximum axial load-carrying capacity of the
column prior to the spalling of the shell, to its
3) 450 mm. axial load-carrying capacity at large compressive
strain with the spiral reinforcement stressed to its
b) have a spacing not more than useful limit.
1) ¼ of minimum dimension of the For very large column sections Ag/Ak tends to be
column; close to 1.0, hence the first equation in this clause
gives a very low value of the confining
2) 6 times the diameter of the
reinforcement, but the second equation governs.
smallest longitudinal
reinforcement bar, and 2) The first equation in this clause is intended
to provide the same confinement to a rectangular
3) 100 mm link.
core confined by rectangular links as would exist
c) have area Ash of cross-section of the in an equivalent circular column, assuming that
bar forming links or spiral of at least: rectangular links are 50% as efficient as spirals in
1) in circular links or spirals: improving confinement to concrete. Second
equation governs for the large column sections.
Term h in the Ash equation for rectangular links
has been clarified and Figure 10 has been revised
to address the modification.
It should be noted that some international codes
(e.g. ACI 318-14) contain more stringent

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provisions for columns with higher axial stresses.

 f ck  Ag 
0.09 sv Dk   1 For example, there is a more stringent
f y  Ak 
Ash  Maximum of 
requirement regarding the confinement
 f ck  reinforcement for columns with factored axial
0.024 sv Dk  compressive stress higher than 0.25fck
 fy  (corresponding to cylinder strength 0.3fc'). High
strength reinforcement (up to Fe700) can be used
for calculation of confinement reinforcement as
where per clause 7.6.1. However, yield strength should
sv = pitch of spiral or spacing of links, be restricted to 415 MPa for the calculation of
transverse reinforcement as required by IS 456 :
Dk =diameter of core of circular column 2000 for meeting the shear capacity requirements
as per 7.5.
measured to outside of spiral/link,

f ck =characteristic compressive strength of

concrete cube,
f y = 0.2 percent proof strength of transverse
steel reinforcement bars,
Ag =gross area of column cross-section, and

Ak =area of concrete core of column

 2
 Dk
4
2) in rectangular links the following
equations need to be satisfied in
both cross-sectional directions
of the column core:

 f ck  Ag 
0.18s v h   1
f y  Ak 
Ash  Maximum of 
 f 
0.05s v h ck 
 fy 

where
h = cross-sectional longer dimension of
column core measured to the outside
edges of the rectangular link composing
area Ash; measured to its outer face, which
does not exceed 300 mm; this dimension
is perpendicular to the legs of the links that
constitute Ash in each direction of cross-
section (see Fig. 10BC), and

Ak = area of confined concrete core in

rectangular link measured to its outer
dimensions.
The h value shall not exceed 300 mm. In
case of larger column dimensions h of the
link could be reduced by introducing cross-
ties (see Fig. 10BC). In such cases, Ak

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shall be measured as overall core area,

regardless of link arrangement. Hooks of
cross-ties shall engage peripheral
longitudinal bars.

FIG. 12 COLUMN AND JOINT DETAILING

7.6.2 – C7.6.2 –
When a column terminates into a footing or During severe shaking, a plastic hinge may form
mat, special confining reinforcement shall at the bottom of a column that terminates into a
extend at least 300 mm into the footing or footing or mat. Hence, special confining
mat (see Fig. 13 ). reinforcement of the column must be extended to
at least 300 mm into the foundation.

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FIG. 13 – PROVISION OF SPECIAL CONFINING REINFORCEMENT IN FOOTING

(transverse reinforcement spacing was revised)

7.6.3 – C7.6.3 –
The point of contra-flexure in the columns in The point of contra-flexure is usually in the
bottom and top storeys tend to shift upwards middle half of the column, except for columns in
due to larger joint stiffness at the lower end. the top and bottom storeys of a multi-storey
Hence, special confining reinforcement shall frame. When the point of contra-flexure in not
be provided over the height 2lo (instead of within the middle half of the column, the zone of
height lo) at lower ends of these storeys. inelastic deformation may extend beyond the
region that is provided with closely spaced link
When the calculated point of contra-flexure,
reinforcement. This clause requires the provision
under the effect of gravity and earthquake
of special confining reinforcement over the
effects, is not within the middle half of the
critical portion of the column in such situations.
member clear height, special confining
reinforcement shall be provided over the full
height of the column.

7.6.4 – C7.6.4 –
Special confining reinforcement shall be Column stiffness is inversely proportional to the
provided over the full height of a column cube of column height. Hence, columns with
which has significant variation in stiffness significantly less height than other columns in the
along its height. This variation in stiffness same storey have much higher lateral stiffness,
may result due to abrupt changes in cross- and consequently attract much greater seismic
section, size, or unintended restraint to the shear force. There is a possibility of a brittle shear
column provided by stair-slab, mezzanine failure occurring in the unsupported zones of such
floor, plinth or lintel beams framing into the short columns. This has been observed in several
columns, RC wall or masonry wall adjoining earthquakes in the past. A mezzanine floor or a
column and extending only for partial column loft also results in the stiffening of some of the
height. columns while leaving other columns of the same
storey unbraced over their full height. Another
example is of semi-basements where ventilators
are provided between the soffit of beams and the
top of the wall; here, the outer columns become
the “short-columns” as compared to the interior
columns. Hence, special confining reinforcement
shall be provided over the full height in such
columns to ensure adequate confinement and
shear strength.

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FIG. 14– COLUMNS WITH VARIABLE STIFFNESS

7.6.5 – C7.6.5 –
Columns supporting reactions from Observations in past earthquakes indicate very
discontinued stiff members, such as walls, poor performance of buildings where a wall in the
shall be provided with special confining upper storeys terminates on columns in the lower
reinforcement over their full height (see Fig. storeys. Hence, special confining reinforcement
14). This reinforcement shall also be placed must be provided over full height in such
above the discontinuity for at least the columns. This provision is related to both
development length of the largest longitudinal columns and structural walls. It is proposed to
bar in the column. Where the column is keep this clause unchanged but revise 10.1.10.
supported on a wall, this reinforcement shall
be provided over the full height of the
column; it shall also be provided below the
discontinuity for the same development
length.

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98 – Beam-Column Joints
of Special Moment
Resisting Frames

98.1 – Design of Beam- C8.1 –

Column Joints for Distortional Main considerations related to seismic design of
Shear beam-column joints are:
a) Serviceability: cracking due to diagonal
compression and joint shear should be
prevented;
b) Strength: joints should be stronger than the
adjacent beams and columns;
c) Ductility of RC frames under seismic
conditions is possible only when joints are
sufficiently strong;
d) Anchorage: proper anchorage should be
provided for the longitudinal bars of the
beams;
e) Ease of construction: joints should not be
congested with reinforcement.
Transverse reinforcement in beam-column joints
is often not provided due to construction
challenges. Similarly, in traditional construction
practice bottom beam bars are often not
continuous through the joints. These practices are
not acceptable for SMRF construction.

98.1.1 – Shear Strength of C8.1.1– Shear Strength

Concrete in a Joint The concept and specified values of nominal shear
The nominal shear strength  jc of concrete strength are in line with ACI 318-14 provisions.
The nominal shear strength value takes into
in a beam-column joint shall be taken as account the shear carried by the concrete as well
1.5 f ck for joints confined by beams on all four faces 
as the joint (shear) reinforcement. For the sake of

 
 information, refer to a design procedure
 jc  1.2 f ck for joints confined by beams on three faces 
  prescribed by Eurocode 8 (EN 1998-1:2005)


1.0 f ck for other joints 
 contained in Clause 5.5.3.3, which distinguishes
failure mechanisms for the joints and provides
(Aej was removed from the above equations)
provisions for the corresponding confinement
Shear strength of joint is equal to the product of reinforcement.
 jc and Aej where The current revision contains minor clarifications
and a new Fig. 15, which illustrates an isometric
Aej is effective shear area of joint equal togiven by view of the joint to explain the joint dimensions
bj times wj, in which bj is the effective breadth of while considering the direction of shear forces.
joint width perpendicular to the direction of shear Joint width equations were updated to comply
force and wj tis the effective width depth of joint with ACI 318-14 Cl. 18.8.4.3.
along the direction of shear force.
The effective width of joint width bj (see Fig. 15)
shall be determined as follows:

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bj  min bb ; bc  0.5hc  if bc  bb

b j  bc if bc  bb

and
bj= min[bb+2x; bc+hc], if bc≥bb where
bb = width of beam and
bc= width of column
hc = depth of column in considered direction
of forces generating shear
x= perpendicular distance between the beam
face and the nearest column face.
And Effective joint depth shall be determined
as follows
wj = hc but not less than half the depth of
beam framing into joint.
When beams and column framing into a joint
have different grade, fck should be assigned
as lesser of the two values.
A joint face is considered to be confined by a
beam if the beam width is at least 3/4th of the
effective joint width. Extensions of beams by
at least one overall beam depth beyond the
joint face are considered adequate for
confining that joint face.
For calculation of bj and wj in circular
columns bc and hc shall be determined from
an equivalent square.

FIGURE 15– PLAN VIEW OF A BEAM COLUMN JOINT SHOWING EFFECTIVE BREADTH
AND WIDTH OF JOINT

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 Proposed Modifications & Commentary IS 13920 : 2016

FIG. 15 – AN ISOMETRIC VIEW OF A BEAM-COLUMN JOINT SHOWING EFFECTIVE

WIDTH AND DEPTH OF JOINT (source: ACI 318-14 Fig. R18.8.4) (new drawing)

98.1.2 – Design Shear Stress C8.1.2 –

Demand on a Joint Seismic shear force in the joint can be calculated
a) Design shear stress demand acting as shown in Fig. C8 for rectangular beam section.
horizontally along each of the two Refer to ACI 352-2002 for more information,
principal plan directions of the joint including the seismic shear force calculation for a
shall be estimated from earthquake flanged beam section.
shaking considered along each of
these directions, using
V jdX
 jdX  for shaking along plan direction
bj wj
X of earthquake shaking, and

V jdY
 jdY  for shaking along plan direction
bj wj
Y of earthquake shaking.
It shall be ensured that the joint
shear capacity of joint concrete
estimated using 98.1.1 exceeds both
 jdX and  jdY .
b) Design shear force demands VjdX
and VjdY acting horizontally on the
joint in principal plan directions X and
Y shall be estimated considering that
the longitudinal beam bars in tension
reach a stress of 1.25 fy (when over
strength plastic moment hinges are
formed at beam ends).

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 Proposed Modifications & Commentary IS 13920 : 2016

Joint shear, Vu  Tb1  Cb 2  Vc1

where,
Cb1  Tb1  1.25 f y As1

Tb 2  Cb 2  1.25 f y As 2
Fig. C8 – Evaluation of horizontal joint shear for rectangular beam section (Note: T =
tension force; C = compression force; V = shear force; subscript b for beam; subscript
c for column; and subscript s for slab - adapted from ACI 352-1989).

8.1.3 – Width of Beam Column It is proposed to remove this clause – it is a

Joint repetition of Clause 7.1.1.

When beam reinforcement extends through

beam-column joint, the minimum width of the
column and the shear wall parallel to beam
shall be 20 times the diameter of the largest
longitudinal beam bar.

98.2 – Transverse Joint

Reinforcement

98.2.1 – Confining Reinforcement C8.2.1 –

in Joints A joint can be confined by the beams/slabs
a) When all four vertical faces of the framing into the joint, longitudinal bars (from
joint haveare having beams framing beams and columns, passing though the joint),
into them covering at least 75 and transverse reinforcement. Transverse
percent of the width on each face, reinforcement can be reduced if structural
a) At least half the special confining members frame into all four sides of the joints.
reinforcement required as per 7.6
at the two ends of columns, shall
be provided through the joint
within the depth of the shallowest

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 Proposed Modifications & Commentary IS 13920 : 2016

beam framing into it; and

b) Spacing of these transverse links
shall not exceed 150 mm.
b) When all four vertical faces of the
joint are not having beams framing
into them, or when all four vertical
faces have beams framing into them
but do not cover at least 75 percent
of the width on any face,
1) Special confining reinforcement
required as per 7.6 at the two
ends of columns shall be
provided through the joint within
the depth of the shallowest beam
framing into it, and
2) spacing of these transverse links
shall not exceed 150 mm.

98.2.2 – C8.2.2 –
In the exterior and corner joints, all 135° 135 hook in a cross-tie is more effective than a
hooks of cross-ties should be provided along 90 hook to confine core concrete. As the interior
the outer face of columns. face of the exterior beam-column joint is confined
by beams it is preferable to place the cross-ties
such that all the 90 hooks are on the inner side
and 135 hooks at the exterior side of the joint.

8.2.3 –
Maximum diameter of beam bar passing
through a joint shall not be more than column
dimension in line with the beam divided by
20.

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9 – Intermediate C9 – Intermediate Moment

Moment Resisting Resisting Frames (IMRF)
Frames2 Implementation of ductile detailing provisions
requires substantially higher effort in design,
construction and quality control. IRMFs have
somewhat lower ductility requirements and are
assigned a lower R value (corresponding to higher
seismic design force) than Special moment
resisting frames (SMRFs).

C9.1.1 –
9.1– Beams
The objective of this clause is to reduce the risk
9.1.1– of a brittle shear failure of beams in an
earthquake. This is similar to clause 6.3.3 except
The shear force to be resisted by the vertical
that the multiplier 1.4 is absent in order to reduce
links shall be the maximum of:
conservatism in shear design.
a) calculated factored shear force as per
analysis, and
b) shear force associated with development
of moment capacity at both ends of the
beam plus the factored gravity load on
the span. The design force shall be
larger than the two values obtained in
part i) and ii), as follows:
i) for sway to right:

M uAs  M uBh
Vu,a  VaD L  and
L AB

M uAs  M uBh
Vu ,b  VbD L  ,
L AB

ii) for sway to left:

M uAh  M uBs and
Vu ,a  VaD  L 
LAB

M uAh  M uBs
Vu,b  VbD L  ,
L AB

where M uAs , M uAh and M uBs , M uBh are

sagging and hogging moments of
resistance of the beam section at ends A and
B, respectively. These moments shall be
calculated as per IS 456. LAB is clear span of
the beam, VuD,a L and VuD,b L are the

2
This section is new – it is based on Section 10 of IITK-GSDMA-EQ11-V2.0 Proposed Draft Provisions
and Commentary on Ductile Detailing of RC Structures Subjected to Seismic Forces.

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 Proposed Modifications & Commentary IS 13920 : 2016

factored shear forces at ends A and B,

respectively, due to vertical loads acting on
the span. Partial safety factor for dead and
live loads shall be 1.2, and the beam shall be
considered as simply supported.

9.1.2– C9.1.2 –
The amount of positive moment steel at a Positive steel requirement at joint face of IMRFs
joint face must be at least equal to one-half is the same as for SMRFs (see 6.2.3).
of the negative moment steel at that face.

9.1.3– C9.1.3 –
The amount of positive steel provided at This requirement for IMRFs is the same as for
each of the top and bottom face of the SMRFs (see 6.2.4).
member at any section along its length
shall be at least equal to one-fourth of the
maximum negative moment steel provided
at the face of either joint.

9.1.4– C9.1.4 –
The spacing of links over a length of 2d at Requirement of spacing of links is same as that
either end of a beam shall not exceed for SMRF (see 6.3.5) to ensure adequate
confinement of the concrete core.
(a) d/4,
(b) 8 times the diameter of the smallest
longitudinal bar, and
(c) 250 mm.
However, the spacing of links need not be
less than 100 mm.
The first link shall be at a distance not
exceeding 50 mm from the joint face.
Elsewhere, the beam shall have vertical links
at a spacing not exceeding d/2.

9.2 – Columns

9.2.1– C9.2.1 –
The design shear force for columns shall be This is similar to 7.5, except that the multiplier
the maximum of: 1.4 in the equation is absent to reduce
conservatism in column shear design.
a) calculated factored shear force as per
analysis, and
b) factored equilibrium shear force
demand when plastic hinges are formed
at both ends of the beams given by:
1) For sway to right:

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 Proposed Modifications & Commentary IS 13920 : 2016

 M As  M uBh   M u1C  M u2C 

Vu   u  
 hst   hst 
2) For sway to left:

 M Ah  M uBs   M u1C  M u2C 

Vu   u  
 hst   hst 

where M uAs , M uAh , M uBs and M uBh are

design sagging and hogging moments of
resistance of beams framing into the column
on opposite faces A and B, respectively, with
one hogging moment and the other sagging
 - 
(see Fig. 11). M u1C , M u1C , M u2C and
-
M u2C are design positive and negative
moments of resistance of column associated
with range of Pu (factored axial force) at
column ends 1 & 2 (see Fig. 11a). The
design moments of resistance of beam and
column sections shall be calculated as per IS
456.

9.2.2– C9.2.2 –
The links shall be provided over a length lo In comparison with columns of SMRF,
from the joint face at each end of the column requirements on special transverse reinforcement
storey height. Spacing of the links, sv, shall in columns of IMRF are considerably lower (see
not exceed the smallest of 7.6.1).
(a) one-half the least lateral dimension
of column,
(b) Minimum of 8 times the diameter of
smallest longitudinal bar, and
(c) 200 mm.
The length lo shall not be less than the
largest of (a) larger lateral dimension of the
member at the section where yielding occurs,
(b) 1/6 of clear span of the member, and (c)
450 mm.
The first link shall be provided at a distance
not exceeding sv/2 from the joint face.

9.2.3–
Spacing of transverse reinforcement
outside the length lo shall be as per IS 456 :
2000 column design provisions.

9.3– Beam-Column Joints

Joints shall have shear reinforcement not

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less than that required by clause 9.2.2 for the

columns, and the reinforcement shall be
provided in the joint within the depth of the
shallowest beam framing into the column.

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10 – Special
StructuralShear
Walls

10.1 – General Requirements

10.1.1 – C10.1.1 –
The requirements of this section apply to the Structural wall is a single wall or an assembly of
special shearstructural walls ; that are part of interconnected walls considered to be a part of the
the lateral force resisting system of lateral force resisting system of a building.
earthquake-resistant RC building. Structural walls support i) vertical loads, ii)
moments about axis perpendicular to the plane of
the wall, and iii) shear forces parallel to the plane
of the wall. Structural walls need to be continuous
from the foundation to the roof level. Their
behaviour under seismic loading will depend on
the overall height-to-length (hw/Lw) ratio. Walls in
medium- to high-rise buildings usually have
hw/Lw≥2.0 and their seismic behaviour is
governed by bending. Special structural walls are
expected to perform in a ductile manner and
dissipate energy during an earthquake; this can be
achieved by careful design and detailing.
Distributed vertical reinforcement contributes to
flexural resistance due to the combined axial load
and bending. Boundary elements at the wall ends
are provided to enhance flexural resistance when
a wall is subjected to high flexural compression
stresses. These boundary elements need to have
sufficient length over which confinement is
provided. Plastic hinge region of the wall, usually
located at its base, is exposed to significant
seismic deformations and requires special
detailing and confinement of reinforcement.
Horizontal reinforcement contributes to the wall’s
shear resistance - similar to stirrups in RC beams.
A ductile structural wall needs to have high shear
resistance to prevent the occurrence of shear
failure.
Structural walls are stiff structural elements,
hence lateral displacements in these walls are less
than in similar RC frame structures.

10.1.2 – C10.1.2 –
The minimum wall thickness of special shear The minimum thickness requirement for special
walls shall not be less than, RC structural walls depends on the slenderness at
the storey level (expressed as a fraction of the
a) larger of 150 mm and hst/ 20 for solid clear storey height hst). Experimental studies
structural walls (without significant

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openings); and performed in New Zealand in 1980s showed that

slender RC structural walls may experience out-
b) 300 mm for buildings with coupled
of-plane lateral instability due to in-plane seismic
structuralshear walls in any seismic
loading (Paulay and Priestley, 1992; Paulay and
zone.
Priestley, 1993). Subsequently, most international
The minimum wall thickness provided must codes have set minimum slenderness limits for
also conform to the fire resistance RC structural walls. For example, Canadian code
requirements for walls based on occupancy CSA A23.3-14 Cl.21.5.3 contains detailed
as laid down in IS 456. provisions related to minimum wall thickness.
The limit contained in 10.1.2 is a general
When a wall is designed for out-of-plane requirement pertaining to the entire wall height,
seismic loads and a perpendicular beam is but the requirement is more stringent for the
framing into it, the wall thickness shall be not plastic hinge region.
less than 20db, where db is maximum
longitudinal bar diameter passing through
the wall.

10.1.3 – C10.1.3 –
The minimum ratio of horizontal wall length Wall length/thickness ratio of 4.0 is excessively
wall to thickness shall be 4 6. low, hence designers tend to treat columns with
elongated sections as special structural walls. It is
Walls with length-to-thickness ratio values recognized that some designs may require walls
ranging from 2.5 to 6.0 shall also be with length/thickness ratios less than 6.0. It is
designed as special structural walls when recommended to treat these walls as RC frame
their hw / Lw < 2.0, otherwise they shall be members. Some international codes have special
treated as RC columns in SMRFs and provisions for these walls (e.g. ACI 318-14
designed according to 7. Cl.18.10.8.1).

10.1.4 – C10.1.4 –
Special structuralshear walls shall be Most international codes do not make a
classified as squat, intermediate or distinction between squat and intermediate walls
slenderflexural depending on the overall (e.g. ACI 318-14, CSA A23.3-14), however
height hw to length Lw ratio, as follows Eurocode 8 and New Zealand code NZS 3101:
2006 make a distinction between flexural (or
a) Squat walls: hw/Lw <1 ≤ 2, and slender) walls and squat walls. For design
Intermediate walls: 1 ≤ hw / Lw ≤ 2, and purposes it can be assumed that structural walls
b) Flexural (also known as Sslender) with hw/Lw ≤ 2 behave like squat walls, while the
walls: hw/Lw > 2. walls with higher hw/Lw ratio are called “flexural”
since they typically demonstrate a flexure-
dominant behaviour. Note that the term “slender”
was replaced by “flexural”, which is more
common in technical literature (alternatively the
term “tall walls” could be used).

10.1.5 – C10.1.5 –
In the design of flanged wall sections, only The effective width of a flanged wall section is
that part of the flange shall be considered shown in Fig. C9. This flange width criterion is
which extends beyond the face of the web of similar to flange width criteria for T beam.
the structural wall at least for a distance
equal to smaller of
a) actual width available;
b) half the distance to the adjacent
shear wall web, and

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c) 1/10th of the total wall height. Flange

Web

Flange
width
Earthquake
Direction
Fig. C9 – Effective width of a flanged wall
section

10.1.6 – C10.1.6 –
Special Shear walls shall be provided with Vertical distributed reinforcement in the wall
uniformly spaced reinforcement in its cross- contributes to its flexural resistance while
section along vertical and horizontal. At horizontal reinforcement contributes to its shear
Least a minimum area of reinforcement resistance.
bars as indicated in Table 1 shall be
provided along vertical and horizontal
directions. Distributed reinforcement shall
be uniformly spaced in horizontal and
vertical directions within the wall. The
reinforcement ratio for each direction shall
not be less than 0.0025 (based on gross
cross-sectional area).

Table 1 Minimum Reinforcement in RC Shear Walls

(Clause 10.1.6)

SI. Type of wall Reinforcement Details

NO.
i) Squat walls
 h min  0.0025
 hw 
 v min  0.0025  0.5 1    h  0.0025
 Lw 

 
   
v , net v , web    Lt
 0.02  2.5  v ,web 
w

 w
 v  provided   h  provided

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ii) Intermediate
walls
 h min  0.0025
  v ,be min  0.0080

 
v , web min  0.0025

 
    0.0025  0.01375  Lt
v , net 
w

 w
iii) Slender
walls
  v ,be min  0.0080

 
v , web min  0.0025

 
    0.0025  0.01375  Lt
v , net 
w

 w

10.1.7 – C10.1.7 –
Reinforcement bars shall be provided in two It is expected that two curtains of reinforcement
curtains within the wall’s cross-section of the will be needed for most wall designs. The use of
wall, with each curtain having bars running two curtains of reinforcement will reduce
along vertical and horizontal directions, when fragmentation and premature deterioration of the
one or more of the following conditions are concrete under inelastic cyclic deformations.
met
It is important to consider hw/Lw ratio as a
a) factored shear stress demand in the wall criterion for providing two curtains of
exceeds 0.25 f ck MPa, ; or reinforcement in the wall (ACI 318-14 Cl.
18.10.2.2). It is difficult to provide two curtains
b) hw/Lw ≥ 2 (flexural walls), or of reinforcement within thinner walls so 200 mm
minimum thickness has been prescribed.
c) wall thickness is 200 mm or higher.
The last sentence has been removed since it is
When steel is provided in two layers, all related to the detailing of reinforcement which is
vertical steel bars shall be contained within addressed in clause 10.8.1.
the horizontal steel bars; the horizontal bars
shall form a closed core concrete area with
closed loops and cross-ties.

10.1.8 – C10.1.8–
The largest diameter of longitudinal steel The intention of this clause is to prevent the use
bars used in any part of a wall shall not of very large diameter bars in thin wall sections.
exceed 1/10th of the thickness of that part. It is also not appropriate to use excessively small
The vertical reinforcing bars shall have at bar sizes for wall reinforcement. There is a high
least 10 mm diameter, while horizontal chance of eccentric bar placement when relatively
reinforcing bars shall have at least 8 mm small bar sizes are used (this particularly applies
diameter. to vertical bars); eccentrically placed vertical bars
may cause additional bending moments which are
not accounted for by the design.

10.1.9 – C10.1.9 –
The maximum spacing of vertical or Part a) of this clause ensures that a sufficient

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horizontal distributed wall reinforcement shall number of bars in short walls. Original part b)
not exceed the smaller of, was removed as redundant since the minimum
wall thickness is set to 150 mm, and instead the
a) 1/5th horizontal length Lw of wall; , and
spacing limit is set to 450 mm, which is in line
b) 3 times thickness tw of web of wall; and with the ACI 318-14 Cl. 18.10.2.1 (18 inch max
spacing). Note that IS 456 Cl.32.5 also sets
bc) 450 mm. maximum spacing limit of 450 mm for horizontal
The maximum spacing of horizontal and and vertical wall reinforcement for non-seismic
vertical distributed reinforcement within the design applications.
plastic hinge region of the wall should not It is recommended to provide more closely spaced
exceed 300 mm. reinforcement within the plastic hinge region.
CSA A23.3-14 Cl.21.5.5.2 specifies the
maximum spacing of 300 mm for horizontal
reinforcement within plastic hinge region. Note
that some international codes (e.g. Eurocode 8)
prescribe 250 mm maximum spacing for both
horizontal and vertical distributed reinforcement.

10.1.10 – C10.1.10 –
Special structural shear walls shall should be This clause has been amended to cross-reference
founded on properly designed foundations to 7.6.5.
and shall not be discontinued to rest on
beams, columns or inclined members. When
flexural walls are discontinued at the base
they shall be detailed as per 7.6.5 (Fig. 14).

10.1.11 – Plastic hinge region3 C10.1.11 –

Special structural walls with hw/Lw> 2 shall be It is proposed to revise the length of plastic hinge
designed for flexural ductility resulting from region within which stringent detailing of
yielding of the vertical reinforcement in reinforcement in special structural walls is
plastic hinge regions. A section where the required. Currently clause 10.8.2 contains
vertical reinforcement will first yield as a provision related to plastic hinge length for
result of lateral displacements is called structural walls with hw/Lw> 2. There is no
critical section. For buildings having specific mention of the term “plastic hinge
foundation below the ground (grade) level, region”, but it is referred to as “region where
plastic hinge region shall extend above the flexural yielding may take place”. The proposed
critical section. For buildings having provision for the plastic hinge region length
basements below ground (grade) level, contained in this clause is based on the recent
plastic hinge region shall extend above and research done in North America and has been
below the critical section. based on Canadian code CSA A23.3-14 and the
US code ACI 318-14. A discussion on different
Length of the plastic hinge region shall not be proposals on plastic hinge length is provided in
less than the greater of commentary to CSA A23.3-14 (Cl.21.5.2.1).
a) 0.5Lw + 0.1hw , and
b) Mu/4Vu
where Lw is the overall length of the longest
shear wall or coupled wall in the direction
under consideration, and hw is the overall
wall height. Mu and Vu are design moment
and shear for a load combination including
seismic load having largest Mu/4Vu ratio.

3
This is a new clause

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10.2 – Design for Shear Force

10.2.1 – C10.2.1 –
Nominal shear stress demand v on in a wall Shear strength provisions for structural walls are
very similar to those for beams. The vertical
shall be estimated as; reinforcement that is provided in the wall shall be
 Vu considered for calculation of the design shear
v  , stress as per Table 19 of IS 456 : 2000. The
tw d w increase in shear strength due to axial
compression may also be considered as per clause
where Vu is factored shear force, tw is 40.2.2 of IS 456 : 2000. However, for this, only
thickness of the web, and dw is effective 80% of the factored axial compressive force
depth of wall section (along the length of the should be considered as effective. This is to
wall), which may be taken as 0.8 Lw for consider possible effect of vertical acceleration.
rectangular sections.
Effective depth dw is taken as 0.8 times the actual
Factored shear force Vu shall be obtained wall length Lw.
from lateral load analysis. Factored shear
force shall be increased by factor  to In the current clause the factored shear force Vu
account for flexural overstrength and effect of assumes the value determined from seismic
higher vibration modes by taking one of the analysis. Since the design objective for flexural
following values: special structural walls is to ensure ductile
flexural behaviour, it is important to prevent a
a) = 1.0 when hw / Lw < 2.0, brittle shear failure. When a structural wall has
b) = 1.4 when hw / Lw ≥ 2.0 but hw ≤ 60 excessive flexural resistance due to higher
m, and material strengths than assumed in the design, a
c) = 2.1 when hw > 60 m. brittle shear failure might take place unless the
wall is designed for a higher than required shear
strength; this is known as flexural overstrength.
The factor  takes into account flexural
overstrength and the effect of higher vibration
modes in buildings taller than 60 m. Similar
provisions related to the design shear force for
special structural walls have been in place in
international codes for several years (e.g. ACI
318-14 and CSA A23.3-14).
In buildings with underground parking levels,
structural walls extend below the ground floor
level down to the foundations and are often
connected by multiple floor diaphragms to other
walls, e.g. perimeter foundation walls. This
results in an indeterminate system for resisting an
overturning moment below the plastic hinge
region. As a result, large reverse shear forces may
develop, and these forces may exceed the design
shear force at the base of the ground floor level.
In those cases the factored shear force and
corresponding factored bending moment shall be
determined from an analysis that considers
appropriate effective stiffnesses of all members at
the underground level.
This phenomenon has been addressed by the

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Canadian code CSA A23.3-14 Cl.21.5.2.2.9 and

is based on research studies (Rad and Adebar,
2009). A description of the type of simplified
analyses that could be performed in this case is
given in the commentary to CSA A23.3-14
Cl.21.5.2.2.9.

10.2.2 – Design shear strength of C10.2.2 –

concrete Code suggests 0.8 Lw as effective wall depth,
Design shear strength of concrete  c shall be hence approximately a 0.4 Lw long portion of the
wall can be taken as tension zone, and
calculated as per Table 19 of IS 456. reinforcement within that zone may be considered
Reinforcement within 0.4 Lw portion of wall
length shall be considered as tension
to calculate c .
reinforcement for the c calculation, unless When a wall is in compression, then concrete
depth of neutral axis is calculated by strain shear capacity can be enhanced by factor (δ) as
compatibility. per IS 456 : 2000 clause 40.2.2.
It is recommended to apply a reduction factor for
concrete shear capacity when the wall is in
tension. Refer to IS 16700 : 2017 for guidance.
ACI 318-14 and NZS 3101:2006 also contain
provisions regarding the reduced concrete shear
capacity based on the level of axial tension.

10.2.3 – Design of horizontal C10.2.3 –

shear reinforcement Horizontal reinforcement has a critical role in
When nominal shear stress demand V on a
resisting seismic shear stresses in structural walls.
It is very important to accurately calculate the
wall is, required amount of shear reinforcement based on
a) more than maximum design shear the design shear force (per 10.2.1) and provide
adequate anchorage (per 10.8.1).
strength  c ,max of concrete (given in
Table 20 of IS 456), the wall section shall
be re-designed;
b) less than maximum design shear
strength  c ,max of concrete and more
than design shear strength c , design
distributed horizontal shear
reinforcement shall be provided of area
Ah given by shall be determined as
follows:
Vus V  t d
Ah   u cw w
d d
0.87 f y   0.87 f y  
 sv   sv 
which shall not be less than the minimum
area of horizontal distributed reinforcement
steel as per 10.1.5 10.1.6; and

c) less than design shear strength c of

concrete, horizontal shear reinforcement
shall be the minimum area of horizontal
steel reinforcement shall be provided as

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per 10.1.5 10.1.6.

10.3 – Design for Ductile

Flexural Behaviour Axial
Force and Bending Moment

10.3.1. – Design for axial load and C10.3.1 –

bending The equations in Annex A are derived assuming a
A wall shall be proportioned such that the rectangular wall section of length lw and thickness
design moment of resistance is greater than tw that is subjected to combined uniaxial bending
the factored bending moment at the section and axial compression. The vertical reinforcement
under consideration. Design moment of is represented by an equivalent steel plate along
resistance Mu of the wall section subjected to the length of the section. The stress-strain curve
combined bending moment due to in-plane assumed for concrete is as per IS 456 : 2000
seismic loading and compressive axial load whereas that for steel is assumed to be bi-linear.
shall be estimated in accordance with Two equations are given for calculating the
requirements of lLimit sStates dDesign flexural strength of the section. Their use depends
method given in IS 456, using the principles on whether the section fails in flexural tension or
of mechanics involving equilibrium equations, in flexural compression. Complete derivation of
strain compatibility conditions and these equations is available in Medhekar and Jain
constitutive laws. The moment of resistance (1993).
of a slender flexural rectangular structural The properties of the wall cross-section that affect
wall section may be estimated using the bending resistance of the wall, including
expressions given in Annex A. Expressions concrete geometry, concrete strength and the
given in Annex A are not applicable for reinforcing steel, should be maintained over the
structural walls with boundary elements. plastic hinge region. The design moment of
resistance of the wall will reduce over the height
The factored flexural resistance at any point of the plastic hinge due to the reduction in axial
below the plastic hinge region (e.g. compression force from gravity loads, which is
underground parking levels) shall be 1.4 not a property of the cross-section.
times the factored bending moment at the
bottom of the plastic hinge region determined The factored bending moment in the wall should
by the analysis. Portion of the wall be assumed to vary linearly from the design
immediately below the plastic hinge region moment of resistance at the top of the plastic
should contain a minimum 20% additional hinge region to zero at a point at the top of the
vertical reinforcement compared to the wall.
section at the bottom of the plastic hinge
region.

10.3.2 – C10.3.2 –
The cracked flexural strength of a wall This provision is not required, provided that other
section should be greater than its uncracked requirements of this section have been followed.
flexural strength.

10.3.2 –
When a wall is subjected to the effect of
axial load and combined in-plane and out-
of-plane bending due to seismic loads it is
recommended to use similar approach as
for design of RC columns.

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10.3.3 –
In structural walls that do not have
boundary elements, at least a minimum of
4 bars of 12 mm diameter arranged in 2
layers, shall be concentrated as vertical
reinforcement at the ends of the wall over a
length not exceeding twice the thickness of
RC wall.

10.3.3 – Ductility check4

To ensure that a special structural wall has
adequate ductility, the ratio of neutral axis
distance, x, and the wall length, Lw, that is,
x/Lw, shall not be greater than 0.4 at any wall
section which is subjected to combined axial
load and bending according to 10.3.1.

A ductility check shall be performed to prove

that inelastic rotational capacity of the wall,
ic, is greater than its inelastic rotational
demand, id, that is,
ic > id
The inelastic rotational demand at the base
of a wall, id, shall be taken as

id 
 Δ R  Δ    0.003
u u w

 Lw 
 hw  2 
 
where
Δu = elastic lateral displacement due to
factored seismic force,
Δu ×R = design displacement,
w = 1.4 flexural overstrength factor,
Δu w = elastic portion of the lateral
displacement, and
Lw= the length of the longest wall (within the
hinge region) in the direction considered.

The inelastic rotational capacity of a wall, θic,

shall be taken as
 L 
ic   cu w  0.002   0.025
 2x 
where εcu = 0.0035 maximum concrete
compression strain

C10.3.3 – Ductility check

The purpose of this clause is to ensure that special structural walls have sufficient displacement

4
This is a new clause

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capacity, which depends on the compression strain capacity of concrete and the tension strain capacity
of reinforcement. This provision has been included (implicitly or explicitly) in several international
codes. Canadian code CSA A23.3-14 (Clause 21.5.7) and the explanatory notes contain a detailed
discussion related to the ductility check (see also Adebar, Mutrie and DeVall, 2005).
Special RC structural walls must have adequate ductility to tolerate yielding of vertical reinforcement
due to combined effect of axial load and bending at any point over the wall height. For that reason, the
depth of compression zone should be limited, hence the upper limit was set to x/Lw≤ 0.4. Smaller values
of x/Lw ratio are associated with larger inelastic deformations and can be as low as 0.15 or less for
ductile walls.
Ductility check is intended to evaluate whether a wall has adequate displacement capacity (in line with
the design R value). The distance from the extreme compression fibre to the neutral axis, x, shall be
determined by plane sections analysis for the factored axial load acting on the wall and a bending
moment causing the maximum compression strain at the extreme compression fibre (0.0035), according
to 10.3.1.
Inelastic rotational demand at the base of a wall, id, is obtained as a rotation of the plastic hinge at the
base of the wall due to inelastic displacement at the top of the wall. Inelastic displacement is determined
by deducting elastic displacement Δu times w from the total design displacement Δu times R. The latter
displacement is obtained from the elastic analysis by multiplying elastic displacement by the “R” value.
The height over which the rotation takes place is the distance from the centroid of plastic hinge region
to the top of the wall (see Fig. C10a).
Inelastic rotational capacity of the wall section, ic, is a characteristic of the section with given
geometric properties, materials, and reinforcement. It can be calculated as a difference between the
ultimate curvature and yield curvature multiplied by the plastic hinge height Lw/2 (note that this value is

 Lw 
ic  u   y   
 2 
used only for ductility check calculation purposes), as follows
where

u is the ultimate curvature, a ratio of the maximum compression strain in concrete and neutral axis

 cu
u 
x
0.002
y 
Lw 2
depth (see Fig. C10b). Note that the yield curvature  y assumes equal strains (0.002) in concrete in
steel, hence

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a) Deformed shape of a cantilever wall (id calculation)

b) Ultimate and yield curvatures for the wall horizontal section ( ic calculation)
Fig. C10 – Ductility check (new drawing)
Note that various international codes (e.g. ACI 318-19 and NZS 3101-2006) prescribe a ductility check
using different approaches from the one adopted by CSA A23.3 which is proposed here as a rational
approach.

10.4 – Boundary Elements5 C10.4.1 –

Boundary elements are portions along the Boundary elements at the wall ends are subjected
wall edges that are strengthened by to high flexural compression stresses and need to

5
This clause was significantly revised and expanded

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longitudinal and transverse reinforcement ensure adequate confinement of vertical

even if they have the same thickness as that reinforcement within highly stressed wall’s
of the wall web. It is advantageous to provide compression zones. Longitudinal reinforcement in
boundary elements with dimension greater boundary elements must be confined by
than thickness of the wall web. transverse links, similar to RC columns in
SMRFs. Dimensional limits for boundary
10.4.1 – Dimensions of boundary elements are presented in Figure C11.
elements
As an alternative to the value prescribed by
Boundary elements shall be provided along 10.4.1a), the length of a boundary element (bw)
the vertical boundaries of walls, when the can be determined from a rational procedure
extreme fibre compressive stress in the wall provided in international codes (e.g. ACI 318-14
exceeds 0.2 fck. Boundary elements may be Cl.18.10.6.2). The length of a boundary element
discontinued at elevations where extreme can be determined as the greater of
fiber compressive stress becomes less than
0.15 fck. Extreme fibre compressive stress a) x/2, where x is neutral axis depth as
shall be estimated using a linearly elastic determined from 10.3.1 for the minimum
model and gross section properties. factored axial force and the corresponding
moment of resistance, and
Boundary elements are portions along the
wall edges that are strengthened by b) x-0.1Lw.
concentrated vertical reinforcement and
transverse links, and shall be provided at
both ends of every special structural wall.
A boundary element may have the same
width (dw) as the wall web, provided that
their reinforcement can be accommodated
within the wall end zones. However, it is
recommended to provide column-like
boundary elements (known as barbell
sections) when boundary elements resist
large seismically induced bending moments.
A boundary element shall meet the following
dimensional limits:
a) In walls with rectangular section the length
of a boundary element (bw) shall be at least
0.2Lw (unless a more rigorous procedure is
followed), and
b) In walls with barbell sections, the width of a) Boundary element in a rectangular-
a barbell section (dw) shall be at least hst/10 shaped wall section
but not less than the wall thickness (tw).

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b) Boundary element in the form of a

barbell section
Fig. C11 – Boundary elements for
special structural walls (new drawing)

10.4.2 – Design of boundary C10.4.2.1 –

elements A boundary element should be effective in
10.4.2.1 − resisting the effect of gravity axial load and
earthquake-induced bending moments along with
A boundary element is an integral part of the the distributed vertical reinforcement in the wall
wall cross-section and shall have adequate web. The original (1993) version of IS 13920
axial flexural load-carrying capacity, contained a procedure for determining capacity of
assuming short column action, so as to a boundary element by treating it as a short
enable it to carry axial compression arising column subjected to uniaxial
from sustain a combined effect of factored tension/compression. Most design codes and
gravity axial forceload and the an additional technical literature treat boundary elements as
compressive load induced by the seismic integral part of a structural wall. The moment of
earthquake-induced bending moment force. resistance can be estimated for the wall section,
The moment of resistance for a structural which includes the effect distributed web
wall section with boundary elements may be reinforcement and additional longitudinal
estimated using expressions given in Annex reinforcement in boundary elements. It is
A. proposed to follow a similar approach in IS
13920. As a result, equations in Annex A (which
were originally developed for walls with
uniformly distributed vertical reinforcement) have
been expanded to enable design of walls with
boundary elements (see Section A-2).

10.4.2.12 − C10.4.2.2 –
The load factor for gravity load shall be taken Moderate axial compression results in higher
as 0.8, if gravity load gives higher axial moment capacity of the wall. Hence, beneficial
compressive strength of the boundary effect of axial compression due to gravity loading
element. should not be fully relied upon in design due to
the possible reduction in its magnitude by vertical
acceleration.

10.4.3 – Vertical reinforcement in C10.4.3–

boundary elements There is a need to set the maximum limit for the
At least 4 vertical reinforcement bars amount of reinforcement in the boundary
arranged in 2 layers shall be provided in elements in order to avoid the congestion. This is
each boundary element. The vertical in line with the international code provisions (e.g.
reinforcement ratio in the a boundary CSA A23.3-14 Cl.21.5.4.3).
elements shall not be less than 0.8 percent,
and not greater than 6 percent (relative to its
cross-sectional area). ; the practical upper
limit would be It is recommended to limit the
reinforcement ratio to not to exceed 4
percent in order to avoid congestion.
Bar diameter of vertical reinforcing bars in
boundary elements shall be at least 12 mm.
If the boundary element terminates on a
footing, mat, or pile cap, vertical
reinforcement shall extend into these

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foundation elements by at least the

development length.

10.4.4 – Transverse links in

boundary elements
10.4.4.1-
Boundary elements, where required, as per
10.4.1, shall be provided with special
confining reinforcement transverse links
throughout their height, having area Ash of
cross-section of the bar forming links of at
least given by.
f ck
Ash  0.05 sv h
fy

and have a spacing sv.

10.4.4.2-
Spacing of transverse links in a boundary
element within the plastic hinge region shall
not exceed the lesser of,
a) 1/2 1/3 of minimum member dimension of
the boundary element; or
b) 6 times diameter of the smallest
longitudinal reinforcement bar.
c) 100 mm but may be relaxed to 150 mm, if
maximum distance between cross-
ties/parallel legs of links or ties is limited to
200 mm,

but the spacing of links need not to be taken

neither less than 100 mm nor more than 150
mm.
10.4.4.3-
Spacing of transverse links in a boundary
element outside the plastic hinge region shall
not exceed the lesser of.
a) minimum dimension of the boundary
element; or
b) 8 times diameter of the smallest
longitudinal reinforcement bar within the
boundary element (8db).
The spacing need not be taken neither less
than 150 mm nor more than 200 mm.
10.4.4.4-
Bar diameter of links in boundary elements
shall be at least 8 mm.
The transverse links shall be arranged such
that the longitudinal bars around the
perimeter of the boundary element are
laterally supported, similar to RC columns in

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SMRFs (Clause 7.4). Cross-ties shall have

hooks at both ends.
If the boundary element terminates on a
footing, mat, or pile cap, transverse links
shall extend by at least 300 mm into these
foundation elements.

C10.4.4–
The provisions for confining reinforcement in boundary elements are similar to those pertaining to
special confining reinforcement in RC columns of special moment resisting frames. This is in line with
the international codes, e.g. ACI 318-14 Cl.18.10.6.4. Detailing of confinement reinforcement is
provided similar to RC columns (Clause 7.4).
Reinforcement detailing in boundary elements is summarized in Figure C12. It is recommended to
extend the confining reinforcement to the bottom of foundation.

Fig. C12 – Reinforcement detailing for boundary elements in special structural walls
(new drawing)

10.4.5 –
Boundary elements need not be provided, if
the entire wall section is provided with
special confining reinforcement, as per 7.6.

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10.5 – Coupleding Beams C10.5 – Coupled Structural

ShearStructural Walls Walls

10.5.1 –
Coupled structural walls are Ccoplanar
special structural walls may be connected
by means of coupling beams which span
across doorways or other openings.

C10.5.1 –
Coupled structural walls subjected to lateral loading develop complex internal forces in the coupling
beams and the connected walls. When the walls deflect under lateral loads the coupling beams bend in
double curvature. The bending moments at the beam ends induce shear forces in the beams, which in
turn induce bending moments and axial forces (tension/compression) in the walls (Fig. C13). When the
coupling beams are relatively rigid, the coupling beams and the connected walls act as a framed system
(model R). Alternatively, when the coupling beams are flexible the walls act as independent cantilevers;
this can be considered as a partially coupled wall (model F). These two models are illustrated in Fig.
C14.
The total overturning moment at the base of the wall (M 1+M2+T×ɑ) comprises the bending moments in
each wall (M1 and M2) and the force couple consisting of axial forces “T” at lever arm “ɑ”. The
resulting moment (product of “T” and “ɑ”) is zero in case of Model F (flexible beams) and reaches
maximum when the coupling beams are infinitely rigid. The coupling beams are effective in reducing
the magnitudes of the moments in the two walls. Because of relatively large lever arm ɑ, a relatively
small axial stress could induce a large moment of resistance for a coupled wall, which is considered as
an advantage of this structural system.
An appropriate numerical model (F or R) can be identified by calculating the ratio of the bending
moment resisted by the axial forces (T×ɑ) and the total overturning moment (M1+M2+T×ɑ). When the
ratio Ta/(M1+M2 +T×ɑ) is greater than 2/3 the wall can be idealized as Model R, otherwise Model F can
be used.

Fig. C13– A coupled structural wall under lateral loading: internal forces (Stafford Smith
and Coul, 1991) (new drawing).

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a) Model R b) Model F
Fig. C14 – Coupled structural walls: a) rigid coupling beams (model R) and b) flexible
coupling beams (model F). (Source: CSA A23.3-04 Explanatory notes) (new drawing)
A coupled structural wall shall be designed for the effects of combined shear force, axial load, and
bending moments in the connected walls. In case of Model R, an equivalent frame model can be used to
analyse the coupled wall and obtain realistic internal forces in the walls and coupling beams (Fig. C15).
The wall is represented by an equivalent wide column aligned along the centroidal axis. The “plane
sections” assumption may be incorporated through stiff arms located at the connecting beam levels,
which span between the wide column centerline and the external fibers. In model F the connecting
flexible beams may be represented as line elements with the corresponding flexural, axial, and shear
stiffness properties (Stafford Smith and Coul, 1991). Coupling beams need to be designed for the
bending moments and shear forces obtained from the analysis.

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Fig. C15 – Equivalent frame model for a coupled structural wall with rigid beams (Model
R): a) actual wall, and b) numerical model (Stafford Smith and Coul, 1991) (Source: CSA
A23.3-04 Explanatory notes) (new drawing).
Axial forces in the walls adjacent to the coupling beams are determined considering the effect of gravity
loading and shear forces at the coupling beam ends (see Fig. C16). The coupling beams will cause
either tension or compression in the adjacent walls. The following load combinations may be used to
determine axial forces in the walls:
a) Coupling beam end shears cause tension in the wall: 1.2Vi – 0.8PDL
b) Coupling beam end shears cause compression in the wall: 1.2Vi + 1.2PDL+ 1.2PIL

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Fig. C16 – Factored loads for determining internal forces in coupled structural walls
(Source: CSA A23.3-04 Explanatory notes) (new drawing)
The above discussion is related to the elastic analysis of coupled structural walls. Capacity Design
approach can be applied to determine the ultimate capacity of a coupled wall by considering different
failure mechanisms, e.g. plastic hinging at the beam ends and/or the base of the wall. This approach has
been explained through examples by SEAOC (1999).

10.5.2 – Coupling beams C10.5.2.1 –

10.5.2.1 – The coupling beams connecting structural walls
may be subjected to high shear stresses induced
A coupling beam with the ratio of clear span by earthquake effects. It is desirable that these
Ls and overall depth D (Ls/D) of 4.0 or higher beams act as fuses and dissipate earthquake
shall be designed as a beam of a special energy. In many cases, due to geometry
moment resisting frame according to Section constraints coupling beams are deep relative to
6, with the wall boundary element being their clear span. Behaviour of deep coupling
treated as a column. beams may be controlled by shear, and these
Special diagonal reinforcement is required for beams may be susceptible to strength and
coupling beams with Ls/D ratio of less than stiffness deterioration under earthquake loading.
2.0 and earthquake induced shear stress  ve
Most international codes prescribe use of
diagonal reinforcement in deep coupling beams
in coupling beam which exceeds the subjected to high shear stresses. Several

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following value experimental studies on coupled structural walls

showed that diagonal reinforcement provides
L 
 ve  0.1 f ck  s , adequate resistance in deep coupling beams
D (Barney et al. 1980). The experiments also
showed that diagonal reinforcement is effective
where Ls is clear span of coupling beam and only if the bars are placed with a large inclination,
D overall depth,. Shear stress  ve is to be hence diagonal reinforcement is restricted to
determined based on the factored shear coupling beams with Ls/D ratio of less than 4.0.
force at the end of a coupling beam Vu and Diagonal bars should be placed approximately
its cross-section with the width tw and depth symmetrically in the beam cross-section, in two
D (Fig. 16). or more layers. The diagonally placed bars are
In such a case, the entire earthquake- intended to provide the entire shear and
induced shear, bending moment, and axial corresponding moment resistance of the beam.
compression shall be resisted by two Note that longitudinal bars are also going to
intersecting groups of diagonally placed bars contribute to the moment resistance and should be
symmetrical about the midspan. diagonal considered in the design.
reinforcement alone The reinforcement shall The design of a diagonally reinforced coupling
be designed and detailed as follows: Further, beam is based on the assumption that the shear
a)The required area of this diagonal force resolves itself into diagonal compression
reinforcement along each diagonal shall be and tension forces (Fig. C17).
estimated as follows:
Vu
Asd  ,
1.74 f y sin 
Where, Vu is factored shear force on the
coupling beam and ⍺ is the angle made by
between the diagonal reinforcement and with
the horizontal axis.
b)The diagonal reinforcement (area Asd) shall
comprise of at least 4 bars placed in two
reinforcement curtains. The bar size shall not
be less than 12 of 8 mm diameter shall be
provided along each diagonal. All longitudinal
bars along each diagonal shall be enclosed
by special c Confinementing in a coupling
beam shall be achieved by one of the
following alternative arrangements shown in Fig. C17 – Diagonally reinforced coupling
Fig. 16: beam (revised drawing content shown in red)
i) tDiagonal reinforcement bars shall be Since
enclosed by special transverse confining
reinforcement (links) within the length Ls. Vu  2 Tu sin 
The requirement contained inas per 7.6
shall be followed regarding the amount and
and spacing of the confining Tu  0.87 f y Asd
reinforcement. The transverse
reinforcement shall have spacing it follows that the area of reinforcement per
measured parallel to the diagonal bars,at diagonal is
a spacing not exceeding 100 mm.
Vu
or Asd 
ii) The vertical transverse reinforcement
1.74 f y sin 
shall be provided over the entire beam Design bending moment corresponding to the
length. Longitudinal spacing of diagonal reinforcement is:
transverse reinforcement shall be as per
6. Horizontal beam reinforcement shall 2M u Vu Ls

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be provided in two curtains with the hence

minimum reinforcement ratio of 0.0025.
Vu Ls
The entire coupling beam section shall Mu   Tu Ls sin 
be confined, and there is no need for 2
confinement of diagonal reinforcement.
Two alternative confinement arrangements are
For the purpose of calculating area Ak for proposed (10.5.2.1). The arrangement i) is
diagonal reinforcement in Ash equation currently included in 10.5.2 (with some
(7.6.1), concrete cover shall be assumed on modifications), while the arrangement ii) is new –
all four sides of each group of diagonal bars. and it has been adopted from ACI 318-14
c) The positive/negative bending Cl.18.10.7. The latter arrangement is expected to
moment at the ends of coupling be easier to implement in practice than
beams is as follows arrangement i).

M u  Vu  Ls 2

i) Confinement of individual diagonals

ii) Confinement of the entire beam section (new drawing)

FIG. 16 COUPLING BEAMS WITH DIAGONAL REINFORCEMENT (source: ACI 318-14
Fig. R18.10.7)

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10.5.2.2-
Design of coupling beams with Ls/D ratio
ranging from 2.0 to 4.0 shall be performed
a) by considering a diagonal reinforcement
arrangement according to 10.5.2.1, or
b) by treating the coupling beam as a beam
of a SMRF according to 6, with boundary
elements treated as columns (Only for
coupling beam design purposes).

10.5.3 – C10.5.3 –
The diagonal and longitudinal reinforcement The current provision is excessively stringent and
of a coupling beam shall be anchored into difficult to implement in practice. International
the adjacent walls with an anchorage length codes require smaller anchorage lengths (e.g.
of 1.5 1.25 times the development length in CSA A23.3-14 Cl.21.5.8.2.5) or do not specify
tension Ld (see Fig. 16). anchorage length for diagonal reinforcement –
implicitly recommending standard development
length for bars in tension (ACI 318-19
Cl.18.10.7.4).

10.6 – Openings in Walls

10.6.1 – C10.6.1 –
Shear strength of a wall with openings An opening in a structural wall causes high shear
should be checked at critical horizontal stresses in the region of the wall adjacent to it.
planes passing through openings. Hence, it is necessary to check such regions for
adequacy of horizontal shear reinforcement in
order to prevent a diagonal tension failure due to
shear.

10.6.2 –
Additional steel reinforcement shall be
provided along all four edges of openings in
walls. Further,
a) the area of these vertical and
horizontal steel should be equal to
that of the respective interrupted bars,
provided half on either side of the wall
in each direction.
b) these vertical bars should extend for
full height of the storey in which this
opening is present.
c) the horizontal bars should be
provided with development length in
tension beyond the edge of the
opening.

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10.7 – Sliding friction C10.7– Sliding friction resistance

resistance check at check at construction joints
construction joints This provision is based on the shear-friction
Vertical reinforcement across a horizontal concept which is applicable along the interfaces,
such as construction joints, where shear stress is
construction joint shall have area, Ast given
resisted by longitudinal reinforcement. In the
by:
context of special structural walls it is particularly
Ast 1   v Pu  important to check sliding shear resistance at the
    wall-to-foundation interface.
Ag 0.87 f y   Ag  The design shear force at the joint must be less
than the shear force that can safely be transferred
where v is factored shear stress at the joint,
across the joint, Vj. This is calculated by applying
Pu is axial force due to unfactored dead load the shear friction concept and is given by
(positive for compression), and Ag is gross
cross-sectional area of wall at the joint V j    Pu  0.87 f y Ast 
location, and  is the coefficient of friction.
It is proposed to ignore the contribution of axial
The coefficient of friction, , value shall be load (Pu = 0), which is conservative and in line
determined as follows: with the ACI 318-14 provisions.
a) 0.6 for concrete placed against hardened The shear strength at the construction joint is
concrete that is clean, free of laitance, and
not intentionally roughened, or Vj
v 
b) 1.0 for concrete placed against hardened Ag
concrete that is clean, free of laitance, and
intentionally roughened to a full amplitude of
approximately 6 mm.

10.8 – Development, Splice C10.8– Development, Splice and

and Anchorage Requirement Anchorage Requirement

10.8.1 – Anchorage of horizontal C10.8.1 –

reinforcement Anchorage of horizontal reinforcement is
Horizontal reinforcement shall be anchored currently addressed in 10.1.7. but it is considered
near the edges of wall or in confined core of more appropriate to discuss it in clause 10.8.1.
boundary elements. The proposed provision is illustrated in Fig. C18,
and is in line with anchorage requirements of
Horizontal reinforcement shall be anchored international codes (CSA A23.3-14 Cl.21.5.5.2
at wall ends with a U-bar provided around and ACI 318-14 Cl.18.10.6.4h).
concentrated vertical bars. Horizontal lap
splices shall be placed away from the end of
the wall by the minimum five times wall
thickness (5tw).
In plastic hinge regions of special structural
walls the horizontal reinforcement shall be
anchored with straight bar embedment, hook,
or mechanical anchorage to develop yield
strength fy within the confined core of the
Fig. C18 – Anchorage of horizontal
boundary element.
reinforcement (source: CSA A23.3-14
Where the boundary element has sufficient Cl.21.5.5.2) (new drawing)
length to develop the horizontal web
reinforcement, it shall be permitted to

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terminate the horizontal web reinforcement

with a standard hook.

10.8.2 – Splicing of vertical C10.8.2 –

reinforcement The current clause (part a) suggests that splicing
In slender walls (H/ Lw> 2), splicing of vertical of vertical reinforcement should be avoided
flexural reinforcement should be avoided, as within a plastic hinge region, however that is
far as possible, in regions where flexural rarely possible. The proposed provision allows for
yielding may take place, which extends for a splicing of 50% reinforcement within the plastic
distance larger of hinge region, which is in line with international
codes (e.g. CSA A23.3-14 Cl.21.5.6.5), however
a) Lw above the base of the wall; and it is also permitted to splice 100% vertical
b) 1/6th of the wall height; reinforcement under certain conditions.
but not larger than 2Lw. It is proposed to increase lap splice length within
plastic hinge region to 125% of the bar
a) Within In the plastic hinge region of development length in tension. Current Clause
slender flexural walls (H/Lw> 2), not 10.8.3.1 requires lap splice length equal to 100%
more than 50% of splicing of vertical of the development length at all locations. An
flexural reinforcement shall be increased lap splice length is in line with the
spliced at the same location, with the requirements of international codes (e.g. CSA
lap splice length of 1.25Ld. When this
A23.3-14 Cl.21.5.4.1).
is not possible all reinforcing bars
could be spliced at the same The current provision also defines plastic hinge
location, but the splice length should region for detailing purposes. It is proposed to
be increased to 1.50Ld. include a separate clause where the length of
plastic hinge region is defined (Clause 10.1.11).
b) Outside the plastic hinge region it is
allowed to splice 100% of vertical Part b) is related to splicing of vertical
wall reinforcement at the same reinforcement outside the plastic hinge length,
location, with the splice length equal where the requirements are less stringent and
to Ld. splice length is less than within plastic hinge
zone.

10.8.3 – Splices and cross-ties for C10.8.3. –

vertical reinforcement Current provision addresses both lap splices and
closed links over the spliced length. It is proposed
to separate clauses related to lap splices and
cross-ties in vertical reinforcement within 10.8.2.

10.8.3.1 – Lap splices

Distributed vertical reinforcement in the wall
within a plastic hinge region shall be
confined with cross-ties of minimum 8 mm
diameter at maximum 150 mm spacing.
Confinement of distributed vertical
reinforcement outside the plastic hinge
region of a special structural wall is optional.
When adopted, closed links shall be
provided over the entire length over which
the longitudinal bars are spliced. Further,
a) the spacing of these links shall not

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exceed 150 mm.

b) the lap length shall not be less than the
development length of the largest
longitudinal reinforcement bar in tension.
c) lap splices shall be provided only in the
central half of clear wall height, and not,
1) within a joint; or
2) within a distance of 2d from a location
where yielding of reinforcement is likely to
take place.
d) not more than 50 percent of area of steel
bars shall be spliced at any one section.

10.8.3.2 −
Mechanical couplers (conforming to IS
16172) may shall be used, provided they are.
Further, only those mechanical splices
conforming to the above standard and
capable of developing the specified tensile
strength of spliced bars shall be permitted at
centre of clear wall height between the floors.
within a distance equal to two times the
depth of the member from the beam-column
joint or in any location where yielding of
reinforcement is likely to take place.

10.8.3.3 – Welded splices C10.8.3.3–

Welded reinforcement splices are not It is proposed to avoid welded splices in Special
permitted in special structural walls. avoided structural walls (10.8.3.3). The provision which
as far as possible. In no case shall they be permitted welded splices was first introduced in
used for a distance equal to two times the the 2016 revision of IS 13920. International
depth of the member from the member face codes (e.g. ACI 318-14) permit the use of welded
or in any location where yielding of splices in RC structural members, but the
reinforcement is likely to take place. At any provisions are more detailed than the current IS
location, not more than 50 percent of area of 13920, and specify minimum size of
steel bars shall be spliced at any one section. reinforcement for welded splices (19 mm
diameter) and steel tensile strength, among others.
Welding of links, ties, inserts or other similar
Unless more specific provisions are included in IS
elements to vertical reinforcement bars
13920 it is recommended to avoid welded splices
required as per design is not permitted, in
due to possibility of a brittle failure at the splice
any seismic zone.
location.

10.8.4 – C10.8.4 –
In buildings located in Seismic Zones II and It is proposed to remove this clause.
III, closed loop transverse links shall be
provided around lapped spliced bars larger
than 16 mm in diameter. The minimum
diameter of such links shall be 1/4th of
diameter of spliced bar but not less than 8
mm at spacing not exceeding 150 mm
centres.

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10.9 Additional requirements for C10.9 –

squat structural walls6 Squat structural walls may not be able to develop
The requirements of this clause apply to a ductile flexural failure mechanism like flexural
squat structural walls with hw/Lw of less than structural walls, hence additional design rules are
2.0. Unless otherwise noted, other required for these walls. Comprehensive
requirements of 10 are applicable to design provisions for design of squat structural walls
of squat structural walls. have been provided in some international codes,
e.g. Canadian code CSA A23.3-14 Cl.21.5.10.

10.9.1 Minimum amount of C10.9.1 –

distributed reinforcement Distributed reinforcement in squat walls has a
Horizontal and vertical distributed significant role in controlling the width of
reinforcement shall be provided in such a diagonal cracks, hence two curtains of
manner that the reinforcement ratio is not reinforcement are needed to control diagonal
less than 0.0030 (based on gross cross- cracking.
sectional area) in each direction.
It is required to provide two curtains of
distributed reinforcement.

10.9.2 Longitudinal reinforcement

for resisting overturning moment
The vertical tension force required to resist
overturning may be provided by a
combination of concentrated and distributed
reinforcement. The approach for calculating
moment resistance may be the same as for
flexural walls prescribed in 10.3.1.

10.9.3 Distributed reinforcement C10.9.3 –

for shear resistance When hw/Lw < 1.0 the shear force is resisted by
The required amount of distributed horizontal diagonal compression stresses that are relatively
reinforcement for shear resistance, h, shall uniform across the base of the wall. The required
be determined as follows: vertical reinforcement determined in 10.9.3 is
needed to balance the vertical component of
v compression.
h 
0.87s f y

Where shear stress v is determined from

10.2.1 corresponding to the factored shear
force Vu.
The amount of distributed vertical
reinforcement required to resist shear shall
be determined as a function of the ratio of
distributed horizontal reinforcement as
follows

6
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Pu
v   h 
0.87 f y Ag
where Ag is gross cross-sectional wall area
(corresponding to the thickness tw and length
Lw).
When hw/Lw < 1.0 the distributed vertical
reinforcement determined for shear
resistance shall be in addition to the
distributed vertical reinforcement that
contributes to resisting the overturning
moment (see 10.9.2).

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11 – Intermediate C11 – Intermediate

Structural Walls7 Structural Walls (ISW)
Implementation of ductile detailing provisions
requires substantially higher effort in design,
construction and quality control. Intermediate
Structural Walls (ISW) have somewhat lower
ductility requirements and are assigned a lower R
value (corresponding to higher seismic design
force) than special structural walls.

11.1 – Distributed and C11.1 –

Concentrated Reinforcement Requirements regarding the minimum distributed
Distributed horizontal and vertical reinforcement are the same as for special
reinforcement shall be provided according structural walls.
to 10.1.6, 10.1.7, 10.1.8, and 10.1.9. A boundary element is not required, but there is a
Concentrated reinforcement in the form of need to provide confined concentrated
minimum four vertical reinforcing bars with 12 reinforcement at the wall ends.
mm diameter (or larger) shall be provided at
each end of the wall. The depth of a
concentrated reinforcement region shall not
be less than 2 times the wall thickness and
its width shall be equal to the wall thickness.
The reinforcement shall be confined by
means of 8 mm diameter (or larger)
transverse links at the maximum spacing of
200 mm.

11.2 – Design for shear force C11.2 –

Nominal shear stress V in a wall shall be Shear design requirements are more relaxed than
for the special structural walls (Clause 10.2).
estimated as;

Vu
v  ,
tw d w
where Vu is the factored shear force, tw is the
web thickness, and dw is effective depth of
the wall section (along the length of the wall),
which may be taken as 0.8 Lw for rectangular
sections.

Design shear strength of concrete c shall

be calculated as per Table 19 of IS 456.
Reinforcement within 0.4 Lw portion of wall
length shall be considered as tension
reinforcement for the  c calculation, unless
depth of neutral axis is calculated by strain

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compatibility.

11.3 – Design for axial load and C11.3 –

bending Design requirements for axial load and bending
Design moment of resistance Mu of the wall are more relaxed than for the special structural
section subjected to combined bending walls (Clause 10.3).
moment and compressive axial load shall be
estimated in accordance with the
requirements of Limit States Design method
given in IS 456. The moment of resistance of
a rectangular structural wall section with
uniformly distributed vertical reinforcement
may be estimated using expressions given in
Annex A.

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1112 –Gravity-load C12.1 –

resisting frames, walls, One of the most common causes of building
collapses during earthquakes is failure of one or
and flat slabsColumns in more components which are not considered to be
part of the lateral force resisting system, such as
Buildings gravity load-resisting frames. These frames are
12.1 – Applied loads particularly common in buildings with RC
structural walls, where structural walls constitute
Gravity-load resisting structural members the main lateral force resisting system (see Fig.
shall be designed and detailed according to C19).
for bending moments and shear forces
It is very important to consider structural
induced when the structure is subjected to
members (frames, walls) that are not a part of the
‘R/I’ times the design lateral displacement Δu.
lateral force resisting system in a numerical
Internal forces in the members should be model of the structure which is used for seismic
obtained either from the unfactored analysis. This can be accomplished by providing
equivalent static analysis design seismic horizontal axially rigid links with hinges (moment
loads or unfactored dynamic analysis without releases) at the ends to connect these members
scaling given by IS 1893 (Part 1). with the lateral force resisting system. Refer to
Stafford Smith and Coull (1991) for more
information on numerical modelling of buildings
using rigid links.
The members that are not a part of the lateral
force resisting system need not be designed for
increased forces, but the design must ensure that
these members either remain elastic or yield in
bending. These members should be detailed to
ensure adequate shear and flexural resistances, as
well as ductility.

Fig. C19 – Plan of a building with structural

walls and gravity-load resisting frame (new
drawing)
Seismically-induced bending moments in the
columns and beams of gravity-load resisting
frames can be obtained by multiplying the applied
seismic forces for the entire structure obtained
from IS 1893 (Part 1) by ‘R/I’ value taken for the
seismic force resisting system. This effectively
means that the structure is subjected to “elastic”
seismic forces corresponding to R=1 and I=1.
An increase in the seismic forces results in a
multifold increase of the design lateral
displacements (‘R/I’ times), as stated in Clause
12. The resulting internal forces in the beams and
columns of the gravity-load resisting frame
obtained in this manner shall be used to check

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seismic safety of a gravity-load resisting frame.

According to 7.11.2 of IS 1893 : 2016 (Part 1), it
is required to consider displacement under
unfactored loads while evaluating deformation
compatibility of non-seismic members.

12.2 11.2 – Gravity-Load Resisting

Frames
The gravity-load resisting frame members are
deemed to be safe provisions in 11.1.1 and
11.1.2 shall be satisfied, when induced
bending moments and horizontal shear
forces under the said lateral displacement as
per 12.1, combined with factored gravity
bending moment and shear force do not
exceed the design moment of resistance and
design lateral shear capacity of the columns
and beams.

112.31.1 – Seismic design of C12.3 –

columns in gravity-load Detailing requirements for the columns that are
resisting frames part of the lateral force resisting system assume
Gravity columns shall satisfy 7.3.2, 7.4.1 and that the members may undergo deformations that
exceed the yield limit of the member without a
7.4.2. But, spacing of links along the full
significant loss of strength. On the other hand, the
column height shall not exceed 6 times
columns that are not part of the lateral force
diameter of smallest longitudinal bar or 150
resisting system are not required to meet stringent
mm.
detailing requirements; however, these columns
The seismic demand requirements for should be able to sustain the gravity loads even
columns that are part of gravity-load resisting when subjected to earthquake-induced lateral
frames depend on the inelastic flexural displacements.
deformation demand on the member. When Factored bending moments in columns of gravity-
seismic demands on the gravity-load resisting load resisting frames due to applied forces per
frame are calculated using a linear elastic 12.1 may be very high due to uncertainty in
analysis, the design requirements depend on displacement demands. The actual resistance of
how much induced bending moment due to the column may be larger than estimated
the seismic deformation demands from according to the code provisions, but the
applied loads per 12.1 exceeds the moment displacement demands may also be larger due to
of resistance Mu. The columns shall meet the the variability of earthquake ground motions. This
specified detailing requirements, which variability must be taken into account when
depend on the magnitude of induced bending designing potentially brittle members that may
moment and axial compression stress, as cause structural collapse.
follows:
The proposed limits on the calculated induced
bending moments are based on CSA A23.3-14
Cl.21.11.3.3.3, which has drawn information from
experimental studies, as well as guidelines and
codes for seismic evaluation of existing buildings.

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Column detailing
requirements
Induced bending
moment depending on
the level of factored
axial compressive
stress due to factored
load combinations
including seismic
loads
≤0.16fck ≥0.32fck
<1.5Mu <1.0Mu IS 456 column
detailing
requirements
≥1.5Mu ≥1.0Mu but Columns of
but <2.0Mu Intermediate
<3.0Mu moment resisting
frames (IMRFs)
(9.2.2 and 9.2.3)
≥3.0Mu ≥2.0Mu but Columns of
but <3.0Mu special moment
<5.0Mu resisting frames
(SMRFs) (7.3,
7.4, and 7.6)
Note: Linear interpolation shall be used for
intermediate levels of axial compression.
Columns in gravity load-resisting frames
which are part of an IMRF or SMRF
system shall also be designed for shear as
per 9.2.1(b) or 7.5(b).

112.1.2 – This clause should be removed, because its

content is covered by 12.3.
Gravity columns with factored gravity axial
stress exceeding 0.4fck shall satisfy 11.1.1
and shall have transverse reinforcement at
least one half of special confining
reinforcement required by 7.6.

112.42 – Seismic design of C12.4 –

beams in gravity-load See commentary for 12.3.
resisting frames
When induced bending moments and shear
forces under said lateral displacement
combined with factored gravity bending
moment and shear force exceed design
moment and shear strength of the frame,
11.2.1 and 11.2.2 shall be satisfied.
Seismic demand requirements for beams that
are part of gravity-load resisting frames
depend on the inelastic flexural deformation
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demand on the member. When seismic

demands on the gravity-load resisting frame
are calculated using a linear elastic analysis,
the design requirements depend on how
much induced bending moment due to the
seismic deformation demands from applied
loads per 12.1 exceeds the moment of
resistance Mu. The beams shall meet the
specified detailing requirements depending
on the magnitude of induced bending
moment, as follows:
Induced bending Beam detailing
moment requirements

<1.0Mu IS 456 beam

detailing
requirements
≥1.0Mu but Beams of
<3.0Mu Intermediate
moment resisting
frames (IMRFs)
(9.1.4)
≥3.0Mu but Beams of special
<5.0Mu moment resisting
frames (SMRFs)
(6.3.1, 6.3.2 and
6.3.5)
Beams in gravity load-resisting
frames which are part of an IMRF or
SMRF system shall also be designed
for shear as per 6.3.3(b) or 9.1.1(b).

112.2.1 – This clause should be removed.

Mechanical and welded splices shall satisfy

7.3.2.2 and 7.3.2.3.

112.2.2 – This clause should be removed, since its content

is covered by 12.3.
Gravity columns shall satisfy 7.4 and 7.6.

12.5 –
When an induced bending moment due to
seismic deformation demands determined
from linear elastic analysis is greater than
5.0 times the factored moment of
resistance, the design shall be modified
either to reduce the induced bending
moment or increase the moment of
resistance of the member. This provision
applies to columns and beams from 12.3
and 12.4.

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12.6- Seismic design of gravity C12.6 –

load-resisting walls The seismic design requirements for walls that are
The walls shall meet the following detailing part of the gravity-load resisting system depend
requirements, which depend on the on the inelastic flexural deformation demand.
magnitude of induced bending moment and When seismic demands on the walls are
axial compression stress: calculated using a linear elastic analysis, the
design requirements depend on how much
Induced bending Wall detailing induced bending moment due to the seismic
moment depending on requirements deformation demands from applied loads per
the level of factored Clause 12.1 exceeds the moment of resistance Mu.
axial compressive The proposed provision is in line with CSA
stress due to factored A23.3-14 Clause 21.11.3.3.3.
load combinations
including seismic
loads
≤0.16fck ≥0.32fck
<0.7Mu <0.5Mu Bi-axial bending
of wall with single
layer of
reinforcement
≥0.7Mu ≥0.5Mu but Bi-axial bending
but <0.7Mu of wall with
<1.0Mu double layer of
reinforcement
≥1.0Mu ≥0.70Mu In-plane bending
but but of wall with
<1.2Mu <0.80Mu double layer of
reinforcement
and vertical
concentrated
reinforcement as
per 10.4.3 (a)
with transverse
links as that of
column in SMRF.
Linear interpolation shall be used for
intermediate levels of axial compression.

Bending moments in the wall shall be

determined considering its gross cross-
sectional properties.

12.7- Slab-column connections of C12.7-

two-way slab without As drift limitation (0.1%) for flat slabs/plates is
beams (flat slab / flat plate) removed in IS 1893 (Part 1) : 2016, it is
Slab-column connections shall preferably not necessary to check slab-column connections for
require punching shear reinforcement, and drift-induced punching shear. The proposed
that can be achieved when interstorey drift provision is in line with ACI 318-19 Cl. 18.14.5.
ratio is limited as under
(a) Interstorey drift ratio is less than or equal
to 0.001, or
(b) Interstorey drift ratio is less than or equal
to 0.2[0.035  0.05( uv ks c )] .

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Where  uv is factored shear stress at critical

section d/2 from face of support, for seismic
load combination only,

k s c is concrete shear capacity as per

clause 31.6.3 of IS 456 : 2000, and
d = effective depth of slab/drop panel.

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13 - Two-way Slabs C13 -

Contribution of flat slabs/plates for resisting
without Beams (Flat lateral loads can be considered in moderate
Slabs/Flat Plates)8 seismic zones (e.g. Zone III). The proposed
provisions are based on IS 456 : 2000 and ACI
318-14 Cl.18.4.5. Draft Eurocode 8, Part 1-2
(prEN 1998-1-2:2019.2) was also used as a resource.

13.1-
Factored slab moments at the supports
shall be calculated for load combinations
including seismic loads. Reinforcement for
resisting unbalanced moments shall be
placed within the column strip defined per
IS 456 : 2000.

13.2-
Reinforcement placed within the effective
slab width shall be designed to resist α times
unbalanced moment, where α is per clause
31.3.3 of IS 456 : 2000.
Effective slab width shall not extend beyond
the column face by a distance greater than ct
measured perpendicular to the slab span for
exterior and corner connections, and 2ct for
interior connections (see Fig. 17). Note that ct
is distance from the interior face of the
column to the slab edge measured parallel to
c1 - but not exceeding c1, where c1 is
dimension of a rectangular column measured
in the direction of the span for which
moments are being determined.

(A) EDGE CONNECTION (B) CORNER CONNECTION

FIG. 17 EFFECTIVE WIDTH FOR REINFORCEMENT PLACEMENT IN EDGE AND
CORNER CONNECTIONS (source: ACI 318-14 Fig. R18.4.5.1) (new drawing)

8
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13.3-
At least one-half of the reinforcement in the
column strip at the support shall be placed
within the effective slab width given in 13.2.

13.4-
At least one-fourth of the top reinforcement
at the support in the column strip shall be
continuous throughout the span.

13.5-
Continuous bottom reinforcement in the
column strip shall be at least one-third of
the top reinforcement at the support in the
column strip.

13.6- C13.6-
At least one-half of all bottom middle strip Experience has shown that flat slabs/plates may
reinforcement and all bottom column strip be prone to collapse when reinforcement is not
reinforcement at midspan shall be placed continuously through the slab-column
continuous and shall develop full yield joint, as illustrated in Fig. C20. For that reason it
strength in tension (equal to development is critical to ensure continuity of bottom
length Ld) at the face of support. reinforcement in flat plates/slabs.

Fig. C20 – Shear failure of a flat plate showing

the role of continuous reinforcement (Source:
Brzev and Pao, 2016) (new drawing)

13.7-
At discontinuous edges of the slab, all top
and bottom reinforcement at the support
shall develop full yield strength in tension
(equal to development length Ld) at the
face of support.

13.8-
At the critical column sections defined in
clause 31.6.1 of IS 456 : 2000, two-way
shear caused by factored gravity loads
without moment transfer shall not exceed
0.4Vc, where Vc shall be calculated in
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accordance with clause 31.6.3 of IS 456 :

2000. This requirement need not be
satisfied if the slab satisfies12.7.

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14 – Foundations9 C14. – Foundations

Foundations are critical elements of the lateral
Foundations of RC frames and structural load path in a building structure. The foundations
walls designed in accordance with IS need to be designed to remain elastic during
13920 shall be checked for seismic safety earthquake shaking. Also, foundation movements
according to this clause. Other need to be considered when estimating lateral
requirements for foundation design shall be displacements in RC structural walls and frames.
applicable as well, as prescribed by CSA A23.3-14 Cl.21.10 and explanatory notes
pertinent codes and standards. provide a detailed coverage on the foundation
design for earthquake ground shaking. ACI 318-
14 Cl.18.13 also contains provisions related to
foundation design for structures subjected to
earthquake ground shaking.

14.1 – Required foundation C14.1 –

capacity for seismic design It is of critical importance to ensure that the
The foundations shall have an overturning foundations have sufficient capacity to remain
moment of resistance and a factored shear elastic during an earthquake. This can be achieved
resistance of walls/columns and factored by providing a margin of safety for the moment of
sliding shear resistance of footings, not resistance for the foundation design.
less than 125% of the factored moment of Note that IS 16700 : 2017 requires to check
resistance for the wall/column section at overturning and sliding considering overstrength
the base. factor of 2.5 for seismic loads, however it does
not require foundations to be designed
considering the overstrength factor.
ACI 318-19 commentary (clause 18.13.1)
mentions that "requirement of design and
detailing for foundations are of minimum level.
However, because repairs to foundations can be
extremely difficult and expensive, it may be
desirable that the elements of the foundation
remain essentially elastic during strong ground
motions. Methods to achieve this goal include
designing the foundation to include an
overstrength factor or an increased seismic
demand level when compared to the
superstructure, or comparing strengths to
demands predicted by nonlinear response history
analyses with appropriate consideration of
uncertainty in demands.

14.2 – Foundation movements C14.2 –

Increased displacements due to foundation Foundations supporting RC structural wall and
movements shall be accounted for in the frame structures are expected to move under
design of lateral force resisting system and earthquake loading. The resulting lateral
the members of gravity-load resisting displacements due to rotation at the foundation
frame/wall. level may cause a significant increase of overall
lateral displacements in the building. For

9
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 Proposed Modifications & Commentary IS 13920 : 2016

example, foundation-induced displacements in

structural wall structures are due to the foundation
rotations at the base, but they will cause lateral
displacements at the top due to rigid body wall
movements. A detailed guidance regarding the
estimation of foundation movements is provided
in CSA A23.3-14 Cl. 21.10.3.3.
The foundation movements can be calculated
using a static analysis. The footing rotation is
calculated as the difference in vertical
displacements at the ends of the footing, divided
by the overall footing length. The analysis shall
account for the assumed bearing stress
distribution in the soil to resist the applied loads
and the corresponding soil stiffness. The rotation
shall be considered by increasing interstorey
displacements from a fixed-base model at every
floor level by an interstorey drift equal to the
footing rotation (in radians).

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COMMENTARY
CODE
Annex A

Annex A
(Clause 10.3.1)
Moment of resistance of rectangular
shear structural wall section

A-1 (Clause 10.3.1) A-1

The moment of resistance Mu of a slender The procedure for Mu calculation for rectangular
flexural rectangular structural wall section walls with distributed reinforcement was
with uniformly distributed vertical developed by Medhekar and Jain (1993).
reinforcement may be estimated as :
Note that expressions for X*u/Lw and β have been
(a) For xu Lw  xu* Lw revised. Addition of 0.002 in steel strain leads to
β greater than unity indicating that even extreme
Mu  λ  1 x   xu 
2
 β2  most steel bar is not yielding. This was added in
 φ 1   0.416 u      0.168  
2
fck t w Lw  φ  2 Lw   Lw   3  IS 13920 : 2016. It is proposed to be restored to
the IS 13920 : 1993 formulation which is correct.
where
A-2
xu  φ  λ  ;
 
Lw  2φ  0.36  The same approach as presented in A-1 has been
expanded to design structural walls with
x u*  0.0035 ;

boundary elements which contain distributed

Lw  0.0035  0.002  0.87 f y E s  
 vertical reinforcement and concentrated
longitudinal reinforcement in boundary elements.
x *u 0.0035
 Internal forces considered in the design are
Lw  0.87 f y  presented in Fig. CA1.
0.0035   
 Es 

 0.87fy ρ  ;
φ   
 fck 

 Pu ;
λ   
 fck tw Lw 
 = vertical reinforcement ratio = Ast tw Lw 
Ast = area of uniformly distributed vertical
reinforcement,

  (0.002  0.87 f y / Es ) /  0.0035

0.87 f y

0.0035 Es
Es = elastic modulus of steel, and
Pu = factored compressive axial force on wall
(b) For xu* Lw  x Lw  1.0
u

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 Proposed Modifications & Commentary IS 13920 : 2016

2
Mu x  x  λ
2
 α1  u   α 2  u   α 3 
fck t w Lw  Lw   Lw  2

where
  β 1 
α1  0.36  φ1  
  2 2 β 

 φ β2 1  ; and
α 2  0.15  1 β   
 2 3 3β 

φ  1 
α3    3 
6 β  xu Lw  

xu Lw to be used in this expression, shall be

obtained by solving the equation:
2
x  x 
α 1  u   α 4  u   α 5  0 ;
 Lw   Lw 
where
φ 
α 4    λ  , and
β 
 φ .
α 5   
 2β 
A-29 (Clause 10.4.2)
The moment of resistance Mu of a
rectangular wall section with distributed
vertical reinforcement within the wall web
(area Ast ) and concentrated reinforcement
(area As ) in boundary elements (cross-
section tw  a ) can be estimated based on
the following procedure. The procedure is
applicable for flexural tension failure (
xu Lw  xu* Lw ).

First, the depth of neutral axis is to be

determined as follows:
xu  φ  λ 
 
Lw  2 φ  0.36 

where
 0.87fy ρw 
φ 
 fck 

 Pu 
λ   
 fck tw Lw 

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 Proposed Modifications & Commentary IS 13920 : 2016

0.87 f y

0.0035 Es
Note that reinforcement ratio for distributed
vertical reinforcement Astw within the wall web
is
w  Ast 
tw ( Lw  2a) 


Internal forces in steel and concrete are as

follows
T1  C2  0.435 f y  tw   w    xu

T2  0.87 f y  tw  w  Lw  a  xu (1   )

C1  0.87 f y  tw  w  xu (1   )  a

Cc  0.36 fck  tw  xu

T3  C3  0.87 f y  As (assuming that steel

yields both in tension and compression)
Next, the moment of resistance Mu can be
determined by summing the moments of
internal forces about the bottom fibre, as
follows:
M u  Cc  dCc  C1  dC1  C2  dC 2  C3  dC 3  T1  dT 1  T2  dT 2  Pu  d Pu

where
dCc  Lw  0.416 xu

dC1  Lw  0.5 xu (1   )  a

dC 2  Lw  xu (1  2 3)

dC 3  Lw  a

dT 1  Lw  xu (1  2 3)

dT 2  0.5 Lw  a  xu (1   )

d Pu  0.5Lw

Note that steel resultant forces in boundary

elements (T3 and C3) form a couple moment
(at a lever arm dC 3  Lw  a ), hence only one
of these forces (C3) appears in the equation
for moment of resistance Mu.

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 Proposed Modifications & Commentary IS 13920 : 2016

Fig. CA1 – Rectangular wall section with boundary elements (new drawing based on
Medhekar and Jain, 1993)

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 Proposed Modifications & Commentary IS 13920 : 2016

COMMENTARY REFERENCES
1. ACI 318-14 and ACI 318-19, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and
Commentary, issued by the American Concrete Institute.
2. ACI 352, Recommendations for Design of Beam-Column Joints in Monolithic Reinforced
Concrete Structures, American Concrete Institute, 1989 and 2002.
3. Adebar,P., Mutrie,J., and DeVall,R., Ductility of concrete walls: the Canadian Seismic Design
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4. Agarwal, V., Seismic Response of Gravity Columns in Buildings with Shear Walls, Master of
Technology Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur,
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5. Ayub,T., Shafiq,N. and Nuruddin,M.F., Stress-Strain Response of High Strength Concrete
and Application of the Existing Models, Research Journal of Applied Sciences, Engineering
and Technology, 8(10):1174-1190, 2014.
6. Barney, G. B., Shiu, K. N., Rabbat, B. G., Fiorato, A.E., Russell, H. G., and Corley, W. G.,
Behavior of Coupling Beams under Load Reversals, RD068.01B, Portland Cement
Association, Skokie, IL, USA, 1980.
7. Brzev, S. and Pao, J., Reinforced Concrete Design: A Practical Approach, Third Edition,
Pearson Custom Publishing, Boston, MA, 2016.
8. Caldarone, M. A., High-strength Concrete: a Practical Guide, Taylor & Francis, New York,
NY, 2009.
9. CSA A23.3-14, Design of Concrete Structures and Explanatory Notes, issued by the
Canadian Standards Association, Mississauga, ON, Canada, 2014.
10. Englekirk, R.E., Seismic Design of Reinforced and Precast Concrete Buildings, John Wiley &
Sons, Inc., USA, 2003.
11. EN 1998-1: 2005 (E), Eurocode 8: Design of structures for earthquake resistance — Part 1:
General rules, seismic actions and rules for buildings, issued by European Committee for
Standardization, Brussels, Belgium, Edition 2005-06-01.
12. Fardis,M.N., Carvalho,E.C., Fajfar,P., and Pecker,A., Seismic Design of Concrete Buildings
to Eurocode 8, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, USA, 2015.
13. Guidelines for the Use of Structural Precast Concrete Buildings, Center for Advanced
Engineering, University of Canterbury Christchurch, New Zealand, 1999.
14. JGJ 149-2017, Technical Specification for Concrete Structures with Specially Shaped
Columns, National Standard of the People’s Republic of China, PR China.
15. Kappos,A.J., Influence of Capacity Design Method on the Seismic Response of R/C Columns,
Journal of Earthquake Engineering, 1(2):341-399, 1997.
16. Medhekar, M.S., and Jain, S.K., Proposed Minimum Reinforcement Requirements for Flexural
Members, The Bridge and Structural Engineer, ING-IABSE, 23(2): 77-88, 1993.
17. Medhekar, M.S., and Jain, S.K., Seismic Behaviour, Design, and Detailing of RC Shear Walls,
Part I: Behaviour and Strength, The Indian Concrete Journal, 67(7): 311-318, 1993.
18. Medhekar, M.S., and Jain, S.K., Seismic Behaviour, Design, and Detailing of RC Shear Walls,
Part II: Design and Detailing, The Indian Concrete Journal, 67(8): 451-457, 1993.
19. Medhekar, M.S., Jain, S.K., and Arya, A.S., Proposed Draft for IS:4326 on Ductile Detailing of
Reinforced Concrete Structures, Bulletin of the Indian Society of Earthquake Technology, 29
(3):15–35, 1992.
20. Moehle, J., Seismic Design of Reinforced Concrete Buildings, McGraw-Hill Education, New
York, USA, 2015.
21. Murty,C.V.R., Rai,D.C., Bajpai,K.K., and Jain,S.K., Effectiveness of reinforcement details in
exterior reinforced concrete beam-column joints for earthquake resistance, ACI Structural
Journal, 100 (2):149-156, 2003.
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22. NZS 3101.1: 2006, Concrete Structures Standard, including Amendments 1, 2, and 3, issued
by Standards Council, New Zealand.
23. Park, R., Precast Concrete in Seismic Resisting Buildings in New Zealand, Concrete
International, American Concrete Institute, 12(11):43-51, 1990.
24. Paulay, T.. and Priestley, M.J.N., Seismic Design of Concrete and Masonry Buildings, John
Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, USA, 744 pp, 1993.
25. Paulay, T., and Priestley, M.J.N., Stability of Ductile Structural Walls, ACI Structural Journal,
90(4): 385-392, 1993.
26. PCI Design Handbook for Precast and Prestressed Concrete, Precast and Prestressed
Concrete Institute, Chicago, 1999.
27. Rad,B.R. and Adebar,P., Seismic Design of High-Rise Concrete Walls: Reverse Shear due to
Diaphragms Below Flexural Hinge, Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, 135(8): 916-924,
2009.
28. SEAOC, Seismic Design Manual, Volume 3, Structural Engineers Association of California,
Sacramento, CA, USA, 1999.
29. Sheth, A., Use of Intermediate RC Moment Frames in Moderate Seismic Zones, The Indian
Concrete Journal, 77(11):1431-1435, 2003.
30. Stafford Smith, B. and Coul, A., Tall Building Structures: Analysis and Design, John
Wiley&Sons, New York, Inc., USA, 1991.

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