CE 42-CE3A Midterm Examination 5 April 2021

Name and Section:

Direction: Solve all the problems below. Show your detailed solution. No detailed solution, no
credit. Write each new problem in a new sheet of paper. Submit online your detailed solution in pdf
format using the filename format as SURNAME-NAME-CE42-Midterm-Exam-20210405. Upload
your detailed solution on or before 2:00pm, 5 April 2021. A deduction of 2 points for every minute
late submission will be imposed.

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you do to make it appear that someone else’s work is your own or allowing someone else to copy
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exam or homework assignment, etc.” Also, I consider cheating if you ask questions or collaborate
(either analog, digital, or any means of communication) to your classmate(s) and other(s) during
examination time.

Investigation of Rectangular Beam Section

1. [15 points] A rectangular reinforced concrete cantilever beam section has dimensions of b = 250
mm and h = 400 mm. Assuming a clear cover of 65 mm, thus the distance from extreme
compression fiber to centroid of longitudinal tension reinforcement d is 335 mm. It is reinforced
at the support with 3-28 mm diameter top bars in one row. Investigate the section using
material strengths of fc0 = 21 MPa, fy = 420 MPa, and Es = 200, 000 MPa, and the NSCP
Code 2015.
(a) [3 points] Draw the beam section, strain and stress diagram of the beam section with
proper labels.
(b) [3 points] Find the neutral axis location.
(c) [3 points] Check if the tension reinforcement yields (fs = fy ), if not, use fs = Es . Use
both methods, i.e. (i) ratio c/dt ≤ 0.375 and (ii) s ≥ y .
(d) [3 points] Calculate the design nominal strength, φMn , of the section.
(e) [3 points] Using the result of item (d), compute the maximum uniform dead load, wD ,
and maximum uniform live load, wL (applied to the whole beam) that a 4-m cantilever
beam can carry. Assume that w wL = 5.
D

Solution:

(a) Strain and stress diagram.

CE 42-CE3A Midterm Exam, Page 2 of 12 5 April 2021

(b) Neutral axis location, c

Assuming s ≥ y , thus fs = fy ,

C = 0.85fc0 ba = 0.85(21)(250)a = 4, 462.5a

π
T = As fy = 3 × (28)2 (420) = 1, 847.256(420) = 775, 847.72 N
4
C=T
775, 847.72
a= = 173.86 mm
4, 462.5
β1 = 0.85
a 173.86
c= = = 204.54 mm
β1 0.85

(c) Check if s ≥ y .

Note that d = dt = 335 mm.

c 204.54
= = 0.611 > 0.375
dt 335
d−c 335 − 204.54 fy 420
s = cu = (0.003) = 0.00191 < y = = = 0.0021
c 204.54 Es 200, 000

Both methods, showed that the section is compression-controlled. Thus, the assumption
in item (b) is incorrect, i.e. fs 6= fy . Let fs = Es s .

C = 0.85fc0 ba = 0.85(21)(250)a = 4, 462.5a

π
T = As fs = 3 × (28)2 (Es s ) = 1, 847.256Es s
4
d−c d−c
where a = β1 c = 0.85c and s = c cu = c 0.003.

C=T
4, 462.5a = 1, 847.256Es s
 
d−c
4, 462.5(0.85c) = 1, 847.256(200, 000) 0.003
c
0 = 3, 793.13c2 + 1, 108, 353.89c − 371, 298, 552.54
c = 199.20 mm

Then,
   
d−c 335 − 199.20
s = cu = 0.003 = 0.002045.
c 199.20

(d) Compute φMn .

CE 42-CE3A Midterm Exam, Page 3 of 12 5 April 2021

Since s = 0.002045 ≈ 0.002, the value of φ = 0.65.

 a
Mn = T d −
2 
0.85(199.20)
= As Es s 335 − = 755, 591.70 × 250.34
2
= 189, 154, 724.99 N·mm
φMn = 0.65(189, 154, 724.99) × 10−6 = 122.95 kN·m

(e) Compute the maximum uniform dead and live loads the beam can carry.

The maximum moment occurs at the support and equal to

L2
M = wu × L × L/2 = wu
2
L2
MD = w D and
2
L2
M L = wL
2
wD
Using load factors from NSCP Code and wL =5

L2 L2
Mu = 1.2MD + 1.6ML = 1.2wD + 1.6wL
2 2
Mu
2 = 1.2(5)wL + 1.6wL
L2  
2 Mu 2 122.95
wL = = = 2.02 kN/m
7.6 L2 7.6 42
wD = 5wL = 10.11 kN/m

Analysis of T-Beam Section

2. [20 points] The interior beam shown in the figure is a T-beam with span-to-span distance of
3.0 m. Use fc0 = 21 MPa, fy = 420 MPa and Es = 200, 000 MPa.

(a) [4 points] Draw the beam section, strain and stress diagram of the beam section with
proper labels.
CE 42-CE3A Midterm Exam, Page 4 of 12 5 April 2021

(b) [4 points] Determine the effective width of the midspan cross section assuming a T-section
using NSCP Code Section 406.3.2.
(c) [4 points] Find the neutral axis location.
(d) [4 points] Check if the tension reinforcement yields (fs = fy ), if not, use fs = Es . Use
both methods, i.e. (i) ratio c/dt ≤ 0.375 and (ii) s ≥ y .
(e) [4 points] Calculate the design moment strength, φMn , of the section. and compare to
Mu .

Design of One-way Slab

3. [25 points] In preparing the final design of buildings, the design of slab must first be finalized in
order that the final loading is determined for the design of beams then columns. In the absence
of any structural analysis softwares or as an alternate to frame analysis, NSCP Code Section
406.5 allows the designer to use an approximate method for the determination of moments and
shears for the design of continuous one-way slabs. The method can only be used if the following
conditions enumerated in NSCP Code Section 406.5.1 are satisfied, i.e. (a) There are two or
more spans, (b) Spans are approximately equal, (c) Loads are uniformly loaded, (d) L/D ≤ 3
(unfactored loads ratio) and (e) Members are prismatic. The maximum positive(negative)
moments and shears are computed using the following formulas:
Mu = Cm (wu `2n ) (1)
Vu = Cv (wu `n /2) (2)

where wu = 1.2wD + 1.6wL ; Cm and Cv are a moment and shear coefficient, respectively taken
from NSCP Code Table 406.5.2 (see figure below for illustration) ; `n is a clear span length (in
calculating negative moments it is taken as the average of the adjacent clear span lengths).

In order to facilitate the determination of slab thickness without deflection calculations, NSCP
Table 407.3.1.1 (see table below) can be used as a guide.

Design a three-span continuous one-way floor slab assuming a typical 1-m wide strip. The floor
span lengths (center-to-center of support) are equal, i.e. 3.0 m. Beams support the slab such
CE 42-CE3A Midterm Exam, Page 5 of 12 5 April 2021

that both the interior and exterior (spandrel) beams are assumed to be 250–mm wide. The
concrete strength is 21 MPa and the reinforcement strength is 280 MPa with Es = 200, 000
MPa. Use normal-weight concrete. Assume a superimposed dead load (SDL) of 1.4 kPa to
account for floor covering, the ceiling, and mechanical equipment. The floors will be designed
for a live load of 3.0 kPa. In addition, assume that reinforced concrete weighs 24 kN/m3 .
(a) [5 points] Estimate the minimum thickness of the slab using NSCP Code Table 407.3.1.1
without computing deflection. Note use the largest minimum thickness as computed.
Also, determine the effective depth considering minimum cover with at least 1-1/4 hour
fire rating and NSCP Code Table 20.6.1.3.2 for the specified concrete cover for slabs. Use
a reasonable size of longitudinal reinforcement.
(b) [5 points] Compute the total dead load and find wu using two basic load case combinations,
i.e. wu = 1.4wD and wu = 1.2wD + 1.6wL .
(c) [5 points] Design the slab based on maximum moment at the exterior face of the first
interior support (used maximum wu ), i.e. find Mu and the reinforcement ratio (check for
the minimum requirements of NSCP Code Table 7.6.1.1).
(d) [5 points] Based on the result of item (c), determine the spacing of the assume longitudinal
bars as main reinforcements (check for the maximum spacing requirements).
(e) [5 points] Find the spacings of the transverse reinforcement (shrinkage and temperature)
using NSCP Code Table 424.4.3.2 and consider the maximum spacing requirements.
Solution:

(a) Estimate the minimum thickness of the slab using NSCP Code Table 407.3.1.1. Note
that the Table is applicable to normal-weight concrete and fy = 420 MPa. For fy other
that 420 MPa, the values shall be multiplied by (0.4 + fy /700). For fy = 280 MPa,
0.4 + 280/700 = 0.8.
One end continuous (end bay), where ` = 3.0 m
hmin = `/24 × (0.4 + fy /700)
= 3.0/24 × (0.4 + 280/700)
= 3.0/24 × 0.8 = 0.1 m
= 100 mm
Both ends continuous (interior bay)
hmin = `/28 × (0.4 + fy /700)
= 3.0/28 × (0.4 + 280/700)
= 3.0/28 × 0.8 = 0.0857 m
= 85.7 mm
Thus, use the largest value of hmin as computed, h = max(100, 85.7), i.e. h = 100 mm.
Use 20-mm concrete cover for 1-1/4 fire rating and as required in NSCP Code Table
20.6.1.3.2. Also, assume a rebar size of 10-mm. Thus, the effective depth, d is
d = h − concrete cover − 0.5 × rebar size
= 100 mm − 20 mm − 0.5 × 10 mm
= 75 mm
CE 42-CE3A Midterm Exam, Page 6 of 12 5 April 2021

(b) Compute the total dead load and find wu :

wslab = h × γc
= 0.1 m × 24 kN/m3 = 2.4 kPa
wD = wSDL + wslab = 1.4 kPa + 2.4 kPa
= 3.8 kPa
wL = 3.0 kPa
Note L/D = 2.0/3.8 = 0.526 < 3 OK!
Using the two basic load combinations,
wu1 = 1.4wD = 1.4(3.8 kPa) = 5.3 kPa
wu2 = 1.2wD + 1.6wL = 1.2(3.8 kPa) + 1.6(3.0 kPa) = 9.4 kPa
wu = max(wu1 , wu2 ) = max(5.3, 9.4) = 9.4 kPa
Thus, wu = 9.4 kPa governs!
(c) Find the maximum Mu at the exterior face of the first interior support where Cm =
−1/10, assume 1-unit width. Note the moment is negative, thus, we provide longitudinal
reinforcement at the top portion of the beam at the support.
1
Mu = Cm × wu `2n = − × 9.4 kPa × (2.75 m)2 = −7.0785 kN.m/m
10
Computing the required reinforcement ratio, ρ. Assume tension-controlled section, thus,
φ = 0.9.
Mu 7.0785 kN.m/m
Rn = 2
= = 1.3982 MPa
φbd 0.9(1000 mm)(75 mm)2
fy 280 MPa
m= 0
= = 15.686
0.85fc 0.85(21 MPa)
s !
1 Rn
ρ= 1 − 1 − 2m
m fy
s  !
1 1.3982 MPa
= 1 − 1 − 2(15.686)
15.686 280 MPa
= 0.005206 > As,min /Ag = 0.002 OK!

(d) Determine spacing, s, of the longitudinal bars and check for the maximum spacing re-
quirements.
Calculate the reinforcement needed,
As = ρbd = 0.005206(1000)(75) = 390.5 mm2
nb = no. of bars/m = 390.5/78.54 = 4.97159
s = 1000/nb = 1000/4.97159 = 201.14 mm
Let s = 200 mm
As required by NSCP Code Section 407.7.2.3, the maximum spacing s shall be the lesser
of 3h and 450 mm where smax = min(300, 450) = 300 mm. Then, s = min(200, 300) = 200
mm. Thus, use s = 200 mm.
CE 42-CE3A Midterm Exam, Page 7 of 12 5 April 2021

(e) Determine the shrinkage and temperature reinforcement, try using 10-mm rebar size.
For fy less than 420 MPa,

As&t = 0.002Ag
= 0.002(100)(1000) = 200 mm2
nb = no. of bars/m = 200/78.54 = 2.5465
s = 1000/nb = 1000/2.5465 = 392.7 mm
Let s = 390 mm

As required by NSCP Code Section 424.4.3.3, the maximum spacing s of deformed shrink-
age and temperature reinforcement shall not exceed the lesser of 5h and 450 mm where
smax = min(500, 450) = 450 mm. Then, s = min(390, 450) = 390 mm. Thus, use s = 390
mm.

Design of Rectangular Beam Section

4. [40 points] A singly reinforced rectangular concrete beam is to be designed according to NSCP
Code 2015, with overall height approximately 1.5 times the width, to carry a dead load of 5
kPa in addition to its own weight and a service live (point) load of 36 kN applied at midspan
on a 6.0 m simply supported span. The floor is considered as a one-way slab where the force
is transferred in short direction (see figure below) producing a uniformly distributed dead load
having a tributary width (t.w.) of 3 m. Let the material properties fc0 = 25 MPa, fy = 414
MPa, Es = 200, 000 MPa, cu = 0.003 and unit weight of concrete γc = 24 kN/m3 . In addition,
use a main rebar of size db = 25 mm, stirrup ds = 12 mm, minimum bar cover of 40 mm and
minimum bar spacing of 25 mm. If b = 300 mm,

(a) Determine the minimum thickness of beam without actually computing the deflection
according to NSCP Code Section 409.3.1.1, i.e. Table 409.3.1.1 and the conditions above.
(b) Draw the shear force and bending moment diagram of the beam for each loading and then
compute the maximum factored moment strength Mu that the beam carries.
(c) Find the required reinforcement ratio ρ based on the section found in item (a) and max-
imum factored moment on item (b) such that ρmin ≤ ρ ≤ ρmax , satisfying the minimum
requirements of NSCP Code Section 409.6.1 for ρmin and assuming tension-controlled
section taking t = 0.005 in ρmax = ρ0.005 .
CE 42-CE3A Midterm Exam, Page 8 of 12 5 April 2021

(d) Select the tension reinforcement satisfying the condition As,provided ≥ As,required . In ad-
dition, the clear bar spacing requirement smin ≤ s ≤ smax should be satisfied as follows:
Use NSCP Code Section 425.2 in determining smin and Section 424.3.2 for smax .
(e) Check the design moment capacity, φMn , of the beam section and show that it exceeds
Mu . Use the steps in the analysis of flexure for beams.
(f) Sketch your final design with proper (scaled) dimensions and labels.
Solution:

(a) Minimum thickness of beam. From NSCP Code Table 409.3.1.1, for beams simply sup-
ported
` 6
hmin = = = 0.375 m = 375 mm
16 16
For b = 300 mm, and h = 1.5 × b = 1.5(300) = 450 mm which is more than hmin . Thus,
the section dimensions are b = 300 mm × h = 450 mm.
(b) Calculate Mu .
CE 42-CE3A Midterm Exam, Page 9 of 12 5 April 2021

wD = superimposed dead load + self weight

= 5(3) + 0.3(0.45)(24) = 15 + 3.24 = 18.24 kN/m
1 1
MD = wD `2 = (18.24)(6)2 = 82.08 kN·m
8 8
PL ` 36(6)
ML = = = 54 kN·m
4 4
Mu = 1.2MD + 1.6ML = 1.2(82.08) + 1.6(54) = 184.90 kN·m
Mu 184.90
Mn = = = 205.44 kN·m
φ 0.90

(c) Find required ρ.

According to NSCP Code Section 409.6.1,
p
fc0 1.4
ρmin = ≥
4fy fy
√
25 1.4
= ≥
4(414) 414
= 0.00302 < 0.00338
∴ ρmin = 0.00338

Also, ACI Code desires that our beams should be tension-controlled section. To ensure
this, t shall be greater than or equal to 0.005. The maximum reinforcement ratio can be
computed using t = 0.005.
fc0
 
cu
ρmax = 0.85β1 , β1 = 0.85
fy cu + t
 
25 0.003
= 0.85(0.85) = 0.01636
414 0.003 + 0.005
d = h − clear cover − stirrup − 0.5(db )
= 450 − 40 − 12 − 0.5(25) = 385.5 mm
Mn 205.44 × 106
Rn = = = 4.61 MPa
bd2 300(385.5)2
s !
1 2mRn fy 414
ρrequired = 1− 1− , where m = = = 19.48
m fy 0.85fc0 0.85(25)
r !
1 2(19.48)(4.61)
= 1− 1− = 0.0127
19.48 414

Thus, the required ρ is within the range of ρmin and ρmax .

(d) Select reinforcement.

As,required = ρbd = 0.0127(300)(385.5) = 1, 468.76 mm2

1, 468.76
number of bars = π 2
= 2.99
4 (25)
CE 42-CE3A Midterm Exam, Page 10 of 12 5 April 2021

Hence, provide 3 − 25 mm diameter bars as tension reinforcement.

As,provided ≥ As,required
1, 472.62 ≥ 1, 468.76 O.K.!
Check the spacing of bars according to NSCP Code Sections 425.2.1 and 425.2.2, and
NSCP Code Table 424.3.2,
smin = 25 mm
280 280
smax = 380( ) − 2.5cc ≤ 300( ), where
fs fs
2 2
fs = fy = (414) = 276 MPa
3 3
cc = 40 + 12 = 52 mm
280 280
smax = 380( ) − 2.5(52) ≤ 300( )
276 276
= 255.51 ≤ 304.35
= 255.51 mm
300 − 2(40 + 12) − 2(2)(12) − 2(25)
s= = 49.0 mm
3−1
Thus, the bar spacing 25 mm ≤ s ≤ 255.51 mm is O.K.!
(e) Show that φMn ≥ Mu .
Assuming s ≥ y , thus fs = fy ,
C = 0.85fc0 ba = 0.85(25)(300)a = 6, 375a
π
T = As fy = 3 × (25)2 (414) = 1, 472.62(414) = 609, 665.32 N
4
C=T
609, 665.32
a= = 95.63 mm
6, 375
β1 = 0.85
a 95.63
c= = = 112.51 mm
β1 0.85
Check if s ≥ y . Note that d = dt = 385.5 mm.
c 112.51
= = 0.2918 < 0.375
dt 385.5
d−c 385.5 − 112.51
s = cu = (0.003) = 0.00723 > t = 0.005
c 112.51
Both methods, showed that the section is tension-controlled. Thus, the assumption in
item above is correct, i.e. fs = fy and the value of φ is 0.90. Then, compute φMn .
 
 a 95.63
Mn = T d − = 609, 665.32 385.5 − = 205, 874, 833.58 N·mm
2 2
φMn = 0.90(205.87) = 185.29 kN·m > Mu = 184.90 kN·m O.K.!.
.
CE 42-CE3A Midterm Exam, Page 11 of 12 5 April 2021

(f) Sketch of final design.

Useful formulas:

C = 0.85fc0 ba
T = As fs or T = As fy if s ≥ y
d−c
s = cu
c
a
Mn = (C or T )(d − )
2
Mn Mu
Rn = 2 = where φMn = Mu or
bd φbd2
 
Mn 1
Rn = 2 = ρfy 1 − ρm
bd 2
p
fc0 1.4
As,min = bw d ≥ bw d
4fy fy
s !
1 2mRn fy
ρ= 1− 1− , where m =
m fy 0.85fc0
f0
 
cu
ρ0.004 = 0.85β1 c where t = 0.004
fy cu + t
fc0
 
cu
ρ0.005 = 0.85β1 where t = 0.005
fy cu + t
fc0
 
600
ρb = 0.85β1
fy 600 + fy
280 280
s = 380( ) − 2.5cc ≤ 300( )
fs fs

End of Exam. Good luck and God bless you!

CE 42-CE3A Midterm Exam, Page 12 of 12 5 April 2021

Prepared by: RICHARD J. AQUINO, CE, EnP

Chief Structural Designer
Associate Professor II, Department of Civil Engineering, Central Mindanao University