HOW TO DESIGN

CONCRETE
STRUCTURES
Beams
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How to design concrete structures using Eurocode 2

4. Beams

Designing to Eurocode 2
Introduction
This guide covers the analysis and design of concrete beams to
1
This is to be redrafted as appropriate in Eurocode 2 . The layout and content of Eurocode 2 may appear
each country unusual to some designers. Eurocode 2 does not contain the derived
formulae or specific guidance on determining moments and shear
forces. This has arisen because it has been European practice to give
principles in the codes and for the detailed application to be presented in
other sources such as textbooks.

The first guide in this series, How to design concrete structures using
2
Eurocode 2: Introduction to Eurocodes , provides an overview of
Eurocodes, including terminology.

Where NDPs occur in the text in this publication, recommended values

in EN 1992 are used and highlighted in yellow. The UK values have
been used for NDPs embedded in figures and charts and the relevant
NDPs are scheduled separately to assist other users in adapting the
figures and charts.

A list of symbols related to beam design is given at the end of this guide.

Design procedure
A procedure for carrying out the detailed design of beams is shown in
Table 1. This assumes that the beam dimensions have previously been
determined during conceptual design. Concept designs prepared
assuming current practice may be continued through to detailed design
using Eurocode 2. More detailed advice on determining design life,
actions, material properties, methods of analysis, minimum concrete
cover for durability and control of crack widths can be found in the
accompanying guide How to design concrete structures using Eurocode
3
2: Getting started .

Fire resistance
4
Eurocode 2, Part 1–2: Structural fire design , gives a choice of
advanced, simplified or tabular methods for determining the fire
resistance. Using tables is the fastest method for determining the
minimum dimensions and cover for beams. There are, however, some
restrictions and if these apply further guidance on the advanced and
simplified methods can be obtained from specialist literature. Rather
than giving a minimum cover, the tabular method is based on nominal
axis distance, a (see Figure 1). This is the distance from the centre of
the main reinforcing bar to the top or bottom surface of the member.

Continues page 3
Note

Corrected Table 2 at end of file

It is a nominal (not minimum) dimension. The designer
should ensure that:
a ≥ cnom + φlink + φbar /2 and asd = a + 10 mm, where asd
is the axis distance to the side face.

Table 2 gives the minimum dimensions for beams to

meet the standard fire periods.

Flexure
The design procedure for flexural design is given in
Figure 2; this includes derived formulae based on the
simplified rectangular stress block from Eurocode 2.
Table 3 may be used to determine bending moments
and shear forces for beams, provided the notes to the
table are observed.
Eurocode 2 offers a number of alternatives for the stress-
strain relationship of concrete. For simplicity the method
presented here is the simplified rectangular stress block,
(see Figure 3).

Eurocode 2 gives recommendations for the design of

concrete up to class C90/105. However, for concrete
greater than class C50/60, the stress block is modified. It is
important to note that concrete strength is based on the
cylinder strength and not the cube strength (i.e. for class
C30/37 the cylinder strength (fck) is 30 MPa, whereas the
cube strength is 37 MPa).

Vertical shear
Eurocode 2 introduces the strut inclination method for
shear capacity checks. In this method the shear is resisted
by concrete struts acting in compression and shear
reinforcement acting in tension.

The angle of the concrete strut varies, depending on the

shear force applied (see Figure 4). The procedure for
determining the shear capacity of a section is shown in
Figure 5 and is in terms of shear stress in the vertical plane
rather than a vertical force as given in Eurocode 2. Where
shear reinforcement is required, then the angle of the
concrete strut should be calculated. For many typical
beams the minimum angle of strut will apply (when cotθ =
2.5 or θ= 21.8º) i.e. for class C30/37 concrete the strut
angle exceeds 21.8º only when the shear stress is greater
2
than 3.27 N/mm (refer to Table 7). There is a maximum
permitted shear capacity, vRd,max associated with the strut
angle. The maximum value of vRd,max occurs with θ = 45º.

Deflection
Eurocode 2 has two alternative methods for checking
deflection, either a limiting span-to-depth ratio may be used
or the theoretical deflection can be assessed using the
expressions given in the Code. The latter is dealt with in
detail in another guide in this series, How to design
5
concrete structures using Eurocode 2: Deflection .

The span-to-depth ratios should ensure that deflection is

limited to span/250 and this is the procedure presented in
Figure 6.

Flanged beams
The assessment of the flange width of flanged beams is
more sophisticated (see Figures 9 and 10) and Eurocode 2
contains a check to confirm that the shear stress at the

Continues page 7
 7

Note
Note
interface of the flange and web can be resisted by the
transverse reinforcement in the flange.

The position of the neutral axis should be determined and then

the area of reinforcement can be calculated depending
whether it lies in the flange or web (see Figure 11).

At supports the tension reinforcement to resist hogging

moments should be distributed across the full width of the
effective flange as shown in Figure 12.

The span-to-depth deflection checks using ratio of tension

reinforcement should be based on area of concrete above
centre of tension steel.

Longitudinal shear
The shear stress in the vertical plane between the flange and
web should be assessed according to section 6.2.4 and Figure
6.7 of the Eurocode (reproduced here as Figure 13). The
change in force in the flange can be assessed from the
moment and lever arm at a particular location. The Eurocode
states that the maximum length that can be considered for the
change in force is half the distance between the maximum
moment and the point where the moment is zero. Clearly, the
maximum longitudinal force will occur where the change in
moment, and therefore force, is the greatest; for a uniformly
distributed load on a continuous beam this will be the length of
beam closest to the support.

Figure 14 shows a flow chart for assessing the longitudinal

shear capacity; in many cases the transverse reinforcement in
the slab will be sufficient to resist the shear force. This check
is included to ensure that where particularly thin flanges are
used there is adequate reinforcement. The longitudinal shear
capacity is based on the variable strut inclination method,
which was described in the section on vertical shear.

Rules for spacing and quantity of

reinforcement
Minimum area of longitudinal reinforcement
The minimum area of reinforcement is As,min = 0.26 fctm bt d/fyk
but not less than 0.0013btd, where bt is the mean width of the
tension zone (see Table 6). For a T-beam with the flange in
compression, only the width of the web is taken into account in
calculating the value of bt.

Maximum area of longitudinal reinforcement

The maximum area of tension or compression reinforcement,
outside lap locations should not exceed As,max = 0.04 Ac

Minimum spacing of reinforcement

The minimum clear distance between bars should be the
greater of:
■ 1 x Bar diameter
■ Aggregate size plus 5 mm
■ 20 mm

Selected symbols for slabs are shown

References
1 EN 1992-1-1, Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures - Part 1-1 General rules and rules for buildings.
2 NARAYANAN, R S & BROOKER, O. How to design concrete structures using Eurocode 2: Introduction to
Eurocodes. The Concrete Centre, 2005.
3 BROOKER, O. How to design concrete structures using Eurocode 2: Getting started. The Concrete Centre, 2005.
4 EN 1992-1-2, Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures. General rules - structural fire design.
5 WEBSTER, R & BROOKER, O. How to design concrete structures using Eurocode 2: Deflection. The Concrete
Centre, 2006.
Additional references for precast construction
1. EN 13225 - Linear structural elements
2. EN 15050 - Bridge elements
3. EN 13369-Common rules for precast concrete products

Further guidance and advice

■ Guides in this series cover: Introduction to Eurocodes, Getting started, Slabs, Beams, Columns, Foundations, Flat
slabs and Deflection. For free downloads, details of other publications and more information on Eurocode 2 visit
www.eurocode2.info
■ This guide is taken from The Concrete Centre's publication, How to design concrete structures using Eurocode 2
(Ref. CCIP-006)
■ For information on all the new Eurocodes visit www.eurocodes.co.uk

Acknowledgements

This guide was originally published by the Concrete Centre and the BCA in the UK. The authors were R M Moss BSc,
PhD, CEng, MICE, MIStructE AND O Brooker BEng, CEng, MICE, MIStructE

Europeanised versions of Concise EC2 and How To Leaflets

Convention used in the text
1. Nationally determined parameters that occur in the text have been highlighted yellow

2. Text is highlighted in pink indicates that some action is required on the part of the
country adapting the documents for its use
Tables & Charts: Word versions (corrected text highlighted in green)

Table 1 Beam design procedure

Step Task Further guidance
Chapter in this Standard
publication
1 Determine design life 2: Getting started NA to EN 1990
2 Assess actions on the beam 2: Getting started EN 1991 (10 parts) and
National Annexes
3 Determine which combinations of 1: Introduction to NA to EN 1990
actions apply Eurocodes
4 Determine loading arrangements 2: Getting started NA to EN 1992–1–1
5 Assess durability requirements and 2: Getting started
determine concrete strength
6 Check cover requirements for 2: Getting started EN 1992–1–2: Section 5
appropriate fire resistance period and Table 2
7 Calculate min. cover for durability, fire 2: Getting started EN 1992–1–1 Cl 4.4.1
and bond requirements
8 Analyse structure to obtain critical 2: Getting started EN 1992–1–1 section 5
moments and shear forces and Table 3
9 Design flexural reinforcement See Figure 1 EN 1992–1–1 section 6.1
10 Check deflection See Figure 3 EN 1992–1–1 section 7.4
11 Check shear capacity See Table 7 EN 1992–1–1 section 6.2
12 Check spacing of bars 2: Getting started EN 1992–1–1 section 7.3
Note
NA = National Annex
Table 2 Minimum dimensions and axis distances for beams made with reinforced concrete for fire resistance
Standard fire Minimum dimensions (mm)
resistance Possible combinations of a and bmin where a is the average axis distance
and bmin is the width of the beam
Simply supported beams Continuous beams
A B C D E F G H
R 60 bmin = 120 160 200 300 120 200
a= 40 35 30 25 25 12a
R 90 bmin = 150 200 300 400 150 250
a= 55 45 40 35 35 25
R 120 bmin = 200 240 300 500 200 300 450 500
a= 65 60 55 50 45 35 35 30
R 240 bmin = 280 350 500 700 280 500 650 700
a= 90 80 75 70 75 60 60 50
Notes
1 This table is taken from EN 1992–1–2 Tables 5.5 and 5.6.
2 The axis distance, asd, from the side of the beam to the corner bar should be a +10 mm except
where bmin is greater than the values in columns C and F.
3 The table is valid only if the detailing requirements (see note 4) are observed and, in normal
temperature design, redistribution of bending moments does not exceed 15%.
4 For fire resistance of R90 and above, for a distance of 0.3leff from the centre line of each
intermediate support, the area of top reinforcement should not be less than the following:
As,req(x) = As,req(0)(1 – 2.5(x/leff))
where:
x is the distance of the section being considered from the centre line of the
support.
As,req(0) is the area of reinforcement required for normal temperature design.
As,req(x) is the minimum area of reinforcement required at the section being
considered but not less than that required for normal temperature design.
leff is the greater of the effective lengths of the two adjacent spans.
5 For fire resistances R120 – R240, the width of the beam at the first intermediate support should be
at least that in column F, if both the following conditions exist:
a there is no fixity at the end support; and
b the acting shear at normal temperature Vsd > 0.67 VRd,max.
6 For beams with varying width of web, bmin refers to the width at the centroid of the tensile
reinforcement
Key
a Normally the requirements of EN 1992–1–1 will determine the cover.

Table 3 Bending moment and shear coefficients for beams

Moment Shear
Outer support 25% of span moment 0.45 (G + Q)
Near middle of end span 0.090 Gl + 0.100 Ql
At first interior support –0.094 (G + Q)l 0.63 (G + Q)a
At middle of interior spans 0.066 Gl + 0.086 Ql
At interior supports –0.075 (G + Q)l 0.50 (G + Q)
Key
a 0.55 (G + Q) may be used adjacent to the interior span.
Notes
1 Redistribution of support moments by 15% has been included.
2 Applicable to 3 or more spans only and where Qk ≤ Gk.
3 Minimum span ≥ 0.85 longest span.
4 l is the span, G is the total of the ULS permanent actions, Q is the total of the
ULS variable actions.
Figure 2 Procedure for determining flexural reinforcement (assuming the recommended expression forδ, αcc
(=1.0) and γc (=1.5)

START

Carry out analysis of beam to

determine design moments
(M) (see Table 3)

Concrete class No
≤C50/60? Outside scope of this publication

Yes

M
Determine K from: K=
bd 2 f ck

Determine K from Table 4 or K ' = 0.547δ − 0.137δ 2 − 0.214 where δ ≤

No
Compression reinforcement
Is K ≤ K ? required

Calculate lever arm z from

[ ]
Yes
d
No compression reinforcement required z= 1 + 1 − 3.0 K '
2

Obtain lever arm z from Table 5 or use

z=
d
2
[
1 + 1 − 3.0 K ≤ 0.95d ] Calculate compression reinforcement
required from
( K − K ' ) f ck bd 2
As 2 =
Calculate tension reinforcement required from f sc (d − d 2 )
As = M/fyd.z where fsc = 700((x-d2)/x) ≤ fyd

Check minimum reinforcement requirements

(see Table 6) Calculate tension reinforcement required
As,min = 0.26 fctm bt d/fyk where fck ≥ 25 from
K ' f ck bd 2 f
As = + As 2 sc
f yd . z f yd

Check maximum reinforcement requirements As,max = 0.04 Ac for

tension or compression reinforcement outside lap locations Arranged with horizontal dividing
line in final printed copy (x3)
Table 4 Values for K (assuming the recommended expression for δ and the recommended value for γc)
% redistribution δ (redistribution ratio) K
0 1.00 0.196a
10 0.90 0.182a
15 0.85 0.168
20 0.80 0.153
25 0.75 0.137
30 0.70 0.102
Key
a It is often recommended that K should be limited to 0.168 to ensure ductile failure

Table 5 z/d for singly reinforced rectangular sections (assuming the recommended value for γc)
K z/d K z/d
0.07 0.944 0.15 0.871
0.08 0.936 0.16 0.861
0.09 0.927 0.17 0.85
0.10 0.918 0.18 0.839
0.11 0.909 0.19 0.828
0.12 0.900 0.196 0.821
0.13 0.891
0.14 0.881

Table 6 Minimum percentage required reinforcement

fck fctm Minimum percentage (0.26fctm/fyka)
25 2.6 0.13%
28 2.8 0.14%
30 2.9 0.15%
32 3.0 0.16%
35 3.2 0.17%
40 3.5 0.18%
45 3.8 0.20%
50 4.1 0.21%
Key
a Where fyk = 500 MPa.

Table 7 Minimum and maximum shear stress (VRd,max/bwz) governed by concrete strut capacity
fck vRd,max cot θ = 2.5 vRd,max cot θ = 1.0
20 2.54 3.68
25 3.10 4.50
28 3.43 4.97
30 3.64 5.28
32 3.84 5.58
35 4.15 6.02
40 4.63 6.72
45 5.08 7.38
50 5.51 8.00
Note: The table assumes recommended values for αcc, γc and ν1
Figure 5 Procedure for determining vertical shear reinforcement

START

Determine vEd where

vEd = design shear stress [vEd = VEd/(bwz) = VEd/(0.9 bwd)]

Determine the concrete strut capacity vRd,max cot θ = 2.5 from Table 7

Is No Is No
vEd < vRd,max cot θ = 2.5? vEd < vRd,max cot θ = 1.0? Redesign
(see Table 7) section

Yes (cot θ = 2.5) Yes

Determine θ from:
θ = 0.5 sin-1[(vEd/(0.20fck(1-fck/250))]

Calculate area of shear reinforcement: Arranged with horizontal

Asw/s = vEd bw/(fywd cot θ) dividing line in final printed
copy (x3)

Check maximum spacing for vertical shear reinforcement:

sl,max = 0.75 d
Figure 6 Procedure for assessing deflection

START

Determine basic l/d and K from Figure 7

Determine Factor 1 (F1)

For ribbed or waffle slabs
F1 = 1.1 – 0.1 ((bf/bw) – 1) ≥ 0.8†
(bf is flange breadth and bw is rib breadth)
Otherwise F1 = 1.0

Determine Factor 2 (F2)

Where the beam span exceeds 7 m and it supports
brittle partitions, F2 = 7/leff ≤ 1.0
Otherwise F2 = 1.0

Determine Factor 3 (F3)

F3 = 310/σs
Where σs = Stress in reinforcement at serviceability
limit state (see Figure 8)
σs may be assumed to be 310 MPa (i.e. F3 = 1.0)
Increase
As,prov

Is basic l/d × K × F1 × F2 × F3 ≥ Actual

l/d? No

Yes

Check complete

† The Eurocode is ambiguous regarding linear interpolation. It is understood that this was the intention of the drafting committee.
Figure 11 Procedure for determining flexural capacity of flanged beams (assuming the recommended expression
forδ, αcc (=1.0) and γc (=1.5)

START

Carry out analysis of beam to determine design moments, M (see Table 3)

Determine l0 (see Figure 9) and beff from:

beff = (bw + beff1 + beff2) where
beff1 = (0.2b1 + 0.1l0) ≤ 0.2l0 ≤ b1
beff2 = (0.2b2 + 0.1l0) ≤ 0.2l0 ≤ b2
Note: The flange width at the support will be different from that at mid-span. For symbols
refer to Figures 9 and 10

M
Determine K from: K=
bd 2 f ck
where b = bw at support
b = beff in span

Determine K from Table 4 or K ' = 0.547δ − 0.137δ 2 − 0.214 where δ ≤

Calculate lever arm z from

z=
d
2
[
1 + 1 − 3.0 K ≤ 0.95d ]
Calculate depth to neutral axis x from:
x = 2.5 (d – z)

Yes Neutral axis in flange. Design as

Is x ≤ 1.25hf? rectangular section (Figure 2) and then
check longitudinal shear (Figure 14)

No

Neutral axis in web

Calculate moment capacity of flange from:
MR,f = 0.67 fck (beff – bw) hf (d – 0.5hf) and Kf = (M – MR,f)/fck bw d2

Arranged with horizontal

No dividing line in final
Redesign section
printed copy (x3)
Is Kf ≤ K

Yes

Calculate area of reinforcement required from Check longitudinal shear

As = [MR,f /fywd(d – 0.5 hf)] + (M - MR,f)/ fywdz (see Figure 14)
 Figure 14 Procedure for determining longitudinal shear capacity of flanged beams (assuming the recommended
values for cot θf, γc and ν)

Calculate the longitudinal shear stress from:

vEd = ∆Fd/(hf ∆x) (see Figure 13)

Yes
Is length of flange under Determine the concrete strut capacity from Table 8 or from:
consideration in tension?
vRd = 0.195fck(1-fck/250)

No

Determine the concrete strut capacity from Table 8 or from:

vRd = 0.160fck(1-fck/250)
No

Is vRd > vEd? No Is vRd > vEd?

Determine θf from:
θf = 0.5 sin-1[(vEd/(0.2fck(1-fck/250))]

Yes (cot θf = 1.25)

Yes (cot θf = 2.0)

Calculate area of transverse reinforcement from:

Asf/s = vEdhf/(fydcot θf)

Table 8 Concrete strut capacity for longitudinal shear in flanged beams

fck vRd,max
Flange in compression Flange in tension
20 2.94 3.59
25 3.60 4.39
28 3.98 4.85
30 4.22 5.15
32 4.46 5.44
35 4.82 5.87
40 5.38 6.55
45 5.90 7.20
50 6.40 7.80

Table 9 Values for w,min

fck 20 25 28 30 32 35 40 45 50
w,min × 10–3 0.72 0.80 0.85 0.88 0.91 0.95 1.01 1.07 1.13
Selected symbols
Symbol Definition Value
Ac Cross sectional area of concrete
As Area of tension steel
As2 Area of compression steel
As, prov Area of tension steel provided
As, req’d Area of tension steel required
beff Effective flange width
bt Mean width of the tension zone
bmin Width of beam or rib
bw Width of section, or width of web on flanged
beams
d Effective depth
d2 Effective depth to compression reinforcement
fcd Design value of concrete compressive strength αcc fck/γc for fck ≤ C50/60
fck Characteristic cylinder strength of concrete
fctm Mean value of axial tensile strength 0.30 fck(2/3) for fck ≤ C50/60 (from
Table 3.1, Eurocode 2)
hf Flange thickness
K Factor to take account of the different
structural systems
leff Effective span of member See Section 5.3.2.2 (1)
l0 Distance between points of zero moment
l/d Span-to-depth ratio
M Design moment at the ULS
x Depth to neutral axis (d – z)/0.4
xmax Limiting value for depth to neutral axis 0.8(δ – 0.44)d where δ ≤1.0
z Lever arm
αcc Coefficient taking account of long term effects 1.0
on compressive strength and of unfavourable
effects resulting from the way load is applied
δ Ratio of the redistributed moment to the
elastic bending moment
γm Partial factor for material properties 1.15 for reinforcement (γs)
1.5 for concrete (γc)
ρ0 Reference reinforcement ratio √fck/1000
ρ Required tension reinforcement at mid-span to As/bd (for rectangular beams)
resist the moment due to the design loads (or
at support for cantilevers)
ρ Required compression reinforcement at mid- As2/bd
span to resist the moment due to the design
loads (or at support for cantilevers)