T

T
T
I
I
I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Columns
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 1 o f 9



The following examples illustrate the
design methods presented in the article
Timesaving Design Aids for Reinforced
Concrete, Part 3: Columns and Walls, by
David A. Fanella, which appeared in the
November 2001 edition of Structural
Engineer magazine. Unless otherwise
noted, all referenced table, figure, and
equation numbers are from that article.
The examples presented here are for
columns.
Examples for walls are available on our
Web page: www.portcement.org/buildings.
Example 1
In this example, an interior column at the
1
st
floor level of a 7-story building is
designed for the effects of gravity loads.
Structural walls resist lateral loads, and
the frame is nonsway.

Materials
Concrete: normal weight (150 pcf), -in.
maximum aggregate, f
c
= 5,000 psi
Mild reinforcing steel: Grade 60 (f
y
=
60,000 psi)
Loads
Floor framing dead load = 80 psf
Superimposed dead loads = 30 psf
Live load = 100 psf (floor), 20 psf (roof)
Building Data
Typical interior bay = 30 ft x 30 ft
Story height = 12 ft-0 in.
The table below contains a summary of the
axial loads due to gravity. The total
factored load P
u
is computed in accordance
with Sect. 9.2.1, and includes an estimate
for the weight of the column. Live load
reduction is determined from ASCE 7-98.
Moments due to gravity loads are negligible.
Floor DL (psf) LL (psf) Red. LL (psf) P
u
(kips) Cum. P
u
(kips)
7 80 20 20.0 142 142
6 120 100 50.0 238 380
5 120 100 42.7 227 607
4 120 100 40.0 223 830
3 120 100 40.0 223 1,053
2 120 100 40.0 223 1,276
1 120 100 40.0 223 1,499


T
T
T
I
I
I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Columns
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 2 o f 9



Use Fig. 1 to determine a preliminary size
for the tied column at the 1
st
floor level.
Assuming a reinforcement ratio
g
=
0.020, obtain P
u
/A
g
3.0 ksi (f
c
= 5 ksi).
Since P
u
= 1,499 kips, the required A
g
=
1,499/3.0 = 499.7 in.
2

Try a 22 x 22 in. column (A
g
= 484 in.
2
)
with a reinforcement ratio
g
greater than
0.020.
Check if slenderness effects need to be
considered.
Since the column is part of a nonsway
frame, slenderness effects can be
neglected when the unsupported column
length is less than or equal to 12h, where
h is the column dimension (Sect. 10.12.2).
12h = 12 x 22 = 264 in. = 22 ft > 12 ft
story height, which is greater than the
unsupported length of the column.
Therefore, slenderness effects can be
neglected.
Use Fig. 1 to determine the required area
of longitudinal reinforcement.
For a 22 x 22 in. column at the 1
st
floor
level:
P
u
/A
g
= 1,499/484 = 3.10 ksi
From Fig. 1, required
g
= 0.026, or
A
s
= 0.026 x 22 x 22 = 12.58 in.
2

Try 8-No. 11 bars (A
s
= 12.48 in.
2
)
Check Eq. (10-2) of ACI 318-99:
P
n(max)
= 0.80|0.85f
c
(A
g
A
st
) + f
y
A
st
]
P
n(max)
= 1,542 kips > 1,499 kips O.K.
From Table 1, 5-No. 11 bars can be
accommodated on the face of a 22-in. wide
column with normal lap splices and No. 4
ties. In this case, only 3-No. 11 bars are
provided per face.
Use 8-No. 11 bars ( = 2.58%).
Determine required ties and spacing.
According to Sect. 7.10.5.1, No. 4 ties are
required when No. 11 longitudinal bars are
used.


T
T
T
I
I
I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Columns
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 3 o f 9



According to Sect. 7.10.5.2, spacing of
ties shall not exceed the least of:
16 long. bar diameters = 16 x 1.41
16 long. bar diameters = 22.6 in.
48 tie bar diameters = 48 x 0.5
48 tie bar diameters = 24 in.
Least column dimension = 22 in. (governs)
Check clear spacing of longitudinal bars:

in. 885 . 6
41 . 1
2
2
41 . 1
5 . 0 5 . 1 2 22
space Clear
=

|
.
|

\
|
+ +
=

Since the clear space between longitudinal
bars > 6 in., cross-ties are required per
Sect. 7.10.5.3.
Reinforcement details are shown below.
See Sect. 7.8 for additional special
reinforcement details for columns.
22
22
8-No. 11

No. 4 ties @ 22



T
T
T
I
I
I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Columns
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 4 o f 9



Example 2
In this example, a simplified interaction
diagram is constructed for an 18 x 18
tied column reinforced with 8-No. 9 Grade
60 bars (
g
= 8/18
2
= 0.0247). Concrete
compressive strength = 4 ksi.
Use Fig. 3 to determine the 5 points on
the interaction diagram.
Point 1: Pure compression
kips 871
))] 4 85 . 0 ( 60 ( 0247 . 0
) 4 85 . 0 [( 18 56 . 0
)] f 85 . 0 f (
f 85 . 0 [ A 80 . 0 P
2
c y g
c g (max) n
=
+
=
+
=


Point 2 (f
s1
= 0)
Layer 1:
0 ) 1 ( 1 1
d
d
C 1
1
1
2
= =

Layer 2:
42 . 0
56 . 15
00 . 9
1 1
d
d
C 1
1
2
2
=
|
.
|

\
|
=

Layer 3:
84 . 0
56 . 15
44 . 2
1 1
d
d
C 1
1
3
2
=
|
.
|

\
|
=

Since 1 C
2
(d
3
/d
1
) > 0.69, the steel in
layer 3 has yielded.
Therefore, set 1 C
2
(d
3
/d
1
) = 0.69 to
ensure that the stress in the bars in
layer 3 is equal to 60 ksi.
d
3


=

2
.
4
4

18
1
.
5

(
t
y
p
.
)

d
2

=

9
.
0
0

d
1

=

1
5
.
5
6

1
8

No. 3 tie
3-No. 9
2-No. 9
3-No. 9


T
T
T
I
I
I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Columns
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 5 o f 9



kips 744
) 2 . 253 4 . 809 ( 70 . 0
)]} 69 . 0 3 (
) 42 . 0 (2 0) 7[(3 8
) 18 56 . 15 89 . 2 {( 70 . 0
d
d
C 1 A 87 b d C P
n
1 i 1
i
2 si 1 1 n
=
+ =
+
+ +
=
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
=


{
kips - ft 182
12 / ) 4 . 181 , 1 1 . 932 , 1 ( 70 . 0
12 / )]} 44 . 2 9 )( 69 . 0 3 (
) 9 9 )( 42 . 0 (2
15.56) 0)(9 7[(3 8
00 . 1
56 . 15 85 . 0
18
) 18 56 . 15 89 . 2 5 . 0 [( 70 . 0
12 / d
2
h
d
d
C 1 A 87
C
d
h b d C 5 . 0 M
i
n
1 i 1
i
2 si
2
1 1
1 1 n
=
+ =
+
+
+
(

(
|
.
|

\
|


=
(

(
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
+

|
|
.
|

\
|
=

=


Point 3 (f
s1
= -0.5f
y
)
Layer 1:
34 . 0 ) 1 ( 34 . 1 1
d
d
C 1
1
1
2
= =

Layer 2:
23 . 0
56 . 15
00 . 9
34 . 1 1
d
d
C 1
1
2
2
=
|
.
|

\
|
=

Layer 3:
79 . 0
56 . 15
44 . 2
34 . 1 1
d
d
C 1
1
3
2
=
|
.
|

\
|
=

Use 0.69

kips 514
) 4 . 131 2 . 602 ( 70 . 0
)]} 69 . 0 3 (
) 23 . 0 (2 ) 34 . 0 - 7[(3 8
) 18 56 . 15 15 . 2 {( 70 . 0
d
d
C 1 A 87 b d C P
n
1 i 1
i
2 si 1 1 n
=
+ =
+
+ +
=
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
=




T
T
T
I
I
I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Columns
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 6 o f 9



{
kips - ft 246
12 / ) 5 . 763 , 1 8 . 447 , 2 ( 70 . 0
12 / )]} 44 . 2 9 )( 69 . 0 3 (
) 9 9 )( 23 . 0 (2
15.56) )(9 34 . 0 - 7[(3 8
34 . 1
56 . 15 85 . 0
18
) 18 56 . 15 15 . 2 5 . 0 [( 70 . 0
12 / d
2
h
d
d
C 1 A 87
C
d
h b d C 5 . 0 M
i
n
1 i 1
i
2 si
2
1 1
1 1 n
=
+ =
+
+
+
(

(
|
.
|

\
|


=
(

(
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
+

|
|
.
|

\
|
=

=

Point 4 (f
s1
= -f
y
)
Layer 1:
69 . 0 ) 1 ( 69 . 1 1
d
d
C 1
1
1
2
= =

Layer 2:
02 . 0
56 . 15
00 . 9
69 . 1 1
d
d
C 1
1
2
2
=
|
.
|

\
|
=


Layer 3:
74 . 0
56 . 15
44 . 2
69 . 1 1
d
d
C 1
1
3
2
=
|
.
|

\
|
=
Use 0.69
kips 338 ) 5 . 3 9 . 478 ( 70 . 0
)]} 69 . 0 3 (
) 02 . 0 (2 ) 69 . 0 - 7[(3 8
) 18 56 . 15 71 . 1 {( 70 . 0
d
d
C 1 A 87 b d C P
n
1 i 1
i
2 si 1 1 n
= + =
+
+ +
=
(

|
|
.
|

\
|
+ =
=


{
kips - ft 280
12 / ) 8 . 362 , 2 3 . 436 , 2 ( 70 . 0
12 / )]} 44 . 2 9 )( 69 . 0 3 (
) 9 9 )( 02 . 0 (2
15.56) )(9 69 . 0 - 7[(3 8
69 . 1
56 . 15 85 . 0
18
) 18 56 . 15 71 . 1 5 . 0 [( 70 . 0
12 / d
2
h
d
d
C 1 A 87
C
d
h b d C 5 . 0 M
i
n
1 i 1
i
2 si
2
1 1
1 1 n
=
+ =
+
+
+
(

(
|
.
|

\
|


=
(

(
|
.
|

\
|

|
|
.
|

\
|
+

|
|
.
|

\
|
=

=



T
T
T
I
I
I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Columns
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 7 o f 9



Point 5: Pure bending
Use iterative procedure to determine
M
n
.
Try c = 4.0 in.
0087 . 0
4
56 . 15 4
003 . 0
c
d c
003 . 0
1
1 s
=
|
.
|

\
|

=
|
.
|

\
|

=


kips 180 ) 60 ( 3 f A T
ksi 60 f use , ksi 60 -
ksi 4 . 251 ) 0087 . 0 ( 000 , 29
E f
1 s 1 s s1
s1
1 s s 1 s
= = =
= >
= =
=

0038 . 0
4
9 4
003 . 0
c
d c
003 . 0
1
2 s
=
|
.
|

\
|

=
|
.
|

\
|

=



kips 120 ) 60 ( 2 f A T
ksi 60 f use , ksi 60 -
ksi 8 . 108 ) 0038 . 0 ( 000 , 29
E f
2 s 2 s s2
s2
2 s s 2 s
= = =
= >
= =
=


0012 . 0
4
44 . 2 4
003 . 0
c
d c
003 . 0
1
3 s
=
|
.
|

\
|

=
|
.
|

\
|

=


kips 102 9 . 33 3 f A C
ksi 9 . 33 0012 . 0 000 , 29
E f
3 s 3 s s3
3 s s 3 s
= = =
= =
=


kips 208
18 ) 4 85 . 0 ( 4 85 . 0
ab f 85 . 0 C
c c
=
=
=


Total T = (-180) + (-120) = -300 kips
Total C = 102 + 208 = 310 kips
Since T C, use c = 4.0 in.


T
T
T
I
I
I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Columns
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 8 o f 9



kips - ft 4 . 98
12 / 56 . 15
2
18
) 180 (
d
2
h
T M
1 1 s 1 ns
=
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
.
|

\
|
=


0
12 / 9
2
18
) 120 (
d
2
h
T M
2 2 s 2 ns
=
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
.
|

\
|
=


kips - ft 8 . 55
12 / 44 . 2
2
18
102
d
2
h
C M
3 3 s 3 ns
=
|
.
|

\
|
=
|
.
|

\
|
=


kips - ft 7 . 280
2 . 154 12 / )] 4 . 3 18 ( 208 5 . 0 [
M ) a h ( C 5 . 0 M
3
1 i
nsi c n
=
+ =
+ =
=


kips - ft 253 7 . 280 9 . 0 M
n
= =

Compare simplified interaction diagram to
interaction diagram generated from the
PCA computer program PCACOL.
The comparison is shown on the next page.
As can be seen from the figure, the
comparison between the exact (black line)
and simplified (red line) interaction
diagrams is very good.


T
T
T
I
I
I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Columns
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 9 o f 9






T
T
T
I
I
I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Beams and One-Way Slabs
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 1 o f 6



The following example illustrates the
design methods presented in the article
Timesaving Design Aids for Reinforced
Concrete, Part 1: Beams and One-way
Slabs, by David A. Fanella, which
appeared in the August 2001 edition of
Structural Engineer magazine. Unless
otherwise noted, all referenced table,
figure, and equation numbers are from
that article.

Example Building
Below is a partial plan of a typical floor in a
cast-in-place reinforced concrete building.
The floor framing consists of wide-module
joists and beams. In this example, the
beams are designed and detailed for the
combined effects of gravity and lateral
(wind) loads according to ACI 318-99.
30-0 30-0 30-0
3
2

-
6

3
2

-
6

18x18 (typ.)
24x 24 (typ.)


T
T
T
I
I
I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Beams and One-Way Slabs
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 2 o f 6



Design Data
Materials
Concrete: normal weight (150 pcf), -
in. maximum aggregate, f
c
= 4,000 psi
Mild reinforcing steel: Grade 60 (f
y
=
60,000 psi)
Loads
Joists (16 + 4 x 6 + 66) = 76.6 psf
Superimposed dead loads = 30 psf
Live load = 100 psf
Wind loads: per ASCE 7-98
Gravity Load Analysis
The coefficients of ACI Sect. 8.3 are
utilized to compute the bending moments
and shear forces along the length of the
beam. From preliminary calculations, the
beams are assumed to be 36 x 20.5 in.
Live load reduction is taken per ASCE 7-
98.
psf 23.7 weight Beam
32.5
150
144
20.5 36
= =

Live load reduction per ASCE 7-98 Sect.
4.8.1:

+ =
T
A
LL
K
15
0.25 L L
o


From Table 4.2 of ASCE 7-98, K
LL
= live
load element factor = 2 for interior beams
A
T
= tributary area = 32.5 x 30 = 975 ft
2

K
LL
A
T
= 2 x 975 = 1,950 ft
2
> 400 ft
2

o
0.59L
1,950
15
0.25
o
L L =

+ =

Since the beams support only one floor, L
shall not be less than 0.50L
o
.
Therefore, L = 0.59 x 100 = 59 psf.
Total factored load w
u
:
w
u
= 1.4(76.6 + 23.7 + 30) + 1.7(59)
= 282.7 psf
= 282.7 x 32.5/1,000 = 9.19 klf
Factored reactions per ACI Sect. 8.3:
Neg. M
u
at ext. support = w
u
l
n
2
/16
= 9.19 x 28.25
2
/16
= 458.4 ft-kips


T
T
T
I
I
I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Beams and One-Way Slabs
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 3 o f 6



Pos. M
u
at end span = w
u
l
n
2
/14
= 9.19 x 28.25
2
/14
= 523.9 ft-kips
Neg. M
u
at int. col. = w
u
l
n
2
/10*
= 9.19 x 28.125
2
/10
= 726.9 ft-kips
Pos. M
u
at int. span = w
u
l
n
2
/16
= 9.19 x 28
2
/16
= 450.3 ft-kips
V
u
at exterior col. = w
u
l
n
/2
= 9.19 x 28.25/2
= 129.8 kips
V
u
at interior col. = 1.15w
u
l
n
/2
= 1.15 x 129.8
= 149.3 kips
Wind Load Analysis
As noted above, wind forces are computed
per ASCE 7-98. Calculations yield the
following reactions:
M
w
= 90.3 ft-kips
V
w
= 6.0 kips
*Average of adjacent clear spans

Design for Flexure
Sizing the cross-section
Per ACI Table 9.5(a), minimum thickness =
l/18.5 = (30 x 12)/18.5 = 19.5 in.
Since joists are 20.5 in. deep, use 20.5-in.
depth for the beams for formwork economy.
With d = 20.5 2.5 = 18 in., solve Eq. (2)
for b using maximum M
u
along span (note:
gravity moment combination governs):
bd
2
= 20M
u

b = 20 x 726.9/18
2
= 44.9 in. > 36 in.
This implies that using a 36-in. wide beam,
will be greater than 0.5
max
.
Check minimum width based on =
max

(see Chapter 3 of the PCA publication
Simplified Design of Reinforced Concrete
Buildings of Moderate Size and Height for
derivation):
bd
2
= 13M
u

b = 13 x 726.9/18
2
= 29.2 in. < 36 in.
This implies that will be less than
max
.
Use 36 x 20.5 in. beam.


T
T
T
I
I
I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Beams and One-Way Slabs
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 4 o f 6



Required Reinforcement
Beam moments along the span are
summarized in the table below.
Load Case Location
End Span
(ft-kips)
Interior span
(ft-kips)
Exterior negative -211.2

Positive 241.4 207.5 Dead (D)
Interior negative -335.0 -301.8
Exterior negative -95.6

Positive 109.3 94.0 Live (L)
Interior negative -151.7 -136.7
Exterior negative 90.3

Positive

Wind (W)
Interior negative 90.3 90.3
No. Load Combination
Exterior negative -458.4

Positive 523.9 450.3 1 1.4D + 1.7L
Interior negative -726.9 -654.9
-228.5

Exterior negative
-458.8
Positive 392.8 337.7
-660.3 -376.1
2 0.75(1.4D + 1.7L + 1.7W)
Interior negative
-430.0 -606.3
-72.7

Exterior negative
-307.5
Positive 217.3 186.8
-418.9 -154.2
3 0.9D + 1.3W
Interior negative
-184.1 -389.0


T
T
T
I
I
I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Beams and One-Way Slabs
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 5 o f 6



Eq. (6) is used to determine the required
reinforcement, which is summarized in the
table below. Tables 1 and 2 are utilized to
ensure that the number of bars chosen
conform to the code requirements for cover
and spacing.
Location M
u
(ft-kips) A
s
(in.
2
)* Reinforcement
Exterior negative -458.8 6.37 8-No. 8
Positive 523.9 7.28 10-No. 8 End Span
Interior negative -726.9 10.10 13-No. 8
Interior Span Positive 450.3 6.25 8-No. 8



2
s
2
2
s
u s
in. 13.87 18 36 0.0214 A Max.
(governs) in. 2.16 18/60,000 36 200
in. 2.05 18/60,000 36 4,000 3 A Min.
/4d M A *
= =
= =
= =
=


For example, at the exterior negative
location in the end span, the required A
s
=
M
u
/4d = 458.8/(4 x 18) = 6.37 in.
2
Eight
No. 8 bars provides 6.32 in.
2
(say OK;
less than 1% difference). From Table 1, the
minimum number of No. 8 bars for a 36-
in. wide beam is 5. Similarly, from Table 2,
the maximum number of No. 8 bars is 16.
Therefore, 8-No. 8 bars are adequate.
Design for Shear
Shear design is illustrated by determining
the requirements at the exterior face of
the interior column.
V
u
= 1.4D + 1.7L = 149.3 kips (governs)
V
u
at d from face = 149.3 9.19(18/12)
= 135.5 kips
kips 348.4 d b f 10 ) V
c
V ( Max.
w c s
= = +
kips 69.7 d b f 2
c
V
w c
= =
Required V
s
= 135.5 69.7 = 65.8 kips
From Table 4, No. 5 U-stirrups at d/3
provides V
s
= 94 kips > 65.8 kips.
Length over which stirrups are required =
[149.3 (69.7/2)]/9.19 = 12.45 ft from
face of support.
Use No. 5 stirrups @ 6 in.


T
T
T
I
I
I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Beams and One-Way Slabs
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 6 o f 6



Reinforcement Details
The figure below shows the reinforcement
details for the beam. The bar lengths are
computed from Fig. 8-3 of the PCA
publication Simplified Design of Reinforced
Concrete Buildings of Moderate Size and
Height. In lieu of computing the bar
lengths in accordance with ACI Sects.
12.10 through 12.12, 2-No. 5 bars are
provided within the center portion of the
span to account for any variations in

required bar lengths due to wind effects.
For overall economy, it may be worthwhile to
forego the No. 5 bars and determine the
actual bar lengths per the above ACI
sections.
Since the beams are part of the primary
lateral-load-resisting system, ACI Sect.
12.11.2 requires that at least one-fourth of
the positive moment reinforcement extend
into the support and be anchored to
develop f
y
in tension at the face of the
support.

Section A-A
A
A
1-6 2-0
20.5
30-0
7-1 9-6
8-No. 8 2-No. 5 13-No. 8
3-No. 8 7-No. 8
3-No. 8
5-No. 8
6
Standard
hook (typ.)
3-6 3-6
Class A tension splice
2
15-No. 5 @ 9 26-No. 5 @ 6
2
36
4
16
13-No. 8
10-No. 8
No. 5 U-stirrups
1 clear (typ.)


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I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Two-Way Slabs
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 1 o f 7



The following example illustrates the
design methods presented in the article
Timesaving Design Aids for Reinforced
Concrete, Part 2: Two-way Slabs, by
David A. Fanella, which appeared in the
October 2001 edition of Structural
Engineer magazine. Unless otherwise
noted, all referenced table, figure, and
equation numbers are from that article.

Example Building
Below is a partial plan of a typical floor in a
cast-in-place reinforced concrete building. In
this example, an interior strip of a flat
plate floor system is designed and detailed
for the effects of gravity loads according
to ACI 318-99.
20-0 20-0 20-0
2
4

-
0

2
4

-
0

20x 20 (typ.)
24x 24 (typ.)
D
e
s
i
g
n

s
t
r
i
p



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T
T
I
I
I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Two-Way Slabs
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 2 o f 7



Design Data
Materials
Concrete: normal weight (150 pcf), -
in. maximum aggregate, f
c
= 4,000 psi
Mild reinforcing steel: Grade 60 (f
y
=
60,000 psi)
Loads
Superimposed dead loads = 30 psf
Live load = 50 psf
Minimum Slab Thickness
Longest clear span l
n
= 24 (20/12) =
22.33 ft
From Fig. 1, minimum thickness h per ACI
Table 9.5(c) = l
n
/30 = 8.9 in.
Use Fig. 2 to determine h based on shear
requirements at edge column assuming a
9 in. slab:
w
u
= 1.4(112.5 + 30) + 1.7(50) = 284.5 psf

A = 24 x [(20 + 1.67)/2] = 260 ft
2

A/c
1
2
= 260/1.67
2
= 93.6

From Fig. 2, d/c
1
0.39
d = 0.39 x 20 = 7.80 in.
h = 7.80 + 1.25 = 9.05 in.
Try preliminary h = 9.0 in.
Design for Flexure
Use Fig. 3 to determine if the Direct Design
Method of ACI Sect. 13.6 can be utilized to
compute the bending moments due to the
gravity loads:
3 continuous spans in one direction,
more than 3 in the other O.K.
Rectangular panels with long-to-short
span ratio = 24/20 = 1.2 < 2 O.K.
Successive span lengths in each
direction are equal O.K.
No offset columns O.K.
L/D = 50/(112.5 + 30) = 0.35 < 2 O.K.
Slab system has no beams N.A.
Since all requirements are satisfied, the
Direct Design Method can be used.


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I
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I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Two-Way Slabs
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 3 o f 7



Total panel moment M
o
in end span:
kips - ft 2 282
8
167 18 24 285 0
8
w
M
2 2
n 2 u
o
.
. .
=

= =
l l


Total panel moment M
o
in interior span:
kips - ft 0 277
8
0 18 24 285 0
8
w
M
2 2
n 2 u
o
.
. .
=

= =
l l


For simplicity, use M
o
= 282.2 ft-kips for all
spans.
Division of the total panel moment M
o
into
negative and positive moments, and then
column and middle strip moments, involves
the direct application of the moment
coefficients in Table 1.

End Spans Int. Span
Slab
Moments
(ft-kips)
Ext. neg. Positive Int. neg. Positive
Total
Moment
73.4 146.7 197.5 98.8
Column
Strip
73.4 87.5 149.6 59.3
Middle
Strip
0 59.3 48.0 39.5
Note: All negative moments are at face of support.


T
T
T
I
I
I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Two-Way Slabs
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 4 o f 7



Required slab reinforcement.
Span Location
M
u

(ft-kips)
b*
(in.)
d**
(in.)
A
s

(in.
2
)
Min. A
s

(in.
2
)
Reinforcement
+

End Span
Ext. neg. 73.4 120 7.75 2.37 1.94 12-No. 4
Positive 87.5 120 7.75 2.82 1.94 15-No. 4
Column
Strip
Int. Neg. 149.6 120 7.75 4.83 1.94 25-No. 4
Ext. neg. 0.0 168 7.75 --- 2.72 14-No. 4
Positive 59.3 168 7.75 1.91 2.72 14-No. 4
Middle
Strip
Int. Neg. 48.0 168 7.75 1.55 2.72 14-No. 4
Interior Span
Column
Strip
Positive 59.3 120 7.75 1.91 1.94 10-No. 4
Middle
Strip
Positive 39.5 168 7.75 1.27 2.72 14-No. 4
*Column strip width b = (20 x 12)/2 = 120 in.
*Middle strip width b = (24 x 12) 120 = 168 in.
**Use average d = 9 1.25 = 7.75 in.
A
s
= M
u
/4d where M
u
is in ft-kips and d is in inches
Min. A
s
= 0.0018bh = 0.0162b; Max. s = 2h = 18 in. or 18 in. (Sect. 13.3.2)
+
For maximum spacing: 120/18 = 6.7 spaces, say 8 bars
168/18 = 9.3 spaces, say 11 bars
Design for Shear
Check slab shear and flexural strength at
edge column due to direct shear and
unbalanced moment transfer.
Check slab reinforcement at exterior column
for moment transfer between slab and
column.
Portion of total unbalanced moment
transferred by flexure =
f
M
u



T
T
T
I
I
I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Two-Way Slabs
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 5 o f 7



b
1
= 20 + (7.75/2) = 23.875 in.
b
2
= 20 + 7.75 = 27.75 in.
b
1
/b
2
= 0.86
From Fig. 5,
f
= 0.62*

f
M
u
= 0.62 x 73.4 = 45.5 ft-kips
Required A
s
= 45.5/(4 x 7.75) = 1.47 in.
2

Number of No. 4 bars = 1.47/0.2 = 7.4,
say 8 bars
Must provide 8-No. 4 bars within an
effective slab width = 3h + c
2
= (3 x 9) +
20 = 47 in.

Provide the required 8-No. 4 bars by
concentrating 8 of the column strip bars
(12-No. 4) within the 47 in. slab width over
the column.
Check bar spacing:
For 8-No. 4 within 47 in. width: 47/8 =
5.9 in. < 18 in. O.K.
For 4-No. 4 within 120 47 = 73 in. width:
73/4 = 18.25 in. > 18 in.
Add 1 additional bar on each side of the
47 in. strip; the spacing becomes 73/6 =
12.2 in. < 18 in. O.K.
Reinforcement details at this location are
shown in the figure on the next page (see
Fig. 6).

The provisions of Sect. 13.5.3.3 may be utilized; however, they are not in this example.


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T
T
I
I
I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Two-Way Slabs
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 6 o f 7


1

-
8

-
1
1

C
o
l
u
m
n

s
t
r
i
p

1
0

-
0

5-6
3
-
N
o
.

4

8
-
N
o
.

4

3
-
N
o
.

4


Check the combined shear stress at the
inside face of the critical transfer section.
c J
M
A
V
v
u v
c
u
u
/

+ =

Factored shear force at edge column:
V
u
= 0.285[(24 x 10.83) (1.99 x 2.31)]
V
u
= 72.8 kips
When the end span moments are
determined from the Direct Design
Method, the fraction of unbalanced
moment transferred by eccentricity of
shear must be 0.3M
o
= 0.3 x 282.2 =
84.7 ft-kips (Sect. 13.6.3.6).

v
= 1
f
= 1 0.62 = 0.38
c
2
/c
1
= 1.0
c
1
/d = 20/7.75 = 2.58
Interpolating from Table 7, f
1
= 9.74 and
f
2
= 5.53
A
c
= f
1
d
2
= 9.74 x 7.75
2
= 585.0 in.
2



T
T
T
I
I
I
M
M
M
E
E
E
S
S
S
A
A
A
V
V
V
I
I
I
N
N
N
G
G
G


D
D
D
E
E
E
S
S
S
I
I
I
G
G
G
N
N
N


A
A
A
I
I
I
D
D
D
S
S
S



Two-Way Slabs
P o r t l a n d C e m e n t A s s o c i a t i o n
P a g e 7 o f 7



J/c = 2f
2
d
3
= 2 x 5.53 x 7.75
3
= 5,148 in.
3

psi 4 199 0 75 4 124 v
148 5
000 12 7 84 38 0
0 585
800 72
v
u
u
. . .
,
, . .
.
,
= + =

+ =


Determine allowable shear stress v
c
from
Fig. 4b:
b
o
/d = (2b
1
+ b
2
)/d

b
o
/d = [(2 x 23.875) + 27.75]/7.75 = 9.74

c
= 1
v
c
= 215 psi > v
u
= 199.4 psi OK
Reinforcement Details
The figures below show the reinforcement
details for the column and middle strips.
The bar lengths are determined from
Fig. 13.3.8 of ACI 318-99.

1-8 2-0
20-0
5-6
14-No. 4 13-No. 4
2-No. 4 13-No. 4
Standard
hook (typ.)
Class A tension splice
5-6
3-8
5-6
3-8
12-No. 4
6
Column strip
1-8 2-0
20-0
4-0
14-No. 4 14-No. 4
7-No. 4 7-No. 4
Standard
hook (typ.)
4-0 4-0
6
Middle strip
6
3-0
7-No. 4
7-No. 4