Chapter 4

Deflection of beams and slabs

OBJECTIVE/SCOPE:

This chapter explains how to size a beam or slab element to comply with deflection criteria.

SUMMARY:

The fundamental requirements for deflection of reinforced concrete elements are outlined and the factors
affecting deflection is explained.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• To use the span/depth ratios to size beam and slab elements for reinforced concrete.
• To apply tables to modify the deflection criteria dependant on the percentage tensions and
compression reinforcement.

4.1 Introduction

The deflection can for homogenous elastic beam/slab elements can be calculated with ease.

4.1.1 Example 4.1:

Consider the standard case for a simply supported structural steel beam (152 x 89 x 16 kg/m) spanning
4 000 and supporting an uniformly distributed load of 5 kN/m:
Ln = 5 kN/m & Dn = 16 kg/m

152 x 89 x 16 –I

4 000

Figure 4.1: Elevation of beam

REFERENCE CALCULATIONS OUTPUT

Nominal loads:
Given • Nominal self-weight of beam (Dn b ) = 16 x 10/1000 = 0,16 kN/m Dn b = 0,16 kN/m
Given • Nominal imposed loa d (Ln) =5,0 kN/m Ln = 5,0 kN/m
SANS 10160 Serviceability loads on beam, q:
4.4.2 q = 1,1Dn + 1,0Q n (1,1Dn + 1,0Ln )
= 1,1 x 0,16 + 1,0 x 5
= 5,18 kN/m q = 5,18 kN/m
Note: The deflections are calculated under serviceability limit state criteria and the loading, q as defined in
SANS 10160, the “loading code” = 1,1D n + 1,0Qn , thus allowing a 10 % tolerance increase for the self-weight to
accommodate a marginal increase in the weight of the material. This is indeed true for reinforced concrete
members where the self-weight of the material may increase due to incorrect shutter sizes or if the shuttering
should move or if additional finishes may be applied to the member. In this case where the self-weight of the steel
beam is c learly defined some designers may consider to use a serviceability loading = 1,0Dn + 1,0Q n = 5,18 kN/m
 REFERENCE CALCULATIONS OUTPUT
Sectional properties of beam:
Steel construc= I x-x = 8,38 x 106 mm4
tion handbook Es = 200 GPa = 200 x 103 MPa
Table 2 5 q .L4
δ=
384 E.I x − x

= 5 5,18 x 40004
(x )
384 200x 103 x 8 ,38 x 106
= 10,3 mm δ = 10,3 mm

Reinforced concrete is not a homogeneous material (made up of aggregate, cement, water and steel
reinforcement) and also does not behave as an elastic material since the element may crack. The
deflection of concrete beams can therefore not be calculated using the elastic method.

The deflection is governed by providing a section with adequate depth. For different support conditions
length/effective depth (l/d) ratios are used to limit deflections to acceptable limits.

4.2 Deflection of beams and slabs

4.2.1 Introduction

The limits of deflection of a beam can be checked against certain span/effective depth ratios (Table 10)
and is furthermore also dependent on the percentage of tensile (Table 11) and compression
reinforcement (Table 12) placed in the beam. The effect of the amount of tensile and compression
reinforcement is used as modification factors to modify the span/effective depth ratio of the beam. These
limits govern deflection and are outlined in the relevant clauses of the reinforced concrete design code,
SANS 10100-1 (1).

These deflections standards may also be used at the outset in the design process to assist in the sizing
the beam.
span
Minimum effective depth, d =
span
ratio x As mod factor x A's mod factor
effective depth
span
d= (Equation 4.1)
T10 x T11 x T12
4.2.2 Span/effective depth ratios

Excessive deflection of a structure can be detrimental to an element in as far as this may result in crack
formation or the failure of non load bearing elements or finishes on the structure. Excessive deflection is
also unsightly and may result in discomfort for the user. Clause 4.3.6 in, SANS 10100 (1) governs the
deflection of elements and these clauses and sub-clauses should be adhered to;

4.2
Clause 4.3.6.2: Span/effective depth ratio for rectangular beams.

• Table 4.1 (Table 10 in SANS 10100) gives basic span/effective depth ratios for rectangular
beams for spans up to 10 m. For spans in excess of 10 m the values has to be modified with a
factor of span/10.
• The table has been compiled with the assumption that the deflection is less than 1/250 x span.

Table 4.1: Span/effective depth ratio for rectangular beams (SANS 10100-1, Table 10)
Support conditions Ratio

Truly simple supported beams 16

Simply supported beams with nominally restrained ends 20

Beams with one end continuous 24

Beams with both ends continuous 28

Cantilevers 7

4.2.3 Modification factors for tension reinforcement

Furthermore, the deflection is dependant on the amount of tensile reinforcement present in the beam; the
factor in Table 10 in SANS 10100 must further be adjusted by the values in Table 11 in the code, given
here as Table 4.2.

Table 4.2: Modification factors for tension reinforcement (SANS 10100-1, Table 11)
Steel Modification factors
service M/bd2
stress 0,5 1,0 1,5 2,0 2,5 3,0 3,5 4,0 4,5 5,0 5,5 6,0
fs
300 1,60 1,33 1,16 1,06 0,98 0,93 0,89 0,85 0,82 0,80 0,78 0,76
290 1,66 1,37 1,20 1,09 1,01 0,95 0,90 0,87 0,84 0,81 0,79 0,78
280 1,72 1,41 1,23 1,12 1,03 0,97 0,92 0,89 0,85 0,83 0,81 0,79
270 1,78 1,46 1,27 1,14 1,06 0,99 0,94 0,90 0,87 0,84 0,82 0,80
260 1,84 1,50 1,30 1,17 1,08 1,01 0,96 0,92 0,88 0,86 0,83 0,81
250 1,90 1,55 1,34 1,20 1,11 1,04 0,98 0,94 0,90 0,87 0,85 0,82

240 1,96 1,59 1,37 1,23 1,13 1,06 1,00 0,95 0,92 0,88 0,86 0,84
230 2,00 1,63 1,41 1,26 1,16 1,08 1,02 0,97 0,93 0,90 0,87 0,85
220 2,00 1,68 1,44 1,29 1,18 1,10 1,04 9,99 0,95 0,91 0,88 0,86
210 2,00 1,72 1,48 1,32 1,20 1,12 1,06 1,00 0,96 0,93 0,90 0,87
200 2,00 1,76 1,51 1,35 1,23 1,14 1,07 1,02 0,98 0,94 0,91 0,88
190 2,00 1,81 1,55 1,37 1,25 1,16 1,09 1,04 0,99 0,96 0,92 0,90

180 2,00 1,85 1,58 1,40 1,28 1,18 1,11 1,06 1,01 0,97 0,94 0,91
170 2,00 1,90 1,62 1,43 1,30 1,21 1,13 1,07 1,02 0,98 0,95 0,92
160 2,00 1,94 1,65 1,46 1,33 1,23 1,15 1,09 1,04 1,00 0,96 0,93
150 2,00 1,98 1,69 1,49 1,35 1,25 1,17 1,11 1,05 1,01 0,98 0,94
140 2,00 2,00 1,72 1,52 1,38 1,27 1,19 1,12 1,07 1,03 0,99 0,96
130 2,00 2,00 1,75 1,55 1,40 1,29 1,21 1,14 1,09 1,04 1,00 0,97
120 2,00 2,00 1,79 1,58 1,43 1,31 1,23 1,16 1,10 1,05 1,01 0,98
4.3
• The serviceability stress in tension reinforcement in a beam in table 4.2 is derived from the
following equation:
γ 1 + γ 2 As ,required 1
f s = 0,87 xf y x x x (Equation 4.2)
γ 3 + γ 4 A s ,provided β b
The symbols are defined in clause 4.3.6.3.1, with β b = 1 if no redistribution is allowed.

4.2.3.1 Example 4.2:

Calculate the serviceability stress for high tensile bars (Y-bars, fy = 450 MPa) in a section with As,
required = 299 mm2 and As, provided = 3 x 12 diameter bars = 339 mm 2. The loading at ultimate limit
states consist of self-weight and imposed load. Allow for 20 % moment redistribution, i.e. β b = 0,8.
REFERENCE CALCULATIONS O U T PU T
SANS 10160 Partlal load factors:
4.4.2 § γ1 = self-weight load factor at SLS(serviceability limit states) = 1,1
§ γ2 = imposed load factor at SLS = 1,0
§ γ3 = self-weight load factor at ULS(ultimate limit states) = 1,2
§ γ4 = imposed load factor at ULS = 1,6
§ The ratio (γ1+γ2)/(γ3+γ4) = (1,1 + 1,0)/(1,2+1,6) = 0,75
§ Asrequired/A s provided = 299/339 = 0,88
SANS 10100 fs = design service stress in tension reinforcement:
4.3.6.3.1 § fs =0,87 x 450 x (0,75) x (0,88) = 135 MPa with βb = 1
§ fs =0,87 x 450 x (0,75) x (299/339)/0,8 = 169MPa; βb= 0,8 fs = 169MPa
Discussion:
§ If the load on the structure was due self-weight only the ratio γ1/γ3 would have been = 1,1/1,5 =0,73. That
implies that the (γ1+γ2)/(γ3+γ4) ratio decreases f s marginally more than the self-load combination.
§ If a member is over reinforced the ratio of Asrequired/A sprovided results in a lower fs; this additional
reinforcement comes at a cost premium but has a benefit in a lower fs value and a concomitant higher
modification factor (smaller deflection) .
§ Any redistibution of moments that may facilitate ease of reinforcement and may have a cost benefit results
in a higher serviceability stress of the reinforcement and thus a larger deflection.
§ The M/bd2 factor in Table 11 is calculated using the applied external moment at ULS with b & d, the width and
effective depth respectively.

4.2.4 Modification factors for compression reinforcement

Furthermore, the deflection is dependant on the amount of compressive reinforcement present in the
beam; the factor in Table 10 in SANS 10100 must further be adjusted by the values in Table 12 in the
code, given here as Table 4.3.

4.2.5 Discussion

Once the span/effective depth ratio has been determined the amount of tensions (As) and compression
(A’s) reinforcement placed in the section will either negate or exacerbate the deflection.
span
Equation 4.1 =>, d = indicates that once the span has been determined and the
T10 x T11 x T12
appropriate factor (span/effective depth) has been chosen from Table 10 in SANS 10100, the
deflection is then divided by the modification factors in Table 11 and 12; both these tables would
suggest the higher the percentage of steel (both As and A’s) introduced for a given applied external

4.4
moment (at ultimate limit state conditions) the shallower the beam section will become at the expense of
the additional cost.

Table 4.3: Modification factors for compression reinforcement (SANS 10100-1, Table 12)
100A’ s/bd Factor
0,15 1,05
0,25 1,08
0,35 1,10
0,50 1,14
0,75 1,20
1,00 1,25
1,25 1,29
1,50 1,33
1,75 1,37
2,00 1,40
2,50 1,45
> 3,00 1,50

4.3 Fire resistance

The minimum cover to reinforcing steel for various conditions of exposure is given in Table 5, SANS
10100-2, The structural use of concrete, Part 2: Materials and execution of work (2) can be modified
to accommodate the fire resistance requirements of a beam. Table 5 was reproduced as “Table 3.4,
Minimum cover for normal-density and low-density concrete for various conditions of exposure”.

The fire resistance of a reinforced concrete beam depends on the amount of protective cover consisting
of concrete and these requirements are given in Table 43 in SANS 10100-1; partly reproduced (for
siliceous aggregate concrete) here as Table 4.4.

Table 4.4: Fire resistance of reinforced concrete beams in hours (SANS 10100-1, Table 43)
Minimum dimensions of concrete (mm)
Description
4h 3h 2 h 1,5 h 1 h 0,5 h
1) Average concrete cover to main reinforcement 65* 55* 45* 35 25 15
2) Beam width 280 240 180 140 110 80
* Supplementary reinforcement may be necessary to hold the concrete cover in position

The tables indicate the minimum cover to the main reinforcement as well as minimum dimensions.

The fire resistance of solid reinforced concrete slabs is given in Table 45 in SANS 10100-1; partly
reproduced as Table 4.5.

Table 4.5: Fire resistance of solid reinforced concrete floors in hours (SANS 10100-1, Table
45)
Minimum dimensions of concrete (mm)
Description
4h 3h 2 h 1,5 h 1 h 0,5 h
1) Average concrete cover to reinforcement 25 25 20 20 15 15
2) Depth overall 150 150 125 125 100 100

4.5
The fire resistance of reinforced concrete columns is given in Table 48 in SANS 10100-1; partly
reproduced as Table 4.6. In the case of columns the concrete cover is similar to that of beams with a
cover up to 40 mm and Table 4.4 may be used. Above 40 mm supplementary reinforcement is
necessary to hold the concrete cover in position.

Table 4.6: Fire resistance of concrete columns, all faces exposed (hrs) (SANS 10100-1, Table
48)
Description Minimum dimensions of concrete (mm)
4h 3h 2 h 1,5 h 1 h 0,5 h
1) Columns width – no plaster 450 400 300 250 200 150
2) Column width – 15 plaster 300 275 225 150 150 150

4.4 Examples:

4.4.1 Example 4.2: Determine the preliminary dimensions of the following beam:
§ 8 000 span and simply supported,
§ 1,5 hour fire resistance,
§ 30 MPa concrete, and
§ the exposure conditions are severe
SANS 10100 CALCULATIONS OUTPUT
Preliminary dimensions:
T10 l/d = 20 (assume simply supported with nominally restrained ends)
∴ Minimum depth, d = 8 000/20 = 400 mm
Use the following reinforcement:
§ Main reinforcement decide on 20 i, and
§ Shear reinforcement, say 10 i
Note: At this stage it is prudent to be conservative and to select the
reinforcing steel diameters on the high side; later on if the preliminary
depth is sufficient then an adjustment can be made for the effective
depth, d; if this is not the case and you run out of depth the entire
calculation has to be de-done.
SANS 10100-2 Exposure: (See Chapter 3, Table 3.4)
T5 Cover = 40 mm (Normal-density concrete) d
∴ Minimum overall depth, h = d + centroid (main bars) + i (links) + cover
= d + i/2 (main bars) + i (links) + cover
main bars= 20 i
= 400 + 20/2 + 10 + 40 links= 10 i
= 460 mm cover = 40
SANS 10100-1 Fire resistance:
T43 Cover to main reinforcement = 35 mm
∴ Minimum overall depth, h = d + centroid (main bars) + cover
= d + i/2 (main bars) + cover
= 400 + 20/2 + 35
= 445 mm
& Minimum sectional width = 140 mm

4.6
 SANS 10100 CALCULATIONS OUTPUT
Discussion:
§ The exposure conditions thus determine the minimum sectional
depth. The minimum depth, h required = 460 mm.
§ The required beam size = 460 x 140.
§ The practical beam size may now be determined by available
shuttering dimensions or multiples of masonry courses, dependent
on where the beam is located:
o Specify an overall beam depth = 6 brick courses (6 x 85) = 510
and the width of beam equal to the wall (for arguments sake) =
230; or
o Use 2 x 228 x 38 x grade V5 SA pine as shuttering (on top of
each other) placed on top of a 228 x 38 plank. Make the beam
456 deep and specify a width of 152, (228 – 38 – 38) say.
§ In the latter case the lesser dimension specified has to be
tested against the requirements of Table 11.

4.5 References:

1. South African Bureau of Standards. Code of practice, The structural use of concrete, Part 1:
Design. SANS 10100-1:1992.
2. South African Bureau of Standards. Code of practice, The structural use of concrete, Part 2:
Materials and execution of work. SANS 10100-2:1992.

4.6 Assignments
4.6.1 Assignme nt 4.1
Calculate the preliminary depth, h of the following slab:
§ Continuous on both sides
§ 5 000 span, with the rest of the conditions as for example 4.2.

4.6.2 Assignment 4.2

Calculate the preliminary depth, h of the beam with cantilever given in Figure 4.2. The beam is placed in
a building, located in the Highveld and has to designed for a 2 hour fire resistance.

A B C
4 000 1 500

Figure 4.2: Beam with cantilever

4.7