Reinforced Concrete Design (you may submit by end of April)

This is an open-book and open-note exam. You may use Opensees, your own code, or any other tools
for helping you with the analysis. Use structural analysis software is also allowed but you must be able
to explain the underlying theory when asked.

All dimensions are in mm, stresses are in MPa.

Problem 1: RC beam under flexure

a) Determine the moment curvature relationship, yield moment for a beam having a cross-section as
shown next. Describe the procedure in detail.

Properties of material:

Concrete:
Grade M25
Young’s modulus E=5000 √ f ck
Under compression

[( )]
2
ϵ − ϵ
Characteristic strength f c =0.447 f ck 2
) (
0.002 0.002
550
for ϵ <0.002 where ϵ is strain.
Neglect the concrete under tension

Steel:
Grade Fe415 4−25 ϕ
E s =200 GPa
F y =415 MPa
n
ϵ = σ +0.002 σ
Es (
0.87 F y )
where ϵ is the total strain, σ the stress, and n=50 .
300
b) A propped cantilever is shown in Figure 1. Determine the maximum udl (q) the beam can carry
allowing for moment re-distribution at ultimate limit state. To simplify the calculation you may assume
the section is singly reinforced (only consider the steel on the tension face). Assumethe udl includes
self weight.
q
4−25 ϕ 2−25 ϕ
2−25 ϕ 4−25 ϕ

L/ 4
L=4000 mm
Figure 1: A propped cantilever beam
c) In designing continuous beams, the IS code allows for moment re-distribution under ultimate limit
state. What are the criteria the section must satisfy to apply the method of moment redistributon for
calculating the design moments at ultimate limit state. Does the section in part b satisfy the required
criteria? If not what modifications would you suggest?

Problem 2: 2D flat structural elements

a. Explain the Johanssen’s yield line method and Hellerborg’s finite strip method for analysis of slabs.
Compare these two methods to determine the maximum floor udl carrying capacity of 2-way RC slab
by solving an example problem as per your choice.

b. For the slab shown in Figure 2 determine the maximum allowable floor load by adopting yield line
method. Assume, grade of steel is Fe415 and grade of concrete is M25. Hint: you may need to try a few
yield line pattern. For help you can see the example given in the book by Menon.

Slab thickness: 200 mm

A A
10 mm @ 200 mm c / c 12 mm@ 200 mm c / c
Top/ Bottom Top/ Bottom
Figure 2: A rectangular slab with edges AB, AD clamped. AB simply supported

Problem 3: Compression and beam-column elements

a) Derive the PM interaction of a column section that is shown in Figure 3. All material parameters are
similar to that in Problem 1.

400 mm 550ϕ
10−20

4−25 ϕ

500 mm
50 mm cover all around
Figure 4: A column cross-section (dimensions are not to scale)
b) What are the second order effects in structural frames? How is it considered in concrete structures?

c) A portal frame is shown in Figure 4 that carries a UDL of 3 kN/m. Estimate the moment demands
considering second order effect. Then check whether the column section is adequate if not propose
your solution. Comment if second order analysis is necessary for such system. You may opt for second
order elastic analysis to find out the magnified moments in the system and check it against the capacity
of the . For second order analysis you can use 2 nd order slope deflection method, or take help of any
tool that you be comfortable with. Reinforcement details of the column section is as shown in Figure 3.
Assume minimum reinforcement for the beam.

3 kN /m

Column size:
500 mm (wide)
x 400 mm (thick)
6000 mm Grade of
concrete: M25 Beam size:
Grade of stee: 400 mm (depth) x
Fe 500 300 mm (thick)

4000 mm
Figure 4: A portal frame. (dimensions are not to scale)

Problem 4 (Material testing)

a) The accompanied excel sheet contains the compressive test data performed on concrete cube as per
IS 516 and IS 456 specifications. Determine the characteristic strength of concrete.

b) As per IS 456, to determine the compressive strength the cube of dimension 150 mm is
recommended. On what basis 150 mm dimension was chosen? Hint: you may need to do some research
on this.