CIE 525 Reinforced Concrete Structures

Instructor: Andrew Whittaker

4. MOMENT-CURVATURE RELATIONSHIPS
4.1 Recommended Reading
1.

Paulay, T. and Priestley, M. J. N., Seismic Design of Reinforced Concrete and Masonry
Buildings, Wiley InterScience, Chapter 3

2.

MacGregor, J., Reinforced Concrete, Mechanics and Design, Prentice Hall, Third Edition.

4.2 Redistribution of Moments in RC Systems

4.2.1

Gravity-Load-Resisting Systems

Section 8.4 of ACI 318 permits redistribution of moment in continuous reinforced concrete flexural
members.

linear elastic analysis of a nonlinear component

w kips/ft

l
Prismatic cross section, M n

Elastic moment diagram

Plastic moment diagram

Plastic hinges?
For a prismatic cross section with positive and negative moment capacity M n , the maximum load w by
analysis is

Elastic analysis: we

p
Plastic analysis: wmax
=

max

Lecture 04

12M n
L2
16M n
2

e
= 1.33wmax

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CIE 525 Reinforced Concrete Structures

Instructor: Andrew Whittaker

So, the use of plastic analysis produces a larger permissible load than elastic analysis. How can this
additional capacity be realized?

adequate ductility in the plastic hinging regions

ductility is a measure of inelastic deformation capacity beyond the yield deformation
use moment-curvature analysis to determine deformation limits
degree of concrete confinement will affect the deformation limit
maximum concrete strain c max

4.2.2

Lateral-Force-Resisting Systems

Redistribution of lateral forces underpins the response of framing systems subjected to earthquake and
blast forces because components attain their maximum strengths at different levels of deformation. See
the beam-sway mechanism below that is a preferred mechanism in earthquake engineering.

why is beam sway a preferred mechanism?

effect of gravity load moments on component response?

Flexural demands on a beam

gravity

earthquake

sum

So, adequate deformation capacity must be provided for all of the hinges to form as shown

large inelastic deformation in the concrete

large ductility achieved through the use of appropriate details, including confinement

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CIE 525 Reinforced Concrete Structures

Instructor: Andrew Whittaker

4.3 Moment-Curvature Analysis of Unconfined Sections

4.3.1

Response Calculations

For hand calculations, the moment at three levels of curvature are established

curvature at cracking of the cross section (at M cr )

curvature at yield of the cross section (at M y )

curvature at the ultimate concrete strain (at M u )

The procedures are illustrated below for two unconfined sections: (1) a slab with tension rebar only, and
(2) a beam with tension rebar (part 1) and tension and compression rebar.
4.3.2

Moment-Curvature Analysis of a Slab

This analysis represents the simplest of all moment-curvature analyses. Some simplifying assumptions are
made to calculate the moment-curvature ( M ) relationships, and all are basic assumptions in flexural
theory, namely,
1. Sections perpendicular to the axis of bending that are plane before bending are plane after
bending, or plane sections remain plane. See the figure below.

As such, curvature and strain are related as follows:

=

where y is the distance from the neutral axis.

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CIE 525 Reinforced Concrete Structures

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2. The strain in the rebar is equal to the strain in the concrete at the same level in the cross section
3. The stresses in the steel and concrete can be established from the individual stress-strain
relationships
The example slab is shown below. The objective is to calculate the moment-curvature relationship for the
slab section. Assume a 12-in wide section of slab for the purpose of calculation, Grade 60 rebar, and fc =
4 ksi. Assume 1 in of cover to the longitudinal rebar.

#4 @ 6

Three sets of calculations are made, at cracking, at yield, and at ultimate.

Cracking

bD3 12 63
=
= 216 in3
Ignoring the rebar (and having to transform the section), I g =
12
12
E for the concrete is 57,000 4000 psi = 3604 ksi

f r I g (7.5 f ) (216)
c
Calculate the cracking moment, M cr =
=
= 34.2 kip in
1000
3
yt
Calculate the curvature at the cracking moment, cr =

M cr
Ec I g

34.2
= 0.000044 = 4.39 E 5
3604 216

So the data point for cracking (cr , M cr ) is (0.000043, 34.2)

Yield

For this calculation, use is made of the cracked transformed moment of inertia. The limiting strain is the
yield strain in the tension steel. For information on the calculation of transformed moments of inertia, see
Chapter 9 of MacGregor.

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CIE 525 Reinforced Concrete Structures

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kd

bkd

fc
d

nAs

fs

Transformed
Areas

Strains

Stresses

The assumed stress distribution in the concrete is shown above. The depth to the neutral axis is kd. The
strain in the rebar is y . For a singly reinforced section,
k = 2n + (n)2 n
where n is the modular ratio (= Es Ec ) and = As bd .
For the subject cross section, d = 6 1

and k = 0.28 . (Is this value reasonable?)

0.5
2 (0.2 in 2 )
29,000
= 4.75" , =
= 8.04 ,
= 0.0070 , and n =
2
12 4.75
3604

Taking moments about the centroid of the concrete compression block, which is located at a distance of
kd below the top of the slab,
3
kd
0.28 4.75
M y = As f s ( jd ) = As f y (d ) = (0.4 in 2 )60(4.75
) = 103.4 kip in
3
3
The corresponding curvature is

y =

y
(d kd )

0.0021
= 0.00061 = 6.1E 4
3.42

So the data point for yielding ( y , M y ) is (0.00061, 103.4)

Ultimate

See the figure below for the information needed to solve for the ultimate moment and ultimate curvature.

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CIE 525 Reinforced Concrete Structures

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0.85 f c

c max

c
d

1c

fy

> y
Strains

Stresses

Assuming a rectangular (Whitney-type) stress block, calculate the depth to the neutral axis c:

c=

As f y
0.85 fcb1

0.4 60
= 0.69"
0.85 4 12 0.85

The ultimate moment M u is calculated in the traditional manner, namely,

c
0.85 0.69
M u = As f y (d 1 ) = 0.4 60 (4.75
) = 106.9 kip in
2
2
The corresponding ultimate curvature is

0.003
u = c max =
= 0.0043 = 4.3E 3 = 9 y
c
0.69
So the data point for ultimate ( u , M u ) is (0.0043, 106.9). Note the small difference between M u (107
kip-in) and M y (104 kip-in).

Moment (kip-in)

150

100

50

0
0.000

Lecture 04

0.001

0.002
0.003
Curvature 1/in

0.004

0.005

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CIE 525 Reinforced Concrete Structures

4.3.3

Instructor: Andrew Whittaker

Moment-Curvature Analysis of a Beam

This sample analysis for a beam presented below builds on the slab example presented above. Two cases
will be considered: (a) tension rebar only, and (b) tension and compression rebar. Key information for the
analysis is presented in the table below.

fc

4 ksi

fy

60 ksi

2#9 (part b only)

fr

0.474 ksi

Ig

13,210 in4

Ec

3604 ksi

0.0099

0.0066

22
2
3#9 (parts a and b)
15

Part 1: No compression rebar

Cracking

13,310
(0.474) = 573 kip in
11
M
573
cr = cr =
= 1.19 E 5 / in
3604(13,310)
EI
M cr =

Yielding

n = 8.04
k = 2(0.0099)(8.04) + (0.0099 8.04) 2 0.0099 8.04 = 0.327
kd
0.327 20
M y = As f y (d ) = 3.00 60(20
) = 3207 kip in
3
3
y
0.0021
y =
=
= 1.56 E 4 / in
(d kd ) 13.46

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CIE 525 Reinforced Concrete Structures

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Ultimate

c=

As f y
0.85 f cb1

3.0 60
= 4.15"
0.85 4 15 0.85

c
0.85 4.15
M u = As f y (d 1 ) = 3.0 60(20
) = 3282 kip in = 1.02 M y
2
2

0.003
u = c max =
= 7.2 E 4 / in = 4.6 y
c
4.15
= 4.6
Part 2: Including compression rebar
Cracking (as before)

13,310
(0.474) = 573 kip in
11
M
573
cr = cr =
= 1.19 E 5 / in
EI
3604(13,310)
M cr =

Yielding

n = 8.04
k = ( + ) 2 n 2 + 2( +

d
)n ( + )n = 0.301
d

Now the general equation for the moment M y is

kd
kd
M y = As f y (d ) + As f s (d )
3
3
where the stress in the compression steel is a function of the distance k. If the stress in the tension rebar is
f y , then the strain in the compression rebar can be calculated using similar triangles, namely,
(kd d )
f = 17.3 ksi
(d kd ) y
0.301 20
0.301 20
M y = 3.0 60(20
) + 2.0 17.3(2.0
) = 3238 kip in
3
3
y
0.0021
y =
=
= 1.50 E 4 / in
(d kd ) 13.98
f s =

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CIE 525 Reinforced Concrete Structures

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Ultimate

The calculation of (u , M u ) requires some iteration to establish the location of the neutral axis. For hand
calculations, initially assume that the strain in the compression steel s exceeds the yield strain, and
check this assumption later in the analysis.
c=

As f y As f s 3.0 60 2.0 60
=
= 1.38"
0.85 fcb1
0.85 4 15 0.85

c
M u = (0.85 f c1cb)(d 1 ) + As f s (d d ) = 3321 kip in
2

0.003
u = cu =
= 0.0022
c
1.38
Checking the assumption regarding the strain in the compression steel,
c d
s = c max (
) = 0.0015 = 0.71 y
c
and so the assumption is not valid and another trial is required. Following a few iterations, c = 2.90" ,
f s = 27 ksi , and

M u = (0.85 4 0.85 2.90 15)(20

0.85 2.90
) + 2.0 27(20 2) = 3331 kip in
2

0.003
u = c max =
= 0.0010
2.90
c
= 6.7
Consider now the tabulated data below.
Compression Rebar

Lecture 04

No

Yes

My

3207

3238

0.000156

0.000150

Mu

3282

3331

0.00072

0.0010

40% increase

4.6

6.7

40% increase

negligible increase
no increase
negligible increase

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CIE 525 Reinforced Concrete Structures

Instructor: Andrew Whittaker

4.4 Moment-Curvature Analysis of Confined Sections

4.4.1

Response Calculations

For hand calculations, the moment at three levels of curvature are established as before for unconfined
sections

curvature at cracking of the cross section (at M cr )

curvature at yield of the cross section (at M y )

curvature at the ultimate concrete strain (at M u )

The procedures are illustrated below for one confined section: the beam cross section of Section 4.3.3
with tension and compression rebar. Assume that #5 perimeter hoops at 4 inches on center confine the
cross section.
fc

4 ksi

fy

60 ksi

fr

0.474 ksi

Ig

13,210 in4

Ec

3604 ksi

0.0099

0.0066

2
2#9

y
x

#5 ties @ 4 in. on center

22

2
3#9
15

The first step in the calculation process is to establish the properties of the confined concrete. Consider for
this example moment on the cross section that produces compression in the top of the reinforced concrete
beam (x-x bending). Axes x and y are as shown.
For the cross section shown, and using the terminology of Lecture 03 (from Paulay and Priestley),
hx 13.2 in
hy 20.2 in

Note: these dimensions will

violate the minimum cover
requirements of ACI 318

2 0.3
= 0.0114
4 13.2
2 0.3
x =
= 0.0074
4 20.2
y =

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CIE 525 Reinforced Concrete Structures

Instructor: Andrew Whittaker

Is it reasonable to calculate the degree of confinement based on a weighted average of x and y if the
bending is around the x-x axis and prior experience would indicate that the neutral axis will be located
close to the top of the beam?

conservative to average x and y

what will be the effect on the moment-curvature relationship?

Assuming an effectiveness coefficient of 0.75,

flx
f c

fly
fc

= 0.75 0.0074

60
= 0.083
4

= 0.75 0.0114

60
= 0.128
4

From the above figure, and noting that the largest effective confining strength in this example is fly , the
value of K is 1.6 and the strength of the confined core is therefore
= Kf = 1.6 4 = 6.4 ksi
fcc
c
The remaining parameters needed to defined the stress-strain relationship for the confined cross section
are

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CIE 525 Reinforced Concrete Structures

c max = 0.004 +

Instructor: Andrew Whittaker

1.4( x + y ) f yh sm
1.4(0.0188)60 0.1
= 0.004 +
= 0.028
f
6.4
cc

f
6.4
cc = 0.002[1 + 5( cc 1)] = 0.002[1 + 5(
1)] = 0.008
f
4
c

f
6.4
= 800 ksi
Esec = cc =
cc 0.008
Ec = 57,000 f c = 57,000 4000 psi = 3604 ksi
Ec
= 1.28
r=
Ec Esec

x=

= 125c
0.008
xr
f cc
6.4(125c )1.28
1024c
=
=
fc =
r 1 + x r 1.28 1 + x1.28 0.28 + (125c )1.28

The stress-strain relationship for the confined and unconfined concrete in this cross section is shown
below.

Compressive stress (ksi)

8
7
6
5
4
3

Confined
Unconfined

2
1
0
0.00

0.01
0.02
Compressive strain (in/in)

0.03

To calculate the ultimate moment and ultimate curvature for this section, the stress block parameters must
be established. From before,

K = 1.6, c max = 0.028 , and cc = 0.008

c max 0.028
=
= 3.5
0.008
cc

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From the above relationships, = 1, = 0.9, = 0.9 . There is now sufficient information to complete the
moment-curvature analysis.
Cracking (as before)

13,310
(0.474) = 573 kip in
11
M
573
cr = cr =
= 1.19 E 5 / in
EI
3604(13,310)
M cr =

Yielding (as before)

n = 8.04
k = ( + ) 2 n 2 + 2( +

d
)n ( + )n = 0.301
d

(kd d )
f = 17.3 ksi
(d kd ) y
0.301 20
0.301 20
M y = 3.0 60(20
) + 2.0 17.3(2.0
) = 3238 kip in
3
3
y
0.0021
y =
=
= 1.50 E 4 / in
(d kd ) 13.98
f s =

Ultimate

For the purpose of the calculation below, the effect of the compression rebar will be ignored.

impact of this decision will be discussed later

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CIE 525 Reinforced Concrete Structures

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With confinement, the maximum concrete strains will substantially exceed the spalling strain that will be
assumed to be 0.004. Therefore, the calculation at ultimate conditions should assume that the cover
concrete has spalled (see the orange hatched zone on the figure below).

b = 13.2

d =19.1

2
2#9
#5 ties @ 4 in. on center

22

As f y

3.0 60
c=
=
= 2.36"
b
f cc
0.9 6.4 13.2 1
1
c
cb)(d 1 ) = 3215 kip in
M u = (fcc
1
2

0.028
u = cu =
= 0.0119
c
2.36
= 79

2
3#9
15

Consider now the tabulated data below.

Confinement
No

Yes

My

3207

3207

no change

0.000156

0.000150

no change

Mu

3282

3215

0.00072

0.0119

increase by a factor of 17

4.6

79

increase by a factor of 17

negligible change

What is the effect of ignoring the compression rebar in the above analysis?

effect on the depth to the neutral axis c when compression rebar is included?

if the maximum compression strain is unchanged, and c is (increased/decreased) by the addition

of the compression rebar, what is the effect on the ultimate curvature?

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CIE 525 Reinforced Concrete Structures

Instructor: Andrew Whittaker

What is the effect of ignoring strain hardening in the steel rebar in the above analysis?

effect on maximum strength?

effect on ultimate curvature?

In summary, how is the ultimate curvature and curvature ductility of a cross section increased?
Increase in u , ?
No

Yes

Increase in
Increase in
Increase in f y
Increase in fc
Increase in
Increase in axial compression
4.5 Moment Curvature Analysis of Complex Sections

Most moment-curvature analyses undertaken in the design office make use of computer software. Three
examples of such software are

BIAX: developed by Wallace at UC Berkeley in the early 1990s.

UCFyber: developed by Chadwell at UC Berkeley in the late 1990ssee the link to this program
at the Zevent website: http://www.zevent.com/framep.html.

SEQMC (developed by SEQAD in the late 1990s see the link to this program at the SC
Solutions website: http://www.best.com/~solvers/seqmc.pdf.)

Students may make use of any of these programs. UCFyber can be downloaded free-of-charge at the
Zevent web site and is available on the CSEE servers.
The computer codes operate in a somewhat standard manner with different post-processing features and
GUIs. Below is a short presentation on how moment-curvature relationships are established for arbitrary
cross sections. Some of the presentation is adapted from Priestley, Seible, and Calvi. For the presentation
below, it is assumed that the stress-strain relationship has already been established for the concrete.

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CIE 525 Reinforced Concrete Structures

Instructor: Andrew Whittaker

To date, the moment-curvature analysis has assumed that the stress-strain relationship for rebar is elastic
perfectly plastic. Such an assumption simplifies hand calculations but is substantially conservative. The
figure below from Priestley, Seible, and Calvi shows monotonic tensile stress-strain curves for different
grades of rebar.

nominal yield strength versus measured yield strength

strain range for yield plateau and maximum strain for three grades of rebar

values of sm for the three grades of rebar

Consider the stress-strain relationship below for monotonic loading of Grade 60 rebar (from Priestley,
Seible, and Calvi).

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CIE 525 Reinforced Concrete Structures

Instructor: Andrew Whittaker

For this grade of rebar, the expected yield strength ( f ye ) will exceed the nominal yield strength ( f y ) by a
factor of between 1.1 and 1.3. The strain sh can be taken as 0.008 and the ultimate strain in the rebar
su can be taken as 0.12. In the strain-hardening region of the curve ( sh s su ), the stress in the
rebar can be taken as
0.12 s 2
) ]
f s = f ye [1.5 0.5(
0.112
For analysis involving concrete strains greater than 0.003 and 0.004, the analyst must distinguish between
the confined and unconfined regions of the reinforced concrete element:

concrete contained within the hoops is considered to be confined

concrete outside of the hoops is considered to be unconfined

The figure below, from Priestley, Seible, and Calvi, presents nomenclature for the remainder of this
lecture.

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CIE 525 Reinforced Concrete Structures

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The moment-curvature analysis is an iterative procedure involving considerations of axial and moment
equilibrium on the cross section and a selected vales of extreme fiber strain in compression ( c ).
Consider the circular cross section. The solution for the rectangular cross section is similar but simpler.
From axial equilibrium on the cross section
P=

( D / 2)

x =( D / 2) c

[bc ( x ) f c ( x ) + (b( x ) bc ( x ) ) f cu ( x )]dx + Asi f s ( xi )

i =1

where

x = c ( x 0.5D + c)
c
From moment equilibrium on the cross section
M=

( D / 2)

x =( D / 2) c

[bc ( x ) f c ( x ) + (b( x ) bc ( x ) ) fcu ( x )]xdx + Asi f s ( xi ) xi

i =1

and from before

= c
c
In the above equations, fc (), f cu (), and f s () are the stresses in the confined concrete, unconfined
concrete, and rebar, respectively, as a function of the strain; and Asi is the area of the rebar at distance xi
from the centroidal axis. Other terms are defined in the figure above.
The solution scheme is as follows
1. Select an extreme fiber strain and an axial load P.
2. Solve for c by trial and error using the known axial load P and the specified extreme fiber strain.
3. Calculate the moment M and the curvature using the above equations.
4. Select a new extreme fiber strain (up to the ultimate compression strain) and repeat steps 2 and 3.
5. Select a new axial load P.
Note that if the subject section is rectangular, the above equations are simplified as follows:

b( x ) = b and bc ( x ) = bc

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4.6 Cross Section Analysis with UCFyber

The results of the analysis of the confined beam cross section using UCFyber are presented on the
following two pages. The moment-curvature relationships are summarized below.

Moment (kip-in)

5000
4000
3000
Rebar strain hardening
Rebar bilinear

2000
1000
0
0.000

0.002

0.004
0.006
Curvature (1/in)

0.008

0.010

Note the effect of including rebar strain hardening in the analysis

a substantial increase in maximum strength (to be considered for capacity design)

a substantial reduction in ultimate curvature

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