Exercise Problems

1. A singly reinforced rectangular beam is to be designed, with effective depth approximately

1.5 times the width, to carry a service live load of 22 KN/m in addition to its own weight, on
7.3m span. With fyk = 300MPa, fck = 30MPa and class I work, determine the required
dimensions b, d, and D, and steel reinforcing bars. Include sketch of the designed cross
section. Allow for 8 stirrups.

2. A two-span continuous concrete beam is to be supported by three masonry walls spaced 7.6m
on centers. A service live load of 22 KN/m is to be carried, in addition to the self weight of the
beam. A constant rectangular cross section is to be used, with D = 2b, but reinforcement is to
be varied according to requirements. Find the required concrete dimensions and reinforcement
at all critical sections. Allow for 8 stirrups. Include sketches for critical sections. Use f ck =
30MPa, fyk = 400MPa and class I work.

3. A rectangular concrete beam measures 300mm wide and has an effective depth of 450mm
compression steel consisting of two 26 bars is located 60mm from the compression face of
the beam. If fck = 30 MPa and fyk = 400 MPa, what is the design moment capacity of the beam,
for the following tensile steel areas: (a) As = 332 in one layer, (b) As = 432 in two layers,
(c) As = 632 bars in two layers (Note: check for yielding of compression steel in each case).

4. A rectangular concrete beam of width b = 600mm is limited by architectural considerations to

a maximum gross depth D = 400mm. It must carry a total design moment M d = 540 KNm.
Design the flexural reinforcement for this member, using compression steel if necessary.
Allow 75mm to the center of the bars from the compression or tension face of the beam.
Material strengths are fyk = 400MPa and fck = 30MPa. Show a sketch of your final design,
including provision for 10 stirrups.
5. A rectangular beam with width b = 600mm, gross depth D = 350mm and effective depth to
the tensile steel d = 290mm is constructed using materials with strengths fck = 30MPa and fyk =
400MPa. Tensile reinforcement consists of two 36 plus three 32 bars in one row.
Compression reinforcement consisting of two 32 bars is placed at distance d = 60mm from
the compression face. Calculate the design strengths of the beam (a) neglecting the
compression reinforcement, (b) accounting the compression reinforcement and assuming it
acts at fyd, and (c) accounting for the compression reinforcement working at its actual stress f s,
established by analysis.