Shear and diagonal

tension in beams
Introduction
 The preceding chapters dealt with the flexural
behavior and flexural strength of beams. Beams must
also have an adequate safety margin against the
types of failure. Shear failure of reinforced concrete,
more properly called diagonal tension failure in one of
them.
 Shear failure is difficult to predict, not yet fully
under stood.
 Shear analysis and design is not really concerned
with shear as such. The shear stresses in most beams
are far below the direct shear strength of concrete.

 The real concern is with diagonal tension stress,

resulting from the combination of shear stress and
longitudinal flexural stress.
Introduction(contd…)

 In some circumstances, consideration of direct

shear is appropriate. For example, design of
composite members combining pre-cast beams with a
cast-in-place top slab.

 Horizontal shear stresses on the interface between

components are important.
Direct shear stresses in beams
Shear and bending stresses in beams
Shear and bending stresses in beams
Diagonal tension in homogeneous elastic beams.
 Shear stresses in homogeneous VQ
ν
beams bI

My
 and bending stress at any  or f 
section I

f f2
 Principal stresses are given t   2
by 2 4

 and inclination is given by 2v

tan 2 
f
 Diagonal tension in homogeneous elastic beams.
 Since the magnitudes of the shear stresses V and
the bending stresses f change both along the beam and
vertically with distance from the neutral axis, the
inclinations as well as the magnitudes of the resulting
principal stresses t also vary from one place to another.
 Inclined tension stresses are called diagonal tension.
Diagonal tension in homogeneous elastic beams.
Reinforced Concrete Beams Without Shear
Reinforcement.
 The largest tension stresses are at the outer fiber
by bending alone. When longitudinal tension
reinforcement is provided.
 Even through tension cracks form in the concrete ,
the required flexural tension strength is furnished by
the steel, and much higher loads can be carried.

 Shear stresses increase proportionally to the loads.

Consequence, diagonal tension stresses of significant
intensity are created in regions of high shear forces,
chiefly close to the supports.
Reinforced Concrete Beams Without Shear
Reinforcement.

 These stresses attain magnitudes sufficient to open

additional tension cracks in a direction perpendicular to
the local tension stress. These are known as diagonal
cracks, in distinction to the vertical flexural cracks.

 The latter occur in the regions of large moments, the

former in regions of high shear forces.
Criteria For Formation of Diagonal Cracks

 The diagonal tension stresses t represent the

combined effect of the shear forces (shear stresses v)
and the bending stresses f. These is turn are,
respectively, proportional to the shear force V and the
bending moment M.

 Different combinations of M and V occur in a beam.

Criteria For Formation of Diagonal Cracks
Criteria For Formation of Diagonal Cracks
Criteria For Formation of Diagonal Cracks
V
 Average shear stress is v
bd
 The maximum shear stress occur at neural axis.

 The tensile strength of concrete varies from

about 3 fc ' to about 5 fc '
Criteria For Formation of Diagonal Cracks
 From very large number of beam tests , it was
found that in regions with large shear and small
moment, diagonal tension cracks form at an average
shear stress vcr of about 3.5 fc ' that is,

Vcr
v cr   3.5 f c '
bd

 Flexural-shear cracks are more common than web

shear cracks. At this type of crack, the average shear
V
stress is larger than v 
bd
. This is so because of
reduced uncracked concrete area available to resist
shear.
Criteria For Formation of Diagonal Cracks

 After large number of tests, in the presence of large

moments (for which adequate longitudinal reinforcement has
been provided) the nominal shear stress at which diagonal
tension cracks form and propagate is conservatively given by

Vcr
Vcr   1. 9 f c '
bd
 Large moment reduce shear force at which at which diagonal
cracks form to roughly one-half value at which they would if the
moment were zero or nearly so.
Criteria For Formation of Diagonal Cracks

 Thus the shear at which diagonal cracks develop depends

on the ratio of shear force to bending moment, or more
precisely, on the ratio of shear stress v to bending stress.

V  M 
 It is clear that V( ) K1 and f  K2 2 
bd  bd 
where K1 & K2 depend on crack configuration.
Criteria For Formation of Diagonal Cracks
v K1 Vd
 Hence the ratio  
f K2 M

must be expected to affect that load at which flexural

crack develop
K1
into flexural shear crack. The unknown
quantity K 2 to be explored by tests.

 From tests, the nominal shear stress at which

diagonal flexure-shear cracking develop is (in psi
units).

Vcr Vd
Vcr   1.9 fc '  2500  3.5 fc '
bd M
Behavior of Diagonally Cracked Beams
 Two types of behavior have been observed.

1. The diagonal crack, once formed, spreads either

immediately or at only slightly higher load. Sudden
& without warning failure. Therefore provide
minimum shear reinforcement, even calculation
does not require it. This failure is common in
shallower beams, with span-depth ratio of 8 or
more. Beams with this dimensions are very
common. Where actual shear stresses are very
small with Vcr, as in slabs and footing, it is
permissible to omit shear reinforcement.
Behavior of Diagonally Cracked Beams

2. Alternatively, the diagonal crack, once formed,

spreads toward and partially into the compression
zone but stops short of penetrating to the
compression face.

 This will be analyzed now

the beam portion is under upward shear force
Vext=Rl-P1
Behavior of Diagonally Cracked Beams

 The internal shear force is

Vint=Vcz+Vd+Viy

 Equilibrium requires that Vint=Vext so that the part of

the shear resisted by the uncracked concrete is
Vcz=Vext-Vd-Viy

 Taking moment about piont a

Mext=RlXa-P1(Xa-Xl)
Mint=Tbz+Vdp-Vim
Behavior of Diagonally Cracked Beams

 Equilibrium required that Mint = Mext

 so that longitudinal tension in the steel at b is

M ext  Vd p  Vi m
Tb 
Z
 Neglecting Vd and Vi, which decrease with
increasing crack opening
M ext ,a
Tb 
Z
Behavior of Diagonally Cracked Beams

 The formation of the diagonal crack, the, is seen to

produce the following redistribution of internal forces
and stresses.
1. At section through point a, the average shear
Vext
stress before crack formation was . After
bd
crack formation, the shear force is resisted by the
combination of by dowel shear, interface shear and
shear force on much smaller uncracked area.
2. Crack formation increases compression stresses in
the remaining uncracked concrete.
Behavior of Diagonally Cracked Beams
3. Prior to diagonal cracking, tension force in the
steel at point was caused by , and was proportional
to, the bending moment in a vertical section through
the same point b. After cracking, as given in
previous eq. the tension in steel at b is now caused
by, and is proportional to, the bending moment at a.
Since the moment at a is evidently larger than at b,
formation of the crack has caused a sudden
increase in the steel stress at b.
 If materials are capable of resisting these increased
stresses, equilibrium will establish itself after internal
redistribution and further load can be applied before
failure occurs.
Behavior of Diagonally Cracked Beams
 Then failure can develop in various ways.
1. If only enough steel has been provided at b to
resist the moment at that section, the increase of
steel force, will cause the steel to yield because of
the larger moment at a, thus failing the beam.

2. If the beam is properly designed to prevent this

occurrence, it is usually the concrete at the head of
the crack that will eventually crush. This concrete is
subject to simultaneously to large compression and
shear stresses, and this biaxial stress combination
is conductive to earlier failure than would take place
if either of these stresses were acting alone.
Behavior of Diagonally Cracked Beams

3. If there is splitting along the reinforcement, it will

cause the bond between steel and concrete to
weaken to such a degree that the reinforcement
may pull loose. This may either be the failure of the
beam or may occur simultaneously with crushing of
the remaining uncracked concrete.
 Deep beams show continued and increasing
resistance after formation of a critical diagonal
tension crack. This reserve strength is discounted in
modern design procedures.
Reinforced Concrete Beams With Web
Reinforcement

 This is desirable that structures, if overloaded,

should not fail in the sudden and explosive manner
characteristics of many shear failures, Therefore, if
a fairly large safety margin relative to the available
shear strength does not exist, shear reinforcement,
known as web reinforcement is used to increase this
strength.
Types of Web Reinforcement
 Typically, web reinforcement is provided in the
form of vertical stirrups, spaced at varying intervals
along the axis of the beam depending on
requirements as shown below.
Types of Web Reinforcement
 Relatively small size bars are used, generally No. 3
to 5.
 Simple U-sopped bars are the most common,
although multiple-leg stirrups are sometimes
necessary.
 Because of the relatively short length of stirrups
embedded in the compression zone of a beam, in
most cases special anchorage must be provided in
the form of hooks or bends.
Behavior of Web-Reinforced Concrete Beams
 Web steel is practically free of stress prior to crack
formation. After diagonal cracks have developed,
web reinforcement augments the shear resistance
of a beam in four separate ways.
1. Shear force resisted by bars that traverse a
particular crack.
2. More Uncracked concrete portion.
3. Prevent widening of crack, thus significant interface
force Vi.
4. Increased dowel action by providing restraint
against splitting of concrete along longitudinal
reinforcement.
Beams With Vertical Stirrups
 Equilibrium in vertical direction requires
Vext=Vcz+Vd+Viy+Vs

 Where Vs = nAvfv
 n = No. of stirrups traversing the crack.

 Av = x-Sectional area of stirrup

 fv = tension stress in the stirrup

 If s = stirrup spacing & p = horizontal projection of

the crack
Beams With Vertical Stirrups
 Beams With Vertical Stirrups
p
 Then n 
s
 The
approximate
distribution of
the four
components
of the internal
shear force
with
increasing
external shear
Vext is shown
schematically
in fig.
 Beams With Vertical Stirrups
 The sum of the individual magnitudes of the three
components is equal to the cracking shear Vcr, is
referred to as the contribution of the concrete to the
total shear resistance, and is denoted by Vc, Thus
Vc = Vcz + Vd + Viy
d
 Assuming p = d thusn  Then at failure
s
when Vext = Vn A vf yd
Vn  Vc 
S
 where Vc is taken equal to cracking shear given by

 Vd 
Vc  1.9 f c  2500 bd  3.5 f c bd
 M 
 Beams With Vertical Stirrups

 dividing both sides of eq. by bd, the same relation

is expressed in terms of the nominal shear stress

Vn A vf v
vn   vc 
bd bs
Beams With Inclined Bars
 The function of inclined web reinforcement can be
discussed in vary similar terms.
 p
 i = inclined length of crack i
Cos
 α = Inclination of the bars
 ө = Inclination of the crack
 a = The distance between bars measured parallel
to the direction of the crack Cos  p  i  p
i i cos 
n and x = a sin
a
n m
 Cot &  Cot
x x
n m
  Cot  Cot
x x
n m
  Cot  Cot
a sin  a sin 
nm s
  Cot  Cot
a sin  a sin 
s
a
sin  Cot  Cot 
Beams With Inclined Bars
p sin   Cot  Cot 
n
s cos 
p  1 
n  tan   Cot 
s  tan  
p
n  1  tan Cot 
s
 Vertical component of the force in one bar
= Avfv sinα Therefore
 Total vertical component of the forces in all bars
which cross the crack is Vs = nAvfvsinα
p
Vs  A v fv (sin   Cos tan )
S
 Ultimate strength when failure is caused by shear is
obtained as
A v f y d (sin   Cos)
Vn  Vc 
S
assuming crack is at 450 and horizontal projection of
the crack is d.

 For vertical stirrups α = 900, then expression

reduces to already found expression.
ACI Code Provisions For Shear Design

 According to ACI code, the design of beams for

shear is to be based on the relation.
Vu < øVn

 Vu = Total shear force applied at a given section of

the beam due to factored loads, and

 Vn = Vc + Vs = Nominal shear strength, equal to the

sum of the contributions of the concrete and the
web steel.
ACI Code Provisions For Shear Design
 For vertical stirrups
A v f y d
Vu  Vc 
s
 For inclined stirrups
A v f y d (sin   Cos)
Vu  Vc 
s
 ø = 0.75 for shear
imperfect
understanding of that
failure mode.
 Critical shear is at
a distance d from
the face of the
support.
ACI Code Provisions For Shear Design
Shear strength provided by the concrete
 According ACI Code , the concrete contribution to
shear strength is
 Vd 
Vc  1.9 f c  2500 bd  3.5 f c bd
 M 
 For simplicity, an alternative equation for V c is
permitted by ACI Code
Vc  2 f c 'b w d

 Upper limit for f c ' for use is 100 psi.

Minimum Web Reinforcement.
1
 If Vu   Vc , then no need on shear reinforcement
2
 If Vu < øVc, then theoretically no web reinforcement is
require. Even in such a case, ACI code requires provision of
at least a minimum area of web reinforcement equal to
bw S 50bw s Av f y d
 Av  0.75 fc '  S   24"
fy fy 50bw 2
 Exceptions for minimum web steel are for
• Slabs
• Footings
• Joist floor construction
• Beams with total depth not greater than 10”
"
• Beams with total depth not greater than2 1
2
times the thickness of the flange
• Beams with total depth not greater than half the
web width.
Design of Web Reinforcement
 If Vu > øVc then design required spacing of web
reinforcement s for vertical stirrups.
Av f y d
S 
Vu  Vc

Av f y d ( Sin   Cos )

 for inclined stirrups S 
Vu  Vc

 S < 4”
 It is more economical to compute the spacing required at
several sections and to place the stirrups accordingly, in
groups of varying spacing.

3
 For longitudinal bars bent at 45 o Smax  d
4
d
Smax  is replaced by above.
2
 The above calculation of design is for
Vs  (Vu  Vc )  4 f c 'bw d

 If Vs  4 f c ' bwd then maximum spacing are halved.

 In no case, according to ACI Code, is Vs to exceed 8 f c 'bw d
Problem
 A rectangular beam is to be designed to carry a shear force
Vu of 27 Kips. No web reinforcement is to be used. f c’ = 4000
psi. what is minimum cross section if controlled by shear.

Solution
 Vu should not be larger than one-half the design shear
1
strength 2 Vc
 1
 Vu   ( 2 f c 'bw d )
2
Vu 27 x 1000
 bw d  
 fc ' 0.75 4000
 = 569.2 in2
 Let bw = 18” then d = 32”
 If minimum web reinforcement is required then Vu should be
larger than øVc
 Vu = øVc
   (2f c 'bw d )
Vu 27 x 1000
 bw d  
 2 fc ' 0.75 x 2 x 4000

 Let bw = 12” then d = 23.252”  23.5”

Problem
 A simply supported rectangular beam 16” wide having an
effective depth of 22” carries a total factored load of 9.4 k/ft
on a 20 ft clear span. It is reinforced with 7.62 in2 of tensile
steel, which continues uninterrupted into the supports. If
fc’=4000 psi, through out in what part of the beam, web
reinforcement is required. Design the web reinforcement.
fy=60000 psi
Solution
 Vu at a distance d from face of support
 d = 22” = 1.83’
Vu 94
 
10  1.83 10
 Vu = 76.8 k
 Vc   ( 2 f c 'bw d )
  0.75( 2 4000 x 16 x 22)
 = 33.4 K
1
 Vc  16.7 K
2
x 10
   x  3.55
33.4 94
 The applied shear Vu
Av f y d
 Vu  Vc 
S
 Vu - øVc = 76.8 - 33.4 = 43.4 = 43,400 lb.
Av f y d
 Vs  Vu  Vc 
S
 Av f y d
 S 
Vu  Vc

 4 f c 'bw d  4 x 0.75 4000 x 16 x 22

 = 66.8 k
 Vs  4 f c 'bw d

 Therefore max. spacing should be

Av f y "
d 22 " S   17. 4
 Smax = 24” S    11 max
0.75 f c 'bw
2 2
Av f y 0.22 x 60000
 S max    16.5 Therefore Smax=11”
50b w 50 x 16
Av f y d
 For maximum shear S 
Vu  Vc
0.75 x 0.22 x 60000 x 22
 S   5"  Smin  4"
43400
 Av f y d
S(in) Vs  Vu  Vc Distance from support
S
4.0184
43400 77.4-34.8=22”
≈ 5”
6” 36300 77.4-29.1=48.3”
7” 31114.3 77.4-24.9=52.5”
8” 27225 77.4-21.8=55.6”
9” 24200 77.4-19.4=58”
10” 21780 77.4-17.5=59.9”
11” 19800 77.4-15.9=61.5”

5 5
 First stirrup will be   2.5" from the support face.
2 2
 Therefore max. spacing should be
 9 spaces at 5 in. = 45 in.
 2 spaces at 6 in. = 12 in.
 2 spaces at 9 in. = 18 in.
 2 spaces at 11 in. = 22 in.

 Total . = 99 in.