Design Methods for Singly reinforced Sections

Singly reinforced sections | Design of RCC structures

Earlier we discussed some basic terms in reference to singly reinforced sections design. It is important that you are thorough with the basic definitions and have complete understanding of stresses in concrete and steel. You should also possess the knowledge of reinforcement and terminology of beams which includes understanding singly reinforced beam, doubly reinforced beam, under reinforced beam, over reinforced beam and balanced reinforced beam.

There are two methods for the design of singly reinforced sections. In this article we will discuss the first method of singly reinforced section in a stepwise manner. The discussion will include the method for determining the value of neutral axis followed by a formula for the area of steel calculations.

Let,

b = breadth of a rectangular beam

d = effective depth of a beam

x = depth of neutral axis below the compression edge

Ast = cross-sectional area of steel in tension

σcbc = permissible compressive stress in concrete in bending

σst = permissible stress in steel

m = modular ratio

Neutral axis

Neutral axis is denoted as NA.

There are two methods for determining the neutral axis depending on the data given.

 

In this article, we will discuss the first method followed by a couple of numericals for your understanding and then move on to the second method.

We will follow a simple two step procedure.

Step One:

Given that:

• Dimensions of the section (b and d)
• Permissible stresses in concrete and steel (σcbc and σst)
• Modular ratio (m)

From the above diagram, the formula is as follows:

σcbc/(σst/m) = x/(d – x) ——————————– equation 1

From the above equation 1, the value of x can be determined.

Step two:

To find area of steel

Equating total compressive force (C) to total tensile force (T)

C = T

C = area x average compressive stress

= (b.x) X (σcbc + 0)/2

= bx (σcbc/2)

T = area x tensile stress

= Ast x σst

Therefore, bx (σcbc/2) = Ast x σst ———————-equation 2

Calculation of neutral axis can be done from equation 1 and the area of steel from equation 2.

The area of tensile steel is expressed as a percentage (pt) of the effective section.

pt = Ast x 100/bd

We will post some numericals solved using the same method. However, it is important that you practice enough numericals to get a hold of the design procedure.