Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

Chapter Five:
Shear and Diagonal Tension:
Introduction
The objective of today’s reinforced concrete designer is to produce ductile members
that provide warning of impending failure. To achieve this goal, the code provides
design shear values that have larger safety factors against shear failures than do those
provided for bending failures. The failures of reinforced concrete beams in shear are
quite different from their failures in bending. Shear failures occur suddenly with little
or no advance warning. Therefore, beams are designed to fail in bending under loads
that are appreciably smaller than those that would cause shear failures. As a result,
those members will fail ductility.

Shear Cracking of Reinforced Concrete Beams

Inclined cracks can develop in the webs of reinforced concrete beams, either as
extensions of flexural cracks or occasionally as independent cracks. The first of these
two types is the flexure–shear crack, an example of which is shown in Fig.5.1. The
cracks run at angles of about 45◦ with the beam axis and probably start at the top of
a flexure crack.
Occasionally, an inclined crack will develop independently in a beam, even though
no flexure cracks are in that locality. Such cracks, which are called web–shear
cracks, They also sometimes occur near the points of inflection of continuous beams
or near simple supports. At such locations, small moments and high shear often
occur. These types of cracks will form near the mid-depth of sections and will move
on a diagonal path to the tension surface. See the Fig.5.2 .

Fig. 5.1 Flexure-shear cracks

Fig. 5.2 Web-shear cracks

 Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

Shear Strength of Concrete

Despite all the previous researches results and theories on shear in RC beams, no
one has been able to provide a clear explanation of the failure mechanism involved.
As a result, design procedures are based primarily on test data.
After a crack has developed, the member will fail unless the cracked concrete section
can resist the applied forces. If web reinforcing is not present, the items that are
available to transfer the shear are as follows:
(1) The shear resistance of the uncracked section above the crack ,Vcz, (estimated
to be 20% to 40% of the total resistance);
(2) The aggregate interlock, that is, the friction developed due to the interlocking
of the aggregate on the concrete surfaces on opposite sides of the crack, Vi,
(estimated to be 33% to 50% of the total);
(3) The resistance of the longitudinal reinforcing to a frictional force, often called
dowel action, Vd, (estimated to be 15% to 25%); and
(4) A tied-arch type of behavior that exists in rather deep beams produced by the
longitudinal bars acting as the tie and by the un-cracked concrete above and to the
sides of the crack acting as the arch above. See Figg.5-4

Fig. 5.3 Items that transfer the shear

Fig. 5.4 Strut and tie model

Once the cracks formed, the cracks transmit forces in its own plane through
interlocking of surface roughness, Vi, the component of Vix and Viy are shown in the
Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

figure. The other internal forces are those in the un-cracked portion of the concrete,
Vcz, and across the longitudinal steel, acting as dowel, Vd , thus the internal shear
force of a beam with longitudinal bars only is:
Vinteral = Vcz + Viy + Vd
Neglecting the forces Vd and Vi, which decrease with increasing cracks opening, this
in turn, increase the shear force on remaining un-cracked concrete area, one has
with little error:

Vinternal= Vcz=Vc

For this discussion, Vn is considered to be the nominal or theoretical shear strength

of a member. This strength is provided by the concrete and by the shear
reinforcement.

Vn = Vc + Vs

The design shear strength of a member, ØVn , is equal to ØVc plus ØVs , which must
at least equal the factored shear force to be taken,

Vu = ØVn
Vu= Ø( Vc+Vs)

The maximum shear, Vu , in a beam must not exceed the design shear capacity of the
beam cross section, ØVn, where Ø is 0.75 and Vn is the nominal shear strength of the
concrete and the shear reinforcing.

Vu ≤ ØVn

The shear strength provided by the concrete, Vc , is considered to equal an average

shear stress strength (normally 0.17 λ ( 𝑓` ) ) times the effective cross-sectional
area of the member, bw d, where bw is the width of a rectangular beam or of the web
of a T beam or an I beam.

Beam tests have shown some interesting facts about the occurrence of cracks at
different average shear stress values. For instance, where large moments occur even
though appropriate longitudinal steel has been selected, extensive flexural cracks
will be evident. As a result, the un-cracked area of the beam cross section will be
greatly reduced 0.142λ 𝑓 bwd. In regions where the moment is small, however, the
cross section will be either un-cracked or slightly cracked, and a large portion of the
Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

cross section is available to resist shear. For such a case, tests show that a Vc of about
0.33λ 𝑓 bwd can be developed before shear failure occurs. Based on this
information, the code (22.5.5.1.1) suggests that, conservatively, Vc (the shear force
that the concrete can resist without web reinforcing) can go as high as 0.42λ 𝑓 bw
d. As an alternative, the following shear force (from Section 22.5.5.1 of the code)
may be used, which takes into account the effects of the longitudinal reinforcing and
the moment and shear magnitudes. This value must be calculated separately for each
point being considered in the beam.
Shear shall not taken greater than 0.42λ 𝑓 bw d ( Section 22.5.5.1.1) and the term
Nu/ 6Ag shall not be greater than 0.05fc`( Section 22.5.5.1.2).
The value of ρw may be taken as the sum of area of longitudinal bars located more
than 2/3 of overall member depth from extreme compression fiber.
From these expressions, it can be seen that Vc increases as the amount of reinforcing
(represented by ρw) is increased. As the amount of steel is increased, the length and
width of cracks will be reduced.
Although this more complicated expression for Vc can easily be used for computer
designs, it is tedious to apply when handheld calculators are used. The reason is that
the values of ρw is constantly changing as we move along the span. As a result, the
alternate value 0.17 λ ( 𝑓 )normally used.

Web Reinforcement:
When the factored shear, Vu , is high, it shows that large cracks are going to occur
unless some type of additional reinforcing is provided. This reinforcing usually takes
the form of stirrups that enclose the longitudinal reinforcing along the faces of the
beam. The most common stirrups are shaped, but they can be shaped or perhaps have
only a single vertical prong, as shown in Fig.5.5. Multiple stirrups such as the ones
shown are considered to inhibit splitting in the plane of the longitudinal bars.

Bars called hangers (usually with about the same diameter as that of the stirrups) are
placed on the compression sides of beams to support the stirrups, as illustrated in
Fig. 5.5 . The stirrups are passed around the tensile steel and, to meet anchorage
requirements, they are run as far into the compression side of the beam as practical
and hooked around the hangers. Bending of the stirrups around the hangers reduces
the bearing stresses under the hooks.
the ACI 20.2.2.4.a does not permit the design yield stress of the stirrups to exceed
420MPa. This requirement limits the width of cracks that can develop. Such a result
is important from the standpoint of both appearance and aggregate interlock. When
the width of cracks is limited, it enables more aggregate interlock to develop. A
further advantage of a limited yield stress is that the anchorage requirements at the
top of the stirrups are not quite as stringent as they would be for stirrups with greater
yield strengths. The maximum stress permitted for deformed welded wire fabric is
552MPa (ACI 20.2.2.4.a).
Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

Fig. 5.5 Type of reinforcements.

transfer the shear

Behavior of Beams with Web Reinforcement

The actual behavior of beams with web reinforcement is not really understood,
although several theories have been presented through the years. Where in a
reinforced concrete beam with shear reinforcing is said to behave much like a
statically determinate parallel chord truss with pinned joints as shown in Fig.5.7. The
flexural compression concrete is thought of as the top chord of the truss, whereas the
tensile reinforcing is said to be the bottom chord. The truss web is made up of stirrups
acting as vertical tension members and pieces of concrete between the approximately
45◦ diagonal tension cracks acting as diagonal compression members.
Shear forces are distributed across these wide sections. When such reinforcing is
present, it keeps the pieces of concrete on the two sides of the crack from separating.
Several benefits result. These include:
1. The steel reinforcing passing across the cracks carries shear directly.
2. The reinforcing keeps the cracks from becoming larger, and this enables the
concrete to transfer shear across the cracks by aggregate interlock.
Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

Fig. 5.7 Strut and ties model

3. The stirrups wrapped around the core of concrete act like hoops and thus increase
the beam’s strength and ductility. In a related fashion, the stirrups tie the longitudinal
bars into the concrete core of the beam and restrain them from prying off the
covering concrete.
4. The holding together of the concrete on the two sides of the cracks helps keep the
cracks from moving into the compression zone of the beam.

The code requires web reinforcement for all major beams. In Section 9.6.3, a
minimum area of web reinforcing is required for all concrete flexural members
except
(a) footings and solid slabs;
(b) certain hollow-core units;
(c) concrete floor joists;
(d) shallow beams with h not more than 250mm;
(e) beams integral with slabs with h less than 300mm. and h not greater than the
larger of 2.5 tf or 0.5 bw; or
(f) beams constructed with steel fiber–reinforced, normal-weight concrete with 𝑓
not exceeding 40MPa, h not greater than 600mm., and Vu not greater than 0.17 Ø
𝑓 bwd. Various tests have shown that shear failures do not occur before bending
failures in shallow members.

Design for Shear

The purpose of stirrups is to minimize the size of diagonal tension cracks or to carry
the diagonal tension stress from one side of the crack to the other. Very little tension
Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

is carried by the stirrups until after a crack begins to form. Before the inclined cracks
begin to form, the strain in the stirrups is equal to the strain in the adjacent concrete.
You can see that these stirrups do not prevent inclined cracks and that they really
aren’t a significant factor until the cracks begin to develop.
For the derivation to follow, it is assumed that a diagonal tension crack has
developed and has run up into the compression zone but not all the way to the top,
as shown in Fig.5.8. It is further assumed that the stirrups crossing the crack have
yielded.
The nominal shear strength of the stirrups, Vs , crossing the crack can be calculated
from the following expression, where n is the number of stirrups crossing the crack
and Av is the cross-sectional area each stirrup has crossing the crack. The term fyt is
the specified yield strength of transverse reinforcement, or stirrups in this case.
Vs = Av fyt n
If it is conservatively assumed that the horizontal projection of the crack equals the
effective depth, d, of the section (thus a 45◦ crack), the number of stirrups crossing
the crack can be determined from the expression to follow, in which s is the center-
to-center spacing of the stirrups:

Fig. 5.8 Force at a diagonal cracks in a beam with stirrups

n=d/s
Vs = Av fyt d / s (ACI Equation 22.5.10.5.3)
From this expression, the required spacing of vertical stirrups is
s = Av fyt d / Vs
and the value of Vs can be determined as follows:
Vu = Ø Vc + Ø Vs
Vs = ( Vu / Ø) – Vc
Going through a similar derivation, the following expression can be determined for
the required area for inclined stirrups see Fig. 5.9, in which α is the angle between
the stirrups and the longitudinal axis of the member. Inclined stirrups should be
placed so they form an angle of at least 45◦ with respect to the longitudinal bars, and
they must be securely tied in place.
Vs = Av fyt ( sin α + cos α ) d / s (ACI Equation 22.5.10.5.43)
Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

Fig. 5.9 Type of stirrups in a beam

ACI Code Requirements:

This section presents a detailed list of the code requirements controlling the design
of web reinforcing, even though some of these items have been previously
mentioned in this chapter:
1. When the factored shear, Vu , exceeds one-half the shear design strength, ØVc, the
code (ACI 9.6.3.1) requires the use of web reinforcing. The value of Vc is normally
taken as ∅𝑉 = ∅(0.17 𝑓 )𝑏 𝑑 but the code (22.5.5.1.1) permits the use of the
following less conservative value:

The size factor λs must be calculated in ACI Eq22.5.5.1.3:

Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

Vc shall not be taken greater than

The value of Nu/ 6 Ag shall not be taken greater than 0.05fc'.

2. When shear reinforcing is required, the code states that the amount provided must
fall between certain clearly specified lower and upper limits.

9.6.3.4

If the amount of reinforcing is too low, it may yield or even snap immediately after
the formation of an inclined crack. As soon as a diagonal crack develops, the tension
previously carried by the concrete is transferred to the web reinforcing. To prevent
the stirrups (or other web reinforcing) from snapping at that time, their area is limited
to the minimum value ACI 9.6.3.4.
If 𝑓 be greater than 31MPa, the minimum Av value will be controlled by the first
term, and if less than 31MPa then is controlled by 0.35 bw s / fyt expression.

3. As previously described, stirrups cannot resist appreciable shear unless they are
crossed by an inclined crack. Thus, to make sure that each 45◦ crack is intercepted
by at least one stirrup, the maximum spacing of vertical stirrups permitted by the
code (9.7.6) is the lesser of d/2 or 600mm for non-prestressed members, where h is
the overall thickness of a member. Should, however,
𝑉 ≤ 0.33 𝑓 𝑏 𝑑
these maximum spacing are to be reduced by one-half (the lesser of d/4 or 300mm)
(ACI 22.5.1.2). These closer spacing will lead to narrower inclined cracks. Under no
circumstances may Vu be allowed to exceed :

The shear strength of a beam cannot be increased indefinitely by adding more and
more shear reinforcing, because the concrete will eventually disintegrate no matter
how much shear reinforcing is added. The greater the shear in the member that is
transferred by the shear reinforcing to the concrete above, the greater will be the
chance of a combination shear and compression failure of that concrete.
Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

4. Section 22.5.3 of the code states that the values of 𝑓 used for the design of web
reinforcing may not exceed 8.33MPa except for certain cases listed in Section 22.5.3

5. Section 25.4 of the code provides requirements about dimensions, development

lengths, and so forth. For stirrups to develop their design strengths, they must be
adequately anchored. The ends of stirrup legs should ideally have 135◦ or 180◦ hooks
bent around longitudinal bars, with development lengths as specified in ACI Section
25.4. Detailed information on stirrups follows:
(a) Stirrups with 90◦ bends and 6 db extensions at their free ends may be used for
16mm and smaller bars, as shown in Figure (a). Tests have shown that 90◦ bends
with 6 db extensions should not be used for 20mm or larger bars (unless fy is 280MPa
or less) because they tend to pop out under high loads.
(b) If fy > 280MPa , 20mm, 22mm, and 25mm bars with 90◦ bends may be used if
the extensions are 12 db [see Fig. 5.10 b].
(c) Stirrups with 135◦ bends and 6 db extensions may be used for 25mm and smaller
bars, as shown in Fig.5.10 (c).
6. When a beam reaction causes compression in the end of a member in the same
direction as the external shear, the shearing strength of that part of the member is
increased.
Tests of such reinforced concrete members have shown that, in general, as long as a
gradually varying shear is present (as with a uniformly loaded member), the first
crack will occur at distance d from the face of the support. It is therefore permissible,
according to the code (ACI 9.4.3.2), to decrease somewhat the calculated shearing
force for a distance d from the face of the support. This is done by using a Vu in that
range equal to the calculated Vu at a distance d from the face of the support.
7. Section 8.8.1.5 of the ACI Code permits a shear of 1.1Vc for the ribs of joist
construction, as where we have closely spaced T beams with tapered webs. For the
10% increase in Vc , the joist proportions must meet the provisions of ACI Section
8.8.1.1. In ACI Section 8.8.1.2., it is stated that the ribs must be no less than 100mm
wide, must have depths not more than three and a half times the minimum width of
the ribs, and may not have clear spacing between the ribs greater than 750mm.
Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

Fig. 5.10 Stirrups details

Summary of Steps Involved in Vertical Stirrup Design

Is Shear Reinforcing Necessary?
a. Draw Vu diagram. ACI 9.5 and Commentary (ACI R9.5)
Load factors from ACI 5.3.1 and Ø from Table 21.2.1.
b. Calculate Vu at a distance d from the support (with certain exceptions) ACI
9.4.3
c. Calculate ∅𝑉 = ∅ 0.17 𝑓 𝑏 𝑑 (or use the alternate method) ACI 22.5.5.1.
d. Stirrups are needed if Vu ≥ (Ø Vc/2) (with some exceptions for slabs, footings,
shallow members, hollow-core units, steel fiber–reinforced beams, and joists). ACI
9.6.3.1
Design of Stirrups
e. Calculate theoretical stirrup spacing, s = Av fyt d / Vs ACI 22.5.8.5.3
where Vs= (Vu / Ø )- Vc ACI 22.5.8.1.
f. . Determine maximum spacing to provide minimum area of shear
Fig. 5.10 Stirrups details
reinforcement, 𝑠 = but not more than 𝑠 = . ACI 9.6.3.4
. .
g. if 𝑉 ≤ 0.33 𝑓 𝑏 𝑑 , the maximum spacing is: d / 2 ≤ 600mm, if 𝑉 ≥
0.33 𝑓 𝑏 𝑑 , the maximum spacing is: d/4 ≤ 300mm. ACI 9.7.6.2.2 .
h. The section must not be used if 𝑉 ≥ 0.66 𝑓 𝑏 𝑑 ACI 22.5.1.2
i. Minimum clear spacing is 25mm or 4/3 dAgg. , while minimum practical
spacing ≈ 75mm or 100mm.
 Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

Examples 5-1. The beam shown was selected using fc' =28MPa, fy=420MPa,
normal weight concrete, main bars are Ø 20mm. Determine the spacing of Ø10mm
(take Ab=78mm2) stirrups for each of the following shears:

a. Vu=50kN.

b. Vu=200kN.

c. Vu=450kN.

d. Vu=800kN.

Sol.:

D=700-40-10-20/2= 640mm

a. Vu=50kN

𝑉 = 0.17𝜆 𝑓 𝑏 𝑑 = 0.17𝑥1𝑥√28 𝑥350 𝑥640 =201500N =201.5kN

. .
If = = 75.6𝑘𝑁 > 𝑉 = 50𝑘𝑁

Therefore, no stirrups required.

b. Vu=200kN

Since = 75.6𝑘𝑁 < 𝑉 = 200𝑘𝑁

Therefore, stirrups are required.

Vu=Ø(Vs+Vc)

200= 0.75 (Vs +201.5)

Vs=65.2kN

Since Vs=65.2kN < 0.66 𝑓 𝑏 𝑑 = 0.66√28𝑥350𝑥640 = 782.3𝑘𝑁

The section dimension is ok for resisting applied shear force.

𝑠= = = 643𝑚𝑚
.

Maximum spacing to provide minimum Av is

Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

𝑠 . = = = 571𝑚𝑚
. . √

𝑠 . = = = 534𝑚𝑚
. .

SinceVs=65.2kN< 0.33 𝑓 𝑏 𝑑 = 0.33√28𝑥350𝑥637 = 391.1𝑘 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑠 . =

= = 320𝑚𝑚

Therefore control s =320mm

Use stirrups Ø10 @ 300mm c\c

c. Vu=450kN

Since = 75.6𝑘𝑁 < 𝑉 = 450𝑘𝑁

Therefore, stirrups are required.

Vu=Ø(Vs+Vc)

450= 0.75 (Vs +201.5)

Vs=398.5kN

Since Vs=398.5kN < 0.66 𝑓 𝑏 𝑑 = 0.66√28𝑥350𝑥640 = 782.3𝑘𝑁

The section dimension is ok for resisting applied shear force.

𝑠= = = 105𝑚𝑚
.

Maximum spacing to provide minimum Av is

𝑠 . = = = 571𝑚𝑚
. . √

𝑠 . = = = 534𝑚𝑚
. .

Since Vs=398.5kN > 0.33 𝑓 𝑏 𝑑 = 0.33√28𝑥350𝑥640 = 391.1 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑠 . =

= = 160𝑚𝑚

Therefore control s =105mm

Use stirrups Ø10 @ 100mm c\c

Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

d. Vu=800kN

Since = 75.6𝑘𝑁 < 𝑉 = 800𝑘𝑁

Therefore, stirrups are required.

Vu=Ø(Vs+Vc)

800= 0.75 (Vs +201.5)

Vs=865.2N

Since Vs=865.2kN > 0.66 𝑓 𝑏 𝑑 = 0.66√28𝑥350𝑥640 = 782.3𝑘𝑁

The section must be enlarged or use higher concrete strength(fc`)

Answer

Examples 5-2. Design the beam shown for shear reinforcements supported
DL=60kN/m and LL=25kN/m. Take stirrups Ø10mm (Ab=78mm2), fc' =28MPa, and
fy=420MPa.

Masonry wall (blocks t

=0.4m)

Axis of
Sol.: 504kN Vu @d Symmetry
Vu @1m

ØVc / 2

Vu @2m
d=700-40-10-20/2=640mm

wu= 1.2D+1.6L = 1.2x60+1.6x25=112kN/m

Vu=wL/2 =112 x 9/ 2=504kN

Vu@d from face of supports:

@
=
. ( . . . )
Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

Vu@d=410 kN

𝑉 = 0.17𝜆 𝑓 𝑏 𝑑 = 0.17𝑥1𝑥√28 𝑥300 𝑥640 =172.7kN

. .
Since = = 64.8𝑘𝑁 < 𝑉 = 410𝑘𝑁 design for shear R are needed

Vu=Ø(Vs+Vc)

410= 0.75 (Vs +172.7)

Vs=374kN

𝑠= = = 112𝑚𝑚

Maximum spacing to provide minimum Av is

𝑠 . = = = 665𝑚𝑚
. . √

𝑠 . = = = 624𝑚𝑚
. .

Vs=374kN > 0.33 𝑓 𝑏 𝑑 = 0.33√28𝑥300𝑥640 = 335.3𝑘𝑁 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑠 . = =

= 160𝑚𝑚

Since Vs=374kN < 0.66 𝑓 𝑏 𝑑 = 0.66√28𝑥300𝑥640 = 670.5𝑘𝑁 the section for

resisting shear is reasonable.

For practical purpose use stirrups Ø10 @ 100mm c\c

It is convenient to calculate theoretical spacing at different points along the span as

listed in the table.
. .
= = 64.8𝑘𝑁 stirrups not required from CL ( axis of symmetry) to
i.e., to 0.578m
Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

Distance Vu Vs s Check section Practical

from face of A f d spacing ,s
(kN) ( kN) = Vs with 0.33 f b d
support V
(mm)
(m) (mm) Then find or

@d =0.64m 410 374 112 335.3kN , d/4= 100

(up to 1m) 160mm

@1m ( up to 369.6 320.1 130 335.3kN , d/2= 125

2m) 320mm

@2m (Up 257.6 170.8 245 335.3kN , d/2= 225

to3m) 320mm

145.6 21.4 1960 335.3kN , d/2= 300

@3m
320mm

Axis of
Symmetry

0.578m

Stirrups: Ø10mm
10@100 8@125 5@225mm 2@300 No stirrups

Ans.
Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

Examples 5-3. Design Example:

Compute the value of Vc at a distance 1 m from the left end of the beam of the
previous Example, using Equation ACI 22.5.5.1.

Sol.:
d=700-40-10-20/2=640mm
As=4x 314=1256mm2
𝜌 = = = 0.00654

𝑉 = 0.66𝜆(𝜌 ) 𝑓 + 𝑏 𝑑 = 0.66𝑥1𝑥(0.00654) √28 + 0 300𝑥640

𝑉 = (0.1234√28)300𝑥640 =125.4kN

Conventional method ( approximate ):

𝑉 = 0.17𝜆 𝑓 𝑏 𝑑 = 0.17𝑥1𝑥√28 𝑥300 𝑥640 =172.7kN

Vc=(125.4-172.7) /125.4=0.377

The difference (errors) is 37.7%

This percentage is changed as the ρw changed.

Ans.
Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

Examples 5-4. Determine the minimum cross section

required for a rectangular beam from a shear standpoint so
that no web reinforcing is required by the ACI code if
Vu=200kN and fc'=28MPa and fy=420MPa.

Sol.:

𝑉 = 0.17𝜆 𝑓 𝑏 𝑑 = 0.17𝑥1𝑥√28 𝑥𝑏 𝑥𝑑 = 0.9𝑏 𝑑

Stirrups are not needed where shear force are equal to

or less than ØVc/2.

∅
=𝑉
. .
= 200𝑥10
bw . d =592593
bw d

(mm) (mm)

300 1975

400 1481

500 1185

600 988

700 847

If bw =600mm taken, then

h=988+40+30/2=1043~1100mm
use 600 x 1100mm
Ans.
 Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

Problems:

P1 Determine the required spacing for Ø10mm stirrups (Av=78mm2) at maximum

shear of the loaded beam shown. show the locations of minimum shear
reinforcement along the beam. Use fc'=27.6MPa and fy=414MPa. Note:
assume that the span is given from faces of the supports.
(Ans. Smax=361 mm)

P2 Determine the required spacing for Ø10mm stirrups (Av=78mm2) at maximum

shear of the loaded beam shown, show the locations of minimum shear
reinforcement along the beam. Use fc'=27.6MPa and fy=414MPa. Note:
assume that the span is given from faces of the supports.
(Ans. Smax=157mm)

P3 Determine the ∅Vn for the section shown,

if fc'=100MPa; fy=420MPa.

(Ans. ∅Vn =531.6 kN)

 Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

P4 Select spacing for Ø10mm (take Ab=78mm2) stirrups for a beam with bw=300,
h=650 mm for the loaded beam shown, with fc'=28MPa and fy=420MPa.

100 600mm

P5 For the loaded beam and hollow section shown, determine the required spacing
of stirrups at right of support B ( at critical section), then check all requirements
for shear. Use5-Ø25mm
Ø12mm stirrups with fc' =28MPa and fy=420MPa.
400
(Ans. Vu=340kN, Vu@d=269kN, s=160mm c/c. the section is ok)
Section b-b
PL=80kN
b wD=40kN/m

A B C 100 600mm
Wall thickness b
=0.4m

4m 8m 5-Ø25mm
400
0m Section b-b
PL=80kN
b wD=40kN/m

P6 Check shear reinforcements

b at critical
A
section B of the beam BC of the frame
C
b
shown and check all requirements for shear. Then
Wall thickness
=0.4m find the location (position)
of the no stirrups. The ends moment of the4mbeam (at face of column) are given
8m
on the frame shown. Use fy=300MPa, fc'=28MPa. The loads are factored.
0m

(Ans. VB=241kN, VC=256kN, VCu2d=225kN, Vs=157kN, Vs=273kN ok, no stirrups for 2.56m)
b
 Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

P7 The factor loads are as shown in the table below. The analysis gives the moment at center
line of the columns A and B as MA and MB as shown in the Table. Draw shear diagram
for the beam AB shown, then design the shear at critical section ( at d ) from face of
column A . The spacing between the stirrups must be equal to or greater than 100mm c/c
.Show the location of no stirrups, use stirrups 10mm Ø, main bars 4-Ø20mm.

Column dimensions MA MB Wu Pu L fy fc'

(mm) kN.m kN.m kN/m kN m MPa MPa

600 x 600 700 200 120 300 10.5 420 80

 Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

Pu
a wu

A B

MA a MB
L

1000mm 100mm

4- Ø20mm 600

400

500

Section a-a

(Ans. VA=828kN, VB=732kN, VAu@d=727kN,Use 4-legs, Av=4x78mm2, s=107mm c/c)

 Shear and Diagonal Tension 2023 – 2024 \ Civil Engineering Dept \ Salahaddin University-Erbil

P8 The loaded beam and hollow section are shown. Use fc'=28MPa ; fy= 420MPa
column dimensions are 600x600mm.
Determine the required spacing of stirrups at left of support B (at critical section), then check
all requirements for shear, show the locations of minimum shear reinforcement along the
beam. Use 3-legs stirrups, Ø10mm (Ab=78mm2).
(Ans.,VB=468kN, VBu@d=407kN, use Ø10mm @300mm c/c)