KUWAIT UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
REINFORCED CONCRETE 1
Chapter 5
Shear and Diagonal Tension
Abdulhamid E Khudada
The purpose of this chapter is to introduce the basic theory of flexural shear and
shear design provisions according to ACI 318M.
CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
INTRODUCTION
There are four types of shear in RC members:
Flexural shear (associated with bending moments in beams);
Torsional shear (associated with torsion);
Direct shear (occurs in brackets or corbels which are short
members that cantilever out from a column or wall to support a
load); and
Punching shear (occurs in two way slabs and footings).
In this course, we will only consider flexural shear.
Shear failure is usually sudden and brittle Design for shear
must insure that, if
failure is to occur,
beam will fail in
bending (as under-
reinforced beam)
and not in shear.
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
BASIC THEORY OF FLEXURAL SHEAR
UNCRACKED, ELASTIC BEAM:
When a RC beam is initially loaded; i.e. before it cracks; traditional
theory for homogeneous, elastic, uncracked beams applies. As the
beam is loaded, normal and shear stresses start developing. The
stresses that act on two arbitrary elements cut out of the beam are
shown below. The normal stress, f, and the shear stress, are found
using traditional theory for homogeneous, elastic, uncracked beams.
The largest and smallest normal stresses acting on any element are
referred to as principal stresses. The orientations of the principal
stresses on the above elements are shown below:
The surfaces on which principal tension stresses act in the uncracked
beam (referred to as stress trajectories) are plotted in the figure
below:
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
Since concrete cracks when principal tensile stresses exceed the
modulus of rupture of concrete (which is very low) initial
cracking pattern should resemble the principal compressive stress
trajectories, with the first flexural crack occurring at section of Mmax.
Cracks are called diagonal tension cracks since they are inclined and
due to principal tensile stresses.
ACTUAL BEAM (WITHOUT SHEAR REINFORCEMENT):
When an actual beam is tested up to failure with no shear
reinforcement (i.e., no stirrups,) cracking pattern looks like the
following:
Forces that transfer shear across an inclined crack (i.e. forces that
contribute to concrete shear resistance) in a beam without stirrups are
illustrated below:
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
These forces are:
Vcy : shear in the compressions zone;
Vay : vertical component of the shear transferred across the
crack by interlock of the aggregate particles on the two
faces of the crack; and
Vd : dowel action of longitudinal reinforcement.
The total shear strength of a concrete beam without shear
reinforcement, Vc , is the sum of Vcz , Vay and Vd.
BEAMS WITH SHEAR REINFORCEMENT (WEB REINFORCEMENT):
Since the cracks that cause shear failure are inclined, shear
reinforcement is provided by introducing stirrups that cross these
cracks and carry the forces transferred through these cracks. While
stirrups are more effective if they are placed perpendicular to cracks,
it is more practical to use vertical stirrups.
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
Shear force carried by stirrups, Vs , is calculated assuming that the
crack causing failure has a horizontal projection equal to d, and that
all stirrups crossing that crack yield in tension. Therefore, we have
the following free body:
A B
Vc
C
Av fyt
Av fyt
T s
The total shear force carried by stirrups crossing the crack, Vs , is:
Vs n Av fyt
where: n number of stirrups crossing the crack d s ;
s spacing of stirrups ;
Av area of shear reinforcement ; and
fyt yield stress of transverse reinforcement .
d A f d
Substituting n into the equation for Vs Vs v yt .
s s
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
SECTIONS WITHIN DISTANCE d FROM THE SUPPORT:
When a beam is loaded on the top flange and supported on the
bottom, as shown below, the closest inclined crack that can occur
adjacent to supports will extend @ roughly 45˚
loads applied to the beam will be carried directly by the
support (not the crack)
Vu,max is computed at distance d from face of support
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
ACI CODE PROVISIONS FOR SHEAR DESIGN
Relevant ACI Code provisions concerning design for shear are:
11.1 — Shear strength
11.1.1 — Except for members designed in accordance with Appendix A, design
of cross sections subject to shear shall be based on
φVn ≥ Vu (11-1)
where Vu is the factored shear force at the section considered and Vn is nominal
shear strength computed by
Vn = Vc + Vs (11-2)
where Vc is nominal shear strength provided by concrete calculated in
accordance with 11.2, 11.3, or 11.11, and Vs is nominal shear strength
provided by shear reinforcement calculated in accordance with 11.4, 11.9.9, or
11.11.
11.1.1.1 — In determining Vn, the effect of any openings in members shall be
considered.
11.1.1.2 — In determining Vc, whenever applicable, effects of axial tension due
to creep and shrinkage in restrained members shall be considered and effects of
inclined flexural compression in variable depth members shall be permitted to be
included.
11.1.2 — The values of fc used in this chapter shall not exceed 8.3 MPa
except as allowed in 11.1.2.1.
11.1.2.1 — Values of fc greater than 8.3 MPa shall be permitted in
computing Vc , Vci , and Vcw for reinforced or prestressed concrete beams and
concrete joist construction having minimum web reinforcement in accordance
with 11.4.6.3, 11.4.6.4, or 11.5.5.2.
11.1.3 — Computation of maximum Vu at supports in accordance with 11.1.3.1
or 11.1.3.2 shall be permitted if all conditions (a), (b), and (c) are satisfied:
(a) Support reaction, in direction of applied shear, introduces compression
into the end regions of member;
(b) Loads are applied at or near the top of the member;
(c) No concentrated load occurs between face of support and location of
critical section defined in 11.1.3.1 or 11.1.3.2.
11.1.3.1 — For nonprestressed members, sections located less than a distance d
from face of support shall be permitted to be designed for Vu computed at a
distance d.
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
11.2 — Shear strength provided by concrete for nonprestressed members
11.2.1 — Vc shall be computed by provisions of 11.2.1.1 through 11.2.1.3,
unless a more detailed calculation is made in accordance with 11.2.2.
Throughout this chapter, except in 11.6, λ shall be as defined in 8.6.1.
11.2.1.1 — For members subject to shear and flexure only,
Vc = 0.17 λ fc bw d (11-3)
11.4 — Shear strength provided by shear reinforcement
11.4.2 — The values of fy and fyt used in design of shear reinforcement shall not
exceed 420 MPa, except the value shall not exceed 550 MPa for welded
deformed wire reinforcement.
11.4.5 — Spacing limits for shear reinforcement
11.4.5.1 — Spacing of shear reinforcement placed perpendicular to axis of
member shall not exceed d/2 in nonprestressed members or 0.75h in prestressed
members, nor 600 mm.
11.4.5.3 — Where Vs exceeds 0.33 fc bw d , maximum spacings given in 11.4.5.1
and 11.4.5.2 shall be reduced by one-half.
11.4.6 — Minimum shear reinforcement
11.4.6.1 — A minimum area of shear reinforcement, Av,min, shall be provided in
all reinforced concrete flexural members (prestressed and nonprestressed) where
Vu exceeds 0.5 φ Vc, except in members satisfying one or more of (a) through (f):
(a) Footings and solid slabs;
11.4.6.3 — Where shear reinforcement is required by 11.4.6.1 or for strength
and where 11.5.1 allows torsion to be neglected, Av,min for prestressed (except as
provided in 11.4.6.4) and nonprestressed members shall be computed by
bw s
Av,min = 0.062 fc (11-13)
fyt
but shall not be less than (0.35 bw s)/fyt.
11.4.7 — Design of shear reinforcement
11.4.7.1 — Where Vu exceeds φVc, shear reinforcement shall be provided to
satisfy Eq. (11-1) and (11-2), where Vs shall be computed in accordance with
11.4.7.2 through 11.4.7.9.
11.4.7.2 — Where shear reinforcement perpendicular to axis of member is used,
Vs = Av fyt d/s (11-15)
where Av is the area of shear reinforcement within spacing s.
11.4.7.9 — Vs shall not be taken greater than 0.66 fc bw d .
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
The above ACI Code provisions may be organized in the following
manner:
The strength of a concrete beam is Vn Vc Vs , where:
Av fyt d
Vc 0.17 fc bwd and Vs
s
The ACI Code requires, at every cross section, that Vu Vn .
For slabs, footings, and concrete joists, stirrups are not required as
long as Vu,max Vc .
For RC beams:
o Stirrups are not required as long as Vu Vc 2
o For regions where Vu Vc 2 , provide Av,min which, together
with limits on stirrup spacing, translate to two values for
smax :
For Vs 0.33 fc bwd : For Vs 0.33 fc bwd :
Av fyt Av fyt
0.062 f b 0.062 f b
c w c w
A f A f
v yt v yt
smax 1 min smax 2 min
0.35 bw 0.35 bw
d 2 d 4
600 mm 300 mm
Note that fc is allowed to exceed 8.3 MPa in the equation of
smax.
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
o For regions where Vu Vc , obtain the shear force that
stirrups are required to carry:
Vu Vc
Vs,req
For regions where Vs,req 0.33 fc bw d :
Av fyt d Vs,req
sreq min
smax 1
For regions where 0.33 fc bw d Vs,req 0.66 fc bw d :
Av fyt d Vs,req
sreq min
smax 2
Values of Vs,req 0.66 fc bwd are not acceptable
need to enlarge cross section.
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
EXAMPLE 1:
A rectangular RC beam has b = 250 mm, d = 435 mm, and
h = 500 mm. At a given cross-section, Vu = 175 kN. fc 25 MPa
and fyt for stirrups is 275 MPa.
Find the required stirrup spacing at this section using 8 stirrups.
Solution:
It is a good idea to calculate the following parameters at the start of
any shear problem, even if we do not get to use them all:
fc 25 5 MPa 8.3 MPa ok
Vc 0.17 fc bwd 0.17 1.0 5 250 435 92440 N
Vc 0.75 92440 69330 N
Vc 2 69330 2 34660 N
0.33 fc bwd 0.33 5 250 435 179400 N
0.66 fc bwd 2 179400 358900 N
Av area of 2 8 bars 101 mm2
Vu Vc
Vu Vc Vs,req
175 kN 69.33 kN
175 69.33
140.9 kN 0.33 fc bwd
0.75 179.4 kN
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
Av fyt
101 275
358.4 mm
0.062 f b
c w
0.062 25 250
smax 1
A f
min
v yt
101 275
317.4 mm
0.35 b w 0.35
250
d 2 435 2 217.5 mm
600 mm
A f d 101 275 435
v yt
85.75 mm
sreq min Vs,req 140.9 10 3
smax 1 217.5 mm
round downward to nearest 10 mm
sact 80 mm
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
EXAMPLE 2:
The rectangular RC beam shown spans 9 m. fc 20 MPa and fyt for
the stirrups is 410 MPa. Support width is 400 mm.
Pu = 130 kN
wu = 14.5 kN/m
430mm 500mm
A C
B
3 m 6 m
260mm
If 8 are used as shown, determine the regions where:
1) Stirrups are not needed.
2) Stirrups can be spaced d/2 apart.
Solution:
Before we start, we need, first, to draw the shear force diagram:
d Vu,max = 151.9 – 14.5(0.4/2+0.43) = 142.8 kN
151.9 Vu = 151.9 – 14.5 x
108.4
1/2 the width
Vu A B of support
(kN) C
1/2 the width -21.6
of support
x Vu = 21.9 – 14.5 x
-108.6
Vu,max = 21.9 – 14.5[9-(0.4/2+0.43)] = -99.47 kN d
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
Note that since both reactions are compressive, Vu,max for each region
is taken at distance d ( = 430 mm) from face of support; i.e. at
distance (d + 0.2 m) from center of support.
Next, we need to establish the following important parameters:
fc 20 4.472 MPa 8.3 MPa ok
Vc 0.17 fc bwd 0.17 1.0 4.472 260 430 85000 N
Vc 0.75 85000 63750 N ; Vc 2 31870 N
0.33 fc bwd 165000 N ; 0.66 fc bwd 330000 N
Av area of 2 8 bars 101 mm2
Now we can proceed to solve the problem.
1) Region where stirrups are not needed:
This is the region where Vu Vc 2
31.87 kN
Evidently, this region is between points B and C, closer to B:
Vc
Vu 31.87 21.9 14.5 x x 3.710 m
2
Stirrups are not needed for 3 m x 3.710 m
2) Region where stirrups can be spaced d/2 apart:
d 430
s 215 mm
2 2
Vs
Av fyt d
101 410 430 82820 N
s 215
Vn Vc Vs 0.75 85.00 82.82 125.9 kN
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
i.e., we can use s = 215 mm as long as Vu ≤ 125.9 kN.
Region AB:
151.9 14.5 x 125.9 x 1.797 m
we can use s = 215 mm for 1.797 m x 3 m
Region BC:
use s 215mm everywhere except for 3m x 3.710m,
where no stirrups are needed.
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
PROCEDURE FOR SHEAR DESIGN:
1) Draw the shear diagram determine Vu,max (usually at
distance d from
face of support)
2) Establish the important parameters:
Vc ; Vc ; Vc 2 ; 0.33 fc bwd ; 0.66 fc bwd ; Av
3) If Vu,max Vc 2 : no stirrups are needed anywhere (END OF
DESIGN)
Otherwise: establish the region where no stirrups are
needed (call it region A) by solving Vu Vc 2
Av fyt
0.062 f b
c w
Av fyt
4) Calculate s min Vs Av fyt d sact
0.35 bw
max 1
(multiple
of 10 mm)
d 2
Vn Vc Vs
600 mm
5) If Vn Vu,max : use smax1 everywhere except region A (END OF
DESIGN)
Otherwise: establish the region where smax1 is adequate
(call it region B) by solving Vu Vn
Vu,max Vc
6) Compute Vs,req . Now we have 3 cases:
Av fyt d Vs,req
a) Vs,req 0.33 fc bwd sreq min
(multiple s
of 10 mm) max 1
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
b) 0.33 fc bwd Vs,req 0.66 fc bwd
Av fyt d Vs,req
s req
min
(multiple s
of 10 mm) max 2
c) Vs,req 0.66 fc bwd BEAM IS INADEQUATE !!
Note: Place the 1st stirrup at a distance s/2 from face of support and
remember that each stirrup occupies ½ spacing to its right and
another ½ spacing to its left. Always use sound engineering
judgment (in placing stirrups and everything else.)
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
EXAMPLE 3:
A cantilever reinforced concrete beam carries a uniformly distributed
ultimate load of 28.29 kN/m on a span of 1.8 m. The beam has a
width, b, of 250 mm and effective depth, d, of 265 mm.
fc 30 MPa and use 10 stirrups with a yield strength, fyt , of
300 MPa.
Design the shear reinforcement for this beam.
Solution:
1) Draw the shear diagram and determine Vu,max :
Vu,max = 50.92 – 28.29 (0.265) = 43.42 kN
50.92
Vu(x) = 50.92 – 28.29 x
Vu
(kN) d
Note that since the reaction is compressive, Vu,max is taken at
distance d ( = 0.265 m) from face of support.
2) Establish the important parameters:
fc 30 5.477 MPa 8.3 MPa ok
Vc 0.17 fc bwd 0.17 1.0 5.477 250 265 61690 N
Vc 0.75 61690 46270 N ; Vc 2 23130 N
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
0.33 fc bwd 119700 N ; 0.66 fc bwd 239500 N
Av area of 2 10 bars 157 mm2
3) Vu,max Vc 2 ―→ Need to establish the region where no
(43.42 kN) (23.13 kN)
stirrups are needed (region A):
Vc
Vu 50.92 28.29 x 23.13 x 0.9823 m
2
Stirrups are not needed for 0.9823 m x 1.8 m
4) Vu,max Vc ―→ we can use smax1 for the rest of the beam;
(43.42 kN) (46.27 kN)
i.e., we don’t need to calculate Vs and Vn
associated with smax1
Av fyt
157 300
554.8 mm
0.062 f b
c w
0.062 30 250
smax 1
A f
min
v yt
157 300
538.3 mm
0.35 b w 0.35 250
d 2 265 2 132.5 mm
600 mm sact 130 mm
5) V n
Vu,max ―→ Use s = 130 mm for 0 x 0.9823 m
( 446.27 kN) (43.42 kN)
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
Engineering sketch:
Place the first stirrup @ 130/2 = 65 mm from face of support and
continue until “reaching” 0.9983 m.
0.9983 m
No stirrups
needed here
10 @ 130 mm
65 mm
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
EXAMPLE 4:
A simply supported reinforced concrete beam carries a uniformly
distributed ultimate load of 115 kN/m on a span of 6 m. Width of
supports is 400 mm. The beam has width, b = 400 mm and
d = 560 mm. fc 20 MPa and use 8 stirrups with
fyt = 275 MPa.
Design shear reinforcement for this beam.
Solution:
1) Draw the shear diagram and determine Vu,max :
Vu,max = 345 – 115 (0.400/2 + 0.560) = 257.6 kN
345
Vu(x) = 345 – 115 x
Vu
(kN) d
1/2 the width
of support -345
3 m 3 m
x
Notes:
We will only look @ 0 ≤x ≤ 3 m because of symmetry.
Since the reactions are compressive, Vu,max is taken at
distance d ( = 0.560 m) from face of support.
2) Establish the important parameters:
fc 20 4.472 MPa 8.3 MPa ok
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
Vc 0.17 fc bwd 0.17 1.0 4.472 400 560 170300 N
Vc 0.75 170300 127700 N ; Vc 2 63860 N
0.33 fc bwd 330600 N ; 0.66 fc bwd 661200 N
Av area of 2 8 bars 101 mm2
3) Vu,max Vc 2 ―→ Need to establish the region where no
(257.6 kN) (63.86 kN)
stirrups are needed (region A):
Vc
Vu 345 115 x 63.86 x 2.445 m
2
Stirrups are not needed for 2.445 m x 3 m
4) Calculate smax1 and determine Vn associated with it:
Av fyt
101 275
250.4 mm
0.062 f b
c w
0.062 20 400
smax 1
A f
min
v yt
101 275
198.4 mm
0.35 bw 0.35 400
d 2 560 2 280 mm
600 mm sact 190 mm
Vs
Av fyt d
101 275 560 81860 N
sact 190
Vn Vc Vs 0.75 170.3 81.86 189.1 kN
5) Vu,max V
n
―→ Need to establish the region where smax1
(257.6 kN) ( 189.1 kN)
is adequate (region B):
Vu Vc 345 115 x 189.1 x 1.355 m
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CE 373: REINFORCED CONCRETE 1 Ch. 5: Shear
Use s = 190 mm for 1.355 m x 2.445 m
6) Compute Vs,req and sreq corresponding to Vu,max:
Vu,max Vc 257.6 127.7
Vs,req 173.2 kN 0.33 fc bwd
0.75 (330.6 kN)
A f d
v yt
101 275 560
89.82 mm
sreq min Vs,req 173200
s 198.4 mm sact 80 mm
max 1
Use s = 80 mm for 0.2 m x 1.355 m
Engineering sketch:
Place the first stirrup @ 80/2 = 40 mm from face of support.
CL
2.445 m
1.355 m
8 @ 80 mm 8 @ 190 mm
400mm 40 mm
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