Chapter 3

Shear and Diagonal Tension in

Beams

3.1 Introduction
Chapter one dealt with the flexural behavior and flexural strength of beams.
Beams must also have an adequate safety margin against other types of
failure, some of which may be more dangerous than flexural failure.
Shear failure of reinforced concrete. More properly called diagonal
tension failure is one example. Shear failure is difficult to predict accurately.
In spite of many decades of experimental research, it is not yet fully
understood.

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

3.2 Type of Web Reinforcement

ACI allow shear reinforcement for nonprestressed beams to consist of:
a. Vertical stirrups. This is by far the most common type of web reinforcement.
These vertical stirrups spaced at varying intervals along the axis of the beam
depending on requirements, as shown in figure below.

• Relatively small bars are used, generally No.10 to 16. Simple U-shaped bars
similar to figure below are most common. Although multiple- leg stirrups
such as shown in figure below are sometimes are necessary.
• Stirrups are formed to fit around the main longitudinal bars at the bottom
and hooked or bend around longitudinal bars at the top of the member to
improve anchorage and provide support during construction.

b. Stirrups inclined at an angle 45 or more. Inclined stirrups are difficult to

detail near the ends of a beam and are not widely used.

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

c. A portion of the longitudinal flexural reinforcement may be bent up

where no longer needed for flexure.

• Bent up bar are no longer widely used because of the added cost of the
labor needed to bend the bars.

d. Combinations of above.
• Welded wire reinforcement is also used for shear reinforcement,
practically for small, lightly loaded member with thin webs and for
certain types of precast beams.
• 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 in figure below:

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

3.3 Computing of Applied Shear Force Vu

The applied shear force can be computed based on given loads and spans.
According to ACI Code 9.4.3.2 ,section between the face of support and a
critical section located d from the face of support for nonprestressed beams
shall be permitted to be designed for Vu at the critical section if (a) through (b)
are satisfied:
(a) Support reaction, in the direction of applied shear, introduces compression
into the end region of the beam.
(b) Load are applied at or near the top surface of the beam
(c) No concentrated load occurs between the face of support and critical
section
Examples on computing of Vu at distance “d” from face of support
For figures below, critical section for computing of Vu will be taken at distance
“d” from face of support as all above conditions are satisfied.

Examples on computing of Vu at face of support

The critical design section should be taken at the face of support if concentrated
loads act within that distance, if the beam is loaded near its bottom edge (as
may occur for inverted T beam) or if the reaction causes vertical tension rather
than compression (if the beam is supported by a girder of similar depth).

3.4 Shear Strength Provided by Concrete Vc

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

For concrete beams reinforced for flexure only, shear force required to initiates
diagonal cracks in web-shear cracks region or to propagate cracks in flexure-
shear region can be estimated from relation below:

Vc = 0.17𝝀√𝒇𝒄` bwd
Where:
𝜆 is the lightweight modifications factor is used to account for the lower tensile-
compressive strength that taken from ACI Table 19.2.4.2 below:

• Typically, the designer will not know the blends of aggregate necessary to
achieve the target design strength and density required for a project. In most
cases, local concrete and aggregate supplies have standard lightweight
concrete mixtures and can provide the volumetric fractions of lightweight and
normal weight aggregates necessary to achieve the target values. These
volumetric fractions can be used to determine the value of 𝜆 or in the absence
of such data, it is permissible to use the lower-bound value of 𝜆 (0.75) for
the type of lightweight concrete specified.

Normalweight Aggregates Lightweight Aggregates

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

From equilibrium in vertical direction

∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0

Vext = Vcz + Vd + Viy + Vs

Where:
Vcz shear force resisted by uncracked concrete portion.
Vi shear force resisted by interlocking of concrete on two sides of crack.
Vd shear force resisted by longitudinal rebars, dowel action.
Vs shear force resisted by stirrups.
• Empirically and conservatively current ACI Code assume that:

Vcz + Vd + Viy ≈ Vc = 0.17𝝀√𝒇𝒄` bwd

• According to ACI Code 22.5.3.1 the value of √𝑓𝑐 ` used to calculate Vc

shall not exceed 8.3 MPa, because of a lack of test data and practical
experience with concrete having compressive strength greater than 70 MPa

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

3.5 Shear Strength Provided by Shear Reinforcement Vs

Vs = force per each stirrups × No. of stirrups through the inclined crack
𝑃
Vs = (𝐴𝑣 × 𝑓𝑦 )𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑒𝑎𝑐ℎ 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑢𝑝𝑠 × (𝑆 )
𝑁𝑜.𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑢𝑝𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑐𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑘

Where:
𝜋
Av = area of shear reinforcement = × ∅2𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑢𝑝𝑠 × No. of Legs
4

• if the crack is assumed to have an angle 45 degree with horizon , then p

can be computed approximately based on following relation:
P≈𝑑
Then:
𝑨𝒗 𝒇𝒚 𝒅
Vs =
𝒔
Above relation can be solved for S:
𝑨𝒗 𝒇𝒚 𝒅
S=
𝑽𝒔
• It should be emphasized that when conventional U stirrups such in figure
below are used. The web area Av provided by each stirrups is twice the
cross-section area of the bar.

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

• For stirrups such as those in figure below, A v is 4 times the area of the bar
used

• For members with a circular section ACI Code provided that the area used
to calculate Vc be product of the diameter of the effective depth. The latter
may be taken as 0.8 times the diameter of the member

3.6 Maximum value for fy and fyt

According to Table 20.2.2 a limit the maximum values of yield strength to be
used in design calculation for nonprestressed deformed reinforcement.
The limit of 420 MPa on the value of fy and fyt used in design for most shear
and torsional reinforcement is intended to control width of inclined cracks.

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

3.7 ACI Code Provisions for Shear Design

According to ACI code, the design of beams for shear is to be based on the
relation:
Vu ≤ ∅Vn
Where Vu is the total shear force applied at a given section of the beam due to
factored loads.
And Vn = Vc + Vs is the nominal shear strength, equal to the sum of the
contributions of the concrete and the web steel if present.
• For vertical stirrups
𝑨𝒗 𝒇𝒚𝒕 𝒅
Vu ≤ ∅ (𝑽𝒄 + )
𝒔

• And for inclined bars

𝑨𝒗 𝒇𝒚𝒕 𝒅(𝒔𝒊𝒏∝ +𝒄𝒐𝒔∝)

Vu ≤ ∅ (𝑽𝒄 + )
𝒔

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

3.8 Anchorage of Stirrups

The ACI Code, Section 25.7.1.1, requires that shear reinforcement be carried as
close as possible to the compression and tension extreme fibers, within the Code
requirements for concrete cover, because near maximum load the flexural
tension cracks penetrate deep into the beam. Also, for stirrups to achieve their
full yield strength, they must be well anchored. Near maximum load, the stress
in a stirrup reaches its yield stress at the point where a diagonal crack intercepts
that stirrup.
The ACI Code requirements for stirrup anchorage, Section 25.7, are as
follows:

• According to anchorage requirements, stirrups may be classified into:

o Open Stirrups

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

o Closed Stirrups

Closed stirrups should be used for:

1. For beams with compression reinforcements.
2. For members subjected to torsion.
3. For perimeter beams ( to provide integrity)
4. Beam subjected so reversal stress

Beam subjected to Torsion Perimeter beams

Beam with compression reinforcement

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

3.9 Stirrups Adjacent to the Support

The ACI Code specifies that shear reinforcement provided between the face of
the support and the critical section at a distance d from it may be designed for
the same shear Vu at the critical section. It is common practice to place the first
stirrup at a distance S/2 from the face of the support, where S is the spacing for
Vu at the critical section.

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

3.10 Design of Shear Reinforcements

• Generally, the beam dimensions (b and h) are determined based on
considerations other than shear requirements.
• Then, in shear problem, the designer deals with a beam that has a pre-
specified dimensions and main unknowns in the design problem are the
shear reinforcement and it’s details that can be summarized as follows:
i.Diameter of shear reinforcement
o Bar diameter that used for shear reinforcements usually include
10mm, or 12mm.
o A bar diameter of 16mm rarely used as shear reinforcement.
o Where no top bars are required for flexure, stirrups support bars
must be used. These are usually about the same diameter as the
stirrups themselves.
ii. Spacing (for economical aspect, beam may be divided to sub-
regions with different shear reinforcements) for shear
reinforcement.

iii. Anchorage requirements for shear reinforcement ( it was

discussed in article 2.8)

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

3.11 Design Procedure for Web Reinforcement

1. Calculate shear force at critical section.
2. Find ∅Vc = ∅0.17√𝑓𝑐 ` bwd , where ∅ is always equal to 0.75.
3.
∅Vc
• When Vu ≤ then shear reinforcement is not required.
2
∅Vc
• When < Vu ≤ ∅Vc then minimum shear reinforcement must be
2
provided as shown below:
𝑑
2
600
3𝐴𝑣 𝑓𝑦𝑡
Smax = 𝑀𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚
𝑏𝑤
16𝐴𝑣 𝑓𝑦𝑡
{ √𝑓𝑐 ` 𝑏𝑤
𝜋
Where Av is the area for shear reinforcement = × ∅2𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑢𝑝𝑠 × No. of Legs
4
• When Vu > ∅Vc Go to step 4.
4. When Vu > ∅Vc calculate ∅Vs
Vu = ∅Vc + ∅Vs → ∅Vs = Vu − ∅Vc
Check if ∅Vs ≤ ∅0.66√𝑓𝑐 ` bwd then beam dimensions are O.K
Else if ∅Vs > ∅0.66√𝑓𝑐 ` bwd then change beam dimensions.
5. Calculate So
∅Av fyt d
So =
∅Vs

6. Calculate Smaximum
If ∅Vs ≤ ∅0.33√𝑓𝑐 ` bwd then:
𝑑
2
600
3𝐴𝑣 𝑓𝑦𝑡
Smax = 𝑀𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚
𝑏𝑤
16𝐴𝑣 𝑓𝑦𝑡
{ √𝑓𝑐 ` 𝑏𝑤

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

Else If ∅Vs > ∅0.33√𝑓𝑐 ` bwd then:

d
4
300
3Av fyt
Smax = Minimum
bw
16Av fyt
{ √fc` bw
7. If So ≤ Smaximum then use S = So
Else If So > Smaximum then use S = Smaxmimum
`

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 Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

Example 1: Design a shear reinforcement for a rectangular beam with a width

of 300 and effective depth 500 mm, the beam is subjected to live load 40 kN/m
and dead load 34 kN/m (including self-weight) use fyt = 300 MPa and fc` = 30
MPa, use ∅ = 10 mm for stirrups.
WD = 40 kN/m, WL = 34 kN/m ∅ = 10 mm

5.5 m

Solution:
1. Calculate shear force at critical section
Wu = 1.2WD + 1.6WL = 1.2 × 40 + 1.6 × 34 = 104.8 kN/m
wu × ℓ 104.8 × 5.5
R reaction at support = = = 288.2 kN
2 2

Wu = 104.8 kN/m

𝑤𝑢 ℓ 104.8×5.5 5.5 m
R= =
2 2
= 288.2 kN

S.F.D

- 288.2 kN

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

• As all the limitations of ACI Code article 9.4.3.2 are satisfied, then sections
located less than a distance “d” from face of support shall be permitted to be
designed for Vu computed at distance “d”.
Vud at critical section: 104.8 kN/m
∑ 𝑓𝑦 = 0 Vud
288.2 –104.8 × 0.5 – Vud = 0
Vud = 288.2 –104.8× 0.5 = 235.8 kN
R = 288.2 kN
2. Find ∅Vc = ∅0.17√𝐟𝐜 ` bwd
Vc = 0.75 ×0.17√30 × 300 × 500 × 10-3
Vc = 104.75 kN
3. When Vu > ∅Vc Go to step 4
Vu = 235.8 kN > Vc = 104.75 kN
4. When Vud > ∅Vc calculate ∅Vs
Vu = ∅Vc + ∅Vs
∅Vs = 235.8 – 104.75 = 131.05 kN
∅Vs ? ∅0.66√fc ` bwd
131.05 kN < 406.6 kN
∴ Section dimensions are O.K
5. Calculate So
∅Av fyt d 0.75 × 78.5 × 2 × 300 × 500
So = = = 134.7 mm ≈ 130 mm
∅Vs 131.05 × 103

6. Calculate Smaximum
∅Vs ? ∅0.33√fc ` bwd
131.05 kN < 203.3 kN then :
d 500
= = 𝟐𝟓𝟎 𝐦𝐦
2 2
600 mm
3Av fyt 3 × 78.5 × 2 × 300
Smax = Minimum = = 474 mm
bw 300
16Av fyt 16 × 78.5 × 2 × 300
= = 461 mm
{ √fc` bw √30 × 300
∴ Smax = 250 mm
7. ∵ So < Smaximum O.K then use S = 130 mm ∎
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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage
5.37
• Required number of stirrups = ( + 1) ≈ 43
0.13

• Selecting of nominal reinforcement for stirrups supports:

As no top bars are required for flexure, stirrups support bars must be used.
These are usually about the same diameter as the stirrups themselves.

2∅10mm
Nominal bars to
support the stirrups

∅10mm@130mm

• Anchorage Requirement for shear reinforcement:

If one assumes that no compression reinforcement is required for this beam,
any one of following anchorage can be used:

Anchorage Details for Stirrups

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

• In practice the structural designers may use the same spacing along beam span.
This spacing should be computed based on maximum shear force. However
the shear force can be divided to three distinguish regions shown in figure
below:
Vud

∅Vc
∅vc
Region 1 2
d Region 2
Region 3
Shear reinforcement required Min. Shear Shear reinforcement
reinforcement not required

For Region 1
Shear reinforcement will be used as shown in example 1.

For Region 2
Min. Shear reinforcement will be provided from the least of following:

d
2
600
3Av fyt
Smax = Minimum
bw
16Av fyt
{ √fc` bw
For Region 3
∅vc
No shear reinforcement is required as long as > Vud
2

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

Resolve example 1 by taking into account region 1, region 2 and region 3

R= 288.2
Vud = 235.8

∅Vc = 104.75
∅vc
= 52.4
2
Region 1
Region 2
Region 3
0.5m 1.26 m 0.49 m 0.5 m

2.75 m
Note: drawing is not to scale

For Region 1
Shear reinforcement will be 130 mm

For Region 2
Min. Shear reinforcement will be provided from the least of following:

d 500
= = 𝟐𝟓𝟎 𝐦𝐦
2 2
600 mm
3Av fyt 3 × 78.5 × 2 × 300
Smax = Minimum = = 474 mm
bw 300
16Av fyt 16 × 78.5 × 2 × 300
= = 461 mm
{ √fc` bw √30 × 300
∴ S for region 2 will be 250 mm

For Region 3
∅vc
No shear reinforcement is required as long as > Vud
2

1.695 0.49
• Required number of stirrups = [( + 1) + ( )] × 2 = 36
0.13 0.13
❖ Which one of these two methods do you think more economic?
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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

Design shear reinforcement for previous example by using ETABS

• ETABS 16 has been adopted in this article to compare between hand and
program results; the results are summarized in Table below.

Table 2.1: comparisons between hand and ETABS results

Variable Hand Calculation ETABS % Difference
Vud (kN) 235.8 235.8 0
∅Vc (kN) 104.75 102.3299 2.3 %
∅Vs (kN) 131.05 133.47 1.85 %
Spacing (S) (mm) 134.7 132.4 1.7 %

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

Example 2: Determine the required spacing of vertical stirrups for a 9.15 m

span, simple supported beam with following given data:
• bw = 330 mm, d = 508 mm
• fc` = 21 MPa and fyt = 275 MPa , Wu = 65.5 kN/m
• ∅ stirrups = 12 mm

Wu = 65.5 kN/m

9.15

Solution: 65.5 kN/m

1. Calculate shear force at critical section
∑ fy = 0
Vud
299.6 – 65.5 × 0.508 – Vud = 0
Vud = 266.33 kN d = 0.508
R = 299.6 kN
2 . Find ∅Vc = ∅0.17√𝐟𝐜 ` bwd
Vc = 0.75 ×0.17√21 × 330 × 508 × 10-3
Vc = 97.95 kN
3. When Vud > ∅Vc Go to step 4
266.33 kN > 97.95 kN
4. When Vud > ∅Vc calculate ∅Vs
Vu = ∅Vc + ∅Vs
∅Vs = 266.33 – 97.95 = 168.38 kN
∅Vs ? ∅0.66√𝑓𝑐 ` bwd
168.38 kN< 380.27 kN section dimensions are O.K
5. Calculate So
∅Av fyt d 0.75 × 113 × 2 × 275 × 508
So = = = 140.6 mm ≈ 140 mm
∅Vs 168.38 × 103

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

6. Calculate Smaximum
∅Vs ? ∅0.33√fc ` bwd
∵ 168.38 kN < 190.14 kN then:
d 508
= = 𝟐𝟓𝟒 𝐦𝐦
2 2
600 mm
3Av fyt 3 × 113 × 2 × 275
Smax = Minimum = = 565 mm
bw 330
16Av fyt 16 × 113 × 2 × 275
= = 657.5 mm
{ √fc` bw √21 × 330
∴ Smax = 254 mm
7. ∵ So < Smaximum O.K then use S = 140 mm ∎

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

Example 3: Design shear reinforcement for a rectangular beam with a width of

400mm and effective depth of 600 mm as shown in figure below. Use fc` =30
MPa and fy = 300 MPa
Pu = 200 kN Pu = 50 kN

Solution:
Pu = 200 kN Pu = 50 kN

250 kN

50 kN

S.F.D
For part AB A B C
1. Calculate shear force at critical section
Vud = 250 kN
2. Find ∅Vc
∅Vc = ∅0.17√𝑓𝑐 ` bwd = 0.75×0.17× √30 ×400×600×10-3 = 167.6 kN
3. Vud > ∅Vc Go to step 4.
250 > 167.7
4. When Vud > ∅Vc calculate ∅Vs
Vu = ∅Vc + ∅Vs
∅Vs = Vu − ∅Vc = 250 – 167.7 = 82.4 kN
∅Vs ? ∅0.66√fc ` bwd then beam dimensions are O.K
82.4 kN < 650.69 kN

5. Calculate So
∅Av fyt d 0.75 × 2 × 78.5 × 300 × 600
So = = = 257.2 mm ≈ 250 mm
∅Vs 82.4 × 103
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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

6. Calculate Smaximum
∵ ∅Vs < ∅0.33√fc ` bwd then:
d 600
= = 𝟑𝟎𝟎 mm
2 2
600 mm
3Av fyt
Smax = Minimum =
3 × 78.5 × 2 × 300
= 353.4 mm
bw 400
16Av fyt 16 × 78.5 × 2 × 300
= = 344.1 mm
{ √fc` bw √30 × 400

∴ Smax = 300 mm
7. Use S = 250 mm for part AB ∎
For part BC
Vud = 50 kN
∅Vc
Vud ?
2
∵ 50 < 83.8
∴ Shear Reinforcement is not required for part BC ∎
13@250mm

13@250mm

Discussion about Example 3

• Although not required by the ACI Code, it is good design practice to continue
the stirrups through the end of beam, even though the calculated shear is low.
Doing so satisfies the dual purpose of providing continuous support for the
top reinforcement that is required wherever stirrups are used and providing
additional shear capacity in the region to handle load cases not considered
in developing the shear diagram.

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

Example 4: a rectangular beam as shown in figure below, it has a width of 300

mm and effective depth of 550 mm. The beam is subjected to two equal
concentrated load each one consist of (80 kN) live load and (60 kN) dead load,
and the total distributed dead load 4.68 kN/m (including self-weight), use fc`=
30 MPa , fyt = 300 MPa use ∅ = 10mm for stirrups

PL = 80 kN, PD = 60 kN PL = 80 kN, PD = 60 kN

WD = 4.68 kN/m

Solution: Wu = 5.62 kN/m

1. Calculate shear force at critical section
Pu = 1.2PD + 1.6PL
Pu = 1.2 × 60 + 1.6 × 8 = 200 kN Vud
d = 0.55
Wu = 1.2WD + 1.6 WL
R = 212.65 kN
Wu = 1.2 × 4.68 + 1.6 × 0 = 5.62 kN/m
∑ fy = 0
5.62
R= × 4.5 + 200 = 212.65 kN
2
Vud = 212.65 – 5.62 × 0.55 = 209.56 kN
2. Find ∅Vc
∅Vc = ∅0.17√fc ` bwd = 0.75 × 0.17× √30 × 300 × 550 × 10-3 = 112.96 kN
3. Vud > ∅Vc
209.56 > 112.96 Go to step 4.
4. When Vud > ∅Vc calculate ∅Vs
Vu = ∅Vc + ∅Vs
∅Vs = Vu − ∅Vc = 209.56 – 112.96 = 96.6 kN
∅Vs ? ∅0.66√𝑓𝑐 ` bwd
96.6 kN < 447.35 kN then beam dimensions are O.K

5. Calculate So
∅Av fyt d 0.75 × 2 × 78.5 × 300 × 550
So = = = 202 mm ≈ 200 mm
∅Vs 96.6 × 103
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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

6. Calculate Smaximum
∅Vs ≤ ∅0.33√fc ` bwd then:
96.6 kN < 223.6 kN
d 550
= = 275 mm
2 2
600 mm
3Av fyt
Smax = Minimum =
3 × 78.5 × 2 × 300
= 474 mm
bw 300
16Av fyt 16 × 78.5 × 2 × 300
= = 462 mm
{ √fc` bw √30 × 300

∴ Smax = 275 mm
7. Use S = 200 mm ∎
4.3
• Required number for stirrups = ( + 1) = 23
0.2

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

Example 5: For the beam that shown below:

a. Design for shear in region 1 only.
b. Is shear reinforcement of region 1 adequate for region 2?
Use in your design:
• fc`= 21 MPa and fy = 420 MPa.
• WD = 36 kN/m (without self-weight) and WL = 30 kN/m.
• Beam self-weight should be included in your design.

Region 2 Region 1 Region 2

Solution:
a. Design for shear in Region 1
1. Calculate shear force at critical section
WD self-weight = 0.35 × 0.6 × 24 = 5 kN/m
WD total = 5 + 36 = 41 kN/m
Wu = 1.2WD + 1.6WL = 1.2 × 41 + 1.6 × 30 = 97.2 kN/m
Vud = 179.3 kN (Find it as a homework)
2. Find ∅Vc
∅Vc = ∅0.17√fc ` bwd = 0.75 × 0.17× √21 × 350 × 530 × 10-3 = 108 kN
3. Vud > ∅Vc
179.3 > 97.2 Go to step 4.
4. When Vud > ∅Vc calculate ∅Vs
Vu = ∅Vc + ∅Vs
∅Vs = Vu − ∅Vc = 179.3 – 108 = 71.3 kN
∅Vs ? ∅0.66√fc ` bwd
71.3 kN < 420.7 kN O.K then beam dimensions are O.K
5. Calculate So
∅Av fyt d 0.75 × 2 × 78.5 × 420 × 530
So = = = 367.6 mm ≈ 360 mm
∅Vs 71.3 × 103

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

6. Calculate Smaximum
∵ ∅Vs < ∅0.33√fc ` bwd then:
d 530
= = 𝟐𝟔𝟓 mm
2 2
600 mm
3Av fyt
Smax = Minimum =
3 × 78.5 × 2 × 420
= 373 mm
bw 530
16Av fyt 16 × 78.5 × 2 × 420
= = 658 mm
{ √fc`bw √21 × 350

∴ Smax = 265 mm
7. ∵ So > Smaximum ∴Use S = Smaximum 265 ∎

b. Is shear reinforcement of region 1 adequate for region 2?

Vud = 131 kN
As Vud for region 2 is less than that for region 1 and as two regions have same
section, then shear reinforcement for region 1 will be adequate for region 2 ∎

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

Example 6: Calculate the maximum live load that the beam can carry based on
shear consideration only, use fc` = 30 MPa and fy = 300 MPa

Wu
∅10@150mm

6m 4∅20

Solution
∅𝑏𝑎𝑟
dfor one layer = h – cover – ∅stirrups –
2
20
d = 600 – 40 – 10 – = 540 mm
2
Vu = ∅Vs + ∅Vc
∅Vc = ∅0.17√𝑓𝑐 ` bwd = 0.75×0.17× √30 ×400 ×540 × 10-3
∅Vc = 150.8 kN
∅𝐴𝑣 𝑓𝑦𝑡 𝑑 ∅𝐴𝑣 𝑓𝑦𝑡 𝑑 0.75×78.5×2×300×540
So = → ∅ 𝑉𝑠 = = = 127.17 kN
∅𝑉𝑠 𝑠 150×103
Vu = ∅Vn = ∅Vs + ∅Vc = 150.8 + 127.17 = 277.97 kN
∑ fy = 0
R = Vud + Wu × d Wu Vud
𝑤𝑢 ℓ
= Vud + Wu × d
2
𝑤𝑢 ×6
= 277.97 + Wu × 0.54
2
3Wu – 0.54Wu = 277.97 d = 0.54
𝑤𝑢 ℓ
2.46Wu = 277.97 R=
2
277.97
Wu = = 112.9 kN/m
2.46
Wu = 1.2 WD + 1.6WL
112.9 = 1.2 × 0.6 × 0.4 × 24 + 1.6 × WL
WL = 66.24 kN/m ∎

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

Example 7: for the singly reinforced beam within the frame shown in figure
below, a designer as proposed to use open U stirrups with diameter of 10mm and
within spacing shown below, for beam shear reinforcement:
1. Is the using of open U stirrups justified according to ACI Code
requirements?
2. Based on proposed spacing and beam shear strength, what is the maximum
uniformly factored load Wu that could be applied?
Use fc` = 28 MPa, fy = 420 MPa and ∅𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑢𝑝𝑠 = 10 mm
Wu = ?

2m 3m 2m
Region 1 Region 2 Region 1
Spacing 150mm Spacing 250mm Spacing 150mm

7m

Solution:
1. Is the using of open U stirrups justified according to ACI Code
requirements?
As the beam is singly reinforced and it is not subjected to torsion or to reversal
loads, then using U stirrups is justified according to ACI Code∎

2. Based on proposed spacing and beam shear strength, what is the

maximum uniformly factored load Wu that could be applied?

For Region 1
Vu = ∅Vs + ∅Vc
∅Vc = ∅0.17√fc ` bwd = 0.75 × 0.17 × √28 × 300 × 536 × 10-3 = 108.5 kN
∅Av fyt d ∅Av fyt d 0.75 × 78.5 × 2 × 420 × 536
So = → ∅ Vs = = = 176.7 kN
∅Vs s 150 × 103

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

Vu = Vud = 108.5 + 176.7 = 285.2 kN

∑ fy = 0 Wu
Vud = 285.2 kN
R = Vud + Wu × d
wu × ℓ
= Vud + Wu × d
2
wu × 7
= 285.2 + Wu × 0.536 d = 0.536 m
2 𝑤𝑢 ℓ
Wu = 96.2 kN/m R=
2

For Region 2
∅Vc = 108.5 kN
∅Av fyt d 0.75 × 78.5 × 2 × 420 × 536
∅ Vs = = = 106 kN
s 250 × 103
Vu = 108.5 + 106 = 214.5 kN
wu × 3
= 214.5
2
Wu = 143 kN/m
Finally
Wu = minimum (96.2, 143) kN/m
∴ Wu = 96.2 kN/m ∎

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

3.12 Effect of Axial forces

The beam considered in the preceding sections was subjected to shear and
flexure only. Reinforced concrete beams may also be subjected to axial forces,
acting simultaneously with shear and flexure, due to a variety of causes. These
include external axial loads, and restraint forces introduced as a result of
shrinkage of the concrete or temperature changes.

• The main effect of axial load is to modify the diagonal cracking load of
the member.
• The longitudinal force, which modifies the magnitude and direction of the
principle tensile stresses, may significantly alter the diagonal cracking
load.
• Axial compression will increase the cracking load, while axial tension
will decrease it.

a. Axial Compression
The ACI Code provides that, for members carrying significant axial
compression as well as bending and shear, the contribution of the concrete
taken as:
𝐍𝐮
Vc = 0.17(𝟏 + ) λ √𝒇𝒄` 𝐛𝐰 𝐝
𝟏𝟒𝐀𝐠
Where: Nu is the compression force normal to cross section of beam.

b. Axial Tension
The ACI Code provided the following relation when the members are
subjected to axial tension as well as bending and shear.
𝟎.𝟐𝟗𝐍𝐮
Vc = 0.17(𝟏 + ) λ √𝒇𝒄` 𝐛𝐰 𝐝
𝐀𝐠

• The above equation should not be less than zero, where Nu is Negative for
tension.
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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

Example: A beam with dimensions b = 300mm, d = 600 mm, and h = 700 mm,
with fc` = 28 MPa, carries a single concentrated factored load of 440 kN at
midspan. Find the maximum shear strength of the concrete V c at the critical
section for shear a distance d from the support:
1. If no axial forces are present
2. If axial compression of 270 kN acts
3. If axial tension of 270 kN acts
Neglect the self-weight of the beam.
Solution:
1. If no axial forces are present
∅Vc = ∅0.17√fc ` bwd = 0.75 × 0.17 × √28 × 300 × 600 × 10-3 = 121.4 kN
2. If axial compression of 270 kN acts
Nu
Vc = 0.17(1 + ) λ √fc ` bw d
14Ag
Nu = 270 kN, Ag = 300 × 700 = 210,000 mm2
270 × 103
Vc = 0.17(1 + ) × 1 × √28 × 300 × 600 × 10-3 = 176.8 kN
14 × 210,000
3. If axial tension of 270 kN acts
0.29Nu
Vc = 0.17(1 + ) λ √𝑓𝑐 ` bw d
Ag
0.29 × 270 × 103
Vc = 0.17(1 − ) × 1 × √28 × 300 × 600 × 10-3 = 101.5 kN
210,000

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Chapter Three: Shear in Beams 3rd stage

Table of Contents
3.1 Introduction ............................................................................... 1
3.2 Type of Web Reinforcement ..................................................... 2
3.5 Shear Strength Provided by Shear Reinforcement Vs ............... 7
3.6 Maximum value for fy and fyt .................................................... 8
3.7 ACI Code Provisions for Shear Design ..................................... 9
3.8 Anchorage of Stirrups ............................................................. 10
3.9 Stirrups Adjacent to the Support ............................................. 12
3.10 Design of Shear Reinforcements ........................................... 13
3.11 Design Procedure for Web Reinforcement............................ 14
Example 1: .................................................................................... 16
Example 2: .................................................................................... 22
Example 3: .................................................................................... 24
Example 4: .................................................................................... 26
Example 5: .................................................................................... 28
Example 6: .................................................................................... 30
Example 7: .................................................................................... 31
3.12 Effect of Axial forces ............................................................ 33

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