How to design concrete structures using Eurocode 2

10. Detailing
O Brooker BEng, CEng, MICE, MIStructE, MCS J Burridge MA CEng MIStructE MICE

Introduction
This chapter is intended for use by detailers to prepare reinforcement drawings
for projects that have been designed using Eurocode 21. It provides a summary
of the requirements of the Eurocode and simplifies them where appropriate.

The following standards may also need to be referenced:

■ BS 4449: Specification for carbon steel bars for the reinforcement of
concrete2, which is a complementary standard to BS EN 10080: Steel for
the reinforcement of concrete3 and Normative Annex C of Eurocode 2.
■ BS 8666: 2005, Scheduling, dimensioning, bending and cutting of steel
reinforcement for concrete – specification4 .

In this publication a number of assumptions have been made. Many of the

derived expressions and figures assume UK values for the National Determined
Parameters (NDPs). It is assumed that bars sizes are 40 mm or less and that
the bars will not be bundled together. It is also assumed that the concrete
class will not exceed C50/60. For additional requirements outside these limits,
reference should be made to Eurocode 2.

This chapter focuses on detailing the reinforcement to comply with Eurocode 2;

guidance on procedures, responsibilities and preparation of drawings can be
found in other documents5,6,7.

Type and grade of reinforcement

The 2005 revision of BS 4449 introduced a characteristic yield strength
of 500 MPa. There are now three grades of reinforcement, A, B and C (see
Table 1), which offer increasing ductility. It is expected that for the design of
UK buildings all three grades A, B or C will be appropriate and in this case the
bar size can be prefixed with an H (e.g. H12). Grade A is not suitable for use
where redistribution above 20% has been assumed in the design and a
grade B bar should be specified in these circumstances (e.g. B12). Grade C is
for seismic conditions or where additional ductility is required.
How to design concrete structures using Eurocode 2

Table 1
Notation for steel reinforcement
Cover
Type of steel reinforcement Notation The nominal cover should generally be specified by the designer
For f ≤ 12 mm, Grade B500A, Grade B500B or Grade B500C H and full details of how to determine this are given in Chapter 2. The
conforming to BS 4449:2005. For f > 12 mm, Grade B500B or nominal cover should be shown on the drawings and should refer to
Grade B500C conforming to BS 4449:2005
the reinforcement nearest to the surface of the concrete e.g. the links
Grade B500A conforming to BS 4449: 2005 A
in a beam.
Grade B500B or Grade B500C conforming to BS 4449: 2005 B
Also, the cover to the main bar should be at least equal to the size of
Grade B500C conforming to BS 4449: 2005 C
that bar, plus the allowance for deviations, Dcdev. Where there are no
Reinforcement of a type not included in the above list having X
material properties that are defined in the design or contract links the nominal cover should be at least equal to the size of the bar
specification. plus Dcdev, this may be significant for bar diameters greater than
Note 12 mm. Dcdev may be 5 or 10 mm depending on the quality assurance
In the Grade description B500A, etc., ’B’ indicates reinforcing steel.
system assumed for the project. If the cover needs to be increased to
meet these requirements, the detailer should consult with the designer.
Figure 1
Description of bond conditions

Direction of concreting Direction of concreting Anchorage and lap lengths

Eurocode 2 introduces a range of factors (a1 to a6) for use when
a
250 calculating the appropriate anchorage and lap lengths. A number of
c) h > 250 mm
assumptions can be made that enable Table 2 to be developed for
a) 45º < a < 90º
anchorage and lap lengths. If the conditions noted in the table are not
Direction of concreting
Direction of concreting
met then reference should be made to Eurocode 2. Lap lengths for
≥ 300 unequal size bars may be based on the smaller bar, although this is not
stated in the Code.
h h

b) h < 250 mm d) h > 600 mm Anchorage of bars and links

Key

‘Good’ bond conditions ‘Poor’ bond conditions All reinforcement should be anchored so that the forces in it are safely
transmitted to the surrounding concrete by bond without causing
Table 2
Anchorage and lap lengths for concrete class C25/30 (mm)

Bond Reinforcement in tension, bar diameter, f (mm) Reinforcement

condition, in
(see Figure 1) 8 10 12 16 20 25 32 40 compression
Good 230 320 410 600 780 1010 1300 1760 40f
Straight bars only
Anchorage Poor 330 450 580 850 1120 1450 1850 2510 58f
length, lbd Good 320 410 490 650 810 1010 1300 1760 40f
Other bars
Poor 460 580 700 930 1160 1450 1850 2510 58f
50% lapped in one location Good 320 440 570 830 1090 1420 1810 2460 57f
(a6 = 1.4) Poor 460 630 820 1190 1560 2020 2590 3520 81f
Lap length,
l0 Good 340 470 610 890 1170 1520 1940 2640 61f
100% lapped in one location
(a6 = 1.5) Poor 490 680 870 1270 1670 2170 2770 3770 87f
Notes
1 Nominal cover to all sides ≥ 25 mm, [i.e. a2 ≤ 1]. At laps, clear distance between bars ≤ 50mm.
2 a1 = a3 = a4 = a5 = 1.0. For the beneficial effects of shape of bar, cover and confinement see Eurocode 2, Table 8.2.
3 Design stress has been taken as 435 MPa. Where the design stress in the bar at the position from where the anchorage is measured, ssd, is less than 435 MPa the figures in this
table can be factored by ssd/435. The minimum lap length is given in cl 8.7.3 of Eurocode 2.
4 The anchorage and lap lengths have been rounded up to the nearest 10 mm.
5 Where 33% of bars are lapped in one location, decrease the lap lengths for ‘50% lapped in one location’ by a factor of 0.82.
6 The figures in this table have been prepared for concrete class C25/30; refer to Table 13 for other classes or use the following factors for other concrete classes.

Concrete class C20/25 C28/35 C30/37 C32/40 C35/45 C40/50 C45/55 C50/60
Factor 1.16 0.93 0.89 0.85 0.80 0.73 0.68 0.63

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 10. Detailing

cracking or spalling. The design anchorage length, lbd, (which can be Bars in compression
obtained from Table 2) is measured along the centreline of the bar In addition to the rules for bars in tension (Figure 6a), one bar of the
(see Figure 2). The anchorage of links is shown in Figure 3. transverse reinforcement should be placed outside each end of the lap
length of bars in compression and within 4f of the ends of the lap
length (see Figure 6b).
Arrangement of laps
Figure 2
Where possible laps in a member should be staggered (see Figure 4) Design anchorage length lbd, for any shape measured along the
centreline
and not located in areas of high stress. The arrangement of lapped bars
should comply with Figure 5, as set out below:
1. The clear distance between lapped bars should not be greater than
4f or 50 mm, otherwise the lap length should be increased by a
lbd f
length equal to the clear distance.
2. The longitudinal distance between two adjacent laps should not be
less than 0.3 times the lap length, l0. Where this is not the case, the
bars should be considered as being lapped in one section. Figure 3
Anchorage of links
3. In case of adjacent laps, the clear distance between adjacent bars
should not be less than 2f or 20 mm. 5f, but 10f, but
≥ 50 mm ≥ 70 mm

When the provisions comply with 1 and 3 above, the permissible

percentage of lapped bars in tension may be 100% where the bars are
all in one layer. Where the bars are in several layers no more than 50%
should be lapped in any one layer.
f f

All bars in compression and secondary (distribution) reinforcement may

a) Bend angle > 150º b) Bend angle ≤ 150º
be lapped in the same location.

Figure 4
Transverse reinforcement Percentage of lapped bars in one lapped section

l0
Bars in tension
Transverse tensile stresses occur at the ends of lapped bars. Where the bar 1

diameter, f, of the lapped bars is less than 20 mm, or the percentage

bar 2
of lapped bars in any section is less than 25%, then any transverse
reinforcement or links necessary for other reasons may be assumed bar 3
sufficient for the transverse tensile forces without further justification.
bar 4
Example: bars 2 and 3 are
Where the diameter, f, of the lapped bars is greater than or equal to outside the section being
0.65l0 0.65l0
20 mm, the transverse reinforcement should have a total area, Ast (sum considered.
Therefore a6 = 1.4
of all legs parallel to the layer of the spliced reinforcement – see Figure Section considered
6a) of not less than the area As of one lapped bar (ΣAst ≥ 1.0As). The
transverse bar should be placed perpendicular to the direction of the
lapped reinforcement. Table 3 gives recommended minimum areas for Figure 5
transverse reinforcement. Where the lapped bars in a slab are located in Arranging adjacent lapping bars
an area of low stress, e.g. near the point of contraflexure, it is generally ≥ 0.3l0 l0
acceptable to assume that transverse reinforcement is not required. ≤ 50 mm
Fs ≤ 4f f
Fs

If more than 50% of the bars are lapped in one location and the
distance, a, between adjacent laps at a section is ≤ 10f (see Figure 5) a
Fs ≥ 2f
transverse reinforcement should be formed by links or U-bars anchored ≥ 20 mm Fs
into the body of the section. Fs
Fs

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How to design concrete structures using Eurocode 2

Beams Figure 7
Illustration of curtailment of longitudinal reinforcement

Curtailment Hogging reinforcement

Unless the additional tensile force in the longitudinal reinforcement

due to shear has been calculated, the curtailment length of the Envelope of MEd/z + NEd lbd
longitudinal reinforcement should be extended beyond the point at lbd
which it is required for flexural strength (this is known as the ‘shift Acting tensile force Fs
Resisting tensile force FRs
rule’) using the following expression (see also Figure 7): lbd

al = z cot y /2 for vertical shear reinforcement.

D Ftd
al
where
z = lever arm
y = angle of compression strut al
lbd
This can conservatively be taken as: D Ftd

lbd lbd
al = 1.125d
lbd lbd
For beams designed using the co-efficients given in Table 3 of Chapter 4,
the simplified rules shown in Figure 8 may be used. However, the
simplifications are conservative and economies can be achieved by Sagging reinforcement

curtailing bars to suit the actual moments.

Figure 6 Figure 8
Transverse reinforcement for lapped splices Simplified detailing rules for beams

Ast/2 Ast/2 Face of support Reinforcement for

l0/3 100% maximum hogging moment
l0/3
≤ 150 mm
Fs 0.15l + al ≥ lbd 60%
Fs
0.30l + al 35%*
*reduce to 25%
a) Bars in tension for equal spans
l0

a) Continuous member, top reinforcement

Ast/2 Ast/2

≤ 150 mm 30%
Fs
Fs
0.30l – al

Position of 100%
b) Bars in compression l0
effective
support Reinforcement for maximum sagging moment
4f l0/3 l0/3 4f

b) Continuous member, bottom reinforcement

Table 3
Bar sizes for transverse reinforcement
50%

Lap length Number Bar size (mm) lbd

(mm), for of bars
20 25 32 40 0.14l – al
transverse at end 100%
bars at 150 of each
mm centresa lap As = 314 As = 491 As = 804 As = 1260 Position of
effective support
≤450 2 10 16 16 25
c) Simple support, bottom reinforcement
451– – 900 3 10 12 16 20
901–– 1350 4 8 10 12 16 Notes
1351–– 1800 5 8 8 12 16 1 l is the effective length.
2 al is the distance to allow for tensile force due to shear force.
1801–– 2250 6 8 8 10 12
3 lbd is the design anchorage length.
2251–– 2700 7 N/A 8 10 12 4 Qk ≤ Gk.
Key 5 Minimum of two spans required.
a For transverse bars at less than 150 mm centres use the following expression to 6 Applies to uniformly distributed loads only.
calculate the required number of bars and hence the required transverse bar diameter: 7 The shortest span must be greater than or equal to 0.85 times the longest span.
Number of bars required = 1 + l0/(3s) where s = spacing of the transverse bars. 8 a) and b) applies where 15% redistribution has been used, c) applies where the
beam is designed with both ends simply supported.

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 10. Detailing

Reinforcement in end supports Minimum spacing of reinforcement

In monolithic construction, even when simple supports have been The minimum clear distance between bars should be the greater of:
assumed in design, the section at supports (top reinforcement) should ■ Bar diameter
be designed for a bending moment arising from partial fixity of at ■ Aggregate size plus 5 mm
least 25% of the maximum bending moment in the span (i.e. provide ■ 20 mm
25% of mid-span bottom reinforcement).
Shear reinforcement
The area of bottom reinforcement provided at supports with little or no The longitudinal spacing of vertical shear reinforcement should not
end fixity assumed in design, should be at least 25% of the area of steel exceed 0.75d. Note the requirement for a maximum spacing of
provided in the span. The bars should be anchored to resist a force , FE. 150 mm where the shear reinforcement acts as a transverse
reinforcement at laps in the longitudinal bars. The transverse spacing
FE = (|VEd| al / z) + NEd
of the legs in a series of shear links should not exceed:
where
st,max = 0.75d ≤ 600 mm
|VEd| = absolute value of shear force
NEd = the axial force if present The minimum area of shear reinforcement in beams, Asw,min should be
calculated from:
The anchorage, lbd, should be measured beyond the line of contact
Asw
between the beam and support. ≥ rw,min where rw,min can be obtained from Table 4.
s bw
Provided ssd is taken as 435 MPa in the calculation of the anchorage
length (which is assumed in Tables 2 and 13) then it should not be
necessary to calculate FE. Slabs
Flanged beams Curtailment
At supports the tension reinforcement to resist hogging moments The curtailment rules for beams should be followed, except that a
should be distributed across the full width of the effective flange as value of al = d may be used.
shown in Figure 9; part of it may be concentrated over the web.
For slabs designed using the co-efficients given in Table 3 of Chapter 3,
Minimum area of longitudinal reinforcement the simplified rules shown in Figure 10 may be used.
The minimum area of reinforcement is As,min = 0.26 fctm bt d/fyk but
not less than 0.0013btd, where bt is the mean width of the tension Reinforcement in end supports
zone (see Table 4). For a T-beam with the flange in compression, only In simply supported slabs, the area of reinforcement may be reduced
the width of the web is taken into account in calculating the value to half the calculated span reinforcement from a distance of 0.14l-d to
of bt. the support. The bars should be anchored to resist a force, FE, as given
in the section on beams, beyond the position of support.
Maximum area of longitudinal reinforcement
Table 4
Outside lap locations, the maximum area of tension or compression Minimum percentage of reinforcement required
reinforcement should not exceed As,max = 0.04 Ac.
fck fctm Minimum percentage rw, min x 10-3
(0.26 fctm / fyka)
Figure 9 25 2.6 0.13% 0.80
Placing of tension reinforcement in flanged cross section
28 2.8 0.14% 0.85
beff 30 2.9 0.15% 0.88
As 32 3.0 0.16% 0.91
35 3.2 0.17% 0.95
hf 40 3.5 0.18% 1.01
45 3.8 0.20% 1.07
beff1 bw beff2 50 4.1 0.21% 1.13
Key
a Assuming fyk = 500 MPa

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How to design concrete structures using Eurocode 2

Similar to beams, even when simple supports have been assumed in not exceed 320 MPa for a typical slab. Where the slab supports office
design, end supports of slabs should have top reinforcement equal to or residential areas it is unlikely that ss will exceed 280 MPa. ss may
at least 25% mid-span bottom reinforcement and this reinforcement be estimated using Figure 6 on page 15.
should extend at least 20% of the span from the face of support.
Minimum areas of reinforcement
Minimum spacing requirements The minimum area of reinforcement to be provided varies with the
The minimum clear distance between bars (horizontal or vertical) concrete strength (see Table 4).
should not be less than the bar size, b, (dg + 5 mm), or 20 mm, where
dg is the maximum size of aggregate. Maximum area of longitudinal reinforcement
Outside lap locations, the maximum area of tension or compression
Maximum spacing of reinforcement reinforcement, should not exceed As,max = 0.04Ac. At lap locations
For slabs less than 200 mm thick the following maximum spacing As,max = 0.08Ac.
rules apply (h is the depth of the slab):
■ For the principal reinforcement: 3h but not more than 400 mm.
■ For the secondary reinforcement: 3.5h but not more than 450 mm.
Edge reinforcement
The exception is in areas with concentrated loads or areas of Along a free (unsupported) edge, a slab should normally contain longitudinal
maximum moment where the following applies: and transverse reinforcement, generally arranged as shown in Figure 11.
■ For the principal reinforcement: 2h but not more than 250 mm.
■ For the secondary reinforcement: 3h but not more than 400 mm.

For slabs 200 mm thick or greater, the spacing requirements are given Flat slabs
in Table 5. Where the designer has not specified the required spacing
A flat slab should be divided into column and middle strips (see
or provided the steel stress, ss, it can generally be assumed that ss will
Figure 12); the division of the moments between the column and
middle strips is given in Table 6.
Figure 10
Simplified detailing rules for slabs Figure 11
Edge reinforcement for slab
Face of support Reinforcement for
100% maximum hogging moment

0.15l ≥ lbd 50%

h
0.30l

≥ 2h
a) Continuous member, top reinforcement

Table 5
40% Maximum bar size or spacing to limit crack width

0.2l Steel wmax = 0.4 mm wmax = 0.3 mm

Position of 100% stress
Maximum Maximum Maximum Maximum
effective (ss) MPa bar size bar spacing bar size bar spacing
support Reinforcement for
maximum sagging moment (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm)
b) Continuous member, bottom reinforcement 160 40 300 32 300
200 32 300 25 250
OR OR
50% 240 20 250 16 200
lbd 280 16 200 12 150
0.14l -d 320 12 150 10 100
100%
Position of 360 10 100 8 50
effective support
c) Simple support, bottom reinforcement
Table 6
Notes Apportionment of bending moments in flat slabs – equivalent frame method
1 l is the effective length.
Location Negative moments Positive moments
2 lbd is the design anchorage length.
3 Qk ≤ 1.25 Gk and qk ≤ 5kN/m2. Column strip 60% – 80% 50% – 70%
4 Minimum of two spans required. Middle strip 40% – 20% 50% – 30%
5 Applies to uniformly distributed loads only.
Notes
6 The shortest span must be greater than or equal to 0.85 times the longest span.
The total negative and positive moments to be resisted by the column and middle
7 a) and b) applies where 20% redistribution has been used, c) applies where the strips together should always add up to 100%
slab is designed with both supports simply supported.

94
 10. Detailing

Figure 12 The intention is to provide an even distribution/density of punching

Division of panels in flat slabs shear reinforcement within the zone where it is required. One
simplication to enable rectangular perimeters of sheer reinforcement is
lx > ly
to use an intensity of Asw/u1 around rectangular perimeters.
ly /4 ly /4 Middle strip = lx – ly /2

The minimum area of a link leg for vertical punching shear reinforcement is
ly /4
1.5Asw,min /(sr s t ) ≥ 0.08√fck fyk
ly /4 which can be rearranged as:
Asw,min ≥ (s r s t )/F
Middle strip = ly /2 ly
where
sr = the spacing of the links in the radial direction
Column strip = ly /2 s t = the spacing of the links in the tangential direction
F = factor obtained from Table 7

Figure 13
Effective width, be of a flat slab

At internal columns, unless rigorous serviceability calculations are cx cx

Slab edge
carried out, top reinforcement of area 0.5 At should be placed in a
Slab edge
width equal to the sum of 0.125 times the panel width on either side cy
of the column. At represents the area of reinforcement required to cy
y
resist the full negative moment from the sum of the two half panels y
each side of the column. It is also advisable to apply this requirement
to perimeter columns as far as is possible. z
be = cx + y
be = z + y/2
At internal columns at least two bars of bottom reinforcement in each Slab edge
orthogonal direction should be provided and they should pass between y can be > cy z can be > cx and y can be > cy
the column reinforcement. Whilst it is not a code requirement it is a) Edge column b) Corner column
considered good practice to provide two bars running parallel to the Note
y is the distance from the edge of the slab to the innermost face of the column
slab edge between the reinforcement of an external column.

Reinforcement perpendicular to a free edge required to transmit Figure 14

bending moments from the slab to an edge or corner column should Punching shear layout
be placed within the effective width, be, shown in Figure 13.
Outer perimeter of
shear reinforcement Outer control
perimeter
u out
Punching shear reinforcement
Where punching shear reinforcement is required the following rules ≤ 0.75d
should be observed. A A
≤1.5d
■ It should be provided between the face of the column and kd ≤ 1.5d
sr (2d if > 2d
inside the outer perimeter where shear reinforcement is no longer from column)
st
required. k is 1.5, unless the perimeter at which reinforcement is no
longer required is less than 3d from the face of the column. In this
case the reinforcement should be placed in the zone 0.3d to 1.5d
from the face of the column.
0.3d ≤ si ≤ 0.5d
■ There should be at least two perimeters of shear links. s r ≤ 0.75 d
■ The radial spacing of the links, sr should not exceed 0.75d (see Figure 14).
■ The tangential spacing of the links, sd should not exceed 1.5d kd
within 2d of the column face.
■ The tangential spacing of the links should not exceed 2d for any
other perimeter. Outer control
perimeter
■ The distance between the face of the column and the nearest shear Section A - A
reinforcement should be between 0.3d and 0.5d
Figure 9
Punching shear layout
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v1 14.03.06
How to design concrete structures using Eurocode 2

Columns and walls Lapping fabric

Maximum areas of reinforcement Unless ‘flying end’ fabric is being specified, laps of fabric should be
In Eurocode 2 the maximum nominal reinforcement area for columns arranged as shown in Figure 15. When fabric reinforcement is lapped
and walls outside laps is 4% compared with 6% in BS 8110. However, by layering, the following should be noted:
this area can be increased provided that the concrete can be placed ■ Permissible percentage of fabric main reinforcement that may be
and compacted sufficiently. Self-compacting concrete may be used lapped in any section is 100% if (As/s) ≤ 1200 mm2/m (where s is
for particularly congested situations, where the reinforcing bars should the spacing of bars) and 60% if As/s> 1200 mm2/m.
be spaced to ensure that the concrete can flow around them. Further ■ All secondary reinforcement may be lapped at the same location
guidance can be found in Self-compacting concrete8. and the minimum lap length l0,min for layered fabric is as follows:
≥ 150 mm for f ≤ 6 mm
Minimum reinforcement requirements ≥ 250 mm for 6 mm < f ≤ 8.5 mm
The recommended minimum diameter of longitudinal reinforcement ≥ 350 mm for 8.5 mm < f ≤ 12 mm
in columns is 12 mm. The minimum area of longitudinal reinforcement
in columns is given by: As,min = 0.10 NEd/fyd ≥ 0.002Ac. The diameter There should generally be at least two bar pitches within the lap
of the transverse reinforcement (link) should not be less than 6 mm length. This could be reduced to one bar pitch for f ≤ 6 mm.
or one quarter of the maximum diameter of the longitudinal bars (see
Table 8). No longitudinal bar should be more than 150 mm from a
restrained bar. Tolerances
The tolerances for cutting and/or bending dimensions are given in Table 10
Particular requirements for walls
and should be taken into account when completing the bar schedule.
The minimum area of vertical reinforcement in walls is given by:
As,vmin = 0.002Ac (see also Table 9). Half the area should be provided in Where the reinforcement is required to fit between two concrete faces
each face. (e.g. links) then an allowance should be made for deviations in the member
size and bending tolerances. There is no guidance given in Eurocode 2, but
The distance between two adjacent vertical bars should not exceed Table 11 gives guidance on the deductions to be made for deviations.
the lesser of either three times the wall thickness or 400 mm.
Table 9
Minimum area of vertical reinforcement in walls (half in each face)
The minimum area of horizontal reinforcement in each face of a wall
Wall thickness (mm) As,min /m length of wall (mm2)
is the greater of either 25% of vertical reinforcement or 0.001Ac.
200 400
However, where crack control is important, early age thermal and
250 500
shrinkage effects should be considered. 300 600
350 700
There is no advice given in the Code on provision of reinforcement 400 800
to control cracking in plain walls, but reinforcement may be provided
if required. Table 10
Tolerance
Cutting and bending processes Tolerance (mm)
Table 7
Factor, F, for determining Asw, min Cutting of straight lengths (including +25, –25
reinforcement for subsequent bending)
fck 25 28 30 32 35 40 45 50 Bending:
Factor, F 1875 1772 1712 1657 1585 1482 1398 1326 ≤ 1000 mm +5, –5

Note > 1000 mm to ≤ 2000 mm +5, –10

fyk has been taken as 500 MPa > 2000 mm +5, –25

Table 11
Table 8 Deductions to bar dimensions to allow for deviations between two
Requirements for column reinforcement concrete faces when using BS EN 136709,10
Bar dia. (mm) 12 16 20 25 32 40 Distance between concrete faces T (mm) Total deduction (mm)
Max spacinga (mm) 144b 192b 240b 240b 240b 240b ≤200 5
Min link dia. (mm) 6 c 6c 6c 8 8 10 ≤400 10

Key ≤1000 15
a At a distance greater than the larger dimension of the column above or below a ≤2000 20
beam or slab, dimensions can be increased by a factor of 1.67. >2000 30
b But not greater than minimum dimension of the column.
c 6 mm bars are not readily available in the UK. Note: The above deductions are to be used to determine bending
dimensions. An additional 10mm should be deducted when determining
the cutting length of straight bars whose ends are to be placed between
96 concrete surfaces.
 10. Detailing

Figure 15 lr = the greater of the distances (in m) between the centres of the
Lapping of welded fabric columns, frames or walls supporting any two adjacent floor
spans in the direction of the tie under consideration
Fs Fs
Ft = (20 + 4n0) ≤ 60 kN (n0 is the number of storeys)
l0
The maximum spacing of internal ties is 1.5lr.
a) Intermeshed fabric (longitudinal section)

Fs
Fs
Minimum radii and end
projections
l0

b) Layered fabric (longitudinal section)

The minimum radii for bends and length of end projections are given

Tying requirements in Table 12.

Table 12
Minimum scheduling radii and bend allowances
At each floor and roof level an effectively continuous peripheral tie
should be provided within 1.2 m from the edge; this need not be
additional reinforcement. In practice, for most buildings, according to
≥ 5d
the UK National Annex to BS EN 1992, the tie should resist a tensile r P
force of 60 kN. An area of reinforcement of 138 mm2 is sufficient to
resist this force.
Nominal Minimum Minimum end projection, P
Internal ties should be provided at each floor and roof level in two size of bar, radius for
d (mm) scheduling, General (min 5d Links where bend
directions approximately at right angles. They should be effectively r (mm) straight), including < 150° (min 10d
continuous throughout their length and should be anchored to the links where bend > straight) (mm)
150° (mm)
peripheral ties at each end, unless continuing as horizontal ties to columns
8 16 115a 115a
or walls. The internal ties may, in whole or in part, be spread evenly in 10 20 120a 130
the slabs or may be grouped at or in beams, walls or other appropriate 12 24 125a 160
positions. In walls they should be within 0.5 m from the top or bottom of 16 32 130 210
floor slabs. In each direction, internal ties should be capable of resisting a 20 70 190 290
design value of tensile force Ftie,int (in kN per metre width): 25 87 240 365
32 112 305 465
Ftie,int = [(qk + gk)/7.5](lr/5)(Ft) ≥ Ft kN/m
40 140 580
where Key
(qk + gk) = sum of the average permanent and variable floor loads a The minimum end projections for smaller bars is governed by the practicalities of
bending bars.
(in kN/m2)

References
1 BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION. BS EN 1992, Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures. BSI (4 parts).
2 BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION. BS 4449: Specification for carbon steel bars for the reinforcement of concrete. BSI, 2005.
3 BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION. BS EN 10080: Steel for the reinforcement of concrete – Weldable reinforcing steel – General. BSI, 2005.
4 BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION. BS 8666: Scheduling, dimensioning, bending and cutting of steel reinforcement for concrete – Specification. BSI, 2005.
5 INSTITUTION OF STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS/CONCRETE SOCIETY. Standard method of detailing structural concrete. ISE/CS, 2006.
6 CONSTRUCT. National structural concrete specification Construct, 4th Edition, 2010.
7 CONSTRUCT. A guide to contractor detailing of reinforcement in concrete. BCA, 1997. 
8 THE CONCRETE SOCIETY. Technical report 62: Self-compacting concrete. CCIP–001. The Concrete Society, 2005.
9 BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION (2008) EN 13670: Execution of concrete structures, London: BSI
10 GOODCHILD, C AND TOPLIS, P. Bar schedule dimensions: deductions for permitted deviations. The Structural Engineer, December 2013

97
How to design concrete structures using Eurocode 2

Table 13
Anchorage and lap lengths

Bond condition Reinforcement in tension, bar diameter, f (mm) Reinforcement

(see Figure 1) in compression
8 10 12 16 20 25 32 40
Concrete class C20/25
Good 270 370 480 690 910 1180 1500 2040 47f
Straight bars only
Anchorage Poor 380 520 680 990 1290 1680 2150 2920 67f
length, lbd Good 370 470 570 750 940 1180 1500 2040 47f
Other bars
Poor 530 670 810 1080 1340 1680 2150 2920 67f

50% lapped in one Good 370 510 660 970 1270 1640 2100 2860 66f
location (a6 = 1.4) Poor 530 730 950 1380 1810 2350 3000 4080 94f
Lap length,
l0 100% lapped Good 400 550 710 1030 1360 1760 2250 3060 70f
in one location (a6 = 1.5)
Poor 510 790 1010 1480 1940 2320 3220 4370 100f
Concrete class C25/30
Good 230 320 410 600 780 1010 1300 1760 40f
Straight bars only
Anchorage Poor 330 450 580 850 1120 1450 1850 2510 58f
length, lbd Good 320 410 490 650 810 1010 1300 1760 40f
Other bars
Poor 460 580 700 930 1160 1450 1850 2510 58f

50% lapped in one Good 320 440 570 830 1090 1420 1810 2460 57f
location (a6 = 1.4) Poor 460 630 820 1190 1560 2020 2590 3520 81f
Lap length,
l0 Good 340 470 610 890 1170 1520 1940 2640 61f
100% lapped
in one location (a6 = 1.5) Poor 490 680 870 1270 1670 2170 2770 3770 87f
Concrete class C28/35
Good 210 300 380 550 730 940 1200 1630 37f
Straight bars only
Anchorage Poor 300 420 540 790 1030 1340 1720 2330 53f
length, lbd Good 300 380 450 600 750 940 1200 1630 37f
Other bars
Poor 420 540 650 860 1070 1340 1720 2330 53f

50% lapped in one Good 300 410 530 770 1010 1320 1680 2280 52f
location (a6 = 1.4) Poor 420 590 760 1100 1450 1880 2400 3260 75f
Lap length,
l0 Good 320 440 570 830 1090 1410 1800 2450 56f
100% lapped
in one location (a6 = 1.5) Poor 450 630 810 1180 1550 2010 2570 3470 80f
Concrete class C30/37
Good 210 280 360 530 690 900 1150 1560 36f
Straight bars only
Anchorage Poor 290 400 520 750 990 1280 1640 2230 51f
length, lbd Good 290 360 430 580 720 900 1150 1560 36f
Other bars
Poor 410 520 620 820 1030 1280 1640 2230 51f

50% lapped in one Good 290 390 510 740 970 1260 1610 2180 50f
location (a6 = 1.4) Poor 410 560 720 1050 1380 1790 2290 3110 72f
Lap length,
l0 Good 310 420 540 790 1040 1350 1720 2340 54f
100% lapped
in one location (a6 = 1.5) Poor 430 600 780 1130 1480 1920 2460 3340 77f
Concrete class C32/40
Good 200 270 350 510 660 860 1100 1490 34f
Straight bars only
Anchorage Poor 280 380 500 720 950 1230 1570 2130 49f
length, lbd Good 270 350 420 550 690 860 1100 1490 34f
Other bars
Poor 390 490 590 790 980 1230 1570 2130 49f

50% lapped in one Good 270 380 490 710 930 1200 1540 2090 48f
location (a6 = 1.4) Poor 390 540 690 1010 1320 1720 2200 2980 69f
Lap length,
l0 Good 290 400 520 760 990 1290 1650 2240 51f
100% lapped
in one location (a6 = 1.5) Poor 420 570 740 1080 1420 1840 2350 3200 73f

98
 10. Detailing

Bond condition Reinforcement in tension, bar diameter, f (mm) Reinforcement

(see Figure 1) in compression
8 10 12 16 20 25 32 40
Concrete class C35/45
Good 190 260 330 480 630 810 1040 1410 32f
Straight bars only
Anchorage Poor 260 360 470 680 890 1160 1480 2010 46f
length, lbd Good 260 330 390 520 650 810 1040 1410 32f
Other bars
Poor 370 470 560 740 930 1160 1480 2010 46f

50% lapped in one Good 260 360 460 670 870 1130 1450 1970 45f
location (a6 = 1.4) Poor 370 510 650 950 1250 1620 2070 2810 65f
Lap length,
l0 100% lapped Good 280 380 490 710 940 1210 1550 2110 48f
in one location (a6 = 1.5)
Poor 390 540 700 1020 1340 1730 2220 3010 69f
Concrete class C40/50
Good 170 230 300 440 570 740 950 1290 30f
Straight bars only
Anchorage Poor 240 330 430 620 820 1060 1350 1840 42f
length, lbd Good 240 300 360 480 600 740 950 1290 30f
Other bars
Poor 340 430 510 680 850 1060 1350 1840 42f

50% lapped in one Good 240 330 420 610 800 1040 1330 1800 41f
location (a6 = 1.4) Poor 340 460 600 870 1140 1480 1890 2570 59f
Lap length,
l0 Good 250 350 450 650 860 1110 1420 1930 44f
100% lapped
in one location (a6 = 1.5) Poor 360 500 640 930 1220 1590 2030 2760 63f
Concrete class C45/55
Good 160 220 280 400 530 690 880 1190 27f
Straight bars only
Anchorage Poor 220 310 400 580 760 980 1250 1700 39f
length, lbd Good 220 280 330 440 550 690 880 1190 27f
Other bars
Poor 310 390 470 630 780 980 1250 1700 39f

50% lapped in one Good 220 300 390 560 740 960 1230 1670 38f
location (a6 = 1.4) Poor 310 430 550 800 1060 1370 1750 2380 55f
Lap length,
l0 Good 230 320 420 600 790 1030 1310 1780 41f
100% lapped
in one location (a6 = 1.5) Poor 330 460 590 860 1130 1470 1880 2550 58f
Concrete class C50/60
Good 150 200 260 380 490 640 820 1110 26f
Straight bars only
Anchorage Poor 210 290 370 540 700 910 1170 1580 37f
length, lbd Good 200 260 310 410 510 640 820 1110 26f
Other bars
Poor 290 360 440 590 730 910 1170 1580 37f

50% lapped in one Good 210 280 370 530 700 900 1160 1570 36f
location (a6 = 1.4) Poor 290 400 520 760 990 1290 1650 2240 51f
Lap length,
l0 Good 220 300 390 560 740 960 1230 1660 39f
100% lapped
in one location (a6 = 1.5) Poor 310 430 550 800 1050 1370 1750 2370 55f
Notes
1 Cover to all sides ≥ 25 mm distance between bars ≥ 50mm (i.e. a2 < 1).
2 a1 = a3 = a4 = a5 = 1.0. For the beneficial effects of shape of bar, cover and confinement see Eurocode 2, Table 8.2.
3 Design stress has been taken at 435 MPa. Where the design stress in the bar at the position from where the anchorage is measured, ssd, is less than 435 MPa the figures in this
table can be factored by ssd/435. The minimum lap length id given in cl 8.7.3 of Eurocode 2.
4 The anchorage and lap lengths have been rounded up to the nearest 10 mm.
5 Where 33% of bars are lapped in one location, decrease the lap lengths for '50% lapped in one location' by a factor of 0.82.

99
 10. Detailing

Table 14
Sectional areas of groups of bars (mm2)

Bar size Number of bars

(mm)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
8 50.3 101 151 201 251 302 352 402 452 503
10 78.5 157 236 314 393 471 550 628 707 785
12 113 226 339 452 565 679 792 905 1020 1130
16 201 402 603 804 1010 1210 1410 1610 1810 2010
20 314 628 942 1260 1570 1880 2200 2510 2830 3140
25 491 982 1470 1960 2450 2950 3440 3930 4420 4910
32 804 1610 2410 3220 4020 4830 5630 6430 7240 8040
40 1260 2510 3770 5030 6280 7540 8800 10100 11300 12600

Table 15
Sectional areas per metre width for various spacings of bars (mm2)

Bar size Spacing of bars (mm)

(mm)
75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300
8 670 503 402 335 287 251 223 201 183 168
10 1050 785 628 524 449 393 349 314 286 262
12 1510 1130 905 754 646 565 503 452 411 377
16 2680 2010 1610 1340 1150 1010 894 804 731 670
20 4190 3140 2510 2090 1800 1570 1400 1260 1140 1050
25 6540 4910 3930 3270 2800 2450 2180 1960 1780 1640
32 10700 8040 6430 5360 4600 4020 3570 3220 2920 2680
40 16800 12600 10100 8380 7180 6280 5590 5030 4570 4190

Table 16
Mass of groups of bars (kg per metre run)

Bar size Number of bars

(mm)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
8 0.395 0.789 1.184 1.578 1.973 2.368 2.762 3.157 3.551 3.946
10 0.617 1.233 1.850 2.466 3.083 3.699 4.316 4.932 5.549 6.165
12 0.888 1.776 2.663 3.551 4.439 5.327 6.215 7.103 7.990 8.878
16 1.578 3.157 4.735 6.313 7.892 9.470 11.048 12.627 14.205 15.783
20 2.466 4.932 7.398 9.865 12.331 14.797 17.263 19.729 22.195 24.662
25 3.853 7.707 11.560 15.413 19.267 23.120 26.974 30.827 34.680 38.534
32 6.313 12.627 18.940 25.253 31.567 37.880 44.193 50.507 56.820 63.133
40 9.865 19.729 29.594 39.458 49.323 59.188 69.052 78.917 88.781 98.646

Table 17
Mass in kg per square metre for various spacings of bars (kg per m2)

Bar size Spacing of bars (mm)

(mm)
75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250 275 300
8 5.261 3.946 3.157 2.631 2.255 1.973 1.754 1.578 1.435 1.315
10 8.221 6.165 4.932 4.110 3.523 3.083 2.740 2.466 2.242 2.055
12 11.838 8.878 7.103 5.919 5.073 4.439 3.946 3.551 3.228 2.959
16 21.044 15.783 12.627 10.522 9.019 7.892 7.015 6.313 5.739 5.261
20 32.882 24.662 19.729 16.441 14.092 12.331 10.961 9.865 8.968 8.221
25 51.378 38.534 30.827 25.689 22.019 19.267 17.126 15.413 14.012 12.845
32 84.178 63.133 50.507 42.089 36.076 31.567 28.059 25.253 22.958 21.044
40 131.528 98.646 78.917 65.764 56.369 49.323 43.843 39.458 35.871 32.882

100