ProtaStructure Design Guide

Beam Design to Eurocode

Version 1.0 22 April 2021

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Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 4
Beam Design Settings .............................................................................................................................. 5
The Eurocode Beam Design Process ........................................................................................................ 5
1. Rectangular or flanged ‐ Cl 5.3.2.1 ................................................................................................... 5
2. Stress-strain relations for the design of cross-sections ‐ Cl 3.1.7..................................................... 5
3. Design for Bending‐ Cl 6.1, Cl 9.2.1, Figure 3.5 ................................................................................ 6
4. Design for Shear ‐ Cl 6.2, 9.2.2 ......................................................................................................... 8
5. Design for Torsion ‐ Cl 6.3 .............................................................................................................. 10
6. Deflection Control ‐ Cl 7.4 .............................................................................................................. 11
Worked Example.................................................................................................................................... 11
The Design Model .............................................................................................................................. 11
Beam Design Settings ........................................................................................................................ 12
Settings on the Design tab ....................................................................................................................................12
Settings on the Parameters tab ............................................................................................................................12
Settings on the Bar Selection/Method tab ..........................................................................................................14
Settings on the Bar Selection/Design tab ............................................................................................................14
Settings on the Bar Selection/Links tab ...............................................................................................................14
Analysis Results .................................................................................................................................. 15
Performing the Design ....................................................................................................................... 15
Design for Bending ‐ Cl 6.1, 9.2.1 ....................................................................................................... 15
Effective depth to bar centre ...............................................................................................................................16
Area of Steel Required: Top Edge ‐ Left Hand Side .............................................................................................16
Area of Steel Required: Top Edge ‐ Right Hand Side ...........................................................................................17
Additional Tensile Force to Longitudinal Rebar ...................................................................................................17
Area of Steel Provided ..........................................................................................................................................17
Design for Shear ‐ Cl 6.2, 9.2.2 ........................................................................................................... 18
Left Hand Support .................................................................................................................................................18
Right Hand Support ...............................................................................................................................................18
Link requirements .................................................................................................................................................19
Design for Torsion ‐ Cl 6.3 .................................................................................................................. 19
Deflection Control ‐ Cl 7.4.................................................................................................................. 20
Output Calculations ........................................................................................................................... 21
Thank You… ........................................................................................................................................... 22
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Introduction
ProtaStructure designs beams bent about the major axis using the code clauses given in EN
1992.1.1:2004. The following table summarises the various stages of the beam design process:

Step Calculation Clause

1. If flanged – calculate effective width of flanged 5.3.2.1

2. Stress-strain relations for the design of cross-sections 3.1.7

3. Design for Bending 6.1, 9.2.1

4. Design for Shear 6.2, 9.2.2

Calculate shear stress in beam, v 3.4.5.2

Calculate design concrete shear stress, vc 3.4.5.4
Determine shear reinforcement 3.4.5.3
Spacing of links 9.2.2 (6),(7),(8)
5. Design for Torsion 6.3, 9.2.3

Calculate torsional stress in beam, vt Part 2: 2.4.4.1

Calculate limiting torsional stress, vc Part 2: 2.4.5
Calculate minimum torsional stress, vt,min Part 2: 2.4.6
Determine torsional reinforcement Part 2: 2.4.7
6. Deflection of Beams 3.4.6

Span/effective depth ratios 3.4.6.3

Modification of span/effective depth ratios for 3.4.6.5
tension/compression reinforcement 3.4.6.6
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Beam Design Settings

You take control of the above design process by configuring the Beam Settings and Parameters in the
Settings Center to your preference.

For further details of the implications of adjusting the various settings see the document Beam Detailing

The Eurocode Beam Design Process

1. Rectangular or flanged ‐ Cl 5.3.2.1
The choice of this setting is set via the Beam > Design tab of Settings and Parameters as shown below:

The option to use the rectangular section (rather than the flanged section) when the flange is in
compression will generally result in slightly more conservative steel area requirements, however if
minimum steel requirements apply then design using the flanged section will introduce greater steel
requirements.

If a flanged section is used the effective width is determined from Cl 5.3.2.1.

2. Stress-strain relations for the design of cross-sections ‐ Cl 3.1.7

All considerations stated in the Cl 3.1.7 are fulfilled. The simplified stress block for concrete as illustrated
in Figure 3.5 is utilized.
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3. Design for Bending‐ Cl 6.1, Cl 9.2.1, Figure 3.5

The bending output can be explained with reference to the below:

Bending is checked for the top edge in three regions:

1. left (worst case forces in end region ‐ 25% clear span)

2. middle (worst case forces in mid region ‐ 50% clear span)
3. right (worst case forces in end region ‐ 25% clear span)

Similarly, bending is checked for the bottom edge in three regions:

4. left (worst case forces in end region ‐ 15% clear span)

5. middle (worst case forces in mid region ‐ 70% clear span)
6. right (worst case forces in end region ‐ 15% clear span)
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1 = top left; 2 = top middle; 3 = top right; 4 = bottom left; 5 = bottom middle; 6 = bottom right

For each zone, the maximum bending moment M along the full length of the zone is determined.

Asm is the area of tension reinforcement required to resist the maximum bending moment M in any
given zone.

Asv is the area of tension reinforcement required to resist the additional tensile force, ΔFtd based on
equation 6.18 due to shear force V along the full length of the zone.

The total reinforcement required for the zone, As = Asm + Asv

However, in accordance with clause 6.2.3(7) of EC2 the total area of reinforcement required does not
need to exceed that required to resist the maximum bending moment alone (i.e. no increase due to
the shear force) over the same length of sagging or hogging moment as at the point being considered.
In terms of ProtaStructure this means that for each beam the total reinforcement calculated for each
zone, Asi, should not be taken as greater than the maximum of that required to resist the bending
moment alone in that particular zone and the adjacent zone(s), i.e.

Asi ≤ max(Asmi, Asmi-1 and/or Asmi+1)

As such, the total reinforcement required for each zone shall be:
Top left As1 = Asm1 + Asv1 but ≤ max(Asm1, Asm2)
Top middle As2 = Asm2 + Asv2 but ≤ max(Asm1, Asm2, Asm3)
Top right As3 = Asm3 + Asv3 but ≤ max(Asm2, Asm3)
Bottom left As4 = Asm4 + Asv4 but ≤ max(Asm4, Asm5)
Bottom middle As5 = Asm5 + Asv5 but ≤ max(Asm4, Asm5, Asm6)
Bottom right As6 = Asm6 + Asv6 but ≤ max(Asm5, Asm6)

The design moments for each of the six regions can be displayed by from the Beams tab by firstly
highlighting the beam required in the table and then clicking the Interactive Design button as shown
below:

The effective depth h’ to the centre of the bars is worked out separately at each location. This is
automatically reduced if the steel does not fit in a single layer.
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You can control this calculation via the Design tab of Beam Settings and Parameters as shown below:

Centre of Gravity of Steel Bars — the section effective depth will be determined based on the
centre of gravity of the tension bars. In this method, the contribution of each tension bar in
the section will be considered separately.

Centre of Gravity of Layers — in this more conservative method the calculation of section
effective depth is based on the average of the distances of the steel bar layers.

Values for K, K’, x, As, and As’ are then all calculated for each region and are also shown in the same
table.

Where the ratio of K/K’ is less than 1.0 no compression steel is required.

4. Design for Shear ‐ Cl 6.2, 9.2.2

The design shear force at the column face, Vd is displayed in the same table as the design moments:

From the Design tab of Beam Settings and Parameters you can specify if you want to design for this
value, or (if the conditions of Cl. 6.2.1 (8) are met) you may choose to design for the shear at ‘d’ from
the column face.

If the latter option is adopted the design shear force at ‘d’ is then displayed and used in the design
calculations as shown below:
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In the above table, the maximum shear stress v is determined from equation 6.9 and is always based
on Vd (not Vd@d).

v-max is calculated using Eurocode equation 6.9. In Eurocode the strength classes is capped at
C90/105.

Link requirements are established from equation 6.8 and 9.2.2(5) as follows ‐ v is determined from
either Vd or Vd@d depending on your choice in the beam design settings and Vnom – Nominal shear
capacity (based on minimum link provision) is established.

The maximum shear requirement is then checked at each end of the beam and if the nominal capacity
is not sufficient additional links are provided over a distance (x) extending to the point where the
nominal capacity is adequate (or beyond if user preferences dictate minimum lengths).
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5. Design for Torsion ‐ Cl 6.3

The highest torsion at any point along the beam is determined and used in the torsional shear
calculations. These calculations are performed in accordance with the relevant clauses in Eurocode 2
(as listed below). The values determined are displayed by clicking on the link fields in the Reinforcement
Data form. They are also output to the Design Report:

The maximum design value of torsional resistance moment, TRd,max is determined according to
equation 6.30. This is then cross checked with the maximum resistance of member subjected to
torsion and shear is limited by the capacity of the concrete struts as per equation 6.29, considering if
ratio is greater than 1.0, the section size is too small and inadequate for torsion.

Provided the section is adequate, then the torsion design process can proceed.

When torsion moment is less than ignorable torsional moment, no torsion would be required as
shown below:

If vt is greater than ignorable torsional moment, then designed torsion shear reinforcement is provided
as per 6.3.2 (4) and 6.3.2 (5) as follows:
If
𝑇𝐸𝑑 𝑉𝐸𝑑
+ ≥ 1.0
𝑇𝑅𝑑,𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑉𝑅𝑑,𝑚𝑎𝑥
Section size is inadequate for torsion, therefore torsion design failed.
If
𝑇𝐸𝑑 𝑉𝐸𝑑
𝑇𝑅𝑑,𝑚𝑎𝑥
+𝑉 ≤ 1.0
𝑅𝑑,𝑚𝑎𝑥
Designed torsion shear reinforcement is provided.
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Then If
𝑇𝐸𝑑,𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑉𝐸𝑑,𝑚𝑎𝑥
+ ≤ 1.0
𝑇𝑅𝑑,𝑐 𝑉𝑅𝑑,𝑐
No additional longitudinal reinforcement required for torsion.

Else
𝑇𝐸𝑑,𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑉𝐸𝑑,𝑚𝑎𝑥
+ > 1.0
𝑇𝑅𝑑,𝑐 𝑉𝑅𝑑,𝑐
Additional Longitudinal reinforcement required for torsion.

The required cross-sectional area of additional longitudinal reinforcement for torsion can be calculated
based on Cl. 6.3.2 (3) or equation 6.28.

Where torsion reinforcement is provided the spacing is checked in accordance with Cl. 9.2.3 (3) and
uniform links will be provided along the whole beam.

Where longitudinal torsion reinforcement is provided this is distributed equally inside the perimeter
links, (between the top and bottom faces for smaller beams, or between all four faces for deeper
beams). The clear distance between these bars should not exceed 350mm and at least four bars, one in
each corner of the perimeter links, should be used in accordance with Cl. 9.2.3 (4).

6. Deflection Control ‐ Cl 7.4

Basic span/effective depth ratios are calculated from Cl. 7.4.2 and modification factors applied
according to Table 7.4N and Cl. 7.4.2 (2).

The beam size is not automatically increased to satisfy the deflection criteria ‐ it is highly unusual for
beams to be sized so that deflection is a controlling factor. Also, it should be noted that increasing the
steel is usually a highly uneconomic way of controlling deflection. It is more normal to conclude that the
beam is not deep enough if beam deflection checks fail.

Worked Example

The Design Model

The example model Doc_Example_4 is opened and saved to a new name (so as not to destroy the
original example). In the calculations that follow, the steel grade has been set to 500 with a steel
material factor of 1.15. Bar diameters permitted for the longitudinal steel in the beams have been
limited to 10, 12, 16, 20 and 25mm. The minimum link diameter is set to 10mm. The concrete grade is
C32/40 and the unit weight of concrete is set as 25kN/m3. Note that to obtain similar results you will
need to apply the same settings. However, the actual design process would be identical irrespective of
which material grades, material factors and bar diameters are used.

A building analysis is run with no rigid arms specified, followed by a batch design for all beams.

The focus of the example will be the continuous beam on grid line 2 and the design of beam 1B14 in
particular.
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Beam 1B14
This beam has the following geometry:
• span = 4m
• beam depth, h = 400mm; beam width, b = 250mm
• cover = 20mm

Beam Design Settings

The beam design settings initially adopted are as shown:

Settings on the Design tab

Settings on the Parameters tab

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Where the cover shown above has been set to 0 ‐ as noted on the dialog, the cover is then based on
code requirements ‐ (i.e. a default cover of 20mm is applied). You may prefer to enter a value directly
into each field to set the cover required.
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Settings on the Bar Selection/Method tab

Settings on the Bar Selection/Design tab

Settings on the Bar Selection/Links tab

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Analysis Results
Having run a building analysis using default analysis settings, the design envelope for all combinations
is as follows:

Performing the Design

To perform the design calculations, select beam 1B14 in the plan view, right click and choose Section
Design from the menu. This will display the Steel Bars data for the three beams on Axis 2.

Each stage of the design process will now be examined in detail.

Click the Beams tab to see the Axis and Beam Data with beam 1B14 highlighted:

Design for Bending ‐ Cl 6.1, 9.2.1

Click the Interactive Design button to see the six design moments for 1B14 determined from the
analysis moments shown previously:
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The area of steel calculations is listed below the design moments. These can be confirmed with simple
hand calculations. However, before this can be done, we need to know the bar sizes used to
accurately calculate the effective depth.

Click the Rebars tab to see the steel bars provided:

Effective depth to bar centre

d (RHS top edge) = 400 ─ 20 ─ 10 ─ 10/2= 365mm
d (other locations) = 400 ─ 20 ─ 10 ─ 10/2 = 365mm

Area of Steel Required: Top Edge ‐ Left Hand Side

K = M/bd2fck = 0.014
K’ = 0.167 where, δ=0.85, k1 = 0.4, k2 = 1.0
K/K’ = 0.084 < 1.0 compression steel not required

z = d/2 * (1 + (1– (2γc/ηαcc) * K) 0.5) = 0.99d

z = min (0.99d, 0.95d) = 346.75mm

0.95d is not compulsory practice in Eurocode. However, Prota Structure considered 0.95d as good
practice.
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x = -2(z-d)/ λ = 45.6mm - - OK

As required = MEd / (0.87fyd * Z) = 98.96mm2

Minimum As from cl 9.2.1.1:

0.26*fctm*b*d/ fyk
0.26* 3 * 250 * 365 / 500
= 142.35mm2

Area of Steel Required: Top Edge ‐ Right Hand Side

K = M/bd2fck = 0.027
K’ = 0.167 where, δ=0.85, k1 = 0.4, k2 = 1.0
K/K’ = 0.162 < 1.0 compression steel not required

z = d/2 * (1 + (1– (2γc/ηαcc) * K) 0.5) = 0.98d

z = min (0.98d, 0.95d) = 346.75mm
0.95d is not compulsory practice in Eurocode. However, Prota Structure considered 0.95d as good
practice.

x = -2(z-d)/ λ = 45.6mm - - OK

As required = MEd / (0.87fyd * Z) = 189.97mm2

Similar calculations to those shown above are performed for the other four regions.

Additional Tensile Force to Longitudinal Rebar

The additional tensile force, ΔFtd can be calculated using equation 6.18 as follows:

ΔFtd = 0.5*VEd*(cot θ -cot α)

As, Δftd = ΔFtd/fyd

Area of Steel Provided

The steel provision is dictated by the current Beam Design Settings. The bar selection and curtailment
options chosen will greatly influence the weight of steel and the complexity of the resulting detail.
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Design for Shear ‐ Cl 6.2, 9.2.2

On the Reinforcement Data dialog, click on any of the link fields for 1B14 to see the shear design
calculations:

Left Hand Support

Max shear resistance from equation 6.9 —
Vrd, max = αcwbwZv1fcd/(cotθ +tanθ)
For θ = 45°, Vrd, max = 455.449 kN or vrd,max = 4.99N/mm2
For θ = 21.8°, Vrd, max = 314.086 kN or vrd,max = 3.44N/mm2
VEd = 37.032kN or vEd = 0.406 N/mm2 = < Vrd, max / vrd, max - - OK

Asw is calculated using the equation 6.8 —

Asw/s,req = VEd/(fywd*Z*cotθ), where θ=21.8° because Vrd, θ=21.8° > VEd
Asw/s,req = 37.032/[(500/1.15)*328.5*2.5],
Asw/s,req = 0.104mm2/mm

Right Hand Support

Max shear resistance from equation 6.9 —
Vrd, max = αcwbwZv1fcd/(cotθ +tanθ)
For θ = 45°, Vrd, max = 455.449 kN or vrd,max = 4.99N/mm2
For θ = 21.8°, Vrd, max = 314.086 kN or vrd,max = 3.44N/mm2
VEd = 43.94kN or vEd = 0.482 N/mm2 = < Vrd, max / vrd, max - - OK

Asw is calculated using the equation 6.8 —

Asw/s,req = VEd/(fywd*Z*cotθ), where θ=21.8° because Vrd, θ=21.8° > VEd
Asw/s,req = 43.94/[(500/1.15)*328.5*2.5],
Asw/s,req = 0.123mm2/mm
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Link requirements
Determine if minimum bars at maximum spacing provide “minimum links” —
Asw.min.req is calculated using the equation 9.5N —
Asw/s,min.req = (0.08*(fck)^0.5)/fyk
Asw/s,min.req = (0.08*(32)^0.5)/500,
Asw/s,min.req = 0.226mm2/mm - - Apply this.
For minimum bars at maximum spacing follows cl. 9.2.2 (6),(7),(8), provide H10 links at
250mm centres

Asv_prov / sv = 2 x 78.5 / 250 = 0.63mm2/mm

In this case OK - - (if not OK decrease the spacing until requirement is met).

Calculate vnom using the minimum links —

capacity from links
vnom = (Asw.prov/s)*Z*fywd*cotθ
vnom = (157.08/250)*328.5*(500/1.15)*cot21.8°
vnom = 224.37 kN

Determine if shear at the ends exceeds vnom —

VEd < Vnom
37.032 (LHS) / 43.94 (RHS) kN < 224.37kN
In this case OK -- hence minimum links apply for whole length of beam.

If the shear at either end had exceeded vnom - the distance, x to the point where vnom is
adequate would be determined as shown below, and a calculation performed to determine
the increased links to apply over that length.

Design for Torsion ‐ Cl 6.3

On the Reinforcement Data dialog, click on any of the link fields for 1B14 to see if torsion shear
calculations are required:
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In this example there is no torsion in the beam and so it is designed for 'normal' shear only - no torsion
reinforcement is required.

Deflection Control ‐ Cl 7.4

Checks are based on the span values for sagging moment design.
L/d = 4000/365 = 10.96

Table 7.4N – K value based on Structural System

End span of continuous beam, K = 1.3

equation 7.17 – Modification factor for reinforcement ratio

310/σ = 500/(fyk*As,req/As,prov)
= 500/(500*235.62/195.6)
= 1.2

Equation 7.16 – Span/depth limit, l/dlimit

While ρ ≤ ρo :
l/dlimit = K[ 11 + 1.5(fck^0.5)*(ρo/ρ)+3.2*(fck^0.5)((ρo/ρ)-1)^(3/2)]
l/dlimit = 92.79

Adjusted l/dlimit = 92.79 * 1.2 =111.35

Therefore, adjusted L/dlimit = 111.35 > 10.96 -- OK

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Output Calculations

The following report shows the output for the beams along axis 2:
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Thank You…
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