Serviceability limit state

Serviceability limit state of Deflection The reasonable limits of deflections of beams and slabs for normal reinforced concrete buildings as recommended in BS 8110 are as follows: 1. The final deflection measured below the as-cast level of the supports of floors, roofs and all other horizontal members, should not generally exceed span / 250. i.e. d1 + d2 2. Partitions and finishes will be affected only by such deflection as occurs after the construction of the partitions or the application of the finishes. A limit of span / 500, or 20mm, whichever is the lesser, is suggested. i.e. d1 3. According to the BS 8110, d2 should not exceed span / 500 or 20 mm, whichever is the lesser, and d1 + d2 should not exceed span / 250.

Calculation of Deflection The defection of an elastic beam is given by the general equation: CWL / EI Where C is a constant, depending on the nature of the loading W is the loading L is the effective span E is the modulus of elasticity of the beam, and I is the second moment of area, or moment of inertia, of the section of the beam

It is difficult to calculate the deflections of a reinforced concrete beam or slab under load because, although steel behaves elastically under service load conditions, concrete does not. Also, the combination of two materials when acting as one results in complicated equation for the E and I values.

BST 10346, Structural Design, Serviceability Limit State

Checking of Deflection The process of checking the deflections of a reinforced concrete beam or slabs has been simplified by BS 8110. In all normal cases, the deflections of a beam will not be excessive if the ratio of its span to its effective depth is not greater than the appropriate ratios given in BS 8110. The procedure is as follows: 1. Find the basic span / effective depth ratio. 2. Find the modification factors. These are: Modification factor for tension reinforcement m1, depending on the area of tension reinforcement which is expressed in terms of M/bd and the service stress, and Modification factor for compression reinforcement m2, depending on the area of compression provided. 3. The maximum allowable span therefore = basic span / effective depth ratio x effective depth x m1 x m2. 4. If the actual span is less than or equal to that found in step 3 above, then the deflection of that beam or slab will be within the recommended limits.

We shall now discuss further each of the steps outlined above. Step 1: The basic span / effective depth ratios for rectangular or flanged beams are given in Table 3.10 of BS 8110. These values are based on limiting the total deflection to span / 250, which should normally ensure that the part of deflection occurring after the construction of finishes and partitions will be limited to the lesser of span / 500 or 20 mm for spans up to 10m. For flanged beams with bw/b > 0.3, linear interpolation between the values for rectangular sections and for flanged beams with bw/b > 0.3 may be used. Basic span / effective depth ration for rectangular or flanged beams (BS 8110, Table 3.10) Support conditions Cantilever Simply supported Continuous Rectangular sections 7 20 26 Flanged beams with bw/b 0.3 5.6 16 20.8

For span > 10 m, Table 3.10 should be used only if it is not required to limit the increase of deflection after the construction of finishes and partitions. If a limit on the increase is required, the values given in Table 3.10 should be multiplied by 10/span, except for cantilevers where the design should be justified by calculation.

BST 10346, Structural Design, Serviceability Limit State

The modification factors m1 and m2 are given in Table 3.11 and Table 3.12 of BS 8110 respectively. Deflection will increase if there is an increase of steel stress. Thus, the use of tension steel with higher stresses will reduce the ratios of span to effective depth. The service stress in the reinforcement, fs, can be estimated from the equation fs = (5 fy Asreq.) / (8 Asprov.) The use of compression reinforcement will affect the performance of a beam by increasing its stiffness and by reducing the downward warping of the beam due to shrinkage of the concrete. Modification factor for tension reinforcement (BS 8110, Table 3.11) Service stress N/mm 100 150 (fy = 250) 156 200 250 (fy = 460) 288 300 M/bd 0.5 2 2 2 2 1.9 1.68 1.6 0.75 2 2 2 1.95 1.7 1.5 1.44 1.00 2 1.98 1.96 1.76 1.55 1.38 1.33 1.5 1.86 1.69 1.66 1.51 1.34 1.21 1.16 2.0 1.63 1.49 1.47 1.35 1.2 1.09 1.06 3.00 1.36 1.25 1.24 1.14 1.04 0.95 0.93 4.00 1.19 1.11 1.1 1.02 0.94 0.87 0.85 5.00 1.08 1.01 1 0.94 0.87 0.82 0.8 6.00 1.01 0.94 0.94 0.88 0.82 0.78 0.76

Modification factor for compression reinforcement (BS 8110, Table 3.12) 100 As prov./bd 0 0.15 0.25 0.35 0.5 0.75 Factor 1 1.05 1.08 1.1 1.14 1.2 100 As prov./bd 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 Factor 1.25 1.33 1.4 1.45 1.5 -

BST 10346, Structural Design, Serviceability Limit State

Work Example 1 Check the deflection for the continuous beam with 8 m span together with the following details: Bending moment : 250 kNm b : 300 mm d : 425 mm : 460 Mpa fy Solution: From the BS 8110, Table 3.10, the basic span / effective depth ratio 26. Service stress fs, = 5/8 x 460 = 6 M/bd = 250 x 10 / (300 x 425) = From Table 3.11, m1 = Actual span / effective depth ratio = 8 / 0.425 = Allowable span / effective depth ratio = 0.84 x 26 = Work Example 2 Check the deflection for the simply supported beam with 8 m span together with the following details: Bending moment : 250 kNm b : 300 mm d : 425 mm : 460 Mpa fy Solution: From the BS 8110, Table 3.10, the basic span / effective depth ratio 20. Service stress fs, = 5/8 x 460 = 6 M/bd = 250 x 10 / (300 x 425) = From Table 3.11, m1 = Actual span / effective depth ratio = 8 / 0.425 = Allowable span / effective depth ratio = 0.84 x 20 =

for a continuous slab is 288 N/mm 4.61 N/mm 0.84 18.8 21.8 > 18.8 OK!!

for a continuous slab is 288 N/mm 4.61 N/mm 0.84 18.8 16.8 < 18.8

Failed!!

BST 10346, Structural Design, Serviceability Limit State

Work Example 3 Check the deflection for the simply supported beam with 8 m span together with the following details: Bending moment : 250 kNm b : 300 mm d : 425 mm : 460 Mpa fy As : 3T16 (603mm) Solution: From the BS 8110, Table 3.10, the basic span / effective depth ratio 20. Service stress fs, = 5/8 x 460 = 6 M/bd = 250 x 10 / (300 x 425) = From Table 3.11, m1 = From Table 3.12, m2 = Actual span / effective depth ratio = 8 / 0.425 = Allowable span / effective depth ratio = 0.84 x 1.132 x 20 =

for a continuous slab is 288 N/mm 4.61 N/mm 0.84 1.132 18.8 19 > 18.8 OK!!

BST 10346, Structural Design, Serviceability Limit State

Serviceability limit state of cracking The cracking of concrete must be such as will not adversely affect the appearance and increase danger of corrosion of the steel reinforcement. BS 8110 recommends that the surface widths of cracks should generally not exceed 0.3 mm. This also applies to members which are exposed to particularly aggressive environments such as sea water. In tall or long buildings, the effects of temperature, creep and shrinkage may require the provision of movement joints or expansion joints within both the structure and the cladding. As calculation of crack width in beams or slabs are tedious and time-consuming works, BS 8110 has provided rules governing the minimum percentages of reinforcement, the minimum bar size and the maximum spacing of reinforcement, so that the maximum limit of crack widths will not be exceeded. Minimum Percentages of Reinforcement The minimum percentages of reinforcement for the various conditions of loading and types of members are listed below table.

Table 3.27 of BS 8110

Where

Ac Acc As Asc Ast b dw h hf l

= = = = = = = = = =

total area of concrete area of concrete of in compression minimum recommended area of reinforcement area of compression steel area of transverse steel in a flange breadth of section breadth of rib overall depth of the cross-section of a reinforced member depth of flange span of beam

Minimum size of Bars in Side Face of Beams The minimum size of bars in side face of beams needed to control cracking should be not less than (Sbb/fy), where Sb is the bar spacing and b is the breadth of section. Maximum Distance between Bars in Tension In order to ensure that crack widths will not exceed the limit of 0.3 mm, the following rules governing the maximum bar spacing may be used for beams and for slabs where the normal cover does not exceed 50 mm. Beams Table 3.30 of BS 8110 gives the maximum clear horizontal distance between bars near the tension face of a beam, depending on the characteristic strength of the reinforcement and the percentage redistribution of the bending moments. The clear distance from the corner of a beam to the surface of the nearest longitudinal steel bar in tension should not exceed half the clear distance given in Table 3.30 of BS 8110.

Table 3.30 of BS 8110, Maximum clear horizontal distance between bars If the overall depth of the beam exceeds 750 mm, additional longitudinal bars should
BST 10346, Structural Design, Serviceability Limit State 7

be provided at the side faces at not greater than 250 mm centers. These bars should be distributed over a distance of 2/3 of the beams overall depth measured from its tension face and the bar size should comply with above descriptive section.

3.3 3.3

Minimum Spacing of Reinforcement The steel bars in a beam should be so placed that when the beam is being concreted, the concrete will flow easily around them to achieve proper compaction and so that an adequate bond between the steel and the concrete will be formed. The bars must therefore be spaced so that the aggregate can move between them and so prevent the formation of honeycombs within the beam. The minimum horizontal space between the bars should be the maximum size of the coarse aggregate plus 5 mm of the diameter of the bar, whichever is the greater. Another practical consideration is the use of poker vibrators during concreting to ensure the proper compaction of concrete. The vibrators are about 40 mm in diameter, and sufficient space should be left between the top bars of a beam to allow the vibrators to pass through.

BST 10346, Structural Design, Serviceability Limit State

BST 10346, Structural Design, Serviceability Limit State

Slabs BS 8110 contains a set of rules for the maximum spacing of reinforcement in slabs. In general, the clear spacing between bars should not exceed the lesser of 3 d or 750 mm. In addition, unless crack widths are checked by calculation, the following rules should also be observed to ensure adequate control of cracking. No further check on bar spacing is required if either: Grade 250 steel is used and h < 250 mm Grade 460 steel is used and h < 200 mm The reinforcement percentage 100As / bd < 0.3% Where none of the above conditions apply, the bar spacing should be limited to the values given in Table 3.30 of BS 8110 Where the reinforcement percentage > 1%, OR the values given in Table 3.30 of BS 8110 divided by the reinforcement percentage for lesser amounts.

BST 10346, Structural Design, Serviceability Limit State

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Cover for Fire Resistance and Corrosion The nominal concrete cover is an important factor to be considered in the design for serviceability limit states of durability and fire resistance. Nominal concrete cover is the design depth of concrete cover to all steel reinforcement, including links. It is the dimension used in design and is indicated on the structural drawings. The nominal cover should 1. Comply with the recommendations relating to bar size and aggregate size. These recommendations are: A cover to the main bar should be at least equal to the main bar diameter, and The nominal cover should be greater than the nominal maximum size of the aggregate. 2. Protect the steel against corrosion and fire. Serviceability limit state of durability (Cover for Fire Resistance and Corrosion) The durability of concrete is ensured in the design by the following considerations: 1. Possible corrosion of the steel reinforcement is prevented by completely protecting it from the weather or contact with moisture. This is achieved by providing a sufficiently thick nominal cover, depending on the exposure condition and grade of concrete used. 2. The conditions of exposure affect durability. Concrete used indoors will be attached only very mildly compared with concrete which is buried underground or exposed to sea water. 3. The choice of the grade of concrete also affects durability. The stronger the concrete, the greater its resistance to the effects of exposure to the weather or to water. 4. Sufficient concrete is provided around the steel to ensure an adequate bond between the steel bars and concrete thereby enabling the two materials to act as one. 5. The steel is insulated from the high temperatures caused by fire.

BST 10346, Structural Design, Serviceability Limit State

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Exposure conditions (From BS 8110, Table 3.2) Environment Mild Moderate Exposure conditions Concrete surface protected against weather or aggressive conditions. Concrete surfaces sheltered from severe rain or freezing whilst wet. Concrete subject to condensation. Concrete surfaces continuously under water. Concrete in contact with non-aggressive soil. Concrete surfaces exposed to severe rain, alternate wetting and drying, or occasional freezing or severe condensation. Concrete surfaces exposed to seawater spray, de-icing salts, corrosive fumes or severe freezing conditions whilst wet. Concrete surfaces exposed to abrasion action e.g. sea water carrying solid, flowing acidic water, machinery or vehicles.

Severe Very Severe Extreme

Nominal cover to all reinforcement (including links) to meet durability requirements (BS 8110, Table 3.4) Conditions of exposure Nominal Cover mm Mild Moderate Severe Very Severe Extreme 25 20 35 20 30 40 50 20 25 30 40 60 20 20 25 30 50

BST 10346, Structural Design, Serviceability Limit State

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Serviceability limit state of fire resistance The whole of a structure, and the elements that go to make it up, must be fire resistant for a certain period, the length of time in each case being dictated by the particular use of the structure and the protection that the structure must provide to its occupants in the event of a fire. The fire resistance of a structural element is a combination of the following factors: 1. Its retention of the original design strength after exposure to a fire of some duration 2. Its resistance to the penetration and spread of fire, and 3. Its resistance to the transmission of heat so that the fire can be contained within a local area. A structural element is said to have a fire resistance period of one hour when, after having been exposed to a fire for one hour, it is still capable of supporting the loads that it was initially designed for. The required number of hours of fire resistance of a structure is based on the time needed for the occupants of the structure is based on the time needed for the occupants of the structure to escape and for fire-fighters to be able to control the fire without themselves being in danger of the structure collapsing. For example, the Hong Kong Building Regulations require buildings to be separated from any adjoining building by a wall which has a fire resistance period of not less than four hours. The fire resistance period required of a structure varies from half an hour to four hours, depending on the volume of enclosed space and the structures use. In designing a structure, note that while steel loses a large part of its tensile strength when its temperature is raised to high heat (about 40% of its strength when the temperature is raised to 400C), concrete loses hardly any. For this reason, the fire resistance of a reinforced concrete structure element is taken as being the degree of insulation provided by the nominal cover to the steel, which helps to control the rise in the steels temperature. The aim of design for fire resistance is therefore to provide the amount of insulation needed to delay, for the prescribed period, the penetration of high heat to the steel bars. The nominal cover and the minimum dimensions of reinforced concrete members need to provide for the appropriate fire resistance periods are given in below tables respectively. The values in Table 8.4 of BS 8110 can be modified by the addition of different types of surface finishes.

BST 10346, Structural Design, Serviceability Limit State

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Nominal cover to all reinforcement (including links) to meet specified periods of fire resistance (BS 8110, Table 3.5) Nominal Cover Fire Beams Floors Ribs Columns resistance Simply Continuous Simply Continuous Simply Continuous (Hours) supported mm supported mm supported mm mm mm mm mm 0.5 1.0 1.5 2 3 4 20 20 20 40 60 70 20 20 20 30 40 50 20 20 25 35 45 55 20 20 20 25 35 45 20 20 35 45 55 65 20 20 20 35 45 55 20 20 20 25 25 25

Minimum dimensions of reinforced concrete members for fire resistance (BS 8110, Table 3.2) Fire resistance (Hours) 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 3.0 4.0 Minimum Rib width beam width mm mm 200 200 200 200 240 280 125 125 125 125 150 175 Minimum Column width thickness of Fully 50% floors exposed exposed mm mm mm 75 95 110 125 150 170 150 200 250 300 400 450 125 160 200 200 300 350 One face exposed mm 100 120 140 160 200 240

Work example 4 Determine the nominal cover and the breadth of the web for the beam. The exposure condition is mild and the period of fire resistance required is 1.5 hours. The maximum size of the aggregate is 20 mm, and fcu = 30 N/mm. Solution: Durability For mild condition of exposure, nominal cover to all steel = Fire resistance For fire resistance period of 1.5 hours, nominal cover to all steel =
BST 10346, Structural Design, Serviceability Limit State

25 mm 20 mm

(Table 3.4) (Table 3.5)

The largest value is 25mm. On completion of this topic, you should be able to: 1. Design of RC beams and slabs for the SLS of deflection and cracking

BST 10346, Structural Design, Serviceability Limit State

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