INTRODUCTION TO

CONCRETE DESIGN
TO EUROCODE
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CHAPTER 1
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RC is one of the principal materials use in many civil
engineering application.

Civil Eng. Application :
Construction of building, retaining walls, foundations, water
retaining structures, highway and bridges.

It is a composite material, consisting of steel reinforcing bars
embedded in a hardened concrete matrix.

These two materials have complementary properties.



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Behavior of Reinforced Concrete
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Concrete :
Highly in compressive strength but weak in tensile strength.

Reinforcement (steel) :
Highly in tensile strength but weak in compressive strength.

By providing steel bars in the zones within a concrete
member which will subjected to tensile stresses, an
economical structural material can be produced
through its composite action.


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Behavior of Reinforced Concrete
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In addition, the concrete provides corrosion protection and
fire resistance to the embedded steel reinforcing bars.
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Behavior of Reinforced Concrete
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Reinforced Concrete Element
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Slab
Beam
Column
Staircase
Foundation
Document that gives recommendation for the design and
construction of structures.

It contains detailed requirement regarding actions, stresses,
strengths, design principal and method of achieving the
required performance of completed structure.

The design procedures, described in this course conform to
the following Eurocode (EC) published by European
Committee for Standardization.

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Code of Practice
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EN 1990 Eurocode 0: Basis of structural design
EN 1991 Eurocode 1: Actions on structures
EN 1992 Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures

Eurocode 2 (EC2) applies to the design of buildings and civil
engineering works in plain, reinforced and prestressed
concrete. EC2 comes in several parts as follows:
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Code of Practice
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Eurocode 2
Title
EN 1992 Part 1-1 General rules and rules for buildings
EN 1992 Part 1-2 General rules Structural fire design
EN 1992 Part 2 Concrete bridges design and detailing rules
EN 1992 Part 3 Liquid retaining and containment structures
The purpose of design is to achieve acceptable probabilities
that a structure will not become unfit for it intended use.
That is, that it will not reach a limit state.
At any way in which a structure may cease to be fit for use
will constitute a limit state and the design aim is to avoid
any such condition being reached during the expected life of
the structure

There are two principal types of limit state:
Ultimate limit state
Serviceability limit state

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Limit State
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Design situations of limit state

Persistent Design situation during a period of the same
order as he design working life of the structure.
Represents normal use
Transient Design situation during a period much shorter
than the design working life of the structure.
e.g. during execution or repair
Accidental Design situation involving exceptional conditions
for structure. e.g. Fire, explosion, impact etc
Seismic Design situation involving exceptional conditions
for structure during seismic event.

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Limit State
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The conditions that structure must be able to withstand,
with an adequate factor of safety of load for which it is
designed to ensure the safety of the building occupants and
structure itself against collapse, overturning or buckling.
The ultimate limit state are divided into the following
categories;
EQU Loss of equilibrium of the structure
STR Internal failure or excessive deformation of the
structure or structural members
GEO Failure due to excessive deformation of the ground
FAT Fatigue failure of the structure or structural members
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Ultimate Limit State
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For persistent and transient design situation under the STR
limit state, the Eurocode defines three possible combination
as follows;


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Ultimate Limit State
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Condition in which the structure is damaged and unsuitable
for its intend purposes causing discomfort to the occupants.
Generally the most important serviceability limit state are:
Deflection The appearance of efficiency of any part of the
structure must not be adversely affected by
deflections.
Cracking Local damage due to cracking and spalling must
not affect the appearance, efficiency or durability
of the structure.
Other limit states which may be reached included
consideration of durability, vibration and fire resistance of
structures.

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Serviceability Limit State
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The strength of materials upon which design is based is such
strength below which results unlikely to fall.
These are call characteristic strengths.
It is assumed that for a given material, the variation of
strength will have a normal distribution as shown in figure
below.
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Characteristic Materials Strength
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The characteristic strength is taken as that value, below
which it is unlikely that more than 5 % of the results will
fails. Thus statistically,

Characteristic Strength = Mean strength 1.64 (Standard
deviation)
f
k
= f
m
1.64s


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Characteristic Materials Strength
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The characteristic strength f
ck
is the 28 days cylinder
strength.

Table below shows the characteristic cylinder strength of
various classes of concrete recommended for use in
reinforced and prestressed concrete design.

Class C20/25, for example, refer to cylinder/cube strength of
20 N/mm
2
and 25 N/mm
2
respectively.

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Concrete (Clause 3.1, EC2)
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Concrete strength classes and MOE


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Concrete (Clause 3.1, EC2)
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Source: Table 3.1: MS EN 1992-1-1
The characteristic strength of steel reinforcement is denotes
by f
yk
.
Specified strength for high yield reinforcement given in EC2
is in the range of 400 600 N/mm
2
.
The most commonly use in the UK is grade 500 and grade
250 plain bar is not now recognized and no longer available
for general used in UK.
High yield (H) bars may be classified as:
Class A : which is normally associated with small diameter ( 12 mm)
Class B : which is most commonly used for reinforcing bars.
Class C : high ductility which may be used in earthquake design.

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Reinforcing steel (Clause 3.2, EC2)
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Partial safety factor are importance value applied to the
strength of materials and to the actions as to take into
account the possible variation of constructional tolerance.
The values adopted are based on experience and simplified
calculation and considering the probability of reaching each
limit state.
Partial safety factor of materials (
m
)

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Partial Safety Factor
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Design situation
m
for concrete
m
for reinforcing steel
Persistent & Transient 1.5 1.15
Accidental 1.2 1.0
Source: Table 2.1N: MS EN 1992-1-1
Partial safety factor of action,
f

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Partial Safety Factor
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Design
situation
Permanent actions (G
k
) Variable actions (Q
k
)
Unfavourable Favourable Unfavourable Favourable
Ultimate limit state
Persistent &
Transient
1.35 1.0 1.50 0
Serviceability limit state
All 1.0 1.0
Source: Table A1.2 & A1.4: MS EN 1990
Concrete used mostly in compression, it compressive stress-
strain curve is of primary importance.
Typical stress-strain curve of concrete is shown in figure
below:

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Stress-Strain Curve of Concrete
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The curve is linear in very initial phase of
loading.
The curve then begin to curve to
horizontal, reach the maximum stress at a
strain of approximately 0.0020 and finally
show a descending nature.
Source: Figure 3.2: MS EN 1992-1-1
For the design of cross-section, EC2 recommended the used
of idealized stress-strain curve as shown in figure below:


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Stress-Strain Curve of Concrete
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The curve is begin with a parabolic portion
up to a strain
c2
, from which point of the
strain increase while the stress remain
constant
Source: Figure 3.3: MS EN 1992-1-1
The ultimate design compressive stress are given by;


The coefficient 0.85 takes account of the difference between
bending strength and the cylinder crushing strength of the
concrete.
The factor of 1.5 is the usual partial safety factor for the
strength of concrete.
The ultimate strain
cu2
= 0.0035 is typical for classes of
concrete C50/60.
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Stress-Strain Curve of Concrete
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ck
ck
mc
ck
f
f f
567 . 0
5 . 1
85 . 0
= =

o
Steel is high tensile strength material.
The typical stress-strain curve for hot rolled steel are shown
in figure below:
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Stress-Strain Curve of Reinforcing Steel
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Source: Figure 3.7(a): MS EN 1992-1-1
For design purpose EC2 recommended the use of idealized
curve shown in figure below:








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Stress-Strain Curve of Reinforcing Steel
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Source: Figure 3.8: MS EN 1992-1-1
The behavior of the steel is identical in tension and
compression, being linear in the elastic range up to the
design yield stress.
Design yield tensile stress can be given as;


Where;
f
yk
= Characteristic yield stress

ms
= Partial safety factor of reinforcing steel


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Stress-Strain Curve of Reinforcing Steel
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yk
yk
ms
yk
f
f f
87 . 0
15 . 1
= =

Action is the EC2 terminology for loads and imposed

deformations.
The characteristic actions are the actual loads that the
structure is designed to carry.
These are normally thought of as a maximum loads which
will not be exceeded during the life of structure.
The characteristic actions used in design and defined in EC2
are as follows;
Characteristic permanent action, Gk
Characteristic variable action, Qk
Characteristic wind action, Wk

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Actions
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Is the selfweight of the structure, weight of finishes, ceiling
and services. Examples of weight of materials as given in EC1
are shown in table below.

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Characteristic Permanent Action, Gk
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Materials Density (kN/m
3
)
Lightweight concrete 9.0 20.0
Normal weight concrete 24.0 25.0
Cement mortar 19.0 23.0
Wood 3.5 10.8
Plywood 4.5 7.0
Particle boards 7.0 12.0
Steel 77.0 78.5
Water 10.0
Source: Table A1-A5: MS EN 1991-1-1
Cause by people, furniture, equipment etc. Which variation in
magnitude with time is considered.
Example of variable action as given in EC1 are shown in table
below:

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Characteristic Variable Action, Qk
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For each variable actions there are four representative values:
Characteristic value, (Qk) an upper value with an intended probability
of not being exceeded or a lower value with an intended probability of
being achieved, during some specific reference period
Combination value, (
o
Qk) value intended to take account of a
reduced probability of the simultaneous occurrence of two or more
variable actions.
Frequent value, (
1
Qk) value such that it should be exceeded only for a
short period of time and is used primarily for the serviceability limit
states and also accidental limit state.
Quasi-permanent value, (
2
Qk) value may be exceeded for a
considerable period of time; alternatively it may be considered as an
average loading over time. I is used for a long term affects at the SLS and
also accidental and seismic ULS.


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Characteristic Variable Action, Qk
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Recommended values for action for building
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Characteristic Variable Action, Qk
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In order to account for variation in Loads due to:
Errors in the analysis and Design
Constructional inaccuracies
Possible load increases
The characteristic loads F
k
(Gk,Qk,Wk) are multiplied by the
appropriate partial safety factor for loads
f
to give the
design action acting on the structure.


Value of
f
are given in EN 1990: Annex A1

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Design Action
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f k d
F F =
The first function in design is the planning carried out by the
architect to determine the arrangement and layout of the
building to meet the clients requirements.
The structural engineer then determines the best structural
system or forms to bring the architects concept into being.
Construction in different materials and with different
arrangements and systems may require investigation to
determine the most economical answer.
Architect and engineer should work together at this
conceptual design stage.
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Structural Design Process
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Once the building form and structural arrangement have
been finalized the design problem consists of the following:
idealization of the structure into loadbearing frames and
elements for analysis and design
estimation of actions
analysis to determine the maximum moments and shears
for design
design of sections and reinforcement arrangements for
slabs, beams, columns and foundations using the results
from above
production of arrangement and detail drawings and bar
schedules


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Structural Design Process
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BEHAVIOUR OF BEAM IN
BENDING
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Consider a simply supported beam subjected to gradually
increasing load. The load causes the beam to bend and exert a
bending moment as shown in figure below.
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Behavior of Beam in Bending
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The top surface of the beam is seen
to shorten under compression, and
the bottom surface lengthens under
tension.
As the concrete cannot resist
tension, steel reinforcement is
introduces at the bottom surface to
resist tension.

For continuous beam, the loads also cause the to bend downward
between the support and upward bending over the support.
This will produce tensile zone as shown in figure below. As the
concrete cannot resist flexural tension, steel reinforcement would
be introduced as detail in the figure.
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Behavior of Beam in Bending
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In the design of reinforced concrete beam the following
assumptions are made (See EN 1991: Cl. 6.1 (2) P.)
Plane section through the beam before bending remain plane
after bending.
The strain in bonded reinforcement, whether in tension or
compression is the same as that in the surrounding concrete.
The tensile of the concrete is ignored.
The stresses in the concrete and reinforcement can be derived
from the strain by using stress-strain curve for concrete and
steel.

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Basic Assumption in RC Design
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Basic Assumption in RC Design
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Figure below shows the cross section of a RC beam subjected to
bending and the resultant strain and stress distribution in the
concrete.
Top surface of cross section are subjected to compressive stresses
while the bottom surface subjected to tensile stresses.
The line that introduced in between the tensile and compression
zones is known as the neutral axis of the member.
Due to the tensile strength of concrete is very low, all the tensile
stresses at the bottom fibre are taken by reinforcement.
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Distribution of Stresses and Strain
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For f
ck
< 50 N/mm
2
: = 1 (defining the effective strength),
c
= 0.0035,

cc
= 0.85, = 0.8,
c
= 1.5,
f
cd
= 1.0 x 0.85 x f
ck
/ 1.5 = 0.567 f
ck
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Distribution of Stresses and Strain
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d h
b
x

cc

st

f
cc

f
st
f
yd

f
cd

F
st

cc
f
ck
/
c

F
cc

z
s = x
(1) (2) (3)
Stress distribution in the concrete
The triangular stress distribution applies when the stress are
very nearly proportional to the strain, which generally occurs at
the loading levels encountered under working load conditions
and is, therefore, used at the serviceability limit state.
The rectangular-parabolic stress block represents the
distribution at failure when the compressive strain are within
the plastic range, and it is associated with the design for
ultimate limit state.
The equivalent rectangular stress block is a simplified alternative
to the rectangular-parabolic distribution.
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Distribution of Stresses and Strain
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The distribution of strains across the beam cross section is linear.
That is, the normal strain at any points in a beam section is
proportional to its distance from the neutral axis.
The steel strain in tension
st
can be determined from the strain
diagram as follows:

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Distribution of Stresses and Strain
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|
.
|

\
|

= =
x
x d
x x d
cc st
cc st
c c
c c
) (
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
=
cc
st
d
x
c
c
1
Therefore ;
Since,
cc
= 0.0035 for class C50/60 and
For steel with f
yk
= 500 N/mm
2
and the yield strain is
st
= 0.00217.
By substituting
cc
and
st
,

Hence, to ensure yielding of the tension steel at limit state the
depth of neutral axis, x should be less than or equal to 0.617d.

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Introduction
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d x 617 . 0 =
As applied moment on the beam section increased beyond
the linear elastic stage, the concrete strains and stresses enter
the nonlinear stage.
The behavior of the beam in the nonlinear stage depends on
the amount of reinforcement provided.
The reinforcing steel can sustain very high tensile strain
however, the concrete can accommodate compressive strain
much lower compare to it.
So, the final collapse of a normal beam at ultimate limit state
is cause by the crushing of concrete in compression,
regardless of whether the tension steel has yield or not.
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Type of RC Beam Failure
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Depending on the amount of reinforcing steel provided, flexural
failure may occur in three ways:
Balanced : Concrete crushed and steel yields simultaneously at the ultimate
limit state. The compressive strain of concrete reaches the ultimate strains
cu

and the tensile strain of steel reaches the yield strain
y
simultaneously. The
depth of neutral axis, x = 0.617d.

Under-reinforced : Steel reinforcement yields before concrete crushes. The
area of tension steel provided is less than balance section. The depth of
neutral axis, x < 0.617d. The failure is gradual, giving ample prior warning of
the impending collapse. This mode if failure is preferred in design practice.

Over-reinforced : Concrete fails in compression before steel yields. The area of
steel provided is more than area provided in balance section. The depth of
neutral axis, x > 0.617d. The failure is sudden (without any sign of warning)
and brittle. Over-reinforced are not permitted.
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Type of RC Beam Failure
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