4.8.

Method of transformed Sections

a.

Limited to consideration of sections in which concrete stress--strain is linear.

b.

Applicable to either sections in bending or axial compression.

c.

Knowledge or assumption about the depth of cracking of the section is required.

d.

General examination of the method

(a)

(b)

(c)

n As

Transformed Section
At = Ac + nAs
Transformed section in Beams

Actual Size

(n--1)As

Transformed Section
At = Ag + (n--1)As

4.9. Method of Transformed Section for Beams:

4.9.1. Uncracked Sections (Cracked Moment, Mcr)
Applicable to beams uncracked section when 0 < M < Mcr (where Mcr is the crack moment)
N.A

(n--1) As
As

Transformed Section
At = Ag + (n--1)As

Actual Size

4.9.2. Cracked Sections

Applicable to beams cracked section when Mcr < M < My (where My is the yield moment)

N.A

As

n As

Transformed Section
At = Ag + nAs

Actual Size

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Transformed Section

4.10. Example of Transformed Section Applied to Beam

1.

Consider the section shown below. Calculate the stress caused by a bending moment of 13.83
ft--kips.
fc = 5 ksi
fy = 60 ksi
fr = 500 psi
12

Section Properties:
As = 3--#6 bars
A s = 3 0.44 (in 2) = 1.32 in 2

3--#6

E c = 57, 000 5, 000 = 4.03 10 6 psi

n=

15

29, 000, 000 psi

= 7.2 use n = 7
4.03 10 6 psi

A
1.32 in 2
= s =
= 0.014
bd
8 (in) 12 (in)
For Uncracked Section (Assume)
Find the location of neutral axis (First Moment of Area = 0).

(8y)

2y = 8(15 y) 15 2 y + (12 y)(7.92)

y = 7.78 in
or find the centroidof the cross section by
using the top edge as the reference point.
8 15 15 + 7.92 12
2
y =
8 15 + 7.92

y
15

12

y = 7.78 in

Area of
(n 1)A s = 6 1.32 = 7.92 in 2
overhangs;
This value (7.78 in) should be the same as the one we get using Eq. (4.2) found earlier. (see next page
for proof).

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Transformed Section

2
c = 2(n 1) + (hd)
d
2(n 1) + 2(hd)

(4.2)

Substitute
2
c = 2(0.014)(7 1) + (1512) = 0.65
d
2(0.014)(7 1) + 2(1512)

Solve for c

c = 0.65 therefore c = 0.65d = 7.78 in

d

Note:
For a homogenous section, we can relate bending moment to stresses at distance y from the neutral
axis as the following
f = MY
I
where
f

stress

bending moment

distance from neutral axis to the point where stresses are to be calculated

moment of inertia of the cross section

Calculate In.a.
I N.A. = 1 8 7.78 3 + 1 8 (15 7.78) 3 + 7.92 (12 7.78) 2
3
3
I N.A. = 2, 400 in 4
Calculate stresses
Now, find the stress in top fiber (compression stress at top fiber):
f top =

(13.83 ft kips) (12 inft) (7.78 in)

My
=
= 0.54 kin 2
I N.A.
2, 400 in 4

f bot =

(13.83 ft kips) (12 inft) (15 7.78 in)

M(15 y )
=
= 0.50 kin 2
I N.A.
2, 400 in 4
f bot = 0.50 kin 2 f r = 0.5 ksi

Therefore, the assumption of uncracked section was correct, since tension stresses are smaller than
fr given in the problem.

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Transformed Section

4.11. Example 2. Calculate Yield Moment for the Beam

Assume concrete accepts no tension. (yield moment is when steel is starting to yield).
Locate N.A.
8

y
(8y)( ) = (12 y)(9.24 in2)
2
y = 4.24 in

15

12

nA s = 7 (1.32) = 9.24 in 2
Calculate In.a.
I N.A. = 1 8 4.24 3 + 9.24 7.76
3

I N.A. = 760 in 4

At level of steel, if fy = 60,000 psi, then the stress in the transformed section will be
fy
60, 000
= 8, 570 psi
n =
7
and
fI
(8, 570 psi)(760 in 4)
M = y =
= 839, 000 in lb = 839 in kips
7.76 in
See next page for check with previous methods that we have learned.

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Transformed Section

Check
Check the moment found in the previous page with Eq. :

k =
k =

(0.014 7)2 +

(n)2

+ 2n n

(4.3)

2(0.014)(7) (0.014)(7)

k = 0.355
therefore

kd = 0.355(12) = 4.22 in
this is very close to what we calculated for y = 4.24 in the last page. The slight difference is due to
significant digit calculations.

Therefore

M y = A sf yd(1 k ) = (1.32 in 2)(60 ksi)(12 in)(1 0.355)

3
3
M y = 838 in-kips

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Transformed Section