Reinforced Concrete

Beam Design: Concrete

Beam Stirrups? What are
they and why are
they important?

29

TuesdayJAN 2013

POSTED BY JESSE IN REINFORCED CONCRETE

3 COMMENTS

We design reinforced concrete members and often we are asked to observe the steel
reinforcement in field before the concrete is placed. It is our job to make sure the concrete
foundations, beams, columns, etc. are built the way they were designed. During our
observations we often find that steel beam stirrups, used in reinforced concrete design, are
not installed correctly and it isnt always clear to the installer why they are important.
Historically, beam stirrups had been used sparingly in residential construction. However, in
recent years concrete beam sizes have gotten shallower and spans have increased. In our
experience, this has been the result of architectural design and building occupant
requirements. The increased cost of foundation elements, such as drilled piers, has also
been a factor. Increasing concrete beam spans, to reduce the need for additional piers, has
resulted in the need for the use of steel stirrups.
Concrete beams vary in depth. The deeper the beam, the more shear capacity. When the
depth is not adequate, steel stirrups must be added to increase the shear capacity of the
beam. These stirrups are usually one piece of steel that is bent into a rectangular shape.
Often small diameter steel is used, such as #3 and #4 rebar. The stirrup typically wraps
around the bottom and top bars of the beams.

A designer should specify the size, spacing and location along the length of the beam where
the stirrups are required. We like to specify the stirrup dimensions in our sections, so that
the stirrup can be manufactured prior to installation. Stirrups will be required at areas of
high shear, such as bearing points and below large point loads.
The installer should be careful to fabricate the stirrup from one piece of steel and
adequately overlap each end (contact the Structural Engineer or refer to the ACI code for
variations). Too often the stirrup is not pre-fabricated and the installer tries make the
stirrup in the field, after the horizontal bars are already in place. This is usually obvious,
because the stirrup is constructed from two pieces with inadequate lap splice. It is much
easier and efficient to install a stirrup at the same time the horizontal reinforcement is being
installed. Always contact the Structural Engineer with any questions about size, shape,
spacing and installation of stirrups prior to inspection. This will help prevent last-minute
changes, while the concrete truck is waiting.

Let me give you the most simple example to explain the concept the development. Take your
first finger and grab it in the palm of your other hand. Now pull the finger applying as much
force as you can. At a certain limit the finder will slip and the contact between the finder and
the palm will break. But suppose if my finger is too long or the grip between the finger and
the palm is immense such that if you pull your finger then the only way to get your other
hand free is breaking up your finger. That is the base concept of development length.
The bond between steel and concrete is somewhat similar. We cannot have a continuous bar
of steel throughout the structure. THere are always connections, joints and splices. If we do
not provide development length, then at the location of these critical areas the structure will
fail easily. But if we provide sufficient amount of length to give a continuity to the strength
of the structure then the strength will be same everywhere.

As shown in the picture above, I have chosen an arbitrary size of bar and displayed how the
grip between the two surface is gained. Now if you sum up the grip then you can see that the
bond strength increases from a zero value to a certain value X. Now we wish to increase the
value of X equal to the strength of the steel used in that structure. So whenever the structure
is loaded the only possibility of failure is by the rupture of steel and not anything else like
failure of bond. So that is why we provide the development length. The minimum amount of
length required by the bar to develop the full strength of the bond.
This development length depends on various parameters.
1. Grade of steel
2. Grade of concrete
3. Diameter of steel bar
4. Type of steel bar and so on.
I hope I gave you the right insight to the answer.
Written Jun 19, 2014 View Upvotes

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What is developmental length in civil?

Ajay Pratap
224 Views

Figure shows a cantilever beam. It is cantilevering from a supporting member. The

supporting member may be a RCC column or a RCC wall. When a load is applied on the
beam, the beam bends. When this happens, the reinforcing bar experiences a tensile force.
It is as if the bar is being pulled out from the supporting member. We have to analyse the
mechanism by which this 'pulling out' is prevented. So, we have to provide sufficient length
L embedded into supporting member so that steel will not be pulled out. The length we
provide L as shown in figure above is called development length.
Imagine you take your finger and grab it in the palm of your other hand.
Now analyse these situations
If length of finger embedded into the other hand is less and then you try to pull it out by
some force it can be pulled out very easily with a very little force.
Now this time increase the length of embedded finger into the other hand and now try to
pull it out it would be difficult this time. This is the basic of Development Length.

What is the difference between lap length and development

length in steel reinforcement?

5 Answers

Santosh Kulkarni, Planned and Supervised construction for 35 years

18.8k Views Santosh is a Most Viewed Writer in Civil Engineering with 70+ answers.

Great query.
Lap length addresses the length of the bar needed to transfer the stresses to the
other bar whereas Development length addresses the length of the bar needed
to transfer the stresses to the concrete.
Lap length term is used when another bar is to be joined to an existing bar and is usually
specified as 60D for Horizontal bars and 45D for vertical bars.
Development length is the L shaped leg provided to a bar .
Edit 01:
1.Have seen that lap length could be between 45D to 52 D for vertical bars whereas for
horizontal bars , this is 60D only.
2.In my view , Development length is also shown as Anchorage length.
3.The anchorage distance or "L" or "Ell" for a top bar in a beam of depth 600
mm shall be 600-(25+25)= 550 .mm ( 25 mm is the cover specified for
moderate exposure )
4.Certain drawings show the anchorage length to be greater than the beam
depth .In this case , the site person shall be in pains.
First a dowel shall have to be provided( in the top portion of the column below
beam)which shall be lapped with the beam bars.
Updated Mar 19 View Upvotes Answer requested by Rahul Kannan

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What is anchorage length?

Jinal Doshi, Structural engineer and founder of structural madness

15.5k Views Jinal is a Most Viewed Writer in Civil Engineering with 13 endorsements.

Let us look at it this way:

1. Development length
When you have a reinforcement bar, that is no longer required to carry the tensile forces,
that is the tension is zero at that section, then you will have to develop the bar further so
that the grip between the steel and concrete makes it a continuous structure. Now we have
to provide this development length because if we do not, then the bar does not have any
restrain and we know that if a member does not have any restrain than it does not resist any
forces. So that is the concept of development length.
2. Lap Length
Lap length is provided when you require tension reinforcement but the length of the bar is
not sufficient to continue through the entire member, for example columns. Now, columns
are typically 100' tall. Neither can we have a 100' long bar, nor is it easy or possible to cage,
so we tend to cut bars to every 2 story. Now, at the location of discontinuity we want the
tension forces to transfer from one piece of bar to another. So for that we tend to provide
second bar near to the one that is discontinued and the amount of overlapping between the
two bars is called a lap length.

If you notice, then the lap length of bar is always greater than development length and you
may ask yourself why..!! So for that question here is the answer:
Consider this, when a single bar is developed inside concrete, the bond stress is let us say
"B". Now, in this stress, concrete already experiences tension forces which means it is under
stress, as bond stress induces internal concrete tensile stresses. Now you are adding one
more neighboring bar which also has a similar strength which also requires to be developed.
So the demand on concrete to provide the bond has increased which there by reduces the
bond stress on both the bars. Now as the capacity of the concrete to hold the bar has

reduced the length of bar required to lap increases.

Think of it this way. You are told to do 1 assignment today and you have no other work to
do, what you will do? You will focus 100% on that assignment till it is done and finish it in a
perfect way. But near end semester where you have a lot of submissions, you do not focus on
all the assignments the way you did before, instead your focus will shift to all reducing your
efficiency, the same thing happens with the bond stress in case of a lap length which
requires a higher lap of bar eventually.
Written Dec 2 View Upvotes

Akshay Pawar
4.7k Views

Development Length
Below is the example of typical Beam-column connection.

Fig-Reinforcement in the beam is extended into the column for some distance {math}
(L_d+10 d_a){/math}.
Calculated tension or compression reinforcement at each section of a R-C member is
developed on each side of that section by hooks or embeded length or mechanical devices.
If the restraining concrete section is comparatively thin can not withheld the position of
highly stressed bars then development is provided. Thus to avoid splitting of bars from
concrete.
This extra embedment length provided is called as development length. Basic purpose is to
provide fixed support to the bars.
Hooks are not provided in compression reinforcement. Where there is no space for extra
length, hooks are provided for restraints.
Lap length
When the length of reinforcement bar has to be extended in reinforced concrete structural
member splicing is used to join two reinforcement bars to transfer the force from
one bar to the joining bar.

The forces are transferred from one bar to the other through bonds in concrete. Force is first
transferred to the concrete through bond from one bar and then it is transferred to the other
bar forming the splice through bond between it and concrete. Thus concrete at the point of
splicing is subjected to high shear and splitting stresses which may cause cracks in concrete.

In India, the requirement of reinforcement bar splicing is covered in IS456 cl.25.2.5.

The code also specifies that the splicing of flexural members should not be at sections where
the bending moment is more than 50% of the moment of resistance, and not more than 50%
of reinforcement bars should be spliced at any given section.
Example: In India,steel bar of length 12m is available. If depth of pile or height of column is
more than this and we can not provide one single continuous bar throughout, then lap
length is provided. and second bar is placed in continuation as shown in above photos.
Updated Feb 28 View Upvotes

Varun Chowdary, Structural design engineer

4.8k Views Varun is a Most Viewed Writer in Civil Engineering.

The difference between the lap length and development length lies in the application.
A development length is the amount of rebar length that is needed to be embedded or
projected into concrete to create a desired bond strength between the two materials and also
to develop required stress in steel at that section.. The lap length is the length two rebar
pieces must overlap and be tied together to create a bond as if there is no break and the run
is "continuous". So simply put, development is rebar to concrete, lap is rebar to rebar. The
lengths of both lap and development do vary. They are dependent upon different factors.
These include but are not limited to concrete strength, rebar size, rebar coating and concrete
cover or clearance. So these lengths vary from project to project.

To read more on TMT rebars, please refer: Fe 500D | 6mm TMT Rods | Super Ductile Rebar
To read more on rebars, please refer: RCC Construction .
Hope this helps. For further assistance regarding this topic you can contact me. You can also
receive all the information on the subject and can also ask questions from experts by
visiting Super Brand in Rebar Category (TATA Tiscon )
Written Feb 5 View Upvotes

Brian Ashworth, Civil Engineer, New House Blogger, and architecture enthusiast
6.1k Views Brian has 20+ answers in Civil Engineering.

Development length is about transferring the stress in steel at the end of a beam, or the edge
of a slab, into the conctete.
Lap length is more about transferring the stress from one piece of reinforcement to the
next (via the concrete) in the centre of a beam or slab.
Reinforced concrete foundations are designed based on column loads and
moments at base and the soil data. Following are the types of foundations in
order of preference with a view to economy:
(i) Individual footings (isolated footing)
(ii) Combined footings (combination of individual footings
(iii) Strip footings with retaining wall acting as strip beam wherever applicable.
(iv) Raft foundations of the types (a) slab (b) beam-slab.

The brick wall footings can also be designed. Often plinth beams are provided to
support brick walls and also to act as earthquake ties in each principal direction.

Important considerations in design of foundations:

Foundations are the structural elements which transfer loads from the building
or individual columns to the earth. If these loads are to be properly transmitted,
foundations must be designed to prevent excessive settlement or rotation, to
minimize differential settlement and to provide adequate safety against sliding
and overturning.

Depth of foundation:
Depth of foundation below ground level can be obtained by using Rankines
formula:

Where, h = minimum depth of foundation

p= gross bearing capacity
= density of soil
= angle of repose or internal friction of soil.
Recommendations of IS456: 2000, Limit state design, bending, shear,
cracking and development length:
To determine the area of foundation required for proper transfer of total load on
the soil, the total load (combination of dead load, live load and any other load
without multiplying it with any load factor) are considered.

Thickness of the edge of footing:

As per clause 34.1.3 of IS456: 2000, the thickness at the edge shall not be less
than 15cm on soils.

Dimension of pedestal:
In the case of plain cement concrete pedestals, the angle between the plane
passing through the bottom edge of the pedestal and the corresponding
junction edge of the column with pedestal and the horizontal plane shall be
governed by the expression.

Where qo = calculated maximum bearing pressure at the base of the

pedestal/footing in N/mm2
Fck = characteristic strength of concrete at 28 days in N/mm2

Fig: Dimensioning of pedestal

Maximum Bending moment in footings:

The bending moment will be considered at the face of column, pedestal or wall
and shall be determined by passing through the section a vertical plane which
extends completely across the footing, and over the entire area of the footing or
one side of the said plane. The reference clause is 34.2.3.1 and 34.2.3.2 of
IS456: 2000.

Shear capacity checks for footings:

The shear strength of footing is governed by the following two factors:
a) The footing acting essentially as a wide beam, with a potential diagonal crack
intending in a plane across the entire width, the critical section for this condition
shall be assumed as a vertical section located from the face of the column,
pedestal or wall at a distance equal to the effective depth of the footing in case
of footings on soils.

For one way bending action of footing (one way shear)

For one way shear action, the nominal shear stress in calculated as:

Where,

= shear stress

Vu = factored vertical shear force

b = breadth of critical section
d = effective depth
(

= design shear strength of concrete based on % longitudinal tensile

reinforcement. Refer table 61 of SP -16)

Fig: Critical section for one-way shear in foundation

Two way shear (or two way bending action or punching shear) of
foundation:
For two way bending action, the following should be checked in punching shear.
Punching shear shall be around the perimeter 0.5 times the effective depth
away from the face of the column or pedestal.
For two way shear action, the nominal shear stress is calculated in accordance
with clause 31.6.2 of IS456: 2000 as follows:

Where

= shear stress

bo = periphery of the critical section

d = effective depth
Vu = factored vertical shear force
When shear reinforcement is not provided, the nominal shear stress at the
critical section should not exceed

Where, Ks = 0.5 + Bc (but not greater than 1)

Bc = (short dimension of column or pedestal / long dimension of column or
pedestal)
N/mm2
Note: It is general practice to make the base deep enough so that shear
reinforcement is not required.

Development length of reinforcement bars in foundation:

The critical section for checking the development length in a footing shall be
assumed at the same planes as those prescribed for bending moment in clause
34.2.3 of code and also at all other vertical planes where abrupt changes in
section occur. Refer clause 34.2.4.3 of IS456: 2000.

Reinforcement in foundations:
The minimum reinforcement in footing slab specified by the code is 0.12% and
maximum spacing specified is 3 times the effective depth or 450mm whichever
is less. (clause 34.3).

Only tensile reinforcement is normally provided. The total reinforcement shall be

laid down uniformly in case of square footings. For rectangular footings, there
shall be a central band, equal to the width of the footing. The reinforcement in
the central band shall be provided in accordance with the following equation.

Where,

Transfer of load at the base of column:

Clause: 34.4 of IS456: 2000.
The compressive stress in concrete at the base of column or pedestal shall be
transferred by bearing to the top of supporting pedestal or footing.
The bearing pressure on the loaded area shall not exceed the permissible
bearing stress in direct compression multiplied by a value equal to

but not greater than 2.

Where,
A1 = supporting are for bearing of footing, which is sloped or stepped footing
may be taken as the area of the lower base of the largest frustum of a pyramid
or cone contained wholly within the footing and having its upper base, the area
actually loaded and having side slope of one vertical to two horizontal.
A2 = loaded area at the column base.

For limit state design, the permissible bearing stress specified is 45 fck.
If the permissible bearing stress is exceeded either in the column concrete or in
footing concrete, reinforcement must be provided for developing the excess
force. The reinforcement may be provided either extending the longitudinal bars
into the footing or by providing dowels in accordance with the code as given by
the following:
1. Minimum area of extended longitudinal bars or dowels must be 0.5% of
cross-sectional area of the supported column or pedestal.
2. A minimum of four bars must be provided.
3. If dowels are used their diameter should not exceed the diameter of the
column bars by more than 3mm.
4. Enough development length should be provided to transfer the compression
or tension to the supporting member.
5. Column bars of diameter larger than 36mm, in compression only can be
dowelled at the footing with bars of smaller diameters. The dowel must extend
into the column a distance equal to the development length of the column bar.
At the same time, the dowels must extend vertically into the footing a distance
equal to the development length of the dowel.

Fig: Rigid and spread footings

In the case of bars in compression, a part of the total force is transferred by bond along the
embedded length, and a part is transferred by end bearing of the bar on the concrete.

Because surrounding concrete is relatively free of cracks and because of the beneficial effect of
end bearing, shorter development lengths are permissible for compression bars than for
tension bars.

Hooks are not effective in transferring compression from bars to concrete, and if present for
other reasons, should be disregarded in determining required embedment length.

The ACI code equation for basic development length in compression is

but not less than 0.0003dbfy. Modification factors given in table should be applied but in no
case is ld to be less than 8 in.

Development Length
Compression

of

Deformed

Bars

in

Modification factors to be applied to ldb

Reinforcement in excess of that required by analysis

Reinforcement enclosed within spiral reinforcement not less than

in. diameter and not more than 4in
pitch or within #4 ties spaced at not more than 4in on
centers.................0.75