fsdfdsfdsTORSION

• The twisting of an object due to an applied torque. Torsion is expressed in newton per squared
meter (Pa) or pound per squared inch (psi) while torque is expressed in newton metres (N. · m)
or foot-pound force (ft-lbf).

Torsional Reinforcing

• Reinforced concrete members subjected to large torsional forces may fail quite suddenly if they
are not specially provided with torsional reinforcing. The addition of torsional reinforcing does
not change the magnitude of the torsion that will cause diagonal tension cracks, but it does
prevent the members from tearing apart. As a result, they will be able to resist substantial
torsional moments without failure.

Torsional moments that have been considered in Design

1. Equilibrium torsion - For a statically determinate structure, there is only one path along which a
torsional moment can be transmitted to the supports. This type of torsional moment, which is
referred to as equilibrium torsion or statically determinate torsion, cannot be reduced by a
redistribution of internal forces or by a rotation of the member.
2. Compatibility torsion - The torsional moment in a particular part of a statically indeterminate
structure may be substantially reduced if that part of the structure cracks under the torsion and “gives,”
or rotates. The result will be a redistribution of forces in the structure.

• Where a reduction or redistribution of torsion is possible in a statically indeterminate structure,

the maximum factored moment, Tu, can be reduced as follows for nonprestressed members
according to ACI Section 11.5.2.2.

• When reinforced concrete members are subjected to axial tensile or compressive forces, Tcr is
to be computed with the expression to follow in which Nu is the factored axial force taken as
positive if the force is compressive and negative if it is tensile.

Threshold Torsion

• It shall be permitted to neglect torsion effects if the factored torsional moment Tu is less than:
1. For nonprestressed members:
 2. For prestressed members:

3. For nonprestressed members subjected to an axial tensial or compressive force:

• For isolated members with flanges and for members cast monolithically with a slab, the
overhanging flange width used to compute Acp and pcp shall conform to Section 413.3.4, except
that the overhanging flanges shall be neglected in cases where the parameter A²cp/ pcp
calculated for a beam with flanges is less than that computed for the same beam ignoring the
flanges.

Calculation of Factored Torsional Moment

• In a statically indeterminate structure where reduction of the torsional moment in a member
can occur due to redistribution of internal forces upon cracking, the maximum factored torsional
moment, Tu shall be permitted to be reduced to the values given in (1), (2), or (3), as applicable:
(1) for nonprestressed members, (2) prestressed members, or (3) nonprestressed members
subjected to an axial tensile or compressive force.
• In nonprestressed members, sections located less than a distance d from the face of a support
shall be designed for not less than the torsion Tu computed at a distance d. If a concentrated
torque occurs within this distance, the critical section for design shall be at the face of the
support.
• In prestressed members, sections located less than a distance h/2 from the face of a support
shall be designed for not less than the torsion Tu computed at a distance h/2. If a concentrated
torque occurs within this distance, the critical section for design shall be at the face of the
support.

Torsional Moment Strength

• The cross-sectional dimensions shall be such that:

1. For solid sections:

 2. For hollow sections:

• If the wall thickness varies around the perimeter of a hollow section, it shall be evaluated at the
location where the left-hand side of the equation (for hollow section) is a maximum.
• If the wall thickness is less than Aoh/ph the second term in the equation (for hollow) shall be
taken as:

where:
t = thickness of the wall of the hollow section at the location where the stresses are being checked

• Where Tu exceeds the threshold torsion, design of the cross section shall be based on:
øTn ≥ Tu
• Tn shall be computed by:

where:
Ao= gross area enclosed by shear flow path
= 0.85Aoh
At= area of stirrups needed for torsion
S= stirrup spacing
0= shall not be taken smaller than 30 degrees nor greater than 60 degrees
= 45 degrees for nonprestressed members

1. 45 degrees for nonprestressed members or members with less prestress than in Item 2.
2. 37.5 degrees for prestressed members with an effective prestressed force not less than 40
percent of the tensile strength of the longitudinal reinforcement.

• The additional longitudinal reinforcement required for torsion shall not be less than:
 • It shall be permitted to reduce the area of longitudinal torsion reinforcement in the flexural
compression zone by an amount equal to Mu/(0.9dfy), where Mu occurs at the section
simultaneous with Tu, except that the reinforcement provided shall not be less than that
required by Sections 411.7.5.3 or 411.7.6.2.

• Transverse torsional reinforcement shall be anchored by one of the following:

1. A 135-degree standard hook, or seismic hook as defined in Section 402, around a longitudinal
bar;
2. According to Sections 412.14.2.1, 412.14.2.2 or 412.14.2.3 in regions where the concrete
surrounding the anchorage is restrained against spalling by a flange or slab or similar member.

• Longitudinal torsion reinforcement shall be developed at both ends.

• For hollow sections in torsion, the distance measured from the centerline of the transverse
torsional reinforcement to the inside face of the wall of a hollow section shall not be less than
0.5Aoh/ph.

Minimum Torsion Reinforcement

• A minimum area of torsional reinforcement shall be provided in all regions where the factored
torsional moment Tu exceeds the values specified in Section 411.7.1.
• Where torsional reinforcement is required by Section 411.7.5.1, the minimum area of transverse
closed stirrups shall be computed by the given formula but shall not be less than (0.35bws)/fyt.

• Where torsional reinforcement is required by Section 411.7.5.1, the minimum total area of
longitudinal toraional reinforcement, At,min shall be computed by:

where At/s shall not be taken less than 0.175bw/fyt; fyt refers to closed transverse longitudinal
reinforcement, and fy refers to longitudinal reinforcement.

SPACING OF TORSION REINFORCEMENT

• The spacing of transverse torsion reinforcement shall not exceed the smaller of ph/8 or 300 mm.
• The longitudinal reinforcement required for torsion shall be distributed around the perimeter of
the closed stirrups with a maximum spacing of 300 mm. The longitudinal bars or tendons shall
be inside the stirrups. There shall be at least one longitudinal bar or tendon in each corner of the
 stirrups. Longitudinal bars shall have a diameter at least 1/24 of the stirrup spacing but not less
than a 10 mm.
• Torsion reinforcement shall be provided for a distance of at least (bt + d) beyond the point
required by analysis.

Sample Problem

• Design the torsional reinforcing for the beam, for which f’c= 28 Mpa, fy= 420 Mpa, Vu= 190
Mpa, Tu= 30 kN-m, and As required for for Mg is 2050 mm². Assume #13 stirrups and a clear
cover equal to 40 mm.
• Additional longitudinal steel is spread out to the four inside corners of the stirrups and vertically
in between. Assume one- third in top= 557/3= 186 mm², 186 + 2050= 2236 mm² in bottom and
remainder 186 mm² in between.
• Use two #13 bars (258 mm²) in top corners and at middepth, and five #25 (2550 ) in bottom.