Design of Concrete Structures Page 1 of 5

Design of Concrete Structures

Engineering 5706
Laboratory Instructions for Reinforced Concrete Beams

Laboratory Work
In general, the laboratory report should be complete, concise, clear and presentable. The
following items should form the base of the report:
1. Introduction and Objectives (Scope and purpose): State precisely what you are
studying and what you plan to observe.

2. Experimental Set-up: Describe the physical set-up with the help of figures.

3. Instrumentation: indicate the types and locations.

4. Test results: Include original data either in the body of report or in an appendix. Do
not re-copy it to make it look neater.

5. Discussion: Discuss the results and compare with theory and with the results of tests
by other tests. Give a detailed account of the accuracy of results.

6. Conclusions.
Justification for important decisions made along the way (main dimensions, materials,
support conditions, etc.) should be discussed briefly.
Problems encountered in conducting the experiment may also be discussed, along with any
recommendations on how the test set-up and instrumentation might be improved.
A single report on each experiment is to be submitted by each group. In addition to
technical content, the organisation, clarity and neatness will be considered in assessing the
report. In other words, the report should look as professional as possible.

OBJECTIVES
Among other things, the objectives include a study of the strength and behaviour of
reinforced concrete beams. A beam will be tested under a concentrated load until failure.
The cracking pattern and the failure characteristics will be observed. Finally, the nominal
ultimate capacity of the beam will be recorded and compared to those obtained from
theoretical calculations.
REFERENCES
CPCA Handbook, Class Notes, Text book by Pillai and Kirk.
EQUIPMENT
1. Loading frame.

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2. A hydraulic actuator with a maximum capacity of 670 kN, and a full stroke of
150 mm.

3. A closed loop MTS testing machine operating in the displacement and/or load
control.

4. Concrete and steel strain gauges (optional).

5. Data Acquisition and Control System (optional).

CASTING PROCEDURE
The following procedure will be undertaken by each individual group:
1. Analyse the given reinforced beam based on the information provided and as
discussed in the class.

2. Assemble the form-work for the beam and the reinforcement.

3. Cast the beam. Casting date will be announced in the class.

4. Testing date will be around four weeks after the casting.

5. Two control cylinders (150x300 mm) will be cast for each group and or mix.
TESTING PROCEDURE
The following procedure will be undertaken by each individual group:
1. Control cylinders will be tested and the compressive strength, fc’, will be obtained.

2. Depending upon availability of facilities, a tensile test will be done on the

reinforcement used to determine the ultimate tensile strength.

3. On the day of the test, the beam will be stripped of the covers and moved to the
structures lab. The general procedure of the experiment will be as follows:

i. A concentrated load will be applied to the beam at mid-span with a hydraulic

actuator.

ii. The load will be increased in approximately 2 kN increments until the beam fails.

iii. During the test, and at the end of each load step, the beam will be inspected, the
deflection will be recorded and the crack patterns will be observed and marked until
failure.

REPORT
Among other things, the report, by each individual group, shall consist of the following:
1. Details of the beam with sketches.

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2. Complete design of beam(s) before casting and complete analysis for the beam(s)
after testing.

3. Procedure followed on the day of pour.

4. Results of cylinder test and reinforcement test (if carried out).

5. Procedures followed on the day of testing.

6. Type of failure(s) that occurred.

7. A schematic of the crack development in the beam (and a photograph if possible).

8. Comparison of theoretical versus recorded data.

9. Comparison with the data of other group(s).

10. Comments and observations.

GIVEN DATA
Basic Shapes of Beams:

Loading arrangement:

The reinforced concrete beam is to be deigned using to the following data:

Dimensions: Each group will be given a beam dimension. The form-work for the beam is
available at the concrete lab. The beam has either a Rectangular section or a T-section.
Reinforcement: Grade 400 steel. Four sizes are used; #10, #15, #20 and #25 metric size. The
top bars shall be #15 size.
Concrete: the concrete will be delivered by a truck on the day of pouring. The nominal
compressive strength of the concrete, f′ c, is 35 MPa. Actual strength will be as per cylinder
tests.
Beam: The beam will be cast for a length of 8 ft. The beam is simply supported with a span

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of 7.5 ft. The beam web is either 6" or 8". The overall depth is 12". For T-beams, the flange
thickness will be 3" and flange projection from the face of web will be 4". The beam is in
an interior and non-corrosive environment. Nevertheless, the concrete cover should be
measured from the actual reinforcement cage and form-work of the beam before casting
the concrete. Stirrups will be #10 size metric bars. Recommended spacing of stirrups is 100
mm (may be varied if necessary).
RESULTS REQUIRED
Complete analysis of the beam should be carried out. In doing the calculations, assume that
the laboratory test load is the factored load (do not apply load factors). If using the actual
measured material strengths, do not use the resistance factors. The following should be
calculated:
1. The ratio of the actual reinforcement to that of the balanced reinforcement,
ρactual/ρbal, (you have to calculate the balanced reinforcement ratio, ρbal, of the
beam).

2. The cracking moment of the beam.

3. The ultimate moment of the beam.

4. The cracking load and maximum load at the centre of the beam. Draw the bending
moment and the shearing force diagrams.

5. P-Δ calculations.
DEFORMATION CHARACTERISTICS
Deflections
The deflection at centre of the beam is measured using the internal LVDT of the hydraulic
actuator. Additional dial gauges may be used as well.
Steel Strains
The steel strains can be measured in the centre of the span by means of electrical strain
gauges. The steel electrical strain gauges are 10 mm long, 120 Ω resistance and a gauge
factor of 2.04 ± .5 %. For protection against any possible water damage during casting, the
strain gauges are coated with a sealant.
Concrete Strains
The concrete strains can be measured in the centre of the span by means of electrical strain
gauges. The concrete electrical strain gauges are 50 mm long, 120 Ω resistance and a gauge
factor of 2.07 ± .5 %. The strain gauges are glued on the concrete surface on a very thin
layer of Epoxy bonding agent used to obtain an even surface.
SUBMISSION
Deadline line for submittal of the lab report is one week after the test.
EVALUATION
The evaluation of the lab work and report will be based on the following evaluation criteria

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1. Appearance of form-work and reinforcement cage 5%

2. Concrete finish 5%
3. Prediction of ultimate load 10 %
4. Complete analysis of the beam 35 %
5. Description and analysis of the results 35 %
6. Completeness and accuracy of final report 10 %
7. Negative marks will be applied for not meeting deadlines and improper
work.
Depending upon the performance, a short interview may be conducted to evaluate
individual students in each group.

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