Development Length

CE A433 RC Design
T. Bart Quimby, P.E., Ph.D.
Spring 2007

Consider a bar embedded in a

mass of concrete
P = * [*db2/4]
P = *[Lb**db]
db
Lb

= P / [Lb**db] < max

= P/ [*db2/4] < max

P < max * [Lb**db]

P < max * [*db2/4]

To force the bar to be the weak link: max * [Lb**db] > max *
[*db2/4]
Lb > (max / max)*
[db/4]

Development Length

Ld = development length

the shortest distance over which a bar can achieve

its full capacity
The length that it takes a bar to develop its full
contribution to the moment capacity, M n
Ld
Mn
0
Cc
Mn = (C or
TsT)*(dist)

Steel Limit, max

Using the bilinear assumption of ACI

318:

max = + fy
Lb > (fy / max)* [db/4]
Lb > fy * db / (4*max)

Concrete Bond Limit, max

There are lots of things that affect max

The strength of the concrete, fc

Type of concrete (normal weight or light weight)
The amount of concrete below the bar
The surface condition of the rebar
The concrete cover on the bar
The proximity of other bars transferring stress
to the concrete
The presence of transverse steel

Concrete Strength, fc

Bond strength, max, tends to increase

with concrete strength.
Experiments have shown this
relationship to be proportional to the
square root of fc.

Type of Concrete

Light weight concrete tends to have

less bond strength than does normal
weight concrete.

Amount of Concrete Below

Bars

The code refers to top

bars as being any bar
which has 12 inches or
more of fresh concrete
below the bar when the
member is poured.
If concrete > 12 then
consolidation settlement
results in lower bond
strength on the bottom
side of the bar

Surface Condition of Rebar

All rebar must meet ASTM

requirements for deformations that
increase pullout strength.
Bars are often surface coated is
inhibit corrosion.

Epoxy Coating The major concern!

Galvanizing

Epoxy coating significantly reduces

bond strength

Proximity to Surface or Other

Bars

The size of the concrete cylinder

tributary to each bar is used to account
for proximity of surfaces or other bars.

Presence of Transverse Steel

The bond transfer tends to cause a splitting plane

Transverse steel will increase the strength of the
splitting plane.
See text for other possible splitting locations

The ACI 318-05 Development

Length Equation (ACI 318-05
12.2)

3 f y min( t e ,1.7) s
Ld
40 f c min cb K tr ,2.5

d
b

K tr

Atr f yt
1500 sn

db

The Modifiers

t, Modifier for reinforcement location

e, modifier for epoxy coated bars

1.3 for top bars, 1.0 for other bars

1.5 when cover < 3db or clear spacing < 6db
1.2 for other epoxy coated reinforcing
1.0 for non-epoxy coated reinforcing

The product, te, need not exceed 1.7

More Modifiers

s, Modifier for bar size

0.8 for #6 and smaller

1.0 for #7 and larger

, Modifier for lightweight concrete

1.3 for lightweight concrete

1.0 for other concrete

The Transverse Reinforcement

Index, Ktr (ACI 318-05 Eq. 12-2)

Atr = total cross sectional area

of all transverse reinforcement
which is within the spacing, s,
and which crosses the potential
plane of splitting through the
reinforcement being developed.
fyt = the yield strength of the
transverse reinforcing
s = maximum C-C spacing of
transverse reinforcement within
the development length
n = number of longitudinal bars
being developed along the
plane of splitting.

K tr

Atr f yt
1500 sn

Other Development Lengths

Development in Compression: ACI

318-05 12.3
Development of standard hooks in
tension: ACI 318-05 12.5

There are some very specific cover and/or

confinement requirements

Mechanical connectors (such as

bearing plates at the beam ends) may
also be use.

Effect on Moment Capacity

Moment Capacity, Mn, is a function

of x
If different bars develop differently
then you need to look at the
contribution that each bar makes
to the moment capacity

Moment Capacity Diagram

Cutting Bars

The Mn diagram can be made to more

closely fit the Mu diagram by terminating or
cutting bars when they are no longer
needed. (ACI 318-05 12.10.3)
> max(d,
12db)

> max(d,
12db)
End of #6 bar

End of #8 bars
End of #10
bars

Beam Profile Showing Bar

Cutoff Locations