REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN Dr.

AHMED AJEL CH5

Analysis and Design of Continous Beams

5.1 Continuous Beams
Reinforced concrete building consists of different types of structural
members, such as slabs, beams, columns, and footings. These structural
members may cast in separate units as precast concrete slabs, beams, and
columns or with the steel bars extending from one member to the other,
forming a monolithic structure. Precast units are designed as structural
members on simple supports unless some type of continuity is provided at
their ends. In monolithic members, continuity in different elements is
provided, and the structural members are analyzed as statically
indeterminate structures.
5.2 Load Intensity and Beam Load
In one-way floor systems, the loads from slab are transferred to the
supporting beams, as shown in Figure a below. If the factored load on
slab is , the uniform load on beams AB and BC per unit length
is plus the self-weight of the beam. The uniform load on beams DE
and EF is plus the self-weight of the beam. The load on B
equals , whereas the load on columns E, A, and D are ,
and ,respectively.

In two-way rectangular slabs supported by adequate beams on four sides,

the floor loads are transferred to the beam from tributary areas bounded
by lines , are shown in figure b. Part of the floor loads are transferred
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REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN Dr. AHMED AJEL CH5

to the long beams AB, BC,DE, and EF from trapezoidal areas, wheres the
rest of the floor loads are transferred to the short beams AD, BE, and CF
from triangular areas . In square slabs, loads are transferred to all
surrounding beams from trainguler floor areas. Interior beams carry load
from both sides, wheres end beams carry loads from one side only. The
beams transfer their loads in turn to the supporting columns.The load on
column B equals ,while the loads on columns E,A, and D are
, , and , respectively.The trabutury area for
each column extends from the centerlines of adjacent spans in each
direction.
Tributary area = Area for which the beam is supporting.
For simpler load distributions (i.e uniformly ) the following equivalent
loads are calculated .
Short Span (BC)
Floor Load =

Tributary area =

By using equivalent moment

To have the same moments:

⇒ =

Load on beam = Equivelent load on beam =

Long Span (AB)
In the same way , the following is found :
Floor Load =

Tributary area = ( )

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REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN Dr. AHMED AJEL CH5

Equivalent Load on beam ( )

5.3 Analysis of Continous Beams
Continouse beams and frames can be analyzed using approximate
methods or computer programs, which are available commercially . Other
methods, such as the displacement and force methods of analysis based
on the calculation of the stiffness and flexibility matrices, may also be
adopted. Slope deflection and moment-distribution methods may also
used. These methods are explained in books dealing with the structural
analysis of beam and frames. However, the ACI Code, Section 8.3 , gives
approximate coefficients for calculating the bending moments and shear
forces in continuous beams and slabs. The moments obtained using ACI
coefficients will be somewhat larger than those arrived at by exact
analysis. The limitations stated in the use of these coefficients must be
met.
5.4 ACI Code Coeffeicent Analysis Method
The computation of bending moments and shear forces in reinforced
concrete continuous beams is generally based on the elastic theory. When
reinforced concrete sections are designed using the strength design
method, the results are not entirely consistent with the elastic
analysis.However, the ACI Code does not include provisions for plastic
design of reinforced concrete continuous structure except in allowing
moment redistribution.
The requierments for using the ACI moment and shear coefficients are
given in ACI code Section 8.3.3 as :
(a) There are two or more spans;
(b) Spans are approximately equal, with the larger of two adjacent spans
not greater than the shorter by more than 20 percent;
(c) Loads are uniformly distributed;
(d) Unfactored live load, L, does not exceed three times unfactored dead
load, D; and
(e) Members are prismatic.
For calculating negative moments, ln is taken as the average of the
adjacent clear span lengths.

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 REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN Dr. AHMED AJEL CH5

The maximum positive and negative moments and shears are computed
from the following expressions:

Where and are moment and shear coefficients .

For beams more than two spans:

Type of discontinouse end

Unrestrained

Coloumn

Spandral

For beams with two spans:

Type of discontinouse end
Unrestrained
Coloumn
Spandral

For slabs not exceeding 3 m spans:

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REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN Dr. AHMED AJEL CH5

For beams with summation of column stiffness greater than 8

times summation of beam stiffnes

Shear in end members at face of first

Interior support.......................................... 1.15 wu ln /2
Shear at face of all other supports................... wu ln /2

5.5 Loading Applications

The bending moment at any point in a continuous beam depends not only
on the position of loads on the sam span, but also on the load on other
spans. In the case of dead loads, all spans must be loaded simultinouslany
, because the dead load is fixed in position and magnitude.In the case of
moving loads or occasianl live loads, the pattern of loading must be
considred to determine the maximum moments at the critical sections.
Influence line may be used to determine the position of the live load to
calculate the maximum and minimum moments.However , simple rules
based on load-deflection curves can be used also to determine the loading
pattern that produces maximum moments.

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REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN Dr. AHMED AJEL CH5

Example 5.1 : A two span beam is supported by spandrel beams at the

outer edges and by a column in the center . Dead load (including beam
weight ) is and live load is on both beams. Calculate
all critical service-load shear forces and bending moments for the beams.

Solution:

Check conditions (a) Loads are uniformly distributed,

(b) LL / DL = 3 / 1.5 = 2 ˂ 3 ,
(c) (L2 – L1)/ L1 = (6.5 -6 )/6 = 0.083 ˂ 0.20

Bending Moments
MAB =-4.5 (6)2/24 = -6.75 , MBA =-4.5 (6.25)2/9 = -19.5
MCB =-4.5 (6.5)2/24 = -7.92 , MBC =-4.5 (6.25)2/9 = -19.5
MD =+4.5 (6)2/14 = +11.57 , ME =+4.5 (6. 5)2/14=+13.58

Shear Force
VA= 4.5 (6)/2 =13.5 VB'= 1.15(4.5) (6)/2 =15.5
VC= 4.5 (6.5)/2 =14.6 VB''= 1.15(4.5) (6.5)/2 =16.8

Reactions
RA = VA = 13.5
R B = V B' +V B'' = 15.5 + 16.8 = 32.3
RC = VC = 14.6

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REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN Dr. AHMED AJEL CH5

Example 5.2 : Find the load on beam B1 and B2 , use the following data,
, , , .

Section of beam B1

Section of beam B2

Solution:
-Evaluation of

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REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN Dr. AHMED AJEL CH5

-Evaluation of Equivelent load on beams

 for beam (B1)

( [ ] )

( [ ] )

 for beam (B2)

( [ ] )

( [ ] )

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REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN Dr. AHMED AJEL CH5

Example 5.3 : For the slab-bam system shown , design the continuous
beam (B1) for flexture . Make use the following data :
́ = 21 MPa , =400 MPa , column dimension (500 x 500 mm) ,
, , assume steel ϕ 25 mm .

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REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN Dr. AHMED AJEL CH5

Note : for desi gn purposes , the section 2-2 and 5-5 should be check its behavior ( as
rectangle sections or T- section ) , i.e. the sections of positive moment only .

Solution:

-Evaluate load intensity of

-Evaluation of Equivelent load on beam B1

For section 1-1 to 3-3

For section 4-4 to 5-5

-Calculate the moment at every section .

Section Wu Ln Moment Formula Bending
Moment
1-1 4.5 -79.29
2-2 4.5 +90.62
3-3 (4.5+5)/2 -141.35
4-4 (4.5+5)/2 -137.69
5-5 5 +104.89

- Calculate steel area and number of bars at every section:

Note : For simplifiying the design of continuous beams it is adequate to evaluate
firstly , then from this evaluate then compare the values of
moments at each section with if then use as illustreated
below .
The section is tension control ⇒
√

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REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN Dr. AHMED AJEL CH5

Use the maximum value

( )
́

( )

Now, by compare the value of with the values of moments illustrated in the
table , it is visible that the section 3-3 and 4-4 is required to design.

- For section 3-3 , assume (tension control section)

Assume on layer and stirrups

́
( √ )
́

( √ )

, Check if tension control ( )

⇒ the section is tension control

No. of bars

Check bar spacing:

O.K.

- For section 4-4 , assume (tension control section)

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REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN Dr. AHMED AJEL CH5

Assume on layer and stirrups

́
( √ )
́

( √ )

, Check if tension control ( )

⇒ the section is tension control

No. of bars

Check bar spacing:

O.K.

- For all other sections( 1-1 ,2-2 , and 5-5) use :

No. of bars ⇒

Note : although this minimum moment ( ) evaluated for rectangular sections but
it is possible to compare its value with the sections of positive moment in this
example ( for positive moments section the value of is larger than the value of
which its value substituete
insteaed of b in the equation of , thus , all the beam sections have moment less
than .
Depending on this result use for all beam sections , for practicality use
top and bottom along the beam for stirrups supporting .
If there is a section moment larger than then , design these sections only.
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REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN Dr. AHMED AJEL CH5

Example 5.4 : The slab-beam system shown in Figure below carries a

uniform live load of and dead load of .Using the ACI
moment coefficients, design the beam (B5 & B8) for flexure and draw
detailed sections.

Make use of the following data:

Columns dimension (250 x 250 mm), ,

, , assume steel bar diameter ϕ 16 mm .

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REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN Dr. AHMED AJEL CH5

Solution:

-Evaluate load intensity of

-Evaluation of Equivelent load on beam B5

For section 1-1 to 3-3

( [ ] )

( [ ] )

-Calculate the moment at every section .

Section Wu Ln Moment Formula Bending
Moment
1-1 4.75 -63.53
2-2 4.75 +72.6
3-3 4.75 -101.64

The section is tension control ⇒

√

Use the maximum value

( )
́

( )

Now, by compare the value of with the values of moments illustrated in the
table , it is visible that the section 3-3 is required to design.

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REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN Dr. AHMED AJEL CH5

́
( √ )
́

( √ )

, Check if tension control ( )

⇒ the section is tension control

No. of bars

Check bar spacing:

O.K.

- For all other sections( 1-1 and 2-2) use :

No. of bars ⇒

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REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN Dr. AHMED AJEL CH5

-Evaluation of Equivelent load on beam B8

For section 1-1 to 3-3

( [ ] )

( [ ] )

-Calculate the moment at every section .

Section Wu Ln Moment Formula Bending
Moment
1-1 4.75 -143.58
2-2 4.75 +98.71
3-3 4.75 -143.58

The section is tension control ⇒

√

Use the maximum value

( )
́

( )

Now, by compare the value of with the values of moments illustrated in the
table , it is visible that the section 1-1 to 3-3 is required to design.

- For section 1-1 & 3-3 , assume =0.9 (tension control section)

́
( √ )
́

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REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN Dr. AHMED AJEL CH5

( √ )

, Check if tension control ( )

⇒ the section is tension control

No. of bars

Check bar spacing:

O.K.

- For section 1-1 & 3-3 , assume =0.9 (tension control section)

-Compute the effective depth

- Check the behavior of beam (rectangule or T )

Compute

Assume

́ ( )

( )

Assume (tension control section)

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REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN Dr. AHMED AJEL CH5

- ( √ )

-Check if tension control ( )

⇒ The section is tension control, the assumption is correct.

No. of bars ⇒

Check bar spacing

O.K.

Within the ACI Spacing limits

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