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T.9.1.4 Punching Shear to EUROCODE2

Section 4.3.4 of the code defines the punching shear requirements used by RAPT.

The critical perimeter is defined at a point 1.5 d from the loaded area. The code has limits defining acceptable loaded
areas. To comply with the code the

1. Shape must be within the following limits (where d is the effective depth of the slab)
circular, with diameter < 3.5 d
rectangular, with perimeter < 11 d and the ratio of length to breadth < 2
any shape, the limiting dimensions being fixed by analogy with the shape mentioned above.
2. Loaded area can not have its critical perimeter intersect with another critical perimeter from another load.

If the loaded area does not comply with the conditions above (ie for wall or rectangular column supports) then the
following diagram will define the critical perimeter.

Figure T.9.3

Moment Transfer
The total design shear force is calculated from

where
Vsd = total design shear force
u = the perimeter of the critical section
b = a coefficient which takes account of the effects of eccentricity of loading. (Moment transfer to
column)
= 1.50 for corner columns
= 1.40 for edge columns
= 1.15 for internal columns
The shear resistance of slabs are calculated as follows

(i) Non Prestressed slab

where
τRd varies according to concrete strength f ck ie

fckck 12 16 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

τRd 0.18 0.22 0.26 0.30 0.34 0.37 0.41 0.44 0.48
Rd

Values for τRd (N/mm2) Table 4.8 Eurocode2

k = (1.6 - d) >= 1.0 (d in meters)
ρ1 = reinforcement ratio of the tension steel < 0.015
d = effective depth of the slab ie (depth to the centroid of the tension reinforcement but d shall not
be taken as < 0.8D

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(ii) For Prestressed Slabs the same equation applies but

where

(ie P/A)
fyd = design yield stress of the reinforcement

The maximum design shear resistance for a slab containing shear reinforcement is (per unit length of critical
perimeter)

vRd2 = 1.6 x vRd1

The design shear resistance for a slab containing shear reinforcement is (per unit length of critical perimeter)

RAPT calculates the minimum reinforcement based on

Asv min = ρw x (Acrit - Aload)

where
Acrit = the area within the critical perimeter
Aload = the area within the loaded area.
ρw = reinforcement ratio taken from clause 5.4.2.2 and 5.4.3.3
RAPT assumes that (Acrit - Aload) = 1.5 x u

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T.9.2 Beam Shear

RAPT designs Beam Shear in accordance with each code. For specific information see

• AS3600 Clause 8.2 (and section T.9.2.2 to 4 of this manual)

• BS8110 and CP65 Clause 3.4.5 and 4.3.8
• ACI318 Chapter 11
• Eurocode2 Section 4.3.2
• SABS 0100 Clause 4.3.4 & 5.3.4
• CP2004 clause 6.1.2.5 and 12.3.8
• IS456 and IS1343 clause 40 and 22.4

It should be noted that RAPT assumes that all loads are applied at the top and centre of the members. If this is not the
case then the designer should ensure that their design accounts for this condition. ie Add hanging shear reinforcement
to transfer the load to the top and torsion reinforcement to transfer the load to the centre of the member.
Note: ACI318 and AS3600 limit the effective depth to 0.8D for beam shear calculations. Thus in
theory it is possible to design the shear requirements for a beam assuming that tensile
reinforcement exists at 0.8D when there is no tension reinforcement at all. Users should
acknowledge this and consider placing some tension reinforcement in the tension face when these
parameters occur.

Critical Sections
For all code types RAPT places the critical shear section at 0.8D from the face of the columns.

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T.9.2.1 RAPT Summary

The summary output details

1. the required spacing of 3 bar sizes (relevant bar specifications used for each code)
2. when minimum STIRRUP spacing is controlling
3. when no stirrups are required
4. the shear steel area divided by the shear steel spacing, Asv/s, required for strength ie before spacings are
checked.
5. the web shear width used, bv

The width of the ducts for the shear width, bv, are assumed to be

• For duct diameters of 18 to 26 mm, RAPT assumes a duct width b w of

70 mm if strand dia <= 13 mm and
< 5 strands in duct
70 mm if strand dia >14.5 mm and
< 4 strands in duct
for all other cases RAPT assumes a duct width bw of 90 mm.
• For duct diameters > 27 mm RAPT defaults bw to the duct diameter.

RAPT conservatively assumes all ducts detailed are within the web width.
RAPT calculates the required shear reinforcement based on the maximum reinforcement in the tension face for each
moment region as calculated from "Detail Flexural Reinforcement".
A warning will also be printed if a section fails in beam shear due to crushing of the compressive strut of the truss
model, ie if V* > φVu.max.
Other decisions made by the program are

• If V* < 1 kNm then Pv is added to the sections design capacity in shear.

• If P/A = 0 at a section then principal tensile checks are not carried out. In this case RAPT will default the
principal tensile stress to a large number ie 9999.

The decompression bending moment is calculated taking due account of secondary bending moments.

If the principal tensile failure check does not need to be made at the flange / web junction ie. the neutral axis of the
gross-section does not lie within the flange, then the principal tensile force is still calculated at the flange / web
junction but is not compared with the force calculated at the centroid.

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T.9.2.2 Principal Tensile Strength

There are essentially two forms of shear failures: one in which the cracking of the concrete starts in the web as a
result of high principal tension and another in which vertical flexural cracks occur first and gradually develop into
inclined shear cracks. AS3600, BS8110 and ACI318 check each of these failure modes. The Eurocode uses other
methods, described later in this chapter.
The failure is due to high tensile stresses exceeding the concrete's inherent tensile strength, which is approximately
10% of its compressive strength, acting on a plane inclined (at approximately 45 degrees) to the axis of the member.
The plane on which the failure occurs is known as the principal tensile plane and its orientation may be found from
elastic strength of materials theory for a homogeneous, uncracked section. Mohrs circle of stresses is a convenient tool
for this calculation. Note that in the creation of Mohrs circle the axial compressive force from prestress and the axial
and shear stresses from the applied loading should be considered.
It is worth noting that as the foregoing relies on the section being uncracked then, at high overload, the strength limit
state, a higher factor of safety may be appropriate. However it is usually found that principal tensile failure occurs at
regions of low bending moment and hence the section may be essentially uncracked at these regions.

Both the current and previous Australian codes, American, British and South African codes do not require principal
tensile stress checks to be made for sections which are not prestressed.

The maximum principal tensile stress does not necessarily occur at the centroidal axis, where the maximum vertical
shearing stress occurs. For I-sections the junction of the flange and the web is frequently the critical location. ACI 318
(ref 23) and AS1481 both state that the check at the web / flange intersection need only be made when the neutral
axis lies within the flange itself.

Principal tensile failure is sudden and is very rarely preceded by a noticeable crack forming in the web of the member.
The calculation of the applied ultimate shear force, Vt required to induce the allowable principal tensile stress proceeds
as follows.
We define Vt as the shear force we need to apply to the cross-section in order to produce, in combination with the
applied service loads, a principal tensile stress equal to the tensile strength of the concrete. The assumption is made
that the applied bending moment does not increase with an increase in the applied shear force. This simplification is
not strictly correct. However the shear force we calculate, V t, when compared to the applied ultimate shear force, V*,
will yield a measure of the factor of safety for the loads as applied to the section.

If we set the principal tensile stress, s1 equal to the code maximum allowable stress (tensile positive)

s1
AS3600
=
(i) clause (T.9.9)
0.33
8.2.7.2
√f'c
BS8110
s1
and
=
(ii) CP65
0.24
clause
√f'cu
4.3.8.4
s1
ACI318 =
(iii)
R11.4.2 0.33
√f'c
SABS s1
0100 =
(iv)
clause 0.23
5.3.4.2.1 √f'cu
s1
CP2004
=
(v) clause
0.24
12.3.8.4
√f'cu
s1
IS1343
=
(vi) clause
0.24
22.4.1
√f'ck
The applied longitudinal axial stress is given by

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where
P = the total axial force from the prestress
A = the gross cross-sectional area of the concrete
y = the distance from the centroidal axis to the cut
I = the gross second moment of area
Ms = is the total applied service bending moment and therefore must include secondary bending
moments, Msec, from the prestress (due to frame continuity).
= MSW + MDL + ysMLL + Mp
Mp = (S P.e) + Msec
= total prestress bending moment
= the bending moment obtained from the frame run of the continuous structure with the
equivalent prestress loads applied.
Af = Axial force applied to the structure. (Compression / Tension force on members)
In all equations where the sign is optional as positive or negative one must assess whether the design action is placing
compressive stress at the level of the cut (-ve) or tensile stress (+ve).
The shearing stress is given by

where
Vt = the shear force to cause principal tensile cracking.
Q = first moment of area above or below the cut with respect to the centroidal axis.
I = second moment of area of the total cross-section
t = shear width of the section at the cut
= bv ie. allowance must be made for the presence of prestressing ducts crossing the shear plane.
bv = bw - 0.5 Σdd AS3600 clause 8.2.6
= bw - Σdd BS8110 clause 4.3.8 for ungrouted tendons
= bw - 0.667 Σdd BS8110 clause 4.3.8 for grouted tendons
= bw ACI318 gives no adjustment for tendons in the web width.

With reference to Mohrs circle shown in Figure T.9.4 we find that

(tensile +ve)
rearranging

multiply through by s1 / s1

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Figure T.9.4

Figure T.9.5

then (remembering compression is -ve)

The web-shear cracking strength at the centroidal axis may be checked by

Vt = bv do [ 0.292 √(f'c) + 0.33 σ ]

The above equation (ref 23) is based on a straight line simplification of the previous equation. This was given in a
more conservative form in the draft of AS3600 at the centroidal axis as
Vt = bv do ( 0.25 √(f'c) + 0.25 P/A ) ± Pv

The vertical component of the prestressing force, Pv, must be included as an additional force component. P v is
calculated by multiplying the prestress force by the inclination of the tendon (in radians). In the usual case this will
increase the shear capacity of the section as shown in figure T.9.5. As a general rule where the sign of V* and P v are
opposite then Pv increases the sections shear capacity.
In summary for principal tensile failure to occur

φVt < V*

where
φ is the capacity reduction factor for shear of 0.70. AS3600 table 2.3
Partial safety factors are used BS8110. Table 2.2 gives a γm factor of 1.25
φ is the capacity reduction factor for shear of 0.85. ACI318 clause 9.3.22

Equation T.9.13 is the equation used by RAPT to calculate the Principal Tensile Failure shear force. If necessary RAPT
will calculate this value at the centroid and web / flange intersection. (As discussed prior). RAPT will present the
results in the Detailed Shear Report. Each code uses different notation to describe the same shear force. Below is a
summary of the different code notation.

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• AS3600 Vut
• BS8110 Vco
• ACI318 Vcw

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T.9.2.3 Flexure-Shear Strength AS3600

For lightly reinforced sections, the common economical design solution, and in regions where the bending moment is
large with respect to the shear force (towards centre-span) flexure-shear failure will usually precede principal tensile
failure. The cracks initially form as flexural cracks on the tensile face of the section and as the load increases proceed
up the section. If the section were under the action of bending alone the cracks would remain vertical. In the presence
of shear however eg near supports, the cracks diverge towards the plane of principal tensile failure. Failure will
eventually occur when the concrete in compression above the crack crushes.
For beams which contain stirrups this failure may be preceded by buckling of the compressive reinforcement between
the stirrups. This induces spalling of the concrete above the buckle leading to total failure from the sudden loss in the
compressive concrete area. When the flexural cracks begin to develop into inclined tensile cracks, sudden and violent
failure may occur.
The ultimate capacity of a beam in shear is comprised of the shear forces to

(i) firstly initiate a flexural crack, Vo. This will occur under the load which will cause
decompression of the extreme tensile fibre. The decompression bending moment,
Mo, must therefore be calculated. For reinforced sections decompression occurs as
soon as the section is loaded therefore Mo = 0. For prestressed sections Mo is
influenced by the effect of the prestressing overcoming the applied loads. Also for
continuous prestressed beams the effects of secondary actions must also be
accounted for.
The longitudinal stress at the extreme tensile fibre (at decompression) is found by

=0

hence

Due account must be taken here of any secondary bending moments if they exist.

As

If the assumption is made that the ratio of the shear force and the bending moment remains constant for
all loadings states and for simple and continuous spans we may state that the shear force at the
decompression moment will be

(ii) then to cause the crack to develop into an inclined tensile crack extending a distance
do. The formulation of the empirical equation for this capacity is based on extensive
experimental work considering the many variables which effect the shear strength.
For normal design this formula reduces to

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Vuc may be considered as the shear capacity of the compressive member at the top of an equivalent
concrete truss where the compressive members are comprised of concrete and the tensile members are of
steel as shown in figure T.9.6 and T.9.7.

where

the greater of the depth to the centroid of the outermost layer of steel or
do =
0.8 times the overall depth of the section.
β1 = the larger of 1.1 and 1.6 - do / 2000
β2 = 1 or

for members subjected to significant axial tension

for members subjected to significant axial compression

N* can be applied by users in Input Screen using the Axial forces option.

dd = the sum of the diameters of prestressing ducts crossing the web

bv = the web shear width
= bw - 0.5 Σdd
(iii) The vertical component of the prestressing force, Pv.
Pv = Σ P x θ

Σ = the inclination of the tendon (radians)

As a general rule when the inclination of the tendon is of opposite sign to the applied ultimate shear force,
V*, then Pv will add to the shear capacity of the beam.

In summary for flexural-shear failure to occur

φ(Vuc +Vd + Pv) < V*

where φ is the capacity reduction factor for shear of 0.70.

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T.9.2.4 Reinforcing for Shear to AS3600

For beams where the stirrups are vertical we may consider the internal actions within the beam to be behaving in a
similar manner to a truss as shown in figure T.9.6. When an inclined shear cracks form at the strength limit state as
shown in figure T.9.7 the vertical tensile force in the truss model must be resisted by the vertical legs of the stirrups.
For a crack inclined at an angle θ the horizontally projected length of the crack will be given by

L = do / TAN θ
The number of stirrup legs crossing this projected length will be

n=L/s
= do / (s tanθ)

If the assumption is made that all the stirrups are at yield then the tensile force resisted by the stirrups will be

Vus =
where
Asv = the area of the stirrups per spacing s
fsy.f = the yield stress of the stirrups

The angle of the inclined crack, q, is dependent upon the level of shear present with respect to the shear capacity of
the cross-section. For lightly stressed sections this approaches 30 degrees and for heavily stressed sections 45
degrees. For intermediate percentages we may linearly interpolate between the two limits.

θ=
where
φVumin = the design strength in shear when minimum stirrups are provided ie where the area of
stirrups per spacing s equals
Asv / s = 0.35 bv / fsy.f
φVu.max = the design strength in shear when the diagonal compressive strut of the truss model
crushes. This is given by the following empirical formula
φVu.max = f ( 0.2 f'c bv do + Pv )

The total design strength in shear is then given by the summation of the shear strength of the concrete, given by the
minimum of the principal tensile strength and the flexural shear strength, plus the capacity of the stirrups. Therefore
for failure to occur

φ(Vuc + Vus) < V*

AS3600 provides rules for the detailing of the stirrups where they are required. Note that in some situations regardless
of whether the applied ultimate shear force is less than the design strength in shear, stirrups must be provided.

Figure T.9.6

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Figure T.9.7

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T.9.2.5 Reinforcing for Shear to BS8110 & SABS 0100

BS8110 clause 4.3.8 details beam shear requirements. RAPT calculates the principal tensile and flexure forces as
discussed in sections T.9.2.2 & 3. The following requirements are also specifically met by RAPT for BS8110 and SABS
0100. The shear strength Vc is calculated as the lesser of Vco and Vcr.

Principal Tensile Failure VCO

See T.9.2.2

Flexure - Shear Failure VCR

BS8110 gives the following formulae to calculate this value

where
d = effective depth (distance from the extreme compression fibre to the centroid of the
steel area (Aps + As) in the tension zone).

fpe = effective prestress force in tendons

fpu = characteristic strength of a prestressing tendon
vc = design concrete strength obtained from table 3.9 of code, in which As is replaced by (As + Aps) where As
and Aps are the respective areas of reinforcement and tendons in the tension zone.

where

should not be taken as greater than 3

should not be taken as less than 1

For characteristic concrete strengths greater than 25 N/mm2, the values in table 3.9 may be multiplied by
(fcu/25)1/3. The value of f cu should not be taken as greater than 40.
Mo = moment necessary to produce zero stress in the concrete at the extreme tension fibre. In this calculation
only 0.8 of the stress due to prestress should be taken into account.
V = Applied shear force
M = Applied moment force at that section.

Axial Compression Forces

If axial compression forces are included in the design, RAPT will modify the v c value as follows:

or 5 N/mm2 whichever is the lesser.

where <1
See BS8110 Clause 3.4.5.12
SABS 0100 Clause 4.3.4.4
BS8110 and SABS 0100 do not give any indication of what to do for Axial Tension forces for reinforced members or
axial Tension / Compression forces for prestressed members. RAPT uses the AS3600 formula for these cases (AS3600
Clause 8.2.7.1 or see section T.9.2.3 in this manual).

Minimum Design Shear Stress VUMIN

RAPT specifies a Vumin value which is calculated as

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Vumin = Vc + 0.4 bv d.
This is the minimum shear value possible with a minimum area of ties.

Maximum design shear stress V UMAX

The following formula is given

For BS8110 Vumax = 0.8 √fcu or 5 N/mm2 whichever is the lesser. (This includes an allowance of 1.25 for gm.)
For SABS 0100 Vumax = 0.75 √fcu or 4.75 N/mm2 whichever is the lesser. (This includes an allowance of 1.25 for γm.)

Shear reinforcement
RAPT assumes that the lesser of Vco and Vcr is equal to Vc. RAPT will calculate the required shear ties depending on the
size of the applied shear in comparison to the shear capacity of the member. RAPT gives the user two forms of results

1. (Area of reinforcement divided by spacing of ties)

2. A tie size and spacing using the above ratio for different sized tie bars.

is calculated according to the following rules

• If V < 0.5 Vc then no reinforcement is calculated

• If V < Vc + 0.4 bv d

then
• If V > Vc + 0.4 bv d

then
where
dt = depth from the extreme compression fibre either to the longitudinal bars or to the centroid of the
tendons, whichever is greater.

For reinforcement detailing rules the user should refer to the code.

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T.9.2.6 Reinforcing for Shear to ACI318

RAPT designs shear reinforcement fully to ACI318. Below is a summary of the formulae used by RAPT. The shear
strength Vc is calculated as the lesser of Vcw and Vci.
Principal tensile failure VCW
See T.9.2.2 for theory and calculation method.
Flexure - shear failure VCI
For non prestressed concrete members

where
Vc is not greater than 0.291√f'c bw d

shall not be taken greater than 1.0

Mu is the factored moment occurring simultaneously with V u at the section considered.
For prestressed members

where
Vci need not be taken less than 1.7 √f'c bw d

yt = distance from centroidal axis of gross section, neglecting reinforcement, to extreme fibre in
tension
I = moment of inertia of section resisting externally applied factored loads.
fpe = compressive stress in concrete due to effective prestress forces (after losses) at extreme fibre
of section where tensile stress is caused by externally applied loads.
fd = stress due to unfactored dead load, at extreme fibre of section where tensile stress is caused by
externally applied loads.
Vi = factored shear force at section due to externally applied loads occurring simultaneously with
Mmax.
Mmax= maximum factored moment at section due to externally applied loads
Vd = shear force at section due to unfactored dead load.
Axial Compression / Tension
For Axial Compression, the above equations are modified so that M m is substituted for Mu and Vud/Mu is not limited to
1.0.

h = member thickness
but Vc shall not be greater than

See ACI318 Clause 11.3.2.2

For Axial Tension, the Flexure Shear formula should be modified as follows

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See ACI318 Clause 11.3.2.3
ACI318 does not give any indication of what to do for Axial Tension or Compression forces for prestressed members.
RAPT uses the AS3600 formulas in these cases. AS3600 Clause 8.2.7.1 or see section T.9.2.3 in this manual.
Minimum Design Shear Stress VUMIN

Vumin is minimum design capacity taking into account minimum ties.

φVumin = φVc + φVs

where

Maximum Design Shear Stress VUMAX

φVumax = φVc + φVs

where
Vs = 0.667√f'c bw d

Shear Reinforcement
If Vu exceeds fVc then ties must be provided as follows

For spacings and detailing users should refer to the code for specifics.

T.9.2.6 Theory: Reinforcing for Shear to ACI318 2