Example 2.

1: Concrete Beam Bending Stress and Cracking Moment

Problem Description
(a) Assuming the concrete is uncracked, compute the bending stresses in the extreme fibers of the beam of Figure p
2.5 for a bending
moment of 25 ft k. The normal-weight concrete has an fc′ of 4000 psi and a modulus of rupture fr = 7.5(1.0) fc′ = 474 psi.

(b) Determine the cracking moment of the section.

figure2_5.png

Figure 1: Beam cross section for Example 2.1.

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Solution
(a) Bending Stresses:
1. Calculate Gross Moment of Inertia (Ig )

For a rectangular section, Ig = 12 bh .

1 3

Given: b = 12 in, h = 18 in
1
Ig = (12 in)(18 in)3
12
Ig = 5832 in4

2. Calculate Bending Stress (f )

My
The bending stress formula is f = Ig . The distance from the neutral axis to the extreme fiber is y = h/2.

M = 25 ft k = 25 000 ft lb
h 18 in
y= = = 9.00 in
2 2
Ig = 5832 in4

To use consistent units (inches and pounds), convert the moment:

12 in
Min-lb = 25 000 ft lb × = 300 000 in lb
1 ft
Min-lb × y (300 000 in lb)(9.00 in)
f= =
Ig 5832 in4
f ≈ 463 psi

Alternatively, using the calculation structure shown in the image:

(12 in/ft × 25 000 ft lb)(9.00 in)

f= = 463 psi
5832 in4

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 3. Compare Stress to Modulus of Rupture (fr )

Given fr = 474 psi.

f = 463 psi < fr = 474 psi
Since the calculated maximum tensile stress (463 psi) is less than the tensile strength (modulus of rupture) of the concrete
(474 psi), the section is assumed not to have cracked.

(b) Cracking Moment (Mcr ):

4. Calculate Cracking Moment (Mcr )

The cracking moment occurs when the tensile stress reaches the modulus of rupture fr .
fr Ig
Mcr =
yt

Where yt is the distance from the neutral axis to the extreme tension fiber, which is y = h/2 = 9.00 in.

(474 psi)(5832 in4 )

Mcr =
9.00 in
Mcr = 307 152 in lb

Converting to ft-k:
307 152 in lb
Mcr =
(12 in/ft) × (1000 lb/k)
Mcr ≈ 25.6 ft k

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 Example 2.2: T-Beam Analysis (Uncracked)

Problem Description Solution

[label=()]If the T-beam shown is uncracked, calculate (a) Stresses for M = 80 ft k
the stress in the concrete at the top and bottom extreme
1. Locate Neutral Axis (ȳ from top)
fibers under a positive bending moment of 80 ft k. If
fc′ = 3000 psi and normal-weight concrete is used, what Divide the T-section into flange and web rectangles.
is the maximum uniformly distributed load the beam Flange: Af = bf hf = (60 in)(5 in) = 300 in2 ; yf =
can carry if it is used as a simple beam with 24 ft span hf /2 = 2.5 in. Web: Aw = bw (h−hf ) = (12 in)(27 in) =
without exceeding the modulus of rupture of the con- 324 in2 ; yw = hf + (h − hf )/2 = 5 in + 27 in/2 = 18.5 in.
crete? Repeat part (b) if the beam is inverted. Total Area A = Af + Aw = 300 + 324 = 624 in2 .

Af yf + Aw yw
ȳ =
A
(300 in2 )(2.5 in) + (324 in2 )(18.5 in)
=
624 in2
750 + 5994 6744
= in = in
624 624
≈ 10.81 in (from top)

Distance to bottom fiber: cbot = h − ȳ = 32 in −

10.81 in = 21.19 in.

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2. Calculate Gross Moment of Inertia (Ig ) 3. Calculate Stresses (f = M c/Ig )

Using parallel axis theorem: Ig = (Ic + Ad2 ). Flange: Moment M = 80 ft k = 80 × 12 × 1000 = 960 000 in lb.
P
bf h3f 60·53 Stress at Bottom Fiber (Tension): c = cbot =
Icf = 12 = 12 = 625 in4 . df = ȳ − yf =
bw (h−hf )3 3 21.19 in.
10.81 − 2.5 = 8.31 in. Web: Icw = = 12·27
12 =
12
19 683 in . dw = yw − ȳ = 18.5 − 10.81 = 7.69 in.
4 M cbot (960 000 in lb)(21.19 in)
fbot = =
Ig 60 185 in4
Ig = (Icf + Af d2f ) + (Icw + Aw d2w ) ≈ 338 lb/in2 = 338 psi
2 2
= (625 + 300 · 8.31 ) + (19683 + 324 · 7.69 )
Stress at Top Fiber (Compression): c = ctop =
= (625 + 20711) + (19683 + 19166)
ȳ = 10.81 in.
= 21336 + 38849
M ctop (960 000 in lb)(10.81 in)
= 60 185 in4 (matches image) ftop = =
Ig 60 185 in4
Note: Formula in image is structured differently but ≈ 172 lb/in2 = 172 psi
yields same result.

(b) Max UDL for fc′ = 3000 psi

1. Calculate Modulus of Rupture (fr )

For normal-weight concrete, λ = 1.0.

fr = 7.5λ fc′ (in psi)

p
√
= 7.5(1.0) 3000
≈ 411 psi (or 411 lb/in2 )

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2. Calculate Cracking Moment (Mcr ) (c) Repeat (b) with Beam Inverted

Cracking occurs when tension stress (fbot ) reaches fr . 1. Calculate Cracking Moment (Mcr,inv )
The tension fiber is at the bottom, c = cbot = 21.19 in.
If inverted, the flange is now at the bottom (tension
fr Ig 2 4
(411 lb/in )(60 185 in ) zone). Cracking occurs when tension stress at the ex-
Mcr = = treme bottom fiber (original top fiber) reaches fr . The
cbot 21.19 in
distance to this fiber is c = ctop = ȳ = 10.81 in.
≈ 1 167 344 in lb
fr = 411 psi and Ig = 60 185 in4 remain the same.
Convert to ft-k:
fr Ig (411 lb/in2 )(60 185 in4 )
1 167 344 in lb Mcr,inv = =
Mcr = ≈ 97.28 ft k ctop 10.81 in
(12 in/ft) × (1000 lb/k) ≈ 2 288 255 in lb

3. Calculate Max Uniformly Distributed Load (w) Convert to ft-k:

For a simply supported beam, max moment Mmax = 2 288 255 in lb

wL2
Mcr,inv = ≈ 190.69 ft k
8 . Setting Mmax = Mcr . Given L = 24 ft.
12 × 1000

w=
8Mcr
=
8(97.28 ft k) 2. Calculate Max UDL (winv )
L2 (24 ft)2
778.24 Using Mcr,inv and L = 24 ft.
= k/ft ≈ 1.351 k/ft
576 8Mcr,inv 8(190.69 ft k)
= 1351 lb/ft winv = 2
=
L (24 ft)2
1525.52
= k/ft ≈ 2.648 k/ft
576
= 2648 lb/ft

Conclusion Note: As stated in the text, this analysis for

the uncracked section suggests the inverted orientation carries
almost double the load before cracking. However, the behavior
of *reinforced* sections under load (considering steel yielding)
is different and often the standard T-beam orientation is more

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 efficient overall.

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Example 2.3: Bending Stress Analysis

(Transformed Area Method)
Figure 3: Beam cross section Figure 4: Cracked, trans-
(Fig 2.7). formed section concept (Fig
2.8).
Problem Description
Calculate the bending stresses in the concrete (fc ) and steel Solution
(fs ) for the beam shown in Figure 2.7, using the transformed Methodology: In the transformed area method for cracked
area method. Assume the concrete is cracked in tension. sections, the concrete in tension is ignored. The steel area
Given Data: (As ) is transformed into an equivalent area of concrete (nAs )
located at the same level as the steel. The neutral axis (N.A.)
2.
1.
3.• Concrete compressive strength: fc′ = 3000 psi
is located by equating the first moments of area of the com-
• Modular ratio: n = 9 pression concrete and the transformed steel area about the
N.A.
• Applied bending moment: M = 70 ft k

Refer to Figure 2.7 for the beam cross section and Figure 2.8 1. Locating the Neutral Axis (N.A.)
for the conceptual cracked, transformed section. Let x be the depth from the extreme compression fiber (top) to
the neutral axis. From Figure 2.7, beam width b = 12 in, total
height h = 20 in, cover to centroid of steel = 3 in. Effective
depth to steel centroid: d = h − cover = 20 in − 3 in = 17 in.
Area of steel reinforcement: As = 3.00 in2 (from 3 9 bars).
Transformed steel area: nAs = 9 × 3.00 in2 = 27.0 in2 .

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Taking Moments about Neutral Axis Solving for x (Depth to N.A.)
The first moment of the compression area (rectangle We can solve the quadratic equation 6x2 +
√ 27x − 459 =
b × x) about the N.A. must equal the first moment of 0 using the quadratic formula: x = −b± b2 −4ac
Here,
2a
the transformed steel area about the N.A. a = 6, b = 27, c = −459.
Momentcomp = Momenttransf. steel
p
−27 ± (27)2 − 4(6)(−459)
x=
x 2(6)
(b · x) · = (nAs ) · (d − x) √
2 −27 ± 729 + 11016
=
Substituting the known values: √ 12
x −27 ± 11745
=
(12 in)(x) = (27.0 in2 )(17 in − x) 12
2 −27 ± 108.37
=
6x2 = 27 × 17 − 27x 12

6x2 = 459 − 27x We take the positive root since depth x must be posi-
tive:
Rearranging into standard quadratic form ax2 +bx+c =
0: −27 + 108.37 81.37
x= = ≈ 6.781 in
6x2 + 27x − 459 = 0 12 12

This matches the equation derived in the textbook ex- Let’s use x = 6.78 in as in the example for consistency.
ample. (Note: The textbook example solved by completing the
square, reaching the same result.)

2. Calculating Moment of Inertia (Icr ) of the

Cracked Transformed Section
The moment of inertia is calculated about the neutral axis.
It’s the sum of the moment of inertia of the compression con-
crete block and the transformed steel area (using parallel axis
theorem for steel).

Icr = Iconcrete + Itransformed steel

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 bx3 Stress in Concrete (fc )
Icr = + nAs (d − x)2
3
3 The maximum compressive stress in the concrete occurs
The bx3 term is the moment of inertia of the rectangular com- at the extreme top fiber (y = x).
pression area about its base (which is the N.A.).
My Mx
Calculation of Icr fc = =
Icr Icr
Substituting the values b = 12, x = 6.78, nAs = 27,
(840 000 in lb)(6.78 in)
d = 17: fc =
4067 in4
(12 in)(6.78 in)3 fc ≈ 1398 lb/in2
Icr = + (27.0 in2 )(17 in − 6.78 in)2
3
12 × 311.82 fc ≈ 1400 psi (Compression)
= + 27(10.22 in)2
3
= 4 × 311.82 + 27 × 104.45 Stress in Steel (fs )
= 1247.28 + 2820.15
The stress in the transformed steel area (nfc,equiv ) is
≈ 4067.4 in4
found using y = d − x. The actual stress in the steel
(fs ) is n times the equivalent concrete stress at that
Using Icr = 4067 in4 as given in the example. level.  
My nM (d − x)
fs = n =
Icr Icr
3. Calculating Bending Stresses
(840 000 in lb)(17 in − 6.78 in)
The stresses are calculated using the flexure formula applied fs = 9 ×
4067 in4
to the transformed section. First, convert the applied moment
840000 × 10.22
to consistent units (in-lb): fs = 9 ×
4067

M = 70 ft k = 70 000 ft lb ×
12 in
= 840 000 in lb fs ≈ 9 × 2111 ≈ 18 999 lb/in2
1 ft
fs ≈ 18.998 psi (Tension, as shown in example)
Rounding may vary slightly depending on precision used.

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figure_tbeam.png

Figure 2: T-Beam cross section for Example 2.2.

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