Concrete: RULES OF THUMB

Initial Estimations:
"To design even a simply supported beam, the designer needs to guess the beam size before he can
include its self-weight in the analysis."

BEAMS:
OVERALL DEPTH OF BEAMS:

MEMBER SPAN/OVERALL DEPTH RATIO reinforced Max recommended span SPAN/OVERALL

DEPTH RATIO
Pre-stressed/post-tensioned Max recommended span
Rectangular BEAM width >250mm or span/15 but less than 5D13-20 12m (con't 15m)
Flanged beams span/12-18 (con't 18-21)
cantilever 2-6 5m
Band beams - span/5

For non band beams -Concrete beams: 2 to 1 depth to width ratio

the width (b) of a rectangular beam should be between 1/3 and 2/3 of the effective length (d). The
larger fraction is used for relatively larger design moments.

Band width - L/4 to L/3 max at slab soffit (L for average transverse span) I would normally taper the
sides of the band with a 1 to 1.5' taper for the L/25 or a 2' taper for the L/33 to save weight but that
depends on formwork costs)
Band depth - L/25 to L/30 (L for longitudinal span)

Notes Note:
1. Beams need more depth to fit sufficient reinforcing in section so check detailing early
2. The maximum spans listed here are not absolute limits. Longer spans are possible with every type,
but may not be economical. As a rule of thumb for estimates of thickness above the span on
deflection ratio's should be multiplied by "maximum recommended span"/"actual span")
3. The higher number are given for light loadings (about 1.5 kpa) and the lower numbers for heavy
loadings (about 10kpa)
Common band beam widths are 1200,1800 and 2400

b For flanged sections with the ratio of the flange to the rib width greater than 3,
the Table value for beams should be multiplied by 0.8.
c For members, other than flat slab panels, which support partitions liable to
be damaged by excessive deflection of the member, and where the span
exceeds 7m, the Table value should be multiplied by 7/span.
d For flat slabs where the greater span exceeds 8.5m, the Table value should be
multiplied by 8.5/span.
e The values may not be appropriate when the formwork is struck at an early
age or when the construction loads exceed the design load. In these cases the
deflection may need to be calculated using advice in specialist literature.
Sizing:
For non-cantilevers: d (mm) = span (mm)/26 + 300, round the result to nearest 25mm.
For cantilevers: d (mm) = span (mm)/7 + 300, round the result to nearest 25mm.
For non-cantilevers:
If span < 6000mm, b (mm) = 300
If 6000 < span < 9000, b = 350
If 9000 < span < 12000, b = 400
For cantilevers, b (mm) = 300

Earthquake Loading:
The total earthquake load on a building is called the Base Shear, V. Estimate this loading V as,
V = 0.1W, where W is the total weight of the building.

1. Beam sections should be designed for:

• Moment values at the column face & (not the value at centre line as per analysis)
• Shear values at distance of d from the column face. (not the value at centre line as per analysis)
• Moment redistribution is allowed for static loads only.
2. Use higher grade of concrete in most of the beams that are doubly reinforced.
3. Whenever possible try to use T-beam or L-beam concept so as to avoid compression
reinforcement.
4. Use a min. of 0.2% for compression reinforcement to aid in controlling the deflection, creep and
other long term deflections.
5. Length of curtailment shall be checked with the required development length.
6. Keep the higher diameter bars away from the N.A (i.e. layer nearest to the tension face) so that
max. Lever arm will be available.
7. The maximum area of either the tension or compression reinforcement in a horizontal element
is 4% of the gross cross-sectional area of the concrete.
8. Shear where shear stress (v) is considered to be critical, it can be calculated as follows:
23. v =V/bd for beams ideally it should be less than 2 N/mm2 to avoid congestion, but this may not
be possible for transfer beams where shear is critical.
24. Where splices are provided in bars, they shall be , as far as possible, away from the sections of
maximum stresses and shall be staggered.
25. Were the depth of beams exceeds 750mm in case of beams without torsion and 450mm with
torsion provide face rein.
26. Deflection in slabs/beams may be reduced by providing compression reinforcement.
27. Only closed stirrups shall be used for transverse rein. For members subjected to
torsion/"compatibility torsion" and for members likely to be subjected to reversal of stresses as in
Seismic forces.
28. To accommodate bottom bars, it is good practice to make secondary beams shallower than
main beams, at least by 50mm.

SLABS:

OVERALL SLAB DEPTH:

Span to depth ratio's:
One way:
• Single: L/24
• Continuous: L/30
• Cantilever: L/7
Two way:
• Single: L/28
• Continuous: L/36

Note:
- The maximum spans listed here are not absolute limits. Longer spans are possible with every type,
but may not be economical.
- for flat plates and flat slabs with drop panels, the longer of the two orthogonal spans is used in the
determination of the span-to-depth ratio, while for edge-supported slabs, the shorter span is used.
- minimum fire resistance normally require a depth of at least 125mm, 150 is best for fitting the reo
in.
- The higher span to depth ratios are for light loadings (about 1.5 kPa) and the lower span to depth
ratio's for heavy loadings (about 10kpa). The spans assume roughly 1.50 kPa for superimposed dead
loading (SDL).
Notes
- For two-way spanning slabs (supported on beams), the check on the ratio of span/effective depth
should be carried out on the shorter span. For flat slabs, the longer span should be taken.
- For flanged sections with the ratio of the flange to the rib width greater than 3, the Table value for
beams should be multiplied by 0.8.
- For members, other than flat slab panels, which support partitions liable to be damaged by
excessive deflection of the member, and where the span exceeds 7m, the Table value should be
multiplied by 7/span.
- For flat slabs where the greater span exceeds 8.5m, the Table value should be multiplied by
8.5/span.
- The values may not be appropriate when the formwork is struck at an early age or when the
construction loads exceed the design load. In these cases the deflection may need to be calculated
using advice in specialist literature.

1. Provide a max spacing of 250mm(8") for main reinforcement in order to control the crack width
and spacing.
2. A min. of 0.24% shall be used for the roof slabs since it is subjected to higher temperature.
Variations than the floor slabs. This is required to take care of temp. Differences.
3. Spans are defined as being from centreline of support to centreline of support. Although square
bays are to be preferred on grounds of economy, architectural requirements will usually dictate the
arrangement of floor layouts and the positioning of supporting walls and columns. Pinned supports
are assumed.
4. Particular attention is drawn to the need to resolve lateral stability, and the layout of stair and
service cores, which can have a dramatic effect on the position of vertical supports. Service core
floors tend to have large holes, greater loads but smaller spans than the main area of floor slab.
5. Eliminating drops results in simpler false work and formwork arrangements, enables rapid floor
construction and giving maximum flexibility to the occupier.
6. The benefits of using in-situ concrete flat slab construction should be investigated at the
conceptual design stage. Consider not only the benefits in terms of potential design efficiencies but
also the major advantages for the overall construction process, notably in simplifying the installation
of services and the savings in construction time.
7. To optimise the slab thickness, consider all factors such as the method of design, the presence or
absence of holes, the importance of deflections, and previous experience.
8. Deflections will generally be greatest at the centre of each panel. However, as partitions may be
placed along column lines, it is usual to check deflections here also. The possible effect of deflections
on cladding should also be considered carefully. Edge thickenings, up stand and down stand beams
should be avoided, as they disrupt the construction process.
9. There is evidence that early striking and early loading through rapid floor construction has some
impact on long-term deflections.
10. Thin flat slab construction will almost certainly require punching shear reinforcement at
columns.
11. Minimum recommended thickness for slabs for fire is 120mm
12. Drape slab tendons to high points at the faces of the bands at the slab soffit and run flat over
band width at minimum top cover, except at end columns where they are draped to the centerline
of the column and centroid of the slab (Dslab/2 from the top surface).
13. When openings in floors or roofs are required such openings should be trimmed where
necessary by special beams or reinforcement so that the designed strength of the surrounding floor
is not unduly impaired by the opening. Due regard should be paid to the possibility of diagonal
cracks developing at the corners of openings. The area of reinforcement interrupted by such
openings should be replaced by an equivalent amount, half of which should be placed along each
edge of the opening. For flat slabs, openings in the column strips should be avoided.
14. When is it an advantage to use fabric mesh in suspended concrete slabs?
Designing slabs with mesh reinforcement is a proposition that can produce substantial cost savings
when consideration is given to the following points.

a) Mesh should be sufficient for shrinkage control without additional reinforcement.

b) The structural system should be predominantly a "one way slab" system, with extra bars at the
maximum moment.

c) Lapping of mesh should be minimal.

d) Lapping locations should be clearly documented so as to eliminate any possibility of top and
bottom laps being coincident and so as to maximise usage and minimise cutting.

e) Lapping should be achieved using bar splices so that each mesh remains in the same plane.

f) Mesh lengths should be factor of the sheet length preferably using full sheets to minimise
wastage.

PRESTRESS:
1. Maximum length of slab
50m, bonded or unbounded, stressed from both ends.
25m, bonded, stressed from one end only.
2. Mean prestress
Typically P/A:
• Slabs: 0.7 – 2.5 mPa
• Beams: 1.0 – 3.0 mPa
3. Cover Take minimum cover to be 25mm.
4. Allow sufficient cover for (at least) nominal bending reinforcement over the columns, in both
directions (typically T16 bars in each direction).
5. Effect of restraint to floor shortening
All concrete elements shrink due to drying and early thermal effects but, in addition, prestressing
causes elastic shortening and ongoing shrinkage due to creep. Stiff vertical members such as stability
walls restrain the floor slab from shrinking, which prevents the prestress from developing and thus
reducing the strength of the floor. This should be considered in the design of the stability system or
allowed for in the method of construction

COLUMNS:

1. Use higher grade of concrete when the axial load is predominant.

2. Go for higher section properties when the moment is predominant.
9. Restrict the maximum % of reinforcement to about 3%. In an in-situ column the absolute
maximum reinforcement is 6% or 10% at laps.
3. Approximate method for allowing for moments: multiply the axial load from the floor
Immediately above the column being considered) by:
1.25-interior columns (allows for pattern loading)
1.50-edge columns
2.00-corner columns
But try keep the columns to constant size for the top two storeys.
4. Preliminary sizing- best to aim for coulmns with 1 to 2 % reinfcoing

o Column- H/10-20,
o edge columns H/7-9,
o corner column H/6-8
o Ac can be estimated for stocky columns by Ac= N/15 (1% reo), Ac=18 (2% reo) or N/20 (3% reo)
for N32 concrete. (N in newtons)
5. A column should have minimum section 200-250 sq, if it is not an obligatory size column.
6. In addition, all columns shall be designed for minimum eccentricity equal to [(unsupported
length of column /500)+(lateral dimension /30] subject to minimum eccentricity of 20mm.
7. A reinforced column shall have at least six bars of longitudinal reinforcement for using in
transverse helical reinforcement.-for CIRCULAR sections.
8. A min four bars one at each corner of the column in the case of rectangular sections.
9. Keep outer dimensions of column constant, as far as possible, for reuse of forms.
10. When does a column change to wall? generally this considered at about 4 times the thickness,
however for fire purposes if the fire can get to all four sides it should be considered as a column.
11. For service load keep the total stress about 0.3fc' for gravity load keep this about 0.15f'c.
12.
REINFORCED CONCRETE COLUMNS:
Sizing:

For preliminary design use square columns.

If the building height is 3 stories or less:
If beam span < 6000mm, h (mm) = 300
If 6000 < beam span < 9000, h = 350
If 9000 < beam span < 12000, h = 400
If the building height is 4 to 9 stories:
If beam span < 6000mm, h (mm) = 400
If 6000 < beam span < 9000, h = 500
If 9000 < beam span < 12000, h = 600

REINFORCED CONCRETE WALLS:

1. Walls H/30-45
2. Generally H/50 is a good starting point for tilt panels
3. Expansion joint spacing's
• Concrete large thermal differences 25 m (e.g. for roofs) otherwise refer below
• Author Spacing
• Lewerenz (1907) 75 ft (23 m) for walls.
• Hunter (1953) 80 ft (25 m) for walls and insulated roofs, 30 to 40 ft (9to 12 m) for uninsulated
roofs.
• Billig (1960) 100 ft (30 m) maximum building length without joints. Recommends joint placement
at abrupt changes in plan and at changes in building height to account for potential stress
concentrations.
• Wood (1981) 100 to 120 ft (30 to 35 m) for walls.
• Indian Standards Institution (1964) 45 m (? 148 ft) maximum building length between joints.
• PCA (1982) 200 ft (60 m) maximum building length without joints.
• ACI 350R-83 120 ft (36 m) in sanitary structures partially filled with
liquid (closer spacing's required when no liquid present).
4. Movement joints should be provided to minimise the effects of movement caused by shrinkage,
temperature variations, creep and settlement. The effectiveness of a movement joint depends on
there location, movement joints should divide the building into a number of individual sections.
Movement joints should pass through the whole structure above ground in one plane. The structure
should be framed both sides of the joint.
5. Shear walls are essentially vertical cantilevers, and may be sized as such; therefore a span-to-
depth ratio of 7 is reasonable for a shear wall. However, at this aspect ratio it is highly likely that
tension will be developed at the base and this requires justification in the design (see Figure 2.15).
Pad foundations should be designed to resist overturning and piles may be required to resist
tension. The wall should be checked to ensure that it is 'short', the minimum practical thickness is
200 mm. The wall should be 'braced', i.e. there should be another shear wall in the orthogonal
direction.
RETAINING WALLS:
1. Approximate thickness h/10-14
2. For cantilever sheet pile retaining walls, the penetration below the bottom should equal
approximately the unsupported height above.
3. T-shaped with horiz. fill: Footing length
o 0.46*height with 1/3 in front of exposed face.
4. L-shaped with horiz. fill:
o Footing length ~ 0.65*height with all of footing at toe.
o Footing length ~ 0.55*height with all of footing at heel.
5. Retaining walls should be attempted with "traditional" dimensions first, and make every
effort to correctly size and balance the heel and toe. There are good reasons why these shapes (toe
to heel from 0.45 of height to 0.55, etc) are so commonly found. Stability, sliding, etc are easy to
satisfy with an oversized heel or toe, but the strength of these members will be very difficult to
achieve.

SLAB ON GRADE:

Typical application Rating of subgrade Minimum thickness of pavement

Domestic Medium good 100mm (4")
poor 125mm (5")
Commercial/Institutional/Barns up to 5kPa Medium to good 130mm (5")
poor 150mm(6")
Industrial/gas stations/garages up to 20kpa Medium to good 180mm (7")
poor 200mm (8")
1. With the following reinforcement:

1. With the following reinforcement:

• 100mm-one layer SL72 WWF 6x6-W1.4xW1.4
• 125-150mm- one layer SL82 WWF 6x6-W2.9xW2.9
• 180mm- one layer SL92 WWF 6x6-W2.9xW2.9
• 200mm - two layers (SL72) WWF 6x6-W1.4xW1.4
2. Joints spacing:
• Rule of thumb is 24 to 36 times the thickness (gives the spacing in mm/inches).
• Keep the thickness variation to -5mm (-1/4") / +10mm (3/8"), and the subgrade as flat as
possible with no abrupt change greater than 15mm (1/2") in about 1.2m (4'). This keeps the
"sudden" restraint potential down.
3. For slabs 180mm greater a crack initiator is suggested.
4. No greater than 21m (70') between Dowel sawn joints
5. No greater than 8m (27') between joints
6. Make your joint pattern as square as practicable and with no more than a 2 to 1 ratio of length
to width.
7. Always check with client at to preferred Joints system
8. For small-medium projects
Max area in pour: 600m^2 (60000 sq ft)
Max joints spacing for external expansion joints 40-50m, internal stop pour slab joints: 60m (200').
9. For large project
Max area in pour: 800m^2 aim for 600m^2 (60000sq ft)
Max joints spacing for external expansion joints 60m (200'), internal stop pour slab joints: 80m (250')