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Chapter 1 2016

1.7 DISTRIBUTION OF STRESS AND STRAIN


Figure 1 shows the longitudinal section of reinforced concrete beam subjected to bending. The
longitudinal fibers at the top face are subjected to compression stresses while fibres at the
bottom surface are subjected to tensile stresses. The location where bending stress is zero
(compression and tension =zero) called as Neutral Axis (N.A). Because of concrete has very low
tensile strength, all tensile stresses at the bottom fibres are solely taken by reinforcement.

Compression
N.A
Tension

Figure 1: Longitudinal section of a simply supported beam

As
Figure 2: Section with strain and stress diagram

Where;

h = overall depth of section = Factor defining strength = Factor defining the effective
height of compression zone
b= breadth of section fcc= Stress in concrete in compression z= Lever arm

d= effective depth fst= Stress in steel in tension Fcc = Force in concrete in


compression
As= Area of steel reinforcement fcd= Design strength of concrete Fst = Force in steel in tension

x= neutral axis depth fyd= Design strength of steel *fck < 50N/mm2 : = 1 , = 0.8
cc= strain in concrete in s = Depth of stress block *50N/mm2 <fck < 90N/mm2 :
compression = 1-( fck-50)/200 ,
= 0.8-(fck 50)/400
st= strain in steel in tension

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Chapter 1 2016

By referring to Figure 2, three types of stress distribution in the concrete;

(1) The triangular stress distribution applies when the stresses are very nearly proportional to the
strains, which generally occurs at the loading levels encountered under working condition and
is, therefore, used at the serviceability limit state.
(2) The rectangular-parabolic stress block represents the distribution at failure when the
compressive strains are within plastic range, and it is associated with the design for ultimate
limit state.
(3) The equivalent rectangular stress block is a simplified alternative to the rectangular parabolic
distribution.

There is compatibility of strain in concrete and reinforcement. The steel strain, st in tension can be
determined from the strain diagram. The relationship between depth of neutral axis, x and the maximum concrete
strain and the steel strain are given by the following;


= ( ) . (1)

The depth of neutral axis can be determined by rearranging above equation;


=( )(2)
1+

Since cc = cu = 0.0035 for class < C50/60 concrete, and

For steel of fyk= 500N/mm2, the yield strain st = 0.00217

By substituting cc and st into equation (2), the value of x =

Hence to ensure the yielding of the tension steel at limit state, the depth of neutral axis must be <

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