Design of Reinforced Concrete Beams

Abstract

Reinforced concrete beam design consists primarily of producing member details which will adequately resist the ultimate bending moments, shear forces and torsional moments. At the same time serviceability requirements must be considered to ensure that the member will behave satisfactorily under working loads. It is difficult to separate these two criteria, hence the design procedure consists of a series of interrelated steps and checks. These steps are shown in detail in the flow chart in figure 7.1, but may be condensed into three basic design stages: (1) preliminary analysis and member sizing (2) detailed analysis and design of reinforcement (3) serviceability calculations.