IMPORTANCE OF DETAILING OF TRANSVERSE REINFORCEMENT

FOR BEAMS,COLUMNS AND WALLS

The detailing of reinforcement is as important as the analysis and

design of any RCC members. Specially it is true in the design of
structures against the SEISMIC forces. The most and very important
aspect of detailing is well documented in the text book on “SEISMIC
DESIGN OF REINFORCED CONCRETE AND MASONRY BUILDINGS by
T.Paulay and M.J.N.Priestley. The text extraction is given below for the
structural engineers who need to know more about the importance of
the above issue.

Page: 157:
The spacing of the transverse reinforcement is as important as the
quantity to be provided. For this reason, recommended maximum
spacings of sets of transverse ties along a member, required for four
specific purposes, are summarized here.
1. To provide shear resistance: Except as set out in section 3.3.2(a)
(vii):
In beams s≤0.5d or 600mm(24”)
In columns s≤0.75h or 600mm(24”)
In walls s≤2.5bw or 450mm(18”)
2. To stabilize compression bars in plastic Regions: As described in
section 4.5.4 for beams, but also applicable to bars with
diameters db in columns and walls[ Section 5.4(e)]:
s≤6.0db, or s≤d/4, s≤ 150mm(6”)
3. To provide confinement of compressed concrete in potential
plastic regions: As described in sections 3.6.1(a),4.6.1(e)M AND
5.4.3(E).

sh≤ bc/3 , sh ≤ hc/3 , sh ≤6 db,

sh≤180mm(7”).
4. At Lapped splice : As described in Section 3.6.29B),4.6.10 and
4.6.11(f) for the end regions of columns where plastic hinges are
not expected to occur:
s≤8.0db, s≤200mm(8”).

Page:208:
The diameter of stirrup ties should not be less than 6mm(0.25”) and
the area of one leg of stirrup tie in the direction of potential buckling of
longitudinal bars should not be less than
Ate=∑ Ab fy s
_____________(Mpa)
16 fyt 100
For design purpose it is convenient to rearrange the above equation in
the form: Ate/s = ∑ Ab fy /1600 fyt (mm^2/mm)
Where Ab is the sum of the areas of the longitudinal bars
reliant on the tie, including the tributary area of any bars
exempted from being tied in accordance
with the proceding section.
Ate is the area of the stirrup tie in mm^2.
fy is the yield strength of longitudinal bars.
fyt is the yield strength of tie bars

Page 128:
Because of the reversal of shear forces in members affected by
Ө
earthquakes, the placing of stirrups at an angle other than 90 to the
axis of such members is generally impractical.
Ө
The choice of the angle 45 for the plane of the diagonal tension
failure in the region of potential plastic is a compromise.
Please note that in IS 13920 it is not recommended to use single bent
up bars.

Minimum shear reinforcement:

Current codes (NewZeland) require the provision of minimum amount
of shear reinforcement in the range of 0.0015 ≤Av/bwsC0.0020 in
members affected by earthquake forces.
ii) Spacing of stirrups: To ensure that potential diagonal tension failure
planes are crossed by sufficient sets of stirrups, spacing limitations
such as set out below, have been widely used. The spacing s should
not exceed:
1. In beams:
In general :0.5d or 600mm(24”)
’
When (vi-vc) > 0.07 f c: 0.25d or 300mm(12”).
2. In columns:
’
When Pu/Ag≤0.12 f c; as in beams
When Pu/Ag > 0.12 f’c: 0.75’ or 800mm(24”).
3. In walls,

2.5 times the wall thickness or 450mm(18”).

Spacing limitations to satisfy requirements for the confinement of compressed concrete and

the stabilizing of compression bars in potential plastic hinge regions are likely to be more

restrictive.

Page:233:
4.611. Design of transverse Reinforcement:

(a) General considerations: There are four design requirements that control the amount

of transverse reinforcement to be provided in COLUMNS:

1. Shear strength;

2. Prevention of buckling of compression bars;

3. Confinement of compressed concrete in potential plastic hinge regions or

over the full length of column subjected to very large compression stresses

and;

4. The strength of lapped bar splices.