DETAILING OF MEMBERS

ACCORDING TO EN 1992-1-1
R00

Shay Murtagh T: 044 9374108 www.shaymurtagh.ie

Raharney, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath N91 WY91 F: 044 9374552 E: sales@shaymurtagh.ie
REVISION SHEET
Revision Date Brief Description of Amendment Prepared By Approved By

0 23.10.2018 First Emission Carlos Gomes José Terra

© Shay Murtagh Precast Ltd. This document is copyright and contains information which is the property of Shay Murtagh Precast
Ltd. This document is provided for the specific use on the referenced project only and must not be copied, distributed,
reproduced, translated, used for manufacture or disclosed, in whole or in part, without the written permission of Shay Murtagh
Precast Ltd.

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Contents

1 GENERAL NOTES ..................................................................................................................................... 4

1.1 Preamble ........................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2 List of Relevant Design Codes ........................................................................................................... 5
2 WALLS DETAILING – SECTION 9.6 OF THE EN 1992-1-1 ......................................................................... 6
2.1 Vertical Reinforcement – Section 9.6.2 ............................................................................................ 6
2.2 Horizontal Reinforcement – Section 9.6.3 ........................................................................................ 6
2.3 Transverse Reinforcement – Section 9.6.4 ....................................................................................... 6
2.4 Summary of Minimum Reinforcement ............................................................................................. 7
3 DEEP BEAMS DETAILING – SECTION 9.7 OF THE EN 1992-1-1................................................................ 8
3.1 Vertical and Horizontal Reinforcement – Section 9.7.1 .................................................................... 8
3.2 Summary of Minimum Reinforcement ............................................................................................. 8
4 COLUMNS DETAILING – SECTION 9.5 OF THE EN 1992-1-1 .................................................................... 9
4.1 Longitudinal Reinforcement – Section 9.5.2 ..................................................................................... 9
4.2 Transverse Reinforcement – Section 9.5.3 ....................................................................................... 9
5 BEAMS DETAILING – SECTION 9.2 OF THE EN 1992-1-1 ....................................................................... 10
5.1 Longitudinal Reinforcement – Section 9.2.1 ................................................................................... 10
5.2 Shear Reinforcement – Section 9.2.2 ............................................................................................. 10
6 REINFORCEMENT DETAILING FLOWCHART .......................................................................................... 11
7 TYPICAL 200MM LOAD BEARING PANEL DETAILING ............................................................................ 12
7.1 Minimum anchorage length ........................................................................................................... 12
7.2 Vertical Ties / Dowels Detailing ...................................................................................................... 12
7.3 Minimum Reinforcement ............................................................................................................... 13
7.4 Lifting Reinforcement for 7.5 Ton Capstan ..................................................................................... 14
7.5 Panel Type 1 .................................................................................................................................... 18
7.6 Panel Type 2 .................................................................................................................................... 19
7.7 Panel Type 3 .................................................................................................................................... 20
7.8 Panel Type 4 .................................................................................................................................... 21
7.9 Panel Type 5 .................................................................................................................................... 22
7.10 Panel Type 6 .................................................................................................................................... 23
8 STRUCTURAL SOLUTION BASIS ............................................................................................................. 24
8.1 Structural Stability and Load Transfer Mechanisms ....................................................................... 24
8.2 Structural Connections ................................................................................................................... 24
8.3 Structural Integrity and Robustness ............................................................................................... 24
8.4 Tying System ................................................................................................................................... 26
8.4.1 Peripheral Ties........................................................................................................................... 26
8.4.2 Internal Ties............................................................................................................................... 26
8.4.3 Horizontal Wall Ties .................................................................................................................. 27
8.4.4 Vertical Ties ............................................................................................................................... 27
8.5 Key Elements .................................................................................................................................. 27

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 8.6 Typical dowel capacities under accidental combinations ............................................................... 28
8.6.1 B25 Dowel Capacity................................................................................................................... 29
8.6.2 B20 Dowel Capacity................................................................................................................... 29
8.7 Typical Tie Force and Detail ............................................................................................................ 30
8.8 Typical Vertical Connectors Between Solid Walls ........................................................................... 33
8.8.1 Calculation Basis........................................................................................................................ 33
8.8.2 Where Not to Use ..................................................................................................................... 36
8.8.3 Typical Vertical Connectors Capacity ........................................................................................ 38
8.9 Typical 200mm Panel Capacity ....................................................................................................... 40
8.10 Design Working Life Requirements ................................................................................................ 41
9 FIRE REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................ 42
9.1 Basis of Fire Design ......................................................................................................................... 42
9.2 Alternative Fire Design.................................................................................................................... 43
9.3 Relation between ultimate limit state and fire design ................................................................... 44
9.3.1 Full capacity at Ultimate Limit State ......................................................................................... 44
9.3.2 Half capacity at Ultimate Limit State......................................................................................... 44
9.4 Fire Design Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 44
10 TREATMENT AND CAUSE OF IMPERFECTIONS ..................................................................................... 45

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1 General Notes

1.1 Preamble
The idealization of a structure should be performed based on the recommendations and guidelines described
in Section 5.3 of the EN 1992-1-1. Point 5.3.1(1) of the same section states that the elements of a structure
are classified, by consideration of their nature and function, as beams, columns, slabs, walls, plates, arches,
shells, etc.

In a case of a building structure mostly comprised of precast solid walls, the provisions described in section
5.3.1(3) and 5.3.1(7) are the most relevant and are as follows respectively:

• A beam is a member for which the span is not less than 3 times the overall section depth. Otherwise
it should be considered as a deep beam. When required, a deep beam can be detailed as a beam
but not the opposite.
• A column is a member for which the section depth does not exceed 4 times its width. Otherwise it
should be considered as a wall. When required, a wall can be detailed as a column but not the
opposite.

A proper classification of the element and their use (load bearing or non-load bearing) is of utmost
importance as it will influence the detailing of said element. The requirements for safety, serviceability and
durability of each element are satisfied by fulfilling the rules presented throughout the EN 1992-1-1
document, namely

• Section 6 –Ultimate Limit States (ULS)

• Section 7 – Serviceability Limit States (SLS)
• Section 8 – Detailing of reinforcement and prestressing tendons - General
• Section 9 – Detailing of members and particular rules
• Section 10 – Additional rules for precast concrete elements and structures
• Section 12 – Plain and lightly reinforced concretes

For the propose of this document, Section 8, 9 and 12 are the most relevant and it will be assumed all
guidelines presented in the remaining sections are fulfilled.

In the following section, the guidelines for proper detailing of each element type will be presented followed
by the proposal of a framework for properly define how a panel should be detailed.

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1.2 List of Relevant Design Codes
All the following design codes should be taken into consideration when design a precast building,
EN 1990:2002 • Eurocode 0: Basis of structural design

EN 1991-1-1:2002 • Eurocode 1: Actions on structures

EN 1991-1-6:2002 • Eurocode 1: General Actions – Part 1-6 – Actions during construction

EN 1991-1-7:2002 • Eurocode 1: General Actions – Part 1-7 – Accidental Actions

EN 1991-1-4:2006 • Eurocode 1: General actions – Part 1-4 Wind actions

EN 1992-1-1:2004 • Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures – Part 1-1: General rules and rules for
buildings

EN 1992-1-2:2004 • Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures – Part 1-2: General rules – Structural fire
design
EN 1992-3:2006 • Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures – Part 3: Liquid retaining and
containment structures

PD 6687-1:2010 • Background paper to the National Annexes to BS EN 1992-1 and BS EN 1992-3

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2 Walls Detailing – Section 9.6 of the EN 1992-1-1

This clause refers to reinforced concrete walls with a length to thickness ratio of 4 or more and in which the
reinforcement is taken into account in the strength analysis. The amount and proper detailing of
reinforcement may be derived from a strut-and-tie model (see section 6.5).

For walls subjected predominantly to out-of-plane bending the rules for slabs apply (see section 9.3).

2.1 Vertical Reinforcement – Section 9.6.2

The area of the vertical reinforcement should lie between 𝐴𝑠,𝑣𝑚𝑖𝑛 and 𝐴𝑠,𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥 . These values may be defined
in a National Annex of a country by the recomanded values are,

𝐴𝑠,𝑣𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0.002 × 𝐴𝑐

𝐴𝑠,𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.040 × 𝐴𝑐

Where the minimum area of reinforcement, 𝐴𝑠,𝑣𝑚𝑖𝑛 , controls in design, half of this area should be located at
each face. The distance between two adjacent vertical bars shall not exceed 3 times the wall thickness or
400mm whichever is the lesser.

2.2 Horizontal Reinforcement – Section 9.6.3

Horizontal reinforcement running parallel to the faces of the wall (and to the free edges) should be provided
at each surface. It should not be less than 𝐴𝑠,ℎ𝑚𝑖𝑛 . The value of 𝐴𝑠,ℎ𝑚𝑖𝑛 . for use in a Country may be found in
its National Annex. The recommended value is either 25% of the vertical reinforcement or 0,001 𝐴𝑐 ,
whichever is greater.

2.3 Transverse Reinforcement – Section 9.6.4

In any part of a wall where the total area of the vertical reinforcement in the two faces exceeds 0,02 𝐴𝑐 ,
transverse reinforcement in the form of links should be provided in accordance with the requirements for
columns (see section 9.5.3). The large dimension referred to in 9.5.3 (4) (i) need not be taken greater than 4
times the thickness of wall.

Where the main reinforcement is placed nearest to the wall faces, transverse reinforcement should also be
provided in the form of links with at least of 4 per m² of wall area. However, where welded wire mesh and
bars with a diameter φ ≤ 16mm with a cover larger than 2φ is used, transverse reinforcement needs not to
be provided.

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2.4 Summary of Minimum Reinforcement
In the following table, a summary of the minimum reinforcement for different types of pannels thickness is
presented,

Table 1 - Minimum Vertical Reinforcement in a Wall

Wall Thickness 𝐀𝐬,𝐯𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐬,𝐯𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐱 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐬,𝐡𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐬,𝐡𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐬,𝐯𝐦𝐚𝐱
100 200 mm²/m 100 mm²/m 300 mm 100 mm²/m 50 mm²/m 4000 mm²/m
125 250 mm²/m 125 mm²/m 375 mm 125 mm²/m 63 mm²/m 5000 mm²/m
150 300 mm²/m 150 mm²/m 400 mm 150 mm²/m 75 mm²/m 6000 mm²/m
175 350 mm²/m 175 mm²/m 400 mm 175 mm²/m 88 mm²/m 7000 mm²/m
200 400 mm²/m 200 mm²/m 400 mm 200 mm²/m 100 mm²/m 8000 mm²/m
225 450 mm²/m 225 mm²/m 400 mm 225 mm²/m 112.5 mm²/m 9000 mm²/m
250 500 mm²/m 250 mm²/m 400 mm 250 mm²/m 125 mm²/m 10000 mm²/m

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3 Deep Beams Detailing – Section 9.7 of the EN 1992-1-1

This clause refers to zones in reinforced concrete walls where, due to an opening or other reasons, have a
span which is 3 times smaller than the depth of the upper section of concrete.

3.1 Vertical and Horizontal Reinforcement – Section 9.7.1

Deep beams should normaly be provided with an orthogonal reinforcement meash near each face, with a
minimum of 𝐴𝑠,𝑑𝑏𝑚𝑖𝑛 . The recomendend value is 0,001 𝐴𝑐 but not less than 150mm²/m in each face and each
direction. Howver, the Ireland and United Kingdon national anenx required a minimum of 0,002 𝐴𝑐

The distance between two adjacent bars of the mesh should not exceed the of twice the deep beam thickness
or 300mm.

Reinforcement, corresponing to the ties considering in the design model, should be fully anchored for
equilibrium in the node, see 6.5.4, by bending the bars, by using U-hoops or by anchorage devices, unless
sufficient length is availabe between the node and the end of the beam permitting an anchorage length of
𝑙𝑏𝑑 .

3.2 Summary of Minimum Reinforcement

In the following table, a summary of the minimum reinforcement for different types of pannels thickness is
presented,

Table 2 - Minimum Vertical Reinforcement in a Deep Beam

Wall Thickness 𝐀𝐬,𝐯𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐬,𝐯𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐱 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐡,𝐯𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐡,𝐯𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐬,𝐯𝐦𝐚𝐱
100 200 mm²/m 150 mm²/m 200 mm 100 mm²/m 150 mm²/m 4000 mm²/m
125 250 mm²/m 150 mm²/m 250 mm 125 mm²/m 150 mm²/m 5000 mm²/m
150 300 mm²/m 150 mm²/m 300 mm 150 mm²/m 150 mm²/m 6000 mm²/m
175 350 mm²/m 175 mm²/m 300 mm 175 mm²/m 150 mm²/m 7000 mm²/m
200 400 mm²/m 200 mm²/m 300 mm 200 mm²/m 150 mm²/m 8000 mm²/m
225 450 mm²/m 225 mm²/m 300 mm 225 mm²/m 150 mm²/m 9000 mm²/m
250 500 mm²/m 250 mm²/m 300 mm 250 mm²/m 150 mm²/m 10000 mm²/m

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4 Columns Detailing – Section 9.5 of the EN 1992-1-1

This clause deals with columns for which the larger dimensions is not graeter than 4 times the smaller
dimensions.

4.1 Longitudinal Reinforcement – Section 9.5.2

Longitudinal bars should have a diameter of not less than φmin. According to the Ireland and United Kingdom
national annex, this value is 12mm. The total amount of longitudinal reinforcement should not be less than
𝐴𝑠,𝑚𝑖𝑛 . The recommended value is,

0.10×𝑁𝐸𝑑
𝐴𝑠,𝑚𝑖𝑛 = or 0.002 × 𝐴𝑐 whictever is the greatest
𝑓𝑦𝑑

The area of longitudinal reinforcement should not exceed 𝐴𝑠,𝑚𝑎𝑥 . The recommended value is 0.04 × 𝐴𝑐
outside lap locations unless it can be shown that the integrity of concrete is not affected, and that the full
strength is achieved at ULS. This limit should be increased to 0.08 × 𝐴𝑐 at laps. For columns having a
polygonal cross-section, at least one bar should be placed at each corner. The number of longitudinal bars in
a circular column should not be less than four.

4.2 Transverse Reinforcement – Section 9.5.3

The diameter of the transverse reinforcement (links, loops or helical spiral reinforcement) should not be less
than 6 mm or one quarter of the maximum diameter of the longitudinal bars, whichever is the greater. The
diameter of the wires of welded mesh fabric for transverse reinforcement should not be less than 5 mm. The
transverse reinforcement should be anchored adequately.

The spacing of the transverse reinforcement along the column should not exceed 𝑆𝑐𝑙,𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑥 , the recommended
value is the least of the following three distances,

• 20 times the minimum diameter of the longitudinal bars

• the lesser dimension of the column
• 400 mm

Where the direction of the longitudinal bars changes, (e.g. at changes in column size), the spacing of
transverse reinforcement should be calculated, taking account of the lateral forces involved. These effects
may be ignored if the change of direction is less than or equal to 1 in 12.

Every longitudinal bar or bundle of bars placed in a corner should be held by transverse reinforcement. No
bar within a compression zone should be further than 150 mm from a restrained bar.

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5 Beams Detailing – Section 9.2 of the EN 1992-1-1

This clause refers to zones in reinforced concrete walls where, due to an opening or other reasons, have a
span which is 3 times graeter than the depth of the upper section of concrete.

5.1 Longitudinal Reinforcement – Section 9.2.1

The area of longitudinal tension reinforcement should not be taken as less than 𝐴𝑠,𝑚𝑖𝑛 ,

𝑓𝑐𝑡𝑚
𝐴𝑠,𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 0.26 × × 𝑏𝑡 × 𝑑 but not less than 0.0013 × 𝑏𝑡 × 𝑑
𝑓𝑦𝑘

Sections containing less reinforcement than 𝐴𝑠,𝑚𝑖𝑛 ,should be considered as unreinforced (see Section 12 of
the EN 1992-1-1).

The cross-sectional area of tension or compression reinforcement should not exceed 𝐴𝑠,𝑚𝑎𝑥 outside lap
locations. The recommended value is 0.04 × 𝐴𝑐 .

5.2 Shear Reinforcement – Section 9.2.2

The shear reinforcement should form an angle α of between 45° and 90° to the longitudinal axis of the
structural element. The shear reinforcement may consist of a combination of:

• links enclosing the longitudinal tension reinforcement and the compression zone;
• bent-up bars;
• cages, ladders, etc. which are cast in without enclosing the longitudinal reinforcement but are
properly anchored in the compression and tension zones.

Links should be effectively anchored. A lap joint on the leg near the surface of the web is permitted provided
that the link is not required to resist torsion. At least 50% of the necessary shear reinforcement should be in
the form of links.

The maximum longitudinal spacing between shear assemblies should not exceed 𝑆𝑙,𝑚𝑎𝑥 . The recommended
value is 0.75 × 𝑑 × (1.0 + cot 𝛼) where α is the inclination of the shear reinforcement to the longitudinal
axis of the beam.

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6 Reinforcement Detailing Flowchart

The reinforcement detail to be used should be based on the panel intended behaviour.

The panel has an high structural

significance or is load bearing?
Does the panel support a horizontal
element such as slab or a beam?

YES NO
Is the panel a Secondary
member with openings?
Does the wall have
significant openings? Is the panel located in the
facade and subjected to
wind loads?

YES NO YES NO
Starter bars should
be placed with a
Starter bars should
distance not greater A minimum
Starter bars should be placed with a
than the required by ammount of starter
be placed as closely distance not greater
the tie system or in bars should be used
as possible to the than the minimum
case of a shear wall, to ensure panel
opening's edges required for stability
not more than the stability
checks
required by the
design

If the vertical ducts

Panel should be
are located at the
reinforced with
location that could Panel should be
The reinforcement fibres or a minimum
be considered a reinforced without
should be mostly amount of mesh
column, the panel taking into account
mesh, defined based without taking into
should be detailed the minimum
on panel thickness account the
has a column requirements
minimum
without the need for
requirements
links in the duct

The vertical ducts Special attention

If the panel stability
should have links should be provided
Locations that are can be ensured with
connecting all the for the lifting
not considered a only edge
bars and continuity requirements of
column should be reinforcement and
should be provided. these elements and
detailed using mesh starter bars, the
This can be done by all the necessary
based on the panel remaining area can
the bars connecting reinforcement of the
thickness be either filled with
the links or by the lifters should be
mesh or fibres
mesh in the panel added

Special attention
If the zones above
should be provided
the openings could
for the lifting
be considered a
requirements of
beam, the panel at
these elements and
that location should
all the necessary
be detailed taking
reinforcement of the
those rules into
lifters should be
account
added

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7 Typical 200mm Load Bearing Panel Detailing

7.1 Minimum anchorage length

Generally, a concrete grade of C40/50 is used in all precast panels. In this situation, the following anchorage
lengths are recommended. In the case of lap lengths, these values should be increased by 50%.

Table 3 – Recommended anchorage length

Anchorage Length (mm) Lap Length (mm)

Bar Diameter Basic Anchorage Length
Recommended Recommended
6 177 200 300
8 236 250 400
10 295 300 450
12 354 400 550
16 472 500 750
20 590 600 900
25 738 750 1150
32 944 1000 1450

7.2 Vertical Ties / Dowels Detailing

All the vertical ties provided should be continuous from the lowest to the highest level. Usually this is achieved
by lapping the dowel with 4 additional bars. These bars are typically connected by links to provide additional
confinement to the concrete thus increasing the shear capacity. Some of the usual conditions where vertical
ties are located are presented below with the respective reinforcement detail,

• Vertical tie or dowel located in a column does not require extra links and continuity is provided by
the bars in the column

• Typicall vertical tie or dowel requires 4B10 or 4B12 if the dowel has a diameter of 20mm or 25mm
respectively. Links should be used to connect the 4 extra bars.

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7.3 Minimum Reinforcement
As shown in previous sections, the minimum reinforcement in a panel with a thickness of 200mm should be
200 mm²/m and the bars should have a maximum spacing of 400mm. In the case of deep beams, the
spacing should be reduced to 300mm. These requirements can be achieved in two different manner,

• A142 Mesh with at least one duct every 1000mm with 2 additional B10 per face. This provides a total
of 298mm²/m area of reinforcement per meter.

• A142 Mesh with at least one extra B10 vertical bar every 1000mm. This provides a total of
219mm²/m area of reinforcement per meter.

• A252 Mesh which provides a total of 251mm²/m area of reinforcement per meter.

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7.4 Lifting Reinforcement for 7.5 Ton Capstan
The typical panel will be lifted Capstans such as the T Slot Anchors by Terwa or similar. The T Slot Anchor are
forged from round steel S355J2 and are designed to a load force in the range of 13kN to 320kN. In the same
load group, anchor are available with different lengths. Longer anchor are installed for reduced edge spacing
or for low concrete grades. The load on the anchor is transmitted to the concrete through the anchor foot.

Based on Terwa technical documentation, the following arrangement should be made to allow the proper
use of the Capstan lifters.

• 6B10 links on an area equal to 2.5 times the length of the anchor (1350mm). Two of those links
should be installed as close as possible to the recess former and should have a length of 1290mm.
• The lifter should be located at a distance greater than 945mm of the edge of the panel.
• The edge reinforcement should be at least 2B12 B500B.
• There is no need for angled lift reinforcement when the angle does not exceed 30°

Excerpts from pages 13 to 16 of Terwa Technical Documentation 3D T-Slot Anchor System are presented
below.

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7.5 Panel Type 1

Notes:

• As an alternative, the columns could have the full height of the panel.
• The vertical bars in the column should not be spaced more than 300mm and extra internal links
may be required.
• The deep beam could be detailed has a beam if required.

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7.6 Panel Type 2

Notes:

• The mesh should lap between each other at least 300mm if using A141 or 400mm is using A252.
• The beam should have closed links and not U-bars.

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7.7 Panel Type 3

Notes:

• As an alternative, the columns could have the full height of the panel.
• The vertical bars in the column should not be spaced more than 300mm and extra internal links
may be required.
• The deep beam could be detailed has a beam if required.

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7.8 Panel Type 4

Notes:

• The deep beam could be detailed has a beam if required.

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7.9 Panel Type 5

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7.10 Panel Type 6

Notes:

• As an alternative, the columns could have the full height of the panel.
• The vertical bars in the column should not be spaced more than 300mm and extra internal links
may be required.
• The deep beam could be detailed has a beam if required.

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8 Structural Solution Basis
In this section, a brief explanation of the pre-cast structural behaviour will be presented for properly
understanding the design requirements.

8.1 Structural Stability and Load Transfer Mechanisms

In constructions with more than three floors, horizontal displacements may be excessive, and additional
bracing systems must be employed. The usual practice is to check the stability function of elevators shafts,
stairwells or internal walls (from now on referred to as shear walls) and interconnect the rest of the structure
through diaphragm action of the floor slabs and roof, becoming a rigid set.

With the adoption of this structural scheme, all the horizontal loads will be transfer via diaphragm action
from the slab to the relevant shear walls which must be capable of resisting said loads. The feasibility of the
system is highly dependent of the adoption of proper load transfer mechanism between elements, i.e.,
connections, which will be presented in the following section.

8.2 Structural Connections

Effective design and construction are achieved through the use of suitable connections to cater for all service,
environmental and ultimate load conditions. The structural systems are composed of precast concrete
elements that are joined together in a mechanical way, for example using bolts, welds, reinforcing steel, grout
and concrete in the joints. However, connecting the elements together is not just a question of fixing the
elements to each other, but it is to ensure the structural integrity of the whole structure.

In the completed building the structural connections will form an essential part of the structural system,
capable of transferring forces between the precast elements, thus enabling the intended structural
interaction when the system is loaded.

8.3 Structural Integrity and Robustness

A building should be designed such that neither the building nor a significant part of it will collapse if localized
failure were sustained. The recommended strategies for achieving an acceptable level of robustness, typically
depend on the consequence class of the building. According to Annex A of the EN 1997-1-7, the relevant
consequence class and respective strategies are as follows,

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 • Consequence Class 1
o Provided a building has been designed and constructed in accordance with the rules given
in relevant standards for stability in normal use, no further specific consideration is
necessary with regard to accidental actions from unidentified causes.
• Consequence Class 2a
o In addition to the recommended strategies for Consequence Class 1, the provision of
effective horizontal ties, or effective anchorage of suspended floor to walls, should be
provided as defined in section A.5.2 of the EN 1997-1-7.
• Consequence Class 2b
o In addition to the recommended strategies for consequence Class 1, the provision of:
▪ Horizontal ties, as defined in A.5.2, together with vertical ties, as defined in A.6,
in all supporting wall should be provided, or alternatively:
▪ The building should be checked to ensure that upon the notional removal of any
nominal section of load-bearing wall as defined in A.7 (one at a time in each storey
of the building), the building remains stable and that any local damage does not
exceed a certain limit. Where the notional removal of each section of wall results
in an extent of damage, then such element should be designed as a “key element”.

For this building, the adoption of ties for all elements will be adopted, and most of the panels will
be design as “key elements”, thus providing a safe and conservative solution.

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8.4 Tying System
Structural integrity and interaction between elements can be obtained using wall ties as described in the
current standards such as EN 1992-1-1 and EN1991-1-7. The main goal is to achieve a certain minimum of
structural integrity, capable of guaranteeing enough safety in case of an accidental situation.

In the event of an accidental loading, a notional tie force must be capable of being activated at every location
of the structure. Since the severity and possible locations of the loads are unknown, a “indirect” method
prescribed in the standard was chosen. The design of each tie is presented in the following sections.

8.4.1 Peripheral Ties

At each floor and roof level, an effectively continuous peripheral tie should be provided, capable of resisting
the maximum tensile force resulting of the following expressions recommended by BS EN 1991-1-7 and
National Annex of the EN 1992-1-1,

• Ftie,per = 20 + 4 × n𝑠 ≤ 60 kN⁄𝑚

Where:

• 𝑛𝑠 = number of storeys

8.4.2 Internal Ties

The ties should be at each floor and roof level in two directions, approximately at right angles. They should
be effectively continuous throughout their length and should be anchored to the peripheral ties each end.
The may, in whole or in part, be spread evenly in slabs or may be grouped at or in beams, walls or other
appropriate positions. In each direction, the ties should be capable of resisting the maximum tensile force
resulting of the following expressions recommended by BS EN 1991-1-7 and National Annex of the EN 1992-
1-1,

Ftie (𝑔𝑘 +𝛹𝑞𝑘 ) 𝑙𝑟

• Ftie,int = ×
7,5 5,0

Where:

• Ftie = 20 + 4 × n𝑠 ≤ 60 kN⁄𝑚
• 𝑙𝑟 is greater of the distance (in m) between centres of the walls supporting any two adjacent floor
spans in the direction of the tie under consideration.
• 𝑔𝑘 + 𝛹𝑞𝑘 are the average permanent and variable floor actions under the quasi-permanent action
2
in kN⁄𝑚

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8.4.3 Horizontal Wall Ties
Vertical elements at the edge and corner of the structure should be tied to each floor and roof. The should
be able to resist,

𝑙𝑠 × Ftie
Ftie,fac = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 {𝑚𝑖𝑛 (2 × Ftie ; ) ; 0.03 × 𝑁𝐸𝑑 }
2.5

Where,

• Ftie = 20 + 4 × n𝑠 ≤ 60 kN⁄𝑚
• 𝑙𝑠 is the distance between the floor and the ceiling in metres

Tying ox external walls is required only if the peripheral tie is not located within the wall.

8.4.4 Vertical Ties

Each column or vertical wall carrying vertical load should be tied continuously from the lowest to
the highest level, usually in buildings with 5 or more storeys. For load-bearing construction, the vertical ties
may be considered effective if:

• The clear height of the wall (𝐻), measured between faces of floors or roof, does not exceed
20𝑡, where 𝑡 is the thickness of the wall.
34×𝐴 𝐻 2
• If they are designed to sustain a vertical tie force of 𝑇 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥 { × ( ) 𝑁, 100 𝑘𝑁/𝑚}
8000 𝑡

2
where 𝐴 is the cross-sectional area in 𝑚𝑚 of the wall.
• The vertical ties are grouped at 5m maximum centres along the wall and occur no greater
than 2.5m from an unrestrained end of wall.

8.5 Key Elements

In accordance with section A.8 of EN 1997-1-7, a “key element” should be able to sustain an
accidental design action of 34.0 𝑘𝑁/𝑚2 applied in horizontal and vertical directions (in one direction at a
time) to the member, and any attached components having regard to the ultimate strength of such
component and their connections.

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8.6 Typical dowel capacities under accidental combinations
In a structure subject to shear loading, the various mechanism (i.e. adhesive bonding, mechanical
interlocking, shear friction and dowel action) interact, thereby affecting each other as a function of the shear
slip. The ultimate resistance of an interface subject to shear forces, can be approached by superposition of
the single mechanisms of adhesion and mechanical interlocking, shear-friction and dowel action. As these
mechanisms interact with each other and reach their maxima at different shear slips, it is not possible to add
them all together with their maximum values. Depending on bond strength, roughness of the interface and
degree of reinforcement, either adhesive bonding/mechanical interlocking, shear friction or dowel action will
dominate the overall loadbearing behaviour. In general, two situations can be distinguished:

• strong adhesive bonding - “rigid” bond-slip behaviour: adhesive bonding is the main
contributing mechanism to shear resistance
• weak adhesive bonding - “non-rigid” bond–slip behaviour: shear-friction and dowel action
are the main contributing mechanisms to shear resistance

In order to determine the ultimate shear stress at the interface resulting from the different single
mechanisms, the following simplified approached can be used, as recommended by the fib Model Code for
Concrete Structures 2010:

In a conservative manner, the design of the fixings used in this job was made neglecting the
adhesion/interlock and shear friction components, assuming a “non-rigid” bond-slip behaviour with only
dowel action as a shear resistance mechanism. Furthermore, the recommendations of fib bulletin 43 will be
used since they provide more conservative results,

𝑘 𝑓𝑐𝑐 𝑒 2 𝑓𝑐𝑐 𝑒
𝐹𝑣𝑅 = √ . 𝜙 2 . √𝑓𝑐𝑐 . 𝑓𝑦 . [√1 + 3𝑘 − √3𝑘√ ]
3 𝑓𝑦 𝜙 2 𝑓𝑦 𝜙

In addition, to take into consideration the influence of the distance to free edges in a concrete element
without edge reinforcement, the recommendation of the fib bulletin 43 should also be used. The influence
of the free edge distance is presented in the following image.

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8.6.1 B25 Dowel Capacity

Dowel and Concrete Properties:

# dowels 1 Number of dowels carrying applied shear force
e 0 mm Joint gap between sections connected by dowel
f 25 mm Diameter of dowel
fyk 500 N/mm2 Characteristic yield strength of dowels

γs 1.00 Partial factor for dowels

fyd 500 N/mm2 Design yield strength of dowels

fck 40 N/mm2 Characteristic compressive strength of concrete (cylinder strength)

αcc 0,85 Compressive strength factor

γc 1.20 Partial factor for concrete (for ULS)

fcd 22,7 N/mm2 Characteristic compressive strength of concrete (cylinder strength)

k 3,0
Dowel Capacity in Accidental Combination:
FvRd 74 kN Design shear capacity of dowel

8.6.2 B20 Dowel Capacity

Dowel and Concrete Properties:
# dowels 1 Number of dowels carrying applied shear force
e 0 mm Joint gap between sections connected by dowel
f 20 mm Diameter of dowel
fyk 500 N/mm2 Characteristic yield strength of dowels

γs 1.00 Partial factor for dowels

fyd 500 N/mm2 Design yield strength of dowels

fck 40 N/mm2 Characteristic compressive strength of concrete (cylinder strength)

αcc 0,85 Compressive strength factor

γc 1.20 Partial factor for concrete (for ULS)

fcd 22,7 N/mm2 Characteristic compressive strength of concrete (cylinder strength)

k 3,0
Dowel Capacity in Accidental Combination:
FvRd 48 kN Design shear capacity of dowel

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8.7 Typical Tie Force and Detail
As presented previously, expected horizontal force in the edge elements will depend on the number of
floors and the panel height. In the following table the expected horizontal forces to be withstand by the tie
system are presented.

Number Peripheral Tie Panel Height in Meters and Horizontal Tie Force (kN/m)
of Floors Force (kN/m)
2.5m 3.0m 3.5m 4.0m 4.5m 5.0m
1 24 24 29 34 38 43 48
2 28 28 34 39 45 50 56
3 32 32 38 45 51 58 64
4 36 36 43 50 58 65 72
5 40 40 48 56 64 72 80
6 44 44 53 62 70 79 88
7 48 48 58 67 77 86 96
8 52 52 62 73 83 94 104
9 56 56 67 78 90 101 112
10 60 60 72 84 96 108 120

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Assuming B25 dowels will be used, the maximum permitted spacing between dowels is,

74 𝑘𝑁
𝑀𝑎𝑥 𝑆𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 =
𝐹𝑡𝑖𝑒

Number Peripheral Tie Panel Height in Meters and Maximum Dowel Spacing (m)
of Floors Force (kN/m) 2.5m 3.0m 3.5m 4.0m 4.5m 5.0m
1 24 3.000 2.500 2.200 1.900 1.700 1.500
2 28 2.600 2.200 1.800 1.600 1.400 1.300
3 32 2.300 1.900 1.600 1.400 1.200 1.100
4 36 2.000 1.700 1.400 1.200 1.100 1.000
5 40 1.800 1.500 1.300 1.100 1.000 0.900
6 44 1.600 1.400 1.200 1.000 0.900 0.800
7 48 1.500 1.200 1.100 0.900 0.800 0.700
8 52 1.400 1.100 1.000 0.800 0.700 0.700
9 56 1.300 1.100 0.900 0.800 0.700 0.600
10 60 1.200 1.000 0.800 0.700 0.600 0.600

Assuming B20 dowels will be used, the maximum permitted spacing between dowels is,

48 𝑘𝑁
𝑀𝑎𝑥 𝑆𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 =
𝐹𝑡𝑖𝑒

Number Peripheral Tie Panel Height in Meters and Maximum Dowel Spacing (m)
of Floors Force (kN/m) 2.5m 3.0m 3.5m 4.0m 4.5m 5.0m
1 24 2.000 1.600 1.400 1.200 1.100 1.000
2 28 1.700 1.400 1.200 1.000 0.900 0.800
3 32 1.500 1.200 1.000 0.900 0.800 0.700
4 36 1.300 1.100 0.900 0.800 0.700 0.600
5 40 1.200 1.000 0.800 0.700 0.600 0.600
6 44 1.000 0.900 0.700 0.600 0.600 0.500
7 48 1.000 0.800 0.700 0.600 0.500 0.500
8 52 0.900 0.700 0.600 0.500 0.500 0.400
9 56 0.800 0.700 0.600 0.500 0.400 0.400
10 60 0.800 0.600 0.500 0.500 0.400 0.400

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The recommended detail is,

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8.8 Typical Vertical Connectors Between Solid Walls

8.8.1 Calculation Basis

According to the Report of PVL wire connection loop resistances and calculations methods by Peikko Group
OY, chapter 6.25 of the EN 1992-1-1:2004 is used as calculation basis of their wire box capacity,

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Note that the capacity assumes that there is no compressive force in at the joint. In reality there will always
be some compression in vertical joints together with shear force. However, it is difficult to define its value.

The static model of a wire connection loop can be seen in the following image. When a shear force appears,
the wire bar will act as a tensile tie while the concrete will work has a diagonal strut under compression. For
this reason, higher concrete grades allow for higher capacity.

The same principle can be used to determine the shear capacity in the other direction. In this case, shear
capacity depends on the geometry of the joint and should be determined for every shape separately.

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Has for the tensile capacity, this is mostly based on tests performed with the following arrangement,

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8.8.2 Where Not to Use
Supporting Lintel Type Panel

Wireloops should not be the only load transfer connection in a panel surface direction. Shear dowels are
needed for that.

Wireloops vertical joints should not be the only load transfer connection in wall panels subjected to wind
loads. Shear dowels at the top and bottom should be used.

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Wireloops joints are steel-concrete-steel joints, which means that they are only rigid in the load area where
concrete deformation is not exceeded.

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8.8.3 Typical Vertical Connectors Capacity

PCT Connection boxes are generally used has connections between the panels. The capacity of system
is presented in the following images

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| 39
8.9 Typical 200mm Panel Capacity
Assuming a panel with A142+B10@1000, with a cover of 30mm and a concrete grade of C40/50, the
maximum axial load at the ULS is presented in the following table. Note that these values should be checked
in each different job.

Maximum Axial
Panel Height (mm) Load at ULS
(kN/m)
1000 4500
1500 4300
2000 4000
2500 3600
3000 2900
3500 2000
4000 1500
4500 1100
5000 600
5500 400
6000 300
6500 200
7000 150
7500 100
8000 0

Corresponding 5000 kN/m

Axial Load at Panel
Bending Capacity
(kN/m)
(kN.m/m) 4500 kN/m
4500 20
4300 37 4000 kN/m

4000 60
3500 kN/m
3600 85
2900 113 3000 kN/m

2000 122
2500 kN/m
1500 112
1100 95 2000 kN/m

600 65
1500 kN/m
400 50
300 43 1000 kN/m
200 35
150 31 500 kN/m

100 27
0 kN/m
0 18 0 kN.m/m 20 kN.m/m 40 kN.m/m 60 kN.m/m 80 kN.m/m 100 kN.m/m 120 kN.m/m 140 kN.m/m

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8.10 Design Working Life Requirements
According to IS EN 1990, a building structure and other common structures should be design for an indicative
design working life category of 50 years (Table 2.1 of the EN 1990). This classification corresponds to a design
working life category 4. In order to achieve the required design working life of the structure, adequate
measure shall be taken to protect each structural element against the relevant environmental action.
According to table 4.1 of the EN 1992-1-1 and (in accordance with EN 206-1), the following exposure
conditions are generally identified:

XC1 – Dry or permanently wet • Concrete inside building with low air humidity or concrete
permanently submerged in water

XC3 – Moderate humidity • Concrete inside buildings with moderate/high air humidity or external
concrete sheltered from rain
XC4 – Cyclic wet and Dry • Concrete surfaces subject to water-contact, not within exposure class
XC2

A verification method based on the provision of adequate concrete cover as described in section 4.4.1 of the
EN 1992-1-1 will be used. The concrete cover is the distance between the surface of the reinforcement closest
to the nearest concrete surface (including links and stirrups and surface reinforcement where relevant) and
the nearest concrete surface. The nominal concrete cover is given by equation 4.1,

𝐜𝐧𝐨𝐦 = 𝐜𝐦𝐢𝐧 + ∆𝐂𝐝𝐞𝐯

Where ∆𝐂𝐝𝐞𝐯 = 𝟓𝒎𝒎 and 𝐜𝐦𝐢𝐧 should be obtained by Table 4.4N of the EN 1992-1-1 assuming a structural
class of S2 (reduced from S4 due to concrete grade, special quality control and member with slab geometry)
or by Table A.4 of the EN 206-1. Usually the cover in a panel should be 25mm.

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9 Fire Requirements

9.1 Basis of Fire Design

Adequate fire resistance of load-bearing reinforced concrete walls may be assumed if the data given in Table
5.4 of EN 1992-1-2:2004 is applied (see the next figure). The values presented in the referred table are only
applicable if the ratio between the wall clear height to wall thickness does not exceed 40, to avoid excessive
thermal deformation and subsequent failure of integrity between wall and slab. The minimum required fire
resistance is REI90.

To determine the minimum necessary requirements, the 𝜇𝑓𝑖 must first be defined. According to section
5.3.32(3), 𝜇𝑓𝑖 represent the degree of utilization in the fire situation. This accounts for the load combinations,
compressive strength of the element and bending including second order effects. It can be obtained by
expression 5.6 of the same standard:

𝜇𝑓𝑖 = 𝑁𝐸𝑑,𝑓𝑖 ⁄𝑁𝑅𝑑 (5.6)

𝑁𝐸𝑑,𝑓𝑖 is the design axial load in the fire situation and 𝑁𝑅𝑑 is the design resistance of the column at a normal
temperature condition. 𝑁𝑅𝑑 is calculated according to EN 1992-1-1 with 𝛾𝑚 for normal temperature design,
including second order effects and an initial eccentricity equal to the eccentricity of 𝑁𝐸𝑑,𝑓𝑖 .

As described in section 2.4.1 and 2.4.2, the design effect of actions for the fire situation including effects of
thermal expansion and deformations ( 𝐸𝑑,𝑓𝑖 ), can be obtained by multiplying the design value of the
corresponding force or moment of a fundamental combination in a normal temperature design (𝐸𝑑 ) by a
reduction factor 𝜂𝑓𝑖 . The reduction factor for a fundamental load combination should be taken as,

𝐺𝑘 +𝛹𝑓𝑖 𝑄𝑘,1
𝜂𝑓𝑖 = (2.5)
𝛾𝐺 𝐺𝑘 +𝛾𝑄,1 𝑄𝑘,1

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Where,

• 𝑄𝑘,1 is the principal variable load.

• 𝐺𝑘 is the characteristic value of a permanent action.
• 𝛾𝐺 is the partial factor for permanent action.
• 𝛾𝑄,1 is partial factor for variable action 1.
• 𝛹𝑓𝑖 is the combination factor for frequent or quasi-permanent values given either by 𝛹1,1 or 𝛹2,1 as
described in EN 1991-1-2.

As a simplified alternative, the recommended value of 𝜂𝑓𝑖 = 0.70 may be used, as described in 2.4.2(3) Note
2. With this information, the equation 5.6 can now be rewritten as,

𝜇𝑓𝑖 = 𝑁𝐸𝑑,𝑓𝑖 ⁄𝑁𝑅𝑑 → 𝜇𝑓𝑖 = (𝑁𝐸𝑑 × 𝜂𝑓𝑖 )⁄𝑁𝑅𝑑

Where,

• 𝑁𝐸𝑑 represents the design value of the corresponding force or moment of a fundamental
combination in a normal temperature design.

9.2 Alternative Fire Design

It is also possible based on equation 5.7 of the EN 1992-1-2 determine the actual fire resistance of the walls.

𝑅𝜂𝑓𝑖 +𝑅𝑎 +𝑅𝑙 +𝑅𝑏 +𝑅𝑛 1.8

𝑅 = 120 ( ) (5.7)
120

Where,

(1+𝜔)
• 𝑅𝜂𝑓𝑖 = 83 [1.00 − 𝜇𝑓𝑖 (0.85⁄ ]
𝛼𝑐𝑐 )+𝜔

• 𝑅𝑎 = 1.60 (𝑎 − 30)
• 𝑅𝑙 = 9.60 (5 − 𝑙0,𝑓𝑖 )
• 𝑅𝑏 = 0.09𝑏′
• 𝑅𝑛 = 0 when there are only corner bars or 𝑅𝑛 = 12 when there are more
• 𝑎 is the axis distance to the longitudinal steel (mm); 25 𝑚𝑚 ≤ 𝑎 ≤ 80𝑚𝑚
• 𝑙0,𝑓𝑖 is the effective length of the column under fire conditions. According to 5.3.2(2) Note 2, in
braced structures, the effective length of elements in intermediate floors may be taken as 0.50𝑙
• 𝑏 ′ = 2 × 𝐴𝑐 ⁄(𝑏 + ℎ) for rectangular cross sections. 200𝑚𝑚 ≤ 𝑏 ′ ≤ 450𝑚𝑚 and ℎ ≤ 1.5𝑏 (note:
for walls, the h value will always be assumed as 1000m)
𝐴𝑠 ×𝑓𝑦𝑑
• 𝜔= and denotes the mechanical reinforcement ratio at normal temperature conditions
𝐴𝑐 ×𝑓𝑐𝑑

Additionally, if the reduction factor 𝜂𝑓𝑖 is used instead of 𝜇𝑓𝑖 , it is assumed that the element is fully loaded at
normal temperature design as described in 5.3.2(3) Note 1. This is a safe simplification and as long as the
element is properly design in normal temperature, safety can be assured in the fire situation. Based on this
principle, the previous table was updated using the 𝜂𝑓𝑖 factor,

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9.3 Relation between ultimate limit state and fire design

9.3.1 Full capacity at Ultimate Limit State

Assuming the walls as fully loaded at the ultimate limit state (acting force equal to element capacity),
equation 5.6 can be rewritten as,

𝜇𝑓𝑖 = (𝑁𝑅𝑑 × 0.70)⁄𝑁𝑅𝑑 → 𝜇𝑓𝑖 = 0.70

Which means that, if the walls are properly design at the ultimate state, the thickness of the walls does not
need to exceed 170mm and the reinforcement axis distance does not need to exceed 25mm to ensure proper
fire capacity, assuming the walls is exposed in both sides (conservative approach).

9.3.2 Half capacity at Ultimate Limit State

If at the ultimate limit state, the acting force is half the element capacity, the following results are obtained,

𝜇𝑓𝑖 = ((𝑁𝑅𝑑 × 0.50) × 0.70)⁄𝑁𝑅𝑑 → 𝜇𝑓𝑖 = 0.35

Which means that, if the walls are designed for 50% capacity at the ultimate state, the thickness of the walls
does not need to exceed 140mm and the reinforcement axis distance does not need to exceed 10mm to
ensure proper fire capacity, assuming the walls is exposed in both sides (conservative approach).

9.4 Fire Design Conclusion

Based on the results presented throughout this document, as long as the walls are properly designed at
the ultimate limit state, all the walls fulfil the fire requirements.

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10 Treatment and Cause of Imperfections

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| 46