Strut and Tie Method - Design Deep Beam

STRUT AND TIE METHOD – Eng.
Anas Dawas
ghassan.anas@yahoo.com
INTRODUCTION
Structural members may be divided into:
a) B-regions (Beam theory)
b) D-regions or discontinuity regions (beam theory
does not apply) :
1) Near holes
2) Abrupt change in cross section
3) Abrupt change in direction
4) Near concentrated loads
5) Near reactions
Saint Venant’s Principle :

 Disturbance dies out by about one member-
depth from the point of the disturbance.
 This help us to select the dimension of D
region
 So that beam theory is not applicable to D
regions due to nonlinear strain.
STRUT AND TIE METHOD – Eng. Anas Dawas
Strut And Tie Models
Strut and Tie Model :

 A strut-and-tie model of a structure is a
valuable tool for the analysis and design of
concrete members especially for regions
where the plane sections assumption of
beam theory does not apply (D-regions) .
 Consists of :
a) Strut (compression member resist
compressive forces)
b) Ties (Tension member resists tension)
c) Nodes (intersection points)
Strut ( concrete or concrete and compression
reinforcement) :
 Can be uniform section , tapered and bottle
shaped
 Transvers tension can occur along strut
 Transverse reinforcement is provided; the
strength of the strut will be governed by
crushing.
Failure mechanism of strut :  Effective strength = crushing strength

 Crushing failure 
 Splitting failure due to cracks 

 Nominal strut strength =
 Ac = cross sectional area at end of strut
 : Equal to 1 for compression zone in beam
or eccentrically loaded column .

crack-control reinforcement
 In mass concrete members such as pile caps

for more than two piles, it may be difficult to
place the crack control reinforcement so use
case “c” in table 23.4.3
Tie (Reinforcement)
 One or several layers of reinforcement in the
same direction.

 The axis of the reinforcement in a tie
coincide with the axis of the tie
 Effective width of tie ( ) = width of
concrete surrounding the tie
 Upper limit of tie width :
 The concrete in a tie does not resist any load

Mechanism of failure for tie :
 Fail due to lack of anchorage
 Reach the point of yielding
Nodes and Nodal Zones :

 Nodes : points at which the forces in struts-
and-ties meet
 Nodal zone : concrete in and surrounding a
node.
 Idealized as pinned joints (moment = 0.0)
 Node (a) is not in equilibrium
Hydrostatic Nodal Zones

 Bearing stress on all sides of this type is the
same
Hypothetical bearing plate

 Imaginary plate , help the designer to
calculate the bearing pressure exerted by the
tie .
 Tie reinforcement must be anchored at
critical section ( point A in figure ) by :
a) Bond
b) Hooks
c) Mechanical anchorage
Geometry of Hydrostatic Nodal Zones
Important note : if the width of strut computed from

strut force is larger from width calculated from
geometric , its necessary to increase
Extended Nodal Zones

 The bars must anchored within the nodal
zone or to the point where the centroid of
reinforcement in the tie leaves the extended
nodal zone .
 This give more distance for anchorage
Strength of Nodal Zones

 Crushing is mode of failure
 where an is the area of the
face that strut or tie act on .

Subdivision of Nodal Zones
 Can be divided many parts
 Each parts carry part of total loads
 Useful in dealing with dead loads
 In the figure , dead load was divided to 4
parts , each one carried by a part of a node .
Anchorage of Ties in Nodal Zones

 Bond
 Hooks
 Mechanical
Other Strut and Tie Elements :
 Compression fan
 Compression field (between fan)
 Represents the behavior of normal beam
EXAMPLE : DESIGN OF D-REGIONS IN A WALL

The 350 mm thickwall shown in the figure supports a 350 x 500 mm column carrying un-factored loads
445 Kn and 734 Kn live load . The wall supports this column and is supported on two other columns
which are 350 x 350 mm . The floor slab (not shown) provide stiffness against out of plane buckling .
Design the wall reinforcement .
Use
1) Isolate the D-regions “saint princible “
a) The wall has two discontinuties
b) Three D-regions at the ends of the
columns (littile effect so not considered)
 Self weight of the wall
= 0.35 x 7.2 x 2.4 x25 = 151KN and assume
that it acts as a uniformly distributed load at
mid hight of the wall
2) Compute factored loads
{ }
Factored dead load = 1.2 (151) =181 Kn
Ultimate load = 1.2 (445) +1.6(734) = 1708 Kn
3) Subdivide the boundaries of the D-regions
and compute the force resultants on
boundaries of the D-regions .
 Ultimate load can be modeled as single node
or double nodes .
 For D2 we assumed that the load spread at
2:1 and the reactions at quarter points of the
wall width .
 For D3 : the load spread to the reaction at
2:1 and strut and tie include self weight load
.
4) Draw the strut and tie model
5) Compute the forces and strut widths in both

strut and tie models .
 Effective strength :
a) Node A ( C-C-C node )
b) Strut AB & AL
Assume bottle shaped strut and
transverse reinforcement will be
provided to prevent splitting failure
Not that node strength is less than strut

strength so nodal strength will control
Column width at A = 500 > 485.5 so its

safe against crushing failure .
We assumed here that nodal strength =
13.4 mpa to be more conservative
c) Node B & L ( C-C-T )
d) Strut BC & LK (prismatic)
14.28 < 17.85 so fce = 14.28 mpa

This width can be fit within b/2
dimension of the wall easily so we are in
safe side .
 Width of tie (BL) at node B
6) Calculate required area of steel for tie B-L
Use hook at ends
7) D3-Regions 8) Required area of steel for tie FG

a) Node F&G are C-C-T
See table 17-2 , all of these elements placed in two layers of

dimensions easily fit within the three bars each one .
dimensions of the wall and supporting
columns
9) Important Notes :
 Centroid of bars at centroid of F-G
 Bars must be hooked
10) Minimum distributed wall reinforcement
( )( )
Area of steel required for one face = 700/2 =

350 mm2
Provide
Analysis by ETABS
Load-Spreading Regions
 The magnitude of the tensile force in the ties
depends on the slope of the load-spreading
struts.
 A strut slope of 2:1 (longitudinal to
transverse), as recommended by the ACI
Codes, is conservative for a wide range of
cases.
LAYOUT OF STRUT-AND-TIE MODELS
These are general guidelines for the choice of
strut and tie model :
a) The strut-and-tie model must be in
equilibrium with the loads. There must be a
clearly laid out load path.
b) The strut-and-tie model for a simply supported
beam with concentrated loads has the same
shape as the bending moment diagram for
loaded beam
c) The strut-and-tie model should represent a
realistic flow of forces from the loads through
the D-region to the reactions
d) Struts can not cross or overlap
e) Ties can cross struts
f) Ties should be located to give a practical
reinforcement layout.
g) Photographs of test are useful to select the
best strut and tie model (crack pattern)
h) The model with the least and shortest ties is
the best .
i) Angle between struts and attached ties
should be never less than 25 ( try to use 40
degree in deep beam)
Model (a) is much better than (b) because more closly

approaches elastic stress trajectories .
DEEP BEAM
Strut and Tie Model for deep beam can faile in one of
the followings :
a) Tie may yield
b) Strut may crush
c) Node may crush
d) Anchorage failure
e) Bearing failure at loads or reactions
Important Note :
 Deep beams should be designed using strut
and tie model not by simple beam theory
 Note that the tensile force from the plastic
truss analogy exceeds that from beam
theory. (match with tests)
 The overall dimensions of the beam must be
such that the entire truss fits within the
beam and has adequate cover.
 Continuous deep beams are very stiff
elements so (differential settlement, columns
supporting , loads envelopes. ) should be
considered when compute shear and
moment .
EXAMPLE : DESIGN SINGLE SPAN DEEP BEAM

Design a deep beam to support an unfactored column load of 1335 KN dead load and 1512 KN live load
from 500 x 500 mm column . The axis of the supporting columns are 1950 mm and 3000 mm from the
axis of the loading column as shown in figure . The supporting column also 500 x 500 mm .
Use 27.5 mpa normal concrete and 414 mpa steel .
1) Select Strut & Tie Model
a) Select shape and flow of forces :
 Assume that portion of column load equal to
the left reaction flows down through strut A-
B to the reaction at A , rest will flow to strut
B-C to reaction at right (next step will be
more clear)
b) Factored load and reactions
Pu = 1.2DL+1.6LL = 1.2(1335)+1.6(1512)
=4021 KN
 Calculate reactions
 Self weight will be added later ( after size of
beam is known )
2) Estimate the size of the beam

Two ways can be used:
a) ( ) √
( )( √ )
( ) mm2
Try beam section = 500 x 2400 mm
b) Select the height to keep the flattest

strut at angle of nearly 40o from tie .
 Assumption for first trial :
 bw x h = 500 x 2700 mm
 lower tie located at 0.05h = 135 mm above
the bottom of beam
 Top nodes located at 0.05h from top of beam
 Self weight =( 5.45x2.70x0.50)x25=184 KN
 For simplification add dead load to the single
load (too small in compared to main load)
 Re – calculate reactions (add 1.2(184))
 Note that strut and tie model similar to
bending moment diagram (not in all cases)
3) Compute effective compression strength

,for nodal zones and struts .
a) Nodal zones
b) Struts
 Assume bottle shaped
 Reinforcement against splitting will be
provided
The effective compression strength of struts

will govern the design so
4) Locate nodes (1st trial)
 Nodal zone at “A” and “C” : assumed at
0.05h
 Nodal zone at “B” :
 assumed at 0.05h
 Subdivided into two subnodes one transmit
2571 KN and other 1671 KN
 for faces of nodal zones
loaded by bottel shaped struts
 for the faces of nodal
zones loaded by columns .
Minimum width of vertical struts “B” = 293+190=483

mm. But column width is 500 mm > 483 mm
IF the column width is not enough , ACI code allows

for us to include the column steel in the
calculation of the strut capacity , or to increase the
column width .
5) Compute the lengths and widths of struts and
ties and draw the first trial strut and tie
model .
a) Geometry and forces for struts and tie.
 Strut A-B1
( )
( )
 Vertical strut at “A”

( )
Check strut width at “A” from geometric
equation :
( )
( ) ( )
mm
477.8 < 493 mm so we should increase lb or
wt to get width > 493 mm
Try lb = 420 mm so ws = 500
See that nodal zone dimensions can be
accommodated by beam .
 Vertical strut at “C”
 Strut B2-C
( )
Check strut width at “A”
373 < 393 , increase lb to 290 mm to get

ws= 396.6 mm
 Tie A-C
280/2 = 140 mm
Note : we assumed this value for the first
trial to be 0.05h =135 mm (not big difference
between assumed value and exact value)
Also for check ws we assumed that this
distance is 274 mm but in fact its 280 mm
Also that’s was acceptable assumption and
you can check this value many steps before
but this example just for clarifications .
b) Check whether the beam is a deep beam
(too late step)
 ( )
 Compression strut between load and
reactions .
 ( )
( ) ( )
6) Compute Tie forces , reinforcement …

a)
Check bmin=2(40)+2(12)+4(32)+3(50)= 382

mm
Try to use 13Y25 mm bars
b) Minimum flexural reinforcement
√
{
c) Effective width of Tie A-C
 Maximum wt=280 mm so we have to check
the centroid of three layers of 13Y25 bars
 Assume that vertical spacing between bars is
32 mm
( ) ( ) ( )
 ̅
Actual wt = 2(118) = 236 mm < 280 (OK)
d) Anchor the tie reinforcement at “A”
 ( )

 ( )


We can take benefits of the 0.7 reduction

factor , cover to the hooked bar =
40+12(ties)+25(db-column) =77 mm
So 0.7ldh=0.7(474)=332 mm
 Draw the details of hooks to make sure that
they can be placed in the location .
 Note that the least distance after critical
section is 367 mm > 332 mm ( OK )
e) Check height of node “B”
So B1 and B2 are located at 302/2=151

mm and we assumed before that they are
located at 135 mm from top so its “OK”
7) Draw the second trial and tie model ,
 This step is required if there is a significant
change in the geometry of assumed truss . In
our example . no significant change .
8) Recompute strut and tie model (2nd trial)

9) Compute the required crack control
reinforcement .
a) -
( )
( )( ) at
300 mm .
( )
( )
∑
b)
( )
For horizontal steel

( )
Total=0.00137+0.002118
=0.003488 >0.0030 (OK)
c) Another way to find crack control
reinforcement .
 Correct shape is bottle shape but for
clarification we used prismatic section
 Local strut and tie model for strut A-B1 can
be made
 Load spreading slope is 2:1
 ( )
 Total transverse tension along strut =2(809)
=1618 KN
 We used 2leg.Y12 @200 mm for vertical bars
at =37.4 and 2leg.Y16 at 300 mm at =52.6
 Minimum no. of bars through the entire
height = 2700/300 = 9 horizontal bars per
face .
 capacity for these 9 bars in direction of T :
=2x9x201x414 sin52.6 =1189 KN
 Along strut A-B1 path , total vertical bars
=1950/200 = 9.75 bars
 Capacity = 2x9x113x414xsin37.4 =511 KN
 Total capacity
 = 1189+511 = 1700 KN>T=1618 KN (OK)
10) Summary
 Deep beam is 500 x 2700 mm
 Provide 13Y25 mm in three layers sapced at
Y32 mm in between and all bars to 90 hooks
inside the vertical reinforcement of the
supporting columns
 Use Y12 at 200 mm vertically on each face
and Y16 at 300 mm horizontally on each face
.
EXAMPLE : DESIGN TWO SPANS CONTINUOUS DEEP BEAM

A beam spans between three supporting columns with centerlines (6000) mm apart and supports a
column at middle of each span , as shown . Both upper columns support a factored load of Pu =6672 KN
.The supporting columns are ( 600 x 500 mm) , (600 x 1125 mm) and (600 x 500 mm) , the loading
columns are (600 x 825 mm) .
Assume that the beam is also (600 mm) wide . Use strut and tie model to design the beam .
Use normal weight concrete and .
Important Note :
 Flexible member on rigid supports , reactions
in this case will be calculated from elastic
beam analysis.
 Very stiff beam on soft columns , reactions
here will be approximatly the same
1) General – Select a strut and tie model
a) Select the first trial strut and tie model
 Best model minimize the amount of

reinforcement , this occur when compression
forces are transmitted by strut directly to the
nearest supports ( increase the angle)
 The model consists of three triangular

trusses . (next steps)
 Load on “B” is divided into three parts each

roughly a third of the column load
b) Compute the reactions

 Using elastic analysis
 Always its very important to consider several
distributions of loads and reactions with or
without support settelements and to
provide concrete reinforcement for the
highest forces in each strut and tie .
c) Design equation :

2) Estimate the size of the beam .

a) Based on maximum allowable shear
stress : √
Try to use ( )
Maximum ( )
( )
( )( √ )
( )( √ )
3906 to 2604 mm
b) Based on limiting the strut angle to not

less than 40o
 Assume that nodes at A,C1 and B3 are 0.05h
above the bottom or below the top of the
beam .
 Assume that B1,B2,C2 and C’2 are 3(0.05h)
or 0.15h from top or bottom of the beam.
 So for the first trial , vertical projection for
strut A-B1 is :
h-0.05h-0.15h=0.8h
also a=horizontal projection of A-B1 =
 Try bw=600 mm and h=3000 mm

 Dead load of one 6000 mm span is :
W=(6+0.25)(3.0x0.60)(25)=281 KN
Wu=1.2(281)=338 KN
 Add self weight to concentrated loads each
one will be increased by 338 KN
c) Check whether this is a deep beam
I. a = 2725 mm , h = 3000 mm so
2725/3000 = 0.91 <2.0 (deep beam)
II.
III. Struts between loads and supports
So its deep beam
3) Compute effective compression strength ,
for nodal zones and strut .
a. Check column capacities ( If its safe
for loads or no )
 Columns at A&A’ : bxh =600x500 mm
Pu = 2187 Kn
( )
[ ( ) ]
Let
Ast = 0.01 (600x500) = 3000 mm2
( )
( )[ ( )( ( )
( ) ( )]
Column capacity > column load ( OK )
 Columns at B and B’ :
Similar calculation gives
with 1% reinforcement
 Columns at C : 600 x 1125 mm
Let 0.675 x 104 mm2

4 2
Ag = 67.5 x 10 mm
( )[ ( )(
) ( )( )]
So increase the columns size or column

reinforcement (steel will be increases)
b. Compute the effective compression

strengths of nodal zones .
 Nodal zone A and B ( C-C-T ) ,
 Nodal zone C : ( two parts each one is C-C-T)
c. Compute the effective compression

strength of struts :
Strut A-B1 , B2-C1 , and B3-C2

Assume that all these struts :
* Bottle – shaped
* Crack control reinforcement to be
provided .
4) Locate the nodes and compute the strut and

tie forces
a) Subdivide the nodal zone at “B” into three
parts.
 A vertical strut inside column B .
Force at node B1 = RA = 2187 KN
 Two vertical struts carrying remainder of the
column load
Force at B2&B3 =7010-2187 = 4823 Kn.
Assume that B2=B3=4823/2 = 2412 Kn.
b) Compute the widths and locations of the
vertical struts in column B
Strut in column over node “B” ,
At nodal zone B ,
( )
( )
Total width = 260 + 2(287) = 834 mm

Column width = 825 mm (not OK)
Make column width 850 mm > 834 mm
c) Width of the strut in column “A”
for nodal zone control the strength

because the strut here is considered prismatic
under node A
Column width = 500 > 260 mm (OK)
d) Widths and locations of the vertical struts in

the column under “C”
 For vertical strut at “C” ,
and
nodal zone (Control).
 Division (1) and(2) each they are carrying
9646/2 = 4823 KN
 Assume P1=P2=P3=P4= 4823/2 = 2412 KN

 Total required width = 4(287)=1148 mm
 This is more than column width
 Increase column width to be 1150 mm
e) Assume the vertical posotions of the nodes
(1st Model)
 Assume node B&C each consists of two
layers .
 A-C1 (tie) at 0.05h=150 mm from the bottom
of the beam .
 B3-B’3 (tie) at 150 mm from top of beam .
5) Compute forces in the strut and ties due to  Tie A-C1

factored loads Force is 2472 Kn from A-B1 and 2600
a) Forces in struts and tie . Kn from B2-C1
b) Balance the tie forces if necessary So try to maintain the reactions chosen
earlier so we will not change the load
in strut A-B1
* Reduce the horizontal component of
the force in strut B2-C1 to be 2472 KN.
This will lead to reduce the vertical
force in B2-C1 and increase the vertical
force in B3-C2 to keep reaction at C
equal to 4823 KN.
- Recheck geometry at node “B”

( )
( )
( )
Total width = 260+272.5+301=833.5 mm

This can be fit in a 600x850 mm column
- Recheck geometry at node “B”
( )
( )
( )
( )
Total width = 2(272.5)+2(300.7) =1146.4 mm
c) Compute the widths of struts and ties due to

factored loads .
d) Effective width of ties

- ACI code limits width of ties wt to
Twice the minimum height from the bottom
or top the beam to the centroid of the tie
reinforcement
( )
e) Tie reinforcement , Tie A-C1
( )
( )
Check anchorage of tie A-C1
6. Recompute wt and revise the location of the

nodes.
a) Node A and C1 will be located at 279/2 =
139.5 mm
Node C2 at 3(139.5) = 418.5 mm
Tie B3-B’3 :
̅
( )
Node B2 & B’ will be changed and then B1 &
B2 will be at 3(147) =441 mm
b) Check agreement between the widths of

struts and the nodal zones – 3rd model
Node A, Strut A-B1 :
( )
Node C, Strut B2-C1 and B3-C2

Width of these struts will be based on tie B3-
B’3 (larger tension forces)
Total width of struts at C = 428+472 = 900

mm so ws < 900 ( increase wt )
So increase tie B3-B’3 height so change
reinforcement arrangement
Try to use
̅ ( )
( )
c) Draw the strut and tie – 3rd model to check

that widths of struts and nodes are
compatible .
7. Select the reinforcement and details .
a. Minimum flexural reinforcement
√
Not less than
( )( )
b. Anchor the tie

Tie A-C1 at A :
Measured to the extreme face of the

column .
( ) ( )
This length can not be fit withind 570.5 mm
so try 90 degree hook with ldh=19db= 475 mm
**** we have to check available distance

carefully
( )
( )
If side cover for hooked bars > 65 mm we can
use 0.70 reduction factor
0.70 (475) = 332.5 mm
So least distance = 368.5 > 332.5 ( OK)
90o hook bars should be used .
Tie A-C1 at C1 : the tie will be anchored by
extending it continuously through the
support at C
Tie B3-B’3 at B3
( )
Will extend through column B
8. Compute the required minimum crack

control reinforcement and load spreading
reinforcement .
a. Minimum crack-control reinforcement .
b. Reinforcement required for bottle-shaped

struts
∑
( ) ( )
9. Check other details :

a. Check stress on a vertical section
through the nodal zone at C
- vertical section throughout this
section is loaded directly by
compression of the compressive
force in strut B2-C1,B3-C2 and
compression by anchoring tie A-C1
Sress on vertical section =
( )
( )
b. Check lateral buckling
- Dimension of the beam is 600 x
3000 mm , also the bracing of the
building elements prevents relative
displacement of the top and bottom
of the deep beam .
IMPORTANT NOTES
 B- Region behavior control the strength for
a/d >2.5
 D-Region behavior control the strength for
a/d <2.5
 Note that as a/d is less as shear capacity
increase .
 Predicted capacity according to strut and tie

model is 586 KN
 Actual capacity 606 KN
 Actual capacity for uniformly loaded deep
beam is 1172 KN.
 Predicted from simplified model 372 KN
(conservative value with acceptable cracks).
 Predicted from Refined model 979 KN (un
acceptable cracks).
OTHER APPLICATIONS
DETAILING NOTES

Strut and Tie Method - Design Deep Beam

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STRUT AND TIE METHOD – Eng.

Saint Venant’s Principle :

Strut and Tie Model :

Failure mechanism of strut :  Effective strength = crushing strength

 In mass concrete members such as pile caps

Nodes and Nodal Zones :

 Node (a) is not in equilibrium

Hydrostatic Nodal Zones

Hypothetical bearing plate

Geometry of Hydrostatic Nodal Zones

Important note : if the width of strut computed from

Extended Nodal Zones

Strength of Nodal Zones

Anchorage of Ties in Nodal Zones

EXAMPLE : DESIGN OF D-REGIONS IN A WALL

5) Compute the forces and strut widths in both

Not that node strength is less than strut

Column width at A = 500 > 485.5 so its

c) Node B & L ( C-C-T )

d) Strut BC & LK (prismatic)

14.28 < 17.85 so fce = 14.28 mpa

6) Calculate required area of steel for tie B-L

Use hook at ends

7) D3-Regions 8) Required area of steel for tie FG

See table 17-2 , all of these elements placed in two layers of

Area of steel required for one face = 700/2 =

Model (a) is much better than (b) because more closly

EXAMPLE : DESIGN SINGLE SPAN DEEP BEAM

2) Estimate the size of the beam

Try beam section = 500 x 2400 mm

b) Select the height to keep the flattest

3) Compute effective compression strength

The effective compression strength of struts

Minimum width of vertical struts “B” = 293+190=483

IF the column width is not enough , ACI code allows

 Vertical strut at “A”

 Vertical strut at “C”

Check strut width at “A”

373 < 393 , increase lb to 290 mm to get

6) Compute Tie forces , reinforcement …

Check bmin=2(40)+2(12)+4(32)+3(50)= 382

We can take benefits of the 0.7 reduction

e) Check height of node “B”

So B1 and B2 are located at 302/2=151

8) Recompute strut and tie model (2nd trial)

For horizontal steel

EXAMPLE : DESIGN TWO SPANS CONTINUOUS DEEP BEAM

 Best model minimize the amount of

 The model consists of three triangular

 Load on “B” is divided into three parts each

b) Compute the reactions

2) Estimate the size of the beam .

b) Based on limiting the strut angle to not

 Try bw=600 mm and h=3000 mm

c) Check whether this is a deep beam

Let 0.675 x 104 mm2

So increase the columns size or column

b. Compute the effective compression

 Nodal zone C : ( two parts each one is C-C-T)