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DESIGN OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES

4 DESIGN OF SHEAR

1. INTRODUCTION

RCC structures are generally subjected three type of shear stresses namely Flexural shear,
punching shear and torsional shear. Diagonal tension arises in the section due to the shear
forces which results in formation of cracks in concrete as concrete is weak in tension. Hence,
limit state of shear must be checked in design of section. Shear reinforcement is provided in
the form of vertical stirrup or bent up bars.

2. SHEAR FAILURE MECHANISM

Consider a small element as shown in the figure below. The distribution of principle stresses in
both the elements is shown in figure below.

The distribution of stresses in the section is shown in the figure below:

The principle stresses on the element are

𝜎 𝜎 2
𝜎1 /𝜎2 = ± √( ) + 𝜏 2
2 2

And,
2𝑣
tan 2𝛼 =
𝑓

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At the support of simply supported beam, bending moment will be zero and shear stress will
be maximum. In this case,
σ1 = τ, σ2 = -τ
And, the failure plane is inclined at 45˚ to the horizontal.
Following are the major mechanism in which shear failure takes place:
(i) Diagonal Tension: At the support of simply supported beam, bending stresses are zero
and the shear stresses are maximum. Thus, tensile stresses generated along a plane inclined
at 45˚ to the horizontal. As concrete is weak in tension, cracks start to develop at an angle of
45˚.

(ii) Flexural Shear: This type of cracks occurs due to large bending moment and small shear
force. Cracks are normally inclined at 90˚ to the horizontal.

(iii) Diagonal Compression: This type of failure also takes place along with diagonal tension
in heavily reinforced section. It is characterised by crushing of concrete.

3. NOMINAL SHEAR STRESS

The average shear stress can be calculated using the following formula:
𝑉𝑢
𝜏𝑣 =
𝑏𝑑
Where,
Vu = ultimate shear stress at the section
b = width of the section
d = effective depth of the section
For beams with varying depth

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 V2  (Mu d) tan  
v =  
 bd 

Where,
β = inclination of flexural tensile force to the horizontal.
Mu = factored bending moment at the section.

4. DESIGN SHEAR STRENGTH

The design shear strength of concrete depends upon two factors:

(i) Grade of concrete
(ii) Percentage tensile reinforcement
The value of τc is given in table 19 of IS: 456.
100 As
Concrete grade
bd
M20 M25 M30
(1)
(2) (3) (4)
≤ 0.15 0.28 0.29 0.29
0.25 0.36 0.36 0.37
0.50 0.48 0.49 0.50
0.75 0.56 0.57 0.59
1.00 0.62 0.64 0.66
1.25 0.67 0.70 0.71
1.50 0.72 0.74 0.76

The nominal shear stress should not exceed the maximum shear strength of concrete as given
in table 20 of IS: 456 to avoid compression failure. Maximum shear strength is given in the
following table:
Concrete Grade M-15 M-20 M-25 M-30 M-35 M-40 and above
τc max (N/mm2) 2.5 2.8 3.1 3.5 3.7 4.0

5. MINIMUM SHEAR REINFORCEMENT

Minimum amount of shear reinforcement should always be provided in RCC section to

(i) Avoid sudden shear failure
(ii) To hold the reinforcing bars together
(iii) To prevent cracks in concrete due to shrinkage, thermal stresses etc.
IS 456 specifies the following formula for calculation of minimum shear reinforcement.

 A sv   0.4 
    
 bSv   0.87 fy 

Where Asv = total cross sectional area of stirrup legs effective in shear.
Sv = spacing of stirrups.
b = breadth of the beam or breadth of web of flanged beams.

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Fy = characteristic strength of stirrup reinforcement in N/mm2 which shall not be taken greater
than 415 N/mm2.

6. DESIGN OF SHEAR REINFORCEMENT

When the nominal shear stress exceeds the design shear strength, extra shear reinforcement
is provided in the form of
(i) Vertical/Inclined stirrup
(ii) Bent up bars

The design shear stress is given by the following formula:

Vus = (Vu – Vc)
= (τv – τc) bd
Where,
Vu = total Shear Force.
Vc = shear resisted by concrete
Vus = shear resisted by reinforcements (Links or bent up bars)
τv = nominal shear stress.
τc = design shear stress of concrete
6.1. Vertical/Inclined Stirrup
The spacing of vertical stirrup can be calculated by using the following formula:
 0.87 fy . Asv .d 
Sv =  
 Vus 

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Where,
Asv = total area of the legs of shear reinforcement.
Sv = spacing of the links.
d = effective depth of section.
For inclined stirrup:

0.87 fy A st d
Vus =
Sv
( sin  + cos  )

Where,
α = Angle of inclination of stirrup
The spacing between two stirrup shall be minimum of following values:
(𝑖) 𝑆𝑣 ≯ (𝑆𝑣 )𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑟𝑓𝑡
(𝑖𝑖) 𝑆𝑣 ≯ 0.75𝑑 (𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑉 − 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑢𝑝𝑠)
𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑒𝑒
≯ 𝑑 (𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑟𝑟𝑢𝑝𝑠)
(𝑖𝑖𝑖) 𝑆𝑣 ≯ 300 𝑚𝑚 }
6.2. Bent Up Bars
As per IS 456, bent up bars are used to resist only half of the total shear force to be
resisted by shear reinforcement. Rest half will be resisted by the stirrup only. The shear
resistance of bent up bars is given by
Vus = 0.87 fy Asb sin α
Where,
α = Angle of inclination of bar with horizontal
Asb = Area of bent up bar

Example: An RCC beam having width 230 mm and effective depth 400 mm is reinforced
with 5 number of 16 mm diameter bar. The beam is subjected to shear force of 120 kN.
Calculate the spacing of vertical stirrup if M20 concrete is used. Use 8mm two legged
stirrup for shear reinforcement. The yield strength of stirrup is 250 MPa

Sol.
𝑉𝑢 120×1000
Nominal shear stress = = = 1.30 N/mm2
𝑏𝑑 230×400
𝜋
5× 4 ×162
Percentage tensile reinforcement = × 100 = 1.09%
230×400

The value of τc corresponding to M20 grade concrete and 1.09% tensile reinforcement =
0.625 N/mm2
Thus, the shear force for which shear reinforcement should be designed is
Vus = (1.30 – 0.625) × 230 × 400 × 10-3 = 62.10 kN
For 2 legged 8 mm stirrup,
𝜋
𝐴𝑠𝑣 = 2 × × 82 = 100.53 mm2
4

Thus, Spacing of vertical stirrup

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0.87𝑓𝑦 𝐴𝑠𝑣 𝑑 0.87 × 250 × 100.53 × 400
𝑠𝑣 = = = 140.83 𝑚𝑚
𝑉𝑢𝑠 62.10 × 103
Maximum spacing = 0.75d = 0.75 × 400 = 300 mm > 140.83 mm
So, provide 8mm 2 legged stirrup at 140 mm c/c.
Example: In the example given above, calculate the spacing of shear reinforcement if
the shear force of 20 kN is applied.
Sol.
𝑉𝑢 20×1000
Nominal shear stress = = = 0.22 N/mm2< 0.625 N/mm2
𝑏𝑑 230×400

Thus, minimum shear reinforcement will be provided.

Thus, spacing of stirrup
0.87𝑓𝑦 𝐴𝑠𝑣 0.87 × 250 × 100.53
𝑠𝑣 = = = 237.66 𝑚𝑚
0.4𝑏 0.4 × 230
Thus, provide 8mm 2 legged stirrup at 235 mm c/c.

7. PROBLEMS

Problem 1: Explain different modes of shear failure in beam with clear diagram.
Problem 2: Design the shear reinforcement in a beam having width 230 mm and effective
depth 450 mm and reinforced with six 12 mm dia longitudinal bars. The beam is subjected to
shear force of 200 kN at the supports. Use M25 grade concrete and fe 415 grade steel. Assume
any other necessary data.
Problem 3: A reinforced concrete beam of width 245 mm and effective depth 450 mm is
reinforced with four 20 mm dia longitudinal reinforcement. 2 legged 8 mm dia vertical stirrup
are provided in the beam at a spacing of 160 mm centre to centre. What will be the maximum
shear force that can be resisted by the beam?
Use M20 and Fe415 grade steel.
Problem 4: A rectangular beam of width 250 mm and depth 500 mm is reinforced with 8
number of 12 mm dia reinforcing bars. 4 bars are bent up in order to resist the shear stresses.
The beam is subjected to a uniformly distributed load of 25 kN/m inclusive of its dead load.
Design the shear reinforcement in the beam if the effective span of the beam is 4.5 m. Assume
concrete cover to be 40 mm. Use M20 grade concrete and Fe 415 grade steel.

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