Deep Beam

Deep Beams
A deep beam is a structural member whose span to depth ratio is

relatively small so that shear deformation dominates the behaviour.
Ex: transfer girders, wall footings, foundation pile caps, floor

diaphragms, and shear walls. Floor slabs under horizontal load, short
span beams carrying heavy loads, and transfer girders are examples of
deep beams.
A beam is considered a deep beam when the effective span to overall

depth ratio (L/D ratio) is less than:
(a) 2.0 for simply supported beams
(b) 2.5 for continuous beams
Typical inclined compression failure of deep beams under various stress distributions
(a) Uniform (b) Two-point loading (c) Non-linear
Deep Beams
The assumptions of linear-elastic flexural theory and plane sections

remaining plane even after bending are not valid for deep beams.
Hence, these beams have to be designed taking into account non-

linear stress distribution along the depth and lateral buckling.
Deep Beams
Arch action is more predominant than bending in deep beams. Hence,
these beams require special considerations for their design and
detailing.
It should be noted that deep beams are sensitive to loading at the
boundaries, and the length of bearing may affect the stress distribution
in the vicinity of the supports. Similarly, stiffening ribs, cross walls, or
extended columns at supports will also influence the stress distribution.
Deep Beams
The ‘Simple Rules’ provided in IS 456, based on the CIRIA Guide 2, are
intended primarily for uniformly loaded (from the top) deep beams and
are intended to control the crack width rather than the ultimate
strength.
In addition, the active height of a deep beam is limited to a depth

equal to the span; the part of the beam above this height is merely
taken as a load-bearing wall between the supports. These rules are
provided for single span and continuous beams.
Deep Beams
It should be noted that in deep beams the requirement of flexural
reinforcement is not large, and hence the approximate lever arms, as
determined from experiments and given here, are sufficient to arrive at
them.
It is also important to detail the reinforcement properly as the deep

beam behaviour is different from that of normally sized beams. The
details are given in the following slides.
Reinforcement for Positive Moment
In a simply supported beam, due to the arching action, the tension
steel serves as a tie connecting the concrete compression struts.
The cracking will occur at one-third to one-half of the ultimate load.
The flexural stress at the bottom is constant over much of the span.
The tensile reinforcement for a positive moment should be placed
within a tension zone of depth equal to 0.25D − 0.05L from the extreme
tension fibre at the mid-span.
The force in the longitudinal tension ties will be constant along the
length of the deep beam. This implies that the force must be well
anchored at the supports; else, it will result in major cause of distress.
Detailing of reinforcement in simply supported deep beams (a) Loaded

from top (b) Loaded from soffit
Reinforcement for Negative Moment
In the case of continuous deep beams, the tensile reinforcement for
negative moment should satisfy the following requirements:
1. Termination of reinforcement: Negative reinforcement can be

curtailed only in deep beams with l/D > 1.0. Not more than 50
per cent of the reinforcement may be terminated at a distance of
0.5D from the face of the support and the remaining should be
extended over the full span
2. Distribution of reinforcement: When the l/D ratio is less than 1.0,

the negative reinforcement should be evenly distributed over a
depth of 0.8D measured from the top tension fibre at the
support.
Detailing of negative reinforcement in continuous deep beams (l/D ≤ 1.0)

However, when the l/D ratio is in the range 1.0–2.5, the negative
reinforcement should be provided in two zones as described below:
1. A zone of depth 0.2D from the tension fibre should be provided

with (0.5 l/D - 0.25) times the reinforcement calculated for
negative moment, where l is clear span of beam.
2. A zone of 0.6D from this zone should contain the remaining

reinforcement for negative moment and shall be evenly
distributed.
Detailing of negative reinforcement in continuous deep beams (1.0 ≤ l/D ≤ 2.5)

Vertical Reinforcement
The loads applied at the bottom of the beam, induce hanging action.
Hence, the suspension stirrups should be provided to carry the
concentrated loads.
Vertical shear reinforcement (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of

the member) is more effective for member strength than horizontal
shear reinforcement (parallel to the longitudinal axis of the member) in
deep beams.
However, equal minimum reinforcement in both directions is specified

in the ACI code to control the growth and width of diagonal cracks.
Side Face or Web Reinforcement
IS 456 suggests that the side face reinforcements should be provided
as per the minimum requirements of walls.
For deep beams of thickness more than 200 mm, the vertical and
horizontal reinforcements should be provided in two grids, one near
each face of the beam.
The horizontal and vertical steel placed on both the faces of the deep
beam serve not only as shrinkage and temperature reinforcement but
also as shear reinforcement.
Other Reinforcements for Deep Beams
Shear Reinforcement
A deep beam provided with the reinforcements is deemed to satisfy the
provision for shear, that is, the main tension and the web steels together
with concrete will carry the applied shear, and hence, a separate check
for shear is not required.
Bearing Strength
In addition, the local failure of deep beams due to bearing stresses at
the supports as well as loading points should be checked. To estimate
the bearing stress at the support, the reaction may be considered
uniformly distributed over the area equal to the beam width bw ×
effective support length.

Deep Beam

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What are the characteristics that define a beam as 'deep'?

What are the characteristics that define a beam as 'deep'?

How does the behavior of deep beams differ from normally sized beams?

How does the behavior of deep beams differ from normally sized beams?

Deep Beams

A deep beam is a structural member whose span to depth ratio is

Ex: transfer girders, wall footings, foundation pile caps, floor

A beam is considered a deep beam when the effective span to overall

The assumptions of linear-elastic flexural theory and plane sections

Hence, these beams have to be designed taking into account non-

In addition, the active height of a deep beam is limited to a depth

It is also important to detail the reinforcement properly as the deep

The cracking will occur at one-third to one-half of the ultimate load.

Detailing of reinforcement in simply supported deep beams (a) Loaded

1. Termination of reinforcement: Negative reinforcement can be

2. Distribution of reinforcement: When the l/D ratio is less than 1.0,

Detailing of negative reinforcement in continuous deep beams (l/D ≤ 1.0)

1. A zone of depth 0.2D from the tension fibre should be provided

2. A zone of 0.6D from this zone should contain the remaining

Detailing of negative reinforcement in continuous deep beams (1.0 ≤ l/D ≤ 2.5)

Vertical shear reinforcement (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of

However, equal minimum reinforcement in both directions is specified

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