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CHAPTER
THE FLEXURE AND SHEAR
11 DESIGN
(BRACKET)
OF CORBEL

11.1 INTRODUCTION
Corbel or bracket is a reinforced concrete member is a short-haunched cantilever used to support the
reinforced concrete beam element. Corbel is structural element to support the pre-cast structural
system such as pre-cast beam and pre-stressed beam. The corbel is cast monolithic with the column
element or wall element.

This chapter is describes the design procedure of corbel or bracket structure. Since the load from pre-
cast structural element is large then it is very important to make a good detailing in corbel.

11.2 BEHAVIOR OF CORBEL

The followings are the major items show the behavior of the reinforced concrete corbel, as follows :
 The shear span/depth ratio is less than 1.0, it makes the corbel behave in two-dimensional
manner.
 Shear deformation is significant is the corbel.
 There is large horizontal force transmitted from the supported beam result from long-term
shrinkage and creep deformation.
 Bearing failure due to large concentrated load.
 The cracks are usually vertical or inclined pure shear cracks.
 The mode of failure of corbel are : yielding of the tension tie, failure of the end anchorage of the
tension tie, failure of concrete by compression or shearinga and bearing failure.

The followings figure shows the mode of failure of corbel.

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Vu Vu

DIAGONAL SHEAR SHEAR FRICTION

Vu Vu

Nu

ANCHORAGE SPLITING VERTICAL SPLITING

FIGURE 11.1 MODES OF FAILURE OF CORBEL

11.3 SHEAR DESIGN OF CORBEL

11.3.1 GENERAL
Since the corbel is cast at different time with the column element then the cracks occurs in the interface
of the corbel and the column. To avoid the cracks we must provide the shear friction reinforcement
perpendicular with the cracks direction.

ACI code uses the shear friction theory to design the interface area.

11.3.2 SHEAR FRICTION THEORY

In shear friction theory we use coefficient of friction μ to transform the horizontal resisting force
into vertical resisting force.

The basic design equation for shear reinforcement design is :

φVn ≥ Vu [11.1]

where :
Vn = nominal shear strength of shear friction reinforcement
Vu = ultimate shear force
φ = strength reduction factor (φ = 0.85)

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Vu

SHEAR FRICTION REINFORCEMENT

Avf f y μ
Avf f y αf
ASSUMED CRACK

FIGURE 11.1 SHEAR FRICTION THEORY

The nominal shear strength of shear friction reinforcement is :

TABLE 11.1 SHEAR FRICTION REINFORCEMENT STRENGTH

VERTICAL INCLINED
SHEAR FRICTION SHEAR FRICTION
REINFORCEMENT REINFORCEMENT
Vn Avf Vn Avf

Vn Vn
A vf = A vf =
fy μ fy (μ sin α f + cos α f )
Vn = A vf fyμ Vn = A vf fy (μ sin α f + cos α f )
Vu Vu
φ φ
A vf = A vf =
fy μ fy (μ sin α f + cos α f )

where :
Vn = nominal shear strength of shear friction reinforcement
Avf = area of shear friction reinforcement
Fy = yield strength of shear friction reinforcement
μ = coefficient of friction

TABLE 11.2 COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION

COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION
METHOD
μ
Concrete Cast Monolithic 1.4λ
Concrete Placed Against Roughened
1.0λ
Hardened Concrete
Concrete Placed Against unroughened
0.6λ
Hardened Concrete
Concrete Anchored to Structural Steel 0.7λ

The value of λ is :
λ = 1.0 normal weight concrete
λ = 0.85 sand light weight concrete
λ = 0.75 all light weight concrete

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The ultimate shear force must follows the following condiitons :

Vu ≤ φ(0.2f 'c )b w d [11.1]

Vu ≤ φ(5.50 )b w d

where :
Vu = ultimate shear force (N)
f’c = concrete cylinder strength (MPa)
bw = width of corbel section (mm)
d = effective depth of corbel (mm)

11.3.3 STEP – BY – STEP PROCEDURE

The followings are the step – by – step procedure used in the shear design for corbel (bracket), as
follows :
 Calculate the ultimate shear force Vu.
 Check the ultimate shear force for the following condition, if the following condition is not achieved
then enlarge the section.
Vu ≤ φ(0.2f 'c )b w d
Vu ≤ φ(5.50 )b w d

 Calculate the area of shear friction reinforcement Avf.

VERTICAL INCLINED
SHEAR FRICTION SHEAR FRICTION
REINFORCEMENT REINFORCEMENT
Vn Avf Vn Avf

Vn Vn
A vf = A vf =
fy μ fy (μ sin α f + cos α f )
Vn = A vf fyμ Vn = A vf fy (μ sin α f + cos α f )
Vu Vu
φ φ
= A vf =
fy (μ sin α f + cos α f )
A vf
fy μ

 The design must be follows the basic design equation as follows :

φVn ≥ Vu

11.4 FLEXURAL DESIGN OF CORBEL

11.4.1 GENERAL
The corbel is design due to ultimate flexure moment result from the supported beam reaction Vu and
horizontal force from creep and shrinkage effect Nu.

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Vu
a
Nuc

min d/2

d
h
FIGURE 11.2 DESIGN FORCE OF CORBEL

11.4.2 TENSION REINFORCEMENT

The ultimate horizontal force acts in the corbel Nuc is result from the creep and shrinkage effect of the
pre-cast or pre-stressed beam supported by the corbel.
This ultimate horizontal force must be resisted by the tension reinforcement as follows :

Nuc [11.2]
An =
φfy

where :
An = area of tension reinforcement
Nuc = ultimate horizontal force at corbel
fy = yield strength of the tension reinforcement
φ = strength reduction factor (φ = 0.85)

Minimum value of Nuc is 0.2Vuc.

The strength reduction factor is taken 0.85 because the major action in corbel is dominated by shear.

11.4.3 FLEXURAL REINFORCEMENT

Vu
a
Nuc
Ts
β
jd

a
d
h

Cc

FIGURE 11.3 ULTIMATE FLEXURE MOMENT AT CORBEL

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The ultimate flexure moment Mu result from the support reactions is :

Mu = Vu (a ) + Nuc (h − d) [11.3]

where :
Mu = ultimate flexure moment
Vu = ultimate shear force
a = distance of Vu from face of column
Nuc = ultimate horizontal force at corbel
h = height of corbel
d = effective depth of corbel

The resultant of tensile force of tension reinforcement is :

Tf = A f fy [11.4]

where :
Tf = tensile force resultant of flexure reinforcement
Af = area of flexure reinforcement
fy = yield strength of the flexure reinforcement

The resultant of compressive force of the concrete is :

Cc = 0.85 f 'c ba(cos β ) [11.5]

where :
Cc = compressive force resultant of concrete
f’c = concrete cylinder strength
b = width of corbel
a = depth of concrete compression zone

The horizontal equilibrium of corbel internal force is :

∑ H = 0 ⇒ Cc =Ts [11.6]
0.85 f 'c ba(cos β ) = A f fy
A f fy
a=
0.85f 'c b(cos β )

The flexure reinforcement area is :

Mu [11.7]
Af =
⎛ a⎞
φfy ⎜ d − ⎟
⎝ 2⎠

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Mu
Af =
⎛ ⎛ A f fy ⎞⎞
⎜ ⎜ ⎟⎟
⎜ ⎜ 0.85 f ' b(cos β ) ⎟ ⎟
φfy ⎜ d − ⎝ c ⎠
⎟
⎜ 2 ⎟
⎜ ⎟
⎝ ⎠

Cos β value can be calculated based on the Tan β value as follows :

jd [11.8]
Tanβ =
a

where :
a = distance of Vu from face of column
jd = lever arm

Based on the equation above we must trial and error to find the reinforcement area Af.
For practical reason the equation below can be used for preliminary :

Mu [11.9]
Af =
φfy (jd)
Mu
Af =
φfy (0.85d)

where :
Af = area of flexural reinforcement
Mu = ultimate flexure moment at corbel
fy = yield strength of the flexural reinforcement
φ = strength reduction factor (φ = 0.9)
d = effective depth of corbel

11.4.4 DISTRIBUTION OF CORBEL REINFORCEMENTS

Vu Vu

As= 2
3 Avf +An a As= Af +An a
Nuc Nuc
(2/3)d

(2/3)d
d

d
h

Ah= 1 Avf Ah= 1 Af

3 2

FRAMING FRAMING
REBAR REBAR

CASE 1 CASE 2

FIGURE 11.4 DISTRIBUTION OF CORBEL REINFORCEMENTS

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From the last calculation we already find the shear friction reinforcement Avf, tension
reinforcement An and flexural reinforcement Af. We must calculate the primary tension
reinforcement As based on the above reinforcements.

TABLE 11.3 DISTRIBUTION OF CORBEL REINFORCEMENTS

CLOSED
PRIMARY
CASE As STIRRUP
REINFORCEMENT
Ah LOCATION

2 2 1 2
1 As ≥ A vf + A n As = A vf + A n Ah = A vf d
3 3 3 3
1 2
2 A s ≥ A f + An A s = A f + An Ah = Af d
2 3

where :
As = area of primary tension reinforcement
Avf = area of shear friction reinforcement
An = area of tension reinforcement
Af = area of flexure reinforcement
Ah = horizontal closed stirrup
d = effective depth of corbel

The reinforcements is taken which is larger, case 1 or case 2, the distribution of the reinforcements is
shown in the figure above.

11.4.5 LIMITS OF REINFORCEMENTS

The limits of primary steel reinforcement at corbel design is :

As f' [11.10]
ρ= ≥ 0.04 c
bd fy

where :
As = area of primary tension reinforcement
b = width of corbel
d = effective depth of corbel

The limits of horizontal closed stirrup reinforcement at corbel design is :

A h ≥ 0.5(A s − A n ) [11.11]

where :
As = area of primary tension reinforcement
An = area of tension reinforcement
11.4.6 STEP – BY – STEP PROCEDURE
The followings are the step – by – step procedure used in the flexural design for corbel (bracket), as
follows :

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 Calculate ultimate flexure moment Mu.

Mu = Vu (a ) + Nuc (h − d)

 Calculate the area of tension reinforcement An.

Nuc
An =
φfy

 Calculate the area of flexural reinforcement Af.

Mu
Af =
φfy (0.85d)

 Calculate the area of primary tension reinforcement As.

CLOSED
PRIMARY
CASE As STIRRUP
REINFORCEMENT
Ah LOCATION

2 2 1 2
1 As ≥ A vf + A n As = A vf + A n Ah = A vf d
3 3 3 3
1 2
2 A s ≥ A f + An A s = A f + An Ah = Af d
2 3

 Check the reinforcement for minimum reinforcement.

As f'
ρ= ≥ 0.04 c
bd fy

A h ≥ 0.5(A s − A n )

11.5 APPLICATIONS
11.5.1 APPLICATION 01 – DESIGN OF CORBEL

Vu=150000 N
100
200
Nuc
400

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PROBLEM
Design the flexural and shear friction reinforcement of corbel structure above.

MATERIAL
Concrete strength = K – 300
Steel grade = Grade 400
Concrete cylinder strength = f 'c = 0.83 × 30 = 24.9 MPa

β1 = 0.85

DIMENSION
b = 200 mm
h = 400 mm
Concrete cover = 30 mm
d = 370 mm

DESIGN FORCE
Vu = 150000 N

Nuc = 0.2Vu = 0.2 × 150000 = 30000 N

Mu = Vu (a ) + Nuc (h − d) = 150000 (100 ) + 30000 (400 − 370 ) = 15900000 Nmm

LIMITATION CHECKING
φ(0.2f 'c )b w d = 0.85(0.2 × 24.9 )200 × 370 = 313242 N

φ(5.5 )b w d = 0.85 × 5.5 × 200 × 370 = 345950 N

Vu = 150000 < φ(0.2f 'c )b w d = 313242 < φ(5.5 )b w d = 345950

SHEAR FRICTION REINFORCEMENT

μ = 1 .4 λ = 1 .4 × 1 .0 = 1 .4

Vu 150000
φ 0.85 = 315 mm2
A vf = =
fy μ 400 × 1.4

TENSION REINFORCEMENT
Nuc 30000
An = = = 88 mm2
φfy 0.85 × 400

FLEXURAL REINFORCEMENT
Mu 15900000
Af = = = 140 mm
2
φfy (0.85d) 0.9 × 400(0.85 × 370 )

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PRIMARY TENSION REINFORCEMENT

CLOSED
PRIMARY
As STIRRUP
CASE 2
REINFORCEMENT
(mm ) 2 Ah LOCATION
(mm )
2
(mm ) (mm)

2 1
As ≥ A vf + A n Ah = A vf 2
3 3 d
1 A s = 298 3
As ≥
2
(315 ) + 88 ≥ 298 Ah =
1
(315 ) = 105 247
3 3

A s ≥ A f + An
2 A s = 228 – –
A s ≥ 140 + 88 ≥ 228

The reinforcement of the corbel are :

A s = 298 mm2

A h = 105 mm2

CHECK FOR AS MINIMUM AND AS MAXIMUM

f 'c 24.9
ρmin = 0.04 = 0.04 = 0.00249
fy 400

As 298
ρ= = = 0.00402 > ρmin = 0.00249 Î OK
bd 200 × 370

A h−min = 0.5(A s − A n ) = 0.5(298 − 88 ) = 210 mm2

A h = 105 < A h−min = 210 ⇒ A h = 210 mm2

The final reinforcement of the corbel are :

A s = 298 mm2

A h = 210 mm2

CORBEL REINFORCEMENT

As Ah
2 2
(mm ) (mm )

As=3D16 Ah=3(2 Legs D10)

⎛1 ⎞ ⎛1 ⎞ ⎛ 1 ⎞ ⎛ 1 ⎞
A s = 3⎜ πD2 ⎟ = 3⎜ π × 162 ⎟ = 603 A s = 3⎜ 2 × πD2 ⎟ = 3⎜ 2 × π × 102 ⎟ = 471
⎝ 4 ⎠ ⎝ 4 ⎠ ⎝ 4 ⎠ ⎝ 4 ⎠

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SKETCH OF REINFORCEMENT

3D16

247
2 LEGS Ø10

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