Steps in Vertical Stirrup Design

I. Calculate the factored shear force vu at critical sections defined in Page 199, or
at any section you want the spacing to be determined.

II. Calculate the shear strength provided by concrete, vc .

v c=0.17 f '
example: c bw d

If V u> V c stirrups are necessary, proceed to Set IV.

V V C,
If V u> V c
1
u>
but 2 proceed to step VI. (Sec.411.6.6)

V 1 VC,
If u>
2 beam section is capable to carry the required shear.

IV. Calculate the shear strength V s to be provided by the stirrup.

n=V u
1. V

c= V u
n V Vc
2. s= V -
V

If V s 0.66 f ' b w d,proceed to Step V (Sect. 411.6.7.9)

s >
If f ' b w d, adjust the size of the beam (Sect.411.6.7.9)
V 0.66

V. Spacing of stirrups
Av f d
Spacing, s=
yt

; See figure 4.2 in Page 197 for the value of Av .

Vs

If s < 25 mm + dt, increase the value of Av by either using a bigger

bar size or . adding more shear area
Maximum spacing, s: (411.6.4)

(a) When V s 0.33 f ' b w d, S max d/2 or 600 mm

(b) When V s 0.33 f ' b w d, S max d/4 or 600 mm

 1
VI. If Vu < Vc but Vu > Vc :
2

Minimum area of stirrup

bw S bw S
A v min = 0.062 f ' 0.35 (Sect. 411.6.6.3)
f yt f yt

Illustrative Problems
Note: If not specified all concrete in these illustrative problems are normal weight concrete,
where =1.0

Problem 4.1

A rectangular beam has a width of 260 mm and an overall depth of 470 mm.
Concrete cover is 60 mm from the centroid of bars. Concrete compressive strength
c=
f 21 MPa. Steel yield strength provided by concrete using the simplified
calculation (a) if the beam is subjected to shear and flexure only, and (b) if the
beam is subjected to axial compressive force of 80 kN.

Solution
Effective depth, d=470-60=410mm

Gross are, A g =260(470) = 122,200 mm2

a) The beam is subject to shear and flexure only:

Vc = 0.17 f 'c bw d
Vc = 0.17(1) 21 (260)(410)

Vc = 83.045 kN
 b) The beam is subjected to axial compressive force of 80 kN.
Nu
Vc = 0.17 ( 1+
14 A g ) bw d

80,000
V c = 0.17 (1+ 14(122,200) ) (1) (260) (410)

V c = 86.93 kN

Problem 4.2

Determine the minimum cross section required for a rectangular beam from a
u=
shear standpoint so that no web reinforcement is required by the Code if V
c=
142 kN and f 27.6 MPa. Assume d=1.7b

Solution

According to 411.6.5, a minimum shear reinforcement is required only when Vu

exceed of 0.5 V c .

V c = 0.17 f 'c bw d

V c = 0.5 V c 142,000 = 0.5(0.75) [ 0.17 ( 1 ) 27.6 b w (1.7 bw )]

w=
b 499.4 mm

d = 1.7 bw d= 1.7 (499.4)

d= 849 mm
Using the 2001 NSCP; b= 469 mm, d = 798 mm
Problem 4.3

w= 280
A rectangular beam has b mm, d = 510 mm. Determine the maximum

c=
factored shear can this beam section carry. Use 24 MPa.

Solution
Shear strength provided by concrete:

Vc = 0.17 f 'c bw d Vc = 0.17 (1) 24 (280)

(510)

Vc = 118.928 kN

Maximum value of Vs according to Section Sect. 411.6.7.9:

V s max = 0.66 24 (280)(510) V s max = 0.66 24

(280)(510)

V s max = 461.719 kN

Nominal shear capacity of the section :

V n max = V c + V s max V n max = 118.928 + 461.719

V n max = 580.647 kN

Ultimate (design) shear strength:

Vu = V n max V u = 0.75(580.647)

Vu = 435.485 kN

Using the 2001 NSCP, Vu = 493.55 kN

Problem 4.4 (CE BOARD)
A reinforced concrete bean has the following properties.
Beam width, b = 320 mm
Effective depth, d = 640 mm

Concrete strength, fc = 21 MPa.

Reinforcing steel strength, f y = 400 MPa.

If the factored shear force at the critical section is 210,000 N, compute the nominal
shear carried by the shear reinforcement.

Solution
Shear strength carried by concrete:

V c = 0.17 f 'c bw d V c = 0.17 21 (320)(640)

V c = 159.547 kN

Required normal shear strength:

Vu 210
Vn = Vn =
0.75

V n = 280 kN

Nominal shear strength of the section:

V n=V c +V s 280 = 159.547 + Vs

Vs = 120.453 kN

Using the 2001 NSCP, V s = 87.512 kN

Problem 4.5 (CE BOARD)
Determine the required stirrup spacing for a 10 mm diameter U- stirrups in a
reinforced concrete beam with effective beam depth of 400 mm to carry the net
shear of 154 kN, if f yh = 270 MPa.

Solution

Net shear to be carried by stirrup, Vs = 154 kN

A v f yt d
The required stirrup spacing is, s = Vs

Av =2x d h
2
Av =2x (10
2
4 4

Av = 157.1 mm2

A v f yt d 157.1(275)( 400)
S= Vs s= 154 x 103

s = 112.2 mm
Problem 4.6

A rectangular beam has the following properties:

bw = 320 mm Stirrup diameter, dt = 10 mm

d = 570 mm f yt = 275 MPa

fc = 24 MPa

Determine the required spacing vertical U- stirrup when the required shear strength
Vu is a) 50 kN, b) 90 kN, c) 130 kN, d) 290 kN, e) 360 kN, and f) 570 kN. Use the
2010 NSCP.
Solution
Shear strength provided by concrete:

V c = 0.17 f 'c bw d Vc = 0.17(1) 24 (320)

(570)

V c = 151.908 kN

Vc = 0.75(151.91) = 113.931 kN

1
Vc = 56.965 kN
2

0.66 f 'c b w d = 589.759 kN

0.33 f 'c b w d = 294.879 kN

Av =2x (10
2
= 157.08 mm
2
4

1
a) Vu = 50 kN < Vc Beam section capable to carry the
2
required shear.
b) Vu = 90 kN
1
Vu is less than Vc but more than Vc a minimum area of
2
shear reinforcement is required.

Maximum stirrup spacing S max1 = d/2 = 285 mm

bw S 0.35b w S
A v min = 0.062 f 'c
f yt f yt

Av f 157.08(275)
S max 2 =
yt

= = 444 mm
0.062 f ' cb w
0.062 24(320)
 Av f 157 (275)
S max3 = yt

= 386 mm
0.35b w 0.35(320)

Use s = 285 mm