LIMIT STATE OF

COLLAPSE IN
SHEAR
 Shear Stress
Beam is loaded with transverse loads, the
BM varies from section to section
Caused by variation of bending moment
along the span
Flexural shear is referred to as Shear
Failure of R.C beam may not lead to an
immediate collapse by shear
It will reduce the flexural-strength as well as
ductility
The state of impending shear failure is
treated by the code as limit state of collapse
in shear, for design purposes
Shear Stress in homogeneous
Beams
In homogeneous beam, the shear stress q
at any point, as given by the elastic theory, is
q = V/Iz(Ay)
Where V=Shear force at the section
I = Moment of inertia of beam section
z = Width of the section
Ay = Moment of area above the section,
N.A
 Shear Stress in R.C. Beams
IS 456:2000 recommends to use nominal
shear stress given by the expression

Where = Nominal shear stress

V= Shear force at the section due to
design loads

Nominal Shear stress in Limit state:-

Pg. No. 72 of IS 456:2000

Vu= Ultimate shear stress ( factored
shear force)
 In case of beam of varying depth,

= Vu(Mu/d )tan /bd Pg. No. 72 of IS

456:2000

Where, Mu= Bending moment at the section

= Angle between the top & bottom edges
of the beam
The ve sign is applied when the B.M
increases numerically in the same direction as
the effective depth d increases
The +ve sign when the moment decreases
numerically in this direction.
 In case of beam of varying depth,

= Vu(Mu/d )tan /bd Pg. No. 72 of IS

456:2000

Where, Mu= Bending moment at the section

= Angle between the top & bottom edges
of the beam
The ve sign is applied when the B.M
increases numerically in the same direction as
the effective depth d increases
The +ve sign when the moment decreases
numerically in this direction.
 Effects of Shear
Diagonal Tension :-
When the value of principal (tensile)stress
is equal to the shear stress and it is
inclined at 45 the horizontal i.e., it acts
diagonally
It is caused by the combined action of
longitudinal tension and the transverse
shearing stresses
It should be resisted by the provision of
shear reinforcement or diagonal or inclined
tension or web reinforcement
 Regions of cracks in
beams
Depending upon the ratio of bending
moment (M) to shear force (V) at different
sections, there may be three regions of cracks
in the beam
Region I Region of flexure cracks
Region II Region of flexure-shear
cracks
Region-III Region of web shear cracks
or diagonal tension cracks
Region I Region of flexure cracks
Normally occurs adjacent to the mid-span
where B.M is large and shear force is either
zero or very small
Principal planes are perpendicular to the
beam axis
When the principle tensile stress reaches
the tensile strength of concrete, tensile
cracks develops vertically. These cracks are
known as flexural cracks
Mainly due to the flexure
Region II Region of flexure -
shear cracks
These regions are near the quarter span to
both the sides, where B.M is considerable & at
the same time shear force is significant
The cracks are initiated at the tension face,
travel vertically and gradually tend to develop
on the inclined direction towards the N.A as
the shear stress goes on increasing towards
N.A
The cracks develop under the combined
action of B.M and shear, these cracks are
known as flexure shear cracks
 Region III Region of diagonal
tension cracks
These regions are adjacent to each support
of a beam, where the shear force is
predominant
As the shear stress is maximum at the N.A,
inclined cracks start developing at the N.A
along the diagonal of an element subjected to
the action of pure shear. These cracks are
known as diagonal tension cracks
Mechanism of shear transfer in
R.C beam without shear
reinforcement
Shear is transferred between two adjacent
planes in a R.C beam by the following
mechanisms:
Shear resistance Vcz of the uncracked
portion of concrete
the proportion of shear transferred will
be in range of 20 to 40%
Vertical component Vay of the interface
shear or aggregate interlock force Vu
the proportion of shear transferred will
be in range of 30 to 50%
Dowel face Vd in the tension
reinforcement, due to dowel action .
25 to 25%
 Modes of Shear Failure
The shear failure of a R.C beam, without
shear reinforcement is governed by a v/d ratio
The beam experiences the following types of
shear failure
Case I : av/d <1 Splitting or compression
failure
Case II : 1 < av/d < 2.8 Shear compression or
shear tension failure
Case III : 2.8< av/d < 6 Diagonal tension
failure
CASE IV : av/d > 6 Flexure failure
Factors affecting shear resistance of
a R.C. Member
Grade of Concrete
Higher grade of concrete has higher tensile
strength
Greater dowel shear resistance
Greater aggregate interlock capacity
Greater concrete strength in compression
zone
Shear resistance increases with the increase
in the grade of concrete
Percentage & grade of longitudinal tensile
reinforcement
Ratio of shear span to effective depth i.e
av /d ratio
Compressive force
Design shear strength of concrete
- IS456:2000
Pg. No. 73 Table 19
Types of Shear Reinforcement
Vertical Stirrups
Bent up bars along with the stirrups
Inclined stirrups
Vertical Stirrups
5mm to 15mm diameter steel bars bent
round the tensile reinforcement where it is
anchored to 6 to 12mm dia. anchor bars or
holding bars
Depending upon the magnitude of the
shear stress to be resisted
One legged
Two legged
Four legged or multi-legged
 Vertical Stirrups
Strength of shear reinforcement in the
vertical stirrups is given by
Vus = 0.87*fy *Asv *d / Sv

Spacing = 0.87*fy *Asv *d / Vus

Here Asv =m*A

Where m = No. of legs in the stirrups
Asv = Area of cross-section of the
bar of the stirrup
 Vertical Stirrups
It can be obtained alternatively
Assume that in absence of shear
reinforcement, the beam fails in diagonal
tension, the inclination of the tension crack
being at 45 to the axis of the beam &
extended upto a horizontal distance equal to
(d-dc) d
No. of stirrups resisting shear force = d/Sv
Shear resisted by stirrups = [shear resisted
by each stirrups * no. of
stirrups ]
or Vus = 0.87*fy *Asv *d / Sv

or Sv = 0.87*fy *Asv *d / Vus = 0.87*fy *Asv *d /

Critical Section for Design Shear
Compression reaction

Tension Reaction
 Reasons for Minimum Shear
Reinforcement
It prevents sudden shear failure with the
formation of diagonal tension crack & imparts
ductility to provide sufficient warning of
impending failure. Thus brittle shear failure is
prevented
It guards against any sudden failure of a
beam if concrete cover bursts & bond, to
tension steel is lost
It holds the main reinforcements in place
while poring the concrete. Thus minimum
requirement of cover & cover clear distance
between longitudinal bars are maintained
It acts as necessary ties for the compression
steel (if any) and makes it effective.
It prevents pressing down of the longitudinal
reinforcement, thereby maintaining the dowel