University at Buffalo- State University of New York

Confined Reinforced Concrete

CIE 525 Reinforced Concrete Structures
SUBMITTED TO:
Andrew S. Whittaker, Ph.D.

SUBMITTED BY:
Qureshi, Ramla Karim

September 23, 2014

Question:
A 50-inch square concrete bridge pier (fc = 5 ksi) is reinforced with 16 #14 Grade 80 bars. The
transverse rebar is #6 ties of Grade 60 rebar at 5 inches on center with 5 equally spaced legs in
each direction. Calculate the confinement effectiveness coefficient, the strength of the confined
core concrete, the ultimate compression strain, and the design parameters for the equivalent stress
block. Consider the procedures set forth on pages 1808 through 1813 of Mander et al. (1988) for
the computation of the confinement effectiveness coefficient. Draw (in Excel or equivalent) the
stress-strain relationship for the confined column and compare the relationship with that for the
unconfined pier. List all assumptions. Prepare your answer using Word or equivalent.

Available data:
Unconfined Compressive strength of concrete, fc = 5 ksi
Longitudinal bar dia., dl = 1.693
Area of longitudinal bar, As = 2.25 x 16 = 36 in
2

Yield strength of longitudinal bar, fy = 80 ksi
Clear cover = 2
Transverse bar dia., dt = 0.75
Area of Transverse bar, Ast = 0.44 in
2

Yield strength of transverse bar, fyt = 80 ksi
Pitch, s = 5

Solution:
Reinforcement ratios in both x and y direction shall be equal.
x = y =

=
5(0.44)
550
= 0.0088
Core dimensions to centerlines of parameter transverse rebar in x & y directions, bc = dc =
= 50 2(2) 0.5(0.75/2) = 45.25
cc =


(Mander, Priestley and Park 1988)
=
162.25
45.25
= 0.01758
Clear Vertical spacing between transverse bars, s = 5 2(0.75/2) = 4.25
Clear distance between ith longitudinal bars, wi =
50 2(2)
4
2(0.75) 1.693 = 8.307"

50
50
Figure 1 Confined strength determination from Lateral Confining stresses
for rectangular sections (Mander, Priestley and Park 1988)
The confinement effectiveness coefficient can be calculated from Eq. (22) from Mander et al.
(1988) as:

=
(1
(

)
2
6

=1
)(1

)(1

)
1

Here, n = 16

=
(1 16
8.301
2
6 45.25 45.25
) (1
4.25
2 45.25
) (1
4.25
2 45.25
)
1 0.01758

= 0.842
The lateral confining stress on concrete is given as

= 0.445

Largest confining stress ratio = Smallest confining stress ratio =

=
0.445
5
= 0.089
















From Figure 1,
= 1.55

So Compressive strength of confined concrete core,

= 1.55 5 = 7.75

The ultimate compressive strain, cu is also given by:

= 0.004 +
0.14

0.020

Where, s = volumetric ratio of transverse steel
= x + y = 0.0088+0.0088
= 0.0176

= 0.004 +
0.14 0.0176 60
5

= 0.034 > 0.02

Taking ultimate compressive strain

= 0.02 as upper limit value.

Design parameters for equivalent compression stress block:

The longitudinal compressive concrete strain, cc can be calculated as:

= 0.002 [1 + 5 (

1)]

= 0.002 [1 + 5 (
7.75
5
1)]

= 0.0075

Figure 2 Compression stress block parameters, (Pauley and Priestley 1992)
And

=
0.02
0.0075
= 2.67

K = 1.55












From Figure 2,
= 0.95
= 0.9
= 0.947

Therefore average strength to use for equivalent rectangular stress block is =

= 0.95 7.75 = 7.36

The Stress-strain relationship for confined concrete column can be defined by employing the
following equations:
=

0.0075

= 60000

= 600005000 = 4243

=
7.75
0.0075
= 1033
=

=
4243
4243 1033
= 1.32

1 +

=
7.75 1.32
1.32 1 +
1.32




References

Mander, J. B., M. J. N. Priestley, and R. Park. 1988. "Theoretical Stress-Strain model for Confined
Concrete." Journal of Structural Engineering 114.
Pauley, T., and M. J. N. Priestley. 1992. Seismic Design of Reinforced Concrete and Masonary
Buildings. Wiley Interscience.


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3
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8
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Compressive strain,
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Stress-strain relationship for Confined Concrete by Mander et al.
Confined Concrete Unconfined Concrete