1. Define the reinforced concrete design and list the design purpose.

Concrete is weak in tension but strong in compression. Therefore, reinforcement is needed to

resist the tensile stresses resulting from the applied loads. Additional reinforcement sometimes
added to the compression zone to reduce long-term deflection. For a strong, ductile and durable
construction the reinforcement needs to have the following properties at least:

High relative strength

High toleration of tensile strain

Good bond to the concrete, irrespective of pH, moisture, and similar factors

Thermal compatibility, not causing unacceptable stresses in response to changing

temperatures.

Durability in the concrete environment, irrespective of corrosion or sustained stress for

example.

Steel reinforcement consists of

-

Bars
Wires
Welded wire fabric

The most important properties of steel are:

-

Youngs Modulus (Modulus of Elasticity), E

Yield Strength, fy
Ultimate Strength, fu
Steel grade designation
Size or diameter of the bar or wire

Forms of steel reinforcement:

-

Steel reinforcing bars

Welded wire fabric composed of steel wire
Structural steel shapes
Steel pipes

The concrete building structure can be broken down into the following elements:
1.

Beams - Horizontal members carrying lateral loads

2.

Slabs - Horizontal plate elements carrying lateral loads

3.

Columns - Vertical members carrying primarily axial load but generally subjected
to axial load and moment

4.

Walls - Vertical plate elements resisting vertical, lateral or in-plane loads

5.

Foundation - Loads from columns or walls so that the ground without excessive
settlement can support them. Alternatively the bases may be supported on piles.

In the final analysis, there are two most important purpose of which the design engineer must
ensure in the design provided:
1.

The safety of the structure under any possible worst loading conditions.

2.

The deformation of the structure under normal loading conditions remains

within the acceptable range in the context of the structures appearance, performance
and durability.

There are three design concepts that have been developed and used in reinforced concrete design.
They are:
1.

Permissible stress design: Design stresses within the

elastic limit are developed by dividing the ultimate strength of the material by a factor
of safety.

2.

Load factor design: Working loads are increased by a

safety factor in order to obtain greater value of design loads.

3.

Limit state design: Loads and strength of materials are

factored with partial safety factors. Design load are developed by multiplying
working loads with partial safety factors while ultimate strength of materials are
reduced by dividing with partial safety factors obtaining the corresponding
characteristic strength. The partial safety factors are stipulated in BS 8110.