Concrete Design Rules of Thumb

Dimensions of structural members in concrete construction

Beams
A convenient formula for approximating the dimensions of a concrete beam is the following based on the
cross-sectional dimensions 'b' and 'd':

where: 'b' = beam width (inches); 'd' = beam depth (inches); Mu = Max moment in beam (ft-kips)

The required area of tension steel reinforcing can be approximated by the following formula:

where: As = area of steel (square inches); Mu = max moment in beam (ft-kips); 'd' = beam depth (inches)

Under normal building loading conditions, the minimum depth of beams using Grade 60 reinforcing should
be the following:

Simply Supported: D = L/16

One End Continuous: D = L/18

Both Ends Continuous: D = L/20

Cantilever: D = L/8

Moment of Inertia[1]
The moment of inertia of a 'T' or 'L' shaped beam can be approximated by the following:

For an 'L' beam

For an 'T' beam

where

= the moment of interia of the rectangular web

Columns
a. Minimum dimension is 8
b. Cross sectional area in square inches = load (in psi)/1000

Slabs
One way spans:
(assumed to support structurally in one direction, or having joist ribs in one direction)

Slabs without joist ribs

Under normal building loading conditions, the thickness of solid one-way slabs with Grade 60 reinforcing
steel can be :

Simply Supported: Thk = L/20

One End Continuous: Thk = L/24

Both Ends Continuous: Thk = L/28

Cantilever: Thk = L/10

Joist slabs
Here are some guidelines for joist slabs.

good for spans from 12 to 30

good for oblong bays

overall depth of slab plus joist ribs = span/20 + 2

common spacing of 20 and 30 between ribs

joists commonly have a width of 5 to 9

Two-way slabs:
Without drop panels
The minimum thickness of two-way slabs can be based on the following:

Exterior panels without edge beams: Thk = Ln/30

Rules of thumb for concrete structural floor layout

Two-way spans (assumed to support structurally in two directions or having perpendicular joist ribs).

Slabs without joist ribs

Here are some guidelines for two-way slabs.

Bays of two-way slabs (without joist ribs) may be up to 24x24 (i.e. 576 sq. ft.)

Slab thickness of the slab = span/30

Joist slabs
Here are some guidelines for two-way joist slabs (Waffle Slabs).

Waffle slabs are used for 24 to 50 in the large dimension (maximum of 2500 sq. ft.)

Overall thickness of slab and joist rib = span/30 + 2

Concrete Walls

The thickness of bearing walls should be at least 1/25 the supported height or length of the wall.

The thickness of nonbearing walls should be at least 1/30 of the least distance between lateral
supporting members.

References
1. W.F. Chen and Charles Scawthorn. Earthquake Engineering Handbook. 2003. CRC Press LLC.
Other References:
1. Structural Engineer Magazine (2001). Time Saving Design Aids for Reinforced Concrete: Concrete
Beam Design.
2. http://www.arch.mcgill.ca/prof/friedman/arch240/winter1998/lecture8/lecture8.html