H23RCD-E1

The University of Nottingham

Malaysia Campus
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
A LEVEL 3 MODULE, AUTUMN SEMESTER 2015-2016
REINFORCED CONCRETE DESIGN
Time allowed TWO Hours

Candidates may complete the front cover of their answer book and sign their desk card but
must NOT write anything else until the start of the examination period is announced
Answer ALL Questions
This module has 25% coursework assessment
All questions and parts of questions carry marks as indicated in brackets.
Only silent, self contained calculators with a Single-Line Display or Dual-Line Display are
permitted in this examination.
Dictionaries are not allowed with one exception. Those whose first language is not English
may use a standard translation dictionary to translate between that language and English
provided that neither language is the subject of this examination. Subject specific translation
dictionaries are not permitted.
No electronic devices capable of storing and retrieving text, including electronic dictionaries,
may be used.
DO NOT turn examination paper over until instructed to do so
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL:

Eurocode 2: Part 1-1:2004: Design of Concrete Structures.

INFORMATION FOR INVIGILATORS:

Question papers and additional material should be collected in at the end of the exam do
not allow candidates to take copies from the exam room.

H23RCD-E1

Turn over

2
1.

H23RCD-E1

The fundamental basis of Euro Code for structural design is Limit State Design that
considers both the Ultimate Limit State (ULS) and Serviceability Limit State (SLS).
(a)

Elaborate the main concerns and the design states to be considered in design
under Ultimate Limit State (ULS) and Serviceability Limit State (SLS),
respectively.
[12 marks]

(b)

The approach in adopted EC2 for derivation of tensile reinforcement, A s, in

reinforced concrete beam carrying bending moment, MEd, is to consider a
balanced sectional moment between the idealised rectangular stress block of
concrete in compression and steel reinforcement in tension.
i)

With aid of sketches show that the maximum moment of resistance of a

balanced reinforced concrete beam is;
MRd = 0.206 fck bd2

ii)

[4 marks]

Based on the same approach, show that the sectional lever arm, Z, is;
Z d 0.5

0.25 K

1.134

[Hint: K

MEd
fck bd2

]
[4 marks]

(c)

Figure Q.1 shows the cross section of an edge flange reinforced concrete beam.
The beam is reinforced with reinforcing bars having yield strength, fyk = 500
N/mm2, and cast from concrete having cylinder compressive strength, fck = 25
N/mm2.
i)

Determine the effective width, beff, of the slab that will act as compression
flange for the beam in the presence of sagging bending moment.
[5 marks]

ii)

Discuss briefly how you would analyse the sectional sagging moment
resistance of the beam shown in Figure Q.1. Using the effective width
derived from Part (i), determine the maximum moment resistance
(sagging), MRd, of the section.
[20 marks]
50
2H25

150

675

200

6H40
300

3500

Figure Q.1 (all dimensions in millimetres)

H23RCD-E1

3
2.

H23RCD-E1

The approach adopted by EC2 with regards to shear reinforcement in reinforced

concrete beam is to consider the density of shear reinforcement, Asw /s, crossing a
shear failure plane having an inclination angle, , to the horizontal, and the concrete
stress, fcd, perpendicular to this plane. From this background and with help of sketches,
show that:
(a)

The vertical shear resistance of the shear links is:

VRd,s

(b)

A sw
0.87 f ywk z cot
s

[2 marks]

The inclination angle of shear failure plane /or cracks is:

VEd
2 sin 1
Hint: cos sin = 0.5 sin 2

0.5 f cd b w z
[6 marks]

(c)

Figure Q.2 shows the cross section of a reinforced concrete beam to be cast from
concrete having cylinder compressive strength, fck = 25 N/mm2.
i)

If the beam is subjected to shear force, VEd = 120 kN, analyse and
determine the suitability of the beam in the absence of shear
reinforcement.
[5 marks]

ii)

If the beam is reinforced with shear links R12 at 250mm spacing,

determine the maximum shear resistance of the beam. The yield strength
of the shear reinforcement can be taken as fywk = 250 N/mm2.
[4 marks]

iii)

In the event that the design shear force increases to VEd = 500 kN,
determine the required shear-link spacing. Take the shear reinforcement
R12 bars having a yield strength of fywk = 250 N/mm2.
(Note: take cw=1, v1= v in eq. 6.6, EC2, and concrete c=1.5)
[8 marks]
900
50
150

2H25

675

6H25
300

Figure Q.2 (all dimensions in millimetres)

H23RCD-E1

Turn over

4
3.

H23RCD-E1

Column design charts are provided for this question.

(a)

With the aid of sketches, describe the construction of reinforced concrete

columns in multi-storey buildings, showing how starter bars from the foundation
are connected to the column reinforcement and typical reinforcement details
where columns and beam cross each other at floor levels.
[4 marks]

(b)

With the aid of sketches, explain how the stress and strain distributions, drawn
for the combined effects of ultimate axial load N and bending moment M, are
used to generate the N-M interaction chart for rectangular columns.
[6 marks]

(c)

Figure Q.3 shows the cross section of a reinforced concrete column to be cast
from concrete having cylinder compressive strength, fck = 35 N/mm2 and to be
reinforced with reinforcing bars having yield strength, fyk = 500 N/mm2.
i)

If the axial load is NEd = 2300 kN and the design bending moment is MEd,Z
= 150 kNm, while MEd,Y = 0 kNm, determine the required reinforcement for
the column.
[5 marks]

ii)

In the event that the axial load increases to NEd =2400 kN in the presence
of bending moment MEd,Y = 40 kNm (minor axis), while the moment about
the major axis remains as, MEd,Z = 150 kNm, analyse the adequacy of the
proposed column section. The sectional reinforcement may be assumed to
be 4H32.
[15 marks]

Y
300
60
80

Mz
Z

400

My
Y

Figure Q.3 (all dimensions in millimetres)

H23RCD-E1

H23RCD-E1

H23RCD-E1

End