DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS IN ULTIMATE STRENGTH DESIGN

NOTATIONS & SYMBOLS

𝐴𝑏 = area of bar, 𝑚𝑚2
𝑑𝑎𝑔𝑔 = diameter of aggregates, mm
𝑑𝑏 = diameter of bar, mm
𝑑𝑠 = diameter of stirrups, mm
𝐸𝑐 = modulus of elasticity of concrete, MPa
𝐸𝑠 = modulus of elasticity of steel = 200,000 MPa
𝑓′𝑐= specified compressive stress of concrete, MPa
𝑓𝑦 = specified yield strength of steel, MPa

CONCRETE PROPERTIES (NSCP 2015 SECTION 419.2.1)

SPECIFIED COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH (NSCP 2015 SECTION 419.2.1)

419.2.1.1 The value of 𝑓′𝑐 shall be specified in construction documents and shall be in accordance with (a)
through ( c ) :
a. Limits in Table 419.2.1.1:
b. Durability requirements in Table 419.3.2.1.
c. Structural strength requirements
Table 419.2.1.1 Limits for f’c

Application Concrete Minimum f’c MPa Maximum f’c, MPa

General Normal weight and 17 None

lightweight

Special moment Normal Weight 21 None

frames and special
structural walls

Lightweight 21 35(1)
(1) The limit is permitted to be exceeded where demonstrated by experimental evidence that members made with lightweight
concrete provide strength and toughness equal to or exceeding those of comparable members made with normal weight
concrete of the same strength.

MODULUS OF ELASTICITY (NCSP 2015 SECTION 419.2.2)

It is the ratio of the normal stress to corresponding strain for tensile or compressive stresses below the
proportional limit of the material. Concrete has a modulus of elasticity which varies with the different concrete
strength, concrete age, type of loading and the proportions of cement and aggregates.

419.2.21 Modulus of elasticity, Ec, for Concrete shall be permitted to calculated as (a)or (b):
a. For values of wc between 1440 and 2560 kg/m3
Ec = wc1.5 0.043 √𝒇′𝒄 (in MPa)
b. for normal weight concrete
Ec=4700 √𝒇′𝒄 (in MPa)
DEFORMED BARS FOR STEEL REINFORCEMENTS

STEEL REINFORCEMENT INFORMATION

ASTM STANDARDS PHILIPPINE STANDARD (PNS)
Bar Nominal Diameter Nominal Area Nominal Mass Bar Size Nominal Nominal
Size Designation Area mm2 Mass
inch mm in2 mm2 lb/ft kg/m kg/m

3 0.375 9.5 0.11 71 0.376 0.560 10 79 0.618

4 0.500 12.7 0.20 129 0.668 0.994 12 113 0.890
5 0.625 15.9 0.31 199 1.043 1.552 16 201 1.580
6 0.750 19.1 0.44 294 1.502 2.235 20 314 2.465
7 0.875 22.2 0.60 387 2.044 3.042 N.A. N.A. N.A.
8 1.000 25.4 0.79 510 2.670 3.973 25 491 3.851
9 1.128 28.7 1.00 645 3.400 5.060 28 616 4.831
10 1.270 32.3 1.27 819 4.303 6.404 32 804 6.310
11 1.410 35.8 1.57 1006 5.313 7.907 36 1019 7.986
14 1.693 43.0 2.25 1452 7.650 11.382 40 1257 10.681
18 2.257 57.3 4.00 2581 13.60 20,240 58 2642 20.729

MINIMUM SPACING OF REINFORCEMENT (NSCP 2015 SECTION 425)

● 425.2.1 For parallel non-prestressed reinforcement in horizontal layers, clear space shall be at least the
greatest of 25mm, db and (4/3)dagg.
● 425.2.2 For parallel non-prestressed reinforcement placed in two or more horizontal layers shall be
placed directly above reinforcement in the bottom layer with a clear spacing between layers of at least
25mm.
● 425.2.3 For longitudinal reinforcement in column, pedestals, struts and boundary elements in walls clear
spacing between bars shall be at least the greatest of 40mm, 1.5db and (4/3)dagg.

BUNDLED REINFORCEMENT (NSCP 2015 SECTION 425.6)

• 425.6.1 Non-Prestressed Reinforcement

• 425.6.1.1 Groups of parallel reinforcing bars bundled in contact to act as a unit shall be limited to four in
any one bundle.
• 425.6.1.2 Bundled bars shall be enclosed within transverse reinforcement. Bundled bars in compression
members are enclosed by transverse reinforcement at least 12mm in size.
• 425.6.1.3 Bars larger than a 36mm shall not be bundled in beams.
• 425.6.1.4 Individual bars within a bundle terminated within the span of flexural members shall
terminate at different points with at least 40d stagger.
• 425.6.1.5 Development length for individual bars within a bundle, in tension or compression, shall be
that of the individual bar, increased 20 percent for a three-bar bundle, and 33 percent for a four-bar
bundle.
• 425.6.1.6 A unit bundled bar shall be treated as a single bar with an area equivalent to that of the
bundle and a centroid coinciding with that of the bundle. The diameter of equivalent bar shall be used
for db, in (a) through (e):
a) Spacing limitations based on db.
b) Cover requirements based on db.
c) Spacing and cover values in Section 425.4.2.2.
d) Confinement term in Section 425.4.2.3.
e) 𝛹 factor in Section 425.4.4.
SPECIFIED CONCRETE COVER REQUIREMENTS (NSCP 2015 SECTION 420.6.1.3)
● 420.6.1.3.1 Non-prestressed cast in place concrete members shall have specified concrete cover for
reinforcement at least that given in Table 420.6.1.3.1

Table 420.6.1.3.1 Specified Concrete cover for Cast-in-Place Non-Prestressed Concrete

Members.
Concrete Exposure Member Reinforcement Specified Cover, mm

Cast against and All 75

permanently in All
contact with ground

20mm∅ through 50
58mm∅ bars
Exposed to weather
or in contact with All
ground 16mm∅ bar, MW200
or MD200 Wire, and 40
smaller

40mm∅ and 58mm∅

40
bars
Slabs, joints, and
walls
Not exposed to 36mm∅ bar and
20
weather or in contact smaller
with ground
Primary
Beams, Columns,
reinforcement,
Pedestals, and 40
stirrups, ties spirals,
tension ties
and hoops

● 420.6.1.3.2 Cast in place prestressed concrete members shall have specified concrete cover for
reinforcement, ducts and end fitting at least that given in table 420.6.1.3.2

Table 420.6.1.3.2 Specified Concrete cover for Cast-in-Place Prestressed Concrete Members

Concrete Exposure Member Reinforcement Specified cover, mm

Cast against and

permanently in contact All All 75
with ground

Exposed to weather or Slabs, joists, and walls All 25

in contact with ground
All others All 40

Slabs, joists and walls All 20

Not exposed to
weather or in contact Primary Reinforcement 40
with ground Beams columns and
tension ties. Stirrups, ties, spirals,
25
and hoops

• 420.6.1.3.4 For bundled bars, specified concrete cover shall be at least the smaller of (a) and (b):
a) The equivalent diameter of the bundle.
b) 50mm

and for concrete cast against and permanently in contact with ground, the specific cover shall be
75mm.
STRENGTH REDUCTION FACTORS (NSCP 2015 SECTION 421.2)
● 421.2.1 Strength reduction factor ∅ shall be in accordance with Table 421.2.1 except as modified by
Sections 421.2.2, 421.2.3, and 421.24.

Table 421.2.1
Strength Reduction Factors ∅
Action or structural Element ∅ Exceptions

(a) Moment, axial force, or 0.65 to 0.90 in accordance with Near ends of pretensioned members
combined moment and section 421.2.2 where strands are not fully
axial force developed, ∅ shall be in accordance
with section 421.2.3

(b) Shear 0.75 Additional requirements are given in

section 421.2.3 for structures
designed to resist earthquake effects

(c) Torsion 0.75 -

(d) Bearing 0.65 -

(e) Post-tensioned 0.85 -

anchorage zones

(f) Brackets and Corbels 0.75 -

(g) Struts, ties, nodal, zones 0.75 -

and bearing areas
designed in accordance
with strut-and tie
method in Section 423

(h) Components of 0.90 -

connection of precast
members controlled by
yielding of steel
elements in tension

(i) Plain concrete elements 0.60 -

(j) Anchors in concrete 0.45 to 0.75 in accordance with -

elements section 417

• 421.2.2 Strength reduction factor for moment, axial force or combined moment and axial forces shall
be in accordance with Table 421.2.2.

Table 421.2.2
Strength Reduction Factors ∅, for Moment, Axial Forces, or combined moment and Axial force
Net Tensile Strain Classification Spirals conforming Other
𝜀, to sect. 425.7.3

𝜀𝜏 ≤ 𝜀𝜏𝛾 Compression 0.75 (a) 0.65 (b)

controlled
𝜀𝜏−𝜀𝜏𝛾 𝜀𝜏−𝜀𝜏𝛾
𝜀𝜏𝛾 < 𝜀𝜏 < 0.005 Transition(1) 0.75 + 0.15(0.005−𝜀𝜏𝛾) (c) 0.65 + 0.25 (0.005−𝜀𝜏𝛾) (d)

𝜀𝜏 > 0.005 Tension 0.90 (e) 0.90 (f)

controlled
(1) For sections classified as transition, it shall be permitted to use ∅ corresponding to compression-
controlled sections.

● 421.2.2.1 For deformed reinforcement, 𝜀𝜏𝛾 shall be fy/Es. For Grade 280 deformed reinforcement, it is
shall be permitted to take 𝜀𝜏𝛾 equal to 0.002.
LOAD COMBINATION USING STRENGTH DESIGN OR LOAD AND RESISTANCE FACTOR
DESIGN (NSCP 2015 SECTION 203.3)
• 203.3.1 Where strengthen design or load and resistance factor design is used, structures and all portions
thereof shall resist the most critical effects from the following combinations of factored loads:
o 1.4(D+ F) (203-1)
o 1.2(D+F+ T) + 1.6(L + H) + 0.5(Lr or R) (203-2)
o 1.2D + 1.6(L or R) + (f1L or 0.5W) (203-3)
o 1.2D + 1.0W + f1L + 0.5(Lr or R) (203-4)
o 1.2D + 1.0E + f1L (203-5)
o 0.9D + 1.0W + 1.6H (203-6)
o 0.9D + 1.0E + 1.6H (203-7)

Where:
D = Dead Load
L = Live Load
W = Wind Load
E = Earthquake Load
Lr = Roof Live Load
T = Temperature Load
F = Fluid Load

LOAD COMBINATIONS USING ALLOWABLE STRESS OR ALLOWABLE STRENGTH DESIGN

(NSCP 2015 SECTION 203.4)
● 203.4.1 Where allowable stress or allowable strength design is used, structures and all portions
thereof shall resist the most critical effects from the following combinations of loads:

○ D+F (203-8)
○ D+F+H+F+L+T (203-9)
○ D + H + F + (Lr or R) (203-10)
○ D + H + F + 0.75[ L + T + (L or R) (203-11)
𝐸
○ D + H + F + (0.6W OR 1.4) (203-12)

SUPPLEMENTARY PROBLEMS:

PROBLEM 1

Draw the details of the most efficient beam in terms of flexure of the beam is cast-in-place, non-prestressed and
not exposed to weather or in contact with ground, Beam section 250mm x 360mm reinforced with 10 mm ∅
stirrups and 6pcs-16mm ∅ longitudinal bottom bars. Follow the provisions in the NSCP 2015

PROBLEM 2

Draw the details of the most efficient beam in terms of flexure of the beam is cast-in-place, non-prestressed and
not exposed to weather or in contact with ground, Beam section 300mm x 450mm reinforced with 12 mm ∅
stirrups and 6pcs-32mm ∅ longitudinal bottom bars. Follow the provisions in the NSCP 2015

PROBLEM 3

Draw the details of the most efficient beam in terms of flexure of the beam is cast-in-place, non-prestressed and
not exposed to weather or in contact with ground, Beam section 280mm x 480mm reinforced with 10 mm ∅
stirrups, and As = 3122mm2. Bending moment is positive. Use 20mm ∅ longitudinal top bars.

PROBLEM 4

Draw the details of the most efficient beam in terms of flexure of the beam is cast-in-place, non-prestressed and
not exposed to weather or in contact with ground, Beam section 300mm x 450mm rectangular beam reinforced
with 12 mm ∅ stirrups and 6pcs-32mm ∅ longitudinal top bars.
DESIGN ASSUMPTION FOR CONCRETE (NSCP 2015 SECTION 422.2.2)
The following are the assumptions for strength design method:

● 422.2.2.1 Maximum Strain at the extreme concrete compression fiber shall be assumed equal to 0.003.
● 422.2.2.2 Tensile strength of concrete shall be neglected in flexural and axial strength calculation.
● 422.2.2.3 The relationship between concrete compressive stress and strain shall be represented by a
rectangular, trapezoidal, parabolic, or other shape that result in prediction of strength in substantial
agreement with result of comprehensive tests.
● 422.2.2.4.1 Concrete stress of 0.85 f’c shall be assumed uniformly distributed over an equivalent
compression zone bounded by edges of the cross section and a line parallel to the neutral axis located at
distance “a” from the fiber of maximum compressive strain, as calculated by:

a = 𝛽1 c

• 422.2.2.4.2 Distance from the fiber of maximum compressive strain to the neutral axis, c, shall be
measured perpendicular to the neutral axis.
• 422.2.2.4.3 Values of 𝛽1 shall be in accordance with Table 422.2.2.4.3

Table 422.22.2.4.3
Values of b1 for Equivalent Rectangular Concrete Stress Distribution

f’c MPa 𝜷1

17 ≤ f’c ≥28 0.85 (a)

28 < f’c <55 𝟎. 𝟎𝟓(𝐟’𝐜 − 𝟐𝟖) (b)

𝟎. 𝟖𝟓 −
𝟕
f’c ≥55 0.65 (c)

TYPES OF FAILURE AND STRAIN LIMIT

Three types of flexural failure of a structural member can be expected depending on the percentage of
steel used in the section.
1. Steel may reach its yield strength before the concrete reaches its maximum strength, in this case
the failure is due to the yielding of steel reaching a high strain equal to or greater than 0.005 the
section contains a relatively small amount of steel lesser than what is required for balanced
condition and is called a TENSION-CONTROLLED SECTION.
2. The section at which the compression fiber just reaches the crushing strain ϵc = 0.003 at the same
time as the tension steel reaches a strain ϵs = fy/Es causing them to fail simultaneously, is called
a BALANCE SECTION
3. Concrete may fail before the yielding of steel, due to the presence of high percentage of steel in
the section more than what is required for balanced condition. In this case, the concrete strength
and its maximum strain of 0.003 are reached, but the steel stress is less than the yield strength,
that is fs < fy. The strain in the steel is equal to or less than 0.002. This section is called a
COMPRESSION-CONTROLLED SECTION
MINIMUM FLEXURAL REINFORECEMENT IN NON-PRESTRESSED BEAMS (NSCP) 2015
SECTION 409.6.1)
● 409.6.1.1 A minimum area of flexural reinforcement As, min shall be provided at every section
where tension reinforcement is required by analysis.
● 409.6.1.2 As, min shall be the greater of (a) and (b), except as provide in section 409.6.1.3. For
a statically determinate beam with a flange in tension, the value of b w shall be the lesser of bf
and 2bw.
0.25 √𝑓′𝑐
a) bw d
𝑓𝑦

1,4
b) bw d
𝑓𝑦

● 409.6.1.3 If As provided at every section is at least one-third greater than As required by analysis, section
409.6.1.1 and 409.6.1.2 need not be satisfied.

MAXIMUM FLEXURAL REINFORECEMENT IN NON-PRESTRESSED BEAMS (NSCP) 2015

• 409.3.3.1. For non-prestressed beams with Pu < 0.10 f’c Ag , 𝜀𝜏 shall be at least 0.004

The maximum Area of reinforcement, As max shall be equal to 𝜌max bwd

3 0.85 𝑓 ′ 𝑐 𝛽1
𝜌𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 7
( 𝑓𝑦
) (Derived from the strain value in Section 409.3.3.1)