How to Estimate the Strength of Reinforced Concrete Beam


Get detailed information on a calculator with SI/Metric system of units to work out the strength of rectangular section concerning a reinforced concrete beam that is singly or doubly reinforced.

This exclusive calculator is developed on the basis of the guidelines of American Concrete Institute.

The calculator contains the following features:-

  • Ultimate compressive strain in concrete is equivalent to 0.003. The compressive stress in the concrete attains its highest possible value when the maximum compressive strain in concrete is approximately 0.002. Apart 0.002, the stress drops slowly. Concrete fails in compression if the strain in concrete attains at around 0.003.
  • Tensile strength of concrete is disregarded. The tensile strength of a material refers to the maximum amount of tensile stress that it can capture prior to failure, for example breaking.
  • Strain fluctuates linearly over the depth of the cross section.
  • Steel stress fluctuates linearly unless yielding and keeps on constant further yielding.
  • Based on the Whitney's corresponding stress block, compressive force in the concrete is set

From the figures, given below, you will learn how diverse values should be chosen for the calculator.

From the centroid of tension reinforcement up to the top-edge of beam, the effective depth is obtained. In case of two layers of tension rebar, divide them by a clear distance and other standards as stated by ACI 318-08. To deal with beam thickness, rebar spacing and cover etc., the user of the calculator should abide by the ACI guidelines. The following calculator is suitable for finding out the nominal bending moment strength of rectangular Reinforced Concrete beam.

It will also work out the strain in the layers of rebar to determine whether steel has yielded or not.

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Reinforced Concrete Beam