FALL 2013
C
C
Reinforced
Concrete
Design
,CIVL 4135 • ii
, 1 Chapter 1. Introduction
1.1. Reading Assignment
Chapter 1 Sections 1.1 through 1.8 of text.
1.2. Introduction
In the design and analysis of reinforced concrete members, you are presented with a problem
unfamiliar to most of you: “The mechanics of members consisting of two materials.” To
compound this problem, one of the materials (concrete) behaves differently in tension than in
compression, and may be considered to be either elastic or inelastic, if it is not neglected entirely.
Although we will encounter some peculiar aspects of behavior of concrete members, we will
usually be close to a solution for most problems if we can apply the following three basic ideas:
• Geometry of deformation of sections will be consistent under given types of loading;
i.e., moment will always cause strain to vary linearly with distance from neutral axis,
etc.
• Mechanics of materials will allow us to relate stresses to strains.
• Sections will be in equilibrium: external moments will be resisted by internal
moment, external axial load will be equal to the sum of internal axial forces. (Many
new engineers overly impressed speed and apparent accuracy of modern structural
analysis computational procedures think less about equilibrium and details).
We will use some or all of these ideas in solving most of the analysis problems we will have in
this course.
Design of members and structures of reinforced concrete is a problem distinct from but closely
related to analysis. Strictly speaking, it is almost impossible to exactly analyze a concrete
structure, and to design exactly is no less difficult. Fortunately, we can make a few fundamental
assumptions which make the design of reinforced concrete quite simple, if not easy.
C
C
Reinforced
Concrete
Design
,CIVL 4135 • ii
, 1 Chapter 1. Introduction
1.1. Reading Assignment
Chapter 1 Sections 1.1 through 1.8 of text.
1.2. Introduction
In the design and analysis of reinforced concrete members, you are presented with a problem
unfamiliar to most of you: “The mechanics of members consisting of two materials.” To
compound this problem, one of the materials (concrete) behaves differently in tension than in
compression, and may be considered to be either elastic or inelastic, if it is not neglected entirely.
Although we will encounter some peculiar aspects of behavior of concrete members, we will
usually be close to a solution for most problems if we can apply the following three basic ideas:
• Geometry of deformation of sections will be consistent under given types of loading;
i.e., moment will always cause strain to vary linearly with distance from neutral axis,
etc.
• Mechanics of materials will allow us to relate stresses to strains.
• Sections will be in equilibrium: external moments will be resisted by internal
moment, external axial load will be equal to the sum of internal axial forces. (Many
new engineers overly impressed speed and apparent accuracy of modern structural
analysis computational procedures think less about equilibrium and details).
We will use some or all of these ideas in solving most of the analysis problems we will have in
this course.
Design of members and structures of reinforced concrete is a problem distinct from but closely
related to analysis. Strictly speaking, it is almost impossible to exactly analyze a concrete
structure, and to design exactly is no less difficult. Fortunately, we can make a few fundamental
assumptions which make the design of reinforced concrete quite simple, if not easy.
