Design of Reinforced Concrete Lec.

15 Torsion

Design of Torsion

In addition to bending moments, shear and axial forces, reinforced concrete members may be
subjected to torsional moments. The earlier versions of ACI 318 did not consider the torsional
forces as primary design forces. Instead, the effect of torsional stresses was considered to be
countered by the imposed safety factors. The current provisions of ACI 318 imposed special
procedures for design against torsion, which were first proposed in Switzerland and are included
in both the European and Canadian codes.
In reinforced concrete structures, two types of torsion can be distinguished:
(a) Primary or equilibrium torsion (statically determinate torsion).
(b) Secondary or compatibility torsion (statically indeterminate torsion).

Figure (1) Types of torsion in reinforced concrete members (a) equilibrium and (b) compatibility

The equilibrium torsion exists when the loads have no load path but must be carried by torsion.
The cantilever slabs shown in Figure 1.a and Figure 2 are examples of equilibrium torsion. In
this case the twisting moment applied by the eccentric loads is resisted by the torque T at the
supports of the beam (at the columns). On the other hand, in the case of Figure 1.b (and Figure
3), the torque cannot be determined statically. The continuity between the different parts of the
structure (strains compatibility) provides different paths to resist the applied torsional stresses.
Spandrel beams are examples of members where torsional stresses are countered by
compatibility.

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Design of Reinforced Concrete Lec.15 Torsion

Figure (2) Equilibrium torsion Figure (3) Compatibility torsion

Understanding Torsional Stresses:

The ACI 318 code uses the thin-walled tube, space truss analogy to analyse members subjected
to torsion as shown in Figure 4. In this method the torsional stresses are considered to flow
uniformly over a finite thickness t along the periphery of the section and resisted by the shear
flow q, which means that the beam can be represented by an equivalent tube with thickness t.
By summing the moments about the axial centreline of the tube:

The analysis and design of for torsion in ACI 318-14 depends on the exterior dimensions of the
section (b, h) and the cross-sectional dimensions measured center-to-center of the outermost
shear reinforcement ( and ), as shown in Figure 4.
If is the area inside the full outside perimeter , then:

√ / (1)

Figure (4) Reinforced concrete beams in torsion (a) torsional reinforcement and (b) torsional
cracks

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Design of Reinforced Concrete Lec.15 Torsion
Torsion in Reinforced Concrete Members:
If the value of the applied torque T exceeds Tcr, then the beam should be reinforced against
torsion. Torsion reinforcement composed of closed stirrups and longitudinal bars as shown in
Figure 4.a because the cracks due to torsion are continuous diagonally as shown in Figure 6.b.
Tests on beams under torsion showed that, after cracking, the area enclosed by the shear path is
defined by the dimensions xo and yo measured to the centerlines of the outermost transverse
reinforcement. Thus,
Aoh = xo yo is the gross area, and (2)
ph = 2(xo + yo) is the shear perimeter. (3)

The analysis of torsional resistance is aided by treating the member as a space truss consisting of
spiral concrete diagonals that are able to take load parallel but not perpendicular to the torsional
cracks, transverse tension tie members that are provided by closed stirrups, and tension chord
that are provided by the longitudinal reinforcement. Considering the space truss analogy, the
nominal torsional strength of the member is calculated as:

(4)

Where At is the cross-sectional area of one-leg of torsion stirrups, fyt is the yield strength of the
stirrups and Ø is the inclination angle of the torsion cracks.
On the other hand, from the derivation of the space truss analogy, the area of the longitudinal
reinforcement to resist torsion ( ) can be calculated as:

(5)

Torsion Plus Shear

In flexural members, shear forces as well as torque produce shear stresses. Both shear and
torsion cause diagonal cracks and increase the force in the diagonal struts, hence, they increase
the stresses required to be resisted by the transverse reinforcement. Figure 5 shows the
superposition of shear forces by shear and torque.

(6)

√( ) ( ) (7)

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Design of Reinforced Concrete Lec.15 Torsion

Figure (5) Addition of torsional and shear stresses

ACI 318 Provisions for Torsion Design (ACI 318-14 Sec. 22.7):

Strength reduction factor for torsion and shear is

Design torsional strength ≥ Torque due to applied factored loads :

Torsional Strength (ACI 318-14 Sec. 22.7.6):

shall be taken as the lesser of (a) and (b):

(a)

(b)

where: and ( recommended)

Figure (6) Definition of the area Aoh

Minimum Torsion (ACI 318-14 Sec. 22.7.1.1):

Torsion effect can be neglected if the applied torque is less than the threshold torsion ,
which equals one-fourth of the cracking torque .

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Design of Reinforced Concrete Lec.15 Torsion

f c (ACI 318-14 Sec. 22.7.5.1)

f c (ACI 318-14 Sec. 22.7.4.1) Thus,

If f c Then neglect torsion effect.

Where is the total area of the cross-section and is the outer perimeter of the cross-
section.
Equilibrium and Compatibility Torsion (ACI 318-14 Sec. 22.7.3):
(a) Equilibrium Torsion: (ACI 318-14 Sec. 22.7.3.1)
If is required to maintain equilibrium and,
If Then, the member shall be designed to resist

(b) Compatibility Torsion (Statically indeterminate structures): (ACI 318-14 Sec. 22.7.3.2)
If Then can be reduced to . (If , then use )
Redistributed bending moments and resulting shears must be used to design adjoining members.

Cross-Section Limitations Based on Shearing Stresses (ACI 318-14 Sec. 22.7.7):

Under combined shear and torsion, total shear stress v is limited to:

( f c

Cross-sectional dimensions shall be selected such that to satisfy:

(a) For solid sections:

√( ) ( ) ( f c

(b) For hollow sections:

( ) ( ) ( f c

Reinforcement for Shear and Torsion:

(a) Transverse reinforcement: all stirrps shall be closed as shown in Figure 7 with
.

Since , then required stirrups area (for one leg) equals:

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Design of Reinforced Concrete Lec.15 Torsion
Combined shear and torsion:

Figure (7) Stirrups required for torsion in different locations.

Minimum Transverse Reinforcement:

f c

Maximum Spacing of Torsion Transverse Reinforcement:

(b) Longitudinal reinforcement:

which shall not be less than the minimum longutinal area , where shall be the lesser
of (a) and (b). (ACI 318-14 Sec. 9.6.4.3):

(a) f c -( )

(b) f c -( )

Use longitudinal bars at perimeter of section spaced at  300 mm, at every corner of stirrups, and
no smaller than No. 10 bar. Must be anchored to develop fy at face of supports.

Prof. Dr. Sallal R. Abid Wasit University - Civil Engineering Department 124
Design of Reinforced Concrete Lec.15 Torsion
Ex. 1)
For the T-beam section shown below, calculate the cracking torque and check the section
adequacy for shear and torsion. Consider the factored shear force and the factored torsion at the
critical section to be Vu=150 kN and Tu= 45 kN.m. Use d = 690 mm, and
.
700 mm

Sol.)
150
1- Cracking torque
750 mm

300 mm

√ √

2- Check the section adequacy for torsion and shear

Assume 40 mm cover and 10 mm bars for torsion and shear reinforcement.
Section properties of web:
610
( )
60
( )
660 mm
Section properties of flange:

( )
210

( )

√( ) ( ) ( √ )

√ √

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Design of Reinforced Concrete Lec.15 Torsion

√( ) ( ) √( ) ( )

( √ ) ( √ )

The section is adequate

Ex. 2)
For the T-beam section shown below, calculate the cracking torque and check the section
adequacy for shear and torsion. Consider the factored shear force and the factored torsion at the
critical section to be Vu=150 kN and Tu= 45 kN.m. Use d = 690 mm, and
.

700 mm

150

750 mm

300 mm

Sol.)
Since only the web is enclosed by closed stirrups, then consider only the web dimensions for
torsion calculations. Thus, consider the T-beam as a rectangular beam with b = 300 mm and h =
750 mm.
1- Cracking torque

√ √

2- Check the section adequacy for torsion and shear

Assume 40 mm cover and 10 mm bars for torsion and shear reinforcement.

( )

( )

Prof. Dr. Sallal R. Abid Wasit University - Civil Engineering Department 126
Design of Reinforced Concrete Lec.15 Torsion

√( ) ( ) ( √ )

√ √

√( ) ( ) √( ) ( )

( √ ) ( √ )

The section is adequate

Ex. 3)
The T-beam shown below has a span of 8.5 m and is carrying a total factored load of ⁄ .
If the supports prevent the rotation of the member in planes perpendicular to its longitudinal
axis, then determine the eccentricity (e) of the load at which no need to add reinforcement to
resist torsion.
Pu
e
Sol.) 1000

Pu, critical is at distance d from support. 120

350 350
480

Calculate minimum requirement for torsion

300
reinforcement

If √ then, no need for torsion reinforcement. Thus, use:

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Design of Reinforced Concrete Lec.15 Torsion

Ex. 4)
A rectangular beam with section width of 350 mm and section depth of 630 mm is subjected to
an external factored shear force acts at the critical section with a value of Vu=200 kN and an
equilibrium factored external torsional moment of Tu= 50 kN.m. If the required bending
reinforcement is and , then check the adequacy
of the section and calculate the required torsion and shear reinforcement.

Sol.)
1- Check whether torsion effect can be neglected or not.

√ √

Section properties: assume 40 mm cover, 12 mm diameter stirrups, and 20 mm flexural bars.

( )

( )

( )

2- Check the adequacy of section for combined shear and torsion.

√( ) ( ) ( √ )

√ √

√( ) ( ) √( ) ( )

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Design of Reinforced Concrete Lec.15 Torsion

( √ ) ( √ )

The section is adequate

3- Torsional reinforcement

⁄ ⁄

4- Shear reinforcement

⁄ ⁄

5- Total stirrups reinforcement

⁄ ⁄

Using 12 mm closed stirrups: Area of two legs = 2 113 =226 mm2

, Thus

Check maximum spacing:

a- Maximum spacing for torsion

b- Maximum spacing for shear

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Design of Reinforced Concrete Lec.15 Torsion
6- Calculate longitudinal torsion reinforcement

Check minimum longitudinal reinforcement:

(a) f c -( )

√ (Controls)

(b) f c -( )

√ ( )

>

Since the beam effective depth is less than 600 mm and the maximum vertical spacing between
longitudinal bars is 300 mm, then one bar is required at each face at the mid depth of the section.
Then, ( goes to the top corners and ( ) goes to the bottom corners to be added to the

flexural bars, while the remaining ( ), would thus be distributed at the mid depth of the beam

section.

Thus, Use 6 20 at the bottom of the beam

Thus, Provide 2 16 at the top corners, As = 402 mm2

And provide 2 16 at mid depth of the beam section, As = 402 mm2

Ø12@130 2Ø16
mm
closed stirrups 2Ø16 630 mm

6Ø20

350 mm

Prof. Dr. Sallal R. Abid Wasit University - Civil Engineering Department 131