Worked example: Deflection of a beam

It was already mentioned in the exercise of the statically determinate beam that a
check calculation of the deflection should be performed in serviceability limit state
(SLS). This can be done by means of simple equations seen in courses of strength of
materials. However, it is only an approximation of the real deflection since in many
cases the concrete is already in a cracked state under service loads. Within this
exercise a more detailed calculation of the deflection is performed on the previously
designed statically determinate beam. The inelastic behaviour of the concrete crosssection is hereby taken in account. Beside this long term effects (creep behaviour) is
included in the calculations.
A scheme of the given beam is shown in figure 1. All loads and necessary data are
given below.

DATA .............................................................................................................. 2
CHECK CALCULATION ..................................................................................... 3
Ec,ef (effective modulus of elasticity) ................................................................................ 3
The uncracked section...................................................................................................... 3
The cracked section ......................................................................................................... 4
The simplified model for calculation of deflections........................................................... 5
Mr and sr .......................................................................................................................... 5
M en s ............................................................................................................................. 6
= ? ................................................................................................................................. 6
The final deflection .......................................................................................................... 6

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Data
The beam has a length of 7.2m and is simply supported at both ends (figure 1). The
beam is a structural element in the context of a building.
- Permanent loads (self-weight included) = 38 kN/m
- Non permanent load of 18kN/m for which the quasi permanent part is equal to:
5.4kN/m
The loads are applied to the beam after 7 days after casting.
with concrete C25/30
Ec = 31500 N/mm
fctm = 2.6 N/mm
The cross-section in the middle of the span, which is the result of the design process
in ULS, is represented in figure 2.
Question:
The determination of the long-term deflection in the middle of the span of the beam.
The maximum displacement at mid-span of the beam is equal to:

vmax f

5 q 4
384 EI
q

7,2m

x
vmax

v(x)

3,6
m

3,6
m

snede XX

20

550 600

25 + 2

500

Fig. 2: given beam with reinforcement

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Check calculation
Ec,ef (effective modulus of elasticity)
-

Ac 500 * 600 = 300000 mm

= 2 * (500 + 600) mm

- 2

Ac

300000 mm
2 136.36 mm 272.7mm
(2200)

- loads are applied after 7 days

- dry atmosphere (inside)

creep coefficient (, t 0 ) is found by interpolation:

(table 9.2.2-1, 9.2.2, Calculation of deflections according to eurocode 2)

2.96
Ec ,ef

Ecm
31500

7955 N/mm
1 1 2,96

Es 200000

25,1
Ec ,ef
7955

The uncracked section

x

( S Af ) z '

met

Af

. As1 . d . As 2 . d 2 b . h .
. As1 As 2 bh

h
2

As1 4 25 2 20 2591mm

As 2 2 20 628 mm
d 550 mm

d2 50 mm
b 500 mm
h 600 mm
x 332,3 mm

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I1

bx b(h x)

As1 (d x) As 2 ( x d 2 )
3
3

of

bh
h
bh( x )
12
2

I1 1,37 . 1010 mm 4
f1 = deflection in uncracked state

f1

5 (quasi perm.load ) . 4
384
( EI )1

5
384

met ( EI )1 Ec ,ef . I 1

N
* (7.2 4 *1012 mm 4 )
mm
N
7955
*1.37 *1010 mm 4
mm

(38 5.4)

f1 13,8 mm

The cracked section

( As1 As 2 )
x

b
I2

2 ( As1 . d As 2 . d 2 )
( As1 As 2 )

253,5 mm

b
b

bx 3
As1 . (d x) 2 As 2 . ( x d 2 ) 2 9.09 *10 9 mm 4
3

f2 = deflection in uncracked state

with

(a)

5 (quasi perm.load) . 4
384
( EI ) 2
( EI ) 2 ?
( EI ) 2 Ec,ef . I 2

N
* 9,09 *10 9 mm 4
mm
7.23*1013 Nmm
7955

(b)

alternative for (EI)2

( EI ) 2 E s . I 2 h
E s . As1 . z .(d x)
With equation 5.3.2-8 (5.3.2):

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x A x d2 x
z d s2 .
. ( d 2 ) = 471 mm
3 As1 d x 3
( EI ) 2 200000 N/mm * 2591 mm * 471 mm * (550 253.5) mm
7.24 *1013 Nmm

5
*
384

f2 =

N
* (7.2 4 *1012 mm 4 )
mm
= 21.0 mm
7.23*1013 Nmm

(38 5.4)

The simplified model for calculation of deflections

f . f 2 (1 ) . f1
with

1 1 2 . (

sr
M
) 1 1 . 2 . ( r )
s
M

still to be determined: sr , s , M r , M ?

Mr and sr
f ctm . I1
a1

Mr

The uncracked state is considered, right before the cracking: figure 2

x = 332,3 mm

a1 = (600 332,3) mm

Fig. 2: auxiliary figure for the calculation of the cracking moment

x = 332.3 mm

I 1 1.37 *1010 mm 4
a1 (600 332,3) mm
Mr

2.6 N/mm *1.37 *1010 mm 4

(600 332,3)mm

133 *10 6 Nmm 133 kNm

sr = ?

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 sr

= the stress in As1 caused by Mr, calculated on the basis of the cracked

section.

s1 . c .

s1 .

M .x
M .x
d x

en c
( I Af ) NL
I2
x

Mr . x d x
.
I2
x

25,1*

133*10 6 Nmm
* (550 253.5) mm 109 N/mm
9,09 *10 9 mm 4

M en s

q l 2 (38 5.4) kN/m * 7.2 2 m 2

281 kNm
8
8

the stress in As1 for the cracked section

(on the condition that

s .

M M r and s sr )

M . x d x
.
I2
x

25,1*

281 *10 6 Nmm

* (550 253.5) mm 230 N/mm
9,09 *10 9 mm 4

Note: it is observed that:

M r 133
109

0.47 sr
M 281
s 230

=?
M
1 . r
M

0.5

(aanhoudende belasting)

11* 0.5* (0.47) 0.890

The final deflection

f . f 2 (1 ) . f1
0.890 * (21.0 mm) (1 0.890) * (13.8 mm)
f = 20.2 mm

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