BEAMS

Beams are flexural elements which carry the load from the slabs to transfer it to
the columns. The beams were designed using LSM (Limit State Method) for 25
combinations
1. 1.5 (DL + IL)
2. 1.2 (DL + IL + EXTP)
3. 1.2 (DL + IL + EXTN)
4. 1.2 (DL + IL EXTP)
5. 1.2 (DL + IL EXTN)
6. 1.2 (DL + IL + EZTP)
7. 1.2 (DL + IL + EZTN)
8. 1.2 (DL + IL EZTP)
9. 1.2 (DL + IL EZTN)
10. 1.5 (DL + EXTP)
11. 1.5 (DL EXTP)
12. 1.5 (DL EXTN)
13. 1.5 (DL + EZTP)
14. 1.5 (DL + EZTN)
15. 1.5 (DL EZTP)
16. 1.5 (DL EZTN)
DL Downwards
IL (Imposed/Live load) Downwards
EXTP (+Torsion) +X; Clockwise torsion due to EQ
EXTN (-Torsion) +X; Anti-Clockwise torsion due to EQ
EQ EZTP (+Torsion) +Z; Clockwise torsion due to EQ
EZTN (-Torsion) +Z; Anti-Clockwise torsion due to EQ
EXTP: EQ load in X direction with torsion positive
EXTN: EQ load in X direction with torsion negative
EZTP: EQ load in Z direction with torsion positive
EZTN: EQ load in Z direction with torsion negative
Based on the above combinations moment envelope for a particular beam is developed.
Reinforcements are calculated and then maximum reinforcement out of all the cases is
being used. In the design process of a beam, first we determine the main tensile bars
required to resist the bending moment. Out of these bars, we bent one or two to resist
shear near the supports. The bars at the bottom corners are not bent. They remain
'straight', and are extended from support to support to anchor the stirrups properly. It
can also be seen that beyond the bottom point of bent, the bent-up bar is no longer
available at the tension zone of the beam. In general, this does not cause a problem

because nearer the supports, the Bending moment (sagging type) is of a lesser
magnitude, and so all the bars will not be required there. However in every design
process, it is important to ensure that the bent-up bars are no longer required beyond
the point of the bent, and that development length requirements are satisfied.
We have to consider another point while using bent-up bars for shear reinforcement.
That is., the design should not be in such a way that all the design load due to shear is
resisted by the bent-up bars. We must provide stirrups also. Cl.40.4 of the code
specifies that Where bent-up bars are provided, their contribution towards shear
resistance shall not be more than half that of the total shear reinforcement.
Few notable points that need to be essentially checked in beam reinforcements are:

The length of the hooks in case of stirrups should be 10d (d=diameter of bar).
This is as per Special Publications (SP 34).

The hooks must be left in the compression zone otherwise initiation of cracks due
to stress concentrations may take place.

Proper provision of clear cover must be done using small concrete/stone pieces.

For cantilever beams tension reinforcements are often placed at the bottom (a
common mistake due to carelessness of the workers).

Adequate transverse bars needs to be provided in case the longitudinal bars of

the beam are parallel to the main reinforcements
in the adjacent one way slab. This is done to ensure the integral action of the
beam and slab.

Hooks of alternate stirrups on opposite sides is the correct method of placing

stirrups.

COLUMNS
Columns are the compression members often accompanied by moments about one
or both axes. The column is designed for resisting the compression and moments. In
case of the hostel building the columns are designed as short columns as effective
length to least dimension ratio is less than 12 in all cases & hence does not requires
to be designed for buckling as well. (Refer to clause 25.1.2 of IS 456:2000)
The column section shall be designed just above and just below the beam column joint
and larger of the two reinforcements shall be adopted. This is similar to what is done for
design of continuous beam reinforcements at the support. The end moments and end
shears are available from computer analysis.

All columns are subjected to biaxial moments and biaxial shears. The longitudinal
reinforcements are designed for axial force and biaxial moment as per IS: 456. Since
the analysis is carried out considering centre-line dimensions, it is necessary to
calculate the moments at the top or at the bottom faces of the beam intersecting the
column for economy.
Detailing:
Detailing of reinforcement as obtained is discussed in SP 34. The reinforcement area
obtained above at various column-floor joints for lower and upper column length. The
area required at the beam-column joint shall have the larger of the two values, viz., for
upper length and lower length. Since laps can be provided only in the central half of the
column, the column length for the purpose of detailing will be from the Centre of the
lower column to the Centre of the upper column. This length will be known by the
designation of the lower column. It may be noted that analysis results may be such that
the column may require larger amounts of reinforcement in an upper storey as
compared to the lower storey. This may appear odd but should be acceptable.
Few notable points that must be remembered in checking the column
reinforcements are:

Adequate lapping or splicing must be provided to maintain a strong tie

between continued and discontinued bars conforming to clause
26.2.5 of IS 456:2000. Sometimes casting work is done overlooking the non
availability of adequate lapping length of a particular longitudinal bar.

Adequate transverse reinforcements must be provided in the columns to

effectively hold the concrete in its position and prevent premature
buckling.(Refer clause 26.5.3.2 of IS 456:2000)

Column
reinforcemen
t at
the
site

SLABS
Slabs are plates which are designed based on the Imposed load and dead loads
coming on the slab by its intended users in this case the hostel boarders. All the slab
panels are designed as two way slabs except the corridors which are designed as
one way slabs. Table 26 of IS 456:2000 gives us the moment coefficients based on
different edge conditions, which are used to calculate the moments and hence for
design of slabs. Few important points during slab construction are:-

Main reinforcement should always be along the shorter side which is a

common mistake done.
Cantilever portions should be definitely checked for proper placement of
reinforcements i.e. the tension reinforcements should be above unlike that of
other slab panels.
Proper clear cover must be maintained using concrete blocks/stone.
Cranking of rods at 0.15l from the face of the support(l=effective span of the slab
in that direction) must be done in order to take account of the hogging bending
moment arising due to partial fixity at the supports.

Electrical connections at
the slab

STAIRCASES
A stair is a series of steps, each elevated a measured distance, leading from one
level of a structure to another. When the series is a continuous section without
breaks formed by landings or other constructions, the terms flight of stairs or run of
stairs are often used. Other terms that can be properly used include stairway and
staircase. For a period of time, the popularity of the one-story structure in residential
construction minimized the frequency of stair construction. Framing carpenters could
usually handle the relatively simple task of constructing the service stairs leading
from the first floor to the basement level. However, revival of traditional two story
styles along with split-level and multilevel designs has again made fine stair

construction an important skill. However, in new construction, public rooms are

usually on the first floor. Due to this, there is a trend to move the stairs to a less
conspicuous location. Stair construction requires a high degree of skill. The quality of
the work should compare with that found in one cabinetwork. The parts for main
stairways are usually made in millwork. The Live loads acting on the stairs can also
be obtained from the data books or relevant codes. IS 875: 1987(part II)
recommends a uniformly distributed load of 5kN/m 2. This load is to be applied on
both the sloping portion and the horizontal landing. In buildings such as residences,
where the specified Live loads on the floors do not exceed 2kN/m 2, and the stairs are
not liable to be overcrowded, the Live load can be taken as 3kN/m 2. As in the case of
self wt. of finishes, the LL obtained from data books or codes, is assumed to act
vertically on a horizontal plane, and so there is no need make any modifications, and
we can apply it directly. Dead Load is to be considered as per the dimensions of the
staircases. The horizontal portion of the stair is called the Landing. The horizontal
distance between the first and last risers is called the Going. In the above elevation
and plan views, we can see that the step near the intermediate landing is
contributing towards making up the area of the Landing. This situation can be seen
at the top most landing also. At the intermediate landing, the two flights are
connected together. But as we will soon see in the design of reinforcements for the
stairs, the main bars of the two flights are not connected together. Only the
distributor bars in the intermediate landing will be common to the two flights. So
there is no transfer of force between the two flights. In other words, the loads and
forces in one flight will not have any effect on the other flight.

One important point about stairs is placing of chairs at appropriate place to maintain
the effective depth between upper and lower layers of reinforcements. The picture
shows the chairs & its positioning.

In case of stairs
even at the support
region i.e. at the
landings negative
reinforcement are
to be provided in
order to take into
account of the
hogging moments
arising out of partial