Concrete Institute of Australia Seminar: Shear design to AS 3600 and AS5100

Worked example: AS 5100 2017

1. 25m span Super T Bridge Girder

Figure 1 3D view

Figure 2 Superstructure cross section

1
 1125 1125

200 thick deck

1215
814

Figure 3 Girder cross section

Stress resultants at 2.6m from support (simply supported spans)
𝑉 ∗ = 1477 𝑘𝑁
𝑇 ∗ = 308 𝑘𝑁𝑚
𝑀 ∗ = 4209 𝑘𝑁𝑚

Aside: As can be seen from Figure 2, the girders are connected

by a cast insitu bridge deck. Analysis is in the form of a 2D
grillage. As a result, the girders pick up compatibility torsion.
Accordingly, this value of 𝑇 ∗ has been calculated using 0.2𝐽 in
the analysis (with corresponding moments and shears) in
accordance with Clause 8.2.1.2. Note that this is optional.

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Refer AS 5100.5, Section 8.2
Clause 8.2.1.2 Consideration of torsion
Torsional effects shall be considered in regions where;
𝑇 ∗ > 0.25∅𝑇 ….8.2.1.2(1)
where
Torsional cracking moment (𝑇 )

𝑇 = 0.33 𝑓 𝑐 1+ … . . 8.2.1.2(2)
.

Calculate 𝑢 = the length of the outside perimeter of the outside

cross section resisting torsion
Calculate 𝐴 = total area enclosed by the outside perimeter of
the cross section resisting torsion

𝑢 =𝑝

𝐴𝑐𝑝

Figure 4

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𝑢 = 814 + 2 × 1418 + 1062 = 4712 𝑚𝑚
(814 + 1062)
𝐴 = 1415 × = 1327 × 10 𝑚𝑚
2
f’c = 50 MPa (given)

𝜎 = stress at the centroid of the cross section

Aside: Note that 𝜎 is the stress to due prestress and axial force

𝜎 = 5.0 𝑀𝑃𝑎 (calculated separately noting composite action

effects from deck slab as per Section 8.10 Composite members.)
×
∴ 𝑇 = 0.33√50 × 1+
. √

= 1546 𝑘𝑁𝑚

𝑖𝑒 0.25∅𝑇 = 0.25 × 0.7 × 1546

= 270 𝑘𝑁𝑚
Where ∅ = 0.7 (𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟)
𝑇 ∗ = 308 𝑘𝑁𝑚 (𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑝2)
∴ 𝑇 ∗ ≥ 0.25∅𝑇
∴ 𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑠 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑑

Check torsional requirements for cellular structures

≥ 2𝐴 𝑏 ….8.2.1.2(3)

Where 𝑝 =
𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑒 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
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Note: In all instances, 𝑝 = 𝑢
𝐴 = 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ = 0.85𝐴 (Clause
8.2.5.6)
Where 𝐴 is the area enclosed by the outermost line of closed
stirrups
Aside: Some examples from Collins and Mitchell (1980) for the
calculation 𝐴 of are as noted in Figure 5 below.

Figure 5 Area enclosed by the shear flow for different member cross sections

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In this instance
(780 + 982)
𝐴 = 1315 × = 1158 × 10 𝑚𝑚
2
∴ 𝐴 = 0.85 × 1158 × 10
𝑖𝑒 𝐴 = 984 × 10 𝑚𝑚

𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑝4 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒, 𝐴 = 1327 × 10 𝑚𝑚

𝐴 (1327 × 10 )
∴ = = 395 × 10 𝑚𝑚
𝑝 4457
𝑎𝑛𝑑

2𝐴 𝑏 = 2 × (984 × 10 ) × 200 = 394 × 10 𝑚𝑚

𝐴
𝑖𝑒 ≥ 2𝐴 𝑏 ∴ 𝑂𝐾
𝑝

Aside: For hollow sections with thin walls 𝑇 is lower than for
solid or thick-walled sections. The purpose of equation
8.2.1.3(3) is therefore to provide a geometric limit for when
equation 8.2.1.2(2) applies.
The Standard does not provide any guidance when the section
does not comply with this equation. In this instance, for the
assistance of designers, it is therefore proposed to proceed by
replacing 𝐴 with 1.5𝐴 where 𝐴 is the actual cross-sectional
area of the section resisting torsion. (precedent CSA Standard).

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 Calculate equivalent shear force 𝑉 ∗
∗
∗ ∗
𝐹𝑜𝑟 𝑏𝑜𝑥 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑉 = 𝑉 + ……8.2.1.2 (5)

Where
𝑑 = distance from the extreme compression fibre to the centroid
of non-prestressed reinforcement
Aside: It is worthwhile noting that in match cast segmental
construction, where there is no continuous longitudinal no
prestressed reinforcement this formula for 𝑑 does not apply.
Therefore, for match cast box sections or Super T girders with
no non-stressed reinforcement in the flexural tension side of the
section it is proposed that 𝑑 be taken to the centroid of the
prestressing. This is consistent with AASHTO LRFD.

1053
Centroid of non-prestressed reinforcement

Figure 6 Centroid of non-prestressed reinforcement

308 × 10 × 1053
∴ 𝑉 ∗ = 1477 +
2 × 984 × 10
= 1642 𝑘𝑁

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Calculate effective web width
𝑏 = ∑ (𝑏 − 𝑘 ∑ 𝑑 ) .…8.2.1.5
∑ 𝑑 = 0 i.e. no prestressing ducts
∴ 𝑏 = 2 × 100 = 200 𝑚𝑚

Calculate the longitudinal strain (𝜀 ) in the concrete at the mid-

depth of the section, equation 8.2.4.4(1)
∗
𝑀∗ + (𝑉 ∗ − 𝑃 ) + 0.9𝑇 𝑢 + 0.5𝑁 ∗ − 𝐴 𝑓
𝑑 2𝐴
𝜀 ==
2 𝐸 𝐴 +𝐸 𝐴

Where 𝑑 = effective shear depth, taken as the distance between

the resultants of the bending tensile and compression forces
Calculate 𝑑 noting composite action effects from deck slab as per
Section 8.10 Composite members.
In this instance, 𝑑 = 1108 𝑚𝑚 (𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑦)
Aside: Calculation of 𝑑 can be simplified y simply using the
greater of 0.72D or 0.9d, where d = distance from the extreme
compressive fibre to the centroid of the reinforcement and
prestressing.

𝑓 = stress in prestressed reinforcement when the stress in the

surrounding concrete is zero
= 1100 𝑀𝑃𝑎 (𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑒𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑙𝑦)
Aside: Note 2 of Clause 8.2.4.3 allows 𝑓 to be taken as 0.7 𝑓
where 𝑓 is the characteristic minimum breaking strength

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𝐴 = cross-sectional area of the tendons in the zone that will be
tensile under ultimate load conditions
= 34 × 143 = 4862 𝑚𝑚 (34 𝑛𝑜 15.2 𝑚𝑚 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑠)
𝐴 = cross-sectional area of the reinforcement in the zone that
will be tensile under ultimate load conditions
= 450 × 6 + 200 × 8 = 4300 𝑚𝑚 (6𝑁24 + 8𝑁16)

Calculate 𝑢 , the perimeter of the centreline of the closed

transverse torsion reinforcement
𝑢 = 780 + 2 × 1338 + 982 = 4438 𝑚𝑚

∴ 𝜀𝑥
4209 × 10 0.9 × 308 × 10 × 4438
1108 + (1477 × 10 ) + 2 × 984 × 10
=
2(200 × 10 × 4300 + 200 × 10 × 4862)
4862 × 1280
−
2(200 × 10 × 4300 + 200 × 10 × 4862)

= −0.231 × 10

As 𝜀 < 0, calculate 𝜀 using equation 8.2.4.4(2)

∗
𝑀∗ + ( 𝑉 ∗ − 𝑃 ) + 0.9𝑇 𝑢 + 0.5𝑁 ∗ − 𝐴 𝑓
𝑑 2𝐴
𝜀 =
2 𝐸 𝐴 +𝐸 𝐴 +𝐸 𝐴

where 𝐸 = 34 800 𝑀𝑃𝑎 (Clause 3.1.2)

and 𝐴 = area of concrete calculated from the mid-depth of the
section on the flexural tensile side

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 = 435 000 𝑚𝑚
∴𝜀
2
4209 × 106 (1477 × 103 )2 + 0.9 × 308 × 106 × 4438
1108 + 2 × 984 × 10 3
=
2(200 × 103 × 4300 + 200 × 103 × 4862 + 34800 × 435000)

4862 × 1280
−
2(200 × 10 × 4300 + 200 × 10 × 4862 + 34800 × 435000)

= −0.025 × 10
Aside: If on the recalculation 𝜀 is positive, then take 𝜀 as
zero

∗
Check 𝑀∗ ≥ 𝑑 (𝑉 ∗ − 𝑃 ) + 0.9𝑇 𝑢 2𝐴 .…8.2.4.4(3)

1108 (1477 × 10 ) + 0.9 × 308 × 10 × 4438

2 × 984 × 10
= 1777 kNm < 𝑀 ∗ = 4209 𝑘𝑁𝑚 ∴ 𝑂𝐾

Calculate concrete contribution to ultimate shear strength (𝑉 )

𝑉 = 𝑘 √𝑓 𝑏 𝑑 ……. Equation 8.2.4.1

Calculate 𝑘 by the General method (Clause 8.2.4.2)

Assume 𝐴 ≥𝐴 .
.
∴ 𝑘 = ………Equation 8.2.4.2 (4)

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 = 0.4
(1 − 1500 × 0.025 × 10 )
=0.415
i.e. 𝑉 = 0.415 × (√50) × 200 × 1108
= 650 kN

Calculate the angle of inclination of the concrete compression

strut and the longitudinal axis of the member ( 𝜃 )
𝜃 = 29 + 7000𝜀 ……Equation 8.2.4.2(5)
= 29 − 7000 × 0.025 × 10
= 28. 8

Calculate requirements for transverse shear reinforcement

(Clause 8.2.1.6)
Reinforcement shall be provided where 𝑉 ∗ > 0.5∅𝑉
Aside: The formula in the Standard incorrectly reads as;
𝑉 ∗ > 0.5∅(𝑉 + 𝑃 )
And should be; 𝑉 ∗ > 0.5∅𝑉 + 𝑃

0.5∅𝑉 = 0.5 × 0.7 × 650 = 228 𝑘𝑁 < 1477 𝑘𝑁

∴ Transverse shear reinforcement is required.

Calculate the required transverse reinforcement for shear (Clause

8.2.5.2)
𝐴 𝑓 . 𝑑
𝑉 = 𝑠) cot 𝜃
For 2 N16-175, 𝐴 = 400𝑚𝑚

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∴ 𝑉 = (400 × 500 × 1108 175) cot 28. 8
= 1754 kN
Calculate minimum transverse shear reinforcement (Clause
8.2.1.7)
This is to ensure that the strength of the reinforced section is
greater than the cracking strength of the unreinforced section
The cross-sectional area of minimum shear reinforcement
(𝐴 . ) is
0.08 𝑓 𝑏 𝑠
𝐴 . = 𝑓 = 0.08 × √50 × 200 × 175 500
.
= 40 𝑚𝑚
where 𝑠 =
𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑓 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑟𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡, 175 𝑚𝑚
Area of steel provided = 400 𝑚𝑚 ∴ 𝑂𝐾
Also, assumption in Clause 8.2.4.2 holds

Check design shear strength (Clause 8.2.3.1)

𝑉 =𝑉 +𝑉 +𝑃
For straight strands, 𝑃 = 0
∴ 𝑉 = 650 + 1754 = 2404 𝑘𝑁
∴ ∅𝑉 = 0.7 × 2404 = 1683 𝑘𝑁
𝑉 ∗ = 1477 𝑘𝑁 < ∅𝑉 ∴ 𝑂𝐾
Aside: The Standard uses ∅𝑉 ≥ 𝑉 ∗ . This is incorrect.
The equation should be ∅𝑉 ≥ 𝑉 ∗

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Check if shear strength is limited by web crushing (Clause 8.2.3.3)
We don’t want web crushing to occur before the ultimate shear
strength is reached.
( ) ( )
𝑉. = 0.55𝑓 𝑏 𝑑 +𝑃 ….8.2.3.3(1)
( )

𝛼 = angle of the inclined transverse reinforcement with

reference to the longitudinal reinforcement = 90

.
i.e. 𝑉. = 0.55 × 50 × 200 × 1108
. )

= 2579 kN < 2404 kN ∴ 𝑂𝐾

Check web crushing due to combined shear and torsion (Clause

8.2.4.5)
Calculate the minimum wall thickness to avoid crushing from
combined shear and torsion
𝐴 1158 × 10
𝑢 = 4438 = 261 𝑚𝑚 > 𝑡 = 200 𝑚𝑚
Therefore equation 8.2.4.5(2) applies,

𝑉∗ 𝑇∗ ∅𝑉 .
+ ≤
𝑏 𝑑 1.7𝑡 𝐴 𝑏 𝑑

Therefore,
∗ ∗ × ×
+ = + = 7.44 𝑁/𝑚𝑚
. × . × × ×

∅ . . × ×
and = = 8.15 𝑁/𝑚𝑚 ∴ 𝑂𝐾
×

13
 Aside: 𝑃 Should be deleted from the LHS of the following
equations as it has already been accounted for on the RHS in the
calculation of ∅𝑉 .

Calculate the torsional resistance (Clause 8.2.5.6)

.
𝑇 = 2𝐴 cot 𝜃 ….8.2.5.6

Where 𝐴 =
𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑎𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑖𝑡𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
200 × 500
= 2 × 984 × 10 × cot 28. 8 = 2035 𝑘𝑁𝑚
175
> 308 𝑘𝑁𝑚 ∴ 𝑂𝐾

Calculate minimum torsional reinforcement (Clause 8.2.5.5)

We want the torsional strength of the reinforced section to be
greater than the cracking torque
(i) 𝑇 >𝑇 ∴ 𝑂𝐾
.
(ii) ≥
.

14
Where 𝑦 = 𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑖𝑡𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝐴 200
∴ = = 1.14
𝑠 175
0.2𝑦 0.2 × 1315
𝑎𝑛𝑑 = = 0.53
𝑓 . 500
∴ 𝑂𝐾

Check transverse reinforcement for combined shear and torsion

(Clause 8.2.5.3)
Closed transverse reinforcement provided must equal the sum of
that required for shear and the co-existing torsion.

Area of steel required for shear

Rearrange 8.2.5.2(1),
(𝑉 ∗ − ∅𝑉 ) × 𝑠
𝐴 = 𝑓 𝑑 cot 𝜃
.

(1477 − 0.7 × 650) × 1000 × 175

=
500 × 1108 × cot 28. 8
= 178 mm2 (two webs)

Area of steel required for torsion

Rearrange 8.2.5.6
∗
𝐴 = 𝑇 𝑠 2𝐴 𝑓 cot 𝜃
.

= 308 × 10 × 175
2 × 984 × 1000 × 500 × cot 28. 8
= 30 mm2
i.e. 0.5𝐴 +𝐴 = 0.5 × 178 + 30 = 119 𝑚𝑚 < 200𝑚𝑚 ∴ 𝑂𝐾

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Proportion longitudinal reinforcement on the flexural tension
side (soffit in this case) (8.2.7)

0.45𝑇 ∗ 𝑢
∆𝐹 = √ ( 𝑉 ∗ − 𝛾 𝑃 − (0.5∅𝑉 )) + ( 2𝐴 ) × cot 𝜃

= (1477 × 10 ) − (0.5 × 0.7 × 1754 × 10 ) + 0.45 × 308 × 10 × 4438 2 × 984 × 10

× cot 28. 8

= 1661 kN

Try 6N32 bars, ∴ ∆𝐴 𝑓 = 6 × 800 × 500 = 2400 kN

∆ ∆
and = = 2372 𝑘𝑁 i.e. ∆𝐴 𝑓 ≥ ∴ 𝑂𝐾
∅ . ∅

Aside: It is noted that at this section the longitudinal

reinforcement on the flexural tension side of the reinforcement
can be provided by the strands in addition to the reinforcement
since the strands will not be fully utilised for bending capacity.
The excess capacity can be utilised to provide the additional
tensile reinforcement required for shear and torsion design.
This will reduce the amount of additional non-stressed
reinforcement required.

Proportion longitudinal reinforcement on the flexural

compression side (top) (8.2.8)

0.45𝑇 ∗ 𝑢
∆𝐹 = √ ( 𝑉 ∗ − 𝛾 𝑃 − (0.5∅𝑉 )) + ( 2𝐴 ) × cot 𝜃 − 𝐹 ∗

Aside: The formula in the Standard is incorrectly shown as;

16
 0.45𝑇 ∗ 𝑢
∆𝐹 = 𝑉 ∗ − 𝛾 𝑃 − (0.5∅𝑉 ) + 2𝐴 − cot 𝜃 − 𝐹 ∗

Where
𝐹 ∗ 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑧𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑥𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑
𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠
𝐹 ∗ = 1927 𝑘𝑁, 𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑝𝑙𝑢𝑠
𝑏𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑝𝑙𝑢𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
𝑀 ∗ , 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑠𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑘 𝑠𝑙𝑎𝑏 𝑎𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟
𝑆𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 8.10 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠.
Aside: Alternatively use the value for 𝑑 calculated previously

∴ ∆𝐹 = 1661 − 1927 = −266 𝑘𝑁 < 0

Therefore, as the applied compression force is greater than the
tension demand due to shear and torsion, no additional
longitudinal reinforcement is required on the flexural
compression side (top).

17