Dr. Mohammed E. Haque, P.E.
COSC 421
Rebar Development Length Page 1 of 6
Q1. Calculate required development length for two inner #7 tension bars as
shown in the Figure. The 2-#7 outer bars are to be continuous along the full
length of the beam. Use fc’= 4000 psi, fy = 60,000 psi, uncoated bars, normal
weight concrete.
ld
A
# 4 U @ 10” O.C.
Stirrups with in ld 1.5” Clear Cover (TYP)
4-#7
20”
# 4 U @ 10” O.C.
12”
SECTION A-A
Dr. Mohammed E. Haque, P.E.
COSC 421
Rebar Development Length Page 2 of 6
SOLUTION:
Development Length, ld for Tension Bars
(ACI 318-08 Equation 12-1)
3 fy Ψt Ψe Ψs
db
ld = 40 λ √fc’ cb + Ktr
db
cb + Ktr
In which shall not be taken greater than 2.5
db
ld = development length (in)
fy = 60,000 psi
fc’ = 4000 psi; √(4000) = 63.24 < 100 psi
db = 7/8 in
Normal-weight concrete is used, use λ=1.0
For top bars (more than 12 inch of fresh concrete is cast in the member below the
development length or splice), Ψt = 1.3
For uncoated bars, use Ψe = 1.0
Ψt x Ψe = 1.3 x 1.0 = 1.3 < 1.7
For #7 or larger rebar, use Ψs = 1.0
Determine cb:
Clear Spacing between bars
= [12 – 2(Cover) – 2(#4 Stirrup dia) – 4(#7 bar dia)] / 3 spaces
= [12 – 2(1.5) – 2(4/8) – 4(7/8) ] /3 = 1.5 in
Dr. Mohammed E. Haque, P.E.
COSC 421
Rebar Development Length Page 3 of 6
C. to C. of bar spacing = Clear spacing + Main Bar dia
= 1.5 + (7/8) = 2.375 in
One-half the C. to C. spacing of bars being developed (spacing) = 0.5(2.375) =
1.1875 in
Clear Cover = 1.5 + (4/8) = 2 in
Distance between center of bar to concrete surface = clear cover + 0.5(Main bar
dia) = 2 + 7/16 = 2.4375 in
The value of cb will be the smaller of either the distance from the center of bar to
the nearest concrete surface (cover) or one-half the center-to-center spacing of
bars being developed (spacing).
cb = 1.1875 in
Determine Ktr
Ktr = Transverse reinforcement index.
40 Atr
Ktr =
sn
Atr = total cross-sectional area (sq.in) of all transverse reinforcement that is within
the spacing s and that crosses the potential plane of splitting through the rebar
being developed.
Atr = 2 (#4 stirrup cross-sectional area) = 2(0.2)=0.4 Sq.in
s = maximum center-to-center spacing (in) of transverse bars within ld.
= 10 in (stirrup spacing)
n = number of bars being developed along the plane of splitting.
=2
Ktr = [40 x 0.4] / [ 10 x 2] = 0.8
[ cb + Ktr ] /db = [1.1875 + 0.8] / (7/8) = 2.2714 < 2.5 OK
ld = (3/40) [60,000/(1.0 x √4000)] x [ (1.3)x(1)x(1)/2.2714 ] (7/8) = 35.6 in
USE 36 in
Ktr = 0 can be used for a design simplification.
ld = (3/40) [60,000/(1.0 x √4000)] x [ (1.3)x(1)x(1)/(1.1875/(7/8)] (7/8) = 59.6 in
USE 60 in
Dr. Mohammed E. Haque, P.E.
COSC 421
Rebar Development Length Page 4 of 6
Q2. Calculate required tension development length for #7 bars (alternate short
bars) in the one-way slab as shown in the Figure. Use fc’= 4000 psi, fy = 60,000
psi, uncoated bars, normal weight concrete.
#7 bars
8”
8”
PLAN
A ¾” CLEAR COVER
A
Temperature bars
ld
ELEVATION
15”
SECTION A-A
Dr. Mohammed E. Haque, P.E.
COSC 421
Rebar Development Length Page 5 of 6
SOLUTION:
Development Length, ld for Tension Bars
(ACI 318-08 Equation 12-1)
3 fy Ψt Ψe Ψs
db
ld = 40 λ √fc’ cb + Ktr
db
cb + Ktr
In which shall not be taken greater than 2.5
db
ld = development length (in)
fy = 60,000 psi
fc’ = 4000 psi; √(4000) = 63.24 < 100 psi
db = 7/8 in
Normal-weight concrete is used, use λ=1.0
For top bars (more than 12 inch of fresh concrete is cast in the member below the
development length or splice), Ψt = 1.3
For uncoated bars, use Ψe = 1.0
Ψt x Ψe = 1.3 x 1.0 = 1.3 < 1.7
For #7 or larger rebar, use Ψs = 1.0
Dr. Mohammed E. Haque, P.E.
COSC 421
Rebar Development Length Page 6 of 6
Determine cb:
C. to C. spacing of bars being developed = 8 in
Clear Spacing between bars being developed = 8 – (7/8) = 7.125 in
One-half the C. to C. spacing of bars being developed (spacing) = 0.5 x 8” = 4 in
Clear Cover = 0.75 in
Distance between center of bar to concrete surface = clear cover + 0.5(Main bar
dia) = 0.75 + 7/16 = 1.1875 in (Governs)
The value of cb will be the smaller of either the distance from the center of bar to
the nearest concrete surface (cover) or one-half the center-to-center spacing of
bars being developed (spacing).
cb = 1.1875 in
Determine Ktr
Ktr = Transverse reinforcement index = 0, Because there is no transverse
reinforcement (stirrups).
ld = (3/40) [60,000/(1.0 x √4000)] x [ (1.3)x(1)x(1)/(1.1875/(7/8)] (7/8) = 59.6 in
USE 60 in
