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Concrete Beam Capacity Calculator

Shear Capacity Equation:

\[ V_n = \phi (V_c + V_s) \]

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1. What is the Shear Capacity Equation?

The shear capacity equation \( V_n = \phi (V_c + V_s) \) calculates the nominal shear strength of a concrete beam, where φ is the strength reduction factor, V_c is the concrete contribution to shear resistance, and V_s is the steel reinforcement contribution to shear resistance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the shear capacity equation:

\[ V_n = \phi (V_c + V_s) \]

Where:

Explanation: The equation combines the contributions of both concrete and steel reinforcement to determine the total shear capacity of a concrete beam section.

3. Importance of Shear Capacity Calculation

Details: Accurate shear capacity calculation is crucial for structural design to ensure beams can safely resist shear forces and prevent brittle failure modes.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the strength reduction factor (typically 0.75 for shear), concrete shear strength, and steel shear strength. All values must be valid positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the typical value for φ in shear calculations?
A: For shear design, the strength reduction factor φ is typically 0.75 according to most building codes.

Q2: How is V_c calculated for concrete beams?
A: V_c is typically calculated using code-specified formulas that consider concrete compressive strength, beam dimensions, and reinforcement ratio.

Q3: How is V_s calculated for shear reinforcement?
A: V_s is calculated based on the area, spacing, yield strength, and configuration of shear reinforcement (stirrups).

Q4: What are the failure modes in shear?
A: Shear failures can be diagonal tension failure, shear compression failure, or web crushing failure, all of which are typically brittle.

Q5: When is shear reinforcement required?
A: Shear reinforcement is required when the factored shear force exceeds the concrete's shear capacity (φV_c) to ensure ductile behavior.

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