1

DEFLECTION
Wide spread use of ultimate load method or LSM of design of R.C.members resulted in smaller
sections. Such smaller and heavily reinforced sections deflect a greater amount than those designed by
WSM. The problem of deflection is further amplified due to the increasing use of HYSD bars.
The permissible deflection is governed by the amount that can be tolerated by the interacting
components of the structure. It is essential to consider both the short term deflection and long term
deflection.
The factors affecting short term deflections are
(a) Magnitude and distribution of Live load.
(b) Span and type of end restraint.
(c) Cross-sectional properties including steel percentages.
(d) Type of concrete.
(e) Stress in steel reinforcement.
(f) Amount and extent of flexural cracking.
Long term deflection occurs over a period of time mainly due to Shrinkage and Creep. It is about two to
three times larger than the short-term deflection. The main factors affecting long term deflections are
(a) Humidity and temperature conditions at the time of curing of concrete.
(b) Age of concrete at the time of loading.
(c) All other factors influencing shrinkage and creep, such as: type and size of aggregate, W/C ratio,
presence of compression reinforcement, size of member etc.
The aim of structural design by the LSM philosophy is to ensure both safety and serviceability (in
terms of deflection, cracking, vibration, durability etc.), so that the structure performs its intended function
satisfactorily.
In previous chapters the forces has been on ultimate limit states (or limit state of collapse) dealing
with strength (flexure, shear and bond). This chapter describes methods of calculating deflections and
crack-widths in flexural members for the purpose of checking serviceability limit states of deflection and
cracking. This is required especially when the limiting (l/d) ratios of the code are not compiled with, when
the specified load is abnormally high, and in special structures where limits to deflection and crack-width
are of particular importance.
Control of deflection:
The total deflection due to loads including the effects of temperature, shrinkage and creep should
not exceed span/250 when measured from the as last level of the supports of floors, roofs, and all other
horizontal members. The deflection including the effects of temperature, shrinkage and creep occurring
after the construction of partitions, and finishes should not exceed span/350 or 20mm, which ever is lesser.
Two methods are given in the code for checking that deflection is not excessive, these are
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(1) Limiting l/d ratio given in clause 23.2.1 of IS $%^-2000 which should be used in all normal cases.
(2) Calculation of deflection given in Appendix C of the code to be used in special cases.

l/d ratio:
This is a semi-empirical method based on calculations and tests on beams. The permissible values
for the l/d ratio depend on:
(a) The basic values given clause 23.2.1(a)
(b) The amount of tension steel.
(c) The amount of compression steel.
(d) The type of beam.
For beams and slabs, it is assumed that vertical deflection limit given earlier is satisfied provided that
the span to effective depth ratio(l/d) is not greater than the value obtained below.
Actual l/d <= (basic l/d) ****
Where, = a factor which accounts for correction in basic l/d values for spans greater than 10m.
= a factor which depends on area and stress in steel (tension reinforcement) as per fig.4 of IS456-
2000.
= a factor which depends on the area of compression reinforcement as per fig.5 of IS456-2000
= a factor for flanged beams which depends on the ratio of web width to flange width as per fig.6
of IS456-2000.
Deflection calculations:
The analysis of the structure to obtain the moments for calculating deflections is done under
working or service loads. The deflections of R.C.members are influenced by the following factors,
(1) Self weight and imposed loads.
(2) Strength and modulus of elasticity of concrete.
(3) Reinforcement percentage.
(4) Span of the structural member.
(5) Type of supports.
(6) Flexural rigidity.
(7) Creep and shrinkage of concrete.
The computations of deflections are generally considered in two parts. Instantaneous or short term
deflections occurring on application of load. Long term deflection resulting from differential shrinkage and
creep under sustained loading. Annexure-C of IS456 presents a method of computing short and long term
deflections.
(A) Short term Deflection:
The short term deflection is, a sd = KW[WL/EI]
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Where K = constant depending on type of load and support conditions.
Ec = 5000* fck
W = Total load on beam.
L = span of the beam.
Serial No. Support condition with type of loading. Short term deflection( asd )
1. Simply supported beam with UDL (5/384)*[WL/EI]
2. Simply supported beam with central point load. [WL/48EI]

3. Cantilever beam with UDL [WL/8EI]

4. Cantilever beam with central point load. [WL/3EI]
5. Fixed beam with UDL [WL/384EI]
6. Fixed beam with central point load. [WL/192EI]
7. Propped cantilever with UDL. [WL/185EI]
Where E = Ec = 5000* fck (short term static modulus of elasticity.)
The second moment of area, I to be considered in the deflection calculations is influenced by % of
reinforcement, extent of flexural cracking and modulus of rupture fcr of concrete.

But Ir <= Ieff <= Igross

Where Ir = M.I. of the cracked section.
Mr = cracking moment = (fcr*Igr)/yt.
fcr = modulus of rupture of concrete.
Igr = M.I. of gross section about centroidal axis, neglecting the reinforcement.
yt = Distance of extreme fiber in tension from centroidal axis.
M = Max. bending moment under service loads.
Z = lever arm.
x = depth of neutral axis.
d = effective depth.
bw = breadth of web.
b = breadth of compression flange.
(B) Shrinkage deflection:
The deflection due to shrinkage is
a cs = K3csL
where K3 = a constant depending upon the support condition.
= 0.5 for cantilevers
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= 0.125 for simply supported beams.
= 0.086 for members continuous at one end.
= 0.063 for fully continuous member.
cs = shrinkage curvature = K4(cs/D)
Where cs = ultimate shrinkage strain of concrete (6.2.4.1)
D = total depth of section.
K4 = 0.72 [pt pc]/pt <= 1.0; for 0.25 <= (pt-pc) <1.0
= 0.65 [pt pc]/pt <= 1.0; for ( pt-pc) >= 1.0
Where pt = 100Ast/bd
Pc = 100Asc/bd
(c) Creep deflection:
The creep deflection due to permanent loads a cc per. is
a cc( per. ) = a i ,cc(per) a i (per)
Where a i ,cc(per) = initial plus creep deflection due to permanent loads obtained using an elastic
analysis with an effective modulus of elasticity, Ece.
Ece = Ec/(1+); being creep coefficient.
a i , (per) = short term deflection due to permanent loads using Ec.
(1). A simply supported beam of span 3.5 m carries UDL of 22 kN/m. The cross section of the beam is
230 mm x 500 mm with a clear cover of 25 mm. The tension reinforcement consists of 4 16 mm dia.
HYSD bars. If the grade of concrete is M20 determine the short term deflection of the beam due to
load and shrinkage. Shrinkage strain is 0.003.
(Ans). Ast =4 * 201 =804 mm2.
280 280
m 13.33
3cbc 3 * 7
fck = 20 N/mm2, fy =415 N/mm2
Ec 5000 fck 5000 * 20 22360N / mm 2

Modulus of rupture fcr = 0.7 fck 0.7 * 20 3.13N / mm 2

Effective depth, d =500-25-16/2 = 467 mm.

Loads
Super imposed load = 22 kN/m.
Self weight = 0.23 *0.5 * 25 * 1 =2.76 kN/m.
Total load = 24.76 kN/m.
Max. Short term deflection
5 Wl 4
a sd *
384 EcI eff .
 5

Ir
whereI eff [ Annex.CofIS 456]
M r z x bw
1.2 1
M d d b
Where Ir = M. I. of cracked section.
To Find Depth of N. A:
bx 2
mAst ( d x )
2
230 x 2
13.33 * 804 * (467 x)
2
115*x2+10693.2*x-4993724.4=0
x = 167 mm.
z = d-x/3 = 467 167/3 = 411.3 mm.
Moment of inertia of cracked section
bx 3
Ir = mAst (d x) 2
3
230 * 167 3
13.33 * 804 * ( 467 167) 2
3
1.32 * 10 9 mm 4
Gross moment of inertia
bD 3 230 * 500 3
I gross 2.396 *10 9 mm 4
12 12
f cr I gross 500
Mr = Cracking moment = where Yt 250mm
yt 2

3.13 * 2.396 * 10 9
30kN .m.
250
Wl 2 24.76 * 3.5 2
M 37.9kN .m.
8 8
Effective moment of inertia
1.32 *10 9
I eff
30 411.3 167
1.2 1 *1
37.9 467 467

1.755 * 10 9 mm 4
I r I eff I gross . O.K.

5 24.76 * 3.5 4 * 1012

asd * 1.23mm
384 22360 * 1.755 * 10 9
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Shrinkage Deflection:
acs = k3csl2
Where k3 = 0.125 for S. S. Beam
cs shrinkage Curvature = k4 (cs/D)
[Annex. C of IS456).
100 Ast 100 * 4 * 201
Pt 0.75%
bd 230 * 467
100 Asc
Pc 0
bd
cs Ultimate shrinkage strain of concrete = 0.003.
Pt Pc = 0.75 0 = 0.75 < 1.0
Pt Pc
Equation for k4 = 0.72 1.0
Pt

0.75 0
0.72 0.62
0.75

cs = 0.62 *(0.003/500) = 3.74 * 10-7

acs = 0.125 * 3.74 * 10-7 * 35002 = 0.573 mm.
(d) Creep deflection:
The creep deflection due to permanent loads a cc per. is
a cc( per. ) = a i ,cc(per) a i (per)
where a i ,cc(per) = initial plus creep deflection due to permanent loads obtained using an elastic
analysis with an effective modulus of elasticity, Ece.
Ece = Ec/(1+); being creep coefficient.=1.6 at 28 days (ref. 6.2.5.1)
Ece = Ec/(1+1.6) = Ec/2.6
a i , (per) = short term deflection due to permanent loads using Ec.
As per cl.23.2(a) the max. permissible long term deflection should not exceed span/250
= 3500/250 = 14mm.
Actual deflection = 3.77mm < permissible value of deflection (o.k)
a cc( per. ) = a i cc( per. ) - a i ( per. )
a i cc( per. ) = initial + creep deflection due to permanent loads obtained by using the effective modulus of
elasticity Ece
Ece = Ec/(1+)
= creep coefficient = 1.6 at 28 days(ref 6.2.5.1)
Ece = Ec/(1+1.6) = Ec/2.6 = 22360/2.6 = 8600
Modular ratio, m = Es/Ece = 2*10^5/8600 = 23.26
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Let us recalculate Ieff.
Depth of N. A:
bx 2
mAst ( d x )
2
230 x 2
23.26 * 804 * ( 467 x)
2
115*x2+18697.7*x-8731814=0
x = 206 mm.
z = d-x/3 = 467 206/3 = 398.3 mm.
bx 3
Ir = mAst (d x) 2
3
230 * 206 3
23.26 * 804 * ( 467 206) 2
3
1.944 * 10 9 mm 4
Wl 2
M 0.5 * 38 19kN .m.
8
Assuming 50% of total load as permanent load.
Effective moment of inertia
1.944 * 10 9
I eff
30 398.3 206
1.2 1 *1
19 467 467

4.345 * 10 9 mm 4
I eff I gross . so I eff I gross . =2.396*109 mm4.

a i cc( per. ) = (5/384)*[wL4/Ece*Ieff]

= (5/384)*[(0.5*24.8*35004)/(8600*23.96*108)] = 1.18mm
a i ( per. ) = (5/384)[(wL4)/(Ec*Ieff)] = (5/384)*[(0.5*24.8*35004)/( 22360*17.55*108)]
= 0.62mm
a cc( per. ) = a i cc( per. ) - a i ( per. )
= 1.18-0.62 = 0.56mm
Total deflection = 1.23+0.573+0.56
= 2.36mm < l/250 = 3500/250 = 14mm (o.k)
The beam is safe in deflection.

Oct. 04/6A.
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2). A simply supported beam 4 m long carries 15 kN/m. the beam rectangular section of width 300
mm and total depth of 600 mm, is reinforced with 4 Nos. 20 mm bars. Effective cover is 40 mm. if
the grade of concrete is M20 and Grade of steel is Fe 415. Estimate short term deflection of the beam
due to load.

A). Ast =4 * 314 =1256 mm2.

280 280
m 13.33
3cbc 3 * 7
fck = 20 N/mm2, fy =415 N/mm2
Ec 5000 fck 5000 * 20 22360N / mm 2

Modulus of rupture fcr = 0.7 fck 0.7 * 20 3.13N / mm 2

Effective depth, d =600 40 =560 mm.

Loads
Super imposed load = 15 kN/m.
Self weight = 0.3 *0.6 * 25 * 1 =4.5 kN/m.
Total load = 19.5 kN/m.
Max. Short term deflection
5 Wl 4
a sd *
384 EcI eff .

Ir
whereI eff [ Annex.CofIS 456]
M r z x bw
1.2 1
M d d b
Where Ir = M. I. of cracked section.
To Find Depth of N. A:
bx 2
mAst ( d x )
2
300 x 2
13.33 *1256 * (560 x)
2
150*x2+16742.48*x-9.375*106
x = 194.2 mm.
z = d-x/3 = 560 194.2/3 = 495.266 mm.

Moment of inertia of cracked section

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bx 3
Ir = mAst (d x) 2
3
300 *194.23
13.33 *1256 * (560 194.2) 2
3
2.97 *109 mm 4
Gross moment of inertia
bD 3 300 * 600 3
I gross 5.4 * 10 9 mm 4
12 12
f cr I gross 600
Mr = Cracking moment = where Yt 300mm
yt 2

3.13 * 5.4 *109

56.34kN .m.
300
Wl 2 19.5 * 4 2
M 39kN .m.
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Effective moment of inertia
2.97 *109
I eff
56.34 495.266 194.2
1.2 1 *1
39 560 560

8.127 *109 mm 4
I r I eff But I eff I gross .

Ieff is limited to Igross.

5 19.5 * 4 4 * 1012
asd * 0.54mm
384 22360 * 5.4 * 10 9

CRACKING
Cracking in R.C.C. members develop due to various reasons
(1) Excessive flexural tensile stresses due to bending under applied loads since the tensile strength of
concrete is only a tenth of its compressive strength.
(2) Differential shrinkage, creep, thermal and aggressive environmental effects.
(3) Settlement of supports and excessive curvature due to continuity effects.
(4) Shear and diagonal tension cracks.
(5) Splitting cracks along with reinforcement due to bond and anchorage failure.
The various specifications prescribed in the codes regarding detailing of reinforcements are generally
meant to reduce the width of cracks to allowable limits. As per code (cl.35.3.2) cracks should not adversely
affect the appearance or durability of the structure.
Codal crack width limits:
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When the structural member is completely protected against aggressive environmental conditions,
the surface crack width shall be limited to 0.3mm.For aggressive environments the crack width shall be
limited to 0.004*cover using a nominal cover of 25mm, limiting crack width work out to 0.1mm.
For structures exposed to moderate environmental conditions, the limiting crack width may be taken
as 0.2mm.
Calculation of crack width:
Factors influencing crack width.
(1) Stress in steel
(2) Thickness of concrete cover.
(3) Spacing of bars.
(4) Portion of concrete below N.A. under tension (d-x).
The empirical formula for the design surface crack width, w cr is expressed as
w cr = (3*a cr *m)/ [1+2((a cr - cmin )/(h-x))]

x
h
d d-x
h-x
c
m
bt
1
Where a cr = distance from the point considered to the surface of the nearest longitudinal
bar = [(0.5s) + cmin ]
Where s = spacing between bars
cmin = min. cover to the longitudinal bar
x = depth of neutral axis
h = overall depth
m = average strainat the level of steel when cracking, bending considered.
m = 1- b(h-x)(a-x)
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3Es*As(d-x)
1 = strain at the level considered
b = width of section
As = area of tension steel
a = distance from the compressive face to the point at which crack width is being
considered =h
1 = (fs/Es)[(h-x)/(d-x)]
fs = stress at the centroid of tension reinforcement.
Maximum width of cracks:
C min, clear cover = 25mm x
Spacing of tension steel h =500mm
S = (230-2*25-2*16/2)/3 = 54.7mm.
acr = (54.7/2)+25 = 37mm h-x Ast=4-16 d-x y=300
Crack width will be max. at the soffit of the
beam. 1
h, overall depth = 500mm.
1 = (fs/Es)[(h-x)/(d-x)]
fs = m(M*y/Ir)
Where y= d-x = 467-167 =300mm.
M = bending moment at the section = 37.9*106N-mm.
Ir = cracked M.I. = 13.2*108 mm4.
fs = 13.3(37.9*106*300/13.2*108 )
= 114.56N/mm.
1= (114.56/2*105)[(500-167)/(467-167)]
= 6.3*10-4
m = 1- b(h-x)(a-x)
3Es*As(d-x)
= 6.3*10-4- 230(500-167)(500-167)
3*2*105*804*(467-167)
= 0.00046 or 4.6*10-4
w cr = (3*a cr *m)/ [1+2((a cr - cmin )/(h-x))]
= (3*37 *4.6*10-4)/ [1+2((37 - 25)/(500-167))] = 0.047mm.