Why is torsion reinforcement provided at

edges of slabs?
Torsion reinforcement shall be provided at any corner where the slab is simply supported on both edges
meeting at that corner and is prevented from lifting unless the consequences of cracking are negligible. It
shall consist of top and bottom reinforcement, each with layer of bars placed parallel to the sides of the
slab and extending from the edges a minimum distance of one fifth of the shorter span. The area of
reinforcement per unit width in each of these four layers shall be three quarters of the area required for the
maximum mid-span moment per unit width in the slab. Torsion reinforcement equal to half that described
above shall be provided at a corner contained by edges over only one of which the slab is continuous.

For a fixed or continuous slab, moment develops at the supports since the supports are restrained.
When there are opposing moments at ends of the slab and its ends are restrained from upward
movement we encounter torsion. To resist torsion forces and subsequent cracking we have to provide
torsion reinforcement. Torsion reinforcement in slabs are usually provided near the supports and the
region is called torsion strip

Torsion usually occurs at the end of slabs where it connects with the supports.

If its a simply supported slab then there will be no moment or torsion at the ends. however,
simply supported slabs are not commonplace in construction.

We see a bar to which a moment is applied about its longitudinal axis and it twists the member as
shown in the picture above. Now the question arises, What is the longitudinal axis of the slab and
which moment are we talking about.

In slabs we don't talk in terms of longitudinal or lateral axis but we talk in terms of local X,Y,Z
axis. X & Y axis are always in the plane and Z axis is normal to the plane as shown below.
Torsional moment is the moment that leads to rotation of the plane about the axis. Mxx torsion would
twist the slab about x-axis and Myy torsion would twist the slab about y-axis. These torsional moments
are high near the corner of the slab. In slabs which are restrained along the edges and are not free to
lift, cracks as shown below get developed at the corners because of the high torsional moment.

We need to prevent such types of crack formations in the slab and thus reinforce these
sections by providing reinforcement. If the slab is continuous along the edge then as per the design we
have to provide some reinforcement to take care of the negative bending moments (Bar Mark A and D in
figure below) at the edges and thus corner reinforcement is not called for.

But if the edges are discontinuous then we specifically need to provide corner reinforcement. By
experimentation it has been seen that these cracks develop up-to a distance 0.2 times the length of
short span as shown below. Thus corner reinforcement is provided in this zone.