Development Length

CE A433 – RC Design
T. Bart Quimby, P.E., Ph.D.
Spring 2007
 Consider a bar embedded in a
mass of concrete
P=σ *
[π *db2/4]
P=
τ *[Lb*π *db] db
Lb

τ = P / [Lb*π *db] < σ = P/ [π *db2/4] <

τ max σ max
P < τ max * [Lb*π *db] P < σ max *
[π *db2/4]
To force the bar to be the weak link: τ max * [Lb*π *db] > σ max *
[π *db2/4] L > (σ /τ )*
b max max
[db/4]
 Development Length
 Ld = development length
 the shortest distance over which a bar can achieve
it’s full capacity
 The length that it takes a bar to develop its full
contribution to the moment capacity, Mn

Ld

Mn

0
Cc
Mn = (C or
TsT)*(dist)
 Steel Limit, σ max

 Using the bilinear assumption of ACI 318:

σ max = + fy

Lb > (fy / τ max )* [db/4]

Lb > fy * db / (4*τ max )
 Concrete Bond Limit, τ max

 There are lots of things that affect τ max

 The strength of the concrete, f’c
 Type of concrete (normal weight or light weight)
 The amount of concrete below the bar
 The surface condition of the rebar
 The concrete cover on the bar
 The proximity of other bars transferring stress to
the concrete
 The presence of transverse steel
 Concrete Strength, f’c

 Bond strength, τ max, tends to increase

with concrete strength.
 Experiments have shown this
relationship to be proportional to the
square root of f’c.
 Type of Concrete
 Light weight concrete tends to have
less bond strength than does normal
weight concrete.
 Amount of Concrete Below
Bars
 The code refers to “top
bars” as being any bar
which has 12 inches or
more of fresh concrete
below the bar when the
member is poured.
 If concrete > 12” then
consolidation settlement
results in lower bond
strength on the bottom
side of the bar
 Surface Condition of Rebar
 All rebar must meet ASTM
requirements for deformations that
increase pullout strength.
 Bars are often surface coated is
inhibit corrosion.
 Epoxy Coating  The major concern!
 Galvanizing
 Epoxy coating significantly reduces
bond strength
 Proximity to Surface or Other
Bars
 The size of the concrete “cylinder”
tributary to each bar is used to account
for proximity of surfaces or other bars.
 Presence of Transverse
Steel
 The bond transfer tends to cause a splitting plane
 Transverse steel will increase the strength of the
splitting plane.
 See text for other possible splitting locations
The ACI 318-05 Development
Length Equation (ACI 318-05
12.2)
 
 
 3 f y min(ψ tψ e ,1.7)ψ s λ 
Ld =  d b
 40 f c′ min  cb + K tr ,2.5  
  d  
  b  
Atr f yt
K tr =
1500sn
 The Modifiers
 ψ t, Modifier for reinforcement location
 1.3 for top bars, 1.0 for other bars
 ψ e, modifier for epoxy coated bars
 1.5 when cover < 3db or clear spacing < 6db
 1.2 for other epoxy coated reinforcing
 1.0 for non-epoxy coated reinforcing
 The product, ψ tψ e, need not exceed 1.7
 More Modifiers…
 ψ s, Modifier for bar size
 0.8 for #6 and smaller
 1.0 for #7 and larger
 λ , Modifier for lightweight concrete
 1.3 for lightweight concrete
 1.0 for other concrete
The Transverse Reinforcement
Index, Ktr (ACI 318-05 Eq. 12-2)
 Atr = total cross sectional area of all
transverse reinforcement which is
within the spacing, s, and which Atr f yt
crosses the potential plane of K tr =
splitting through the reinforcement
being developed. 1500 sn
 fyt = the yield strength of the
transverse reinforcing
 s = maximum C-C spacing of
transverse reinforcement within the
development length
 n = number of longitudinal bars
being developed along the plane of
splitting.
Other Development Lengths
 Development in Compression: ACI
318-05 12.3
 Development of standard hooks in
tension: ACI 318-05 12.5
 There are some very specific cover and/or
confinement requirements
 Mechanical connectors (such as
bearing plates at the beam ends) may
also be use.
 Effect on Moment Capacity
 Moment Capacity, φ Mn, is a function
of “x”
 If different bars develop differently
then you need to look at the
“contribution” that each bar makes
to the moment capacity
Moment Capacity Diagram
Moment Capacity

600

500

400
phiPm (ft-k)

300

200

100

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
X (in)
 Cutting Bars
 The φ Mn diagram can be made to more
closely fit the Mu diagram by terminating
or cutting bars when they are no longer
needed. (ACI 318-05 12.10.3)
Moment Capacity

600
> max(d,
12db)
> max(d,
500 12db)

400 End of #6 bar

phiPm (ft-k)

300
End of #8 bars
200

100 End of #10

bars
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
X (in)
Beam Profile Showing Bar
Cutoff Locations