Effect of Span, Load Intensity, and Beam Geometry on Stress and Deflection Behavior of RCC Beams

Year : 2026 | Volume : 13 | Issue : 01 | Page : 9 22
    By

    Birendra Kumar Singh,

  1. Assistant professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Poornima College of Engineering, Jaipur, Rajasthan, india

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of variations in beam geometry, span, load intensity, and permissible stresses on the structural behavior of reinforced concrete beams. Using classical bending and shear stress formulations, the effects of a 20% increase in key parameters were analytically evaluated. Results indicate that a 20% increase in beam span leads to a proportional 20% increase in beam depth, whereas a 20% increase in beam width or permissible compressive stress in bending results in an 8.68% reduction in beam depth. Shear stress analysis shows that an increase in load intensity of 20% raises shear stress by approximately 9.48%, while changes in span have no effect on shear stress. Increasing beam width reduces shear stress by about 8.90%, whereas higher permissible compressive stress indirectly increases shear stress due to reduced beam depth. Compressive stress at the column increases by nearly 19.85% with a 20% rise in load intensity and must remain within permissible limits. Flexural stress increases proportionally with load intensity and rises significantly (44%) with increased span for a given beam depth, while greater beam width reduces flexural stress. Tensile stress, governed by the total load and cross-sectional area, increases linearly with load intensity but decreases with increased beam width and depth. The study also highlights the interrelation between stress development and deflection, emphasizing the importance of optimized beam dimensions to ensure structural safety and serviceability under varying loading and geometric conditions.

 

Keywords: Beam geometry, deflection analysis, flexural stress, load intensity, permissible stress, RCC design, reinforced concrete beam, shear stress, span variation, tensile stress.

[This article belongs to Journal of Structural Engineering and Management ]

How to cite this article:
Birendra Kumar Singh. Effect of Span, Load Intensity, and Beam Geometry on Stress and Deflection Behavior of RCC Beams. Journal of Structural Engineering and Management. 2026; 13(01):9-22.
How to cite this URL:
Birendra Kumar Singh. Effect of Span, Load Intensity, and Beam Geometry on Stress and Deflection Behavior of RCC Beams. Journal of Structural Engineering and Management. 2026; 13(01):9-22. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/josem/article=2026/view=239110


References

  1. Bureau of Indian Standards. IS 456:2000: Plain and reinforced concrete—Code of practice. New Delhi: BIS; 2000.
  2. Pillai SU, Menon D. Reinforced Concrete Design. 3rd ed. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill; 2015.
  3. Varghese PC. Limit State Design of Reinforced Concrete. 2nd ed. New Delhi: PHI Learning; 2013.
  4. Hibbeler RC. Structural Analysis. 9th ed. Harlow: Pearson Education; 2018.
  5. Park R, Paulay T. Reinforced Concrete Structures. New York: John Wiley & Sons; 1975. doi:10.1002/9780470172834.
  6. Mehta PK, Monteiro PJM. Concrete: Microstructure, Properties, and Materials. 4th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Education; 2014.
  7. American Concrete Institute. Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318). Farmington Hills (MI): ACI; 2019.
  8. Teng JG, Chen JF, Smith ST, Lam L. FRP-Strengthened RC Structures. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons; 2002.
  9. Neville AM. Properties of Concrete. 5th ed. Harlow: Pearson Education; 2011.
  10. Indian Roads Congress. IRC:37-2018: Guidelines for the Design of Flexible Pavements. New Delhi: Indian Roads Congress; 2018.
Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 13
Issue 01
Received 01/01/2026
Accepted 04/02/2026
Published 10/02/2026
Publication Time 40 Days
120

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics