CE 311: Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures - Spring 2026

• To learn the fundamentals of analyzing reinforced concrete structural members.
• To learn design of basic structural members of a reinforced concrete building.
• To learn overall structual design of a reinforced concrete building.

• Properties of concrete and steel.
• Design philosophies.
• Loads and load combinations.
• Analysis and design of beams, columns, slabs, stair case and shallow foundations.
• Ductile detailing.
• (if time permits: ) design of shear walls, seismic design.

• Reinforced Concrete Design - S Unnikrishna Pillai and Devdas Menon.

• Limit State Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures - P C Verghese.

• IS 456(2000): Plain and reinforced concrete - Code of Practice
• IS 875-1(1987): Code of practice for design loads (other than earthquake) for buildings and structures [Dead Loads]
• IS 875-2(1987): Code of practice for design loads (other than earthquake) for buildings and structures [Imposed Loads]
• IS 875-3(2015): Code of practice for design loads (other than earthquake) for buildings and structures [Wind Loads]
• SP 16(1980): Design aids for reinforced concrete to IS 456

Note:

• Please have a printed copy of the codes available during classes, tutorials and exams.
• During the exams, only printed copies of the codes will be allowed.

• Good background in Mechanics of Solids.
• Good background in Structural Analysis.
• Curiosity to learn the fundamentals behind construction of some of the largest structures like Hoover Dam and Burj Khalifa.

• Please be considerate about everyone's time.
• In all emails pertaining to this course, please have "CE311" in the subject line.
  • (note that there is no space or hyphen or anything between CE and 311)

Cheating cases (assignments/codes/exams/project) will be dealt with in accordance with the Institute norms. It is expected that everyone will uphold the honor code.

• Theory part comprises of 70% of the overall grading (remaining 30% is for laboratory)
• Following will be the weightage of different components of assessment for the theory part

• Assignments will involve two types of problems:
  • Set A: to be submitted for grading
  • Set B: to be practiced and will not be graded (this is treated as tutorial; help will be available from the TAs/instructor for solving, if needed)
• In-class submissions entail submitting solutions to small problems given in the class (submission days will not be announced)
• Exams will involve take home type analysis/design problems along with viva/presentations.
• Expect one assignment per week.
• Assignments and tutorials will be posted in this Google folder.

It is important to develop the habit of self-learning. A number of reading assignments and self-exercises will be given during the course. These will not be formally graded and it will be expected that students will go through them on a regular basis on their own.

• Introduction to design. Components of building. Load path.
• Design variables, economics, and such considerations.
• Introduction to codes that will be used.
• Refer to Chapter 1 of the textbook.

• Consideration of loads. Discussion of IS 875 (parts 1, 2 and 3).

• Visit to housing construction site, IITGN.

• Material properties of concrete and steel.
• Methods of design (WSM, ULM, LSM).
• Idea of reliability-based design. Characteristic load and strength.
• Partial safety factors.
• Limit states of collapse and serviceability.
• Refer to Chapters 2 and 3 of the textbook.

• Limit state of collapse in flexure.
• Assumptions in flexural analysis and design. Design strength curves for concrete and steel.
• Consideration of singly-reinforced RCC section under flexure.
  • Idea of balanced failure.
  • Derivation of expressions for \(x_u\), \(x_{u,max}/d\), \(M_{uR}\), \(M_{u,lim}\), \(M_u/bd^2\), \(p_{t,lim}\).
  • Under-reinforced and over-reinforced sections.
• Design of rectangular, singly-reinforced beams.
  • Choosing grade of concrete and cover
  • Sizing (b, D) and determination of tension steel to be provided
• Refer to Chapters 4 and 5 of the textbook.

• Design of rectangular, singly-reinforced beams.
  • design for strength (limit state of collapse)
  • consideration of serviceability (deflections, crack width)
  • \(l/d\) ratios and their limits
• Analysis and design of doubly-reinforced beams
  • additional tension steel and corresponding compression steel
• Refer to Chapters 4 and 5 of the textbook.

• Design of doubly-reinforced beams
  • additional tension steel and corresponding compression steel
• Limits on bar spacing and their impact on crack width
• Refer to Chapters 4 and 5 of the textbook.

• Assignment 1 given here (due 6 Feb)
• Design of beams for shear.

• Consideration of flanged-beams (T and L)

• Design of beams.

• Design of columns.

• Design of columns.

• Design of columns.

• Design of slabs.

• Design of slabs.

• Design of shallow foundations.
• Types of footings, eccentricity, failure modes and design considerations.

• Design of shallow foundations.

• Design of staircases.

• Design of foundations.

• Design of staircases.

• Design of structural systems.

• Design of staircases.

• Design of structural systems.

• Mahavir Jayanti

• Design of structural systems.

• Good Friday

• Ductile detailing and construction practices.

• Ductile detailing and construction practices.

• Ductile detailing and construction practices.

• Design of structural systems.

• Ductile detailing and construction practices.

• Ductile detailing and construction practices.

• Ductile detailing and construction practices.