The method of calculating deep beams is based on the following presented principles, as defined in Appendix E5 to the French BAEL 91 code.
- The deep beam height should equal at least a half of the calculation span.
- The deep beam should be stiffened in the near-support zone by means of brackets or other deep beams, able to provide the required transversal support.
- A load applied to a deep beam is a uniform load distributed over each span and it is applied to the upper part of the deep beam.
- Moments of inertia of cross-sections are identical for each span.
- The proportion of successive span lengths should fall within the range <0.8 and 1.25>
- Cracking is treated as not severe.
The following symbol definitions have been adopted in the description of the methods of calculating reinforcement area for deep beams:
See also
Minimum thickness of a deep beam.
