What's in a beam detail?
A beam detail consists of a longitudinal section and cross-sections. The longitudinal section shows continuous bottom and top bars, additional bars at supports, stirrup zones and levels. The cross-section shows where the bars sit in the section, the stirrups, and cross-ties if any.
- Continuous bottom and top longitudinal bars
- Additional support bars and their lengths
- Densified stirrup zones starting at the column face
- Web reinforcement in deep beams
- Cantilever beams and upturned beams
- Beam bar development and bar mark labels
Dense at supports, wider at midspan
Under earthquake action, the regions where beams meet columns are the most heavily stressed. That's why stirrups are placed at close spacing over a set length starting from the column face, and spacing opens up at midspan. KNCad determines these zones from the beam depth and bar diameter. For more, see our article on confinement zones in beams.
Beam–column joint
Properly anchoring beam reinforcement into the column is essential for the joint to perform soundly. KNCad shows the embedment length of beam bars in the column and the hook direction in the detail.
FAQ
Can cantilever beams be detailed?
Yes. Extending the top reinforcement a sufficient length beyond the support and detailing the free end are built into the program.