ARTICLES
FOUNDATION DESIGN
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glossaryPad Footing Stability Check: Sliding, Overturning and Bearing Capacity - A Simple Guide
A simple, code-neutral guide to the stability checks of a pad footing — the sliding check, the overturning check and the soil bearing capacity check: what each failure mode is, the formulas, typical factors of safety and a quick step-by-step calculation guideline.
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glossaryWhat is Footing Design?
Simple guide about what footing design is, why footings matter, the three ways a footing can fail (sliding, overturning and bearing), the factors that affect footing design and ways to reduce the risk of instability.
RC DESIGN
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glossaryWhat is concrete cover in Eurocode 2
Concrete cover is the distance between outermost reinforcement and concrete surface. A must-have component for every reinforced concrete structure due to durability, fire resistance and bonding performance. Concrete cover is determined by code requirements and exposure conditions.
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glossaryWhat is effective depth?
Effective depth is distance from outermost concrete from compression side to centroid of reinforcement in the tension side. Tension concrete is assumed cracked and neglected in calcaultion, so tensile reinforcement position is critical.
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glossaryWhat is neutral axis?
Neutral axis is an imaginary line in a reinforced concrete section where longitudinal strain is zero. It separates the compression and tension zones, and its position depends on loading, material properties, and section geometry.
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glossaryWhat is lever arm?
The lever arm is the distance between the centre of the compression force and the centre of the tension force acting on a section. It is a key parameter in moment capacity calculations. Understanding the strain distribution and stress–strain behaviour of concrete and steel is essential for determining the lever arm.
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glossaryWhat is K coefficient?
K is a unitless coefficent defined as M/(fck • b•d²). It represents the ratio of design moment to section capacity parameters (width, effective depth, and concrete strength). It helps quickly assess whether a section satisfies code requirements, including ductility and compression zone adequacy, and provides a convenient way to determine the lever arm ratio (z/d) and hence the required tension reinforcement.
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assumptionsEC2 Bending Design - 6 Fundamental Assumptions and 3 Limitation
Learn the six key assumptions used in Eurocode 2 (EC2) bending design for reinforced concrete beams and slabs, including strain distribution, the stress block, force equilibrium, and ductility requirements.
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proofEC2 Bending Design - Derivation and Limits of x/d, z/d and K
Understand the relationship between x/d, z/d and K in EC2 bending design. Learn how these equations are derived and why their limits are important.
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work-exampleWork Example of Moment Resistance of Reinforced Concrete Section in Eurocode 2
A work example about moment resistance referencing to eurocode 2(BSEN1992-1-1:2004) for reinforced concrete section.
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work-exampleWork Example of Tension Reinforcement for Moment Design of Reinforced Concrete Section in Eurocode 2
A work example about tension reinforcement for moment design referencing to eurocode 2(BSEN1992-1-1:2004) for reinforced concrete section.
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formulaEC2 Shear Resistance of Concrete (V_Rd,c) Calculator & Explanation
Calculate the EC2 shear resistance of concrete (V_Rd,c) and learn how Eurocode 2 determines shear capacity without shear reinforcement.
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formulaWhat is shear resistance of reinforced concrete section in Eurocode 2?
Learn the fundamentals of shear and shear resistance, including how to calculate the shear resistance of reinforced concrete sections in accordance with Eurocode 2. This article also covers the key influencing factors and the design steps for handling shear in different scenarios.
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proofFundamental Concept of Shear Reinforcement Design of Reinforced Concrete Section in Eurocode 2
A overview about design method (Truss Model) used in eurocode 2 for shear design and corresponding derived of vertical shear reinforecement equations 6.8 and 6.9 of BSEN1992-1-1:2004.
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work-exampleWork Example of Shear Resistance of Reinforced Concrete Section in Eurocode 2
A work example about shear resistance referencing to eurocode 2(BSEN1992-1-1:2004) for reinforced concrete section.
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work-exampleEC2 Shear Links Design - Worked Example
Worked example - shear links design for a 500×600 mm RC beam to Eurocode 2 (EC2). Step-by-step from V_Ed to Asw/s with suggested table of shear links arrangement.
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formulaTorsion Design of Reinforced Concrete Section - Theory, Equations & Calculation Guide (EC2)
Learn EC2 torsion design for reinforced concrete beams with interactive SVG diagrams, design equations, and a step-by-step calculation guide.
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proofThin-Walled Torsion Equation (EC2) - Derivation & Interactive Guide
Learn the derivation of the EC2 thin-walled torsion equation through interactive SVG diagrams, shear flow, and force equilibrium explained step by step.
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work-exampleEC2 Torsional Link Design - Worked Example
Worked example - torsional link design for a 500×600 mm RC beam to Eurocode 2 (EC2). Step-by-step from T_Ed to Asw/s using the closed-section truss model.
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glossaryAn Introduction to Crack Width in Reinforced Concrete Design
Discover the core concepts of crack width in reinforced concrete design. Learn why concrete cracks, SLS serviceability checks, and how it impacts durability.
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formulaFlexural Crack Width Calculation in Concrete in Eurocode 2
Learn how to calculate flexural crack width in reinforced concrete. This guide covers key factors, detailed formulas, and a step-by-step design workflow.
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work-exampleCrack Width - EC2 Worked Example
Worked example - crack width calculation for a 500×700 mm RC beam to Eurocode 2 (EC2). Step-by-step from bending moment M_Ed to crack width w_k.
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glossaryCrack Width Limits in Eurocode 2 - A Simple Guide
Understand crack control in Eurocode 2 (EC2), including crack width limits, exposure classes, and the requirements for durable reinforced concrete.
STEEL DESIGN
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glossary4 Steel Section Properties Every Steel Designer Should Know
A simple guide to the 4 key steel section properties — area, moment of inertia, elastic & plastic modulus — with a comparison of I-section, RHS, and CHS.
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work-exampleWork Example of Calculation of Section Properties of I Section
A work example about calculation of section properties of Rectangular Hollow Section (RHS) including area, second moment of area, elastic modulus and plastic modulus.
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work-exampleWork Example of Calculation of Section Properties of CHS
A work example about calculation of section properties of Circular Hollow Section (CHS) including area, second moment of area, elastic modulus and plastic modulus.
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work-exampleWork Example of Calculation of Section Properties of RHS
A work example about calculation of section properties of Rectangular Hollow Section (RHS) including area, second moment of area, elastic modulus and plastic modulus.
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glossaryClassification of Steel Sections - I-Section, CHS, and RHS Explained
Learn how steel sections are classified — plastic, compact, semi-compact, and slender — with practical rules for I-sections, CHS, and RHS.
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work-exampleWork Example of Section Classification of I-Section in Bending and Compression
A worked example classifying a hot-rolled I-section (UB) under both pure bending and pure compression — showing how the same section goes from Class 1 (plastic) to Class 4 (slender) as the web limits tighten under uniform compression.
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work-exampleWork Example of Section Classification of CHS in Bending and Compression
A worked example classifying a Circular Hollow Section (CHS) under both pure bending and pure compression — a single D/t check that gives the same class (Class 2) under both stress states.
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work-exampleWork Example of Section Classification of RHS in Bending and Compression
A worked example classifying a Rectangular Hollow Section (RHS) under both pure bending and pure compression — showing how the web's limits tighten under uniform compression, and why this stocky section stays Class 1 in both.
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glossaryHot-Rolled, Cold-Formed, Welded & Hot-Formed Steel Sections - Explained and Their Impact on Design
A simple introduction to the four ways steel sections are made — hot-rolled, cold-formed, welded, and hot-formed — and how each one changes residual stress, yield strength, and the Eurocode 3 buckling curve you use.
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glossaryEffective Class 2 Web in Steel Sections - Recover the Plastic Moment (Eurocode 3)
A simple guide to the effective Class 2 cross-section for bending resistance enhancement of steel I section in Eurocode 3 - how to identify and the corresponding formula and explain.
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work-exampleWork Example of Bending Resistance of Effective Class 2 Web for a Steel I-Section (Eurocode 3)
A worked example of the effective Class 2 method (EN 1993-1-1 6.2.2.4) for a welded steel I-section in S355 with a Class 1 flange and a Class 3 web - calculating the effective plastic modulus W_pl,eff and the enhanced bending resistance M_pl,eff,Rd, compared with the elastic Class 3 value.
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glossaryCheat Sheet for a Steel Section Check - Classification, Axial, Shear and Bending (Eurocode 3)
A quick cheat sheet about steel section capacity check to Eurocode 3 — classification, bending, shear and axial resistance for I-sections, CHS and RHS, with formulas.
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work-exampleWork Example of Steel Section Check with Design Actions - I-Section (Eurocode 3)
A worked example of the full cross-section resistance check of a UB 457x152x82 in S355 under 900 kN compression, 100kN Shear and 200 kNm major-axis bending — classification, the Class 4 effective-area compression check, the Class 1 bending check and the reduced moment resistance for combined bending, shear and axial force.
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work-exampleWork Example of Steel Section Check with Design Actions - CHS (Eurocode 3)
A worked example of the full cross-section resistance check of a CHS 457.0x12.5 in S355 under 1000 kN compression, 1000kN Shear and 200 kNm major-axis bending — classification, compression check, shear check, bending check and combined bending, shear and axial force check.
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work-exampleWork Example of Steel Section Check with Design Actions - RHS (Eurocode 3)
A worked example of the full cross-section resistance check of a RHS 500x300x8.0 in S355 under 1000 kN compression, 1000kN Shear and 200 kNm major-axis bending — classification, compression check, shear check, bending check and combined bending, shear and axial force check.
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glossaryWhat Is Buckling in Steel? Types, Causes and Effective Length
Simple Guide about what buckling in steel is, why slender members fail suddenly, the five types of buckling, effective length, factors affecting critical buckling load and ways to reduce it.
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glossaryFlexural Buckling in Eurocode 3 - A Simple Calculation Guide for Columns
A simple step-by-step guide to the flexural buckling check of steel columns to Eurocode 3 (EN 1993-1-1) — parameters, buckling curves, slenderness, the reduction factor χ and a step-by-step calculation guideline.
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glossaryLateral Torsional Buckling in Eurocode 3 - A Simple Calculation Guide for Beams
A simple step-by-step guide to the lateral torsional buckling check of steel beams to Eurocode 3 (EN 1993-1-1) — the elastic critical moment Mcr, slenderness, the reduction factor χLT and a step-by-step calculation guideline.
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glossaryCombined Compression and Bending Buckling Check in Eurocode 3 - A Simple Calculation Guide for Beam-Columns
A simple step-by-step guide to the combined compression and bending check of steel beam-columns to Eurocode 3 (EN 1993-1-1) — the interaction equations 6.61 and 6.62, the Annex B interaction factors, equivalent uniform moment factors Cm and a step-by-step calculation guideline.
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work-exampleWork Example: Compression and Buckling Check of an I-Section Column to Eurocode 3
A complete worked example of the compression and flexural buckling check of a 610x305x238 UB column in S355 under 1,000 kN design compression over an 8.0 m buckling length to Eurocode 3 (EN 1993-1-1) — section properties, classification, slenderness, buckling curves, the reduction factor χ, the buckling resistance and the final utilisation ratio.
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work-exampleWork Example: Lateral Torsional Buckling Check of an I-Section Beam to Eurocode 3
A complete worked example of the lateral-torsional buckling check of a 610x305x238 UB beam in S355 under a 1,000 kNm design major-axis moment over an 8.0 m laterally unrestrained span to Eurocode 3 (EN 1993-1-1) — section properties, classification, the elastic critical moment Mcr, slenderness, buckling curve c, the reduction factor χLT and the final utilisation ratio.
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work-exampleWork Example: Combined Compression and Bending Buckling Check of an I-Section Beam-Column to Eurocode 3
A complete worked example of the combined compression and bending buckling check of a 610x305x238 UB beam-column in S355 under 800 kN compression and 800 kNm major-axis plus 100 kNm minor-axis bending to Eurocode 3 (EN 1993-1-1) — section classification, cross-section checks, flexural and lateral-torsional buckling, and the interaction equations 6.61 and 6.62 with the Annex B interaction factors.