RC Beam Shear and Torsion Calculator
Shear and torsion design of a rectangular reinforced concrete beam per CSA A23.3, using the simplified method. The tool reports concrete and stirrup shear resistance, the section limits, whether torsion can be neglected, and the stirrup and longitudinal steel that torsion needs.
By Arun Kishore, P.Eng. Updated
Open calculatoropens in a new tabCode references
- CSA A23.3 Cl. 11.3.3: maximum shear on the section
- CSA A23.3 Cl. 11.3.4: concrete shear resistance
- CSA A23.3 Cl. 11.3.5: stirrup shear resistance and required stirrups
- CSA A23.3 Cl. 11.2.8.2: minimum stirrups
- CSA A23.3 Cl. 11.3.8: maximum stirrup spacing
- CSA A23.3 Cl. 11.2.9.1: cracking torque
- CSA A23.3 Cl. 11.3.10.3 and 11.3.10.4: torsion reinforcement and combined section check
Inputs and outputs
| Inputs | Beam width b and height h (mm) |
|---|---|
| Concrete cover plus rebar radius, c (mm) | |
| Rebar yield strength fy and concrete strength f'c (MPa) | |
| Concrete density: normal, semi-low or low | |
| Stirrup legs n, area of one leg Asb (mm²) and spacing s (mm) | |
| Factored shear Vf (kN) and factored torsion Tf (kN·m) | |
| Outputs | Concrete shear resistance Vc, maximum shear resistance Vr,max and stirrup resistance Vs (kN) |
| Additional tension on the bottom bars (kN) | |
| Maximum stirrup spacing | |
| Minimum and required Av/s | |
| Cracking torque Tcr, and whether torsion reinforcement is needed | |
| Torsion stirrups At/s, longitudinal steel Al, and stirrup adequacy |
Worked example
Worked example coming soon.
Limitations and assumptions
- Simplified method: θ = 35 degrees and β = 0.18.
- Rectangular sections only.
- φc = 0.65 and φs = 0.85.
- The app does not state the code edition.
These calculators are aids, not a substitute for engineering judgment. Check results independently and against the governing code edition before relying on them.