FORMULAE for the resistance to bending of reinforced concrete beams of various types,
such as singly reinforced, doubly reinforced and T beams, are cumbersome and not readily applicable in practice. Many excellent tables and charts exist which simplify the use of formulae for the design of singly reinforced beams, but the need exists for charts for use in the design of the other two types. This article deals with the design
and construction of nomograms for all three types of beam. Its main purpose is to present a ready means of determining the numerical values of related quantities in the relevant formulae and so facilitate the process of designing or the checking of a design. Since the standard formulae used in reinforced concrete have been developed as formulae applicable to all geometrically similar beams, the various nomograms presented deal solely with appropriate geometrical ratios. The three nomograms are simple to use, and each shows the complete relationship between all the variables involved in the problem to which it refers. The authors hope that the nomograms for T beams and doubly reinforced beams are original.
W.G. Sutton and J. R. Kerrich