Sections 7.7.2.2 and 9.7.2.2 Minimum Reinforcement of Flexural Members (Non Prestressed)

The provisions of 24.3 are applied.
The equation for deformed bars is used considering the 12(40,000/f_s) criteria
A cracked section analysis is performed to calculate the stress in the reinforcement.
Iteration is used to find the minimum number of bars that meets the criteria. Fractions of bars can be used (e.g., 4.3 bars).
The section width used to determine the spacing is the width of the solid areas of the extreme tension face. For beams with stems in tension, this will typically be the sum of the stem widths.
The spacing is considered as the width divided by the number of bars. An additional bar is not added to make the width start and end with a bar.
Post-tensioning is ignored (except as it naturally affects the cracked section calculations).
RAM Concept may use more reinforcement than "necessary" in two circumstances:
- The reinforcement is necessary for equilibrium in the cracked section analysis.
- Compression reinforcement added later in the design process lowers the reinforcement demands.