ABSTRACT
The dimensions of the cross section of a reinforced concrete beam and the area of longitudinal steel are usually determined from calculations which consider resistance to the bending at the ultimate limit state. In situations of minor importance, e.g. a lintel, these dimensions and reinforcement will be adequate to resist small transverse shear forces. In other cases at least minimum shear reinforcement is required, and where shear forces in beams are large shear reinforcement must be added to resist all of the shear force.
