The curvilinear stress block – A design model to decarbonize reinforced concrete columns using 600 MPa steels ( Nov 2022)

Design methods play a critical role in how effectively higher strength steel can reduce material use.

This paper examines how traditional rectangular stress block methods can limit the benefits of 600 MPa reinforcing steel, and demonstrates how an alternative curvilinear stress block model can better utilise the strength available.

The research shows that using this approach can reduce the amount of steel required in reinforced concrete columns while maintaining design performance, delivering measurable reductions in embodied carbon.