Definition

📝 This template has been designed in accordance with AS3600-2018.
The neutral axis (N.A) is a line that passes through the centroidal depth of a symmetrical cross-section where there are no longitudinal stresses or strain. In an unsymmetrical cross-section, the N.A may differ from the centre of gravity of the centroidal axis.
You can use this calculator to determine the depth to the Neutral Axis of an RC section in 3 different stages of concrete cracking:

  1. Un-cracked, linear-elastic Section
  2. Cracked, linear-elastic Section
  3. Cracked, non-linear elastic Section

Calculation

⬇️ Inputs



Depth
:500mm



Width
:500mm



Distance to tensile reo centroid
:62mm



Distance to comp. reo centroid
:0mm



Characteristic strength of concrete
:40MPa




Steel modulus of elasticity
:200000MPa



Yield strength of steel
:500MPa



Area of tensile reinforcement (mm2)
:4523.89mm2



Area of compressive reinforcement (mm2)
:4523.89mm2



Modular ratio
:6.09756098


⬆️ Outputs

  1. Un-cracked and Linear-Elastic


Stage 1 - Depth to neutral axis
:250mm


Formula



  1. Cracked and Linear-Elastic


Stage 2 - Depth to neutral axis
:152.3mm


Formula




  1. Cracked and Inelastic



α
:0.79




γ
:0.87




Stage 3 - Depth to neutral axis
:95mm



Explanation

To visualize the neutral axis in structural engineering applications, picture a beam with an external load applied to it. When a beam is loaded, internal forces develop within it to maintain equilibrium. The internal forces in a beam have two components: shear forces in the vertical direction and normal force in the axis of the beam.
Normal force in section
Neutral Axis Calculator in Normal Force Section
Shear force in section
Neutral Axis Calculator in Shear Force Section
Resultant Shear and Bending moment
Neutral Axis Calculator for Resultant Shear and Bending moment

👀 Read more

There’s an area in the middle of the beam’s cross-section that is neither stretched nor squashed; this is known as the Neutral Axis. At this point within the beam's cross-section, internal stresses are zero.
The axial displacement of the beam varies linearly from top to bottom – passing through zero at the neutral axis. At this point, compressive and tensile stresses are in equilibrium - no internal stresses exist.
Neutral Axis Calculator for Compression & Tension

👉 The importance of finding a sections neutral axis

Stages of Concrete Cracking

The location of the neutral axis depends on the geometry and cracking of the RC section. Three different stages can be defined for the determination of NA:

1. (Un-cracked and Linear Elastic)

2. (Cracked and Linear Elastic)

3. (Cracked and Inelastic)