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Ensure that the beam has a minimum amount of reinforcement to avoid brittle failure and ensure ductility as per code requirements.

Assess the need for compression reinforcement to resist the compressive forces, especially in beams with high bending moments that may cause a doubly reinforced section.

Design the longitudinal reinforcement to resist the calculated maximum bending moment using the flexural design formulas such as:

Produce detailed drawings that show the size, placement, and spacing of reinforcement within the concrete beam, ensuring that it conforms with code detailing requirements.

For continuous beams, moments and shears are distributed differently due to continuity, affecting reinforcement requirements. Special attention to negative moments over supports is needed.

Design transverse reinforcement (stirrups) to resist the calculated shear forces using the shear design formulas:

Determine the types of loads that the beam will carry, such as dead load, live load, and environmental loads. Calculate the magnitude and distribution of these loads over the beam's span.

Verify the load path for continuity and ensure that the beam is properly integrated into the structural framing system, providing a clear path for the transfer of loads to the foundations.

Calculate the required development length for the reinforcing bars to ensure that they can develop their full strength in the concrete. The formula for development length, $L_d$, is based on factors such as the diameter of the bar and the yield strength.

Design additional reinforcement if torsional moments are significant. Torsion reinforcement typically includes closed stirrups and longitudinal bars placed at the corners of the beam cross-section.

Ensure that the deflection of the beam under service loads does not exceed allowable limits by calculating the deflection and comparing with the limits set by the applicable codes.

Verify that the beam can perform adequately under maximum expected loads without failure, ensuring safety through the design of the ultimate limit state.

In seismic regions, the beam design must account for additional forces and deformations due to ground motion, including detailing for ductility with seismic hooks and special stirrup spacing.

Consider the interaction between the beam and the connected slab, as this can affect the distribution of forces and the design of the slab-beam system, particularly in T-beams and L-beams.

Choose appropriate depth and width for the beam based on architectural requirements, and preliminary structural analysis ensuring that the beam will fit in the planned space and has the potential to carry the calculated loads.

Specify the grade of concrete (f'c) and reinforcing steel (fy) based on strength requirements and local building code provisions.

Check that the beam deforms compatibly with the rest of the structure, particularly at the supports and points of load application, to prevent local failures or excessive differential movement.

Check for other serviceability concerns, such as cracking, to ensure the long-term durability and usability of the beam, in addition to the strength design.

Calculate the bending moments and shear forces at critical sections of the beam using structural analysis under the various load combinations.