The truss model developed by Ritter and Morsch for the design of shear reinforcement is a simple tool for explaining the internal forces in beams. It is generalized here for application to other reinforced concrete structures. Suggestions are made for the design of all members and nodes of such generalized strut modeis according to unified principles. Thus a consistent design concept for all kinds of reinforced concrete structures is achieved. This could be the basis for a better understanding of reinforced concrete and for simpler codes.