52

Figure 7.1 Middle and Column Strips

L
a


(
c
l
e
a
r

s
p
a
n

i
n

s
h
o
r
t

d
i
r
e
c
t
i
o
n
)

Lb (Clear span in long direction)
Column Strip
Lb / 4
Middle Strip
Lb / 2
Column Strip
Lb / 4
Column Strip
La / 4
Middle Strip
La / 2
Column Strip
La / 4
Main bars in
short direction
Main bars in
long direction
Design of Two-Way Slabs (By the Coefficient Method)

b
a
L
2
L
< or
a
b
L
0.50
L
> (Two-way slab)
















The precise determination of moments in two-way slabs with various conditions of
continuity at the supported edges is mathematically formidable and not suited to design
practice. For this reason, various simplified methods have been adopted for determining
moments, shears, and reactions of such slabs.
While the Coefficient Method was not part of the latest edition of the NSCP, its
continued use is permissible under Section 413.6.1 of the NSCP which states that a
slab system may be designed by any procedure satisfying conditions of equilibrium and
geometric compatibility, if shown that the design strength at every section is at least
equal to the required strength, and that serviceability requirements are met.
The method makes use of tables of moment coefficients for a variety of
conditions. These coefficients are based on elastic analysis but also account for
inelastic redistribution. In consequence, the design moment in either direction is smaller
by an appropriate amount than the elastic maximum moment in that direction. The
moments in the middle strips in the two directions are computed from
=
2
a a a
M C wL (Short direction moment) (3)
and =
2
b b b
M C wL (Long direction moment) (4)

where
a
C ,
b
C = tabulated moment coefficients (from table)
w = uniform load

a
L ,
b
L = length of clear span in short and long directions respectively

The method provides that each panel be divided in both directions into a middle
strip whose width is one-half that of the panel and two edge or column strips of one-
quarter of the panel width. (See Figure 7.1)


53
Note: The moments in both directions are larger in the center portion of the slab than in
regions close to the edges. Correspondingly, it is provided that the entire middle strip be
designed for the full, tabulated design moment. In the column strips the moment is
assumed to be one-third of the midspan moment.

Reinforcement for Two-way edge-supported slabs
1. Consistent with the assumptions of the analysis of two-way edge-supported
slabs, the main flexural reinforcement is placed in an orthogonal pattern, with
rebars parallel and perpendicular to the supported edges.
2. As the positive steel is placed in two layers, the effective depth d for the upper
layer is smaller than that for the lower layer by one bar diameter.
3. Because the moments in the long direction are the smaller ones, it is economical
to place the steel in that direction on top of the bars in the short direction.
4. Either straight bars or bent bars may be used for two-way slabs, but economy of
bar fabrication and placement will generally favor all straight bars.
5. The precise locations of inflection points are not easily determined and the
recommended cut-off points in Figure 7.4 may be used for two-way slabs (in both
directions).
6. According to Section 413.4.1 of the NSCP, the minimum reinforcement in each
direction for two-way slabs is that required for shrinkage and temperature crack
control.
Min.
s st
A A =

st
A 0.0020bt = for Grade 230 and Grade 275 deformed bars

st
A 0.0018bt = for Grade 415 deformed bars or welded wire fabric
7. Section 413.4.2 of the NSCP states that the spacing of reinforcement at critical
sections shall not exceed two times the slab thickness. ( s 2t s )
8. Section 413.4.3 of the NSCP states that the positive moment reinforcement
perpendicular to the discontinuous edge should extend to the edge of slab and
have embedment, straight or hooked, at least 150 mm.
9. The negative moment reinforcement perpendicular to a discontinuous edge
should be bent, hooked or anchored in spandrel beams, columns or walls
according to Section 413.4.4 of the NSCP.
10. Section 413.4.6.3 of the NSCP states that special reinforcement should be
provided for a distance in each direction from the corner equal to one-fifth the
longer span. This special reinforcement (Section 413.4.6.4 of the NSCP) should
be placed in a band parallel to the diagonal in the top of the slab and a band
perpendicular to the diagonal in the bottom of the slab (See Figure 7.2).
Alternatively, the special reinforcement shall be placed in two layers parallel to
the sides of the slab in both the top and bottom of the slab.








54
Figure 7.2 Special Reinforcement at the Corner
Top Bars
Lb/5
Lb/5
Bottom Bars











Minimum Thickness of Two-way slabs
Section 409.6.3.3 of the NSCP states that the minimum thickness for slabs with beams
spanning between the supports on all sides should be as follows:
1. For
m
0.20 o s , the minimum thickness should be 100 mm (See Section
409.6.3.2 of the NSCP for the more detailed treatment of this situation).
2. For
m
0.20 2.00 < o < , the thickness should not be less than
( )
y
b
m
f
L 0.8
1500
t
36 5 0.2
| |
+
|
\ .
=
+ | o
but t 125 > mm
3. For
m
2.00 o > , the thickness should not be less than
y
b
f
L 0.8
1500
t
36 9
| |
+
|
\ .
=
+ |
but t 90 > mm
4. At discontinuous edges, an edge beam should be provided with a stiffness
ratio onot less than 0.80 or the minimum thickness required presented
above should be increased by at least 10% in the panel with a
discontinuous edge.
Note:
beam beam
slab slab
E I
E I
o = ,
b
a
L
L
| =
m
o = average value of ofor all beams on edges of a panel












55
300mm
4.70 m
5.00 m

6.00 m
5.70 m Corner Panel
t
300mm
Figure 7.3 Example 1 (Design of Two-way Slabs)
Example 7.1 (Design of Two-way slabs by the Coefficient Method)
A monolithic reinforced concrete floor is to be composed of rectangular bays measuring
5.00 x 6.00 m, as shown in Figure 7.3. Beams of width 300mm and depth of 600mm are
provided on all column lines; thus the clear-span dimensions for the two-way slab
panels are 4.70 x 5.70 m. The floor is to be designed to carry a service live load of 4.80
kPa uniformly distributed over its surface, in addition to its own weight, using concrete of
strength
'
c
f 21 = MPa and reinforcement having
y
f 276 = MPa. Find the required slab
thickness and reinforcement. Use n = 9.





















Solution:
1. Calculate
a
b
L
L
,
a
b
L 4.70
0.82
L 5.70
= = > 0.50 Therefore, Two-way slab!
2. Compute Slab thickness based on the minimum thickness,
Note: For slab of this type, the minimum thickness is usually taken equal to

min
P
t 75
180
= > mm Where: P = perimeter of the panel

min
2(4700 5700)
t 115.6
180
+
= = mm
Say, use t =125 mm (Slab thickness)

Then,
a
d 125 25 100 = = mm

b
d 100 12 88 = = mm

56
3. Compute slab loads,
Note: Consider only 1-meter wide strip

( ) ( )
DL
w 23.5 0.125 1.00 2.94 = = kN/m

( )
LL
w 4.80 1.00 4.80 = = kN/m
= + =
total
w 2.94 4.80 7.74kN/m
4. Calculate moments,
(Refer to Tables 12.3, 12.4, and 12.5)
Note: The slab to be designed falls on Case 4! (Using
a
b
L
0.80
L
= )
Negative Moments at continuous edges (Table 12.3)

( ) ( )
= =
2
a
M 0.071 7.74 4.70 12.14 kN.m

( ) ( )
= =
2
b
M 0.029 7.74 5.70 7.29kN.m
Positive Deadload Moments (Table 12.4)

( ) ( )
+ = =
2
a,DL
M 0.039 2.94 4.70 2.53kN.m

( ) ( )
+ = =
2
b,DL
M 0.016 2.94 5.70 1.53 kN.m
Positive Liveload Moments (Table 12.5)

( ) ( )
+ = =
2
a,LL
M 0.048 4.80 4.70 5.09 kN.m

( ) ( )
+ = =
2
b,LL
M 0.020 4.80 5.70 3.12kN.m
Total Positive Moments
+ = + =
a
M 2.53 5.09 7.62 kN.m
+ = + =
b
M 1.53 3.12 4.65kN.m
Negative Moments at discontinuous edges (1/3 x positive moments)

( )
( )
= =
a
1
1
M 7.62 2.54
3
3
kN.m

( )
( )
= =
b
1
1
M 4.65 1.55
3
3
kN.m
5. Determine Allowable Stresses,
= = =
'
c c
f 0.45f 0.45(21) 9.45MPa
=
s
f 140MPa (for Grade 275)
6. Compute Design Constants,
( ) ( )
= = =
+ +
c
c s
f 9.45
k 0.378
f f / n 9.45 140 / 9

= = =
k 0.378
j 1 1 0.874
3 3

7. Check if effective depth is safe for bending,
Note: Check
req' d
d for maximum moment only

57
= =
6
req' d
c
2M 2(12.14x10 )
d
f kjb 9.45(0.378)(0.874)(1000)

=
req' d
d 88.19mm < 100 mm Ok!
8. Compute A
s
and spacing s, (using 12mm | main bars)
M (kN.m)
=
s
s
M
A
f jd

(mm
2
)
=
st
A 0.002bt
(mm
2
)
=
b
req' d
s
1000A
s
A
(mm)
use s (mm)
Short Direction


=
a
M 12.14
990 250 114 114 say 100
+ =
a
M 7.62
622 250 182 182 say 150
=
1
a 3
( )M 2.54
207 250 452 375 say 300
Long Direction

=
b
M 7.29
676 250 167 167 say 150
+ =
b
M 4.65
431 250 262 262 say 250
=
1
b 3
( )M 1.55
144 250 452 375 say 300

Sample Computations:

For =
a
M 12.14,
1. Compute A
s
,
= = =
6
s
s
M 12.14x10
A 990
f jd 140(0.874)(100)
mm
2

2. Compute minimum As = Ast,
= = =
st
A 0.002bt 0.002(1000)(125) 250 mm
2
< 990 mm
2

Therefore, =
s
A 990 mm
2

3. Compute required spacing,
Using 12mm | bars (A
b
= 113 mm
2
)
= = =
b
s
1000A 1000(113)
s 114
A 990
mm
4. Check for maximum spacing,

= =
=

max
1. 3t 3(125) 375mm
s
2. 450mm

Say, use 12 mm | bars at 100 mm O.C.

For + =
b
M 4.65,
1. Compute As,
= = =
6
s
s
M 4.65x10
A 431
f jd 140(0.874)(88)
mm
2


58
125 mm
150 mm
Figure 7.4. Typical Slab Section Detail
300 mm
L (clear span)
L / 4 L / 3
L / 8
a
b
c
2. Compute minimum As = Ast,
= = =
st
A 0.002bt 0.002(1000)(125) 250 mm
2
< 431 mm
2

Therefore, =
s
A 431mm
2

3. Compute required spacing,
Using 12mm | bars (A
b
= 113 mm
2
)
= = =
b
s
1000A 1000(113)
s 262
A 431
mm
4. Check for maximum spacing,

= =
=

max
1. 3t 3(125) 375mm
s
2. 450mm

Say, use 12 mm | bars at 250 mm O.C.
9. Check for shear,
(Refer to Table 12.6)

a a
a
W wL
V
2
= and
b b
b
W wL
V
2
=

( ) ( )
= =
a
0.71 7.74 4.70
V 12.91
2
kN

( ) ( )
= =
b
0.29 7.74 5.70
V 6.40
2
kN
=
'
c c w
V 0.09 f b d;
( ) ( )

= =
3
c
V 0.09 21 1000 100 10 41.24 kN
(Well above than the maximum shear caused by the service loads)
Since, >
c a b
V V and V therefore, Ok for shear!
10. Draw slab details and reinforcement schedule,









Mark t (mm)
Spacing of 12mm | bars (mm)
Remarks Short Direction Long Direction
a b c a b c
S1 125 300 150 100 300 250 150 Two-way

Note: a = Top Bars at discontinuos edge
b = Bottom Bars at midspan
c = Top Bars at continuous edge
Extend 1 of every 3 bottom bars full length to continuous support