stiffness parameters defined below).

Many practical beam sizes will provide beam-to-slab stiffness ratios such
that f12 /1 and t would be greater than these limits, allowing moment coefficients to be taken directly from
the tables. However, if beams are present, the two stiffness parameters f1 and t will need to be evaluated.
For two-way slabs, the stiffness parameter f1 is simply the ratio of the moments of inertia of the effective beam
and slab sections in the direction of analysis, f1 = Ib /Is, as illustrated in Fig. 4-6. Figures 4-7 and 4-8 can be
used to determine f.
Relative stiffness provided by a spandrel beam is reflected by the parameter t = C/2Is, where Is is the moment
of inertia of the effective slab spanning in the direction of 1 and having a width equal to 2, i.e., Is = 2h3/12.
The constant C pertains to the torsional stiffness of the effective spandrel beam cross section. It is found
by dividing the beam section into its component rectangles, each having smaller dimension x and larger
dimension y, and summing the contribution of all the parts by means of the equation.

x x3y
C = 1 0.63

y 3
The subdivision can be done in such a way as to maximize C. Figure 4-9 can be used to determine the torsional
constant C.
CL

C
L

Slab, Is
Beam,

Ib
b