1

CHAPTER

Flat Slabs
1.1

INTRODUCTION

Common practice of design and construction is to support the slabs by beams and support the beams
by columns. This may be called as beam-slab construction. The beams reduce the available net clear
ceiling height. Hence in warehouses, offices and public halls some times beams are avoided and slabs
are directly supported by columns. This types of construction is aesthetically appealing also. These
slabs which are directly supported by columns are called Flat Slabs. Fig. 1.1 shows a typical flat slab.

d
2

Critical section for shear

Fig. 1.1

A typical flat slab (without drop and column head)

The column head is some times widened so as to reduce the punching shear in the slab. The
widened portions are called column heads. The column heads may be provided with any angle from
the consideration of architecture but for the design, concrete in the portion at 45 on either side of
vertical only is considered as effective for the design [Ref. Fig. 1.2].
Critical section for shear
d
2

90
Concrete in this area is
neglected for calculation

Fig. 1.2 Slab without drop and column with column head

Advanced R.C.C. Design

Moments in the slabs are more near the column. Hence the slab is thickened near the columns by
providing the drops as shown in Fig. 1.3. Sometimes the drops are called as capital of the column.
Thus we have the following types of flat slabs:
d

d
2

Critical section for shear

Critical section
for shear

Fig. 1.3 Slab with drop and column without column head

(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)

Slabs
Slabs
Slabs
Slabs

without drop and column head (Fig. 1.1).

without drop and column with column head (Fig. 1.2).
with drop and column without column head (Fig. 1.3).
with drop and column head as shown in Fig. 1.4.
d
2

Critical section
for shear
45 45

Fig. 1.4

Slab with drop and column with column head

The portion of flat slab that is bound on each of its four sides by centre lines of adjacent columns is
called a panel. The panel shown in Fig. 1.5 has size L1 L2. A panel may be divided into column strips
and middle strips. Column Strip means a design strip having a width of 0.25L1 or 0.25L2,
whichever is less. The remaining middle portion which is bound by the column strips is called middle
strip. Fig. 1.5 shows the division of flat slab panel into column and middle strips in the direction y.

Flat Slabs
L2a

L2b

C of panel A

C of panel B

L1

Column strip
x

Middle strip

Column strip

L2a
4
L
but < 1
4

Middle strip

Column strip

L2b
4
but <

L1
4

Fig. 1.5 Panels, column strips and middle strips is y-direction

1.2

PROPORTIONING OF FLAT SLABS

IS 456-2000 [Clause 31.2] gives the following guidelines for proportioning.

1.2.1

Drops

The drops when provided shall be rectangular in plan, and have a length in each direction not less than
one third of the panel in that direction. For exterior panels, the width of drops at right angles to the non
continuous edge and measured from the centre-line of the columns shall be equal to one half of the
width of drop for interior panels.
1.2.2

Column Heads

Where column heads are provided, that portion of the column head which lies within the largest right
circular cone or pyramid entirely within the outlines of the column and the column head, shall be
considered for design purpose as shown in Figs. 1.2 and 1.4.
1.2.3

Thickness of Flat Slab

From the consideration of deflection control IS 456-2000 specifies minimum thickness in terms of
span to effective depth ratio. For this purpose larger span is to be considered. If drop as specified in
1.2.1 is provided, then the maximum value of ratio of larger span to thickness shall be
= 40, if mild steel is used
= 32, if Fe 415 or Fe 500 steel is used
If drops are not provided or size of drops do not satisfy the specification 1.2.1, then the ratio shall
not exceed 0.9 times the value specified above i.e.,
= 40 0.9 = 36, if mild steel is used.
= 32 0.9 = 28.8, if HYSD bars are used
It is also specified that in no case, the thickness of flat slab shall be less than 125 mm.

Advanced R.C.C. Design

1.3

DETERMINATION OF BENDING MOMENT AND SHEAR FORCE

For this IS 456-2000 permits use of any one of the following two methods:
(a) The Direct Design Method
(b) The Equivalent Frame Method

1.4

THE DIRECT DESIGN METHOD

This method has the limitation that it can be used only if the following conditions are fulfilled:
(a) There shall be minimum of three continuous spans in each directions.
(b) The panels shall be rectangular and the ratio of the longer span to the shorter span within a panel
shall not be greater than 2.
(c) The successive span length in each direction shall not differ by more than one-third of longer
span.
(d) The design live load shall not exceed three times the design dead load.
(e) The end span must be shorter but not greater than the interior span.
(f) It shall be permissible to offset columns a maximum of 10 percent of the span in the direction
of the offset not withstanding the provision in (b).
Total Design Moment
The absolute sum of the positive and negative moment in each direction is given by
M0 =

WL n
8

Where,
M0 = Total moment
W = Design load on the area L2 Ln
Ln = Clear span extending from face to face of columns, capitals, brackets or walls but
not less than 0.65 L1
L1 = Length of span in the direction of M0; and
L2 = Length of span transverse to L1
In taking the values of Ln, L1 and L2, the following clauses are to be carefully noted:
(a) Circular supports shall be treated as square supports having the same area i.e., squares of size
0.886D.
(b) When the transverse span of the panel on either side of the centre line of support varies, L2 shall

bL

+ L2b
.
2
(c) When the span adjacent and parallel to an edge is being considered, the distance from the edge
to the centre-line of the panel shall be substituted for L2.

be taken as the average of the transverse spans. In Fig. 1.5 it is given by

2a

Distribution of Bending Moment in to ve and +ve Moments

The total design moment M0 in a panel is to be distributed into ve moment and +ve moment as
specified below:

Flat Slabs

In an interior span
Negative Design Moment
Positive Design Moment

0.65 M0
0.35 M0

In an end span
Interior negative design moment

LM
MN

.
010
M0
1
1+
ac

LM
MN

0.28
M0
1
1+
ac

= 0.75 -

Positive design moment

= 0.63 -

OP
PQ
OP
PQ

Exterior negative design moment

=

LM 0.65 OPM
MN1 + a1 PQ

where ac is the ratio of flexural stiffness at the exterior columns to the flexural stiffness of the slab at
a joint taken in the direction moments are being determined and is given by
ac =
Where,

K
K

c
s

Kc = Sum of the flexural stiffness of the columns meeting at the joint; and
Ks = Flexural stiffness of the slab, expressed as moment per unit rotation.
Distribution of Bending Moments Across the Panel Width
The +ve and ve moments found are to be distributed across the column strip in a panel as shown in
Table 1.1. The moment in the middle strip shall be the difference between panel and the column strip
moments.
Table 1.1
S. No.

Distribution of Moments Across the Panel Width in a Column Strip

Distributed Moment

Per cent of Total Moment

Negative BM at the exterior support

100

Negative BM at the interior support

75

Positive bending moment

60

Advanced R.C.C. Design

Moments in Columns
In this type of constructions column moments are to be modified as suggested in IS 4562000
[Clause No. 31.4.5].
Shear Force
d
from the periphery of the column/capital drop
2
panel. Hence if drops are provided there are two critical sections near columns. These critical sections
are shown in Figs. 1.1 to 1.4. The shape of the critical section in plan is similar to the support
immediately below the slab as shown in Fig. 1.6.

The critical section for shear shall be at a distance

Critical
section

d/2
Support
section

Support section
column / column head

d/2
d/2
Critical
section

(a )

(b)

Fig. 1.6

For columns sections with re-entrant angles, the critical section shall be taken as indicated in Fig. 1.7.
Support
section

Critical
section

d/2
Critical
section

Support
section

d/2

d/2

d/2
d/2

(b)

(a)

Fig. 1.7

In case of columns near the free edge of a slab, the critical section shall be taken as shown in Fig. 1.8.
Free
edge

Free
corner
Critical
section

d/2
d/2

Corner
column

Critical
section
(b)

(a)

Fig. 1.8

Flat Slabs

The nominal shear stress may be calculated as

V
tv =
b0 d
where
V is shear force due to design
b0 is the periphery of the critical section
d is the effective depth
The permissible shear stress in concrete may be calculated as ks tc, where ks = 0.5 + bc but not
greater than 1, where bc is the ratio of short side to long side of the column/capital; and
tc = 0.25 fck
If shear stress tv < tc no shear reinforcement are required. If tc < tv < 1.5 tc, shear reinforcement
shall be provided. If shear stress exceeds 1.5 tc flat slab shall be redesigned.

1.5

EQUIVALENT FRAME METHOD

IS 4562000 recommends the analysis of flat slab and column structure as a rigid frame to get design
moment and shear forces with the following assumptions:
(a) Beam portion of frame is taken as equivalent to the moment of inertia of flat slab bounded
laterally by centre line of the panel on each side of the centre line of the column. In frames
adjacent and parallel to an edge beam portion shall be equal to flat slab bounded by the edge and
the centre line of the adjacent panel.
(b) Moment of inertia of the members of the frame may be taken as that of the gross section of the
concrete alone.
(c) Variation of moment of inertia along the axis of the slab on account of provision of drops shall
be taken into account. In the case of recessed or coffered slab which is made solid in the region
of the columns, the stiffening effect may be ignored provided the solid part of the slab does not
extend more than 0.15 lef into the span measured from the centre line of the columns. The
stiffening effect of flared columns heads may be ignored.
(d) Analysis of frame may be carried out with substitute frame method or any other accepted
method like moment distribution or matrix method.
Loading Pattern
When the live load does not exceed th of dead load, the maximum moments may be assumed to
occur at all sections when full design live load is on the entire slab.
If live load exceeds th dead load analysis is to be carried out for the following pattern of loading also:
(i) To get maximum moment near mid span
th of live load on the panel and full live load on alternate panel
(ii) To get maximum moment in the slab near the support
th of live load is on the adjacent panel only
It is to be carefully noted that in no case design moment shall be taken to be less than those
occurring with full design live load on all panels.
The moments determined in the beam of frame (flat slab) may be reduced in such proportion that
the numerical sum of positive and average negative moments is not less than the value of total design

Advanced R.C.C. Design

WL n
. The distribution of slab moments into column strips and middle strips is to be
8
made in the same manner as specified in direct design method.

moment M0 =

1.6

SLAB REINFORCEMENT

Spacing
The spacing of bars in a flat slab, shall not exceed 2 times the slab thickness.
Area of Reinforcement
When the drop panels are used, the thickness of drop panel for determining area of reinforcement
shall be the lesser of the following:
(a) Thickness of drop, and
(b) Thickness of slab plus one quarter the distance between edge of drop and edge of capital.
The minimum percentage of the reinforcement is same as that in solid slab i.e., 0.12 percent if
HYSD bars used and 0.15 percent, if mild steel is used.
Minimum Length of Reinforcement
At least 50 percent of bottom bars should be from support to support. The rest may be bent up. The
minimum length of different reinforcement in flat slabs should be as shown in Fig. 1.9 (Fig. 16 in IS 456
2000). If adjacent spans are not equal, the extension of the ve reinforcement beyond each face shall be
based on the longer span. All slab reinforcement should be anchored property at discontinuous edges.
Example 1.1: Design an interior panel of a flat slab of size 5 m 5 m without providing drop and
column head. Size of columns is 500 500 mm and live load on the panel is 4 kN/m2. Take floor
finishing load as 1 kN/m2. Use M20 concrete and Fe 415 steel.
Solution:
Thickness
Since drop is not provided and HYSD bars are used span to thickness ratio shall not exceed
1
1
=
0.9 32 28.8
\ Minimum thickness required
Span 5000
= 173.6 mm
=
28.8
28.8
d = 175 mm and D = 200 mm

Let
Loads
Self weight of slab

= 0.20 25 = 5 kN/m2

Finishing load

= 1 kN/m2

Live load

= 4 kN/m2

= 10 kN/m2

Total working load

Factored load

= 1.5 10 = 15 kN/m2

Type
of bars

Minimum
percentage
of steel
at section

WITHOUT DROP PANEL

Straight bars

50

d
b

Remainder

50

24 BAR DIA OR
300 mm min. ALL BARS
150 mm min.

d
b

b
e

g
o.15 l max
75 mm max.
150 mm

d
b

Remainder
50

EDGE OF
DROP
e
b
150 mm
24BAR DIA OR
300 mm min.
EDGE OF
DROP

100

Straight bars

e
b

150 mm 0.125lmax

Remainder

75 mm max.
50

0.15 l max
150 mm

Remainder

150 mm

50

c
(ALL BARS)

Bent bars*

Middle Strip

e
b

75 mm max

Remainder

WITH DROP PANEL

d
b

50

Bent bars*

Column strip

Strip

Flat Slabs

Remainder

150 mm

50

Clear span - ln
Face of support
interior support

C
(ALL BARS)

150 mm

75 mm max.

75 mm max.

Remainder

Exterior
support

a
a

Clear span - ln

Face of support
C
interior support
[NO SLAB CONTINUITY] [CONTINUITY PROVED] [NO SLAB CONTINUITY]
C

Bar Length From Face of Support

Minimum Length

Maximum Length

Mark

Length

0.14 ln

0.20 ln

0.22 ln

0.30 ln

0.33 ln

0.20 ln

0.24 ln

* Bent bars at exterior supports may be used if a general analysis is made.

Note. D is the diameter of the column and the dimension of the rectangular column in the direction under consideration.

Fig. 1.9

Minimum bend joint locations and extensions for reinforcement in flat slabs

Advanced R.C.C. Design

10

Ln = 5 0.5 = 4.5 m
\ Total design load in a panel W = 15 L2 Ln = 15 5 4.5 = 337.5 kN
Moments
Panel Moment

M0 =

WL n
4.5
= 337.5
= 189.84 kNm
8
8

= 0.65 189.84 = 123.40 kNm

Panel ve moment

Panel +ve moment

= 0.35 189.84 = 0.35 189.84 = 66.44 kNm
Distribution of moment into column strips and middle strip:
Column Strip in kNm

Middle Strip in kNm

ve moment

0.75 123.40 = 92.55

30.85

+ve moment

0.60 66.44 = 39.86

26.58

Checking the thickness selected:

Since Fe 415 steel is used,
Mu lim = 0.138 fck b d2
Width of column strip
= 0.5 5000 = 2500 mm
\
Mu lim = 0.138 20 2500 1752 = 211.3125 106 Nmm
= 211.3125 kNm
Hence singly reinforced section can be designed i.e., thickness provided is satisfactory from the
consideration of bending moment.
Check for Shear
d
from the column face. Hence periphery of critical
2
section around a column is square of a size = 500 + d = 500 + 175 = 675 mm

The critical section for shear is at a distance

Shear to be resisted by the critical section

V = 15 5 5 15 0.675 0.675
= 368.166 kN
\

tv =

368166
.
1000
= 0.779 N/mm2
4 675 175

ks = 1 + bc subject to maximum of 1.
bc =
\

L1 5
= =1
L2 5

ks = 1
tc = 0.25 fck = 0.25 20 = 1.118 N/mm2

safe in shear since tv < tc

675
500

500

675

Flat Slabs

11

Reinforcement
For ve moment in column strip:
Mu = 92.55 kNm

LM
N

92.55 106 = 0.87 f y A st d 1

A st f y
bd fck

LM
N

OP
Q

= 0.87 415 Ast 175 1

i.e.,
i.e.,

LM
N

1464.78 = Ast 1

A st
21084.3

OP
Q

415
Ast

2500 175 20

OP
Q

A st 2 21084.3Ast + 1464.78 21084.3 = 0

Ast = 1583.74 mm2

This is to be provided in a column strip of width 2500 mm. Hence using 12 mm bars, spacing
required is given by
s=

p 4 12 2
2500 = 178 mm
1583.74

Provide 12 mm bars at 175 mm c/c.

For +ve moment in column strip:
Mu = 39.86 kNm
\

LM
N

39.86 106 = 0.87 415 Ast 175 1

LM
N

630.86 = Ast 1

A st
21084.3

OP
Q

415
A st

2500 175 20

OP
Q

Ast2 21084.3 Ast + 630.86 21084.3 = 0

or
\

Ast = 651 mm2

Using 10 mm bars, spacing required is

s=

p 4 102
2500 = 301.6 mm < 2 thickness of slab
651

Hence provide 10 mm bars at 300 mm c/c.

Provide 10 mm diameter bars at 300 mm c/c in the middle strip to take up ve and +ve moments.
Since span is same in both directions, provide similar reinforcement in other direction also.

12

Advanced R.C.C. Design

Reinforcement Details
It is as shown in Fig. 1.10

Column strip

Column Strip
12-175 c/c

Middle Strip

Column strip

12-175 c/c

5000

10-300 c/c

Sign convention
Top reinforcement

Column Strip Middle Strip

10-300 c/c

Bottom reinforcement
5000

5000

5000

5000

5000

12-175 c/c

200

10 - 300 c\c

500

Cover -25
500

Section through column strip

10 - 300 c/c

3000

500

section through middle strip

Fig. 1.10

3000

500

Reinforcement details [all dimension in mm units]

Example 1.2: Design an interior panel of a flat slab with panel size 6 6 m supported by columns of
size 500 500 mm. Provide suitable drop. Take live load as 4 kN/m2. Use M20 concrete and Fe 415
steel.
Solution :
Thickness : Since Fe 415 steel is used and drop is provided, maximum span to thickness ratio
permitted is 32
6000
= 187.5 mm
32
Provide 190 mm thickness. Let the cover be 30 mm

\ Thickness of flat slab

\ Overall thickness
D = 220 mm
Let the drop be 50 mm. Hence at column head, d = 240 mm and D = 270 mm

Flat Slabs

Size of Drop
It should not be less than

1
6m = 2 m
3

Let us provide 3 m 3 m drop so that the width of drop is equal to that of column head.
\

Width of column strip = width of middle strip = 3000 mm.

Loads
For the purpose of design let us take self-weight as that due to thickness at column strip
\ Self-weight = 0.27 1 1 25 = 6.75 kN/m2
Finishing load

= 1.00 kN/m2

Live load

= 4.00 kN/m2
= 11.75 kN/m2

Total load
\ Design (factored) load

= 1.5 11.75 = 17.625 kN/m2

Clear span

Ln = 6 0.5 = 5.5 m

\ Design load

W0 = Wu L2 Ln
= 17.625 6 5.5
= 581.625 kN

Design Total Moment

Total moment

W0 Ln 581625
.
55
.
=
= 400 kNm
8
8
\ Total negative moment = 0.65 400 = 260 kNm
Total positive moment
= 0.35 400 = 140 kNm
The above moments are to be distributed into column strip and middle strip
M0 =

Column Strip

Middle Strip

ve moment

0.75 260 = 195 kNm

0.25 260 = 65 kNm

+ve moment

0.6 140 = 84 kNm

0.4 140 = 56 kNm

Width of column strip

= width of middle strip = 3000 mm

Mu lim = 0.138 fck b d = 0.138 20 3000 2402 = 476.928 106 Nmm

2

= 476.928 kNm
Thus Mu lim > Mu. Hence thickness selected is sufficient.
Check for Shear
The critical section is at a distance

13

Advanced R.C.C. Design

14

d
240
=
= 120 mm from the face of column
2
2

\ It is a square of size

= 500 + 240 = 740 mm

V = Total load load on 0.740 0.740 area
= 17.625 6 6 17.625 0.740 0.740
= 624.849 kN

\ Nominal shear

= tv =

Shear strength

= ks tc

624.489 1000
= 0.880 N/mm2
4 740 240

where

k s = 1 + bc subject to maximum of 1

where

bc =

740

500

L1
=1
L2

740

500

ks = 1

tc = 0.25 20 = 1.118 N/mm2

Design shear stress permitted
= 1.118 N/mm2 > tv
Hence the slab is safe in shear without shear reinforcement also.
Shear strength may be checked at distance

500

120

d
from drop. It is quite safe since drop size is large.
2

Reinforcement
(a) For ve moment in column strip
Mu = 195 kNm
Thickness
\

d = 240 mm

LM
N

Mu = 0.87 fy Ast d 1

fy
A st

b d fck

LM
N

195 106 = 0.87 415 Ast 240 1

LM
N

2250.38 = Ast 1

120

A st
34698.8

OP
Q

OP
Q
415
A st

3000 240 20

A st 2 34698.8 Ast + 2250.38 34698.8 = 0

Ast = 2419 mm2 in 3000 mm width

OP
Q

Flat Slabs

15

Using 12 mm bars, spacing required is

s=

p 4 12 2
3000 = 140.26 mm
2419

Provide 12 mm bars at 140 mm c/c

(b) For +ve moment in column strip
Mu = 84 kNm = 84 106 Nmm. Thickness d = 190 mm

LM
N

84 106 = 0.87 415 Ast 190 1

LM
N

1224.5 = Ast 1
\

A st
27469.9

OP
Q

415
A st

3000 240 20

OP
Q

Ast = 1285 mm2

Using 10 mm bars
s=

p 4 102
3000 = 183 mm
1285

Provide 10 mm bars at 180 mm c/c

(c) For ve moment in middle strip:
Mu = 65 kNm;

Thickness = 190 mm

LM
N

65 106 = 0.87 415 Ast 190 1

LM
N

947.5 = Ast 1

Ast
27469.9

OP
Q

415
A st

3000 190
20

OP
Q

Ast2 27469.9 Ast + 947.5 27469.9 = 0

Ast = 983 mm2 in 3000 mm width
Using 10 mm bars
s=

p 4 102
3000 = 239.7 mm
983

Provide 10 mm bars at 230 mm c/c

(d) For +ve moment in middle strip
Mu = 56 kNm;

Thickness = 190 mm

Provide 10 mm bars at 230 mm c/c in this portion also.

Since span is same in both direction, provide similar reinforcement in both directions. The details
of reinforcement are shown in Fig. 1.11.

Advanced R.C.C. Design

16

Column strip
=Dorp width

Column strip

=Dorp width

12140 c/c
6000

10180c/c
10230 c/c

=Dorp width Middle strip

Column strip

Column strip
=Dorp width

Middle strip

12230c/c
6000

10180c/c
6000

6000

6000

6000

12 @ 140

10 @ 180 c/c

190

10 @ 230

240

Cover - 30

500

500

Section through column strip

10 @ 230 c/c

190
240
500

500

Fig. 1.11

Reinforcement details

Example 1.3: Design the interior panel of the flat slab in example 1.2, providing a suitable column
head, if columns are of 500 mm diameter.
Solution: Let the diameter of column head be
= 0.25L = 0.25 6 = 1.5 m
Its equivalent square has side a where

1.52 = a2
4
a = 1.33 m
Ln = 6 1.33 = 4.67 m
W0 = 17.625 6 4.67 = 493.85 kN
M0 =

Wo Ln 493.85 4.67
= 288.3 kNm
=
8
8

Flat Slabs

17

Total ve moment = 0.65 288.3 = 187.4 kNm

Total +ve moment = 0.35 288.3 = 100.9 kNm
The distribution of above moment into column strip and middle strips are as given below:
Column Strip

Middle Strip

ve moment

0.75 187.4 = 140.55 kNm

0.25 187.4 = 46.85 kNm

+ve moment

0.60 100.9 = 60.54 kNm

0.4 100.9 = 40.36 kNm

Width of column strip = width of middle strip = 3000 mm

\

Mu lim = 0.138 fck bd2 = 0.138 20 3000 2402

= 476.928 106 Nmm > Mu

Hence thickness selected is sufficient.
Check for Shear
The critical section is at a distance
d
240
=
= 120 mm from the face of column head
2
2
Diameter of critical section = 1500 + 240 =1740 mm
= 1.740 m
Perimeter of critical section = p D
= 1.740 p
Shear on this section

LM
N

V = 17.625 6 6 \

tv =

1500

120

OP
Q

p
174
. 2 = 592.59 kN
4

592.59 1000
= 0.45 N/mm2
1740 240

Maximum shear permitted = ks 0.25 20

= 1.118 N/mm2
Since ks works out to be 1
Since maximum shear permitted in concrete is more than nominal shear tv, there is no need to
provide shear reinforcement
Design of Reinforcement
(a) For ve moment in column strip
Mu = 140.55 kNm;
\

d = 240 mm

LM
N

140.55 106 = 0.87 415 Ast 240 1

LM
N

1622 = Ast 1

A st
34698.8

OP
Q

415
Ast

3000 240 20

OP
Q

18

Advanced R.C.C. Design

Ast2 34698.8 Ast + 1622 34698.8 = 0

Ast = 1705 mm2
Using 12 mm bars,
4 12 2
3000 = 199 mm
1705
Provide 12 mm bars at 190 mm c/c.

s=

(b) For the +ve moment in column strip

Mu = 60.54 kNm;

d = 190 mm

LM
N

60.54 106 = 0.87 415 Ast 190 1

LM
N

OP
Q

415
A st

3000 190
20

OP
Q

A st
27469.9
2
Ast 27469.9 Ast + 882.51 27469.9 = 0
Ast = 913 mm2

882.51 = Ast 1

Using 10 mm bars
4 10 2
3000 = 258 mm
913
Provide 10 mm bars at 250 mm c/c.

s=

(c) For ve moment in middle strip:

Mu = 46.85 kNm;

d = 190 mm

LM
N

46.85 106 = 0.87 415 Ast 190 1

LM
N

OP
Q

415
A st

3000 190
20

OP
Q

A st
27469.9
Ast2 27469.9Ast + 683 27469.9 = 0
Ast = 701 mm2

683 = Ast 1

Using 10 mm bars,

4 10 2
3000 = 336 mm
701
Provide 10 mm bars at 300 mm c/c.
s=

(d) Provide 10 mm bars at 300 mm c/c for +ve moment in middle strip also.
As span is same in both directions, provide similar reinforcement in both directions. Reinforcement
detail may be shown as was done in previous problem.
Example 1.4: A flat slab system consists of 5 m 6 m panels and is without drop and column head.
It has to carry a live load of 4 kN/m2 and a finishing load of 1 kN/m2. It is to be designed using M20
grade concrete and Fe 415 steel. The size of the columns supporting the system is 500 500 mm and
floor to floor height is 4.5 m. Calculate design moments in interior and exterior panels at column and
middle strips in both directions.

Flat Slabs

19

Solution:
Thickness: Since Fe 415 steel is used and no drops are provided, longer span to depth ratio is not
more than 32 0.9 = 28.8
6000
= 208
28.8
d = 210 mm and D = 240 mm

d=
Let us select
Loads

Self weight
0.24 1 1 25 = 6 kN/m2
Finishing weight
= 1 kN/m2
Live load
= 4 kN/m2
= 11 kN/m2

Total

Wu = 1.5 11 = 16.5 kN/m2

Panel Dimensions
Along length
L1 = 6 m
Width of column strip

and

L2 = 5 m

= 0.25 L1 or L2 whichever is less.

= 0.25 5 = 1.25 m on either side of column centre line

\Total width of column strip = 1.25 2 = 2.5 m
Width of middle strip = 5 2.5 = 2.5 m
Along Width
L1 = 5 m

L2 = 6 m

Width of column strip = 0.25 5 = 1.25 m on either side

\Total width of column strip = 2.5 m
Hence, width of middle strip

= 6 2.5 = 3.5 m

INTERIOR PANELS
Moments Along Longer Size
L1 = 6 m

L2 = 5 m

Ln = 6 0.5 = 5.5 m subject to minimum of 0.65 L1 = 3.9 m

\
Load on panel

Ln = 5.5 m
W0 = 16.5 L2Ln
= 16.5 5 5.5 = 453.75 kN

20

Advanced R.C.C. Design

M0 =

. 55
.
W0 Ln 45375
=
= 311.95 kNm
8
8

Appropriation of Moment
Total ve moment = 0.65 311.95 = 202.77 kNm
\
Total +ve moment = 311.95 202.77 = 109.18 kNm
Hence moment in column strip and middle strip along longer direction in interior panels are as given
below:
Column Strip

Middle Strip

ve moment

0.75 202.75 = 152.06 kNm

202.75 152.06 = 50.69 kNm

+ve moment

0.60 109.18 = 65.51 kNm

109.18 65.51 = 43.67 kNm

Along Width
L1 = 5 m

and

Ln = 5 0.5 = 4.5 m.

= W0 = 16.5 6 4.5 = 445.5 kN

Panel load
Panel moment

L2 = 6 m

M0 = W0

Ln 4455
. 4.5
=
= 250.59 kN-m
8
8

Appropriation of Moment:
Total ve moment

= 0.65 250.59 = 162.88 kN-m

Total +ve moment

= 250.59 162.88 = 87.71 kN-m
\ Moments in column strip and middle strip are as shown below:
Column Strip

Middle Strip

ve moment

0.75 162.88 = 122.16 kNm

0.25 162.88 = 40.72 kNm

+ve moment

0.60 87.71 = 52.63 kNm

0.40 87.71 = 35.08 kNm

EXTERIOR PANELS
Length of column
= 4.5 0.24 = 4.26 m
The building is not restrained from lateral sway. Hence as per Table 28 in IS 456-2000, effective
length of column
= 1.2 length = 1.2 4.26 = 5.112 m
Size of column

= 500 500 mm

Moment of inertia of column =

1
500 4 mm 4
12

Flat Slabs

kc =

I
1 500 4
= 101844 mm4
=

L 12 5112

LONGER SPAN DIRECTION

Moment of inertia of beam
Is = Moment of inertia of slab
1
=
6000 240 3
12
= L2 = 5000 mm

Its length

Is
1 6000 2403
= 1382400 mm4
=

5000 12
5000
4
Live load
= < 0.75
7
Dead load
\ Relative stiffness ratio is

kc =

ac =

kc1 + kc2 2 1018844

= 1.474
=
1382400
ks

1
1
= 1.678
= 1+
.
1474
ac
Hence various moment coefficients are:
a = 1+

Interior ve moment coefficient

= 0.75

0.1
= 0.690

0.65
= 0.387

0.28
= 0.463
Positive moment coefficient
= 0.63

Total moment
M0 = 311.95 kNm
\ Appropriation of moments in kNm is as given below:
Exterior ve moment coefficient =

Total

Column Strip

Interior ve

0.69 311.95 = 215.25

0.75 215.25 = 161.43

215.25 161.43 = 53.82

Exterior ve

0.387 311.95 = 120.72

1.00 120.72 = 120.72

120.72 120.72 = 0

0.463 31.95 = 144.43

0.60 144.43 = 86.66

+ Moment

Shorter Span Direction

\
\

Middle Strip

ks =

1 5000 2403
= 96000

12
6000
k + kc2 2 1018844
ac = c1
= 2.123
=
960000
ks

144.43 86.66 = 57.77

21

Advanced R.C.C. Design

22

1
= 1.471
c
0.1
0.1
Interior ve moment coefficient = 0.75
= 0.682
= 0.75 a
1.471
0.65 0.65
Exterior ve moment coefficient =
= 0.442
=

1.471
0.28
0.28
= 0.440
= 0.63
Positive moment coefficient
= 0.63

1.471
Total moment
M0 = 250.59 kNm
\ Appropriation of moments in shorter span exterior panel in kNm is as given below:
a1 = 1 +

Total

Column Strip

Middle Strip

Interior ve

0.682 250.59 = 170.90

0.75 170.76 = 128.18

170.90 128.18 = 42.72

Exterior -ve

0.442 250.59 = 110.76

1.00 110.76 = 110.76

110.76 110.76 = 0

+ Moment

0.44 250.59 = 110.25

0.60 110.25 = 66.16

110.25 66.16 = 44.09

In the exterior panel in each column strips half the above values will act. These moments are
shown in Fig. 1.12

Col
Strip
120.72

Middle
Strip
53.82

2.5 m

Col
Strip

Middle
Strip

161.43 15.06
2

50.69

52.63

86.66
2

86.66 65.51
+
2
2

57.77

3.5 m

2.5 m

53.82

3.5 m

52.63
2
66.16
2

35.08
40.72

161.43 152.06
2

50.69

122.16
128.18 2

66.16
2

86.66 65.51
+
2
2

57.77

52.63
2

43.67

152.06
122.16
2
128.18

65.51

44.09

44.09

42.72

42.72

42.72

120.72
53.82
4
66.16
110.76
2

122.16

65.51

40.72

122.16
2
128.18
86.66
2

1.25 m

43.67

35.08
40.72

120.72

152.06
52.63

122.16

122.16

Col
Strip

161.43

152.06
2
110.76

50.69
66.16

152.06
110.76

1.25
2.5

2.5

Fig. 1.12

2.5

2.5

Flat Slabs

23

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Design the typical interior panel of a flat slab floor of size 5 m 5 m with suitable drop to
support a live load of 4 kN/m2. The floor is supported by columns of size 450 mm 450 mm.
Use M20 concrete and Fe 415 steel. Sketch the reinforcement details by showing cross sections
(i) at column strip
(ii) at middle strip.
2. Design the exterior panel of a flat slab of size 6 m 6 m with suitable drop to support a live load
of 5 kN/m2. The floor system is supported by columns of size 500 mm 500 mm. Floor to
floor distance is 3.6 m. Use M20 concrete and Fe 415 steel.
3. For the flat slab system of size 6 m 6 m provide suitable drop and fix up overall dimensions.
The floor system is supported by columns of size 500 mm 500 mm, the floor height being 3.6 m.
Calculate the design moments at various strips in the interior and exterior panels. Give the plan
of the floor system showing these design moments.