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Design Analysis of prestressed Hollow Core slabs on flexible support

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DESIGN ANALYSIS OF PRESTRESSED HOLLOW CORE SLABS ON
FLEXIBLE SUPPORT
W. Derkowski1, M. Surma2
1
Cracow University of Technology, Institute for Builiding Materials and Structures, Cracow, Poland.
2
Cracow University of Technology, Institute for Builiding Materials and Structures, Cracow, Poland.

e-mail: derkowski@pk.edu.pl, msurma@pk.edu.pl

SUMMARY
Very often, in the design process of buildings, the storey height is an essential problem for the
investor and architect. That is why more and more popular are prestressed, precast HC slabs
supported on the beams of low height. When designing these structures, the deformation of the
slabs should be taken into account, resulting from the increase of beams deflection.
Shear capacity formulas given in the EC-2, as well as in the EN 1168 standard, do not include this
phenomenon. For those kind of structures fib design recommendations or model proposed by
T. Roggendorf could be useful. In order to determine the differences between both design models,
a series of computational analyzes were done. Obtained results of a large number of various cases
showed significant differences between the compared models. In the authors’ opinion , there is a
need for further experimental research in the field of Slim Floors.
Keywords: Design models, flexible support, Hollow Core slab, prestressed, Slim Floor structures.

1. INTRODUCTION
The prestressed Hollow Core (HC) slabs are currently the most popular solutions for long span
floors. The main advantages of the precast elements i.e.: high stiffness with relatively low height
and small self-weight decide on their success. The only reinforcement are longitudinal prestressed
strands which ensure the bending capacity and increase the shear capacity of non-reinforced webs.
Originally HC slabs were supported on rigid supports. At the end of the 80s of the last century, the
slabs supported on the slender beams, where the beam height is usually slightly greater than the
height of precast slab element (called Slim Floor Structures), began to be built. In these structures
the fact of the support’s deformation is not irrelevant to the work of the HC slabs.

2. INFULENCE OF FLEXIBLE SUPPORT DEFORMATIONS ON SHEAR CAPACITY

OF HC SLABS
When designing these structures, the fact that deformation of the slabs occurs with the increase of
deflection of supports should be taken into account. As a consequence, the complex stress state
arises in the slabs – additional transverse normal and shear stress appear in the precast unit (Fig.1a
and Fig.1b). HC slabs tend to move alongside the beams. On the other hand, the adhesive forces and
friction between the slab ends and beam tend to prevent this displacement, which generates
incidental stress. This leads to cracking of the joint between filling concrete and the beam or
between the filling concrete and the slab end. Opening of these cracks reduces the stiffness of the
connection and eventually shear flow between the slab end and the beam is transmitted mainly by
the interface between the beam and the soffit of the slab [1].

1
 Fig. 1b. Deformation of the HC cross-
Fig.1a Stress components in HC web. section as a result of deflection of the beam. A –
before deflection, B – frame effect.

If the HC slabs are supported so low on the beam that bending of the beam gives rise to transverse
tensile stress at the bottom of the slab, the soffit of the slab tends to crack longitudinally.
Longitudinal cracks reduce the transverse bending stiffness of the slabs. Sometimes the cracks
under the grows along the strands. It reduces the bond between the strands and the concrete, which
has a negative effect on shear capacity of the slab.
As a result of the deflection of the beam, the difference in work schema of the HC elements,
depending on its position along the beam, appears (Fig.2). The element in the midspan of the beam
is subjected mainly to transverse bending moments. While the deflection of the beam occurs, the
HC slabs are supported only in the area of their outermost webs [2]. The edge slabs are subjected to
shear deformation, which is the main reason for reducing the shear capacity. On the basis of series
of experimentally full-scale tests [3] it has been shown that the failure of the floor always begins
from the outermost slabs. In addition, the lack of parallelism of opposite ends of the HC slab may
be the reason for the additional stresses, as a result of the torsion. The result of transverse loads state
in the SF Structures is cracking and shear failure of the HC slabs in their weakest area – non-
reinforced edge webs and reduction of the shear capacity [1].

Fig. 2 Behavior of HC slabs on the flexible support.

Despite the frequent implementation of this type of structures, the existing standard EN 1168 gave
only a brief record of the need to take into account the reduction in design shear capacity, but is not
given any calculation procedure. fib recommendations [4] may be useful in the design of this type

2
of structures. These recommendations are based on a series of studies carried out in Finland, in
1990-2006 [5] and were created on the basis of the calculation model by Leskelä and Pajari [6]. The
comparison between the fib (Pajari-Leskelä) model and the Roggendorf model and design analysis
are given in the further part of the paper.

3. fib DESIGN MODEL (BY LESKELÄ AND PAJARI)

fib recommendation gives a model of the composite beam and HC slab. It is a development of the
concept of HC elements based on rigid supports and is based on a classical Euler-Bernoulli beam
theory. Model for the rigid supports is based on assumption of the HC elements failure mechanism
due to shear [1]. The failure criterion is achieving the tensile strength value of concrete fctd by the
main stress σ1 (σ1<0) (1).

1 2
 ps  f ctd  2  ( 21 ) 2   1  [  f ( 2 ,top   top   2 ,imp )] 2 (1)

Normal compression stress σ1 and transverse shear stress τ1 (vertical) are given by the formula
described in (2) and (3):

Pt  Pt  e p  M t
Vz  S y
 1    z 1  (2), (3)
A Iy I y  bw

A more difficult issue is the identification of transverse shear τ2 (horizontal) in the HC web,
emerging from the longitudinal compressive transverse shear flows ν in the composite cross-
section, consisting of the beam, the concrete grouting of the joint and the upper flange of HC slab,
working at the length beff (4).
e sl . top  ( EA ) sl .top
  Vb (4)
( EI ) com
where:
(EA)sl.top axial stiffness of the whole upper flange,
esl.top centroidal distance of the top flange of the HC slab from the centroid axis of the
composite cross-section,
EIcom bending stiffness of the composite cross-section,
Vb shear force of the beam due to imposed load.
On the basis of the compressive transverse shear flows, the value of the transverse shear stress τ2
can be determined. The model acknowledges τ2 at the length x=bcr, as the average value of the
stress for the hsl distance.

3   b sl 3   b sl
2     (5)
2 2  b w  x 4 b w  b cr
where:
bw , bsl sum of webs’ width in the HC slab, width of the HC slab,
  bsl l transverse shear force from the slabs supported on both sides of the beam,

2  bw  x cross-section of HC webs supported on both sides of the beam.

3
The value of effective width beff is defined on the basis of tests using relationship between Lb
(distance between zero bending moments) and Lb.0 (basic beams span - 5m). Empirically
determined factor beff.0, is dependent on the HC high and the material of the beam [3].

b eff . 0
b eff   Lb (6)
L b .0

The reducing factors of the transverse shear stress τ2 according to the existence of topping (βt) or
filling cores (βf) and the type of support on the tensile or compress beam flange (βb) were
determined on the basis of the tests [3].
In these tests the observed shear capacity of the HC slabs achieved only 40-60% of the shear
capacity obtained in the reference test, where the slabs were supported on rigid bearings. Based on
these conclusions, German recommendations [7] limit the shear capacity of the HC slab to 50% and
the permissible beam deflection to 1/300 L. This document gives recommendations for the
reinforcement of the adjacent slabs joints, as well as to their bearing properties.

4. DESIGN MODEL BY ROGGENDORF

The model, similarly to the fib model, is based on the assumptions for the rigid bearings and on the
same failure criterion. However, unlike the above, it takes into account the effects of cracking in the
interface between the beam and the HC slab, as well as between the HC slab and filling concrete -
both of the effects appear with increasing the deflection of the beam. The increase in the crack’s
width in the joint results in appearing horizontal compression force c in the upper elements of
adjacent slabs in transverse direction. It results in moving of the slabs along the longitudinal axis of
the beam and emergence of the bond force of friction. The horizontal force c is dependent on the
value of the friction coefficient. Coefficient of friction µ is the main parameter of the model,
depending on the characteristics of the interface surface, empirically determined [2].

Fig. 3a Idealized frame model for the slabs cross-

Fig. 3b Internal forces in the outermost web.
section.

In order to determine the transverse shear stresses τ1 and τ2 the cross-section of the HC was
modeled as Vierendeel truss. It is loaded by the horizontal compress force c and vertical line load v
(the impact of bending effect), causing internal forces in the outermost HC web (Fig.3a).
Transverse forces from the compress force c, specified for the outermost web in truss model are
calculated (Fig. 3b):

4
 3
1 h 1 3  b sl  b 3 w . j  2 n  h sl . eff
V z .c   sl . eff  c V y .c   c (7), (8)
2 bsl 3 n ( 2 b sl  b 3 w . j  n  h sl . eff  h sl . fl 3 )

On the basis of the values of (7) and (8) the transverse shear stresses τ1,c and τ2,c were determined :

V comp  S y Vcomp
 1. c   f  k xz .c  m    2.c  23  f  k zy.c  m   (9), (10)
I y  bw l x  bw
where the coefficients kxz.c and kxy.c depend on the geometry of the unit and the quantity of webs.
Because of the difficulties in determining the bearing properties (the presence and the type of
elastomers, the bearing length, the stiffness of the ring beams) it is difficult to define the
components of the transverse stresses τ1,v and τ2,v. The effect of bending is considered throughout
the empirical coefficient [2]. The factor kν can be derived from:
3
L b EI sl . q
kv  1    3
(11)
EI b  b sl
The shear capacity of the HC slabs on flexible support can be calculated by extending the equation
from the standard [2] by the components of stresses, including cracking in the joint and their
consequences:

I y  bw 2 1  cd
VRd .ct.bw  f   ( f ctd  1   cd  f ctd  ( 1  f ctd
 k v   2c ) 2   p   cpd )
S y  (1   comp   f  k1.c  m   )
(12)
5. PARAMETRIC DESIGN ANALYSIS
In order to determine the differences between both above-mentioned design models, a series of
computational analyzes, were done. Analyzes were carried out for two different types of cross-
section of the HC slabs – elements with small and a large number of webs – see Fig 4.

Fig. 4 HC slab with small and large number of webs.

The subject of the first analysis was to determine the effort HC slab (expressed by the ratio of the
design strength in the cross-section to the shear capacity VRd.c) for a variety design models for the
HC slab with different kinds of supports and different cross-section – Fig. 5.

5
Fig. 5 Effort of the HC slab (height 500mm with few number of the webs – left figure and large number of the
webs – right figure) with different supports according to some design recommendations and models..

Moreover, the influence of the value of mean compress stress in concrete beyond transmission
length on the effort of the HC slab (height 320 mm) were considered – Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 Effort of the HC slab (height 320mm) with different value of mean compress stress in concrete beyond
transmission length σcp..

Finally, the influence of the type of the cross-section and the variable value of the effective width of
slab according to the fib recommendation on the effort of the HC slab (height 320 mm) were
considered – Fig. 7 and Fig. 8.

6
 Fig. 7 Effort of the HC slabs (with height 200-500mm) for different types of cross-section of the slab
according to the fib recommendation.

Fig. 8 Effort of the HC slab (320mm) for different value of the effective width of HC slab according to the
fib recommendation.

6. CONCLUSIONS
The following conclusions can be drawn based on the analyzes, according to the computational
procedures presented in the standards of EC-2, EN-1168 and Model Code (for rigid supports) and
fib and by Roggendorf models (for flexible supports):

1) calculations of shear capacity of the HC slabs working on rigid supports, conducted according
to EN-1168 and Model Code, show a small variance of results, while the procedure for
uncracked prestressed concrete elements given in the EC-2, shows a dangerous tendency to
overestimate the shear capacity up to 20% compared to previous-mentioned standards;
2) calculations according to fib recommendations, as well as the Roggendorf model, which take
into account the flexibility of the support, give shear effort of the HC web about 30%
increased in comparison to EN-1168 or Model Code, and a high difference (about 80%) in
comparison to EC-2;
3) differences of the results obtained due to the fib model and the Roggendorf model are between
4-20%, with the mean value of 9%;
4) value of mean compression stress in concrete of the HC slab, due to prestressing force, plays
important role in both of analyzed models. Shear capacity of HC web increases with
increasing compressive stress from prestressing in the fib model, while this relationship is
inversely proportional in model proposed by Roggendorf;
5) the type of the slab cross-section shape strongly influences on the shear capacity HC element.
Shallow HC slabs (200 mm high) with a large number of webs and narrow voids can be
characterized by a 50% higher shear capacity in comparison to the units with a smaller
number of webs and voids similar to circular. Awareness of this fact is particularly important

7
 for designers and construction contractors.
Obtained results of a large number of analytical calculations showed significant differences between
the compared models. Until now, the number of experimental research for HC slabs on flexible
supports is relatively small and it is not possible to conclude which model is closer to the real
behavior of those structures. According to the authors of this paper, it justifies a need for further
experimental research in the field of Slim Floors, especially for cases not enough identified, i.e. HC
slabs with concrete topping layer or slabs subjected to additional torsion due to uneven support.

6.1 References

[1] PAJARI M.: Shear resistance of prestressed hollow core slabs on flexible supports. VTT
Publications 228, Espoo, 1995.

[2] ROGGENDORF T.: Zum Tragverhalten von Spannbeton-Fertigdecken bei biegeweicher

Lagerung. Dissertation, Aachen, 2010.

[3] PAJARI M., YANG L.: Shear capacity of hollow core slabs on flexible supports. VTT
Research Notes 1587, Espoo, 1994

[4] fib Bulletin 6 Special design considerations for precast prestressed Hollow-Core floors, 2012.
[5] PAJARI M. YANG L. Shear capacity of Hollow Core slabs on flexible supports. VTT
Research Notes 1587, Espoo 1994.

[6] LESKELÄ M., PAJARI M. Reduction of the vertical shear resistance in Hollow-core slabs
when supported on beams. Proceedings of Concrete`95 Conference, Brisbane, Australia,
1995.Pajari

[7] Allgemeine bauaufsichtliche Zulassung Z-15.10-288. DIBt, 2009.

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