ASTU SoCEA Dep’t of Civil Engineering RC-II

Example 2.1: By Using Equivalent Frame Analysis Method

An office building is planned using a flat plate floor system with the column layout as shown
in figure below. No beams, dropped panels, or column capitals are permitted. Specified live
load is 5kN/m2 and dead load will include the weight of the slab plus an allowance of
1.129kN/m2 for finish floor plus suspended loads. The columns will be 450mmx450mm, and
the floor to floor height of the structure will be 3.6m. Design the interior panel C, using
materials S400, C25/30 and class I work. Straight bar reinforcement will be used.

5.5m B
A

5.5m D C

5.5m All columns 45x45cm

5.5m 5.5m 5.5m

Figure: Two – way flat slab floor

Solution
Step 1: Flat slab thickness from deflection requirement (Refer ES EN 1992: 2015 Clause
7.4.2 (2))
 Provided that reinforced concrete beams or slabs in buildings are dimensioned so that
they comply with the limits of span to depth ratio.
 Their deflections may be considered as not exceeding the limits span/250 (referrig ES
EN 1992: 2015 Clause 7.4.1 (4&5) Pg.135).

o Assumption: - Slab is lightly reinforced (𝜌=0.5 %) (Table 7.4N),

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o K = 1.2 for Slab supported on columns without beams (flat slab) (based on
longer span) (Table 7.4N), fck = 25Mpa

o = 0.005

Substitute the valu in the above equetion: 𝑙/𝑑 = 22.2

Modification should be needed if:
1) Where other stress levels are used, the values obtained using Expression (7.16) in
section 7.4.1 should be multiplied by 310/σs. It will normally be conservative to
assume that:
310/σs = 500 / (fykAs, req / As,prov) = 500/400 = 1.25
2) For flat slabs where the greater span exceeds 8.5 m, and which support partitions liable
to be damaged by excessive deflections, the values of L/d given by Expression (7.16)
should be multiplied by 8.5 / leff (leff in metres). But span is not greater than 8.5m.
So, the modification needed only for No. 1 only:
𝑙/𝑑 = 22.2*1.25 = 27.75
d = 5500/27.75 = 198.2
D = 198.2 + 15 + 6 = 219.2
Use D = 220mm
Step 2: Determination of Design Loads:
Self - wt. of slab = 25 * 0.22 = 5.5kN/m2
DL from finishing and others = 1.129kN/m2
Live load = 5kN/m2
Gk = 5.5 + 1.129 = 6.629kN/m2
Qk = 5kN/m2
Hence ultimate design load becomes:
Pd = 1.35Gk + 1.5Qk1
= 1.35 * 6.63 + 1.5 * 5
= 16.45kN/m2
Equivalent Frame Method as per ES EN 199: 2015 (Refer Annex I)

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i. The width of slab used to define the effective stiffness of the slab will depend upon the
aspect ratio of the panels and the type of loading, but the following provisions may be
applied in the absence of more accurate methods:
 In the case of vertical loading, the full width of the Panel, and
 For lateral loading, 40% the width of the panel may be used to calculate the
stiffness of the slab.
ii. The moment of inertia of any section of slab or column used in calculating the relative
stiffness of members may be assumed to be that of the cross section of the concrete
alone.
iii. Moments and forces within a system of flat slab panels may be obtained from analysis
of the structure under the single load case of maximum design load on all spans or
panels simultaneously, provided:
 The ratio of the characteristic imposed load to the characteristic dead load does not
exceed 1.25.
 The characteristic imposed load does not exceed 5.0kN/m2 excluding partitions.
iv. Where it is not appropriate to analyse for the single load case of maximum design load
on all spans, it will be sufficient to consider following arrangement of vertical loads:
 All spans loaded with the maximum design ultimate load, and
 Alternate spans with the maximum design ultimate load and all other spans loaded
with the minimum design ultimate load (1.0Gk).
v. Each frame may be analysed in its entirety by any elastic method. Alternatively, for
vertical loads only, each strip of floor and roof may be analysed as a separate frame
with the columns above and below fixed in position and direction at their extremities.
In either case, the analysis shall be carried out for the "appropriate design ultimate
loads on each span calculated for a strip of slab of width equal to the distance between
centre lines of the panels on each side of the columns.
In our case, there is only vertical load; hence each strip of floor can be analyzed as a separate
frame.

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3.6m

A D
B C
3.6m

5.5m 5.5m 5.5m

2.1 Stiffness (k)

4Ec I s l 4 E c * (5500 * 220 3 / 12 10648000
For slab: ks =  = Ec
 sl 5500 3

4 E c I co l 4 Ec * (450 * 450 3 / 12)

For column: kc =  = 3796875 Ec
 col 3600

Using Hardy cross method of moment distribution.

Using the advantage of symmetry:

Linear load on each strip:

3.6m W = 16.45*5.5
= 90.475 kN/m
A C
B 1 90.475 * 5.5 2
IBc MFAB =  228 .07
3.6m 2 12

5.5m 5.5m

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In our case, the characteristic imposed load does not exceed 1.25 times the characteristic dead
load we can use the single load case of maximum design load on all spans.

158.57 255.11 233.18 233.18 255.11 158.57

A B C D

5.5m 5.5m 5.5m

1  5.5 2 
Ra = 158 .57  225 .11  90.475 *   231 .25kN
5.5  2 
90.475 * 5.5
RB  = 90.475*5.5-231.25 = 266.36kN, and RBr =  248 .81kN
2
90.475 x 2
Interior span (panel): Mx = 248.81x -  233 .18
2
dM x
= 248.81-90.475x = 0
dx

248 .81
x=  2.75m
90.475

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90.475 * 2.75 2
Mmax = 248.81*2.75 -  233 .18 = 108.94kNm.
2
Comparison of moments at support B show that left side moment is larger. Hence take
moment at the left face of support B.
 Exterior span (panel)
90.4475kNm
158.57kNm
255.11kNm
A B
231.25kN 266.36kN
5.5m

90.475 x 2
Mx = 266.36x-  255 .11 , M+ve,max = 136.97kNm
2
Generally, for both methods of analysis, the negative moments greater than those at a distance
hc/2 from the centre-line of the column may be ignored provided the moment Mo obtained as
the sum of the maximum positive design moment and the average of the negative design
moments in anyone span of the slab for the whole panel width is such that:
( g d  q d ) L2 ( L1  2hc ) 2
Mo  3

2
Where L1 is the panel length parallel to span, measured from centres of columns.
L2 is the panel width, measured from centres of columns
hc is the effective diameter of a column or column head
When the above condition is not satisfied, the negative design moments shall be increased.
1
Mo = 136.97+ (158 .57  255 .11)  343 .81kNm (average of negative and positive moment)
2
Gd = 1.35gk = 1.35*6.63 = 8.95kN/m2
Qd = 1.5qk = 1.5*5 = 7.5kN/m2
Pd = gd +qd = 16.45kN/m2
The effective diameter of a column or column head hc is the diameter of a circle whose area
equals the cross-sectional area of the column or, if column heads are used, the area of the
column head based on the effective dimensions. In no case shall hc be taken as greater than
one-quarter of the shortest span framing in to the column.
Acol = 450 * 450 = 202500mm2
 2c 4 Acol 2 * 450
 Acol  hc =   2*450/ 3.141/2 = 508mm
4  

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hc = 508mm
L1 = L2 = 5.5m

pdL2 ( L1  2 hc ) 2 16.45 * 5.5

 3  (5.5- 2 * 0.508) 2
8 8 3

= 301.27kNm  Mo = 343.81kNm OK!

Hence reduce the moment at centre of support to a moment at hc/2

-255.11
-158.57

0.508
 0.254 m
136.97 2

90.475 2 90.475
Mc = 266.36x- x  255 .11 = 266.36*0.254- * 0.2542-255.11
2 2
= -190.37kNm.
Step 3: Apportioning moments in to column strips and middle strip:
Simplified apportionment of bending moment for a flat slab as per ES EN 1992: 2015 (Refer
Annex I Table I.1)

Direction Total BM BM on col. BM on middle

of span (KNm) Strip(KNm) Strip(KNm)
Long direction Ms = -190.37 0.75Ms = -142.78 0.25Ms = -47.59
Mf = 108.94 0.55Mf = 59.92 0.45Mf = 49.02
Short direction Ms = - 190.37 0.75Ms = -142.78 0.25Ms = -47.59
Mf = 108.94 0.55Mf = 59.92 0.45Mf = 49.02
Design constants
C 25/30  fck = 25MPa, fcd = 14.167MPa
S - 400 fyk = 400MPa, fyd = 347.83MPa

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f yd
m=  23.98
0.8 f cd
Step 4: Check for flexural Design:
The largest moment, Mmax = -142.78kNm
b = 2750mm (for a column strip)
Minimum effective depth to avoid any compression steel (singly reinforced) is given by:

Assuming 25 mm cover, 12 mm diameter bars, the overall depth (D) of the slab is:

Used is …. Safe!
Step 5: Check d for punching shear
Based on the tributary area of the loaded floor

2dav

Dy = 199mm
450+4dav Dx = 187mm
5.5m 1
Deff = (dy+dx)
2

450+4dav

5.5m

Perimeter of critical failure line,

1
dav = (199  187 )  193mm
2
uo = 2(Cx + Cy) = 2*(450+ 450) = 1800mm (adjacent to interior columns EC -2, 1992-
1-1 P-106, Sec -6.53)
u1 = 2(Cx + Cy) + 2*3.14*(2d)) = 2(900) +2*3.14*2*193 = 4224.1mm
Punched area, Ap = (450 + 4* 193)2- 4[(2*193)2 -/4(2*193)2)
= 1365384.74mm2
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Tributary area, At for balancing the critical shear.

At = (5500)2 – 1365384.74= 28884615.26mm2
 At = 28.885m2
 Punching shear due to applied load:
VEd = PdAt = 16.45*28.885 = 475.152kN.
According eccentricity due to unbalanced moment on the slab (moment in the column)
Equivalent concentric load, Veq becomes:
a) Check at perimeter of column
Punching shear adjacent to interior columns
Veq = VEd / uod < VRd, max = 1.15*475.152*103/ (1800*193) = 1.573Mpa
( = 1.15 for interior column)
VRd, max = 0.2(1-fck/250) fck
= 0.2 (1 – 25/250) *25 = 4.5MPa
Veq = 1.15*475.152*1000 / 4224.1*193 = 1.573MPa < 4.5MPa …..Ok!
b) Check shear stress at control perimeter U1 (2d from face of column)
Punching resistance by use simplified equation:
Veq = VEd / u1d < VRdc

Veq = 1.15*475.152*1000 / 4224.1*193 = 0.67MPa

VRdc = max [0.12*K (100*ρfck) 0.333 +K1σcp, (0.035K2/3 fck1/2 +K1σcp)]

Both ae unknown sicne flexural reinforcemnet has not been determined

a sx  asx – single bare area in x-direction
ρ1x ex 
s x d 
asy – single bar area in y- direction
a sy 
ρ1yey  Similarly sx and sy are spacings
s y d 

Assume Concrete lightly stressed ρ = 0.5%

1 = (1x *1y) 1/2  0.02 = 0.005 < 0.02 ok!
Therefore, 1 = 0.005, K1 = 0.1, K = 1+ (200/d) 1/2 < 2.0 2 > 2.0, so take K = 2.0, σcp = 0
(have non axial load) and fck = 25Mpa, then substitute the value:
VRdc = max [0.12*2*(100*0.005*25) 0.333 + 0), 0.035*2 2/3 *251/2 +0]
 VRdc = 0.56Mpa < Veq = 0.67Mpa  not safe!

Hence, use drop panel.

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The effective dimensions of a column head for use in calculation of hc are limited according
to the depth of the head. In any direction, the effective dimension of a head Lh shall be taken
as the lesser of the actual dimension Lho or Lh,max, where Lh,max is given by:
Lh,max = Lc + 2dh = 450mm +2*100mm = 850mm

The smaller dimension of the drop is at least one third of the smaller dimension of the
surrounding panels, Lx/3 and the drop may be 25 to 50 percent thicker than the rest of the
slab.
Thickness of slab around drop panel = 1.25ts = 1.25*220 = 275mm
Thickness of drop panel = Thickness of slab around drop panel - Thickness of slab outside of
drop panel
Thickness of drop panel = 275mm - 220mm = 55mm.
Actual dimension Lh0 = Lx/3 = 5500mm/3 = 1833.333mm
Lh,max = Lc + 2dh = 450mm +2*100mm = 850mm
In any direction, the effective dimension of a head Lh shall be taken as the lesser of the actual
dimension Lho or Lh,max. From these Lh = 850mm
Provide a square head of side length (Lh) = 850mm and depth, additional to that of the slab of
100mm. Since, it is out of the head neglect this critical perimeter. Consider critical perimeter
from the face of the drop.

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2dav 2dav

200 450 200 mm

u0 = 2(850 +850) = 3400mm

u1 = 2(850+850) +2*193*2*3.14) =5824.1mm
Punched area, Ap = (850 + 4* 193)2- 4[(2*193)2 -/4(2*193)2) = 2151921.2 mm2
Tributary area, At for balancing the critical shear.
At = (5500)2 – 2151921.2 = 29263102.33mm2
At = 28.098m2
Punching shear due to applied load:
VEd = PdAt = 16.45*28.098 = 462.21kN and
Check critical shear stress at perimeter of drop panel
Punching shear adjacent to interior columns
Veq = VEd / u0d = 1.15*462.21*103/ (3400*193) = 0.81Mpa < 4.5MPa OK!
Check shear stress at control perimeter u1 (2d from face of drop panel)
Veq = VEd / u1d < VRdc

Veq = 1.15*462.21*1000 / 5824.1*193 = 0.473MPa.

VRdc = max [(0.12*2*(100*0.005*25) 0.333, 0.035*2 2/3 *251/2]
VRdc = 0.56Mpa >Veq = 0.473Mpa  safe!

Effective diameter of column head, hc

Lh,max
Lho dh
450
Lc = 450mm
Lc Dh = 100mm

Lho = 850mm
Lhmax = Lc + 2dh = 450 + 2 * 100 = 650mm

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Lh = 650mm

hc2 4 L2h 2 Lh 2 * 650

 L2h  hc     733 .45mm.
4   
Negative moment to be considered is:

-158.57
-255.11

(-) (-)
x x
(+) 0.73345
 0.3667 m
2
90.475 2
Mx = 266.36x- x -255.11
2
90.475
Mface = 266.36*0.3667- * 0.3667 2  255 .11 = -163.51kNm.
2
Total Bm BM on col.strip BM on middle strip
Direction of span
(kNm) (KNm) (kNm)
Ms = -163.51 0.75Ms = -122.63 0.25Ms = -40.88
Long direction
Mf = 108.94 0.55Mf = 59.92 0.45Mf = 49.02
Ms = -163.51 0.75Ms = -122.63 0.25Ms = -40.88
Short direction
Mf = 108.94 0.55Mf = 59.92 0.45Mf = 49.02
Flexural Reinforcement:
Since, design as a singly reinforced beam.
Sample calculation For Md = Mmax = 122.63kNm from column strip

,
, Then,

d1 = 220 - 15 - 6 = 199mm and d2 = 220-15-12-6 = 187mm

Maximum and minimum reinforcement
(Refer ES EN 1992: 2015 clause 9.2.1)
 As, min = 0.26fctm btd/fyk, but not less than 0.0013bt d
 As,max = 0.04Ac
Minimum and Maximum spacing of reinforcement (Refer ES EN 1992: 2015 clause 8.2
and 9.3.1)

 For slabs less than 200 mm thick the following maximum spacing rules apply:
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 For the principal reinforcement: 3h but not more than 400 mm

 For the secondary reinforcement: 3.5h but not more than 450 mm
The exception is in areas with concentrated loads or areas of maximum moment where the
following applies:
 For the principal reinforcement: 2h but not more than 250 mm
 For the secondary reinforcement: 3h but not more than 400 mm
Where h is the depth of the slab

M d b(m AsAsmi Sreq Sprov

Strip Z, mm
(KNm) (mm) m) (mm2) (mm) (mm) Remark
Column L(-) -122.63 199 189.050 2750 1864.889 159.200 12c/c150 1
Column L(+) 59.92 199 189.050 2750 911.230 341.324 12c/c250 2
Column s(-) -122.63 187 177.650 2750 1984.560 156.720 12c/c150 3
Column s(+) 59.92 187 177.650 2750 969.705 320.740 12 c/c250 4
Middle L(-) -40.88 199 189.050 2750 896.970 346.700 12 c/c250 5
Middle L(+) 49.02 199 189.050 2750 896.970 346.700 12 c/c250 6
Middle s(-) -40.88 187 177.650 2750 896.970 346.700 10 c/c250 7
Middle s(+) 49.02 187 177.650 2750 896.970 346.700 12 c/c250 8
Step 6: Reinforcement bar length calculation:
Slab at internal columns (Refer ES EN 1992: 2015 Clause 9.4.1)
(1) The arrangement of reinforcement in flat slab construction should reflect the behaviour
under working conditions. In general this will result in a concentration of reinforcement over
the columns.
(2) At internal columns, unless rigorous serviceability calculations are carried out, top
reinforcement of area 0.5At should be placed in a width equal to the sum of 0.125 times the
panel width on either side of the column. At represents the area of reinforcement required to
resist the full negative moment from the sum of the two half panels each side of the column.
(3) Bottom reinforcement (≥2bars) in each orthogonal direction should be provided at internal
columns and this reinforcement should pass through the column.
Slab at edge and corner columns (Refer ES EN 1992: 2015 Clause 9.4.2)
(1) Reinforcement perpendicular to a free edge required to transmit bending moments
from the slab to an edge or corner column should be placed within the effective width
be shown in Figure 9.9

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Long direction and short direction are the same since the panel is square. However, there is
slight difference in spacing of reinforcements
Span length, l = 5500mm
Clear span, ln = 5500-450 = 5050mm
b = 0.20 ln = 0.20*5050 = 1010mm
c = 0.22ln = 0.22*5050 = 1111mm
d = 0.30ln = 0.3*5050 = 1515mm
e = 0.33ln = 0.33*5050 = 16667mm
Step 7: Reinforcement layout:

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Exercise
Design the corner panel A and edge panel D.
Redo the above example by using Direct Design Method (DDM)

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