BLD 413

DESIGN OF ONE WAYSLABS

A slab is a flat two dimensional planar structural element having thickness small

compared to its other two dimensions. It provides a working flat surface or a covering

shelter in buildings. It primarily transfer the load by bending in one or two directions.

Reinforced concrete slabs are used in floors, roofs and walls of buildings and as the

decks of bridges. The floor system of a structure can take many forms such as in situ

solid slab, ribbed slab or pre-cast units. Slabs may be supported on monolithic

concrete beam, steel beams, walls or directly over the columns. Concrete slab behave

primarily as flexural members and the design is similar to that of beams.

2. CLASSIFICATION OF SLABS

Slabs are generally classified based on many aspects

 Based of shape: Square, rectangular, circular and polygonal in shape.

 Based on type of support: Slab supported on walls, Slab supported on beams,

Slab supported on columns (Flat slabs).

 Based on support or boundary condition: Simply supported, Cantilever slab,

Overhanging slab, Fixed or Continues slab.

 Based on use: Roof slab, Floor slab, Foundation slab, Water tank slab.

 Basis of cross section or sectional configuration: Ribbed slab /Grid slab, Solid

slab, Filler slab, Folded plate

 Basis of spanning directions : i. One way slab – Spanning in one direction

ii. Two way slab _ Spanning in two direction

The design of continuous one-way spanning slabs is similar to that outlined above for

single-span slabs. The main differences are that

(a) several loading arrangements may need to be considered

(b) such slabs are not statically determinate.

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 BLD 413
Methods such as moment distribution can be used to determine the design moments

and shear forces in the slab as discussed in section 3.9.3.1. However, where the

following conditions are met, the moments and shear forces can be calculated using

the coefficients in Table 3.12 of BS 8110, part of which is reproduced here as Table

3.23.

1. There are three or more spans of approximately equal length.

2. The area of each bay exceeds 30 m2 (Fig. 3.62).

3. The ratio of the characteristic imposed load to the characteristic dead load does not

exceed 1.25.

4. The characteristic imposed load does not exceed 5 kN/m2 excluding partitions.

Bay
Panel

Figure 1: Definition of panels and bays

Ultimate bending moments and shear forces in one-way spanning slabs with simple
end supports (Table 3.12, BS 8110)

F = 1.4Gk + 1.6Qk; L = effective span

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 BLD 413
Example: A continuous one-way slab has three equal spans of 3.5 m each. The slab

thickness is assumed to be 150 mm. The live load is 4.02 kN/m 2 and the screed, finish,

partitions and ceiling is 2.57 kN/m 2. The construction materials are grade 30 concrete

(fcu = 30 N/mm2) and grade 460 reinforcement (fy = 460 N/mm 2. The condition of

exposure is mild and the cover required is 25 mm. Design the slab and show the

reinforcement on a sketch of the cross-section.

150

3.75 B 3.75 3.75 3.75 E

A C D

Solution

Loading

Dead load, Gk = self-weight of slab + screed + finish + partitions + ceiling

Gk = 0.15 × 24 + 2.57 = 3.6 + 2.75 = 6.35 kN/m2

Imposed load, Qk = 4.02 kNm−2

For a 1 m width of slab, total ultimate load, F = (1.4gk + 1.6qk)width of slab × span

F = (1.4 × 6.35 + 1.6 × 4.02)1 × 3.75

F = (8.89 + 6.432) x 3.75 = 15.322 x 3.75

= 57.46 kN

Design moments and shear forces

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 BLD 413
The coefficients can be used to calculate the design moments and shear forces in the slab

Position Bending moments (kNm) Shear forces (kN)

Supports A & E 0 0.4F = 0.4 x 57.46 =22.98

Spans AB & DE 0.086FL = 0.086 x 57.46 x 3.75 = 18.53 -----

Support B & D - 0.086FL = - 18.53 0.6F = 0.6 x 57.46 =34.48

Span BC & CD 0.063FL = 0.063 x 57.46 x 3.75 = 13.57 -----

Support C - 0.063FL = -13.57 0.5F = 0.5 x 57.46 = 28.73

Steel reinforcement

Middle of span AB and DE

Assume diameter of main steel, φ = 12 mm

Effective depth, d = h − φ/2 - c = 150 − 12/2 + 25) = 119 mm

M = 18.53 kNm

M 18.53 x 106
k= 2 = = 0.044 < 0.156
b d f cu 1000 x 1192 x 30

Singly reinforced

( √ 0.9K )
Z = d 0.5+ 0.25 −

√ 0.9 ) = 112.87 mm
= 119 ( 0.5+ 0.25 −
0.044

M 18.53 x 10
6
Astreq = = = 410.22 mm2
0.87 f y Z 0.87 x 460 x 112.87

Use the sectional area per meter width for various bar spacing to provide

reinforcement

Provide Y12@250 mm c/c (As = 452 mm2 /m) in the bottom of the slab.

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 BLD 413

0.13
As,min = 0.13%bh = x 1000 x 150 = 195 mm2 < 410.22 mm2 OK
100

Support B and D

M = − 18.53 kNm. Therefore, provide Y12 @ 250 mm centers in the top of the slab.

Span BC and CD

M = 13.57 kNm

M 13.57 x 106
k= 2 = = 0.032 < 0.156
b d f cu 1000 x 1192 x 30

Singly reinforced

( √ 0.9K )
Z = d 0.5+ 0.25 −

√ 0.9 ) = 114.61 mm
= 119 ( 0.5+ 0.25 −
0.032

M 13.57 x 106
Astreq = = = 295.86 mm2 > As min Ok
0.87 f y Z 0.87 x 460 x 114.61

Provice Y10 @ 250 mm c/c (As = 314 mm2 /m) in the bottom of the slab

Support C

M = − 13.57 kNm. Therefore, provide Y10 @ 250 mm centers in the top of the slab.

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 BLD 413

Support A and E

According to clause 3.12.10.3.2 of BS 8110, although simple supports may have been

assumed at end supports for analysis, negative moments may arise which could lead

to cracking. Therefore an amount of reinforcement equal to half the area of bottom

steel at mid-span but not less than the minimum percentage of steel recommended in

BS 8110 should be provided in the top of the slab. Moreover, this reinforcement

should be anchored at the support and extend not less than 0.15L or 45 times the bar

size into the span.

From above, area of reinforcement at middle of span AB is 452 mm 2 /m. From the

Table, the minimum area of steel reinforcement is 0.13%bh = 0.0013 × 1000 × 150 =

195 mm2 /m. Hence provide Y10 @ 300 mm centres (As = 262 mm2 /m) in the top of

the slab.

Distribution steel

Based on the minimum area of reinforcement As min = 195 mm2 /m. Hence, provide

Y10 at 350 centres (As = 224 mm2 /m).

Support B and D

Design shear force, V = 34.48 kN

3
V 34.48 x 10
v=
b xd
= = 0.029
1000 x 119

No shear reinforcement is required

Deflection

The slab is checked for deflection using the rules from section 3.4.6 of the code. The

end span is checked. The basic span-to-effective depth ratio is 26 for the continuous

slab. Steel service stress, fs, is

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 BLD 413
5 As req 1 5 x 460 x 410.22
fs = fy = = 260.93
8 As prov β b 8 x 452

( 477 − f s ) 0.55+
( 477 − 260.93 )
mf =0.55+
(
120 x 0.9+
M
bd
2
9
)=
(
120 x 0.9+
1000 x 1192)
18.53 x 10 6 = 1.37 < 2.0

span 3750
Actual =
effective depth 119
= 31.51

span
Limit
effective depth
= basic ratio × mod. factor = 26 x 1.37 = 35.62 > 31.51

Ok

Interior spans (Spa BC and CD)

Steel service stress, fs, is

5 As req 1 5 x 460 x 295.86

fs = fy = = 270.89
8 As prov β b 8 x 314

( 477 − f s ) 0.55+
( 477 − 270.89 )
mf =0.55+
( ) ( )
6
M = 13.57 x 10 = 1.47 < 2.0
120 x 0.9+ 2
9 120 x 0.9+ 2
bd 1000 x 119

span 3750
Actual = = 31.51
effective depth 119

span
Limit = basic ratio × mod. factor = 26 x 1.47 = 38.33 > 31.51 Ok
effective depth

The slab is satisfactory with respect to deflection.

Y10 - 300 Y12 - 250 Y10 - 250

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 BLD 413

Y12 - 250 Y10 - 250

Y10 - 250

A B C
Distribution steel is Y10-350 (As = 224 mm2 /m)
Crack control

Because the steel grade is 460, the slab depth is less than 200 mm and the clear

spacing does not exceed 3d = 330 mm, the slab is satisfactory with respect to

cracking.

CONTINUOUS BEAMS

In most real situations, the beams in buildings are rarely single span but continuous

over the supports. The design process for such beams is similar to that of single span

beams. However, the main difference arises from the fact that with continuous beams

the designer will need to consider the various loading arrangements, in order to

determine the design moments and shear forces in the beam. The analysis to calculate

the bending moments and shear forces can be carried out by moment distribution as

provided in clause 3.4.3 of BS 8110 are satisfied, by using the coefficients given in

Table 3.5 of BS 8110, reproduced as Table 3.19. Once this has been done, the beam

can be sized and the area of bending reinforcement calculated. At the internal

supports, the bending moment is reversed and it should be remembered that the tensile

reinforcement will occur in the top half of the beam and compression reinforcement in

the bottom half of the beam.

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 BLD 413

Generally, beams and slabs are cast monolithically, that is, they are structurally tied.

At mid-span, it is more economical in such cases to design the beam as an L or T

section by including the adjacent areas of the slab. The actual width of slab that acts

together with the beam is normally termed the effective flange. According to clause

3.4.1.5 of BS 8110, the effective flange width should be taken as the lesser of

(a) the actual flange width

(b) the web width plus bz/5 (for T-beams) or bz/10 (for L-beams),

where bz is the distance between points of zero moments which for a continuous

beam may be taken as 0.7 times the distance between the centres of supports

Analysis of continuous beams

Continuous beams (and continuous slabs that span in one direction) are not statically

determinate and more advanced analytical techniques must be used to obtain the

bending moments and shear forces in the member. A straightforward method of

calculating the moments at the supports of continuous members and hence the

bending moments and shear forces in the span is by moment distribution. Essentially

the moment-distribution method involves the following steps:

1. Calculate the fixed end moments (FEM) in each span using the formulae and

elsewhere. Note that clockwise moments are conventionally positive and

anticlockwise moments are negative.

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 BLD 413
2. Determine the stiffness factor for each span. The stiffness factor is the moment

required to produce unit rotation at the end of the member. A uniform member (i.e.

constant EI) of length L that is pinned at one end and fixed at the other has a stiffness

factor of 4EI/L. If the member is pinned at both ends its stiffness factor reduces to

(3/4)4EI/L (Fig. 3.37(b)).

3. Evaluate distribution factors for each member meeting at a joint. The factors

indicate what proportion of the moment applied to a joint is distributed to each

member attached to it in order to maintain continuity of slope. Distribution factors are

simply ratios of the stiffness of individual members and the sum of the stiffness of all

the members meeting at a joint. As such, the distribution factors at any joint should

sum to unity.

4. Release each joint in turn and distribute the out-of-balance moments between the

members meeting at the joint in proportion to their distribution factors. The out-of-

balance moment is equal in magnitude but opposite in sense to the sum of the

moments in the members meeting at a joint.

5. Determine the moment developed at the far end of each member via the carry-over

factor. If the far end of the member is fixed, the carry over factor is half and a moment

of one-half of the applied moment will develop at the fixed end. If the far end is

pinned, the carry over factor is zero and no moment is developed at the far end.

6. Repeat steps (4) and (5) until all the out of balance moments are negligible.

7. Determine the end moments for each span by summing the moments at each joint.

Once the end moments have been determined, it is a simple matter to calculate the

bending moments and shear forces in individual spans using statics.

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 BLD 413

2
Plan
3

A B C D
X

Effective flange
Effective flange
Cross-section
T beam L beam
1 2 3 4
Section X–X

Fixed end moments for uniform beams

MAB MBA

WL WL
− 8
L/2 L/2 8

ω per unit length

WL
2
W L2
−
12 12
L

Example

Evaluate the critical moments and shear forces in the beams shown below assuming

that they are of constant section and the supports provide no restraint to rotation.
29.604KN/m 28.540KN/m 19.540KN/m
19.223KN/m

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 BLD 413

3.8m 4.0m 3.8m 3.8m

Analysis

Stiffness – (k)

KAB =

I
= 0 . 250I
KBC = 4 .0

I
= 0 . 253I
KCD = 3. 8

KDE =

Distribution Factors – (D.F)

Joint A = Joint E = 1.0

Joint B

0.197
D.F. BA = = 0.44
0.197+0.25

D.F. BC = 1 - 0.44 = 0.56

Joint C

0.25
D.F. CB = = 0.49
0.25+0.263

D.F. CD = 1 - 0.49 = 0.51

Fixed End Moment – (F.E.M)

F.E.MA = 0

29.604 x 3.82
F.E.M.BA = = ∓ 35.62 kNm
12

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 BLD 413

F.E.M.BC = CB =

F.E.M. CD = DC =

19.450 x 3.82
F.E.M DE = ED= ∓ = ∓ 23.40 kNm
12

F.E.M.E = 0

A B C D E

Stiffness 0.97I 0.250I 0.263I 0.1972

D.F 1.0 0.44 0.56 0.49 0.51 0.57 0.43 1.0

F.E.M 0 35.62 -25.63 25.63 -34.34 34.34 -23.40 0

Balance -4.40 -5.59 4.27 4.44 -6.24 -4.7

C.O 2.14 -2.80 -3.12 2.22

Balance -0.94 -1.2 2.90 3.02 -1.27 -0.95

C.O 1.45 -0.60 -0.64 1.51

Balance -0.64 -0.81 0.61 0.63 -0.86 -0.65

C.O 0.31 -0.41 -0.43 0.32

Balance -0.14 -0.17 0.41 0.43 - 0.18 -0.14

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 BLD 413
ΣM 0 29.50 -29.50 30.01 -30.01 29.84 -29.84 0

VAB =
2
− (
wl MAB+ MBA
L )
VBA = wl-VAB

2
VAB
Mmax = +MAB
2w
Span AB
29.604KN/m

A B MBA
MAB 3.8M
VAB VBA

29.604×3. 8 ( 0+29.5 )
VAB = − =48 . 48 KN
2 3. 8

VBA = WL - VAB

VBA = (29.604 x 3.8) – 48.48

VBA = 112.4952 – 48.48 = 64.02 kN

MMAX = VAB2
2xW

MMAX = 48.482 = 39.70 kNm

2 x 29.604

Span BC
19.223 KN/m

B C MCB
MBC 4.0 M
VBC VDC

VBC =
2
− (
wl MBC+ MCB
L )
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 BLD 413
19.223×4 .0 ( -29 .5+30.01)
VBC = − =38.32 KN
2 4 .0

VBB = WL - VAB

VCB = (19.223 x 4.0) – 38.32

VCB = 76.892 – 38.32 = 38.57 kN

MMAX = VBC2 + MBC

2*W

MMAX = 38.322 + (-29.5) = 8.69 kNm

2 x 19.223

Span CD
28.540 KN/m

C D MDC
MCD 3.8M
VCD VDC

VCD =
2
− (
wl MCD+MDC
L )
28.540×3.8 ( -30 .01 + 29 .84 )
VCD = − =54 .27 KN
2 3.8

VDC = WL - VCD

VDC = (28.540 x 3.8) – 54.27

VDC = 108.452 – 54.27 = 54.18 kN

MMAX = VCD2 + MCD

2*W

MMAX = 54.272 + (-30.01) = 21.59 kNm

2 x 28.540

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 BLD 413
Span DE

19.450 KN/m

D E MED
MDE 3.8M
VDE VED

19 . 450×3.8 ( -29 .84 +0 )

V DE= − =44 . 98 kN
2 3 .8
V ED= ( 19.450×3. 8 )−44.98=29 .27 KN
2
44 .98
Mmax = −29.84= 22 .17 kNm
2×19. 450

Shear Force Diagram (S.F.D)

54.27KN
44.98KN
48.48KN 38.32KN

-64.02KN -29.27KN
-38.57KN
-54.18KN
Bending Moment Diagram (B.M.D.) 30.01KN
29.50KN
29.84KNM

. . . . .

- 8.69 KN
-21.59 KN
-39.70KN
-22.17 KN

DESIGN OF THE BEAM

From bending moment envelop obtained

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 BLD 413
Ultimate support moment = 30.01 kNm

Maximum span moment = 39.70 kNm

After 15% moment redistribution:

M=0.85 x 30.01 = 25.51 kNm

Span AB

29.604KN/m

A B MBA
MAB 3.8M
VAB VBA

29.604×3 .8 ( -0+25 .51 )

V AB = − =49.53 kN
2 3 .8
V BA=( 29.604×3. 8 )−49.35=62.96 kN
2
49 .53
Mmax = −0= 41 .43 kNm
2×29.604

DESIGN

Span moment = 41.43 kNm

For mild conditions of exposure, the cover = 20 mm. so for 8 mm links and 16 mm

bars Overall depth

d = L / 26 for continues beam

d = 3800 / 26 = 146.15 mm

h = d + c + φ/2 + φL

h = 146.15 + 25 + 16/2 + 8 = 187.15mm

Use h = 300mm

d = h – c - φ/2 - φL

d = 300 – 25 – 8 – 8

d = 259mm

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 BLD 413
0.7 x L
Effective width of flange bf = bw +
5

0.7 x 3800
bf = 230 + = 762mm
5

M
K= 2
bf x d x f cu
6
41.43 x 10
= = 0.027 < 0.156
762 x 2592 x 30

No compression reinforcement required

( √
Z = d 0.5+ 0.25 −
K
0.9 )
= 259 (
√ 0.5+ 0.25 −
0.027
0.9 )
= 250.98 mm

M 41.43 x 106
Astreq = = = 412.48 mm2
0.87 f y Z 0.87 x 460 x 250.98

Asmin = 0.13% bh
= 0.13 x 762 x 300 = 297.1 mm2
100
Provide 3Y16 bottom (Aprov = 603 mm2)

At support

M = 25.51 kNm

M
K=
bf x d 2 x f cu

25.51 x 106
= 2 = 0.055 < 0.156
230 x 259 x 30

No compression reinforcement required

( √
Z = d 0.5+ 0.25 −
K
0.9 )
= 259 (
√ 0.5+ 0.25 −
0.055
0.9 )
= 242.03 mm

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 BLD 413
M 25.51 x 10
6
Astreq = = = 263.37 mm2
0.87 f y Z 0.87 x 460 x 242.03

Provide 2Y16 bottom (Aprov = 402 mm2)

The minimum tension steel at any point in the span is 3Y16. Hence As = 603 mm2

100As 100×603
= =0 .87
bh 230×300

From Table 5.1, νc = 0.68

Provide minimum links where V ≤ (νc + 0.4)bd = (0.68 + 0.4) x 300 × 259 × 10−3

= 83.92 kN

shear links

shear at d from face of support = Vs - (Wu x d) = 62.96 - (29.604 x 0.259) = 55.29 kN

Shear stress

v= V
bxd

= 55.29 x 103 = 0.93 N/mm2 < 0.8√30 OK

230 x 259

Asv = 0.4 x bv
Sv 0.87 x fyv
= 0.4 x 230 = 0.21
0.87 x 460
Use Y8 @ 300c/c (0.335)
Deflection

3800
Actual span-effective depth ratio = = 14.67
259

basic span/effective depth ratio of beam = 20.8

Service stress, fs, is

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 BLD 413
5 As req 1 5 x 460 x 412.48
fs = fy = = 196.66
8 As prov β b 8 x 603

( 477 − f s ) 0.55+
( 477 −196.66 )
mf =0.55+
(
120 x 0.9+
M
bd
2
9
)=
(
120 x 0.9+
762 x 2592)
41.43 x 106 = 1.37 < 2.0

Therefore

span
Limit = basic ratio × mod. factor = 20.8 x 1.37 = 28.50 > 14.67 Ok
effective depth

20