HOW IS LOAD DISTRIBUTED IN A SLAB?

An RCC slab is a common structural element of modern

buildings, consisting of a flat, horizontal surface made
with a combination of concrete and steel. In this article,
I’m going to discuss the load distribution mechanism of a
slab which depends on the type of slab whether it’s a one-
way slab or a two-way slab.
The type of the slab is defined by the aspect ratio Ly/Lx.
Where Lx represents the longer span and Ly represents
the shorter span of the slab. If the ratio of the longer span
to the shorter span is greater than 2,
i.e., if Ly/Lx ≥ 2, such a slab can be termed as a one-way
slab.
However, in the case of a two-way slab, this ratio is always
less than 2.
i.e. Ly/Lx < 2.

pg. 42
In a one-way slab, the loads are carried in one direction
only. Therefore, the load distribution takes place in the
same direction in a rectangular pattern as you can
visualize from this figure. The loads are carried in the
direction perpendicular to the supporting beams or walls
in the form of a uniformly distributed load.

For illustration, if w is the total load carried by the slab

and the slab is supported on two beams AB & CD. Both the
beams will carry an equal amount of load i.e w/2.

pg. 43
However, in a two-way slab, the load distribution takes
place in both directions, and the load is carried by all the
beams or walls along all 4 sides.

pg. 44
To understand the load distribution in two-way slabs, the
slab is divided into 4 areas i.e., 2 triangles and 2
trapeziums, and the angles formed by the triangle with
each span is 45°.

pg. 45
Loads of the triangular areas are carried as a uniformly
varying load by the supports along the shorter spans

and the trapezoidal loading is carried by the supports

along the longer spans of the slab.

pg. 46
 LOAD CALCULATION IN A FRAMED STRUCTURE
(INCLUDING SLAB, BEAMS, COLUMNS, AND FOOTINGS)

Load transfer path

For any framed structure, the total load of a slab includes
the Live Load, Floor finishing Load, and the self-weight of
the slab. This load is transferred to the beams which
provide support to the slab, and from the beams, the load
is transferred to the supporting columns. Then from
columns to the footings and finally to the soil on which the
whole structure is constructed.
In this article, I am going to discuss how to calculate the
load in slabs, beams, and columns?

pg. 47
For illustration, let’s consider a single-story framed
structure with 3 slabs, S1, S2, and S3 supported by 8 beams,
numbered from B1 to B7 and 6 columns numbered from C1
to C6.
Given Specifications:
Size of each beam = 230mm x 230mm
Size of each column = 230mm x 230mm
Thickness of slab = 125mm
Use M20 concrete and Fe 415 steel.

pg. 48
LOAD CALCULATION IN SLAB:
The total load of a slab is the summation of the Dead load
and the Live Load. The dead load includes the self-weight
of the slab plus the floor finish and it is to be calculated as
per IS 875 part 1.
1). Dead Load (As per IS 875 PART 1);
(a) Self-weight of slab = D x Density of RCC
Where, D = Depth of slab = 125 mm or 0.125m
Density of RCC = 25KN/m3
Self-weight of slab = 0.125 x 25 = 3.125KN/m2
(b) Floor Finish = 1.5KN/m2
(Ranges from 0.75KN/m to 1.5KN/m)

Dead Load = 3.125 + 1.5 = 4.625 KN/m2

2). Live Load (As per IS 875 PART 2);
Live Load = 4KN/m2
(Ranges from 2 to 5KN/m2)

Total Load = Dead Load + Live Load

= 4.625 + 4 = 8.625KN/m2
For designing the slab, we need to multiply the total load
with the factor of safety, which is taken as 1.5.
pg. 49
Factored Load = 1.5 x Total Load
= 1.5 x 8.625 = 12.937KN/m2

LOAD CALCULATION IN BEAMS:

As I have already discussed in my previous article, how

the load is distributed from the slab to its supporting
beams. which depends on the type of slab whether it’s a
one-way slab or a two-way slab. If we talk about slab S1,
the aspect ratio, i.e., the ratio of the longer span to the
shorter span = 3.6/3 = 1.2 < 2 (Two-way slab). Hence the
load distribution will take place in both the directions and
the load will be carried by the beams, B1, B2, B6 & B7. The
triangular loadings of slab S1 will be carried by the beams

pg. 50
B2 & B7 and the trapezoidal loadings will be carried by the
beams B1 & B6. Talking about slab S2, the aspect ratio (i.e.,
longer span/shorter span) will be 2.5/1 > 2 which
indicates that S2 is a one-way slab and the loads will be
carried in one direction only by the beams B3 & B5 and for
S3, the aspect ratio (i.e, longer span/shorter span) will be
2.5/2.37 = 1.05 < 2 which indicates that S2 is a two-way
slab and its load will be carried by the beams B4, B5, B6 &
B8.
Let’s calculate the total loads carried by each beam
separately.

Calculation of loads for B1:

B1 will carry the upper trapezoidal portion of the slab S1

which is given by the formula; WLx/2(1-1/2β). Where W
is the total factored load of the slab, Lx is the shorter span,
and β = Ly/Lx = 3.6/3 = 1.2

pg. 51
Load on B1 due to slab S1 = WLx/2(1-1/2β)
= 12.937 x 3/2 [(1-1/2(1.2)] = 19.40(1-1/2.4)
= 19.40 x 0.5834 = 11.31 KN/m
Self-weight of B1 = Area of cross-section x Density of RCC
= 0.230m x 0.230m x 25KN/m3 = 1.322KN/m
Factored Self weight = 1.5 x 1.322 = 1.98KN/m
Total factored load carried by B1
= 11.31 + 1.98 = 13.29 KN/m
Total factored load carried by B1 in terms of KN
= 13.29 x 3.6 = 47.84 KN
(Span of B1 = 3.6m)

Calculation of loads for B2:

B2 will carry the right triangular
portion of the slab S1 which is given
by the formula; WLx/3. Where W is
the total factored load of the slab, &
Lx is the shorter span.
Load on B2 due to slab S1 = WLx/3 =
12.937 x 3/3 = 12.937KN/m

pg. 52
Self-weight of B2 = Area of cross-section x Density of RCC
= 0.230m x 0.230m x 25KN/m3 = 1.322KN/m
Factored Self weight = 1.5 x 1.322 = 1.98KN/m
Total factored load carried by B2
= 12.937 + 1.98 = 14.917KN/m
Total factored load carried by B2 in terms of KN
= 14.917 x 3 = 44.75KN
Calculation of loads for B7:

B7 will carry the left triangular

portion of the slab S1 which is
given by the formula; WLx/3.
Load on B7 due to slab S1 = WLx/3 =
12.937 x 3/3 = 12.937KN/m
Self-weight of B7 = Area of cross-
section x Density of RCC = 0.230m x
0.230m x 25KN/m3 = 1.322KN/m
Factored Self weight = 1.5 x 1.322 = 1.98KN/m
Total factored load carried by B7
= 12.937 + 1.98 = 14.917KN/m
Total factored load carried by B7 in terms of KN
pg. 53
= 14.917 x 3 = 44.75KN

Calculation of loads for B3:

Since S2 is a one-way slab, its load
will be carried by B3 & B5 equally.
Load on B3 due to slab S2 = WLx/2
= 12.937 x ½ = 6.468KN/m
(Where, W = total factored load of slab &
Lx the shorter span)

Self-weight of B3 = Area of cross-

section x Density of RCC = 0.230m
x 0.230m x 25KN/m3 =
1.322KN/m

Factored Self weight = 1.5 x 1.322 = 1.98KN/m

Total factored load carried by B3
= 6.468 + 1.98 = 8.448KN/m
Total factored load carried by B3 in terms of KN
= 8.448 x 2.5 = 21.12 KN

pg. 54
Calculation of loads for B8:
B8 will carry the left trapezoidal
portion of the slab S3 which is given
by the formula; WLx/(1-1/2β).
Where W is the total factored load of
the slab, Lx is the shorter span, and β
= Ly/Lx = 2.5/2.37 = 1.05
Load on B8 due to slab S3
= WLx/2(1-1/2β)
= 12.937 x 2.37/2 [(1-1/2(1.05)] =
15.33 x (1-1/2.1)
= 8.03 KN/m
Self-weight of B8 = Area of cross-section x Density of RCC
= 0.230m x 0.230m x 25KN/m3 = 1.322KN/m
Factored Self weight of B8= 1.5 x 1.322 = 1.98KN/m
Total factored load carried by B8
= 8.03 + 1.98 = 10 KN/m
Total factored load carried by B8 in terms of KN
= 10 x 2.5 = 25 KN
(Span of B8 = 2.5m)

pg. 55
Calculation of loads for B5:
Since B5 lies between
S2 & S3 in which S2 is
one-way and S3 is
two-way in nature.
Hence the amount of
load transferred from
S2 to B5 will be WLx/2
and from S3 to B5 will
be WLx/2(1-1/2β).

(Where W is the total factored load of the slab, Lx is the shorter span,
and β = Ly/Lx = 2.5/2.37 = 1.05)

Load on B5 due to slab S2 = WLx/2 = 12.937 x ½ =

6.468KN/m
Load on B5 due to slab S3 = WLx/2(1-1/2β)
= 12.937 x 2.37/2 [(1-1/2(1.05)] = 8.03 KN/m
Self-weight of B5 = Area of cross-section x Density of RCC
= 0.230m x 0.230m x 25KN/m3 = 1.322KN/m
Factored Self weight of B5= 1.5 x 1.322 = 1.98KN/m
Total factored load carried by B5
= 6.468 + 8.03 + 1.98 = 16.478 KN/m

pg. 56
Total factored load carried by B5 in terms of KN
= 16.478 x 2.5 = 41.195 KN
(Span of B5 = 2.5m)

Calculation of loads for B6:

B6 will carry the lower
trapezoidal portion of the
slab S1 plus the upper
triangular portion of S3 and
half the load carried by B5.
S2 will not transfer any
load to B6
Load on B6 due to slab S1 =
WLx/2 (1-1/2B)

= 12.937 x 3/2 [(1-1/2(1.2)]

= 11.31 KN/m
(Where W is the total factored load of the slab, Lx is the shorter span,
and B = Ly/Lx = 3.6/3 = 1.2)

Load on B6 due to slab S3 = WLx/3

= 12.937 x 2.37/3 = 10.22KN/m

pg. 57
Self-weight of B6 = Area of cross-section x Density of RCC
= 0.230m x 0.230m x 25KN/m3 = 1.322KN/m
Factored Self weight = 1.5 x 1.322 = 1.98KN/m

Load on B6 due to B5 = ½ x [Total factored load on B5 in

terms of KN] = 41.195 KN/2 = 20.6 KN
(The load transferred from B5 to B6 will act as a point load on B6 at a
distance of (2.37 + 0.230/2)m or 2.52m from the left end of B6

Total factored UDL carried by B6

= 11.31 + 10.22 + 1.98 = 23.5 KN/m

Total factored load carried by B6 in terms of KN

= (Total UDL on B6 x Span of B6) +Point Load carried by B6
= (23.5 x 3.6) + 20.6 = 105.236 kN
(Span of B6 = 3.6m)

pg. 58
Calculation of loads for B4:
B4 will carry half the
load carried by B5
plus the lower
triangular portion of
S3 and its self-weight.

Load on B4 due to slab S3 = WLx/3

= 12.937 x 2.37/3 = 10.22KN/m

Self-weight of B4 = Area of cross-section x Density of RCC

= 0.230m x 0.230m x 25KN/m3 = 1.322KN/m
Factored Self weight = 1.5 x 1.322 = 1.98KN/m

Total factored UDL carried by B4

= 10.22 + 1.98 = 12.2 KN/m

pg. 59
Load on B4 due to B5 = ½ x [Total factored load on B5 in
terms of KN] = 41.195 KN/2 = 20.6 KN
(The load transferred from B5 to B4 will act as a point load on B4 at a
distance of (2.37 + 0.230/2)m or 2.52m from the left end of B4

Total factored load carried by B4 in terms of KN

= (Total UDL on B4 x Span of B4) +Point Load carried by B4
= (12.2 x 3.6) + 20.6 = 64.52 kN
(Span of B4 = 3.6m)

pg. 60