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Euro code 2 Annex I Analysis of Flat Slabs

Prepared by John Morrison 14.2.08

 Methods of Analysis
 EC2 Annex I (Informative)

 The Code recommends that analysis of flat slabs should

be by either grillage analysis, finite elements, yield line or
equivalent frame methods. This is the same as BS8110.

 The most commonly adopted system is Equivalent

Frames where the structure is divided longitudinally and
transversely into a series of frames, which can easily be
analysed by currently available software.

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 Equivalent Frame Analysis
 Slab effective stiffness:

Vertical loading: EI for full width of the panels.

Horizontal loading: 40% of full EI should be used. This
reflects the increased flexibility of the column/slab joints
in flat slab structures as compared with of column/beam
joints.

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 Equivalent Frame Analysis
The main difference in the analysis is that for horizontal loads only 40%
of the panel stiffness should be used. This more accurately reflects the
flexibility of the slab/column connection as compared with
beam/column connections where full moment capacity can be
developed. It also means that side sway deflection increases and the
moments at the column joints are reduced.

Some textbooks used to deal with this in a slightly different manner by

suggesting that the stiffness of the perimeter columns should be
reduced by 50%. The EC2 method equates more accurately to the
measured results.

Thus to maintain the same side sway criteria it is likely that column
sizes will have to increase. A point to also note, is that Euro Code 2
reduces the maximum permitted reinforcement in a column from 6% to
4%.

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 Equivalent Frame Analysis
The total load on the panel should be used for analysis in
each direction.

 Total bending moments should be distributed across the

width of the slab. The width should be assumed to be
divided into column and middle strips.

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Equivalent Frame Analysis
lx (> ly)

ly/4 ly/4 B = lx - ly/2

ly/4
A – Column strip ly/4
B – Middle strip
B = ly/2 ly

A = ly/2

Negative moments Positive moments

Column Strip 60 - 80% 50 - 70%

Middle Strip 40 - 20% 50 - 30%
Note: Total negative and positive moments to be resisted by the column and
middle strips together should always add up to 100%.

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Equivalent Frame Analysis cz cz
A
A
cy
A – Slab edge cy
y
y

z
be = cz + y
be = z + y/2
A

At the slab edge, if there are no edge beams designed to resist torsion,
the maximum moments, which can be transferred, to edge corner
columns are similar to that given in BS8110. These moments must not
be exceeded and the appropriate increase must be made to the positive
moments in the adjacent slab.

 Moments transferred to edge or corner columns should be limited to the

moment of resistance of a rectangular section equal to 0,17 bed 2 fck.(If
you are using BS 8110 this formulae should remain as 0,15 bed 2 fcu) The
positive moment in the adjacent span should be adjusted accordingly.
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 Equivalent Frame Analysis

Where drop panels are adopted and the width of the drop is
>ly/3, (ly is the lesser side of the panel) the width of the
column strip must equal that of the column drop and the
middle strip moment must be adjusted accordingly.

As you can see there is nothing too drastic here other than
good common sense and a slight improvement on the
guidance given in BS8110.

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