Direct Design

method
Design of two way floor system for
flat plate slab
 Given data [Problem-1]

Figure-1 shows a flat plate floor with a total area of 4500 sq ft. It is
divided into 25 panels with a panel size of 1512 ft. Concrete
strength is fc  4000 psi and steel yield strength is fy= 50,000
psi. Service live load is 60 psf. Story height is 9 ft. All columns
are rectangular, 12 in. in the long direction and 10 in. in the
short direction. Preliminary slab thickness is set at 5.5 in. No
edge beams are used along the exterior edges of the floor.
Compute the total factored static moment in the long and short
directions of a typical panel in the flat plate design as shown in
Fig.-1.
2
Fig.-1

3
The dead load for a 5.5 in slab is

wD=(5.5/12)(150)=69 psf

The factored load per unit area is

wu =1.4wD +1.7wL

=1.4(6.9) +1.7(60)

= 96 + 102 =198 psf

Using Eq.5, with clear span Ln measured face-to-face of columns,
1 1
w uL 2L2n   0.198 12 15  1  58.2 ft  kips
2
Mo 
8 8
(in long direction)
1 1
w uL 2L2n   0.198 15 12  0.83   46.3 ft  kips
2
Mo 
8 8
(in short direction) 4
 Given data [Problem-2]

Review the slab thickness and other nominal requirements for the
dimensions in the flat plate design example.

5
For fy = 50 ksi, for a flat plate which ineherently has  = 0 and

Ln = 15-1=14 ft, from Table-1

For fy = 50 ksi, for a flat plate which ineherently has  = 0 and

Ln = 15-1=14 ft, from Table-1

Minimum slab thickness

For fy=50 ksi, for a flat plate which inherently has α = 0, and Ln=15-
1=14 ft, from Table-1,

min t=linear interpolation between fy=40 ksi and fy=60 ksi

1  Ln Ln  1  1 1 
min t      (168)    5.34 in (exterior panel)
2  33 30  2  33 30 
and
1  Ln Ln  1  1 1 
min t      (168)    4.88 in (interior panel)6
2  36 33  2  36 33 
A table value seems appropriate and entirely within the accuracy
of engineering knowledge regarding deflection. The 5.5 in.
slab thickness used for all panel satisfies the ACI-Table
minimum and exceeds the nominal minimum of 5 in. for slabs
without drop panel and without interior beams.

7
 Given data [Problem-3]

For the flat plate design problem-1, compute the longitudinal

moments in frames A, B, C and D as shown in Figs.1 & 2.

8
(a) Check the five limitations (the sixth limitation does not apply
here) for the direct design method. These five limitations are all
satisfied.

(b) Total factored static moment M0

The total factored static moment Mo from the results of previously

found; thus

Mo for A = 58.2 ft-kips

Mo for B = 0.5(58.2) =29.1ft-kips

Mo for C = 46.3 ft-kips

9
Mo for D = 23.1 ft-kips
(c) Longitudinal moments in the Frame.

The longitudinal moments in frames A, B, C, D are computed

using Case-3 of Fig.22 for the exterior span and Fig.19 for the
interior span. The computations are shown in Table-1 and the
results are summarized in Fig.2&3.
Longitudinal Moments (ft-kips) for the flat plate

10
Fig.-2

11
Fig.-3 12
Table-1: Longitudinal moments (ft-kips) for the flat plate

FRAME A B C D

M0 58.2 29.1 46.3 23.1

Mneg at exterior support, 0.26Mo 15.1 7.6 12.0 6.0

Mpos in exterior span, 0.52Mo 30.3 15.1 24.1 12.0

Mneg at first interior support, 0.70Mo 40.7 20.4 32.4 16.2

Mneg at typical interior support, 0.65Mo 37.8 18.9 30.1 15.0

Mpos in typical interior span, 0.35Mo 20.4 10.2 16.2 8.1

13
 Given data [Problem-4]

For the flat plate design problem-1, Compute the torsional

constant C for short and long beam

14
Since no actual edge beams are used, the torsional members is,
according to Fig.4, equal to the slab thickness t by the column
width c1.

Fig.-4

3
 0.63(5.5)  (5.5) (12)
C for short beams  1    474 in 4

 12  3
3
 0.63(5.5)  (5.5) (10)
C for long beams  1    363 in 4
15
 10  3
 Given data [Problem-5]

Divide the 5 critical moments in each of the equivalent rigid frames

A, B, C, and D, as shown in Fig.2&3, into two parts: one for
the half column strip (for frames B and D) or the full column
strip (for frames A and C), and the other for half middle strip
(for frames B and D) or the two half middle strips on each
side of the column line (for frames A and C).

16
The percentages of the longitudinal moments going into the
column strip width are shown in lines 10 to 12 of Table-2.

17
Table-2 Transverse Distribution of Longitudinal Moment
LINE
NUMBER EQUIVALENT RIGID FRAME A B C D
1 Total transverse width (in.) 144 72 180 90
2 Column strip width (in.) 72 36 72 36
3 Half middle strip width (in.) 2@36 36 2 @54 54
4 C(in4) from previous calculations 474 474 363 363
5 Is(in.4) in βt 2,000 2,000 2,500 2,500
6 βt= EcbC/(2EcsIs) 0.118 0.118 0.073 0.073
7 α1 0 0 0 0
8 L2/L1 0.80 0.80 1.25 1.25
9 α1 L2/L1 0 0 0 0
10 Exterior negative moment, percent 98.8% 98.8% 99.3% 99.3%
to column strip
11 Positive moment, percent to column 60% 60% 60% 60%
strip
12 Interior negative moment, percent to 75% 75% 75% 75%
18
column strip
 Given data [Problem-6]

• Investigate the shear strength in wide-beam and two-way

actions in the flat plate slab system for an interior column with
no bending moment to be transferred . Note that fc  4000 psi

19
(a)Wide beam action. Assuming ¾ in clear cover and #4 bars, the
average effective depth when bars in two directions are in contact
is Avg d = 5.50-0.75-0.50= 4.25 in
Referring to the fig.5 Vu = 0.198(12)6.65 = 15.8 Kips
 
Vn  Vc  0.85 2 4000 1212 4.25
1
1000
 65.8 kips OK

20
Fig.-5
(b)Two- way action, Referring to Fig.5

Vu  0.19815(12)  1.35(1.19)  35.3 kips

The perimeter of the critical section at d/2 around the column is

bo 61.0
bo  216.25   214.25   61.0 in.   14.3  20
d 4.25
bo
Since  20, and c  1, Eq.23(DDM) controls. Thus
d
Vc  4 fc bo d Eq.23(DDM)

1
Vn  Vc  0.85( 4 4000 ) 61.0  4.25   55.7 kips OK
1000

Shear reinforcement is not required at this interior location.

21
 Given data [Problem-7]

Using the same dimensions as above but changing the live load to
200 psf, investigate the shear strength for wide-beam and two-
way actions around an interior column. If the required nominal
shear strength Vn for two-way action is between that permitted by

Eq.21,22&23(DDM) and 6 fc bo d , determine the Av/s requirement
for shear reinforcement at the peripheral critical section and show
the nominal shear stress (which is factored shear Vu divided by

bod) variation from the critical section to the panel centerline. Use
fc  4000 psi
and fy = 50,000 psi; assume #5 slab reinforcement.
22
 w u  1 .4 w D  1 .7 w L
(a) wide beam
 5.5 
 1.4150     1.7 200 
action  12 
 96  340  436 psf
avg d in column strip  5.50  0.75  0.63  4.12 in.
For a 12  in. wide strip along sec tion 1  1 of Fig.
436 6.66 
V
vn  u 
b w d 0.8512  4.12 

 69 psi  2 fc  126 psi 

Fig.-6

23
(b) Two way action,
Referring to section 2-2 of fig.6
b o  216.12   214.12
bo  60.48 
 60.48 in.    14.7  20
d  4.12 

with a rectangular perimeter bo having long to short side ratio less

than 2 (meaning c less than 2) and bo/d less than 20 for an

interior column, Eq.23(DDM) below controls; thus, the strength

Vc  4 fc bo d
without shear reinforcement is
Vu 436180  1.341.18  
vn    368 psi
bo d 0.85 60.48  4.12

24
 (b) Two way action,
Since the maximum nominal shear stress of 368 psi exceeds
4 fc  253 psi but not the maximum6 fc  380 psi permitted when
bar or wire shear reinforcement is used , shear reinforcement is
required to take the excess stress vn which exceeds 2 fc  126 psi

The shear reinforcement in this case may consist of properly

anchored bars or wires and need not be a shearhead. The Av/s
requirement around the critical section of 60.48 in. periphery is,
from applying Eq.25(DDM) with required Vn=Vu/

25
(b) Two way action,

Av
Vu

 
 2 fc bo d
 
v n  2 fc bo
 
s fy d fy


 368  126  60.48 
 0.292 in.
50,000

Assuming s=d/22 in. spacing.

Av = 0.58 in2
If two double #3 U stirrups are used at each of the four sides,
provided Av = 4(4)(0.11)=1.76 in2

The variation of the nominal shear stress vn from the maximum

value of 368 psi to zero at the panel
. centerline over the equally
spaced points 2 to 6 is shown in Fig.7. 26
(b) Two way action,

Fig.-7
The nominal shear stress (Vu/bod) drops to 126 psi in a rather
.
steep manner so that the number and spacing of these U stirrups
can be laid out by the aid of the excess  v n  2 fc  diagram.
 27
 Given data [Problem-8]

Design the shear head reinforcement for the two way shear action
for problem-7.
(a) Two way action.
Since the maximum nominal shear stress Vn=Vu/bod of 368 psi is
between 4 fc  253 psi and the maximum of 7 fc  442 psi
when a shear head is used, shearhead reinforcement for
the interior column (having no moment transfer to column)
is permitted to be designed according to ACI.
(b) Length of spearhead.

The length of should be such that the nominal shear stress is less
than 4 fc computed around a periphery passing through points
3 c1 
at  v
L   from but not closer than d/2 to the column faces.
4 2
Assuming a a square as critical periphery since the spearhead is to
have four identical arms (ACI), the required bo (ft) may be
computed from Fig.8 , thus.

  o 
b
2

436 180    
  4  
4 4000 
0.8512bo  4.12 

Neglecting the (bo/4)2 in

the numerator.
436180 
bo 
253 0.85  4.1212
 7.4 ft. (88.5 in.)
Fig.-8
The required distance Lv may be computed from the following
geometric considerations. From the right triangle oab.
3  c  c bo
 4 Lv  2   2  2  4
   
which gives , based on leg ob,
 88.5 4
Lv    5   5  19.2 in.
4 2 3
and based on leg oa
 88.5 4
Lv    6   6  18.8 in.
4 2 3

For the periphery abcd not to approach closer than d/2 to the
periphery of the column section

oa = ob = 8.06 + 7.06 = 15.12 in

But
3 3
oa  6   L v  6  and ob  5   L v  5 
4 4
which gives
4
L v  15.12  6   6  18.2 in.
3
4
L v  15.12  5   5  18.5 in.
3
Use L v  20 in.
(c) Size of over heads
The shear head stiffness must be at least 0.15 of that of the
composite cracked slab section of width (c2 +d). It can be shown
that 14 # 5 bars and 10 # 5 bars are required for negative slab
reinforcement in 72 in wide column strips of the long and short
directions respectively . The composite cracked section across
the width A-A in Fig.9 should be used because there is more
steel in the slab in the long direction. The steel area A s in section
A-A , of width c2 +d is.

10  d 14.12
As  (14)(0.31)  14 0.31  0.85 in.2
72 72
Assume a S3  5.7 section for the shear head placed as shown as
shown in Fig.9. The S3  5.7 is the shallowest available rolled
steel I- or channel-shaped section. With ¾ in. cover at the top
face of slab and #5 bars for top reinforcement in two orthogonal
1
directions, average d will be 4 in., but the cover to the
8
compression face (bottom) of the rolled shaped will be only ½ in.

Fig.-9
Even ¾ in. cover at the compression face would require that all
bottom slab steel be cut short. If the ½ in. cover over the rolled
shape is not deemed adequate, either a thicker slab must be
used or shallower shearhead fabricated (welded) from three
plates would have to be used.

The centroidal axis of the composite cracked section may be

obtained by equating the static moments of the compression and
tension transformed areas,

14.12x 2
 13.4( 2.0  x )  6.8( 4.12  x )
2
x  1.70 in.
 14.12(1.70)3
composite Is   n(Is of steel sec tion)  13.4(0.30)2  6.8(2.42)2
3
 23.1  8 2.52  1.2  39.8  87.3 in.4
E s  2.52 8 2.52
provided  v    0.23  0.15 OK
Ec  composite Is  87.3

The plastic section modulus of the section S35.7 is given by AISC Manual as 1.95 in3. Using A36
steel, the provided Mp is

Provided Mp = 36(1.36)=70.2 in.-kips

The required Mp is calculated from Eq.27(DDM) as

Vu  c1
required Mp  h   (required L 
8  2 
v v v

0.43180 
  3  0.2319.2  5 
8 0.90 
 68.3 in.  kips  70.2 in.  kips OK
(d) Shearhead contribution to resist negative moments in
slab
The negative moments at the face of the column in 72 in. column
 436 
strip width in the long and short directions are   0.75 
 198 

times those for equivalent rigid frames A and C in Fig.2&3, wherein

 436 
is the 198 
ratio

of the factored loads (using 200 psf compared to
using 60 psf live load) on the slab and 0.75 is the factor for
transverse distribution shown in line-12 of table-2. Thus

436
column strip moment in long direction  (0.75)(37.8)  62.4ft  kips
198
436
column strip moment in short direction  (0.75)(30.1)  49.7ft  kips
198
The resisting moment of the shearhead may be computed from
eq.28
v Vu  c1 
Mc  Lv  
8  2
0.90 0.23  0.436 180 
   20  6 or  20  5 
812 
 2.37 or 2.54 ft.  kips

Hence contribution is rather small and the revision of slab

reinforcement is unnecessary.
 Given data [Problem-9]

Obtain the factored moments in the interior and exterior columns

in each direction for flat plate design problem.
 (a) Exterior Column, long direction (Frame A)
• The factored moment Mu to be transferred to the exterior column is
(ACI) 0.3Mo

Mu=0.3Mo=0.3(58.2)=17.5 ft-kips

where 58.2 ft.-kips was obtained from table-1 . The Moment M u is to

be divided between upper and lower columns in proportion to their
stiffness (in this case, equally).
• In the 1989 ACI code, the factored moment to be transferred was
specified to be “column strip nominal moment strength provided.”
The moment to be transferred was related to the reinforcement
provided! Since the requirement is at best a judgment, specifying
to use 0.3Mo is a reasonable approach.
 (a) Exterior Column, long direction (Frame A)
• On flat plate construction, nearly all (98.8% for frame A and 99.3%
for frame C) of the exterior frame moment is taken by the column
moment; the arbitrary use of 0.30Mo is to be taken by the column
strip seems appropriate.
(b) Interior Column, long direction (Frame A)
• The factored moment to be transferred to the column is
empirically the amount obtained from ACI formula
[Eq.29(DDM)]
Mu  0.07 0.096  0.05115 15  1  0.0961215  1
2 2

 0.07 0.0511214  8.4 ft.  kips

2

• The moment Mu is to be divided between upper and lower

 (c) Exterior Column, short direction (Frame C)
• The factored moment to be transferred is

Mu=0.3Mo=0.3(46.3)=13.9 ft-kips

where 13.9 ft.-kips was obtained from table-1 . The Moment M u is to

be divided between upper and lower columns.
(d) Interior Column, short direction (Frame C)
• The factored moment to be transferred is.
Mu  0.07(0.051)(15)(12  0.83)2  6.7 ft  kips

This moment Mu is to be divided between lower and upper

columns.
 Given data [Problem-10]

For the flat plate design problem, Investigate the transfer of

unbalanced gravity load moments in the long direction, as already
computed in problem-9 , to the exterior and interior columns.
(a) Exterior column( long direction) transfer by flexure.
From previous example, the moment to be transferred is

Mu=17.5 ft-kip

The factored shear is Vu is taken as wu times the floor area, 12ft7.5

ft, tributary to the exterior column.

Vu=0.198(12)7.5 = 17.8 kips

The nominal shear strength Vc in accordance ACI is the smallest of

   
 4  4  
Vc   2   fc bo d   2   fc bo d  5.3 fc bo d
 c   12  
 
  10  
    

 s   30  
Vc     
 2 fc bo d   
 2 fc bo d  5.0 fc bo d

 bo 

 42.49


 
 d   4.25  
 Vc  4 fc bo d controls
which means
1
Vc  4 fc bo d  4 4000  42.49  4.25  45.7 kips
1000

Applying 1995 simplified procedure authorized by ACI

 0.75Vc  0.75(0.85)(45.7)  0.75(38.8)  29.1 kips   Vu  17.8 kips
Thus, ACI permits all of the exterior moments to be taken as
flexure; or
Mub   f Mu  1.0(17.5)  17.5 ft  kips

The shear can be considered independently.

(b) Exterior column, long direction, transfer by flexure using shear-
flexure interaction procedure
This procedure involves more calculations and is more conservative than treating the
flexure and shear independently.

From eq.30 using the average effective depth d = 4.25 in. for #4 slab reinforcement.

 
 
 1 
Mub   f Mu   Mu
 1 2 b1 
 3 b 2 

 
 
1
 17.5  0.602 17.5   10.5 ft.  kips
 2 12  2.125 
 1 
 3 10  4.25 
As shown by fig.10 this moment is to be carried in a slab width
(ACI) equal to the column width plus three times the slab
thickness, that is 26.5 in. From table-2 and Fig.2 (Frame A) the
total moment in the 72 in. wide column strip is

M in column strip=0.988(15.1)=15 ft-kip

Fig.-10
If the slab reinforcement is placed at equal spacing in the column
strip, additional reinforcement is need in the 26.5 in. width for
bending moment of

 26.5 
Mub  15   10.5  5.5  5 ft  kips
 72 
(c) Exterior column, long direction
Transfer by eccentricity of shear using shear-flexure interaction
procedure. From part a
Vu  0.198(12)7.5  17.8 ft  kips
Muv  Mu  Mub  17.5  10.5  7 ft  kips
From Fig.10,
214.12 7.06
x2   4.69 in.
28  14.25
A c  4.25 28.24  14.25   180 in.2
  214.12 3  14 . 12 4 . 25  2

 42.49 4.69   
2
Jc  4.25 
 3  6
 4004  181  4185 in.4
17,800 700012 9.43
v u1    99  189  90 psi
180 4185
17,800 700012 4.69
v u2    99  94  193 psi
180 4185

The nominal stress limit based on strength in shear was

determined in part (a) to be that based on . Thus the
limit to the above stress is
 
lim it v u  v c   4 fc  0.85 253   215 psi

when no shear reinforcement is provided. In this problem, the

shear strength is still adequate based on the shear-flexure
The horizontal shear stress Vuh at upper or lower edge of the two shear
areas b1 by d is.
 4.25 
7000(12) 
Vuh   2   43 psi
4185

The vuh of 43 psi, vu1 of -90 psi, and vu2 of 193 psi may be drawn
on sketch like that of Fig.38(DDM), and by the basic statics
computation of resultant upward force should equal Vu of
17.8kips and resultant moment about z-z axis should equal to
Muv of 7 ft-kips.
(d) Interior column (long direction), transfer by flexure.

Investigate whether the 1995 code simplified procedure is

permitted. The factored shear Vu is computed as wu times the
tributary floor area of 1215 ft,
Vu = 0.198(12)15 = 35.6 kips.

Applying ACI formulas as shown in part(a) for the exterior column,

4 fc
will indicate the shear strength based on controls. Since
exterior and interior columns are the same size, ACI formula
involving the aspect ratio c gives the same value as in part(a).

Regarding ACI formula , s is 40 for interior columns, and

bo=2(16.25)+2(14.25) = 61.0 in.

Thus from ACI formula gives.
    
  s   40  
Vc    2  fc bo d    2  fc bo d  4.8 fc bo d
 bo 

 61.0


 
 d   4.25  

The strength Vc cannot be exceed that based on 4 fc from ACI

formula, thus
1
Vc  4 fc bo d  4 4000  61.0  4.25  65.6 kips
1000

Applying 1995 simplified procedures authorized by ACI

0.4Vc  0.75(0.85)(65.6)  0.4(55.7)  22.3 kips   Vu  35.6 kips
Since the factored shear Vu is not less than 0.4Vc, the regular
shear –flexure interaction procedure must be used.
From previous example, the moment to be transferred is

Mu = 8.4 ft-kips
 
 
1
Mub   f Mu   M
 2 b1  u

 1 
 3 b2 
 
 
1
 8.4  0.584  8.4   4.8 ft.  kips
 2 12  4.25 
 1 
 3 10  4.25 

From table-2 and fig.3, the total moment in 72 in. wide column
strip is

M in column strip= 0.75(37.8) = 28.4 ft-kips

Since the column strip moment in the 26.5 in. width of
 26.5 28.4  10.5 ft.  kips
is larger than 4.8 ft-kips, no additional
72
reinforcement is needed.
(e) Interior column (long direction)transfer by eccentricity of shear.

From part (d), the factored shear Vu is 35.6 kips.

Muv  Mu  Mub  8.4  4.8  3.6 ft  kips
• From fig.10
A c  4.25(32.5  28.50)  259 in.2
 16.25  3 14.2516.25 2  16.25 4.25  3
Jc  4.25   
 6 2  6
 11,040  210  11,250 in.4
35,600 360012 8.12
v u1    137  31  106 psi
259 11,250
35,600 360012 8.12
v u2    137  31  168 psi
259 11,250
 The capacity v n  v c  ( 4 fc )  0.85(253 )  215 psi
when no shear re inf orcement is provided.

By basic statics the sum of factored load vertical shear stresses

on the two areas b1 by d plus that on the two areas b2 by d

should add to give Vu of 35.6 kips. Likewise, the moment of

these shear stress resultants along with that of the horizontal
shear stresses on the two faces b1 by d should add up to 3.5 ft-
kips. The horizontal shear stress at the upper and lower edge
of the faces b1 by d is
 4.25 
3500(12) 
v uh   2   8 psi
11,250
 Given data [Problem-11]

Recompute the periphery length bo required , located at

3 c
Lv  
4 2 but no closer than d/2 from the column face for the
shear head in previous example when there is unbalanced
moment at the interior column equal to that of eq.29(DDM)
(a) Determine whether or not additional reinforcement is
necessary for moment transfer. Referring to previous Example
Part (a) of solution.
wu=436 psf

Referring to the previous example, part (d) of solution

Column strip moments in long direction = 62.4 ft-kips.

The moment to be transferred to the column is, using Eq.29(DDM)


Mu  0.07  0.096  0.170(12)(15  1)2  0.096(12)(15  1)2 
 0.07 0.170(12)(14)2  28.0 ft.  kips

Referring to previous example, part ( c ) of solution

Mub  0.584Mu  0.584(28.0)  16.4 ft  kips
Column strip moments in 26.5 in. width of fig.11 is.
 26.5 
62.4   23.0 ft  kips
 72 

Fig.-11
Additional reinforcement is needed to take (28.0-23.0) = 5.0 ft-kips
within the 26.5 in. width unless 28.0/62.4 = 44.9% of the total
column strip reinforcement is concentrated in the 26.5 in. width.
(b) Compute factored load shear stress at critical section of Fig.11
due to Muv only.

Muv=28.0 - 16.4 = 11.6 ft-kips

Using critical section properties in previous example part (d) of

solution, part (d) of solution,
11600 (12)8.12
Vu   100 psi
11,250
( c) Compute required periphery bo . Referring to previous example
Part(b) of solution.
  o 
b
2

436 180    
 
 4 4000  100 from part(b) 
  4  
12bo  4.12
2
 bo 
Neglecting the   in the numerator,
 4
436180 
bo   13.8 ft.
115 12  4.12
placing bo  13.8 ft in the numerator and solving for bo again

bo 

436 180   3.45 
2
  12.9 ft.
115 12 4.12 