STRIP METHOD FOR SLABS

The upper and lower bound theorems of the theory of plasticity

pointed out that the yield line method of slab analysis was an upper
bound approach to determining the flexural strength of slabs. An
upper bound analysis, if in error, will be on the unsafe side. The
actual carrying capacity will be less than, or at best equal to, the
capacity predicted, which is certainly a cause for concern in design.
These circumstances motivated Hillerborg to develop what is known
the strip method for slab design, his first results being published in
Swedish in 1956. In contrast to yield line analysis, the strip method
(equilibrium theory) is a lower bound approach based on satisfaction
of equilibrium requirements everywhere in the slab. By the strip
method, a moment field is first determined that fulfills
equilibrium requirements, after which the reinforcement in the slab
at each point is designed for this moment field. If the distribution of
moments can be found that satisfies both equilibrium and boundary
conditions for a given external loading, and if the yield moment
capacity of the slab is
nowhere exceeded, then the given external loading will
represent a lower bound of the true carrying capacity.
The strip method gives results on the safe side, which is
certainly preferable in practice, and differences from the true
carrying capacity will never impair safety. The strip method is a
design method, by which the needed reinforcement can be
calculated. It encourage the designer to vary the reinforcement in
a logical way leading to an economical arrangement of steel, as
well as a safe deign. It is generally simple to use even for slabs
with holes or irregular boundaries.
 One Way Slab
Slabs in a reinforced concrete construction may be supported by
reinforced concrete beam and is usually poured monolithically with
such beams. They may be supported on two opposite sides only as
shown on the figure in which the structural action of the slab is
essentially one way, the loads being carried by the slab in the direction
perpendicular to the supporting beams. If the ratio of the length to
width of one slab panel is larger than 2, most of the load is carried in
the short direction to the supporting beams and a one way action is
obtained in effect, even if it is provided with supports on all the sides.
For purposes of analysis and design, slabs are design as a rectangular
beam of unit width with a depth h equal to the thickness of slab and a
span equal to the distance between supported edges. Since all the
load on the slab must be transmitted to the supporting beams, it
follows that all the reinforcement shall be placed perpendicular to
these beams with exception of the bars used to control temperature
cracking called temperature bars.
All formulas and equations for rectangular beams would be adopted
in the analysis of this structure. It is analyzed as a rectangular
beam having a width of 1 meter.
Section 409.6.2.1 of NSCP specifies the minimum thickness
stipulated in the table shown shall apply for one way construction
not supporting or attached to partitions or other construction
likely to be damage by large deflections unless computation of
deflection indicates a lesser thickness may be used without
adverse effects.
Minimum Thickness of Non Prestressed Beams or One Way Slabs
Unless Deflections are Computed
Minimum Thickness, h

Simply One end Both ends Cantilever

Supported continuous continuous

Members not supporting or attached to partitions or

Members other construction likely to be damaged by large
deflections

Solid one
way slabs L/20 L/24 L/28 L/10

Beams or
ribbed one L/16 L/18.5 L/21 L/8
way slabs
Values given shall be used directly for members with normal weight
concrete (Wc = 2,300 kg/cu.m.) and Grade 415 reinforcement. For
other conditions, the values shall be modified as follows.
a) For structural lightweight concrete having unit weight in the
range 1, 500 – 2,000 kg/cu.m., the values shall be multiplied by
( 1.65 – 0.0003 Wc) but not less than 1.09, where Wc is the unit
weight in kg/cu.m..
b) For fy other than 415, the values shall be multiplied by (0.40 +
fy/700)

Requirements for One Way Slab

1. L/S > 2 (One Way Slab)
2. Minimum Thickness
h = (L/20)(0.40 + (fy/700)) for simply supported
h = (L/24)(0.40 + (fy/700)) for one end continuous
 h = (L/28)(0.40 + (fy/700)) for both ends continuous
h = (L/10)(0.40 + (fy/700)) for cantilevered section
3. Minimum Covering = 20 mm concrete not exposed to weather or
in contact with the ground
4. Minimum Steel Bar Diameter = 12 mm
5. Spacing of main bars should not be greater than 3h or 450 mm.
6. Minimum temperature bar diameter = 10 mm
7. Spacing of temperature bars should not be greater than 5h or 450
mm.
8. Number of bars needed in a one meter width of slab = 1000/s
where s is the spacing of main reinforcing bars.
9. If the slab is permanently exposed to the ground, minimum cover
is 25 mm clear.
 Steps in Designing One Way Slab
1. Assume the thickness of slab using minimum requirement of the
code.
2. Consider one meter strip of slab.
3. Compute the factored load
NSCP 2010
Wu = 1.2DL + 1.6 LL
NSCP 2001
Wu = 1.4DL + 1.7 LL
4. Compute the ultimate moment Mu = WuL²/8 for simply
supported span only.
5. Compute the value of d = h – 20 – ½ of diameter of 12 mm bar.
6. Compute “w” from the relation Mu = øfc’bd²w(1 – 0.59w)
7. Compute p = wfc’/fy
8. Check p > pmin < pmax
Note: When p > pmax increase thickness of slab, but if p < pmin,
decrease the thickness of slab.
Pmin = 1.4/fy
Pmax = 0.75Pb
Pb = (0.85fc’ß 600)/(fy(fy + 600))
9. Compute steel area required: As = pbd
10. Compute the spacing of 12 mm diameter or bigger diameter
bars than 12 mm diameter As = 1000∏(12)²/(4s)
S should not be greater than 3h or 450 mm
Spacing of Reinforcement Closest to a Surface in Tension:
a) NSCP 2001 Specs.
S = (95000/fs) – 2.5 Cc but not greater than 75000/fs
Where: fs = 0.60fy
Cc = the least distance from the surface of reinforcement to the
tension face
b) ACI 318-M 2005 Specs.
S = (106400/fs) – 2.5Cc not greater than 84000/fs
Where fs = 2fy/3
11. Compute the area of temperature bars needed.
Area of shrinkage and temperature reinforcements shall provide at
least the following ratios of reinforcement area to gross concrete
area but not less than 0.0014
a) Slabs where Grade 275 or 345 deformed bars are used ....0.002
b) Slabs where Grade 415 deformed bars or welded wire fabric
(smooth or deformed) are used ....0.0018
c) Slabs where reinforcement with yield stress exceeding 415 MPa
measured at a yield strain of 0.35 percent is
used ....0.0018(415/fy)
12. Compute the spacing of temperature bars. (10 mm dia.)
As = 1000∏(10)²/(4s)
S should not be greater than 5h or 450 mm
Section 407.13 of NSCP
Shrinkage and temperature reinforcement shall be spaced not
farther apart than 5 times the slab thickness or 450 mm.
Sample Problem:
1. Design a simple span one way slab to carry a uniformly distributed
live load of 16 kPa. The span is 3 meters ( center to center of
supports). Use fc’ = 20 MPa and fy = 276 MPa. Conform to ACI
minimum thickness requirement.
 EXERCISE
Design a one way slab to carry a uniformly distributed live load of
2.40kPa and uniformly distributed dead load of 6.531kPa. Use fc’
= 20.7MPa, fy = 275MPa. The span of the beam is 2.14 meters.
Assume that the slab is fixed on both ends.