Concrete Structures

Temesgen Wondimu, PhD

Jimma Institute of Technology

Chapter 5: Two Way Slabs: Behavior, Analysis, and Design

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 Two-Way Slabs – Flat Plate
• Light loads
• Slab-column joints
are not “strong”
• Shear and moment
transfer is limited
• Used for spans from
4.5 to 6 m

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 Two-Way Slabs – Waffle Slab
• Waffles reduce dead
load
• Long spans and
relatively light loads

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 Two-Way Slabs – Flat Slab
• Drop panels and/or
capitals increase
flexural and shear
capacity
• Used for 6 to 9 m
spans

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 Two-Way Slabs with Beams
• Good for seismic
design
• Solid or waffle slabs

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Comparison of One-way and Two-way
Slab Behavior: Economic Choices

Flat Plate (for relatively light loads as in apartments or

offices) suitable span 4.5 m to 6.0 m with LL= 3-5kN/m2.
Advantages
 Low cost formwork
 Exposed flat ceilings
 Fast
Disadvantages
 Low shear capacity
 Low Stiffness (notable deflection)
Comparison of One-way and Two-
way Slab Behavior: Economic Choices
Flat Slab (for heavy industrial loads) suitable span 6 to 9
m with LL= 5-7.5 kN/m2.
Advantages
 Low cost formwork
 Exposed flat ceilings
 Fast
Disadvantages
 Need more formwork for capital and panels
Comparison of One-way and Two-way
Slab Behavior: Economic Choices

Waffle Slab (two-way joist system) suitable span 7.5 m to

12 m with LL= 4-7.5kN/m2.
Advantages
 Carries heavy loads
 Attractive exposed ceilings
 Fast
Disadvantages
 Formwork with panels is expensive
Comparison of One-way and Two-way
Slab Behavior: Economic Choices
One-way Slab on beams suitable span 3 to 6m with LL=
3-5kN/m2.
 Can be used for larger spans with relatively higher

cost and higher deflections

One-way joist system suitable span 6 to 9 m with LL=
4-6 kN/m2.
 Deep ribs, the concrete and steel quantities are

relative low
 Expensive formwork expected.
 Behavior Of Slabs Loaded To Failure
In Flexure

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 Definition of Terms

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 Definition of Terms
• 𝑙1 is the center to center span length in the direction
moments are being determined.
• Note that the slab flexural reinforcement for that moment will
run parallel to 𝑙1 .
• 𝑙2 is the center to center transverse span.
• 𝑙𝑛1 and 𝑙𝑛2 are clear spans (face to face of supporting
columns)
• Column dimensions are C1 and C2 parallel to and transverse to
reinforcing bars.
• For circular columns or column capitals of diameter dc, replace
column dimensions by an equivalent square column width
side lengths equal to 0.88dc.

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 Definition of Terms
• Panels can be designed as one-way slab if the panel
aspect ratio is greater than 2.
• Divide slab into interior and exterior “frames”. The
slab in each frame is divided into column strips (i.e.,
a portion of slab near the column lines) and middle
strips.

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 Static Moment, Mo
The static moment is simply the total moment
required by statics to be carried by a member.
Static moment must hold regardless of the end
conditions.
 For a simple span with a uniform load, w,

Mo = wL2/8
 For continuous spans, the difference
between negative and positive moments is
also wL2/8

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 Basic Behavior of Two-Way Slabs

Statics requires that

static moment (Mo) to
be carried in both
directions of the slab

Therefore, 𝑀0 = 1 8 (𝑤𝑙2 )𝑙𝑛1 2 and 𝑀0 = 1 8 (𝑤𝑙1 )𝑙𝑛2 2

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 Basic Behavior of Two-Way Slabs
Static Equilibrium of Two-Way Slabs

Analogy of two-way slab to plank and beam floor

Section A-A:
wl12
Moment per m width in planks  m  kN-m/m
l12 8
Total Moment  M A-A  wl 2  kN-m
8
 Method of Analysis
(1) Elastic Analysis
Concrete slab may be
treated as an elastic
plate and thus
Timoshenko’s solution
of plates may be used.
Also finite element
analysis may be used.
Method of Analysis
(2) Plastic Analysis
The yield method used to determine the limit
state of slab by considering the yield lines that
occur in the slab as a collapse mechanism.
The strip method, where slab is divided into
strips and the load on the slab is distributed in
two orthogonal directions and the strips are
analyzed as beams.
The optimal analysis presents methods for
minimizing the reinforcement based on plastic
analysis
 Method of Analysis
(3) Nonlinear analysis
Simulates the true load-
deformation characteristics
of a reinforced concrete slab
using finite-element method
taking into consideration the
nonlinearities of the stress-
strain relationship of the
individual members.
 General Design Concepts

(1) Direct Design Method (DDM)

Limited to slab systems under uniformly
distributed loads and supported on equally
spaced columns. It uses a set of coefficients
to determine the design moment at critical
sections. Two-way slab system that do not
meet the limitations of the ACI Code ch. 8.1
must be analyzed by more accurate
procedures.
 General Design Concepts

(2) Equivalent Frame Method (EFM)

A three dimensional building is divided into a
series of two-dimensional equivalent frames
by cutting the building along lines midway
between columns. The resulting frames are
considered separately in the longitudinal and
transverse directions of the building and
treated floor by floor.
 Equivalent Frame Method (EFM)

Longitudinal Transverse
equivalent frame equivalent frame
 Equivalent Frame Method (EFM)

Elevation of the frame Perspective view

Basic Steps in Two-way Slab
Design
1. Choose layout and type of slab. Type of slab is
strongly affected by architectural and construction
considerations.
2. Choose slab thickness to control deflection. Also,
check if thickness is adequate for shear.
3. Choose Design method
 Equivalent Frame Method- use elastic frame

analysis to compute positive and negative

moments
 Direct Design Method - uses coefficients to
compute positive and negative slab moments
Basic Steps in Two-way Slab
Design

4. Calculate positive and negative moments in the slab.

5. Determine distribution of moments across the width
of the slab. Based on geometry and beam stiffness.
6. Assign a portion of moment to beams, if present.
7. Design reinforcement for moments from steps 5 and
6. Steps 3-7 need to be done for both principal
directions.
8. Check shear strengths at the columns
Beam-to-slab stiffness ratio, a

It accounts for stiffness effect of beams located

along slab edge as the beam reduces
deflections of panel adjacent to beams.
flexural stiffness of beam
af 
flexural stiffness of slab
 Beam-to-slab stiffness ratio, a
4E cb I b / l E cb I b
af  
4E cs I s / l E cs I s

E cb  M odulus of elasticity of beam concrete

E sb  M odulus of elasticity of slab concrete
I b  M oment of inertia of uncracked beam
Is  M oment of inertia of uncracked slab

With width bounded laterally by centerline of adjacent

panels on each side of the beam.
Beam and slab sections for
calculation of a
Beam and slab sections for
calculation of a
Beam and slab sections for calculation
of a

Definition of beam cross-section

Charts may also be used to calculate a
 Minimum Slab Thickness for Two-
way Construction
The ACI Code 8.3.1 specifies a minimum slab thickness to
control deflection. There are three empirical limitations
for calculating the slab thickness (h), which are based on
experimental research. If these limitations are not met, it
will be necessary to compute deflection.
 Minimum Slab Thickness for Two-
way Construction
(a) For 0.2  a f  2

 fy 
l n  0.8  
h  1400 
36  5 a fm  0.2 

Where fy is in MPa, 𝛽 is the ratio of short to long slab

dimensions, and h should not be less than 12.5 cm
 Minimum Slab Thickness for
Two-way Construction
(b) For 2  a fm

 fy 
ln  0.8  
h  1400 
36  9

fy in MPa. But not less than 9 cm.

 Minimum Slab Thickness for 2-way
Construction
(c) For a fm  0.2
Use the following table

Slabs without drop

panels tmin = 12.5 cm
Slabs with drop panels
tmin = 10 cm
 Minimum Slab Thickness for two-
way construction
The definitions of the terms are:
h = Minimum slab thickness without interior beams
ln = Clear span in the long direction measured face to
face of column
 = the ratio of the long to short clear span
a fm = the average value of a for all beams on the sides
of the panel.
 Direct Design Method for Two-way
Slab
Limitations on use of Direct Design Method
1. Minimum of 3 continuous spans in each direction.
2. Rectangular panels with long span/short span  2
3. Successive span in each direction shall not differ by more
than 1/3 the longer span.
4. Columns may be offset from the basic rectangular grid of
the building by up to 0.1 times the span parallel to the
offset.
5. All loads must be due to gravity only (N/A to unbraced
laterally loaded frames, foundation mats or pre-stressed
slabs)
6. Service (unfactored) live load  2 service dead load
Direct Design Method for Two-way
Slab
Limitations on use of Direct Design method
7. For panels with beams between supports on all sides,
relative stiffness of the beams in the 2 perpendicular
directions.
a l f1 2
2

a l f 2 1
2

Shall not be less than 0.2 nor greater than 5.0

Limitations 2 and 7 do not allow use of DDM for slab

panels that transmit loads as one way slabs.
 Distribution of Moments

Slab is considered
to be a series of
frames in two
directions
Distribution of Moments
Total static Moment, Mo

where wu  factored load per unit area

l2  transverse width of the strip

ln  clear span between columns
for circular columns, calc. ln using h  0.886d c 
Column Strips and Middle Strips

Moments vary across width of slab panel

 Design moments are averaged over the

width of column strips over the columns &
middle strips between column strips.
 Column Strips and Middle Strips

Column strips Design

width on either side of a
column centerline equal
to smaller of
0.25 l2

 0.25 l1
l1= length of span in
direction moments
are being determined.

l2= length of span

transverse to l1
 Positive and Negative Moments in
Panels
M0 is divided into + M and -M

For a typical interior panel, the total static moment is

divided into positive moment 0.35 Mo and negative
moment of 0.65 Mo.
For an exterior panel, the total static moment division is
dependent on the type of end conditions at the outside
edge.
Moment Distribution
Distribution of M0
Transverse Distribution of Moments
The longitudinal moment values mentioned are for the
entire width of the equivalent building frame; the width
of two half column strips and two half-middle stripes of
adjacent panels.
Transverse Distribution of Moments
Transverse distribution of the longitudinal moments to
middle and column strips is a function of the ratio of
length l2/l1,af1, and t.
E cb I b E cbC
af 1  t 
E cs I s 2E cs I s
 0.63x   x 3 y 
C   1   
 y  3 

C is torsional constant:
x is the shorter side and y
is the longer side of the
rectangle
Factored
Moment in
Column
Strip
 Factored Moment in Column Strip

t  Ratio of torsional stiffness of edge beam to flexural

stiffness of slab (width equal to beam length)
 Factored Moments
Factored Moments in
beams (ACI Sec.
8.10): resist a
percentage of column
strip moment plus
moments due to loads
applied directly to
beams.
 Factored Moments

Factored Moments in Middle Strips

The portion of the + Mu and - Mu not resisted by

column strips shall be proportionately assigned to
corresponding half middle strips.
Each middle strip shall be proportioned to resist the
sum of the moments assigned to its 2 half middle
strips.
CENG 7051 Concrete Structures 51
 Equivalent Frame Method
The structure is considered to be made up of equivalent
frames on column lines taken longitudinally and
transversely through the building. Each equivalent
frame consists of (1) the horizontal slab strip, including
any beams spanning in the direction for the frame (i.e.,
“slab beams”), (2) the columns or other vertical
members, extending above and below the slab, and (3)
the elements of the structure that provide moment
transfer between the horizontal and vertical members
(i.e., “torsional members”).

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 Equivalent Frame Method

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 Equivalent Frame Method

Analysis of each equivalent in its entirely is permitted. However,

for gravity loading, a separate analysis for each floor or roof with
far ends of columns considered fixed is allowed (ACI 8.11).
Furthermore, slab beams may be analyzed separately. The
moment at a given support is computed assuming that the slab-
beam is fixed at any support two panels distant from the
support under consideration, provided that the slab continues
beyond that point (see ACI 8.11).
CENG 7051 Concrete Structures 54
 Equivalent Frame Method
The physical model in the previous slide can be simulated as shown
below. In this figure, the transverse members connecting the slab-
beams to the columns are torsional members. Note that these
members are only torsional “springs”, but are rigid in other modes.
The gravity loads are applied to slab-beams.

Note that for exterior frames, there is one torsional member. In case of interior frames,
there are two torsional members. The stiffness of the torsional members need to
consider whether there is one member or there are two members.
CENG 7051 Concrete Structures 55
 Equivalent Frame Components
Slab-Beam
Between the supports, the moment of inertia of the
slab-beam member is that of the slab plus that of the
beam. Gross section properties of the following cross
sections are used to compute the moment of inertia
(Isb).

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 Equivalent Frame Components
Slab-Beam
The moment of inertia from center of column to face of
column, bracket, or capital needs to be increased to reflect
the additional stiffness in these regions. According to ACI,
the moment of inertia of the slab-beam is taken as:
I sb
K sb  2
 C2 
1  
 l2 
Where Isb = moment of inertia of the slab-beam between
the supports, C2 = transverse width of column, bracket, or
capital, and l2 = transverse width of equivalent frame.
Examples of sections for calculating the slab beam
stiffness (Ksb) are illustrated in the following figures.
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CENG 7051 Concrete Structures 58
CENG 7051 Concrete Structures 59
 Equivalent Frame Components

Columns

The moment of
inertia of column is
assumed to be
infinite from top to
bottom of the slab
beam.
The moment of inertia of columns at any section outside of
the joint or column capitals is based on column gross
section. Examples of sections for calculating column
stiffness (Kc) are provided in the above figure.
CENG 7051 Concrete Structures 60
 Role of Beams

For beam-column or slab-wall connections, the rotation of

beam is equal to column’s rotation, and rotation along the
slab is equal to wall’s rotation.

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 Role of Beams

However, in case of slab-column connections the rotations along

the edge are not the same. For example, the end rotation of slab
strip CD is equal to the end rotation of column, but strips AB and
A’B’ will have larger rotations because there is less restraint to
slab rotation for these strips. Hence, the average rotation of slab
edge will be larger than that for the column.
CENG 7051 Concrete Structures 62
 Role of Beams

Consider an edge panel.

Moment enters the column by (a) flexure through the beam parallel
to the span (l1), and (b) torsion in the transverse beam. If the
parallel beam is very stiff, most of the span moment is carried in
flexure by the beam spanning in direction l1. If the beam is not stiff,
more moment is carried by the slab. Consequently, in the case of an
edge panel as shown here, the span moment must be carried to the
column primarily by torsion in the transverse beams.
CENG 7051 Concrete Structures 63
 Role of Beams
If an interior span is
considered, the moment in the
transverse beam will be
partially “passed on” to the
slab in the next span, and the
column will see only a portion
of the total slab moment.
Because the slab is connected continuously around the column,
and not merely through the column, moments can be
transferred in the slab from one span to another span even if
column is held rigidly. As transverse beam becomes more rigid,
less moment will be able to “leak” around the column.

CENG 7051 Concrete Structures 64

 Role of Beams
Unless transverse beam is rigid in
torsion, we cannot get a fixed
edge no matter how rigid the
column is. For a beam-column
connection, on the other hand, if
the column is rigid no moment
goes to the other span.
For an interior slab-column joint, even if the column is infinitely rigid,
we don’t have a rigid joint because of moment “leakage”.
In summary, in edge and corner panels, and also in interior panels with
unequal spans or loadings (to get unbalanced moment), the flexural
stiffness of the supporting column or walls AND the torsion stiffness of
the transverse beams become very important in determining the
distribution of moments in the panel.
CENG 7051 Concrete Structures 65
Torsional Model

The model (proposed by

Corley and Sozen) is used
to define flexural stiffness
of columns.
The column stiffness is reduced to reflect the influence of the
twist of transverse beams (plus a portion of the slab) or a portion
of the slab if there are no beams perpendicular to the direction
being considered.
Note that the attached torsional member is not a cantilever. For any
unbalanced moment, the column “feels” the effect through torsional
member. For two-dimensional analysis, the attached torsional
member is combined with the columns to obtain a new element that
is called equivalent column.
CENG 7051 Concrete Structures 66
 Torsional Model

If a moment is applied to the system, both column and torsional

member rotate. Thus, the rotational restraint on the slab-beam,
which is perpendicular to the assemblage, depends on the
torsional rotation of member CD and the flexural rotation of
column AB.
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 Equivalent Column

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 Derivation of Kt
Along the torsional member,
assume that torsional moment
varies linearly from a maximum
value at the center of column to
zero at the middle of panel
(C.L.).

This distribution conforms with experimental results, and it

also makes sense since the assembly is stiffer near the
column. To get Kt, apply a unit torque moment (torque)
and find the rotation. The value of Kt is the inverse of
rotation.
CENG 7051 Concrete Structures 69
Derivation
of Kt

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 Equivalent Frame Components
Torsional Members

Torsional members are

the same as those
defined for Direct Design
Method. Examples of
torsional members are
shown in the following
figure. Torsional stiffness
is computed by:

CENG 7051 Concrete Structures 71

 Equivalent Frame Components
Torsional Members
Where beams frame into columns in the direction of the span for
which moments are being determined, i.e., in direction of l1,
torsional stiffness, Kt, is multiplied by Isb/Is.
The increased torsional stiffness reflects improved moment
transfer by the beam that frames into the column. One might
argue that at interior connections, Kt needs tot be multiplied by
2Isb/Is because two beams frame into the column. Although this
argument appears logical, sensitivity studies indicate that the
results will not be changed significantly if Kt is multiplied by Isb/Is
rather than 2Isb/Is. Furthermore, interior connections are not
influenced by torsional stiffness of the transverse member(s),
and aCENG
“less
7051accurate” adjustment of Kt is sufficient.
Concrete Structures 72
 Analysis of Equivalent Frame
Knowing the values of Ksb, Kc, and Kt (with appropriate
adjustments to reflect variation of member stiffness along
length, and to account for the beneficial effects of the
longitudinal beams on Kt), the three-dimensional frame shown
below can be analyzed directly.

CENG 7051 Concrete Structures 73

 Analysis of Equivalent Frame
If a two-dimensional analysis is to be performed, the
torsional stiffness of the torsional member has to be
incorporated into the column or slab-beam stiffness.
Typically, the torsional member and top and bottom
columns are “merged” into a fictitious column called
equivalent column, and the following two-dimensional
equivalent plane frame model can be analyzed. Standard
analysis programs based on stiffness method cannot be
used directly to analyze the two-dimensional equivalent
frame. Special elements are needed to properly
reproduce the stiffness of equivalent column.

CENG 7051 Concrete Structures 74

 Analysis of Equivalent Frame

Note that the effects of rigid offsets at the ends of the

column and additional stiffness at the ends of slab-beams
need to be incorporated in either the two-dimensional or
three-dimensional model.
CENG 7051 Concrete Structures 75
 Shear Strength of Slabs
In two-way floor systems, the slab must have adequate
thickness to resist both bending moments and shear forces at
critical section. There are three cases to look at for shear:
1. Two-way Slabs supported on beams
2. Two-Way Slabs without beams
3. Shear Reinforcement in two-way slabs without beams
Shear Strength of Slabs
1. Two-way slabs supported on beams

The critical location is found at d distance from the

column, where

 Vc   f c bd / 6 
The supporting beams are stiff
and are capable of transmitting floor loads to the
columns.
Shear Strength of Slabs
2. Two-Way Slabs without beams
There are two types of shear that need to be addressed
1. One-way shear or beam shear at distance d from the
column
2. Two-way or punch out shear which occurs along a
truncated cone.
Shear Strength of Slabs

One-way shear considers critical section a distance d

from the column and the slab is considered as a wide
beam spanning between supports.

V ud   V c    f c bd / 6 
Shear Strength of Slabs
Two-way shear fails along a truncated cone or pyramid
around the column. The critical section is located d/2
from the column face, column capital, or drop panel.
Shear Strength of Slabs
If shear reinforcement is not provided, the shear
strength of concrete is the smaller of:

 2
1. V c   0.17 1 
 c 

 f c bod   0.33 f c bod 
bo = perimeter of the critical section
c =ratio of long side of column to short side
 a sd 
2. V c   0.083   2  f c bod
 bo 
as is 40 for interior columns, 30 for edge columns,
and 20 for corner columns.
 Shear Strength of Slabs

3. Shear Reinforcement in two-way slabs without beams.

For plates and flat slabs, which do not meet the condition
for shear, one can either

- Increase slab thickness

- Add reinforcement

Reinforcement can be done by shear heads, anchor bars,

conventional stirrup cages and studded steel strips (see
ACI 11.11.4.
Shear Strength of Slabs
Shearhead consists of steel I-beams or channel welded
into four cross arms to be placed in slab
above a column. It does not apply to external
columns due to lateral loads and torsion.
Shear Strength of Slabs
Anchor bars consists of steel reinforcement rods or
bent bar reinforcement
Shear Strength of Slabs
Conventional stirrup
cages
Shear Strength of Slabs
Studded steel strips
 Reinforcement Details Loads
After all percentages of the static moments in the column and
middle strip are determined, the steel reinforcement can be
calculated for negative and positive moments in each strip.
Maximum Spacing of Reinforcement
At points of max. +/- M: s  2t  ACI 13.3.2 
and s  45cm  ACI 7.12.3
Min Reinforcement Requirements
As min   As T&S from ACI 7.12  ACI 13.3.1
Minimum extension for reinforcement in
slabs without beams(Fig. 13.3.8)
 Example
Use Equivalent Frame Method to calculate the design
moments for E-W reinforcement for a typical interior
panel.
Given:
f’c = 4,000 psi
Gr. 60 reinforcement
WLL = 138 psf
Story Height = 12’
Slab thickness = 6.5”
Long-direction beams: 14” x 28”
Short-direction beams: 12”x24”
Column: 15”x15”
CENG 7051 Concrete Structures 89
l1 = 25’ , l2 = 20’
ln1 = 25’-2(7.5/12) = 23.75’
Wu = 1.2DL + 1.6LL = 1.2×(150×6.5/12) + 1.6×138 = 1.2×81+1.6×138 = 318 psf
CENG 7051 Concrete Structures 90
 Example
The properties of the critical components are computed
in the following.
Slab-Beam Element

This moment of inertia is multiplied by

over the column width. Therefore, over the column
width

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 Example

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 Example

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 Example

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 Example

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 Example

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 End of Part 5

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