Two-Way Slabs

By
Dr. Salah Uddin
Definition
 Structural concrete slabs are constructed to
provide flat surfaces, usually horizontal, in
building floors, roofs, bridges, and other
types of structures.
 The slab may be supported by walls, by

reinforced concrete beams usually cast

monolithically with the slab, by structural
steel beams, by columns, or by the ground.
Definition
 When the slab is supported on all four sides and the length, L, is
less than twice the width, S, the slab will deflect in two
directions, and the loads on the slab are transferred to all four
supports. This slab is referred to as a TWO-WAY SLAB.
 The bending moments and deflections in such slabs are less
than those in one-way slabs; thus, the same slab can carry more
loads when supported on four sides. The load in this case is
carried in two directions, and the bending moment in each
direction is much less than the bending moment in the slab if
the load were carried in one direction only.
Classification of Slabs
TWO-WAY SLABS ON BEAMS
This case occurs when the two-way slab is supported by beams
on all four sides. The loads from the slab are transferred to all
four supporting beams, which, in turn, transfer the loads to the
columns.
Classification of Slabs
FLAT SLABS
A flat slab is a two-way slab reinforced in two directions that
usually does not have beams or girders, and the loads are
transferred directly to the supporting columns. The column
tends to punch through the slab, which can be treated by three
methods
Classification of Slabs
FLAT SLABS
The column tends to punch through the slab, which can be
treated by three methods
1. Using a drop panel and a column capital.
2. Using a drop panel without a column capital.
3. Using a column capital without drop panel, which is not
common.
Classification of Slabs
FLAT PLATE
A flat-plate floor is a two-way slab system consisting of a
uniform slab that rests directly on columns and does not have
beams or column capitals
In this case the column tends to punch through the slab,
producing diagonal tensile stresses. Therefore, a special
reinforcement is used.
Classification of Slabs
Two-way ribbed slabs & the waffle slab system
This type of slab consists of a floor slab with a length-to-width
ratio less than 2. The thickness of the slab is usually 2 to 4 in.
and is supported by ribs (or joists) in two directions.
Economic Choices
 Flat Plate suitable span 20 to 25 ft with LL= 60 -100 psf
Advantages
◦ Low cost formwork
◦ Exposed flat ceilings
◦ Fast
Disadvantages
◦ Low shear capacity
◦ Low Stiffness (notable deflection)
Economic Choices
 Flat Slab suitable span 20 to 30 ft with LL= 80 -150 psf
Advantages
◦ Low cost formwork
◦ Exposed flat ceilings
◦ Fast
Disadvantages
◦ Need more formwork for capital and panels
Economic Choices
 Waffle Slab suitable span 30 to 48 ft with LL= 80
-150 psf
Advantages
◦ Carries heavy loads
◦ Attractive exposed ceilings
◦ Fast
Disadvantages
◦ Formwork with panels is expensive
Economic Choices
 One-way Slab on beams suitable span 10 to 20 ft with
LL= 60-100 psf
◦ Can be used for larger spans with relatively higher cost and higher
deflections
 One-way joist floor system is suitable span 20 to 30 ft
with LL= 80-120 psf
◦ Deep ribs, the concrete and steel quantities are relative low
◦ Expensive formwork expected.
Slab Behavior
ws =load taken by short direction
wl = load taken by long direction
dA = dB
4 4
 5 𝑤 𝑠 𝐿 𝐴 = 5 𝑤 𝑙 𝐿 𝐵
384 𝐸𝐼 384 𝐸𝐼
4
𝑤 𝐿
  𝑠= 𝐵  
For
𝑤𝑙 𝐿 4𝐴

 Rule of Thumb: For / > 2, design as one-way slab

 Design Procedures
 THE DIRECT DESIGN METHOD, DDM (ACI CODE, SECTION 8.10),
is an approximate procedure for the analysis and design of two-way
slabs. It is limited to slab systems subjected to uniformly distributed
loads and supported on equally or nearly equally spaced columns.
The method uses a set of coefficients to determine the design
moments at critical sections.
 THE EQUIVALENT FRAME METHOD, EFM (ACI CODE, SECTION 8.11),

is one in which 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 a transverse directions of the building
and treated floor by floor, as shown in Fig.
Design Procedures

Longitudinal
equivalent frame
Transverse equivalent
frame
Method of Analysis

(1) Elastic Analysis

Concrete slab may be treated as an elastic
plate. Use Timoshenko’s method of analyzing
the structure. Finite element analysis
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 with finite-element
method takes into consideration of nonlinearities of
the stress-strain relationship of the individual
members.
Minimum Slab Thickness for Two-
way Construction
The ACI Code 9.5.3 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
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
b
= the ratio of the long to short clear span
am= The average value of a for all beams on the sides
of the panel.
Definition of Beam-to-Slab Stiffness
Ratio, a
Accounts for stiffness effect of beams located along
slab edge reduces deflections of panel
adjacent to beams.

flexural stiffness of beam


flexural stiffness of slab
Definition of Beam-to-Slab Stiffness
Ratio, a
4E cb I b / l E cb I b
 
4E cs I s / l E cs I s
E cb  Modulus of elasticity of beam concrete
E sb  Modulus of elasticity of slab concrete
I b  Moment of inertia of uncracked beam
I s  Moment 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 be used to calculate a
Minimum Slab Thickness for Two-
way Construction
(a) For 0.2   m  2

 f 
ln  0.8  y 
 
 200,000 
h
36  5  m  0.2

fy in psi. But not less than 5 in.

Minimum Slab Thickness for Two-
way Construction
(b) For 2   m

 f 

l n 0. 8  y 
 
 200,000 
h
36  9 

fy in psi. But not less than 3.5 in.

 Minimum Slab Thickness for Two-
way Construction
(c) For  m  0.2
Use the following table 9.5(c)
Minimum Slab Thickness for Two-
way Construction
Slabs without interior
beams spanning
between supports and
ratio of long span to
short span < 2

See section 9.5.3.3

For slabs with beams
spanning between
supports on all sides.
Minimum Slab Thickness for Two-
way Construction

Slabs without drop panels meeting 13.3.7.1 and 13.3.7.2,

tmin = 5 in
Slabs with drop panels meeting 13.3.7.1 and 13.3.7.2,
tmin = 4 in
However, the thickness of any slab shall not be less than the
following:
1. For slabs with 𝛼 ≤2.0 then thickness≥5.0 in. (125 mm)
fm

2. For slabs with 𝛼 >2.0 then thickness≥3.5 in. (90 mm)

fm
Minimum Slab Thickness for Two-
way Construction

If no beams are used, as in the case of flat plates, then 𝛼 =0

f

and 𝛼 =0
fm
 Example - Slab

A flat plate floor system with

panels 24 by 20 ft is supported on
20 in. square columns.
Determine the minimum slab
thickness required for the interior
and corner panels. Use fc = 4 ksi
and fy = 60 ksi
Example - Slab

Slab thickness, from table 9.5(c) for fy = 60 ksi

and no edge beams: Exterior Panel
ln
hmin 
30
 20 in.  1 ft.  
ln  24 ft.  2      22.33 ft.
 2  12 in.  
 12 in. 
22.33 ft.  
hmin   1 ft.   8.93 in.  9 in.
30
Example - Slab
Slab thickness, from table 9.5(c) for fy = 60 ksi
and no edge beams for a = am = 0 (no beams):
Interior Panel
ln
hmin 
33
 12 in. 
22.33 ft.  
hmin   1 ft. 
 8.12 in.  8.5 in.
33
Example – a Calculations
The floor system consists of
solid slabs and beams in two
directions supported on 20-in.
square columns. Determine the
minimum slab thickness, h,
required for the floor system.
Use fc = 4 ksi and fy = 60 ksi
Example – a Calculations

The cross-sections are:

 Example – a Calculations

To find h, we need to find am therefore Ib, Islab and a for

each beam and slab in long short direction. Assume
slab thickness h = 7 in. so that x = y < 4 tf
22 in.  7 in.  15 in.  4tf  4  7 in.  28 in.

be  16 in.  2  15 in.  46 in.

 Example – a Calculations
Compute the moment of inertia and centroid
I beam  22453 in 4

1 3 1  12 in.  
   7 in.
3
I slab  bh   20 ft 
12 12   1 ft.  
 6860 in 4
b h Ai (in2) y i (in) y iAi (in3) I (in4) d (in) d2A (in4)
Flange 7 46 322 3.5 1127 1314.833 -4.69751 7105.442
Beam 15 16 240 14.5 3480 4500 6.302491 9533.135

562 4607 5814.833 16638.58

ybar = 8.197509 in
I = 22453.41 in4
Example – a Calculations

Compute the a coefficient for the long direction

EI beam 22453 in 4
 long  
EI slab 6860 in 4
 3.27
Short side of the moment of inertia

1 3 1  12 in.  
   7 in.
3
I slab  bh   24 ft 
12 12   1 ft.  
 8232 in 4
Example – a Calculations

Compute the a coefficient for short direction

4
EI beam 22453 in
 short  
EI slab 8232 in 4
 2.73
The average am for an interior panel is

2 long  2 short 2  3.27   2  2.73

 avg  
4 4
 3.0
Example – a Calculations

Compute the b coefficient

 20 in.  1 ft.  
24 ft.  2   
llong  2  12 in.  
   1.22
lshort  20 in.  1 ft.  
20 ft.  2   
 2  12 in.  
Compute the thickness for am > 2
 fy   12 in.   60000 
ln 0.8   22.33 ft.   0.8 
 200000   
1 ft.   200000 
h 
36  9  36  9  1.22 
 6.28 in.  Use slab thickness, 6.5 in. or 7 in.
 Example – a Calculations

Compute the moment of inertia and centroid for the

L-beam
I L-beam  15302 in 4
1 3 1  12 in.  
   7 in.
3
I slab  bh  10 ft 
12 12   1 ft.  
 3430 in 4
b h Ai (in2) y i (in) y iAi (in3) I (in4) d (in) d2A (in4)
Flange 7 27 189 3.5 661.5 771.75 -5.36585 5441.761
Beam 15 12 180 14.5 2610 3375 5.634146 5713.849

369 3271.5 4146.75 11155.61

ybar = 8.865854 in
I = 15302.36 in4
Example – a Calculations

Compute the am coefficient for long direction

EI L-beam 15302 in 4
 long  
EI slab 3430 in 4
 4.46
Short side of the moment of inertia

1 3 1  12 in.  
   7 in.
3
I slab  bh  12 ft 
12 12   1 ft.  
 4116 in 4
Example – a Calculations

Compute the am coefficient for the short direction

EI L-beam 15302 in 4
 short   4
EI slab 4116 in
 3.72
Example – a Calculations

Compute the am coefficient for the edges and corner

4.46  2.73  3.27  2.73

m 
4
 3.30

3.72  3.27  2.73  3.27

m 
4
 3.25
Example – a Calculations

Compute the am coefficient for the edges and corner

3.72  4.46  2.73  3.27

m 
4
 3.55
Example – a Calculations

Compute the largest length ln of the slab/beam, edge to

first interior column.

 20 in.  1 ft.   12 in.  1 ft.  

ln  24 ft.        
 2  12 in.    2  12 in.  
 22.67 ft.
Example – a Calculations

Compute the thickness of the slab with am > 2

 fy   12 in.   60000 
ln 0.8   22.67 ft.   0.8 
 200000   1 ft.   200000 
h 
36  9  36  9  1.22 
 6.37 in.  Use slab thickness, 6.5 in. or 7 in.

The overall depth of the slab is 7 in.