Slabs

Example 3.10 continued

B1 B2 B3 B4 B5

12H10-300 23H10-150 23H10-150 12H10-300

4H25 4800
450 450
2H25 3600
2H25 2H25
4H25 2600

275

1200 2H25 2100 2H25

4H25 4H25
1300 400 400
7100 7100

Fig. 3.47

Service stress, fs, is

5 A s,req 5 2923
fs = fy = × 500 × = 310 Nmm−2
8 A s,proν 8 2950
477 − fs 477 − 310
Modification factor = 0.55 + = 0.55 + = 1.2
 M   736.8 × 106 
120  0.9 + 2  120  0.9 + 
 bd   1450 × 6102 
span
Therefore, permissible = basic ratio × modification factor
effective depth
= 20.8 × 1.2 = 25 > actual OK

3.9.4 SUMMARY FOR BEAM DESIGN Reinforced concrete slabs are used to form a
Figure 3.48 shows the basic steps that should be variety of elements in building structures such as
followed in order to design reinforced concrete floors, roofs, staircases, foundations and some types
beams. of walls (Fig. 3.50). Since these elements can be
modelled as a set of transversely connected beams,
it follows that the design of slabs is similar, in
3.10 Slabs principle, to that for beams. The major difference
is that in slab design the serviceability limit state of
If a series of very wide, shallow rectangular beams deflection is normally critical, rather than the ulti-
were placed side by side and connected transversely mate limit states of bending and shear.
such that it was possible to share the load between
adjacent beams, the combination of beams would
act as a slab (Fig. 3.49).
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 Design in reinforced concrete to BS 8110

Select:
Concrete strength class (say C28/35) Estimate:
Longitudinal reinforcement grade (say 500 Nmm−2) Characteristic dead load
Shear reinforcement grade (say 500 Nmm−2) Characteristic imposed load
Minimum member size (see Fig. 3.11) self weight
Thickness of concrete cover (see 3.8)

Calculate:
Ultimate loads
Design moment (M )
Design shear force

Estimate effective depth and

width of beam (see 3.9.1.5)

Calculate ultimate moment

of resistance, M u = 0.156f cu bd 2

Beam is doubly Beam is singly

reinforced NO Is YES reinforced
(see 3.9.2) Mu > M (see 3.9.1.1)

Design shear reinforcement

(see 3.9.1.3)

Check deflection
(see 3.9.1.4)

Produce reinforcement details

(see 3.9.1.6)

Fig. 3.48 Beam design procedure.

3.10.1 TYPES OF SLABS economical solution is to provide a solid slab of

Slabs may be solid, ribbed, precast or in-situ and if constant thickness over the complete span (Fig.
in-situ they may span two-ways. In practice, the 3.51).
choice of slab for a particular structure will largely With medium size spans from 5 to 9 m it is
depend upon economy, buildability, the loading more economical to provide flat slabs since they are
conditions and the length of the span. Thus for generally easier to construct (Fig. 3.52). The ease
short spans, generally less than 5 m, the most of construction chiefly arises from the fact that the
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 Slabs

Fig. 3.49 Floor slab as a series of beams connected Fig. 3.52 Flat slab.
transversely.

floor has a flat soffit. This avoids having to erect

Flat roof
complicated shuttering, thereby making possible
speedier and cheaper construction. The use of flat
slab construction offers a number of other advan-
tages, absent from other flooring systems, including
reduced storey heights, no restrictions on the posi-
tioning of partitions, windows can extend up to the
underside of the slab and ease of installation of
Floor slab horizontal services. The main drawbacks with flat
slabs are that they may deflect excessively and are
vulnerable to punching failure. Excessive deflection
can be avoided by deepening slabs or by thicken-
Laterally loaded ing the slab near the columns, using drop panels.
walls Punching failure arises from the fact that high live
loads results in high shear stresses at the supports
Stairway
Ground slab which may allow the columns to punch through
the slab unless appropriate steps are taken. Using
Column/wall deep slabs with large diameter columns, providing
footing drop panels and/or flaring column heads (Fig. 3.53),
can avoid this problem. However, all these methods
Fig. 3.50 Various applications for slabs in reinforced have drawbacks, and research effort has therefore
concrete structures.
been directed at finding alternative solutions. The
use of shear hoops, ACI shear stirrups, shear
ladders and stud rails (Fig. 3.54) are just a few of
the solutions that have been proposed over recent
years. All are designed to overcome the problem of
fixing individual shear links, which is both labour
intensive and a practical difficulty.
Shear hoops are prefabricated cages of shear
reinforcement which are attached to the main steel.
They are available in a range of diameters and are
suitable for use with internal and edge columns.
Although superficially attractive, use of this system
has declined significantly over recent years.
The use of ACI shear stirrups is potentially
the simplest and cheapest method of preventing
punching shear in flat slabs. The shear stirrups are
arrangements of conventional straight bars and links
Fig. 3.51 Solid slab. that form a ‘ ’, ‘T’ or ‘L’ shape for an internal,
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 Design in reinforced concrete to BS 8110

(a) (b) (c)

Fig. 3.53 Methods of reducing shear stresses in flat slab construction: (a) deep slab and large column; (b) slab with flared
column head; (c) slab with drop panel and column head.

Direction of T1 slab
reinforcement

Shear hoop type SS Lacer bars

0.5d
Shear ladder

0.5d
Shear hoop type SS
Direction of T1
slab reinforcement
(a)

(c)

Spacing bar

High tensile
ribbed steel bars

Stud rail

(b) (d)

Fig. 3.54 Prefabricated punching shear reinforcement for flat slabs: (a) shear hoops ( b) ACI shear stirrups (c) shear
ladders (d) stud rails. Typical arrangements for an internal column.

edge or corner column respectively. The stirrups Shear ladders are rows of traditional links that
work in exactly the same way as conventional shear are welded to lacer bars. The links resist the shear
reinforcement but can simply be attached to the stresses and the lacer bars anchor the links to
main steel via the straight bars. the main steel. Whilst they are simple to design
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 Slabs

(a)

Fig. 3.55 Ribbed slab.

and use they can cause problems of congestion of

reinforcement.
(b)
Stud rails are prefabricated high tensile ribbed
headed studs, which are held at standard centres Fig. 3.56 Precast concrete floor units: (a) hollow core
by a welded spacer bar. These rails are arranged in plank (b) double ‘T’ unit.
a radial pattern and held in position during the
concrete pour by tying to either the top or bottom
in-situ concrete floor spans are required it is usu-
reinforcement. The studs work through direct
ally more economical to support the slab on all
mechanical anchorage provided by their heads.
four sides. The cost of supporting beams or walls
They are easy to install but quite expensive.
needs to be considered though. Such slabs are
With medium to long spans and light to moderate
referred to as two-way spanning and are normally
live loads from 3 to 5 kN/m2, it is more economical
designed as two-dimensional plates provided the
to provide ribbed slabs constructed using glass
ratio of the length of the longer side to the length
reinforced polyester, polypropylene or encapsu-
of the shorter side is equal to 2 or less (Fig. 3.58).
lated expanded polystyrene moulds (Fig. 3.55).
This book only considers the design of one-way
Such slabs have reduced self-weight compared to
and two-way spanning solid slabs supporting uni-
solid slabs since part of the concrete in the tension
formly distributed loads. The reader is referred to
zone is omitted. However, ribbed slabs have higher
more specialised books on this subject for guid-
formwork costs than the other slabs systems men-
ance on the design of the other slab types described
tioned above and, generally, they are found to be
above.
economic in the range 8 to 12 m.
With the emphasis on speed of erection and
economy of construction, the use of precast con-
3.10.2 DESIGN OF ONE-WAY SPANNING SOLID
crete floor slabs is now also popular with both
SLAB
The general procedure to be adopted for slab
clients and designers. Fig. 3.56 shows two types of
design is as follows:
precast concrete units that can be used to form
floors. The hollow core planks are very common 1. Determine a suitable depth of slab.
as they are economic over short, medium and long 2. Calculate main and secondary reinforcement
spans. If desired the soffit can be left exposed areas.
whereas the top is normally finished with a level- 3. Check critical shear stresses.
ling screed or appropriate flooring system. Cranage 4. Check detailing requirements.
of large precast units, particularly in congested city
centre developments, is the biggest obstacle to this 3.10.2.1 Depth of slab (clause 3.5.7, BS 8110)
type of floor construction. Solid slabs are designed as if they consist of a
The span ranges quoted above generally assume series of beams of l metre width.
the slab is supported along two opposite edges, i.e. The effective span of the slab is taken as the
it is one-way spanning (Fig. 3.57). Where longer smaller of

(a) (b)

Fig. 3.57 One-way spanning solid slab: (a) plan; (b) elevation.

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 Design in reinforced concrete to BS 8110

ᐉy

Wall A

Load on
wall A

Load on
Load on

Wall D
Wall B

wall D
wall B
ᐉx

Load on
wall C

Wall C

Fig. 3.58 Plan of two-way spanning slab. lx length of shorter side, ly length of longer side. Provided ly /lx ≤ 2 slab will span
in two directions as indicated.

d 3.10.2.2 Steel areas (clause 3.5.4, BS 8110)

The overall depth of slab, h, is determined by
D
adding allowances for cover (Table 3.6) and half
A the (assumed) main steel bar diameter to the effec-
tive depth. The self-weight of the slab together with
the dead and live loads are used to calculate the
Fig. 3.59 Effective span of simply supported slab. design moment, M.
The ultimate moment of resistance of the slab,
Mu, is calculated using equation 3.11, developed
in section 3.9.1.1, namely
(a) the distance between centres of bearings, A,
Mu = 0.156fcubd 2
or
(b) the clear distance between supports, D, plus If Mu ≥ M, which is the usual condition
the effective depth, d, of the slab (Fig. 3.59). for slabs, compression reinforcement will not be
required and the area of tensile reinforcement, As,
The deflection requirements for slabs, which are
is determined using equation 3.12 developed in
the same as those for beams, will often control the
section 3.9.1.1, namely
depth of slab needed. The minimum effective depth
of slab, dmin, can be calculated using M
As =
span 0.87 f y z
d min = (3.20)
basic ratio × modification factor where z = d[0.5 + (0.25 − K /0.9) ] in which K =
M/fcubd 2.
The basic (span/effective depth) ratios are given
Secondary or distribution steel is required in the
in Table 3.14. The modification factor is a function
transverse direction and this is usually based on
of the amount of reinforcement in the slab which is
the minimum percentages of reinforcement (As min)
itself a function of the effective depth of the slab.
given in Table 3.25 of BS 8110:
Therefore, in order to make a first estimate of the
effective depth, d min, of the slab, a value of (say) As min = 0.24% Ac when fy = 250 N/mm2
1.4 is assumed for the modification factor. The
As min = 0.13% Ac when fy = 500 N/mm2
main steel areas can then be calculated (section
3.10.2.2), and used to determine the actual value where Ac is the total area of concrete.
of the modification factor. If the assumed value
is slightly greater than the actual value, the depth 3.10.2.3 Shear (clause 3.5.5 of BS 8110)
of the slab will satisfy the deflection requirements Shear resistance is generally not a problem in solid
in BS 8110. Otherwise, the calculation must be slabs subject to uniformly distributed loads and,
repeated using a revised value of the modification in any case, shear reinforcement should not be pro-
factor. vided in slabs less than 200 mm deep.
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 Slabs

As discussed for beams in section 3.9.1.3, the 3. Crack width (clause 3.12.11.2.7, BS 8110).
design shear stress, υ, is calculated from Unless the actual crack widths have been checked
by direct calculation, the following rules will
V
v= ensure that crack widths will not generally exceed
bd 0.3 mm. This limiting crack width is based on
The ultimate shear resistance, υc, is determined considerations of appearance and durability.
using Table 3.11. If υ < υc, no shear reinforce- (i) No further check is required on bar spacing if
ment is required. Where υ > υc, the form and area either:
of shear reinforcement in solid slabs should be (a) fy = 250 N/mm2 and slab depth ≤ 250 mm,
provided in accordance with the requirements or
contained in Table 3.21. (b) fy = 500 N/mm2 and slab depth ≤ 200 mm,
or
(c) the reinforcement percentage (100A s /bd )
Table 3.18 Form and area of shear < 0.3%.
reinforcement in solid slabs (Table 3.16,
(ii) Where none of conditions (a), (b) or (c) apply
BS 8110) and the percentage of reinforcement in the slab
exceed 1 per cent, then the maximum clear
Values of υ (N/mm 2) Area of shear reinforcement
distance between bars (smax) given in Table 3.28
to be provided
of BS 8110 should be used, namely:
υ < vc None required smax ≤ 280 mm when fy = 250 N/mm2
υc < υ < (υc + 0.4) Minimum links in
smax ≤ 155 mm when fy = 500 N/mm2
areas where υ > υc
Asv ≥ 0.4bsv /0.87fyv
4. Curtailment of reinforcement (clause
(υc + 0.4) < υ < 0.8 fcu Design links
3.12.10.3, BS 8110). Simplified rules for the cur-
or 5 N/mm2 Asv ≥ bsv(υ − υc )/0.87fyv
tailment of reinforcement are given in clause
3.12.10.3 of BS 8110. These are shown diagram-
matically in Fig. 3.60 for simply supported and
3.10.2.4 Reinforcement details (clause 3.12, continuous solid slabs.
BS 8110)
For reasons of durability the code specifies limits
in respect of:
40% 100% 40%
1. minimum percentage of reinforcement
2. spacing of reinforcement
3. maximum crack widths.
0.1ᐉ 0.1ᐉ
These are outlined below together with the ᐉ
simplified rules for curtailment of reinforcement.
(a)
1. Reinforcement areas (clause 3.12.5, BS
8110). The area of tension reinforcement, As, 0.15ᐉ 0.3ᐉ
should not be less than the following limits: 45ø 0.15ᐉ 100%
50%
As ≥ 0.24%Ac when fy = 250 N/mm2
40% 100% 50% 40%
As ≥ 0.13%Ac when fy = 500 N/mm2
where Ac is the total area of concrete.
0.1ᐉ 0.2ᐉ
2. Spacing of reinforcement (clause 3.12.11.2.7,
BS 8110). The clear distance between tension bars,
(b)
sb, should lie within the following limits: hagg + 5 mm
or bar diameter ≤ sb ≤ 3d or 750 mm whichever is Fig. 3.60 Simplified rules for curtailment of bars in slabs:
the lesser where hagg is the maximum aggregate size. (a) simply supported ends; (b) continuous slab (based on
(See also below section on crack widths.) Fig. 3.25, BS 8110).

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 Design in reinforced concrete to BS 8110

Example 3.11 Design of a one-way spanning concrete floor (BS 8110)

A reinforced concrete floor subject to an imposed load of 4 kNm−2 spans between brick walls as shown below. Design
the floor for exposure class XC1 assuming the following material strengths:
fcu = 35 Nmm−2
fy = 500 Nmm−2

150 mm

4250 mm

DEPTH OF SLAB AND MAIN STEEL AREA

Overall depth of slab, h
span
Minimum effective depth, dmin =
basic ratio × modification factor
4250
= = 152 mm
20 × (say)1.4
Hence, assume effective depth of slab (d) = 155 mm. Assume diameter of main steel (Φ) = 10 mm. From Table 3.6,
cover to all steel (c) for exposure class XC1 = 25 mm.

h d

φ c

Overall depth of slab (h) = d + Φ/2 + c

= 155 + 10/2 + 25 = 185 mm

LOADING
Dead
Self weight of slab (gk) = 0.185 × 24 kNm−3 = 4.44 kNm−2

Imposed
Total imposed load (qk) = 4 kNm−2

Ultimate load
For 1 m width of slab total ultimate load, W, is
= (1.4gk + 1.6qk) width of slab × span
= (1.4 × 4.44 + 1.6 × 4)1 × 4.25 = 53.62 kN

Design moment
Wb 53.62 × 4.25
M = = = 28.5 kNm
8 8
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 Slabs

Example 3.11 continued

Ultimate moment
Mu = 0.156fcubd 2
= 0.156 × 35 × 103 × 1552
= 131.2 × 106 = 131.2 kNm
Since M < Mu, no compression reinforcement is required.

Main steel
M 28.5 × 106
K = = = 0.0339
fcubd 2 35 × 103 × 1552
z = d [0.5 + ( 0.25 − K /0.9) ]
= 155 [0.5 + ( 0.25 − 0.0339/0.9)]
= 155 × 0.96 ≤ 0.95d (= 147 mm)
Hence z = 147 mm.
M 28.5 × 106
As = = = 446 mm2/m width of slab
0.87f y z 0.87 × 500 × 147
For detailing purposes this area of steel has to be transposed into bars of a given diameter and spacing using
steel area tables. Thus from Table 3.22, provide 10 mm diameter bars spaced at 150 mm, i.e. H10 at 150 centres
(As = 523mm2/m).

Table 3.22 Cross-sectional area per metre width for various bar spacing (mm2)

Bar size Spacing of bars

(mm)
50 75 100 125 150 175 200 250 300

6 566 377 283 226 189 162 142 113 94.3

8 1010 671 503 402 335 287 252 201 168
10 1570 1050 785 628 523 449 393 314 262
12 2260 1510 1130 905 754 646 566 452 377
16 4020 2680 2010 1610 1340 1150 1010 804 670
20 6280 4190 3140 2510 2090 1800 1570 1260 1050
25 9820 6550 4910 3930 3270 2810 2450 1960 1640
32 16100 10700 8040 6430 5360 4600 4020 3220 2680
40 25100 16800 12600 10100 8380 7180 6280 5030 4190

Actual modification factor

The actual value of the modification can now be calculated using equations 7 and 8 given in Table 3.16 (section
3.9.1.4).
5f y A s,req
Design service stress, fs = (equation 8, Table 3.16)
8A s,proν
5 × 500 × 446
= = 266.5 Nmm−2
8 × 523
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 Design in reinforced concrete to BS 8110

Example 3.11 continued

(477 − fs )
Modification factor = 0.55 + ≤ 2.0 (equation 7, Table 3.16)
 M 
120  0.9 + 2 
 bd 
(477 − 266.5)
= 0.55 + = 1.39
 28.5 × 106 
120  0.9 + 3
 10 × 1552 
Hence,

4250
New dmin = = 153 mm < assumed d = 155 mm
20 × 1.39
Minimum area of reinforcement, A s min, is equal to
A s min = 0.13%bh = 0.13% × 103 × 185 = 241 mm2/m < A s
Therefore take d = 155 mm and provide H10 at 150 mm centres as main steel.

SECONDARY STEEL
Based on minimum steel area = 241 mm2/m. Hence from Table 3.22, provide H8 at 200 mm centres (A s = 252 mm2/m).

Secondary
steel
d = 165
Main
steel

SHEAR REINFORCEMENT
W

RA 4.25 m RB

V
V

Design shear stress, υ

Since slab is symmetrically loaded
RA = RB = W/2 = 26.8 kN
Ultimate shear force (V ) = 26.8 kN and design shear stress, υ, is
V 26.8 × 103
υ= = = 0.17 Nmm−2
bd 103 × 155

Design concrete shear stress, υc

Assuming that 50 per cent of main steel is curtailed at the supports, A s = 523/2 = 262 mm2/m
100 A s 100 × 262
= = 0.169
bd 103 × 155
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 Slabs

Example 3.11 continued

From Table 3.11, design concrete shear stress for grade 25 concrete is 0.44 Nmm−2. Hence
υc = (35/25)1/3 × 0.44 = 0.52 Nmm−2
From Table 3.16 since υ < υc, no shear reinforcement is required.

REINFORCEMENT DETAILS
The sketch below shows the main reinforcement requirements for the slab. For reasons of buildability the actual
reinforcement details may well be slightly different.

23-H08-200

01-H10-150
01 01 Alternate
bars
reversed
01-H10-150

40 155
H08-200
30
08 08 08

30
01
425 mm 10
150

C
L

01-H10-150 Alternate bars

reversed

23-H08-200

Check spacing between bars

Maximum spacing between bars should not exceed the lesser of 3d (= 465 mm) or 750 mm. Actual spacing = 150 mm
main steel and 200 mm secondary steel. OK

Maximum crack width

Since the slab depth does not exceed 200 mm, the above spacing between bars will automatically ensure that the
maximum permissible crack width of 0.3 mm will not be exceeded.
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 Design in reinforced concrete to BS 8110

Example 3.12 Analysis of a one-way spanning concrete floor (BS 8110)

A concrete floor reinforced with 10 mm diameter mild steel bars (fy = 250 N/mm2) at 125 mm centres (A s = 628 mm2
per metre width of slab) between brick walls as shown in Fig. 3.61. Calculate the maximum uniformly distributed
imposed load the floor can carry.

h = 150 mm

150 mm

3000 mm

f cu = 30 N mm−2
115 mm
h = 150 mm
ρc = 24 kN m−3

10 mm bar
at 125 c/c Cover = 25 mm

Fig. 3.61

EFFECTIVE SPAN
Effective depth of slab, d, is
d = h − cover − Φ/2
= 150 − 25 − 10/2 = 120 mm
Effective span is the lesser of
(a) centre to centre distance between bearings = 3000 mm
(b) clear distance between supports plus effective depth = 2850 + 120 = 2970 mm.
Hence effective span = 2970 mm.

MOMENT CAPACITY, M
Assume z = 0.95d = 0.95 × 120 = 114 mm
M
As =
0.87f y z
Hence
M = A s·0.87fyz = 628 × 0.87 × 250 × 114
= 15.5 × 106 Nmm = 15.5 kNm per metre width of slab

MAXIMUM UNIFORMLY DISTRIBUTED IMPOSED LOAD (qk )

Loading

Dead load
Self weight of slab (gk) = 0.15 × 24 kNm−3 = 3.6 kNm−2
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 Slabs

Example 3.12 continued

Ultimate load
Total ultimate load (W ) = (1.4gk + 1.6qk)span
= (1.4 × 3.6 + 1.6qk)2.970

Imposed load
Wb
Design moment (M ) =
8
2.9702
From above, M = 15.5 kNm = (5.04 + 1.6qk)
8
Rearranging gives
15.5 × 8/2.9702 − 5.04
qk = = 5.6 kNm−2
1.6

Lever arm (z)

Check that assumed value of z is correct, i.e. z = 0.95d.
M 15.5 × 106
K= = = 0.0359
fcubd 2
30 × 103 × 1202
z = d [0.5 + ( 0.25 − K /0.9) ] ≤ 0.95d
= d [0.5 + ( 0.25 − 0.0359/0.9)] = 0.958d
Hence, assumed value of z is correct and the maximum uniformly distributed load that the floor can carry is
5.6 kNm−2.

3.10.3 CONTINUOUS ONE-WAY SPANNING 3. The ratio of the characteristic imposed load to the
SOLID SLAB DESIGN characteristic dead load does not exceed 1.25.
The design of continuous one-way spanning slabs 4. The characteristic imposed load does not exceed
is similar to that outlined above for single-span 5 kN/m2 excluding partitions.
slabs. The main differences are that (a) several
loading arrangements may need to be considered
and (b) such slabs are not statically determinate.
Methods such as moment distribution can be
used to determine the design moments and shear
forces in the slab as discussed in section 3.9.3.1.
y

el
Ba

However, where the following conditions are Pan

met, the moments and shear forces can be calcu-
lated using the coefficients in Table 3.12 of BS
8110, part of which is reproduced here as Table
3.23.
1. There are three or more spans of approximately
equal length. Fig. 3.62 Definition of panels and bays (Fig. 3.7,
2. The area of each bay exceeds 30 m2 (Fig. 3.62). BS 8110).

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 Design in reinforced concrete to BS 8110

Table 3.23 Ultimate bending moments and shear forces in one-way spanning slabs with simple end
supports (Table 3.12, BS 8110)

End support End span Penultimate support Interior span Interior support

Moment 0 0.086Fb −0.086Fb 0.063Fb −0.063Fb

Shear 0.4F – 0.6F – 0.5F

F = 1.4Gk + 1.6Q k ; b = effective span

Example 3.13 Continuous one-way spanning slab design (BS 8110)

Design the continuous one-way spanning slab in Example 3.10 assuming the cover to the reinforcement is 25 mm
(Fig. 3.63).

150 mm

3.75 3.75 3.75 3.75

1 2 3 4 5

Fig. 3.63

Loading
Dead load, gk = self-weight of slab + finishes = 0.15 × 24 + 1.5 = 5.1 kNm−2
Imposed load, qk = 4 kNm−2
For a 1 m width of slab, total ultimate load, F = (1.4gk + 1.6qk)width of slab × span = (1.4 × 5.1 + 1.6 × 4)1 × 3.75
= 50.8 kN

Design moments and shear forces

Since area of each bay (= 8.5 × 15 = 127.5 m2) > 30 m2, qk /gk (= 4/5.1 = 0.78) < 1.25 and qk < 5 kNm−2, the
coefficients in Table 3.23 can be used to calculate the design moments and shear forces in the slab.

Position Bending moments (kNm) Shear forces (kN)

Supports 1 & 5 0 0.4 × 50.8 = 20.3

Near middle of spans 1/2 & 4/5 0.086 × 50.8 × 3.75 = 16.4
Supports 2 & 4 −0.086 × 50.8 × 3.75 = −16.4 0.6 × 50.8 = 30.5
Middle of spans 2/3 & 3/4 0.063 × 50.8 × 3.75 = 12
Support 3 −0.063 × 50.8 × 3.75 = −12 0.5 × 50.8 = 25.4

Steel reinforcement

Middle of span 1/2 (and 4/5)

Assume diameter of main steel, φ = 10 mm
Effective depth, d = hs − (φ/2 + c) = 150 − (10/2 + 25) = 120 mm
M 16.4 × 106
K = = = 0.0325
fcubd 2
35 × 1000 × 1202
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 Slabs

Example 3.13 continued

z = d (0.5 + (0.25 − K /0.9) ) = 120 (0.5 + (0.25 − 0.0325/0.9)) = 115.5 ≤ 0.95d = 114 mm
M 16.4 × 106
As = = = 331 mm2 > A s,min = 0.13%bh = 195 mm2 OK
0.87 × f y × z 0.87 × 500 × 114
From Table 3.22, provide H10@200 mm centres (A s = 393 mm2/m) in the bottom of the slab.

Support 2 (and 4)
M = −16.4 kNm. Therefore, provide H10@200 mm centres in the top of the slab.

Middle of span 2/3 (and 3/4)

M = 12 kNm and z = 0.95d = 114 mm. Hence
M 12 × 106
As = = = 242 mm2  A s,min OK
0.87 × f y × z 0.87 × 500 × 114
Provide H10@300 mm centres (A s = 262 mm2/m) in bottom face of slab.

Support 3
Since M = −12 kNm provide H10@300 mm centres in top face of slab.

Support 1 (and 5)
According to clause 3.12.10.3.2 of BS 8110, although simple supports may have been assumed at end supports for
analysis, negative moments may arise which could lead to cracking. Therefore an amount of reinforcement equal to
half the area of bottom steel at mid-span but not less than the minimum percentage of steel recommended in Table
3.25 of BS 8110 should be provided in the top of the slab. Furthermore, this reinforcement should be anchored at the
support and extend not less than 0.15b or 45 times the bar size into the span.
From above, area of reinforcement at middle of span 1/2 is 330 mm2/m. From Table 3.25 of BS 8110, the minimum
area of steel reinforcement is 0.13%bh = 0.0013 × 1000 × 150 = 195 mm2/m. Hence provide H10 at 300 mm centres
(A s = 262 mm2/m) in the top of the slab.

Distribution steel
Based on the minimum area of reinforcement = 195 mm2/m. Hence, provide H10 at 350 centres (A s = 224 mm2/m).

Shear reinforcement

Support 2 (and 4)
Design shear force, V = 30.5 kN
V 30.5 × 103
ν= = = 0.25 Nmm−2
bd 1000 × 120
100 A s 100 × 393
= = 0.33
bd 1000 × 120
3 35
νc = × 0.57 = 0.64 Nmm−2 > ν.
25
From Table 3.21, no shear reinforcement is required.

Support 3
Design shear force, V = 25.4 kN
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 Design in reinforced concrete to BS 8110

Example 3.13 continued

V 25.4 × 103
ν= = = 0.21 Nmm−2
bd 1000 × 120
100 A s 100 × 262
= = 0.22
bd 1000 × 120
3 35
νc = × 0.51 = 0.57 Nmm−2 > ν OK
25
No shear reinforcement is necessary.
Deflection
span 3750
Actual = = 31.25
effective depth 120

Exterior spans
Steel service stress, fs, is
5 A s,req 5 331
fs = fy = × 500 × = 263.2 Nmm−2
8 A s,proν 8 393
477 − fs 477 − 263.2
Modification factor = 0.55 + = 0.55 + = 1.42
 M   16.4 × 106 
120  0.9 + 2  120  0.9 + 3
 bd   10 × 1202 
From Table 3.14, basic span to effective depth ratio is 26. Hence
span
permissible = basic ratio × mod. factor = 26 × 1.42 = 37 > 31.25 OK
effective depth

Interior spans
Steel service stress, fs, is
5 A s,req 5 242
fs = fy = × 500 × = 288.6 Nmm−2
8 A s,proν 8 262
477 − fs 477 − 288.6
Modification factor = 0.55 + = 0.55 + = 1.45
 M   12 × 106 
120  0.9 + 2  120  0.9 + 3
 bd   10 × 1202 
span
Hence permissible = basic ratio × mod. factor = 26 × 1.45 = 37.7 > 31.25 OK
effective depth

H10-300 H10-200 H10-300

565 1125 1125 1125 1125

H10-200 H10-300
3.75 m 3.75 m H10-300

1 2 3
Distribution steel is H10-350 (A s = 224 mm2/m)

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 Slabs

3.10.4 TWO-WAY SPANNING RESTRAINED

SOLID SLAB DESIGN
The design of two-way spanning restrained slabs
(Fig. 3.64) supporting uniformly distributed loads
is generally similar to that outlined above for one-
way spanning slabs. The extra complication arises
from the fact that it is rather difficult to determine Fig. 3.64 Bending of two-way spanning slabs.
the design bending moments and shear forces in
these plate-like structures. Fortunately BS 8110 ᐉy
contains tables of coefficients (βsx, βsy, βvx, βvy) that
may assist in this task (Tables 3.24 and 3.25). Thus,
the maximum design moments per unit width of
rectangular slabs of shorter side Bx and longer side
By are given by m sx
msx = βsxnB x2 (3.21) ᐉx
msy = βsynB 2y (3.22) m sy

where
msx maximum design ultimate moments either
over supports or at mid-span on strips of
unit width and span Bx (Fig. 3.65)
msy maximum design ultimate moments either Fig. 3.65 Location of moments.
over supports or at mid-span on strips of
unit width and span By
n total design ultimate load per unit area =
These moments and shears are considered to act
1.4gk + 1.6qk
over the middle three quarters of the panel width.
Similarly, the design shear forces at supports The remaining edge strips, of width equal to one-
in the long span direction, υsy, and short span eight of the panel width, may be provided with
direction, υsx, may be obtained from the following minimum tension reinforcement. In some cases,
expressions where there is a significant difference in the sup-
port moments calculated for adjacent panels, it may
υsy = βvynBx (3.23)
be necessary to modify the mid-span moments in
υsx = βvxnBx (3.24) accordance with the procedure given in BS 8110.

Table 3.24 Bending moment coefficients, βsx and βsy, for restrained slabs ( based on Table 3.14,
BS 8110)

Type of panel and moments considered Short span coefficients, βsx Long span
Values of by /bx coefficients,
βsy, for all
1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.75 2.0 values of by /bx

Interior panels
Negative moment at continuous edge 0.031 0.037 0.042 0.046 0.050 0.053 0.059 0.063 0.032
Positive moment at mid-span 0.024 0.028 0.032 0.035 0.037 0.040 0.044 0.048 0.024
One long edge discontinuous
Negative moment at continuous edge 0.039 0.049 0.056 0.062 0.068 0.073 0.082 0.089 0.037
Positive moment at mid-span 0.030 0.036 0.042 0.047 0.051 0.055 0.062 0.067 0.028
Two adjacent edges discontinuous
Negative moment at continuous edge 0.047 0.056 0.063 0.069 0.074 0.078 0.087 0.093 0.045
Positive moment at mid-span 0.036 0.042 0.047 0.051 0.055 0.059 0.065 0.070 0.034

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