2way Slab Design

A
Two Way Slab Design Doc Nº : G91-04-01

Rev Nº :1
G
Page : 1 of 14
SECTION 91 GUIDELINE
Two Way Slab Design
ISSUE APPROVED RELEASED

DATE BY BY
This document is the copyright and the property of Beca Carter Hollings & Ferner Ltd and shall
not be copied or disclosed to any other party without the written consent of the Company.
4 INTRODUCTION
This guideline is written to provide a general outline of the steps involved in

designing a two way acting concrete slab system. Two way spanning slabs are
defined as slabs where the ratio of the larger span divided by the smaller span is less
than two (two or greater implies one action).
The slab system may include drop panels, bands, or capitals. It could be supported
on columns, beams or walls. It should not be a slab on grade or a foundation pad.
The design of the supporting elements is not included in this guideline.
5 DESIGN STANDARDS
NZS 4203:1992
NZS 3101:1995
Other Project Specific Standards
6 METHODOLOGY
Refer to Figure 3.1 over page for suggested methodology.
9100000 Civil Structural

MMR95R23.DOC Quality System Document Printed 14 April 2003
A
Rev Nº :1
G
Page : 2 of 14
Start Slab
Design
Prepare preliminary
information
(Refer 3.1)
Choose method of Carry out punching shear

analysis. check. Confirm slab
(Refer 3.2) thickness. (Refer 3.3)
Obtain strip design

moments.
(Refer 3.4)
Is the
Use ULS strip moments to structure governed by
No
design slab reinforcement SLS requirements?
(Refer 3.5)
Yes
Use SLS strip moments to

design slab reinforcement
Check against ULS

requirements.
Check slab capacity under

Prepare reinforcement mat Any column/slab
Yes moment transfers.
(Refer 3.6) moment transfers?
(Refer 3.7)
No
Check minimum
temperature/shrinkage
requirements
(Refer 3.8)
Are the size

Are there any
Do special analysis No requirements met? Yes
openings?
(Refer 3.9)
Yes
No
Adjust reforcement mat as Design Finished.

needed.
Verify.
Figure 3.1 – SLAB DESIGN CHART
A
Rev Nº :1
G
Page : 3 of 14
Note that in the following sections all references are to NZS 3101:1995 Part 1 unless
noted otherwise.
3.1 Preliminary Information
Before proceeding with the slab design a number preliminary design issues need to be
thought about. Table 3.2 of this document has a list of such issues to be considered. It
should not be considered exhaustive and is not necessarily in order.
Table 3.2 - Preliminary Design Issues

Loads The loading level the slab will be required to resist. Refer to
NZS 4203 or other project specific documentation.
Concentrated loads can be spread according to 14.3.4.
Structural Form Will the slab be supported on columns or walls? Are edge
beams or any other beam required? Does the slab need
drop panels or capitals?
Span Required distance to supporting elements.
Slab Thickness Is related to span and loading level. Must meet minimum
requirements in 3.3.2.2
Drop Panels Drop panels are used to reduce negative reinforcement
requirements over columns or walls. If the slab is to have
these then they need to conform to 14.4.8. Figure 3.3 of
this document shows these requirements in a graphical
form.
Bands Bands are essentially drop panels that have been joined up
in one direction. They are used to reduce formwork costs
and construction times, but are not efficient structurally.
Bands should meet the same requirements as drop panels.
Capitals Capitals are used to assist punching shear problems and
can be used to reduce slab or drop panel thickness. They
need to conform to 14.2.2.
Load Ultimate and Service Limit State combinations and load
Combinations factors need to be considered. For pattern live loads 14.9.6
should be referred for a reduction in required load factors.
Durability Relates to the exposure classification and level of cover
provided. In extreme conditions, such as marine
environments, additives to the concrete mix, like silica fume,
can be used to reduce concrete covers.
Material Strengths Preliminary material strengths need to be decided on for
design.

A
Rev Nº :1
G
Page : 4 of 14
3.2 Method of Analysis
Once the preliminary information has been decided this will large a large extent indicate
which analysis method is appropriate. Other factors to consider are time and suitability
constraints. Four analysis methods will be discussed. Refer to Table 3.4 of this
document for details.
Table 3.4 - Methods of Analysis

Method Limitations/Criteria Comments
Moment • Uniformly loaded slab • Approximate method.
Coefficients (as • Supported on four sides by • No redistribution of moments
per 14.7) monolithic slabs or walls. allowed.
• Corners prevented from • Includes description of
lifting. requirements for torsion at
• Slab panel divided in to edges due to restraint.
middle and edge strips with
the middle strip being the
central 3/4 of the panel
width.
Direct Design • Minimum of three • Approximate method
Method (as per continuous spans in each • No redistribution of moments
14.8) direction. allowed except as permitted by
• Successive spans shall not 14.8.9.
differ by more than 1/3 of • Does not model effect of
the longer span. increased stiffness at columns
• Columns may be offset 10% due to drop panels.
of the span (in direction of
offset).
• Uniformly distributed loads
perpendicular to slab only.
• Live Load not exceed two
times the Dead Load.
• For panels supported on all
sides by beams note
stiffness requirement in
14.8.3.7.
Equivalent • Distribution of moments and • Approximate method
Frame Method shears is primitive. • Fast, reasonably accurate
(as per 14.8) method .
• Also suited as a verification
tool.

A
Rev Nº :1
G
Page : 5 of 14
Table 3.4 - Methods of Analysis Continued

SAFE v6.0 • Does not design skew • Finite element analysis and
reinforcing. design package specifically for
• Does not perform SLS slabs.
design. • Version 6 is user friendly on a par
• Requires large amounts of with Spacegas.
computer hard disk space. • Effects of openings and point
loads can be easily modelled.
• Models effects of capitals,
beams, walls.
• Can vary position of loads,
support elements easily.
• Significant amounts of output can
be generated so an awareness of
efficient ways of data processing
can be time saving.
• Should be preferred method of
analysis on medium to large jobs.
3.3 Punching Shear
The slab should be checked for two shear conditions (as per 9.3.15), beam action and
two way action.
Beam action requires a failure plane across the whole width of the cross section and for
this reason is usually never a governing case in the design of two way slab systems. Two
way action or punching shear has a failure plane perpendicular to the slab with a
perimeter located d/2 out from the corners of the column or concentrated load.
By checking punching shear at this stage of the design it allows shear reinforcing to be
avoided with minimal rework. This is done by either increasing the slab thickness, drop
panel or band thickness, or by incorporating a capital in the design.
3.4 Strips
In slab design it is common to divide the slab into strips based on the grid system
adopted. Two types of strips should be defined. They are column or pile strips and
middle strips. Usually a middle strip is defined as the central half of the slab panel width.
Although their dimension could be governed by the analysis method used.

A
Rev Nº :1
G
Page : 6 of 14
Strips are typically defined in two orthogonal directions. Design moments are calculated
for the strip. These are most usefully expressed as kNm/m. Similarly, required
reinforcing is usually expressed as mm2/m.
3.5 Serviceability Limit State Requirements
Provided that the slab meets the minimum thickness requirements of 3.3.2.2 and does
not have an exposure classification of B2, C or U then there is no need to evaluate crack
widths and the slab is not governed by Service Limit State requirements.
If the exposure classification is B2, C or U and the stress in the reinforcement exceeds
180 MPa then allowable crack widths as specified in 3.3.3.3 should not be exceeded. In
general reinforcement required to limit crack widths will be in excess of that required
under the ultimate limit state.
Design experience has shown that if reinforcement stress is limited to 180 MPa then the
allowable crack widths are often exceeded. This is acceptable due to the inaccuracies of
the Gergely-Lutz equations when applied to slabs.
An MS Excel spreadsheet called Crack.xlt is useful in evaluating reinforcing bar stresses

and crack widths in rectangular sections. For T-sections Crack3.xlt can be used. They
can be located in \\Comm\data\apps\template\new\excel5\concrete\.
In some situations it my be necessary to limit slab deflections to protect items like

architectural claddings. Table C2.4.1 in NZS4203:1992 Commentary provides some
guidance as to deflection limits. For further more detailed limits, briefs for specific
projects can be referred to (eg. Sky City).
3.6 Reinforcing Mat
Once the reinforcing requirements to meet ultimate and service limit states are known in
mm2/m it is easy to formulate suitable reinforcing mat. This should take into account the
requirements of 14.4. The minimum extensions prescribed in figure 14.1 (attached) for
slabs not supported on beams or walls must be met.
In particular care should be taken when formulating the mat to have a minimum of 50% of
the reinforcing continuous on the bottom for both column and middle strips.
3.7 Transfer of Column/Pile Moments
Under some conditions the slab may be required to resist moments and shears
transferred from the columns or piles. These moments and shears could be generated by
a number of means as listed below.

A
Rev Nº :1
G
Page : 7 of 14
i) Where a slab is required to force a plastic hinge in a column as part of a lateral

load resisting system, it will have to resist overstrength moments.
ii) Temperature and shrinkage of the slab may induce displacements of the columns
or piles which will in turn induce moments in the columns.
iii) Unbalanced live load will also induce moments in the columns
In lieu of a special analysis the following procedure (as detailed in 14.3.5) may be used to
design for transfer of moment between column and slab.
Obtain column moment, Mo.
The slab must be able to resist γfMo over a width of slab 1.5d each side of the column.
with
1
γf =
1 + (2 / 3) (c1 + d ) /(c 2 + d)
where
c1 = size of rectangular, or equivalent, column or capital

measured in the direction of the span for which moments
are being considered.
c2 = size of rectangular, or equivalent, column or capital
measured transverse to direction of the span for which
moments are being considered.
d= distance from extreme compression fibre to centroid of
tension reinforcement.
The remainder of the column moment can be transferred by eccentricity of shear force
(refer 9.3.19.2). Thus check two way shear action as defined in 9.3.15.1(b)
vn ≤ vc
where
vc = concrete stress calculated as per 9.3.15.2
with
vn = vg + vq + vo
A
Rev Nº :1
G
Page : 8 of 14
vg= shear stress due to dead loads calculated in accordance

with 9.3.15.2
vq = shear stress due to reduced live load, Qu, calculated in
accordance with 9.3.15.2
and for interior columns/piles vo can be obtained from the formula below
2
vo (c 2 + d)(c1 + d) + vo (c1 + d) 2 = (1 - γ f )M o
3
Exterior columns are not usually critical for shear due to their reduced live and dead load
contribution. If it is wished, a similar expression for vo can be worked out for corner and
edge columns.
3.8 Temperature and Shrinkage Requirements
Minimum requirements for shrinkage and temperature are specified in 7.3.30.
These requirements are applicable for temperature and shrinkage stresses that are
normal to the principal reinforcing. Thus the minimum requirements are usually only
critical in one way slabs and should not be a governing factor for two way slabs.
3.9 Openings
If the openings meet the requirements of 14.3.7 then no special analysis need be
undertaken and the reinforcement mat can be adjusted as per this clause.
Openings that do not meet the requirements of 14.3.7 will need to have a special analysis
undertaken. In this case it could be assumed that a finite element program like SAFE will
be required.
4 SAMPLE CALCULATIONS
4.1 Example using SAFE
In this section a quick design example of will be presented. SAFE v6 will be used in the
analysis and design. All output is located in Appendix A.
The following preliminary information was used in the design.
The structure is a small jetty in a marine environment. It will consist of a flat slab on 4 m
high columns at 8 m centres. The columns are 650 mm square. There are three bays in
each direction. Live load has been assessed at 15 kPa everywhere with a separate case
A
Rev Nº :1
G
Page : 9 of 14
of a 10 tonne hopper on 1 m square pads in the central panel. Assume a slab thickness
of 400 mm, concrete strength of 50 MPa and use high strength reinforcement (fy = 430
MPa). Due to the marine environment, use a silica fume concrete mix which will allow a
cover of 50 mm to be used. Bar stresses have been limited to 180 Mpa to satisfy Service
Limit State requirements.
In an effort to limit the example’s length only the central panel has been designed. No
seismic analysis has been done and it is assumed that the continuous steel in the mat
can adequately transfer the moment.
In using SAFE v6 for this design the following points should be noted.
a) The slab was quickly formulated using the template function. Pattern live
loads are generated automatically by checking the appropriate box.
b) Ultimate limit state combinations are automatically generated. Service limit

state combinations have to be input by the user. This can be easily done by
changing the load factor of the ULS combinations generated and removing
the check from the design box. When finished SAFE will generate the ULS
combinations again.
c) All SAFE output for strips gives the total for the strip width. These figures
need to be divided by the strip width to get kNm/m or mm2/m.
d) Punching shear should be checked by hand as there is still some doubt as to

whether SAFE is doing this correctly.
4.2 Completed Slab Designs
1240366 Fergusson Wharf Flat slab. Taken to detailed design.
1206923 America’s Cup Banded slab with skew reinforcing.

Detailed design completed along with
construction observation.
9100997 Marsden Wharf Flat slab. Preliminary design.
9100954 Shakespeare Bay Flat slab. Preliminary design for an

alternative tender bid.

A
Rev Nº :1
G
Page : 10 of 14
5 HINTS AND PITFALLS

In no particular order some hints and possible pitfalls are listed below.
a) In slabs with beams, when designing SLS moments using CRACK.xls and with
multiple layers of reinforcing, check that the spreadsheet is returning the correct
answers. There is some doubt as to whether the formula in the spreadsheet is
correct for multiple layers of bars.
b) In slabs with beams and when using SAFE v6 note that SAFE assigns moments
and shears on the basis of relative stiffness between the slab and beam. In thin
slabs with deep beams this is fine. But with thick slabs and shallow beams this
means that there will still be quite high moments and shears in the slab strip.
Don’t forget to assign a portion of these strip forces to the beam.
c) Skew reinforcing where the two way reinforcing is not orthogonal are something
of a special case. SAFE can be used but the moments need to be transformed
by the Wood-Armer equations and integrated across the strip width manually.
Alternatively another analysis program like SAP 2000 or STAAD 3 could be
used. In general skew reinforcing should be avoided where possible.
d) Temperature and shrinkage movements from the slab which induce moments in
the columns will need to be transferred and these will be additive to any live load
effect.
e) In slabs with beams and when using SAFE v6 note that SAFE does not design
the beam for any compatibility torsions that might arise in the beam. Extra
longitudinal and stirrup reinforcement will have to be designed for these torsions
as per 9.3.10.
f) In section 14.3.4 you are allowed to apply a 0.75 factor to pattern live load
effects. This assumes that the maximum and minimum moments cannot exist at
the same time and allows for some moment distribution. Only apply this to
ultimate limit state moments as in service limit state there is no yielding and
hence no redistribution.
g) When using SAFE v6 note that you can output the analysis results into a
database form which can then be accessed from MS Access 97. Also the
program will both input and output Autocad .DXF files.

A
Rev Nº :1
G
Page : 11 of 14
6 REFERENCES
Reinforced Concrete Slabs R Park & WL Gamble, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1980

A
Rev Nº :1
G
Page : 12 of 14
APPENDIX A - SAMPLE SLAB DESIGN CALCULATIONS
SAFE Input - Load Combinations

SAFE v6.16 File: GUIDE KN-m Units PAGE 1
May 11,1999 8:39
LOAD COMBINATION DATA
COMBO CASE TYPE FACTOR
DCON1
DEAD DEAD 1.000 DCON14
DCON2 DEAD DEAD 1.400
LIVE LIVE 0.700 DEAD DEAD 1.200
DCON3 LIVE LIVE 1.600
PAT1 PATTERN 0.700 DEAD DEAD 1.200
DCON4 PAT1 PATTERN 1.200
AXLE PATTERN 0.700 DEAD DEAD 1.200
AXLE PATTERN 1.600

A
Rev Nº :1
G
Page : 13 of 14
SAFE Output - SLS Design Moments

May 11,1999 8:36
X - S T R I P D E S I G N M O M E N T S
X-STRIP STRIP STATION TOP-MOMEMT TOP-MOMEMT BOT-MOMEMT BOT-MOMEMT

ID WIDTH X-ORDINATE LEFT OF X RIGHT OF X LEFT OF X RIGHT OF X
MSX2 4.000 8.000 -187.415 -177.650 0.000 0.000

DCON11 DCON11 DCON1 DCON1
MSX2 4.000 8.325 -183.703 -160.614 0.000 0.000
MSX2 4.000 8.913 -156.746 -120.879 0.000 0.000
MSX2 4.000 9.500 -133.533 -100.393 14.530 36.845
MSX2 4.000 10.000 -101.648 -74.403 80.646 103.251
MSX2 4.000 10.500 -70.335 -45.874 142.538 164.134
MSX2 4.000 11.500 -31.882 -20.556 218.475 228.662
MSX2 4.000 12.500 -20.556 -31.882 228.662 218.475
MSX2 4.000 13.500 -45.874 -70.335 164.134 142.538
MSX2 4.000 14.000 -74.403 -101.648 103.251 80.646
MSX2 4.000 14.500 -100.393 -133.533 36.845 14.530
MSX2 4.000 15.088 -120.879 -156.746 0.000 0.000
MSX2 4.000 15.675 -160.614 -183.703 0.000 0.000
MSX2 4.000 16.000 -177.650 -187.415 0.000 0.000
CSX2 4.000 8.000 -300.346 -305.299 0.000 0.000

CSX2 4.000 8.325 -277.501 -681.339 0.000 0.000
CSX2 4.000 8.913 -328.829 -366.185 0.000 0.000
CSX2 4.000 9.500 -120.100 -155.084 0.083 0.000
CSX2 4.000 10.000 -54.671 -83.698 108.327 83.229
CSX2 4.000 10.500 -10.550 -36.555 193.386 169.491
CSX2 4.000 11.500 285.647 274.198
DCON8 DCON8
CSX2 4.000 12.500 274.198 285.647
DCON8 DCON8
CSX2 4.000 13.500 -36.555 -10.550 169.491 193.386
CSX2 4.000 14.000 -83.698 -54.671 83.229 108.327
CSX2 4.000 14.500 -155.084 -120.100 0.000 0.083
CSX2 4.000 15.088 -366.185 -328.829 0.000 0.000
CSX2 4.000 15.675 -681.339 -277.501 0.000 0.000
CSX2 4.000 16.000 -305.299 -300.346 0.000 0.000

A
Rev Nº :1
G
Page : 14 of 14

May 11,1999 8:36
Y - S T R I P D E S I G N M O M E N T S
Y-STRIP STRIP STATION TOP-MOMEMT TOP-MOMEMT BOT-MOMEMT BOT-MOMEMT

ID WIDTH Y-ORDINATE LEFT OF Y RIGHT OF Y LEFT OF Y RIGHT OF Y
CSY2 4.000 8.000 -305.059 -303.754 0.000 0.000

CSY2 4.000 8.325 -279.115 -667.927 0.000 0.000
CSY2 4.000 9.163 -225.236 -249.495 0.000 0.000
CSY2 4.000 10.000 -54.745 -80.233 104.872 88.029
CSY2 4.000 10.750 -9.764 -12.361 225.528 210.213
CSY2 4.000 11.500 281.399 274.787
DCON6 DCON6
CSY2 4.000 12.500 274.787 281.399
DCON6 DCON6
CSY2 4.000 13.250 -12.361 -9.764 210.213 225.528
CSY2 4.000 14.000 -80.233 -54.745 88.029 104.872
CSY2 4.000 14.838 -249.495 -225.236 0.000 0.000
CSY2 4.000 15.675 -667.927 -279.115 0.000 0.000
CSY2 4.000 16.000 -303.754 -305.059 0.000 0.000
MSY2 4.000 8.000 -184.297 -182.702 0.000 0.000

MSY2 4.000 8.325 -178.643 -178.612 0.000 0.000
MSY2 4.000 9.163 -144.186 -123.703 0.000 0.000
MSY2 4.000 10.000 -96.378 -80.808 89.821 96.098
MSY2 4.000 10.750 -53.514 -42.783 172.616 180.649
MSY2 4.000 11.500 -25.346 -20.411 224.601 229.068
MSY2 4.000 12.500 -20.411 -25.346 229.068 224.601
MSY2 4.000 13.250 -42.783 -53.514 180.649 172.616
MSY2 4.000 14.000 -80.808 -96.378 96.098 89.821
MSY2 4.000 14.838 -123.703 -144.186 0.000 0.000
MSY2 4.000 15.675 -178.612 -178.643 0.000 0.000
MSY2 4.000 16.000 -182.702 -184.297 0.000 0.000


2way Slab Design

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

2way Slab Design

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

A

Two Way Slab Design Doc Nº : G91-04-01

Two Way Slab Design

ISSUE APPROVED RELEASED

This guideline is written to provide a general outline of the steps involved in

Refer to Figure 3.1 over page for suggested methodology.

9100000 Civil Structural

Choose method of Carry out punching shear

Obtain strip design

Use SLS strip moments to

Check against ULS

Check slab capacity under

Are the size

Adjust reforcement mat as Design Finished.

3.1 Preliminary Information

Table 3.2 - Preliminary Design Issues

9100000 Civil Structural

3.2 Method of Analysis

Table 3.4 - Methods of Analysis

9100000 Civil Structural

Table 3.4 - Methods of Analysis Continued

3.3 Punching Shear

9100000 Civil Structural

3.5 Serviceability Limit State Requirements

An MS Excel spreadsheet called Crack.xlt is useful in evaluating reinforcing bar stresses

In some situations it my be necessary to limit slab deflections to protect items like

3.6 Reinforcing Mat

3.7 Transfer of Column/Pile Moments

9100000 Civil Structural

i) Where a slab is required to force a plastic hinge in a column as part of a lateral

Obtain column moment, Mo.

c1 = size of rectangular, or equivalent, column or capital

vc = concrete stress calculated as per 9.3.15.2

vg= shear stress due to dead loads calculated in accordance

3.8 Temperature and Shrinkage Requirements

Minimum requirements for shrinkage and temperature are specified in 7.3.30.

4.1 Example using SAFE

The following preliminary information was used in the design.

b) Ultimate limit state combinations are automatically generated. Service limit

d) Punching shear should be checked by hand as there is still some doubt as to

4.2 Completed Slab Designs

1240366 Fergusson Wharf Flat slab. Taken to detailed design.

1206923 America’s Cup Banded slab with skew reinforcing.

9100997 Marsden Wharf Flat slab. Preliminary design.

9100954 Shakespeare Bay Flat slab. Preliminary design for an

9100000 Civil Structural

5 HINTS AND PITFALLS

9100000 Civil Structural

9100000 Civil Structural

APPENDIX A - SAMPLE SLAB DESIGN CALCULATIONS

SAFE Input - Load Combinations

LOAD COMBINATION DATA

COMBO CASE TYPE FACTOR

9100000 Civil Structural

SAFE Output - SLS Design Moments

X-STRIP STRIP STATION TOP-MOMEMT TOP-MOMEMT BOT-MOMEMT BOT-MOMEMT

MSX2 4.000 8.000 -187.415 -177.650 0.000 0.000

CSX2 4.000 8.000 -300.346 -305.299 0.000 0.000

9100000 Civil Structural

SAFE v6.16 File: GUIDE KN-m Units PAGE 2

Y-STRIP STRIP STATION TOP-MOMEMT TOP-MOMEMT BOT-MOMEMT BOT-MOMEMT

CSY2 4.000 8.000 -305.059 -303.754 0.000 0.000

MSY2 4.000 8.000 -184.297 -182.702 0.000 0.000