Chapter 10

Two-way Slab

When a rectangular reinforced-concrete slab is supported on all four sides, reinforcement placed
perpendicular to the side may be assumed effective in the two directions. These slabs are known as
two-way slabs. The bending on these slabs occurs in both directions. However, if a rectangular slab is
supported in all four sides but the long side is two or more times the short side, the slab will, for all
practical purposes, act as a one way slab, with bending occurring in the short direction.

The code specifies two methods of designing two-way slabs. These are the direct design method (Section
5.13.6) and equivalent frame method (Section 5.13.7). However, there are other methods that can be
used. These include the strip method and moment coefficients method (Method 2).

COLUMN AND MIDDLE STRIPS

When the design moments have been determined by either the direct design method or equivalent
frame method, the moments are distributed across each panel. The panel is divided into column and
middle strips. Column strip is a design strip with a width on each side of a column centerline equal to
0.25 x L2 or 0.25 x L1, whichever is less. Column strip includes beams, if any. The middle strip is a design
strip bounded by two column strips.
MINIMUM SLAB THICKNESS (SECTION 5.9.5.3.2)

The minimum thickness of slabs without interior beams spanning between the supports shall be in
accordance with the provisions of Table 10.1 and shall not be less the following values:

(a) Slabs without drop panels---------------------------------------------------------125 mm

(b) Slabs with drop panels-------------------------------------------------------------100 mm

Table 10.1: Minimum Thickness of Slabs without Interior beams

Without drop panels With drop panels

Note (2) Note (2)
Exterior panels Interior panels Exterior panels Interior panels
Yield Stress f MPa Note (1) Without With Without With
edge edge edge edge
beams beams beams beams
Note (3) Note (3)
275 Ln/33 Ln/36 Ln/36 Ln/36 Ln/40 Ln/40
415 Ln/30 Ln/33 Ln/33 Ln/33 Ln/36 Ln/36

(1) For values of reinforcement yield stress between 275 and 415 MPa minimum thickness shall be
obtained by linear interpolation.
(2) Drop panel is defined in Sections 5.13.4.7.1 and 5.13.4.7.2.
(3) Slabs with beams between columns along exterior edges. The value of α for the edge beam shall
not be less than 0.8.
The minimum thickness of slabs with or without beams spanning between the supports on all sides and
having a ratio of long to short span not exceeding 2 shall be

Ln ( 800+0.73 f y )
h=
36,000+5,000 β ¿ ¿
Eq. 10-1

but not less than

Ln (800+0.73 f y )
h=
36,000+ 9,000 β
Eq. 10-2

and need not be more than

Ln (800+0.73 f y )
h=
36,000
Eq. 10-3

the values obtained from Eq. 10-1, Eq. 10-2, or Eq. 10-3 shall be modified as required by Sec. 5.9.5.3.4
and Sec. 5.9.5.3.5 but in no case shall the thickness be less than

(a) For α m< 2.0 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….125 mm

(b) For α m ≥ 2.0 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………90 mm

Section 5.9.5.3.4: For slabs without beams, but with drop panels extending in each direction from
centerline of support a distance not less than one-sixth the span length in that direction measured
center-to-center of supports, and projection below the slab at least one-quarter the slab thickness
beyond the drop, thickness required by Eq. 10-1, Eq. 10-2, or Eq. 10-3 may be reduced by 10%.

Section 5.9.5.3.5: At discontinuous edges, an edge beam shall be provided with a stiffness ratio α not
less than 0.80; or the minimum thickness required by Eq. 10-1, Eq. 10-2, or Eq. 10-3, shall be increased
by at least 10% in the panel with a discontinuous edge.

where:

Ln= length of clear span in long direction of two-way construction, measured face-to-face of supports in
slabs without beams and face-to-face of beams or other supports in other cases.

α m= average value of α for all beams on edges of a panel.

α = ratio of flexural stiffness of beam section to flexural stiffness a width of slab bounded laterally by
centerline of adjacent panel (if any) in each side of beam.

Ecb I b
α=
Ecs I s
Eq. 10-4

β = ratio of clear spans in long to short direction of two-way slabs.

Ecb = modulus of elasticity of beam concrete
Ecs = modulus of elasticity of slab concrete
I b= moment of inertia about centroidal axis of gross section of beams as defines in Sec.5.13.2.4.

Section 5.13.2.4: For monolithic or fully composite construction, a beam includes that portion of slab on
each side of the beam extending a distance equal to the projection of the beam above or below the slab,
whichever is greater, but not greater than four times the slab thickness.

I s= moment of inertia about centroidal axis of gross section of slab

I s= h3 /12 times width of slab defined in notations α and β.

The student may find this Code procedure in solving the minimum slab thickness very tedious, but for
slabs up to 8 m in length and with beams in all four sides having almost the same size, the minimum slab
thickness is usually not governed by Eq. 10-1.

DIRECT DESIGN METHOD (SECTION 5.13.6)

Limitations of Direct Design Method

1. There shall be a minimum of three continuous spans in each direction.

2. Panels shall be rectangular with a ratio of longer to shorter span center-to-center of supports
within a panel not greater than 2.
3. Successive span lengths center-to-center of supports in each direction shall not differ by more
than one-third the longer span.
4. Columns be offset a maximum of 10 percent of the span (in direction of offset) from either axis
between centerlines of successive columns.
5. All loads shall be due to gravity only and uniformly distributed over an entire panel. Live load
shall not exceed three times dead load.
6. For a panel with beams between supports on all sides, the relative stiffness of beams in two
perpendicular directions.
 α 1 L22
2
α 2 L1
Eq. 10-5

and shall not be less than 0.2 nor greater than 5.0.

where: L1= length of span in direction that moments are being determined, measured center-to-center
of supports.

L2= length of span transverse to L1, measured center-to-center of supports. See also Figure
10.2.

Moments in Slabs (Section 5.13.6.2)

The total moment that is resisted by the slab equals absolute sum of positive and average negative
factored moments in each direction shall not be less than

(W u L2 ) Ln2
M o=
8
Eq. 10-6

where W u is the factored load in Pa or kPa.

If the transverse span of panels on either side of the centerline of supports varies, L2 in Eq. 10-6 shall be
taken as the average of adjacent transverse spans. When the span adjacent and parallel to an edge is
being considered, the distance from edge to panel centerline shall be substituted for L2 in Eq. 10-6.

Clear span Ln shall extend from face to face columns, capitals, brackets, or walls. Value of Lnused in Eq.
10-6 shall not be less than 0.65 L1. Circular or regular polygon shaped supports shall be treated as square
supports with the same area.

Negative and Positive Factored Moments (5.13.6.3)

Negative factored moments shall be located at face of rectangular supports. Circular or regular polygon
shaped supports shall be treated as square supports with the same area.

A. In an interior span, total static moment M o shall be distributed as follows:

Negative factored moment ………………………………………………………………………………… 0.65
 Positive factored moment …………………………………………………………………………………. 0.35

B. In an end span, total factored static, moment M o shall be distributed as given in Table 10.2.

Table 10.2: Distribution of total span moment in an end span

1 2 3 4 5
Slab without
Slab with beams between
Exterior edge beams interior Exterior edge fully
unrestrained between all supports restrained
supports Withou With
t edge edge
beam* bea
m
Interior negative 0.75 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.65
factored moment
Positive factored 0.63 0.57 0.52 0.50 0.35
moment
Exterior negative 0 0.16 0.26 0.30 0.65
factored moment
*See Sec. 5.13.6.3.6

Negative moment sections shall be designed to resist the larger of the two interior negative factored
moments determined for spans framing into a common support unless an analysis is made to distribute
the unbalanced moment in accordance with stiffness of adjoining elements.

Edge beams or edged of slab shall be proportioned to resist in torsion their share of exterior negative
factored moments.

For moment transfer between slab and an edge column, column strip nominal moment strength
provided shall be used as the transfer moment for gravity load.

Factored Moments in Column Strips

Column strips shall be proportioned to resist the following portions in percent of interior negative
factored moments:

Table 10.3

I 2 /I s 0.5 1.0 2.0

 (α 1 I 2 /I 1 ¿=0 75 75 75
(α 1 I 2 /I 1 ¿≥ 1.0 90 75 45

Linear interpolation shall be made between values shown.

Table 10.4: Interpolated values of Table 10.3

Column strips shall be proportioned to resist the following portions in percent of exterior negative
factored moments:

Table 10.5

L2 / L s 0.5 1.0 2.0

( 1 2 / L1 ¿=0
α L β 1= 0 100 100 100
β 1≥ 2.5 75 75 75
(α 1 L2 / L1 ¿ ≥ 1.0 β 1= 0 100 100 100
β 1≥ 2.5 90 75 45

Linear interpolation shall be made between values shown.

Where supports consist of columns or walls extending for a distance equal to or greater than three-
quarters the span length L2 used to compute M o, negative moments shall be considered to be
uniformly distributed across L2.

Column strips shall be proportioned to resist the following portions in percent of positive factored
moments:

Table 10.6

L2 / L 1 0.5 1.0 2.0

(α 1 L2 / L1 ¿=0 60 60 60
(α 1 L2 / L1 ¿ ≥ 1.0 90 75 45
Linear interpolations shall be made between values shown.

Table 10.7: Interpolated values of Table 10.6

For slabs with beams between supports, the slab portion of column strips shall be proportioned to resist
that proportion of column strip moments not resisted by beams.

Factored Moments in Beams (Section 5.13.6.5)

Beams between supports shall be proportioned to resist 85 percent of column strip moments if (
α 1 L2 / L1 ¿ is equal to or greater than 1.0. for values of (α 1 L2 / L1 ¿ between 1.0 and zero, proportion of
column strip moments resisted by beams shall be obtained by linear interpolation between 85 and zero
percent.

Factored Moments in Middle Strips

That portion of negative and positive factored moments 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 two half middle strips. A middle strip adjacent to and
parallel with an edge supported by a wall shall be proportioned to resist twice the moment assigned to
the half middle strip corresponding to the first row of interior supports.

Modification of Factored Moments

Negative and positive factored moments may be modified by 10 percent provided the total static
moment for a panel in the direction considered is not less than that required by Eq. 10-6.

Factored Shear in Slab System with Beams

Beams with (α 1 L2 / L1) equal to or greater than 1.0 shall be proportioned to resist shear caused by
factored loads on tributary areas bounded by 45° lines drawn from the corners of the panels and the
center-lines of the adjacent panels parallel to the long sides. Beams with (α 1 L2 / L1 ¿ less than 1.0 may
be proportioned to resist shear obtained by linear interpolation, assuming beams carry no load at α = 0.
ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEMS

DESIGN OF SQUARE FOOTING

Problem 9.1

A square column footing is to support a 400-mm square tied column that carries a dead load of 880 kN
and a live load of 710 kN, the column is reinforced with 8-25mm bars. The base of the footing is 1.50 m
below the natural grade where the allowable soil pressure is 235 kPa. The soil above the footing has a
weight of 15.6 kN/m3. Assuming fy = 27.5 MPa, fc = 27.5 MPa, and unit weight of concrete as 23.50
kN/m3, design the footing. Use 25 mm main bars.

Solution

Our first task in the design of footing is the determination of its depth. This requires several cycles of
trial and error procedure because its value affects the effective soil bearing capacity. There are several
rules of thumb used by designers for making initial thickness estimates, such as 20% of the footing width
plus 75mm. However, with the aid of computer (available at GERTC), this will become easier.

Initial estimate of footing depth:

A ftg= L2= (880+710)/235

L = 2.6 m
L = 2600 mm
Depth = 20% (2600) + 75 = 595 mm say 600 mm
Effective soil bearing capacity:
q c = q a−∑ γh
= 235-23.5 (0.6) – 15.6 (1.5 – 0.6)
q c = 206.86 kPa

Dimension of the footing:

Unfactored load
A ftg=
qc
880+710
=
206.86
A ftg = 7.69 m 2 = L x L
L= 2.77 m say 2.8 m
Footing dimension = 2.8 m x 2.8 m

Factored load
q u=
Area of Footing
1.4 ( 880 ) +1.7(710)
¿ =311.1 kPa
2.8( 2.8)
q u=0.3111 MPa

Based on wide-beam shear:

V u=qu A shaded
= (0.3111)[2800(1200-d)]
V u=871.08 ( 1200−d ) N
1
V c = √ f ' c bw d
6
1
¿ √ 27.5(2800) d
6
V c =2447.2 d N

V u=ϕ v c
871.08(1200- d) = 0.85(2447.2d)
1200 – d = 2.388d
d= 354.2 mm
Based on the two-way or punching shear:
V u=qu A shaded
= (0.3111)[(2800)² - (400 + d)²]
= 0.3111 (2800² - 160000 – 800d - d²)
V u=0.3111(7,680,000−800 d−d2 )
1
V c= √ f ' c b o d
3
b o=4 ( 400+ d )
1
V c = √ 27.5 [ 4 ( 400+d ) ] d
3
V c =6.99( 400 d +d 2 )

[V ¿ ¿u=ϕ v c ]¿
0.3111(7,680,000 – 800d - d²) – 0.85[6.99(400d + d²)]
7,680,000 – 800d - d² - 7639d + 19d²
2
−8439 ± √ ( 8439 ) −4 ( 20 ) (−7,680,000)
d=
2(20)
d= 443.6 mm say 445 mm

Total depth of footing = 445 + 1.5(25) + 75

Total depth = 557.5 mm < 600 mm (OK)

Required Steel Area:

d= 445 mm
M u=( 311.1 )( 1.2 ) ( 2.8 )( 1.2/2 )
= 627.18 kN-m
M u=ϕ Ru b d 2

6 2
627.18 x 10 −0.9 R u ( 2800 ) ( 445 )
Ru=1.26 MPa

0.85 f ' c
ρ=
fy [√
1− 1−
2 Ru
0.85 f ' c ]
 =
0.85(27.5)
275 [√ 1−
2(1.26)
0.85(27.5) ]
ρ = 0.00471

1.4 1.4
ρmin = =
f y 275
ρmin =0.005091

Use ρ = 0.005091
A s=ρbd
= 0.005091(2800)(445)
A s=6,343 mm2

Number of 25-mm bars:

π
( 25 )2 N =6,343
4
N = 12.9 say 13

Development Length:
l db=0.02 Ab f y / √ f ' c
π
l db= 0.02 x ( 25 )2 (275)/ √ 27.5 = 515 mm
4
or l db=0.06 d b f y =0.06 ( 25 )( 275 ) = 412.5 mm
Furnished Ld - 1200 – 75 – 1125 mm > 515 mm (OK)

Verify if dowels or column bars extension are necessary:

Actual bearing strength = Pu=1.4 ( 880 ) +1.7 ( 710 )
Pu=2439 kN

Permissible bearing stress:

Φ 0.85 f c . A 1=0.7 ( 0.85 )( 27.5 ) ( 4002 )
= 2,618,000 N
Φ 0.85 f c . A 1=2,618 kN
 But this may be multiplied by √ A 2 / A 1 ≤ 2
A1=0.4 x 0.4=0.16 m ²
A2=2.8 x 2.8=7.84 m²
√ A 2 / A 1=7 use 2
Permissible bearing stress = 2,618(2) = 5,236 kN > 2,439 kN (no need)

Minimum area of dowel or extension bar required by the Code:

Area = 0.005(400 x 400) = 800 mm²
At least two column bars (25-mm) must be extended into the footing.

Use 2.8 m x 2.8 m footing with an effective depth to top bars of 445 mm (total depth = 560 m), with 13-
25 mm bars on each side of the footing, and at least two column bars (25-mm as given) must be
extended into the footing.