DESIGN OF FLAT SLAB

DDM METHOD
DESIGN PROCEDURE – FLAT SLAB
➢ Calculate the slab thickness using table 9.5 (c) of
ACI Code. Assume α > 0.80 if edge beam is present.

➢ Check the value of α and confirm slab thickness.

➢ Check for limitation of DDM according to ACI Code
section 13.6.1
➢ Decide about size of drop panel and column capital,

if any according to ACI Code13.3.7.

➢ Check for punching shear in the drop panel and

beyond the drop – ACI Code 11.11
➢Drop Panel. ACI Code 13.3.7. A drop panel is
used to reduce the negative B.M. reinforcement over
the column of a flat slab and to enhance the shear
resistance. Size of drop panel governed by ACI
Code 13.3.7 is as follows.
• Drop panel shall extend in each direction from
centre line of a support for a distance not less
than 1/6 of the span length measured from centre
of support.
• Projection of drop below the slab shall be at least
¼ of slab thickness beyond the drop.
• In calculating the slab reinforcement, the
thickness of the drop panel below the slab shall
not be assumed greater than ¼ of the distance
from edge of drop panel to the edge of column or
column capital.
➢For design of exterior panel, calculate the value of
torsional constant ‘C’ and βt, if beam is present.
➢Calculate the total factored static moment in E-W
direction from the following formula and use greater of
the two. ( Ignore the weight of drop panel additional
thickness)
a. Mo = wu l2 l12/8 (1 – 2 c / 3l1)2 if column
capital is present. ‘c’ is size of column capital.
b. Mo=wul2ln2/8
➢ Distribute the total factored static moment to + ve and
– ve sections according to the type of span.
➢ Distribute the + ve and – ve moment in C.S. and M.S.
➢ Calculate and distribute the moments in N-S
direction.
➢ Design the slab reinforcement for the panel as
follows:
a. C.S. – ve moment is distributed over width of
drop panel and effective depth is based on
thickness of slab within drop panel. Area of
steel is calculated for full width of C.S.

b. C.S. +ve moment and M.S. moment (+ ve and

- ve) are distributed uniformly and calculation
for area of steel are based on full width of C.S
and M.S slab.
DESIGN EXAMPLE
The figure below shows part plan of a four storey
reinforced concrete flat slab floor system with an area
of 12500 sq ft at each floor level. It is divided into 25
panels of 25’ x 20’. Storey height is 10ft. f’c = 3 ksi fy =
40 ksi. Dead load consist of self wt, 3’’ thick floor finish
and 30 psf for partition. Service live load =100 psf.
perimeter wall weighs 450 lbs/ft. Design the exterior
panel ® of the floor system. Column and edge beam
sizes are shown in the figure below.
 Drop panel

5 @ 20′= 100′

R S

16″ sq col 18″ dia col

a

P Q

14″×24″ beam

b
5 @ 25′ = 125′

LINE PLAN
SOLUTION
1.Slab thickness. According to ACI code table 9.5 (c)
slab thickness for exterior and interior panel with edge
beam and for grade 40 steel (assuming α ≥ 0.80) is
given by
h = ln /40
For 18’’ circular column equivalent square column
= √(π/4 d2 ) = √( π/4 (18)2 = 16’’
ln = 25 -16/12 = 23.667 ft

Slab thickness = h = 23.667x12/40 = 7.1’’ say 7’’

2. Check value of α for edge beam
a. Effective beam size
31’’

7’’

24’’

b. Ib = k bw h3/12 14’’

hf/h = 7/24 = 0.29

be/bw = 31/14 = 2.21

k = 1+ 0.2 (be/bw) = 1.442
Ib = k bwh3/12 = 1.442 x 14 (24)3 /12 = 23256 in4
c. Value of α
α in E - W direction = Ecb Ib/ Ecs Is = Ib / Is
When same concrete is used for beam and slab
Ecb = Ecs
Is = (10’+8’’)x73/12 = 128 (7)3 /12 = 3658.67 in4
α = Ib/Is = 23256 / 3658.67 = 6.35 > 0.80
α in N - S direction = Ecb Ib / Ecs Is =Ib/ Is
Is =(12.5’+8’’)x73/12 = 158x73/12 = 4516.16 in4
α = 23256 /4516.16 = 5.15 >0.80 OK
3. Size of drop panel ACI Code 13.2.5
Minimum projection of drop panel below the slab = h/4
= 7/4 = 1.75’’ say 3’’
Length of drop panel in E- W dir = l1 / 6 = 25/6 = 4.25 ft
Length of drop panel in N- S dir = 20/6 = 3.33’ say 3.5’

Provide an interior drop panel 8.5’ x 7’.0 in size ( As

shown in figure)

4. Check for shear

Self wt of slab = 7 x 12.5 = 87.5 psf
Wu = 1.2 ( 87.5 + 3 x 12+30) + 1.6 x 100 = 344 psf
Effective depth ‘d’ in drop panel = 10 – 0.75 - 0.5 /2 = 9’’
 8..5′

Drop panel

7’

5 @ 20′= 100′

R S

16″ sq col 18″ dia col

P Q

14″×24″ beam

5 @ 25′ = 125′

LINE PLAN
a. Shear at Exterior column face 20.5’’

Critical section for punching shear lies at

a distance ‘d/2’ from the face of column. 25’’
bo = (20.5 x 2)+25 = 66’’
Assumed loaded area is shown in figure
Vu = [20 x 13.17 - 25x20.5/144] x 0.344 = 89.39kips
According to ACI 11.11.2.1 the Vc is smallest of the fol:
• Vc=(2+4/β) √f’c bod
β =16/16 =1.0
=(2 + 4/1)√3000 x 66 x 9 = 195.2 kips
• Vc = (αs d /bo + 2) √f’c bod (αs = 30 for ext col)
= (30 x 9 / 66 + 2) √3000 x 66 x 9 = 198.16 kips
• Vc = 4 √fc’ bod = 4 √3000x66x9 = 130.14 kips
 13.17’

20’

ASSUMED LOADED AREA FOR EXTERIOR COLUMN

 V = 130.14 k
c
25’’
ɸVc = 0.75 x 130.14 = 97.6 kips
Vu < ɸVc Safe

16’
25’’

’
b. At interior column
bo = 4 x 25 =100 inch 16’’
Assumed loaded area for shear is shown in figure.
Vu =[20 x 25 – 25x25/144] x 0.344 = 170.5 k
ɸVc= ɸ4√f’cbod =0.75 x 4√3000 x100X 9 = 147.9 kips
ɸVc < Vu UNSAFE
Increase thickness of the drop panel to 11’’.
d = 10’’ bo= 4(16+10) =104’’
Vu = [20 x 25 – 26 x 26 /144] x 0.344 = 170.39 kips
ɸVc = 0.75x 4 x √3000 x 104 x 10 = 170.88 kips
Vu< Vc SAFE
Check for punching shear beyond the drop ( where
thickness of slab changes to 7’’) would be ok.
 25’

c+d
20’
c+d

LOADED AREA FOR INTERIOR COLUMN

5. Total factored static moment in E-W direction
and its distribution
a. Mo = wu l2 ln2 /8 = 0.344 x 20 (23.67)2/8 =
481.83 kft l2 = 20 ft
ln = 25 _16/12 = 23.67 ft
wu = 344 psf
0.3 0.7
b. D.F.
0.50

Ext - ve moment = 0.3 Mo = 0.3x 481.83 = 144.55 kft

+ve moment = 0.5 Mo = 0.5x 481.83 = 240.92 kft
Int – ve moment = 0.7 Mo = 0.7x 481.83 = 337.28 kft
 8..5′

Drop panel

7’

5 @ 20′= 100′

R S

16″ sq col 18″ dia col

P Q

14″×24″ beam

5 @ 25′ = 125′

LINE PLAN
c. βt
Refer to effective beam size in para 2a above
C = Ʃ( 1- 0.63 X / Y ) X3Y/3
X = shorter dimension of rectangular part Y =
longer “ “ “ “
C1 = (1- 0.63x 14/24) 143 x 24 /3 +
(1- 0.63x 7/17)73x17/3 = 15324 in4
C2 = (1- 0.63x 14/17) 143 x 17 /3+
(1- 0.63x 7/31)73x31/3 = 10522 in4
C = 15324 inch4
Is = 20x12(7)3/12 = 6860 in4
βt = C / 2 Is = 15324 / (2x6860) = 1.12
c. Percentage Moment in C.S. ACI Code 13.6.4
l2/l1 =20/25 = 0.8
α1 l2/l1 =0
% of int –ve moment in C.S.= 75%
% of +ve moment in C.S. = 60%
% of ext –ve moment in C.S.
for l2/l1= 0.8
βt = 0 100
α1l2/l1 = 0 βt =1.12 88.8
βt = 2.5 75
% in C.S. = 100 -1.12 /2.5 (100 - 75) = 88.8%
Distribution of negative and positive
moment
Distribution of negative and positive moment
d. Distribution of moment

Location Total C.S. moment kft M.S.

kft moment kft
E- W dir 144.55 144.55 x 0.888 = 16.19
Ext _ ve 128.36
moment
E-W dir 240.92 240.92x0.60 = 96.37
+ve moment 144.55
E _ W dir 337.28 337.28 x 0.75 = 84.32
Int –ve moment 252.96
6. Total factored static moment in N-S direction and
its distribution
a. Equivalent rigid frame on inner columnlines
(1) Mo= wul2ln2/8= 0.344 x 25 (18.667)2/8 = 374.58kft
l2= 25 ft
0.65 0.65
ln=20-16/12=18.667 ft
0.35
(2) D.F. ACI Code13.6.3.2
-ve moment = 0.65 Mo = 0.65x374.58 = 243.48 kft
+ve moment = 0.35 Mo = 0.35x374.58 =131.10 kft
(3) % moments in C.S. ACI Code 13.6.4
l2/l1=25/20= 1.25 and α1l2/l1= 0
- ve moment in C.S = 75 %
+ve moment in C.S = 60 %
 8..5′

Drop panel

7’

5 @ 20′= 100′

R S

16″ sq col 18″ dia col

P Q

14″×24″ beam

5 @ 25′ = 125′

LINE PLAN
Distribution of moment

Location Total C.S. moment M.S. moment

moment kft kft
N-S direction 243.48 243.48x0.75 = 243.48 _182.61
-ve moment 182.61 = 60.87
N-S direction 131.10 131.1x0.6 = 131.1 _ 78.66
+ve moment 78.66 = 52.44
b. Equivalent rigid frame on outer column lines
(1) Mo = wu l2 ln2/8=0.344(13.17) (18.667)2 /8
= 197.33 kft
ln = 20-16/12 =18.667 ft
l2 = 13.17 ft 0.65 0.65

(2) D.F. 0.35

-ve moment = 0.65Mo=197.33x0.65= 128.26 kft

+ve moment = 0.35Mo=197.33x0.35= 69.06 kft
(3) %age moment in C.S. ACI Code 13.6.4
l2/l1 = 1.25 α1l2 /l1≥1.o
for +ve and –ve moment
l2/l1 1.0 1.25 2.0
α l /l >1.0 75 67.5 45
Distribution of negative and positive moment
(4)Distribution of moment

Location Total C.S moment M.S

moment kft kft kft moment kft
Beam slab
NS Direction 128.26x0.675=
–ve moment 128.26 86.58 41.68
73.59 13.0
NS Dir 69.06 69.06x0.675=
+ve moment 46.62 22.44
39.62 7.0
8.Calculation of slab reinforcement panel ®

strip Type of Mu b ft d Mu/ft ρ As =ρbd No of remarks

moment kft in kft in 2 bars

E-W dir Ext-ve 128.36 7 10 18.34 0.00558 6.7 16 # 6 *b =10’

2x½C.S. +ve 114.55 10 6 14.46 0.0124 8.9 21# 6

Int -ve 252.96 7 10 36.14 0.0109 13.18 30 # 6 *b=10’

E-W dir Ext –ve 16.19 10 6 1.62 0.00233 1.68 9#5 Use ρmin

2x½M.S +ve 96.37 10 6 9.64 0.00827 5.95 20 # 5 spacing

. Int –ve 84.32 10 6 8.64 0.00723 5.20 17 # 5

limit
8.Calculation of slab reinforcement panel®
strip Type of Mu b d Mu/ft ρ As=ρbd No of Remark
moment kft ft in kft in 2 bars s

N-s dir -ve 182.6 8.5 9.5 21.48 0.007 7.98 19 # 6

2 x ½ C.S +ve 78.66 10 5.5 7.87 0.00769 5.08 12 # 6

N-S dir -ve 60.87 15 5.5 4.06 0.0040 3.96 13 # 5

2 x ½ M.S +ve 52.44 15 5.5 3.50 0.00342 3.38 12 # 5 Spacing
limit

N-S Dir -ve 13.0 3.75 9.5 3.47 0.0023 1.18 4 #6 Use ρmin
½ C.S +ve 7.0 4.5 5.5 1.56 0.00284 0.84 4 #6 Spacing
limit

N-S Dir -ve 41.68 7.5 5.5 5.56 0.00543 2.69 9#5
½ M.S +ve 22.44 7.5 5.5 3.0 0.00293 1.45 7# 5 ,,
For calculation of steel reinforcement we use flexural
formula,
Mu = ɸρbd2 fy(1- 0.59 ρfy/f’c)
For example for a moment of 36.14 kft, As is worked
out as under:
36.14x12 =0.9 x ρx12(10)2x40(1- 0.59ρ40/3)
7.87ρ2 - ρ + 0.0100 = 0
ρ = 0.01099
As= ρbd = 0.01099x12x10x10= 13.18 in2
use 30#6 bars
Note 1. For C.S -ve moment in both directions, b for
calculation of steel area has been taken as 10 ft.
2. #6 bars have been used in C.S. and #5 in M.S.
SLAB REINFORCE MENT – PANEL (R)
DESIGN EXAMPLE
Design the panel (S) of the above floor system
Solution
1. Total factored static moment in E-W direction and its
distribution
a. Mo = wul2 ln2/8 = 0.344x20(23.67)2/8 = 481.83 kft
ln = 25-16/12= 23.67 ft
l2 =20 ft 0.65 0.65
b. D.F.
0.35
-ve moment = 0.65 Mo= 0.65x481.83 = 313.19 k
+ve moment = 0.35Mo= 0.35x481.83 = 168.64 kft
c % Moment in C.S l2/l1 = 0.8 α1l2/l1= 0
-ve moment = 75%
+ve moment = 60%
 8..5′

Drop panel

7’

5 @ 20′= 100′

R
s
16″ sq col 18″ dia col

P Q

14″×24″ beam

5 @ 25′ = 125′

LINE PLAN
 d. Distribution ofmoment
Location Total Moment C.S Moment M.S. Moment
kft kft kft
E-W Dir 313.19 234.89 78.30
–ve
moment
E-W Dir 168.64 101.18 67.46
+ ve
moment
2. Total factored static moment in N-W Direction and
its distribution
Same as para 8 a of previous example
3 Design of slab reinforcement – panel (s)

strip Type of Mu kft b d Mu /ft ρ As No of

moment ft in kft in2 bars

E-W Dir -ve 234.89 7 10 33.56 0.01013 12.15 28 # 6

C.S. +ve 101.18 10 6 10.12 0.00836 6.02 14 # 6
EW Dir -ve 78.30 10 6 7.83 0.00647 4.66 16 # 5
M.S. +ve 67.46 10 6 6.75 0.00558 4.01 13 # 5

For calculation of steel reinforcement ,we use flexural formula,

Mu = ɸρbd2 fy(1- 0.59 ρ fy/f’c)
 For example, for a moment of 33.56 k ft, As is
calculated as follows
33.56 x 12 = 0.9 x ρ x 12 (10)2 x 40 (1 _ 0.59 ρ 40/3)
7.87ρ2 – ρ + 0.00932 =0
ρ =0.0101
As = ρ x b x d= 0.0101x10x12x10=12.15 in2
b = 10 ft use 28 # 6 bars

Notes: For ease in placing of steel and convenience in

recognizing as well as to keep the spacing at a
reasonable distance, # 6 bars have been placed
in C.S and # 5 bars in M.S in the entire floor
system .