1

4.0 SLABS

4.1 Types of Slabs and Design Methods

4.1.1 Introduction

Slabs are plate elements forming floors and roofs in buildings and decks of bridges.

Slabs normally carry uniformly distributed load, line load due partitions converted to
equivalent uniform distributed load and concentrated load due to columns or wheel load.

Slabs may be simply supported or continuous.

4.1.2 Classification

(i) Classification based on method of support:

o One- way spanning between beams or walls

o Two-way spanning between beams or walls
o Flat slabs carried on columns and edge beams or wall with no interior beams.

(ii) Classification based on other considerations:

◊ Solid slabs of uniform thickness (includes flat slabs)

◊ Ribbed slabs with ribs in one or two directions
◊ Sloping slabs, viz. stairs, ramps;

4.1.3 Analysis

(i) Elastic Analysis

• Idealisation into strips or beams spanning one way or a grid with strips spanning
two ways
• Elastic plate analysis (theory of plates)
• Finite element analysis (best for irregular shapes and non uniform loads).

(iii) Method of design coefficient based on yield line analysis

(iii) Yield-line and Hillerbong strip methods - these are limit designs or collapse loads
methods.
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4.2 One-way solid slabs - designed as beams

4.2.1 Idealisation for design

1.0 m 1.0 m

q q

Figure 4.1: Uniformly loaded slabs

x L

w = c + 2.4x(1-x/L)

0.6L + c w c = loaded width

Parabola equation
1.2x(1-[x/L])
Effective width, w, varies with
x, L and loaded width c

e
w
0.3L + c

w = c + 2.4x(1-x/L) > e + c + 1.2x(1-x/L)

Figure 4.2: Concentrated loads
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4.3 One-way Ribbed Slabs

4.3.1 Design Considerations

(i) More economical than solid slabs for long spans as deflection control demands greater
bh 3
depth, as is evident from the expression I = ;
12
bh2
(ii) Light dead loads (stabilization by structure rather than by mass EI ≈ with less
12
material consumption);

(iii) Types of constructions

◊ Ribbed without permanent blocks
◊ Ribbed with permanent hollow or solid blocks (lightweight)
◊ Voided slab;

(iv) The concrete topping may or may not be considered to contribute to slab strength;

(v) Hollow or solid blocks may or may not be considered in assessing strength.

bv > 1.5m

< 50 mm
> 4b v

> 125 mm
Without permanent blocks

With permanent blocks

Voided slab

Figure 4.3: Types of ribbed slabs

4.3.2 Design Procedure

Shear forces and moments for continuous one-way ribbed slabs can be obtained by analysis as
for solid one-way slabs. The section should, however, be considered to be flanged.
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width of design strip

width of design strip

Figure 4.4: Design widths of slabs

The Procedure in a Nutshell

◊ Section dimensions (dimensional considerations);

◊ Load analysis;
◊ Determination of moments and flexural reinforcement, viz. M and As;
◊ Determination of shear forces and shear reinforcement;
◊ Deflection and crack control.

(i) The mid-span section is designed as a T-beam with flange width equal to distance
between ribs.
(ii) The support section is designed as a rectangular beam.
V
(iii) The slab may be made solid near the support to increase shear resistance to v = (and
bd
V
not v = ) and eliminate demand for compressive steel by making
bv d
M
K= 2 < 0.156
bd f cu
(iv) Moment reinforcement consisting of one or more bars is provided at top and bottom of
ribs.

V V
v= v=
bv d bd f
d df
Figure 4.4(b)
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V
(v) Design shear stress, for the rib, is given by v =
bv d
Where: V = the ultimate shear force on a width of slab equal to the distance between
ribs.
bv = the average width of a rib
d = the effective depth

vmax > 0.8 f cu > 5 N / mm 2

(vi) No shear reinforcement is required when v < vc, Tables 3.8 and 3.9 of BS 8110 are
otherwise valid.

(vii) Provide reinforcement fabric of 0.12% of the area of topping in each direction for the
topping.

(viii) Check deflection using span-effective depth rules.

Examples of Design of Ribbed Slab

Example 1

The accompanying diagram gives the bending moment envelope for one span of a continuous
hollow block floor slab. The bending moments given are for a 400 mm strip of floor and are the
values after 30% reduction at the support and 5% reduction at the centre of the span.

Design the slab given that fy = 410 MPa and fcu=20 MPa. It may be assumed that the upper
curve in the diagram is for Gk = 24 kN and the lower curve is for F = 64 kN (ultimate design
load).

F = 4.8 kN/m

5 kNm 20 kNm

12.8 kN/m 20 kNm

L = 5.0 m

Solution for Example 1

(i) Dimensional consideration

Assume basic span/effective depth = 20.8

d = l/20.8 = 5000/20.8 = 240 mm (initial conservative estimate)
c + φ/2 = 40 + 20/2 = 50 mm
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c + φ /2

Try overall depth, h = 250 mm

Effective depth, d = 200 mm
Flange width, be = 400 mm (given)
Flange depth (topping) hf = 50 mm, structural topping (Table 3.18 BS 8110).

(ii) Reinforcement design (assuming neutral axis is within flange)

M 20 × 10 6
K= 2 = = 0.0625 < 0.156
bd f cu 400 × 200 2 × 20
  0.0625  
z = d 0.5 +  0.25 − 
  0.9  
  0.0625  
z = 200 0.5 +  0.25 −   = 185 mm < 0.95d = 190 mm
  0.9  

x=
(d − z ) = 200 − 185 = 33 mm < 50 mm
0.45 0.45
⇒ n.a. within flange
M 20 × 10 6
As = = = 303 mm 2
0.87 f y z 0.87 × 410 × 185

Try 2Y16 (= 402 mm2 ≡ 100As/bd = 0.5%)

(iii) Modification on thickness (Tables 3.10, 3.11 and 3.12 of BS 8110)

5 f y As ,reqd 5 × 410 × 303

fs = ×1 = × 1 = 193 N / mm 2
8 As , provd . 8 × 402
M 20 × 10 6
= = 1.25 N / mm 2
bd 2
400 × 200 2

Modification factor 1.67 (Table 3.11 BS 8110)

5000
d min = = 144 mm OK. Retain d = 200 mm as assumed earlier.
20.8 × 1.67
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(iv) Extent of solid slab in vicinity of support, based on moment consideration:

Assume rib width bv =100 mm (viz. ≤ 125 mm)

Moment capacity of rib assumed singly

reinforced: hf = 50 mm
M rib = 0.156bv d 2 f cu h
M rib = 0.156 × 100 × 200 2 × 20
M rib = 12.48kNm h = 250 mm

x2
M x = − M + Rx − q
2
4. 8 × 5 4. 8 x 2
M x = −20 + x−
2 2
− 12.48 = −20 + 12 x − 2.4 x 2

2.4 x 2 − 12 x + 7.5 = 0
+ 12 ± [144 − 4 × 2.4 × 7.5 ]
x=
2 × 2.4
12 ± 8.48
x= = 4.27 m or 0.73m
4.8
x
(v) Extent of solid slab based on shear
0.73 m
considerations: 32 kN

Shear force at the support Vsol 32 kN

5 19 kN
V = 12.8 × = 32kN
2
Shear stress at support assuming solid slab.
32 × 10 3
v sol . = = 0.4 N / mm 2
400 × 200
100 As
From Table 3.9 (BS 8110), assuming = 0.5 , v c 0.60 N / mm 2
bd
Shear force at end of ribbed section
32
V sol . = (2.5 − 0.73 ) = 22.66 kN
2. 5
22.66 × 10 3
Stress, v = = 1.13 N / mm 2
100 × 200

As,rib at end of rib

M
As ,sol =
0.87 f y z
12.48 × 10 6
As ,sol = = 226 mm 2
0.87 × 410 × 0.775 × 200
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Provide 2Y16 (=402mm2)

100 As 199 × 402

= = 2.01%
bv d 100 × 200

From Table 3.9 (BS 8110)

vc = 0.95 N / mm 2
∴ v > vc

Extent solid section beyond section where vc = 0.95 at

v = 0.95 N / mm 2
V = vbv d = 0.95 × 100 × 200 × 10 − 3 = 19 kN

Distance from support:

(2.5 − x) = 2.5 × 19
32
x = 2.5 − 1.48 = 1.02

Adopt solid section 1.10m from the support.

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1100 2800 mm 1100

5000 mm

6 mm mesh

50 mm 200 250

100

Figure 4.7: The Ribbed Slab in Plan and Section

Example 2

Calculate a suitable section for a 6.5 m span of simply supported slab using the following data:
Imposed load is 4.0 kN/m2, 12 mm plaster ceiling, structural-type hollow clay blocks, mild
exposure, 2 h fire resistance. The concrete is Grade C35, and reinforcement Grade 460.

Decide dimensions and spacing of ribbed slab-

Evaluate the loads-
Determine, internal forces (moments and shear forces)
Design reinforcement
Determine extent of solid slab
Detail the ribbed slab
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4.4 Two-way Spanning Solid Slabs

4.4.1 Slab action, analysis and design.

Two-way spanning action occurs when floor slabs are supported on four sides.

Strips spanning between supports Edge beam or wall support

Failure of slabs with consistent concrete

Figure 4.8: Slab panels and failure pattern
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Where length to breadth ratio is greater than two (2) the slab action is effectively one-way
Classification of two-way spanning solid slabs according to edge conditions:

• Single panel slabs on simple supports (simply supported) (corners lift up)
• Single, panel slabs with sides restrained by integral edge beams.
• Slabs with all edges continuos over supports
• Slabs with one, two or three edges continuous over supports other edge(s) being
discontinuous on simple support(s) or restrained by edge beams.

Slabs can be:

• Regular shaped, e.g. rectangular, circular, parallelogram
• Irregular shaped, e.g. polygonal, etc.
• made with openings
• made to carry non-uniform load

4.4.2 Simply supported

1.0 m

Msy
Lx 1.0 m

Msx

Ly

Figure 4.9: Slab moment strips

Simply supported slabs do not have adequate provision for torsion nor to prevent corners from
lifting up. In the design of Simply supported slabs max moments Msx and Msy at mid-spans of
strips of unit width for spans of lx and ly respectively are determined using the equations (BS
8110 Part 1 Clause 3.5.33):
m sx = α sx nl x2 ..........................Equation10
(BS 8110)
m sy = α sy nl x2 ..........................Equation11
where lx = the length of the shorter span
ly = the length of the longer span
n =.4gk+1.6qk (= total ultimate load per unit area)

∝sx, ∝sy are moment coefficients from Table 3.14 of BS8110(Part 1)

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Table 3.14: Bending moment coefficient

Ly/lx 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.75 2
∝sx, 0.062 0.07 0.084 0.093 0.099 0.104 0.113 0.118
∝sy 0.062 0.0661 0.059 0.055 0.051 0.046 0.037 0.029

As ly/lx increase the shorter span takes an increasing share of the load. And for ly/lx ≥ 2.0 the
slab action is effectively one-way.
The coefficient∝sx, and ∝sy are derived from the equations:
(l x / l y )4
α sx =
(
8 1 + (l y / l x )
4
)
Equation 12 (BS 8110)

(l / ly )
2

α sy =
( )
x

8 1 + (l y / l x )
4
Equation 13 (BS 8110)

The tension reinforcement is obtainable using the formulae for singly reinforced rectangular
beams.

Msx
Asx = per meter strip
0.87 f y z sx
and
Msy
Msx = per meter strip
0.87 f y z sy

  k 
where: z sx = d  0.5 +  0.25 − sx   < 0.95d
  0.9  

Msx
Ksx = ; b = 1m
(bd2fcu ) for one-meter strips
M
Ksx = 2 sx
(d fcu )
zsy, Ksy are similarly defined

100As/bd > 0.24 for fy = 250N/mm2

> 0.15 for fy = 410N/mm2

Curtailment of reinforcement
12 φ
M4
M3
M2
M1
Mmax

Figure 4.10: Curtailment of reinforcement

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• Curtailment philosophy
- Theoretical cut-off points
- Practical cut-off points
• 40% of the mid-span reinforcement should extend to support and be anchored 12φ
beyond centre of support.
• The bars should be curtailed at 0.1L from support

Load distribution to beams and loads causing shear on strips of 1 m width are as shown in Fig.
4.11 below:

Load on Beam B
Beam B

45 o
Beam A

1.0m

Load on Beam A 1.0m

Figure 4.11: Load distribution from slabs to beams

Solid slabs are not normally designed for shear. The shear resistance is checked using Clause
3.55(BS).

Deflection
• It is sufficient to check the span-effective depth ratio of unit strip spanning in the
shorter direction.
• The amount of steel in the direction of shorter span is used for the check. Table 3.10 &
3.11.

Table 3.10: Basic span/effective depth ratios for rectangular or flanged beams

Support Condition Rectangular section

Cantilever 7
Simply supported 20
Continuous 26

Tables to be given

For crack control in slabs Cl. 3.12.11.2.7 given

- So < 3d :(So -reinforcement spacing)
- < 750mm
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- no further check is required on bar spacing if

1. fy = 250N/mm2 and h < 250mm
2. fy = 410N/mm2 and h < 200mm
3. minimum recommended amount of steel is less than o.3%

Where 1, 2 or 3 don’t apply spacing as given in table 3.30 for 100As/bd ≥1.0 otherwise divide
by percentage of reinforcement.

4.5 Restrained solid slabs

4.5.1 Design

In restrained slabs corners are prevented from lifting and provision is made for torsion.
-The maximum moments at mid span on strips of unit width for spans lx and ly are given by
msx = β sxnlx2 ..........................Equation
14
BS8110
msy = β synlx ..........................Equation
2
15

Equation 14 and 15 may be used for continuous slabs when the following conditions are
satisfied
- gk and qk on adjacent panels are approximately the same.
- Spans of adjacent panels in direction perpendicular to common support are
approximately equal.

Case 4 Case 3 Case 4:

3
Case 2 Case 1
2

Figure 4.12: Slab panels

Location Ly/Lx=1 Ly/Lx=1.5

Short 1 -0.047 -0.078
Span 2 0.-36 0.059

Long 3 -0.045 -0.045

Span 4 0.034 0.034

Design rules for slab:

- Slab apportioned into middle and edge strips
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Ly
Ly/8 Ly/8

Lx/8
Edge strip

Middle strip
Lx
Lx/8

Figure 4.13: Slab strips

Maximum design moments apply only to middle strips. The moment reinforcement is
designed using formulae for singly reinforced rectangular beams (sections).

m sx
Asx =
0.87 fyz sx
and
m sy
Asy =
0.87 fy.z sy

Where :
100As/bd > 0.24 for fy = 250 MPa
> 0.15 for fy = 410 MPa
> 0.13 for fy = 460 MPa

The bars are spaced uniformly across middle strip. Reinforcement detailing in accordance with
simplified rules of cl. 3.1.10.3 illustrated in figure 3.25 of the code. At the discontinuous edge,
top steel of 50% the area of the bottom steel at mid span is to be provided for crack control.

Reinforcement provided in an edge strip, parallel to the edge should equal the minimum area of
tension reinforcement cl. 3.12.5

Torsion reinforcement to be provided at the corners of discontinuous edges. Torsion

reinforcement should consist of top and bottom layers with bars parallel to both edges and
extending from edges a distance of one-fifth of shorter span

The amount of torsion reinforcement in each if the four layers should be 75% the area at mid
span 9maximum design moment ). At corners where only one of the edges forming it
discontinuous, torsion reinforcement 3-.5% of area provided at mid span is required.

No torsion is required at continuous corners.

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X Y Y X

Z Z

Z Z

X Y Y X

Figure 4.14: Torsional steel positions

With reference to Fig. 4.14, torsional reinforcement required at X and Y, as follows:

o At X 75% of area provided at mid-span required for each layer
o At Y 37.5% of area provided at mid-span
o At Z no torsional reinforcement required

4.5.2 Shear forces and resistance /load on supporting beams

Shear force coefficient βvx and βvx for various support cases for continuous slabs are given in
Table 3.16 (BS8110). The design shear load on supporting beams per unit width are given by:
v sx = β sx nl x ..........................Equation19
(BS8110)
v sy = β sy nl x ..........................Equation 20
Shear resistance of solid slabs is provided for in cl. 3.5.5

4.5.3. Deflection and Crack Control

This is achieved through checking the following;

- Span effective depth ratio
- Bar spacing rules

Example .3

A slab in an office building measuring 5mx7.5m is simply supported at the edges with no
provision to resist torsion at the corners or to hold the corners down. The slab is assumed
initially to be 200mm thick. The total dead load including self-weight, screed, finishes,
partitions, services etc. is 6.0kN/m2. The imposed load is 2.5kN/m2. Design the slab using grade
30 concrete and grade 250 steel reinforcement.

Example 4

A corner panel of a slab with several bays in each direction has sides 5m and 6m long. The total
ultimate load is 15kN/m2. Design and detail all the reinforcement needed for the panel. Use
fcu=20N/mm2 and fy=425N/mm2.
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Solution for Example 4

5.0 m

6.0 m

Figure 4.19: Two way slab

(i) Section dimension :

Since this is a normal restrained solid slab

h < 200mm
Try
h = 175mm
φ
d = 175 − − cover
2
12
d = 175 − − 30 = 139mm
2
( for short spanbottom reinf orcement
)
ly 6
= = 1.2
lx 5

(ii) Loading :Total Ultimate load, n =15 kN/m2

msx = nβ sxl x2 ; _ β sx = −0.063; _+ 0.047

(iii) Moments
msy = nβ syl x2 ; _ β sy = −0.045 ; _+ 0.034

Short Span

.-ve moments, Msx = − (15 × 0.063 × 5.0 2 ) = −23.6 kNm/ m

.+ve moments, Msx = (15 × 0.043 × 5.0 2 ) = 17.6kNm/ m

Long span

.-ve moments, Msy = −(15 × 0.045 × 25 ) = −16.9kNm/ m

.+ve moments, Msx = (15 × 0.034 × 5.0 2 ) = 12.75kNm/ m
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(iv) Deflection check-midspan of short span:

−Msx = 17.6kNm/ m

msx 17.6 × 10 6
−K= = = 0.0455 < K' = 0.156 _ okey
bd2 fcu 1000 × 139 2 × 2
  K  
z = d  0.5 +  0.25 − 
  0.9  

  0.0455  
z = 139 0.5 +  0.25 − 
  0.9  

z = 139 × 0.947 < 0.95d
z = 131.6 mm

m sx 17.6 × 10 6
Asx = = = 375 mm 2
0.87 × f y z 0.87 × 410 × 131.6
Try to provide Y 10 − 200 c / c (≡ 392 mm 2
/m )
Service stress

5 f y As ,reqd .
fs = ×1
8 As , prov .
5 × 410 × 375
fs = = 245 N / mm 2
8 × 392
∴ Modofication factor = 1.63
5000
∴ d min = 118 mm < 139 OK
26 × 1.63

(v) Reinforcement Design

Short span:
-mid span reinforcement Y10-200mm c/c
-support reinforcement
msx 23.6 × 10 6
K= = = 0.061 < K
bd2 fcu 1000 × 139 2 × 20
  K  
z = d  0.5 +  0.25 − 
  0.9  

  0.061  
z = 139 0.5 +  0.25 − 
  0.9  

z = 139 × 0.927 = 128.8mm
23.6 × 10 6
Asx = = 514mm2 (≅ 0.37%)
0.87 × 410 × 128.8
Provide_Y 12 − 220mm/ m _ c / c
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-Long span:

Effective depth

φ
d = 175 − − φ − cover
2
12
d = 175 − − 12 − 30 = 127 mm
2

Mid span

m sy 12.75 × 10 6
= = 0.0395 < K'
bd 2 f cu 1000 × 127 2 × 20
  0.039  
z = 127  0.5 +  0.25 − 
  0 . 9 

z = 127 × 0.945 = 120.6 > 0.95 × 127
∴ z = 120.6 mm
m sy 12.7 × 10 6
As = =
0.87 × f y z 0.87 × 410 × 120.6
(
Pr ovide Y 10 − 250 mm c / c ≡ 314 mm 2 )
Support Moments,

m sy 16.9 × 10 6
= = 0.052 < K'
bd 2 f cu 1000 × 127 2 × 20
  0.052  
z = 127  0.5 +  0.25 − 
  0.9  

z = 127 × 0.94 = 120.6 < 0.95 × 127
∴ z = 119 mm
m sy 16.9 × 10 6
As = =
0.87 × f y z 0.87 × 410 × 119
(
Pr ovide Y 12 − 275 mm c / c ≡ 411mm 2 ≅ 0.32% )
Check spacings (cl.3.11.2.7)

s > 3 × d = 3 × 139 = 417 mm _ okay

460
h < 200 = 224 mm ; f y = 410 ; no futher check reqd .
410
 20

(vi) Shear check

Short span

max,
Vsx = β vxnlx = 0.47 × 15 × 5 = 37.5kN / m
Vsx 37.5 × 10 6
vsx = = = 0.25N / mm2
bd 1000 × 139
vc ≈ 0.55N / mm2 > vsx _ okay

Long span

max,
Vyx = β vynlx = 0.40 × 15 × 5 = 30kN / m
Vsx 30 × 10 6
vsx = = = 0.24N / mm2
bd 1000 × 127
vc ≈ 0.55N / mm2 _ okay

(vii) Min. reinforcement for edge strip and distribution reinforcement

0.15
As,min = × 1000 × 139 = 208.5mm2 / m
100
Provide Y 8 − 225mmc / c

(vii) Torsion Reinforcement

-Torsion reinforcement is required at three corners

-corner with two discontinuous sides
. 4 layers each with As=(3/4)(392)=294mm2/m
-Corner with one discontinuous side
. 4 layers each with As=(0.5)(294)=147mm2/m
-At corner As=294+208 Y10-250mm c/c +Y8-225mm c/c
-At semi-exterior corner As=147+208 Y8-300mm c/c +Y8-225mm c/c
 21

4.6 Waffle Slabs

These are two way spanning ribbed slabs, thus:

- General provision for construction and design of waffle slabs are as for one-way spanning
ribbed slabs
- Design moment can be obtained from the Table 3.14 or 3.15 depending on whether the slab
is simply supported or restrained.
The slabs may be made solid in the vicinity of supports to increase moment capacity and
shear resistance.

- Solid areas are also required at corners to accommodate torsion reinforcement.

- Consider strips of widths equal to the spacing of the ribs.

Example 5

Design a waffle slab for an internal panel of a floor system that is constructed on an 8m square
module. The total dead load is 6.5 kN/m2 and the imposed load is 2.5 kN/m2. The materials of
construction are Grade 30 concrete and Grade 410 reinforcement steel.
8000 mm

14 @ 500 = 7000 mm 500

500
solid
solid
8000 mm

500 500

75
275 d
200
125

Figure 4.15: Diagram of a Waffle Slab

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Solution to Example 5

(1) Design Load

n = 1.4(6.5) + 1.6(2.5) = 13.1 kN/m2

From Table 3.15 (BS 8110), the middle strip moments for an interior panel for the slab width
supported by one rib are;

Support: Msx = -0.031 x 13.1 x 82/2 = -12.99 kNm

Midspan: Msy = 0.024 x 13.1 x 82/2 = 10.06 kNm

(2) Steel reinforcement

(i) Consider support section

Assume Φ12 mm main bars and Φ6 mm links,

Outer layer: d = 275 – 25 – 6 – 6 = 238 mm
Inner layer: d = 275 – 25 – 6 – 12 – 6 = 226 mm

Support solid section 500 mm wide

M 12.99 x 10 6
K= = = 0.015 < 0.156
bd 2 f cu 500 x 238 2 x 30
⇒ It is singly reinforced.

z = 238[0.5 + (0.25-0.015/0.9) 0.5] = 233.8 mm > 0.95d

0.95d = 226.1 mm. Therefore z = 226.1 mm

12.99 x 10 6
As = = 143.6 mm 2
0.87 x 460 x 226.1

Provide 2Y10 (As = 157 mm2)

At the end of the solid section, the moment of resistance of the concrete ribs with width 125 mm
is:

M = 0.156 x 30 x 125 x 2382/106 = 33.14 kNm

This moment exceeds the moment at the support, so the ribs are able to resist the applied
moment without compression steel. The applied moment at 500 mm from support is definitely
less than the moment at the support.

(ii) Consider mid span section

Center of span, T-beam, d = 226 mm. The flange width is 500 mm. The moment of resistance of
the section when 0.9x equals the depth of topping (75 mm) is:

MR = 0.45 x 30 x 500 x 75(226 – 0.45 x 75)/106 = 97.33 kNm > 10.06 kNm
 23

The neutral axis lies within the flange. The steel can be calculated in the same way as for
support steel, considering appropriate K and the moment arm, z.
⇒ As = 117.1 mm2

Provide 2Y10 (As = 157 mm2)

(3) Shear resistance

The shear force coefficient is taken from Table 3.16 of BS 8110. The shear at the support for
the width supported by one rib is:

Vsx = 0.33 x 13.1 x 8/2 = 17.29 kN

The shear on the ribs at 500 mm from support is :

V = 17.29 – (0.5 x 13.1 x 0.5) = 14.02 kN

14.02 x 1000
v= = 0.47 N / mm 2
125 x 238
100 As 100 x 157
= = 0.53
bd 125 x 238

1 1 1
0.79( 0.53 ) 3 ( 400 / 238 ) 4 ( 30 / 25 ) 3
vc = = 0.62 N / mm 2 > v = 0.47 N/mm2
1.25

Shear reinforcement is not required, however the shear stress v exceeds vc/2 and 2 bars are
provided in the rib and so links are required. Make the links 6 mm diameter in grade 250
reinforcement, Asv = 56 mm2.

56 x 0.87 x 250
Sv = = 243.6 mm > 0.75 d = 0.75 x 238 = 169.5 mm
0.4 x 125

So, provide the links R6 –160 mm c/c along the rib

(4) Deflection

bw 125
= = 0.25 < 0.30
b 500
The basic span/d ratio is 20.8 (Table 3.10 BS 8110)

M
= 0.394
bd 2
5 x 460 x 117.1
fs = = 214.4 N / mm 2
8 x 157

The modification factor is:

477 − 214.2
0.55 + = 2.24 < 2.0
120 ( 0.9 + 0.394 )
 24

Allowable span/d ratio = 20.8 x 2 = 41.6

Actual span/d ratio = 8000/226 = 35.4 < 41.6
The design is OK

(5) Reinforcement in Topping

The area required per metre width is :

0.12 x 75 x 1000/100 = 90 mm2/m

The spacing of the wires is not greater than one-half the center to center distance of the ribs, i.e
250mm. Provide D98 wrapping mesh with 98mm2/m and wire spacing 200 mm in the center
topping.
 25

4.7 Stair Slabs

4.7.1 General

Types: - Transverse spanning

- Longitudinal spanning

Typical beam

Flight
Nominal
distribution Span
reinforcement
(a) (b)

900 mm
maximum

Span Span

(c) (d)
Figure 4.16: Staircase support forms

G N For comfort:
• 2R + G = 570 – 630 mm
G = Going • R ≤ 190 mm
R = Rise
R • G ≥ 225 mm
T = Tread • n.R ≤ 16 per Flight
N = Nosing
• α ≤ 38o
W = Waist
w

Figure 4.17: Stair flight details

(1) Transverse spanning stair slabs

- May span between walls, a wall and stringer (edge beam) or between two stringers.
- May cantilever from a wall
- Cantilever both sides of a spine beam

(2) Longitudinal spanning stair slabs

- May span into a landing

- May span between supporting beams
 26

4.7.2 Loading on Stairs

According to CP 3 Chapter 5, Part I, the imposed load can be taken as:

- Residential houses not over 3 stories: 1.5 kN/m²

- All other buildings, the same as the floors to which they give access, but not less than
3.0 kN/m² or more than 5.0 kN/m²

The higher value is for public buildings. The self weight of the inclined part is usually related to
the plan area of 1.0 m2, so that the internal action can be determined as for horizontal beam.
1
Therefore, the weight of the inclined slab is to be increased by a factor of .
Cosα
Loads: (Refer to Fig 4.18)

g k ,1 = ρ c h
ρcw 1 1
g k ,2 = + R .T .ρ c
cos α 2 T
q k = 3.50 kN / m 2
or 5.00 kN / m 2

where ρc = density of concrete

4.7.3 Design provisions

Provisions for the design of staircases are set in BS 8110, Part I, section 3.10 are summarized
below:
(i) the stair case may be taken to include a section of landing spanning in the same direction
and continuous with the stair flight;
(ii) when a staircase or landing spans in the direction of the flight and is built into the wall,
at least 110 mm along part or all of the length, a strip 150 mm wide may be deducted
from the loaded area;
(iii) when a staircase is built monolithically at its ends into structural members spanning at
right angles to its span, the effective span is given by:

l a = 0. 5 ( l b 1 + l b 2 )
where la = clear distance between supporting members
lb1 = breadth of a supporting member at one end or 1.80 m whichever is
the smaller;
lb2 = breadth of a supporting member at one end or 1.80 m whichever is
the smaller.
(iv) the effective span of simply supported staircases without stringer beams should be taken
as the horizontal distance between centrelines of supports plus the effective depth,
whichever is the lesser;
(v) the depth of the section is to be taken as the minimum thickness perpendicular to the
soffit of the stair slab;
(vi) the design procedure is the same as for beams and slabs;
(vii) for staircases without stringer beams when the stair flight occupies at least 60% of the
span the permissible span-to-effective-depth ratio may be increased by 15%.
 27

h
T

L
gk,2
g k,1 g k,1
Dead loads

L
qk
Imposed load

Figure 4.18: Staircase loads

 28

Example 4.7.1

Design the stairs shown where the rises are 175 mm, going is 250 mm, tread is 275 mm, 25 mm
floor finish on treads, 15 mm plaster on underside and an imposed load of 3.0 kN/m2. The
material properties are fcu = 25 N/mm2 and fy = 460 N/mm2. (Ref Fig. 1.19)

1.50 m

3.25 m
0.25 m

1.50 m

1.50 m 8 @250 = 2.0 m 2.20 m

Figure 1.19: The staircase in plan

Span of stairs = 0.75 + 2.0 + 0.90 = 3.65m

Assuming continuity, take the span/effective depth ratio as 30, hence d = 122 mm. Allowing 26
mm for cover, etc, h = 148 mm. For landing if we assume a ratio (simply supported), we shall
get d = 135 mm, which means h = 161 mm.

Try a waist of 150 mm thick and a landing of 160 mm.

Ratio for increase in weight due to slope is 1.22

Stairs
Loading: Waist = 0.150 x 1.22 x 24.00 = 4.4 kN/m2 on plan
Steps = (0.175/2) x 24.00 = 2.10 kN/m2
Finishes = 0.025 x 20 x 275/250 = 0.55 kN/m2
Plaster = 0.015 x 19 x 1.22 = 0.35 kN/m2
Total dead load = 7.40 kN/m2

Design load = 7.40 x 1.4 + 3 x 1.6 = 15.20 kN/m2

RA = 15.2 x 2x 1.9/3.65 = 15.80 kN
RB = 30.40 – 15.80 = 14.60 kN
Maximum Moment M at 0.90 + 14.6/15.2 = 1.86 m from B
M = 14.6 x 1.86 – 15.2 x (0.96)2/2 = 20.20 kNm
M 20.20 x 10 6
= = 1.31
bd 2 10 3 x 124 2
From tables, 100As/bd = 0.35
 29

As = (0.35/100) x 1000 x 124 = 434 mm2/m. Provide 12mmφ at 250 c/c (As = 452 mm2/m)

Factor for tension reinforcement = 1.3

Allowable L/d = 26 x 1.33 = 33.8
Actual ratio = 29.4 which is satisfactory

Distribution reinforcement = 0.13 x 1000 x 150/100 = 195 mm2/m

Provide 8 mmφ at 250 c/c .

Landing
For small landing we shall assume load from stairs is carried uniformly on whole width.
Loading
Slab = 0.16 x 24 = 3.84 kN/m2
Finishes = = 0.50 kN/m2
Plaster = = 0.26 kN/m2
Total = 4.60 kN/m2

Design load = 4.6 x 1.4 + 3 x 1.6 = 11.2 kN/m2

Total load per metre-run of landing = 11.2 x 1.5 + 15.8 = 32.60 kN

M at L/8 = 32.6 x 3.252/8 = 43.10 kNm
B = 1500 mm, d = 134 mm

M
= 1.60 , from tables, 100As/bd = 0.42
bd 2

As = 844 mm2
This area is total, so provide 8/12mmφ bars (As = 905 mm2/m)
fs =288 x 844/905 = 269 N/mm2, so the factor for tension reinforcement = 1.24
Allowable L/d = 20 x 1.24 = 24.8
Actual ratio = 24.2 , the design is OK

For the wider landing we shall assume the effective width carrying the load from the stairs is
0.90 x 2 = 1.80 m. The calculations would be therefore be done as for the smaller landing For
the reinforcement in the remaining 400 mm it is suggested that the bars of the same size and
spacing as for the main part of the landing be provided.