Chapter 8: Design of One-Way Slabs
Chapter 8: Design of One-Way Slabs
Chapter 8: Design of One-Way Slabs
8.1 Introduction
A slab is structural element whose thickness is small compared to its own length and width.
Slabs are usually used in floor and roof construction. According to the way loads are
transferred to supporting beams and columns, slabs are classified into two types; one-way
and two-way.
One-way slabs:
When the ratio of the longer to the shorter side (L/ S) of the slab is at least equal to 2.0, it is
called one-way slab, shown in Figure 8.1.a. Under the action of loads, it is deflected in the
short direction only, in a cylindrical form. Therefore, main reinforcement is placed in the
shorter direction, while the longer direction is provided with shrinkage reinforcement to
limit cracking, as shown in Figure 8.1.b. When the slab is supported on two sides only, the
load will be transferred to these sides regardless of its longer span to shorter span ratio, and
it will be classified as one-way slab.
CHAPTER EIGHT DESIGN OF ONE-WAY SLABS 2
(a)
(b)
Figure 8.1: One way slab; (a) classification; (b) reinforcement
Two-way Slabs:
When the ratio (L/ S) is less than 2.0, it is called two-way slab, shown in Figure 8.2.
Bending will take place in the two directions in a dish-like form. Accordingly, main
reinforcement is required in the two directions.
CHAPTER EIGHT DESIGN OF ONE-WAY SLABS 3
According to ACI Code 7.12.2.1 and for steels yielding at f y = 4200 kg / cm2 , the
shrinkage reinforcement is taken not less than 0.0018 of the gross concrete area, or
As shrinkage = 0.0018 b h .
- Tiling
0.025 × 2.30 t/m2
- A layer of plaster about 2 cm in thickness.
0.02 × 2.10 t/m2
(3) Live Load:
It depends on the purpose for which the floor is constructed. Table 8.2 shows typical values
used by the Uniform Building Code (UBC).
CHAPTER EIGHT DESIGN OF ONE-WAY SLABS 6
3. Shear:
a. Shear in end members at face of first interior support:
§ Vu = 1.15 wu l n / 2
b. Shear at face of all other supports:
§ Vu = wu l n / 2
where l n is the corresponding clear span length
See Figure 8.3 for shear force and bending moment coefficients.
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
(e)
Figure 8.3: (a) Two spans, exterior edge unrestrained; (b) two spans,
support is spandrel beam; (c) more than two spans, exterior edge
unrestrained; (d) more than two spans, support is spandrel beam; (e)
two spans, shearing force diagram
8.2.1.12 Summary of One-way Solid Slab Design Procedure
Once design compressive strength of concrete and yield stress of reinforcement are
specified, the next steps are followed:
1. Select representative 1 m wide design strip/strips to span in the short direction, as
shown in Figure 8.4.a.
2. Choose a slab thickness to satisfy deflection control requirements. When several
numbers of slab panels exist, select the largest calculated thickness.
3. Calculate the factored load wu by magnifying service dead and live loads according to
this equation wu = 1.20 wd + 1.60 wl . The dead load includes own weight of the slab in
CHAPTER EIGHT DESIGN OF ONE-WAY SLABS 9
addition to the covering materials it supports. The live load is dependent on the intended
use of the slab.
(a)
(b)
Figure 8.4: (a) Representative strip and reinforcement; (b) strip and loads
4. Draw the shear force and bending moment diagrams for each of the strips as shown in
Figure 8.4.b.
5. Check adequacy of slab thickness in terms of resisting shear by satisfying the following
equation:
Vu ≤ 0.53 Φ f c′ b d
where
Vu = factored shear force
Make sure that the net tensile strain in the reinforcement, ε t doesn't exceed 0.004.
Select appropriate bar numbers and diameters for both, main and secondary reinforcement.
Check reinforcement spacing, modify your bar selection if needed.
7. Draw a plan of the slab and representative cross sections showing the dimensions and
the selected reinforcement, as shown in Figure 8.4.a and Figure 8.4.c.
There are two main types of ribbed floors (a) hollow block floors and (b) moulded floors as
shown in Figure 8.5. Each type of floor consists of number of reinforced concrete ribs
spanning in the short directions supporting a thin topping slab above. The hollow block
floor is most suitable for small irregularly shaped floors as the hollow blocks can be easily
fitted into the irregular shapes. On the other hand, for large symmetrically supported floors,
the moulded type of floor is most suitable and economical. Steel or fiberglass moulds can
be used for temporary formwork.
Ribbed slabs can be used in one-way and two-way edge supported slabs. Either drop or
hidden beams can be used to support these slabs depending on the span.
If the ribs are provided in one direction only, the slab is classified as being one-way,
regardless of the ratio of longer to shorter panel dimensions.
(a) (b)
Figure 8.5: (a) Hollow block floor; (b) moulded floor
8.2.2.1 Key Components
The
ribbed slab consists of the following key components, shown in Figure 8.6:
a. Topping slab:
According to ACI Code 8.13.6.1, topping slab thickness is not to be less than 1/12 the clear
distance between ribs, nor less than 5.0 cm. The topping slab is designed as a continuous
beam supported by the ribs. Due to the large number of supporting ribs, the maximum
CHAPTER EIGHT DESIGN OF ONE-WAY SLABS 12
bending moment is taken as wu lc2 / 12 where wu is the factored load resisted by the topping
slab and l c is the clear distance between ribs.
3 Mu
t= ( 8.1 )
′
Φb fc
where
t = topping slab thickness
M u = factored bending moment
amounts of reinforcement are required in the supporting beams, associated with large
deflections. The second option is by providing ribs in the longer direction as shown in
Figure 8.7.b, which leads to larger amount of reinforcement in the ribs, while smaller
amounts of reinforcement are required in the supporting beams associated with smaller
deflections compared to the first option.
(a)
(b)
Figure 8.7: Arrangement of ribs: (a) ribs are arranged in the shorter
direction; (b) ribs are arranged in the longer direction
CHAPTER EIGHT DESIGN OF ONE-WAY SLABS 14
The designer has to make up his mind regarding the option he prefers. Some designers opt
to run the ribs in a direction that leads to smaller moments and shears in the supporting
beams which means much more reinforcement in the ribs. Other designers opt to run the
ribs in the shorter direction which leads to much more reinforcement in the supporting
beams. The later option leads to more economical design.
Shear strength:
According to ACI Code 8.13.8, shear strength provided by rib concrete Vc may be taken 10
% greater than those for beams. It is permitted to increase shear strength using shear
reinforcement or by widening the ends of ribs.
Although shear reinforcement is not often required, it is recommended to use 4 φ 6 mm
stirrups per meter run,
Flexural strength:
Ribs are designed as rectangular beams in the regions of negative moment at the supports
and as T-shaped beams in the regions of positive moments between the supports. Effective
flange width be is taken as half the distance between ribs, center-to-center.
c. Hollow blocks:
Hollow blocks are made of lightweight concrete or other lightweight materials. They are
commercially available in standard sizes and shapes. The most common concrete hollow
block sizes are 40 × 25 cm in plan and heights of 14, 17, 20, and 24 cm.
8.2.2.2 Minimum Thickness
To control deflection, ACI Code 9.5.2.1 specifies minimum thickness values for one-way
ribbed slabs, shown in Table 8.3. These values are applicable for normal loading conditions
and for slabs not supporting or attached to partitions or other construction likely to be
damaged by large deflections.