CHAPTER SEVEN
Direct Design Method
• The direct design method (DDM) ACI 8.10. is an approximate procedure to
determine the analysis and design of two-way slabs. The method uses a set
of coefficients for determining the design moments at critical sections.
• Two-way slab systems that do not meet the method’s limitation of the ACI
code 8.10.2 must be analyzed by more accurate procedures, such as the
equivalent frame method, or finite element method.
• Direct design method is used with these types of slabs:
1. Slab supported by beams or walls.
2. Flat slabs.
3. Flat plate slabs.
4. Two-way grid slabs (waffle slab).
LIMITATIONS OF THE DIRECT DESIGN METHOD:
1. There must be THREE continuous spans in each direction.
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2. Panel should be rectangular, with the ratio of longer to shorter dimensions
(centre to centre of columns), is lesser or equal to 2.
3. Column offset shall not exceed 10% of the span in the direction of offset from
either axis between center lines of successive columns
4. Successive span lengths measured centre to centre of supports in each
direction should not differ by more than 1/3 the longer span.
5. All loads shall be due to gravity only (no lateral loads) and uniformly
distributed over the entire panel. The direct design method cannot be used
for unbraced, laterally loaded frames, foundation mats and prestressed
slabs.
6. The service live load shall not exceed twice the service dead load.
GENERAL CONCEPT FOR ANALYSING TWO-WAY SLABS USING DDM
1. Divide the slab into longitudinal and transverse frames (usually the frame
direction is mentioned in the question).
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2. For each frame calculate the total static moment for the exterior and interior
spans.
𝑊𝑢 𝑙2 𝑙𝑛2
𝑀0 =
8
where:
Wu = 1.2 WD + 1.6 WL
l2 = frame width
ln = clear span of l1, face to face of column, face to face of capitals,
brackets ≥ 0.65 l1
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3. Distribute longitudinally the total static moment into negative and positive
moments for each of the exterior and interior spans.
• Each span has 3 moments (2 negative moments & 1 positive moment).
• Each frame has a total of 9 moments (6 negative moments & 3 positive
moments).
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For Interior Span: According to ACI [Link], Mo for the interior span shall be
distributed as follows:
1. (-Ve) Negative moment at the face of support = 0.65 Mo
2. (+Ve) Positive moment at the center of span = 0.35 Mo
For exterior (end) span: in the case of exterior spans, the distribution of the total
static moment among the three critical moment sections (interior negative,
positive, exterior negative) depend on the flexural restraint provided for the slab
by the exterior column or wall, and depends upon the presence or absence of
beams on the column lines.
(1) Exterior edge unrestrained: This means that the exterior edge has no moment
restraint, such as in the case where the slab is supported by a brick wall.
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(2) Slab with beams between all supports: this case is a two-way slab that has
beams between columns in all directions.
(3) Slab without beams between interior supports: In this case, the slab is without
interior beams. However, this case is divided into two parts when the slab has no
edge beam around the slab and the second parts is when the slab has an edge
beam.
(4) Exterior edge fully restrained: this is the case where the slab is supported by
concrete walls and the edges are moment restrained.
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EXAMPLE 3: for the flat plate slab shown in the figure below, the slab is subjected
to a live load of 3kN/m2 and a dead load (including the slab’s self-weight) of 2.5
kN/m2. Columns carrying the slab are square at a size of 400mm. Determine the
following:
1. Longitudinal distribution of the total static moment at factored loads for an
interior longitudinal frame.
2. Longitudinal distribution of the total static moment at factored loads for an
exterior transverse frame.
Solution:
Longitudinal distribution of the
total static moment at factored
loads for an interior longitudinal frame.
Wu = 1.2 WD + 1.6 WL
1.2 (2.5) + 1.6 (3)
= 7.8 kN/m2
1. Longitudinal distribution of the total static moment at factored loads for an
interior longitudinal frame.
Ln = 6 − 0.4 = 5.6 or 0.65 × L1= 0.65 × 6 = 3.9
⸫Use Ln = 5.6 m.
L2 = (5/2 + 5/2) = 5.0 m
𝑊𝑢 𝑙𝑛2 𝑙2
𝑀0 =
8
𝑊𝑢 𝑙𝑛2 𝑙2 7.8 × 5.6 2 × 5
𝑀0 = = = 152.88 𝑘𝑁.𝑚
8 8
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For Interior span:
(+Ve) Moment at center of span = 0.35 × (152.88) = 53.508 kN.m
(−Ve) Moment at the face of supports = 0.65 × (152.88) = 99.37 kN.m
For exterior span:
Interior (−Ve) moment
= 0.7 × (152.88) = 107.88 kN.m
(+Ve) Moment = 0.52 × (152.88)
= 79.497 kN.m.
Exterior (−Ve) Moment = 0.26 × (152.88)
= 39.7488. kN.m
2. Longitudinal distribution of the total static moment at factored loads for
an exterior transverse frame.
L1 = 5 m, L2 = 3 + 0.5 (0.4) = 3.2 m
Ln = 5 – 0.4 = 4.6 m or 0.65 (5) = 3.25 m
use Ln = 4.6 m
𝑊𝑢 𝑙𝑛2 𝑙2 7.8 × 4.6 2 × 3.2
𝑀0 = = = 66.0192 𝑘𝑁.𝑚
8 8
For Interior span:
(+Ve) Moment at center of span = 0.35 × (66.0192)
= 23.12 kN.m
(−Ve) Moment at the face of supports = 0.65 × (66.0192)
= 42.913 kN.m
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For exterior Span:
Interior (−Ve) = 0.7 * (66.0192)
= 46.213 kN.m
(+Ve) = 0.52 * (66.0192)
= 34.33 kN.m
Exterior (−Ve) = 0.26*(66.0192)
= 17.165 kN.m
3. LATERAL DISTRIBUTION OF LONGITUDINALMOMENT:
• Having distributed the total factored static moment (Mo) to the positive
and negative moments as described previously, the designer still must
distribute each of the positive and negative moment into column strip
and middle strip for each design frame.
• The longitudinal moment values mentioned in the previous section are
for the entire width of the equivalent building frame. This frame width is
the sum of the widths of two half column strips and two half middle strips
of two adjacent panels.
• The width of a column strip is taken as follows:
0.25 L1 or 0.25 L2 which ever smaller
Look at the example below:
• The lateral distribution on moments depends on the:
1. Relative stiffness of parallel beam (αf1)
2. The ratio of l2/l1
3. Torsional stiffness of the torsional member (C).
4. Relative stiffness for torsional member (βt).
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Example 4: Define the column and middle strips’ width for the slab shown below
for both interior and exterior longitudinal frames. The columns are square shaped
having a dimension of 900mm.
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Solution:
For external Longitudinal frame:
width of column strip = 0.25(7) or 0.25(8) + (column/2)
= 1.75 + (0.9/2) = 2.2
width of half middle strip = 4 + 0.45 – 2.2 = 2.25 m
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7.1Lateral Distribution for Negative Internal Moment:
Column strip shall be proportioned to resist the following portions in percent of
interior negative factored moments ACI [Link].
Note: the linear interpolation for transverse distribution of interior negative
moment between the column strips can be based on the following equation:
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7.2. Lateral Distribution of Positive Moment:
Column strips shall be proportioned to resist the following portions in percent of positive
factored moments
Note: The linear interpolation for transverse distribution of positive moment
between the column strips can be based on the following equation:
7.2Lateral Distribution of Exterior Negative Moment:
Column strip shall be proportioned to resist the following portions in percent of
exterior negative factored moment.
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Note: The linear interpolation for transverse distribution of exterior negative
moment between the column strips and middle strip can be based on the following
equation:
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EXAMPLE 5: for the longitudinal frame A of the flat plate slab shown below, by
using the direct design method, find:
• Longitudinal distribution of the total static moment at factored loads.
• Lateral distribution of moment at interior and exterior panels.
Slab thickness = 200 mm
d = 180 mm
Wu = 15.2 kN/m2
All columns are squared shaped with the dimension of 400mm.
fc = 25 MPa, fy = 400 MPa.
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M C. S = Moment at column strip
M M. S = Moment at middle strip
See Table [Link] below:
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