Initial Sizing of Structural Elements
Reinforced Concrete
(Concrete Buildings Scheme Design Manual)
Typical span/depth ratios
One way spanning slabs (4m span 10m)
Ribbed slabs (6m span 12m)
Reinforced Concrete - Initial Sizing
(Concrete Buildings Scheme Design Manual)
Typical span/depth ratios
Two way spanning slabs (4m span 12m)
Beams
Reinforced Concrete
(Concrete Buildings Scheme Design Manual)
Typical span/depth ratios
Solid flat slabs (4m span 10m)
Waffle slabs (6m span 12m)
Post Tensioned Concrete - Initial Sizing
(Concrete Buildings Scheme Design Manual)
Typical span/depth ratios
Reinforced Concrete
(IStructE Manual for the Design of RC Structures to EC2)
Typical span/ effective depth ratios
Post Tensioned Concrete
(IStructE Manual for the Design of RC Structures to EC2)
Typical span/depth ratios
Post Tensioned Concrete
(IStructE Manual for the Design of RC Structures to EC2)
Typical span/depth ratios
Structural Steel
(IStructE Technical Guidance Note 17 Level 1)
Slab
Primary
beam
Secondary
beam
Column
Bracing
Beams
Columns
Slabs
Reinforced Concrete on profiled metal deck
In situ concrete topping on
profiled metal deck
Dovetail deck (e.g. Comflor 51)
o 130-150mm thick concrete slab
o Typical unpropped span 2.5-3.6m
Standard trapezoidal deck (e.g. Comflor 60)
o 130-150mm thick concrete slab
o Typical unpropped span 3.0-4.0m
Deep trapezoidal deck (e.g. Comflor 210)
o 270-300mm thick concrete slab
o Typical unpropped span 4.5-7.5m
Precast Concrete Hollowcore (Bison) slab
Hollowcore slab
(Bison) Hollowcore slab with structural concrete topping
Structural Timber
(IStructE Technical Guidance Note 17 Level 1)
Beams and rafters
Structural Form
Description
and
Materials
Straight
beam,
simply
supported
Solid timber,
glulam, LVL
Tapered
beam (single
or double
taper),
simply
supported
Glulam, LVL
Pitched
cambered
beam,
simply
supported
Glulam
Pitch
()
Span Range
(m)
<3
Solid < 5m
LVL < 20m
Glulam < 30m
3-10
Approximate
Properties
h l/17
10-30
h l/17
H l/16
3-15
10-20
h l/17
H l/16
Portals and arches
Structural Form
Description
and
Materials
Arch
optionally
tied with
steel
Glulam or
LVL glulam
top chords
Portal,
Curved
laminated
glulam
haunch
Pitch
()
Span Range
(m)
Rise/span
0.14
20-80m
Approximate
Properties
h l/40
>14
15-40m
h (S1 + S2)/15
Portal with
large, finger
jointed
haunch in
glulam or
LVL
10-50
Portal
strutted and
braced
haunch
Glulam, LVL
Struts same
or solid
>14
8-30m at 3-6m h (S1 + S2)/13
frame centres
10-35m
h (S1 + S2)/15
Stability Systems
Braced bays
Overall height (H)/width of braced bay (b) 7
b H/7
Shear Walls
Overall height (H)/width of shear wall (b) 7
b H/7