24-Mar-23

Transition to Eurocodes
Design of Reinforced Concrete Structures

Session 4 : Design of Slabs

By Nihal Somaratna
Presented in the workshop organized by the SSESL
Saturday, March 25, 2023

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So far
• Session #1: Material independent topics (design philosophies, loads,
partial factors, etc.)
• Session #2: Design of beams for flexure
• Session #3: Design of beams (and slabs) for shear and torsion;
control of deflections and cracking.
• Session #4 (Current session) : Design of slabs
• Slabs + loads - bending moments (flexure) + shear forces + [torsion]
• Apply guidance discussed in sessions 1, 2, and 3 to design sections of slabs.

Usually: Analyze for internal forces/moments  design of sections

What are the Eurocode guidelines for analysis (in addition to design)?

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References:

One main objective of the present workshop is to show you how to find guidance for
designs in the relevant codes.
In the UK transition from previous BS codes to new BS EN codes (= BS adoption of Eurocodes)
took place in 2005 - 2010. During this time there were many activities to help the transition.
Several useful documents were published. Following are recommended as references:
• “Manual for the design of concrete structures to Eurocode 2” by IStructE
• “Designers’ guide to EN1992-1-1 and EN1992-1-2 …” by Narayanan, R.S. and Beeby, A.W.

There are several useful textbooks also. Two are listed here.

• “Reinforced concrete design to Eurocode 2” by Mosley, Bungey, and Hulse.

• “Design of structural elements” by Chanakya Arya (Basic material. Compares previous
BS codes with the EN codes.)

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Some preliminary comments

(based on discussions in the previous sessions)
• There are three different groups of codes that are relevant to our
discussions:
• EN codes (European Standards published by CEN)
• Adoptions of EN standards by SLSI and published as SLS EN standards and the
corresponding National Annexes (NA)
• Adoptions of EN standards by BSI and published as BS EN standards and the
corresponding National Annexes (NA)
• Can cause confusion. Guidance in NA for the same EN code can be
different from one country to another.
• Standards are living documents – they change over the years. Year of
publication is important when we use a code.

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Material independent topics

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EN code

EN code is the same for all countries;

NA can be different.
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From “Old” BS codes to “New” Eurocodes

(But current BS codes = Adopted Eurocodes ; From 2010 )

SLSI has adopted most Eurocodes (SLS EN xxxx) and published

relevant National Annexes.
Note: [SLS EN code] = [EN code + NA]

EN code is the same in every country. But NA can be different

Pay attention to year of publication (version of the Eurocode) and

inclusion of amendments, if any.
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Example (version of the code):

SLS EN 1992-1-1 : 2012 = EN 1992-1-1 : 2004

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Codes keep changing from time to time – based on experience + new information.
Example (Eurocode with amendments etc.):

This was adopted by BSI as Corrigendum = correction of errors

BS EN 1992-1-1:2004+A1:2014 Addendum = include additional material
Amendment = modify contents

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Example (amendments etc.):

Corrigendum = correction of errors

Addendum = include additional material
Amendment = modify contents

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Example (National Annex):

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Similarities between Eurocodes and previous BS codes

• Limit state philosophy
• Method of partial factors
• Similar modeling of behaviour of materials (concrete, steel)
• Similar methods of structural analysis
Differences between Eurocodes and previous BS codes
• Style of presentation is a bit different. (Previous BS codes arranged on the
basis of element types; Eurocodes on the basis of phenomena)
• Guidelines on application of design procedures in Eurocodes is less detailed
• Other minor differences
• Use of cylinder compressive strength
• Use of a comma for the decimal point
• Terminology – Actions, Verification, Execution etc.
• Extensive use of symbols and symbolic expressions

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Example: BS8110-1

Reinforced concrete
On basis of element types

Pre-stressed concrete
On basis of element types

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Example: EN 1992-1-1

Based on phenomena. All types of

concrete treated together
(reinforced, pre-stressed etc.)

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There is a certain logical order here

also. But it is different from what we
have got used to with the previous
BS codes. We need to get used to
this.

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Let us return to the main topic.

So far
• Session #1: Material independent topics (design philosophies, loads,
partial factors, etc.)
• Session #2: Design of beams for flexure
• Session #3: Design of beams (and slabs) for shear and torsion;
control of deflections and cracking.
• Session #4 (Current session) : Design of slabs
• Slabs + loads - bending moments (flexure) + shear forces + [torsion]
• Apply guidance discussed in sessions 1, 2, and 3 to design sections of slabs.

Usually: Analyze for internal forces/moments  design of sections

What are the Eurocode guidelines for analysis (in addition to design)?
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Design of slabs less complicated than design of beams

• Width is known (often use a “unit width”)

• In most cases no compression reinforcement is used (singly reinforced
sections)
• In most cases shear reinforcement is not required

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Slabs

Solid Slabs Ribbed Slabs Pre-cast Slabs

Solid slabs on linear One-way spanning slabs

supports (beams, walls, …)
Two-way spanning slabs

Solid slabs on columns

(Flat Slabs)

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Steps
• Determine loads
• Initial sizing
• Analyze for BM and SF in critical sections
• Section design
• Deflection checks
• Detailing of reinforcement

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Guidelines in EC2 on analysis of structures.

There is Good News and Bad News!
Bad News first

(Extracted from “Designers’ Guide …” by Narayanan & Beeby)

Now the Good News!

General guidance in EC2 regarding analysis is similar to what has been used
in previous BS codes. Most of the design aids related to analysis available in
previous BS codes (e.g. BS8110) can be used with EC2 also.
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(Guidance in
“Designers’ guide …”)

Analysis for
forces/moments in
members in braced
structural frames

Subframe of beams at
one level

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Subframes for single

beam

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Subframes for beam

only (with simple
supports)

Subframes for column

only

(From “Designers’ Guide …” by Narayanan & Beeby )

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Analysis of Slabs
(to determine Bending Moments and Shear Forces)
• Loads (Actions)
• Pattern loading
• Methods of analysis
• Design aids (BM/SF tables)
• Design of reinforcement at critical sections
• Detailing of reinforcement

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Free edge
Examples of
one-way spanning slab

supports Span direction

Free edge
lx

ly > 2lx

ly
supports
Note: lx is the shorter span

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Loads (Actions)
Variable actions (obtain from SLS EN 1991-1-1: 2012)

(Continue down with more categories)

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Reduction of imposed loads based on the loaded area

(Called Live Load Reduction (LLR) in the past)

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(Extract from IStructE Manual)

(Note: This will be effective only for A > 20 m2 )

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Note: SLS EN 1990: 2012 (= EN1990: 2002), Table A1.2(B), Note 3 specifies that all permanent actions from one source
(such as self weight) should be multiplied by the same partial safety factor. In above combinations same value γG should
be used for all cases.). Same point is given in EN1992-1-1, Cl 2.4.3 (2).
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Pattern Loading

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Extract from BS8110-1: 1997

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Extract from EN1992-1-1:2004

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Let us refresh our memory regarding these two processes

“Moment Distribution” “Moment Re-Distribution”

• A method for analysis of • A method for adjustment of
statically indeterminate, linear moments derived from a
elastic skeletal structures structural analysis
• Sometimes called “Hardy Cross • Requires structure to be capable
Method” also
of forming plastic hinges and
• Other methods also are allow rotations at such hinges
available. For example
• Slope-deflection equations • Done to facilitate designs
• Finite element programs

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Further guidance in EC2:

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Values of k1, k2 etc. are given in the Sri Lanka National Annex
(note that they are the same as in the UK NA):

Use of these values in the above inequalities provides limiting values of

xu/d for different levels of redistribution.

Note that these values are the same for different concrete strengths.
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(For fck up to 90 MPa)

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Design of slabs

Similar to design of beams. Think of a slab as a set of beams spanning in

one direction (one-way spanning slab) or as two sets of beams spanning
in two mutually perpendicular directions (two-way spanning slab).

Usually, compression reinforcement and shear reinforcement are not

required in slabs – except perhaps near columns in flat slabs. We will
follow the guidance provided in the IStructE manual.

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Design of slabs
• One-way spanning slabs on linear supports
• Two-way spanning slabs on linear supports
• Flat slabs
EC2 Guidance

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Extracts from IStructE Manual

Items (i) and (ii) above will be discussed in later sessions.

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Extracts from IStructE Manual

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(Extract from IStructE Manual)

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(Extract from IStructE Manual; Table 4.2 contd.)

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Extracts from IStructE Manual

Note: SL NA has prescribed additional arrangements of loads.

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Extracts from IStructE Manual

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Extracts from IStructE Manual

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msy
lx = shorter span
ly = longer span
ly msx
ly/lx < 2  two-way slab

lx

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Extracts from IStructE Manual

Sign convention:

Negative = hogging
Positive = sagging

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(Continued)

Extracts from IStructE Manual

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Extracts from IStructE Manual

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Design of Flat Slabs

Some guidance is provided in EC2 (Section 9; sub section 9.4: Flat Slabs). But more details
are required for a design. Such detailed guidance is provided in Handbooks. For example,
in the IStructE manual. Extracts from IStructE manual are presented here.

IStructE manual recommends the sub-division of the slab into column strips and middle
strips as shown in Fig. 4.2. This is similar to the approach in BS8110-1. (Ref. BS8110-1
for more details.) In Annex I of EN 1992-1-1 also similar guidelines for analysis of flat
slabs are given. IStructE guidelines conform to the EN 1992-1-1 guidelines.

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Extracts from IStructE Manual

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Extracts from IStructE Manual

(If these conditions are not applicable then bending moments and shear
forces may be determined using frame analysis or other similar method. Or
finite element methods. Manual gives more details.)

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Extracts from IStructE Manual

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Extracts from IStructE Manual

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Once bending moments and shear forces in critical sections are estimated follow the
procedures discussed in earlier sessions to determine reinforcement required.

Make sure that the value of d appropriate to the direction of reinforcement is used.

Take into account the extent of moment re-distribution used in estimating the moments
and shear forces.

Check whether shear reinforcement is required or not. Usually shear reinforcement is

not practical in slabs with thickness less than 200 mm.

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Extracts from IStructE Manual

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(from IstructE
Manual)

This is for fck ≤ 50 MPa. Recall that in session 2 you derived expressions for
MRd , x , and z. And then you estimated the amount of reinforcement.
IStructE manual has presented the information on x and z in a chart.

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(Fig. 5.5 From

IStructE manual)

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Extract from
IStructE
Manual

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Way to provide shear reinforcement if it becomes necessary

(We will not discuss such cases here)
But note that this can not be effective for slab thickness < 200 mm

Extract from BS8110-1: 1997

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Detailing of reinforcement in slabs

EC2 provides detailed guidelines for curtailment of reinforcing bars. These will be
discussed in the workshop session next week.

In BS8110 simplified detailing rules for beams and slabs were provided. EC2 does not
do so. Since the basic principles in both codes are quite similar it is suggested by
Mosley et al. that the guidelines in BS8110 can be used with EC2 also.

Extract from
IStructE
Manual

(Note: This is not prescribed in the EC2. Some authors (e.g. Mosley et al. ) state that reinforcement near
the edge supports can be reduced to minimum - similar to edge strips in BS8110. It can be justified as a
type of curtailment. )

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Extract from
Mosley et al.

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Example of detailing rules from previous codes

Extract from
BS8110-1: 1997

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Extract from
BS8110-1: 1997

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Extract from
BS8110-1: 1997

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(Concentrated reactions at the corners )

Extract from
IStructE
Manual

These provisions are to

accommodate torsion due
concentrated reaction in the
support to prevent lifting up
of the slab at the corner
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A certain amount of guidance is given in EC2 regarding detailing of members. The IStructE
guidelines in general conform to these EC2 guidance, and often provide more specific details.
For example following sections in EC2 are relevant to slabs.

Not much
details.
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Compare with IStrucE manual

Extract from IStructE Manual

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Extract from IStructE Manual

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Extract from IStructE Manual

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Extract from IStructE Manual

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Extract from IStructE Manual

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Extract from IStructE Manual

(portion of perimeter within the

two tangents is not effective)
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Extract from IStructE Manual

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Extract from IStructE Manual

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Extract from IStructE Manual

Control of deflections

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Extract from IStructE Manual

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