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A solid slab supported on beams on all four sides (Fig. 1(a)) was the
original slab system in reinforced concrete.

With this system, if the ratio of the long to the short side of a slab panel
is two or more, load transfer is predominantly by bending in the short
direction and the panel essentially acts as a one-way slab.

As the ratio of the sides of a slab panel approaches unity (or as panel
approaches a square shape), significant load is transferred by bending in
both orthogonal directions, and the panel should be treated as a two-
way rather than a one-way slab.

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As time progressed and technology evolved, the column-line beams

gradually began to disappear. The resulting slab system consisting of
solid slabs supported directly on columns is called the flat plate
(Fig. 1(b)). The two-way flat plate is very efficient and economical.
The principal limitation on the use of flat plate construction is
imposed by shear around the columns (13.5.4). For heavy loads or
long spans, the flat plate is often thickened locally around the
columns creating what are known as drop panels or shear caps.

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When a flat plate incorporates drop panels or shear caps, it is

called a flat slab (Fig. 1(c)). Also for reasons of shear around the
columns, the column tops are sometimes flared, creating column
capitals. For purposes of design, a column capital is part of the
column, whereas a drop panel is part of the slab.

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Waffle slab construction (Fig. 1(d)) consists of rows of

concrete joists at right angles to each other with solid heads at
the column (needed for shear strength).

The joists are commonly formed by using standard square

“dome” forms. The domes are omitted around the columns to
form the solid heads. For design purposes, waffle slabs are
considered as flat slabs with the solid heads acting as drop
panels (13.1.3).

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Waffle slab construction allows a considerable reduction in

dead load as compared to conventional flat slab construction
since the slab thickness can be minimized due to the short
span between the joists.

Thus, it is particularly advantageous where the use of long

span and/or heavy loads is desired without the use of
deepened drop panels, shear caps or support beams. The
geometric shape formed by the joist ribs is often
architecturally desirable.

Figure 1 Types of Two-Way Slab Systems

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Figure 2 Types of Two-Way Slab Systems

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Figure 2 Types of Two-Way Slab Systems

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Figure 2 Types of Two-Way Slab Systems

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To visualize the flexural performance of two-way edge supported

slabs, it is convenient to think of it as consisting of two sets of
parallel strips in each of the two directions, intersecting each
other.

Evidently, part of the load is carried by one set and transmitted to

one pair of edge supports, and the remainder by the other. Fig. 3
shows the two center strips of a rectangular plate with short span la
and long span lb. If the uniform load is q, each of the two strips acts
approximately as a simple beam uniformly loaded by its share of q.

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Figure 1 Two-way slab on simple edge supports: (a) bending of

center strips of slab, (b) grid model of slab.

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Because these imaginary strips are part of the same monolithic

construction, their deflection at the intersection point should be the same,

where qa and qb are the share of the load carried in the long and the short
direction respectively.

One sees that the larger portion of the load is carried in the short
direction. The ratio of the two portions of the load is inversely
proportional to the fourth power of the ratio of the spans.

Rectangular slab panels with an aspect ratio of 2 or more may be

reinforced for one-way action with the main steel perpendicular to the long
edges.
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The actual behavior of the slab is more complicated than this model
(twisting moments)!!!

Fig. 2 Moments and moment variations in uniformly loaded slab with

simple supports on four sides.

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8.2—General
8.2.1 A slab system shall be permitted to be designed by any
procedure satisfying equilibrium and geometric compatibility,
provided that design strength at every section is at least equal
to required strength, and all serviceability requirements are
satisfied. The direct design method of 8.10 or the equivalent
frame method of 8.11 is permitted for design where applicable.

8.2.2 The effects of concentrated loads and openings shall be

considered in design.

8.2.3 Slabs prestressed with an average effective

compressive stress less than 0.9 MPa shall be designed as
nonprestressed slabs.

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8.2.4 A drop panel in a nonprestressed slab, where used to

reduce the minimum required thickness in accordance with
[Link] or the quantity of deformed negative moment
reinforcement at a support in accordance with [Link], shall
satisfy (a) and (b):
(a) The drop panel shall project below the slab at least one-
fourth of the adjacent slab thickness.
(b) The drop panel shall extend in each direction from the
centerline of support a distance not less than one-sixth the
span length measured from center-to-center of supports in
that direction.

8.2.5 A shear cap, where used to increase the critical section for
shear at a slab-column joint, shall project below the slab soffit
and extend horizontally from the face of the column a distance at
least equal to the thickness of the projection below the slab soffit.

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Figure 3 Shear Caps (8.2.5)

drop panel—projection below the slab used to reduce the amount of

negative reinforcement over a column or the minimum required slab
thickness, and to increase the slab shear strength.

Shear caps used mainly to increase the slab shear strength is

recognized in the Code.

Shear cap must project below the slab and extend a minimum
horizontal distance equal to the thickness of the projection below the
slab soffit Figure 6.

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8.2.6 Materials
[Link] Design properties for concrete shall be selected to
be in accordance with Chapter 19.

[Link] Design properties for steel reinforcement shall be

selected to be in accordance with Chapter 20.

[Link] Materials, design, and detailing requirements for

embedments in concrete shall be in accordance with 20.7.

8.2.7 Connections to other members

[Link] Beam-column and slab-column joints shall satisfy
Chapter 15.

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8.3—Design limits
8.3.1 Minimum slab thickness

R8.3—Design limits
R8.3.1 Minimum slab thickness—The minimum slab
thicknesses in [Link] and [Link] are independent of
loading and concrete modulus of elasticity, both of which
have significant effects on deflections. These minimum
thicknesses are not applicable to slabs with unusually heavy
superimposed sustained loads or for concrete with modulus
of elasticity significantly lower than that of ordinary normal
weight concrete. Deflections should be calculated for such
situations.

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[Link] For nonprestressed slabs without interior beams

spanning between supports on all sides, having a maximum
ratio of long-to-short span of 2, overall slab thickness h shall
not be less than the limits in Table [Link], and shall be at
least the value in (a) or (b), unless the calculated deflection
limits of 8.3.2 are satisfied:
(a) Slabs without drop panels as given in 8.2.4.... 125 mm.
(b) Slabs with drop panels as given in 8.2.4......... 100 mm.

R8.3.1.1 The minimum thicknesses in Table [Link]

are those that have been developed through the
years.

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Figure 4 Minimum Thickness of Slabs without Interior Beams (Grade 420

Reinforcement)

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[Link] For nonprestressed slabs with beams spanning

between supports on all sides, overall slab thickness h shall
satisfy the limits in Table [Link], unless the calculated
deflection limits of 8.3.2 are satisfied.

R8.3.1.2 For panels having a ratio of long-to-short span

greater than 2, the use of expressions (b) and (d) of
Table [Link], which give the minimum thickness as a
fraction of the long span, may give unreasonable results.
For such panels, the rules applying to one-way
construction in 7.3.1 should be used.

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[Link].1 At discontinuous edges of slabs conforming to

[Link], an edge beam with f ≥ 0.80 shall be provided, or
the minimum thickness required by (b) or (d) of Table
[Link] shall be increased by at least 10 percent in the
panel with a discontinuous edge.

[Link] The thickness of a concrete floor finish shall be

permitted to be included in h if it is placed monolithically
with the floor slab, or if the floor finish is designed to be
composite with the floor slab in accordance with 16.4.

[Link] If single- or multiple-leg stirrups are used as shear

reinforcement, the slab thickness shall be sufficient to
satisfy the requirements for d in [Link].

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8.3.2 Calculated deflection limits

[Link] Immediate and time-dependent deflections shall be

calculated in accordance with 24.2 and shall not exceed the
limits in 24.2.2 for two-way slabs given in (a) through (c):
(a) Nonprestressed slabs not satisfying 8.3.1
(b) Nonprestressed slabs without interior beams spanning
between the supports on all sides and having a ratio of
long-to-short span exceeding 2.0
(c) Prestressed slabs

[Link] For nonprestressed composite concrete slabs satisfying

[Link] or [Link], deflections occurring after the member
becomes composite need not be calculated. Deflections
occurring before the member becomes composite shall be
investigated, unless the precomposite thickness also satisfies
[Link] or [Link].
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8.3.3 Reinforcement strain limit in nonprestressed slabs

[Link] For nonprestressed slabs, εt shall be at least 0.004.

R8.3.3.1 The effect of this limitation is to restrict the

reinforcement ratio in nonprestressed slabs to mitigate
brittle flexural behavior in case of an overload. This
limitation does not apply to prestressed slabs.

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8.4—Required strength
8.4.1 General
[Link] Required strength shall be calculated in accordance
with the factored load combinations in Chapter 5.

[Link] Required strength shall be calculated in accordance

with the analysis procedures given in Chapter 6.
Alternatively, the provisions of 8.10 for the direct design
method shall be permitted for the analysis of nonprestressed
slabs and the provisions of 8.11 for the equivalent frame
method shall be permitted for the analysis of nonprestressed
and prestressed slabs, except [Link] and [Link] shall
not apply to prestressed slabs.

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[Link] For prestressed slabs, effects of reactions induced

by prestressing shall be considered in accordance with
5.3.11.

[Link] For a slab system supported by columns or walls,

dimensions c1, c2, and ℓn shall be based on an effective
support area. The effective support area is the intersection
of the bottom surface of the slab, or drop panel or shear cap
if present, with the largest right circular cone, right pyramid,
or tapered wedge whose surfaces are located within the
column and the capital or bracket and are oriented no
greater than 45 degrees to the axis of the column.

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[Link] A column strip is a design strip with a width on each side

of a column centerline equal to the lesser of 0.25ℓ2 and 0.25ℓ1.
A column strip shall include beams within the strip, if present.
[Link] A middle strip is a design strip bounded by two column
strips.
[Link] A panel is bounded by column, beam, or wall centerlines
on all sides.
[Link] For monolithic or fully composite construction supporting
two-way slabs, a beam includes that portion of slab, on each
side of the beam extending a distance equal to the projection of
the beam above or below the slab, whichever is greater, but not
greater than four times the slab thickness.
[Link] Combining the results of a gravity load analysis with the
results of a lateral load analysis shall be permitted.

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Figure 5 Definition of Design Strips

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Figure 5 Definition of Design Strips

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Figure 6 Definition of Design Strips

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Effective Beam Section

For slab systems with beams between supports, the beams

include portions of the slab as flanges, as shown in Fig. 5.

Design constants and stiffness parameters used with the

Direct Design and Equivalent Frame analysis methods are
based on the effective beam sections shown.

Figure 7 Effective Beam Section ([Link])

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Figure 8 Effective Beam and Slab Sections for Computation of Stiffness

Ratio αf
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Figure 9 Beam Stiffness (Interior

Beams)

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Figure 10 Beam Stiffness (Edge Beams) 57

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8.4.2 Factored moment

[Link] For slabs built integrally with supports, Mu at the

support shall be permitted to be calculated at the face of
support, except if analyzed in accordance with [Link].

[Link] For slabs analyzed using the direct design

method or the equivalent frame method, Mu at the
support shall

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[Link] Factored slab moment resisted by the column

[Link].1 If gravity load, wind, earthquake, or other effects

cause a transfer of moment between the slab and column, a
fraction of Msc, the factored slab moment resisted by the
column at a joint, shall be transferred by flexure in accordance
with [Link].2 through [Link].5.

[Link].2 The fraction of factored slab moment resisted by the

column, γf Msc, shall be assumed to be transferred by flexure,
where γf shall be calculated by:

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[Link].3 The effective slab width bslab for resisting γf Msc

shall be the width of column or capital plus 1.5h of slab or
drop panel on either side of column or capital.

[Link].4 For nonprestressed slabs, where the limitations

on vug and εt in Table [Link].4 are satisfied, γf shall be
permitted to be increased to the maximum modified
values provided in Table [Link].4, where vc is calculated
in accordance with 22.6.5, and vug is the factored shear
stress on the slab critical section for two-way action due
to gravity loads without moment transfer.

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[Link].5 Concentration of reinforcement over the

column by closer spacing or additional reinforcement
shall be used to resist moment on the effective slab
width defined in [Link].2 and [Link].3.

[Link].6 The fraction of Msc not calculated to be

resisted by flexure shall be assumed to be resisted
by eccentricity of shear in accordance with [Link].

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8.4.3 Factored one-way shear

[Link] For slabs built integrally with supports, Vu at the support
shall be permitted to be calculated at the face of support.

[Link] Sections between the face of support and a critical

section located d from the face of support for nonprestressed
slabs and h/2 from the face of support for prestressed slabs shall
be permitted to be designed for Vu at that critical section if (a)
through (c) are satisfied:
(a) Support reaction, in direction of applied shear, introduces
compression into the end regions of the slab.
(b) Loads are applied at or near the top surface of the slab.
(c) No concentrated load occurs between the face of support
and critical section.

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8.4.4 Factored two-way shear

[Link] Critical section
[Link].1 Slabs shall be evaluated for two-way shear in the
vicinity of columns, concentrated loads, and reaction areas at
critical sections in accordance with 22.6.4.

[Link].2 Slabs reinforced with stirrups or headed shear stud

reinforcement shall be evaluated for two-way shear at critical
sections in accordance with [Link].

[Link].3 Slabs reinforced with shearheads shall be

evaluated for two-way shear at critical sections in
accordance with [Link].

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[Link] Factored two-way shear stress due to shear and

factored slab moment resisted by the column

[Link].1 For two-way shear with factored slab moment

resisted by the column, factored shear stress vu shall be
calculated at critical sections in accordance with [Link].
Factored shear stress vu corresponds to a combination of vug
and the shear stress produced by γv Msc, where γv is given in
[Link].2 and Msc is given in [Link].1.

[Link].2 The fraction of Msc transferred by eccentricity of

shear, γv Msc, shall be applied at the centroid of the critical
section in accordance with [Link], where:

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[Link].3 The factored shear stress resulting from γv Msc

shall be assumed to vary linearly about the centroid of the
critical section in accordance with [Link].

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8.5—Design strength
8.5.1 General
[Link] For each applicable factored load combination,
design strength shall satisfy ϕSn ≥ U, including (a)
through (d). Interaction between load effects shall be
considered.
(a) ϕMn ≥ Mu at all sections along the span in each
direction
(b) ϕMn ≥ γf Msc within bslab as defined in [Link].3
(c) ϕVn ≥ Vu at all sections along the span in each
direction for one-way shear
(d) ϕvn ≥ vu at the critical sections defined in [Link]
for two-way shear

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[Link] ϕ shall be in accordance with 21.2.

[Link] If shearheads are provided, 22.6.9 and [Link](a)

shall be satisfied in the vicinity of the column. Beyond
each arm of the shearhead, [Link](a) through (d) shall
apply.

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8.5.2 Moment
[Link] Mn shall be calculated in accordance with 22.3.

[Link] In calculating Mn for nonprestressed slabs with a

drop panel, the thickness of the drop panel below the
slab shall not be assumed to be greater than one-fourth
the distance from the edge of drop panel to the face of
column or column capital.

[Link] In calculating Mn for prestressed slabs, external

tendons shall be considered as unbonded unless the
external tendons are effectively bonded to the slab along
its entire length.

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8.5.3 Shear

[Link] Design shear strength of slabs in the vicinity of

columns, concentrated loads, or reaction areas shall be the
more severe of [Link].1 and [Link].2.

[Link].1 For one-way shear, where each critical section to

be investigated extends in a plane across the entire slab
width, Vn shall be calculated in accordance with 22.5.

[Link].2 For two-way shear, vn shall be calculated in

accordance with 22.6.

[Link] For composite concrete slabs, horizontal shear

strength Vnh shall be calculated in accordance with 16.4.

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[Link] Openings of any size shall be permitted in slab systems if

shown by analysis that all strength and serviceability
requirements, including the limits on deflections, are satisfied.

[Link] As an alternative to [Link], openings shall be permitted

in slab systems without beams in accordance with (a) through
(d).

(a) Openings of any size shall be permitted in the area

common to intersecting middle strips, but the total quantity
of reinforcement in the panel shall be at least that required
for the panel without the opening.
(b) At two intersecting column strips, not more than one-
eighth the width of column strip in either span shall be
interrupted by openings. A quantity of reinforcement at
least equal to that interrupted by an opening shall be
added on the sides of the opening.
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(c) At the intersection of one column strip and one middle

strip, not more than one-fourth of the reinforcement in
either strip shall be interrupted by openings. A quantity of
reinforcement at least equal to that interrupted by an
opening shall be added on the sides of the opening.

(d) If an opening is located within a column strip or closer

than 10h from a concentrated load or reaction area,
[Link] for slabs without shearheads or [Link] for slabs
with shearheads shall be satisfied.

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Figure 11 Permitted Openings in Slab Systems without Beams for l2 > l1

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8.6—Reinforcement limits
8.6.1 Minimum flexural reinforcement in nonprestressed slabs

[Link] A minimum area of flexural reinforcement, As,min, shall

be provided near the tension face in the direction of the span
under consideration in accordance with Table [Link].

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8.7—Reinforcement detailing
8.7.1 General
[Link] Concrete cover for reinforcement shall be in
accordance with 20.6.1.

[Link] Development lengths of deformed and prestressed

reinforcement shall be in accordance with 25.4.

[Link] Splice lengths of deformed reinforcement shall be in

accordance with 25.5.

[Link] Bundled bars shall be detailed in accordance with

25.6.

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8.7.2 Flexural reinforcement spacing

[Link] Minimum spacing s shall be in accordance with 25.2.

[Link] For nonprestressed solid slabs, maximum spacing s

of deformed longitudinal reinforcement shall be the lesser of
2h and 450 mm at critical sections, and the lesser of 3h and
450 mm at other sections.

[Link] For prestressed slabs with uniformly distributed loads,

maximum spacing s of tendons or groups of tendons in at
least one direction shall be the lesser of 8h and 1.5 m.

[Link] Concentrated loads and openings shall be considered

in determining tendon spacing.

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8.7.3 Corner restraint in slabs

[Link] At exterior corners of slabs supported by edge walls or where
one or more edge beams have a value of f greater than 1.0,
reinforcement at top and bottom of slab shall be designed to resist Mu
per unit width due to corner effects equal to the maximum positive Mu
per unit width in the slab panel.
[Link].1 Factored moment due to corner effects, Mu, shall be
assumed to be about an axis perpendicular to the diagonal from the
corner in the top of the slab and about an axis parallel to the diagonal
from the corner in the bottom of the slab.
[Link].2 Reinforcement shall be provided for a distance in each
direction from the corner equal to one-fifth the longer span.
[Link].3 Reinforcement shall be placed parallel to the diagonal in the
top of the slab and perpendicular to the diagonal in the bottom of the
slab. Alternatively, reinforcement shall be placed in two layers parallel
to the sides of the slab in both the top and bottom of the slab.
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Fig. R8.7.3.1—Slab corner reinforcement.

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Figure 12 Special Reinforcement Required at Corners of Beam-Supported Slabs

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8.7.4 Flexural reinforcement in nonprestressed slabs

[Link] Termination of reinforcement

[Link].1 Where a slab is supported on spandrel beams,

columns, or walls, anchorage of reinforcement perpendicular to
a discontinuous edge shall satisfy (a) and (b):
(a) Positive moment reinforcement shall extend to the edge
of slab and have embedment, straight or hooked, at least
150 mm into spandrel beams, columns, or walls
(b) Negative moment reinforcement shall be bent, hooked,
or otherwise anchored into spandrel beams, columns, or
walls, and shall be developed at the face of support

[Link].2 Where a slab is not supported by a spandrel beam or

wall at a discontinuous edge, or where a slab cantilevers
beyond the support, anchorage of reinforcement shall be
permitted within the slab.

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[Link].3 For slabs without beams, reinforcement

extensions shall be in accordance with (a) through (c):

(a) Reinforcement lengths shall be at least in accordance

with Fig. [Link].3a, and if slabs act as primary
members resisting lateral loads, reinforcement lengths
shall be at least those required by analysis.

(b) If adjacent spans are unequal, extensions of negative

moment reinforcement beyond the face of support in
accordance with Fig. [Link].3a shall be based on the
longer span.

(c) Bent bars shall be permitted only where the depth-

tospan ratio permits use of bends of 45 degrees or
less.
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Fig. [Link].3a—Minimum extensions for deformed reinforcement in two-way

slabs without beams. 82

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[Link] Structural integrity

[Link].1 All bottom deformed bars or deformed wires within the
column strip, in each direction, shall be continuous or spliced
with full mechanical, full welded, or Class B tension splices.
Splices shall be located in accordance with Fig. [Link].3a.
[Link].2 At least two of the column strip bottom bars or wires in
each direction shall pass within the region bounded by the
longitudinal reinforcement of the column and shall be anchored
at exterior supports.
[Link].3 In slabs with shearheads where it is not practical to
pass the bottom bars through the column in accordance with
[Link].2, at least two bottom bars or wires in each direction shall
pass through the shearhead as close to the column as
practicable and be continuous or spliced with full mechanical, full
welded, or Class B tension splices. At exterior columns, the bars
or wires shall be anchored at the shearhead. 83

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8.7.6 Shear reinforcement – stirrups

[Link] Single-leg, simple-U, multiple-U, and closed stirrups
shall be permitted as shear reinforcement.
[Link] Stirrup anchorage and geometry shall be in
accordance with 25.7.1.
[Link] If stirrups are provided, location and spacing shall be
in accordance with Table [Link].

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8.10—Direct design method

R8.10—Direct design method

The direct design method consists of a set of rules for
distributing moments to slab and beam sections to satisfy safety
requirements and most serviceability requirements
simultaneously. Three fundamental steps are involved as
follows:
(1) Determination of the total factored static moment (8.10.3)

(2) Distribution of the total factored static moment to negative

and positive sections (8.10.4)

(3) Distribution of the negative and positive factored moments

to the column and middle strips and to the beams, if any (8.10.5
and 8.10.6). The distribution of moments to column and middle
strips is also used in the equivalent frame method (8.11)
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8.10.1 General
[Link] Two-way slabs satisfying the limits in 8.10.2 shall
be permitted to be designed in accordance with this section.

R8.10.1 General
R8.10.1.1 The direct design method was developed from
considerations of theoretical procedures for the
determination of moments in slabs with and without beams,
requirements for simple design and construction procedures,
and precedents supplied by performance of slab systems.
Consequently, the slab systems to be designed using the
direct design method should conform to the limitations in
8.10.2.

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[Link] Variations from the limitations in 8.10.2 shall be

permitted if demonstrated by analysis that equilibrium and
geometric compatibility are satisfied, the design strength at
every section is at least equal to the required strength, and
serviceability conditions, including limits on deflection, are
met.

R8.10.1.2 It is permitted to use the direct design method

even if the structure does not fit the limitations in 8.10.2,
provided it can be shown by analysis that the particular
limitation does not apply to that structure. For a slab system
supporting a nonmovable load, such as a water reservoir in
which the load on all panels is expected to be the same, live
load limitation of [Link] need not be satisfied.

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[Link] Circular or regular polygon-shaped supports shall

be treated as square supports with the same area.
R8.10.1.3 If a supporting member does not have a
rectangular cross section or if the sides of the rectangle are
not parallel to the spans, it is to be treated as a square
support having the same area, as illustrated in Fig.
R8.10.1.3.

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8.10.2 Limitations for use of direct design method

[Link] There shall be at least three continuous spans in
each direction.
[Link] Successive span lengths measured center-to-
center of supports in each direction shall not differ by more
than one-third the longer span.
[Link] Panels shall be rectangular, with the ratio of longer
to shorter panel dimensions, measured center-to-center of
supports, not to exceed 2.
[Link] Column offset shall not exceed 10 percent of the
span in direction of offset from either axis between
centerlines of successive columns.
[Link] All loads shall be due to gravity only and uniformly
distributed over an entire panel.

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[Link] Unfactored live load shall not exceed two times

the unfactored dead load.

[Link] For a panel with beams between supports on all

sides, Eq. (8.10.2.7a) shall be satisfied for beams in the
two perpendicular directions.

where αf1 and αf2 are calculated by:

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Figure 13 Conditions for Analysis by Direct Design Method

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8.10.3 Total factored static moment for a span

[Link] Total factored static moment Mo for a span shall be

calculated for a strip bounded laterally by the panel
centerline on each side of the centerline of supports.

[Link] The absolute sum of positive and average negative

Mu in each direction shall be at least:

[Link].1 In Eq. ([Link]), ℓn is the clear span length in

the direction that moments are considered, shall extend
from face to face of columns, capitals, brackets, or walls,
and shall be at least 0.65ℓ1.

92

92
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Figure 14 Critical Sections for

Negative Design Moment

93

93

[Link].2 In Eq. ([Link]), if the transverse span of

panels on either side of the centerline of supports varies,
ℓ2 shall be taken as the average of adjacent transverse
spans.

[Link].3 In Eq. ([Link]), if the span adjacent and

parallel to a slab edge is being considered, the distance
from edge to panel centerline shall be substituted for ℓ2.

94

94
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8.10.4 Distribution of total factored static moment

[Link] In an interior span, Mo shall be distributed as follows:
0.65Mo to negative moment and 0.35Mo to positive moment.
[Link] In an end span, Mo shall be distributed in accordance with
Table [Link].

95

95

Negative and Positive Factored

Moments (ACI 8.10.4)

The total static moment for a span is

divided into negative and positive design
moments as shown in Fig. 13.

End span moments in Fig. 13 are shown for

a flat plate or flat slab without spandrels
(slab system without beams between
interior supports and without edge beams).
For other end span conditions, the total
static moment Mo is distributed as shown
in Table 1.

Figure 15 Design Strip Moments

96

96
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[Link] Modification of negative and positive factored

moments by up to 10 percent shall be permitted if the total
factored static moment for a panel, Mo, in the direction
considered is at least that calculated by Eq. ([Link]). Moment
redistribution in accordance with 6.6.5 is not permitted.
[Link] Critical section for negative Mu shall be at the face of
rectangular supports.
[Link] Negative Mu shall be the greater of the two interior
negative Mu calculated for spans framing into a common
support unless an analysis is made to distribute the
unbalanced moment in accordance with stiffnesses of adjoining
elements.
[Link] Edge beams or edges of slabs shall be designed to
resist in torsion their share of exterior negative Mu.
97

97

8.10.5 Factored moments in column strips

[Link] The column strip shall resist the portion of interior
negative Mu in accordance with Table [Link].

98

98
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[Link] The column strip shall resist the portion of

exterior negative Mu in accordance with Table [Link].

99

99

[Link] For T- or L-sections, it shall be permitted to

calculate the constant C in Eq. (8.10.5.2b) by dividing the
section, as given in [Link], into separate rectangular parts
and summing the values of C for each part.

[Link] If the width of the column or wall is at least (3/4)ℓ2,

negative Mu shall be uniformly distributed across ℓ2.
100

100
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Table 1 Design Aid for Computing C, Cross-Sectional Constant

Defining Torsional Properties 101

101

[Link] The column strip shall resist the portion of

positive Mu in accordance with Table [Link].

102

102
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103

103

[Link] For slabs with beams between supports, the

slab portion of column strips shall resist column strip
moments not resisted by beams.

[Link] Factored moments in beams

[Link].1 Beams between supports shall resist the
portion of column strip Mu in accordance with Table
[Link].1.

104

104
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[Link].2 In addition to moments calculated

according to [Link].1, beams shall resist moments
caused by factored loads applied directly to the
beams, including the weight of the beam stem above
and below the slab.

105

105

Factored Moments in Beams (ACI [Link])

When a design strip contains beams between columns, the factored

moment assigned to the column strip must be distributed between the
slab and the beam portions of the column strip.

The amount of the column strip factored moment to be resisted by the

beam varies linearly between zero and 85 percent as αf1l2 /l1 varies
between zero and 1.0. When αf1l2/l1 is equal to or greater than 1.0, 85
percent of the total column strip moment must be resisted by the
beam. In addition, the beam section must resist the effects of loads
applied directly to the beam, including weight of beam stem
projecting above or below the slab.

106

106
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8.10.6 Factored moments in middle strips

[Link] That portion of negative and positive factored

moments not resisted by column strips shall be
proportionately assigned to corresponding half middle
strips.

[Link] Each middle strip shall resist the sum of the

moments assigned to its two half middle strips.

[Link] A middle strip adjacent and parallel to a wall

supported edge shall resist twice the moment assigned
to the half middle strip corresponding to the first row of
interior supports.

107

107

8.10.7 Factored moments in columns and walls

[Link] Columns and walls built integrally with a slab
system shall resist moments caused by factored loads on
the slab system.
[Link] At an interior support, columns or walls above and
below the slab shall resist the factored moment calculated
by Eq. ([Link]) in direct proportion to their stiffnesses
unless a general analysis is made.

[Link] The gravity load moment to be transferred between

slab and edge column in accordance with [Link] shall not
be less than 0.3Mo.
108

108
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8.10.8 Factored shear in slab systems with beams

[Link] Beams between supports shall resist the portion of

shear in accordance with Table [Link] caused by factored
loads on tributary areas in accordance with Fig. [Link].

109

109

110

110
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[Link] In addition to shears calculated according to

[Link], beams shall resist shears caused by factored
loads applied directly to the beams, including the weight
of the beam stem above and below the slab.

[Link] Calculation of required slab shear strength

based on the assumption that load is distributed to
supporting beams in accordance with [Link] shall be
permitted. Shear resistance to total Vu occurring on a
panel shall be provided.

111

111

DESIGN AIDS — DIRECT DESIGN MOMENT COEFFICIENTS

Distribution of the total factored static moment in the span, Mo

into negative and positive moments, and then into column and
middle strip moments, involves direct application of moment
coefficients to the total moment Mo. The moment coefficients are
a function of location of span (interior or end), slab support
conditions, and type of two-way slab system.

For design convenience, moment coefficients for typical two-way

slab systems are given in Tables 2 through 6. Tables 2 through 5
apply to flat plates or flat slabs with differing end support
conditions. Table 6 applies to two-way slabs supported on beams
on all four sides. Final moments for the column strip and the
middle strip are directly tabulated.

112

112
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Table 2 Design Moment Coefficients for Flat Plate or Flat Slab Supported
Directly on Columns

113

113

The moment coefficients of Table 4 (flat plate with edge beams) are valid
for βt ≥ 2.5. The coefficients of Table 7 (two-way beam-supported slabs)
apply for αf1l2/l1≥ 1.0 and βt ≥ 2.5.

Many practical beam sizes will provide beam-to-slab stiffness ratios such
that αf1l2/l1 and βt will be greater than these limits, allowing moment
coefficients to be taken directly from the tables, without further
consideration of stiffnesses and interpolation for moment coefficients.
However, if beams are present, the two stiffness parameters αf1 and βt will
need to be evaluated.

For two-way slabs, and for Ecb = Ecs, the stiffness parameter αf1 is simply the
ratio of the moments of inertia of the effective beam and slab sections in
the direction of analysis, αf1 = Ib/Is, as illustrated in Fig. 19-6. Figures 19-7
and 19-8 simplify evaluation of the αf1 term.

114

114
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Table 3 Design Moment Coefficients for Flat Plate or Flat Slab with Edge
Beams

115

115

116

116
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Table 4 Design Moment Coefficients for Flat Plate or Flat Slab with End Span
Integral with Wall

117

117

Table 5 Design Moment Coefficients for Flat Plate or Flat Slab with End Span
Simply Supported on Wall

118

118
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Table 6 Design Moment Coefficients for Two-Way Beam-Supported Slab

119

119