How to choose a concrete framing system

An orderly approach to preliminary design

BY RUSSELL S. FLING CONSULTING ENGINEER COLUMBUS, OHIO The third reason is optimization. A completed preliminary design establishes the quantity and cost of all concrete and formwork. These two items represent roughly 25% and 50%, respectively, of the cost of the structural frame. Only the quantity and cost of reinforcement have not been predetermined by the preliminary design. Yet this conclusion is misleading since steel must be provided as required for strength, and optimizing or minimizing the steel can affect the total quantity by only a small percentage. If the engineer is careless or sloppy in preparation of the final design or construction documents, the anticipated construction costs can be significantly increased. Howe ve r, if these steps are completed in a competent manner, nearly 100% of the total construction cost of the reinforced concrete frame has already been established when the preliminary design is finished. security against unwanted intrusion. 3. Maximize serviceability. Deflection must be within tolerable limits, cracks must not be too large or obt ru s i ve, and concrete must be durable for the life of the mortgage. 4. Minimize construction costs. After the first three objectives have been met, most owners will insist on an economical frame. 5. Reduce design costs. If the engineer expects to earn a living wage, design efficiency must always be considered. 6. Speed up the construction sched ule. A few years ago when construction costs were increasing 1% or more each month, owners became almost frantic in the search for ways to get construction done faster. Inflation is much lower now, but owners are still concerned about construction time. 7. Coordinate the structural frame with mechanical, electrical, and nonstructural elements. The frame does not exist in isolation. It must fit the rest of the work. 8. Recognize personal pre f e re n c e s . Despite our ostensibly logical approach to every question, people are human and have irrational opinions at times. The successful engineer works within these opinions.

reliminary design of a reinforced concrete structure i n vo l ves the selection and representation of a framing scheme, showing size and shape of beams, columns, and slabs. The system must be suitable for carrying all loads to adequate soil-bearing strata. Preliminary design serves three purposes. First, it provides information to the owner, architect, mechanical engineer, and other members of the project design team. Rarely can they wait until a structural design is complete before being informed as to the arrangement and sizes of the structural frame members. The second reason is efficiency. Independent structural engineers who stay in business quickly learn that a good way to complete the final design smoothly, quickly, and with a minimal amount of costly redesign is to have a complete, competent preliminary design as a guide. If the architect and other team members understand and agree to the preliminary stru c t u ra l design there is less likelihood of expensive redesign later on. Likewise, a preliminary structural design facilitates an efficient completion of architectural drawings and the mechanical design and drawings.

Design objectives outlined

In preparing the preliminary design, the engineer should keep a number of design objectives in mind. These can be stated briefly as follows, in approximate order of importance: 1. Provide structural safety. This is the essential prerequisite. 2. Meet functional requirements. The engineer must provide the required floor area, meet the building code, allow for under-floor electrical distribution, support necessary equipment, and facilitate construction of the remainder of the project. The design also should present aesthetically pleasing surfaces and provide

Steps in preliminary design

The first step in preparing a preliminary design is to find the typical bay or panel.* If necessary, the column spacing must be estab-

lished. A typical bay allows repetition in the design with a consequent reduction in constru c t i o n and design costs. Co n ve r s e l y, if a typical bay cannot be found in the s t ru c t u re, not only the stru c t u ra l f rame but eve ry part of the construction will be expensive and so will the structural design. The next step is to establish the minimum slab thickness to give the required fire rating or to allow embedment of conduit or underfloor electrical ra c e w a y s. If thick slabs are re q u i red, certain stru ct u ral systems may be exc l u d e d from consideration. After selecting the slab thickness and typical bay, the engineer next sketches as many different framing schemes as possible. The table on page 408 gives an outline of various possible schemes, showing advantages, disadvantages, and the building type for which each is best suited. For directional schemes such as a joist slab, consider the effect of rotating the direction 90. In this step, the engineer should exercise his intuition and imagination without being restricted by considerations of practicality or cost. The next step is to design each schemethat is, establish all the concrete outlines and quantities and estimate the construction costs. Ad va n t a g e s, disadvantages, and other considerations for each scheme should be listed. Engineers will learn to find the pros and cons

for every scheme if they wish to develop and maintain a reputation for integrity and impartiality. Finally, all structurally sound schemes should be presented to the client along with a discussion of the comparative merits of each. If these steps are followed faithfully with an open mind, it will usually be apparent on completion which scheme is the most appropriate for the project at hand. Furthermore, the scheme selected will withstand critical scrutiny of the owner and contractors.

Editors note For a more detailed discussion of preliminary design practices, see Russell Flings book, Practical Design of Reinforced Concrete, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1987, 516 pages.

* In this discussion a bay is the space from one column line to the next, extending across the entire width of the building, and a panel is the space between four columns.

PUBLICATION#C880408
Copyright 1988, The Aberdeen Group All rights reserved

CONCRETE FRAMING SCHEMES*

TYPE AND SPAN ADVANTAGES Least cost formwork Exposed ceilings Minimum thickness Fast erection Flexible column location Economical for heavy loading Excess concrete for longer spans Greater deflections Expensive formwork Warehouses, industrial plants For loadings greater than 150 psf In high-rise buildings; same usage as flat plates if flying forms can be used more than 10 times Schools, offices, churches,public buildings, hospitals, and institutional buildings with moderate loadings and spans Buildings with moderate loadings and spans Similar to joist slab Same as for joist slabs,especially for longer fire Joists must be designed as beams ratings Forms may require special order Formwork costs more than joist slab Uses more concrete and steel than joist slab Prominent buildings with exposed ceiling structure Same as flat slab but with longer spans Beams interfere with mechanical service Parking garages, especiallywit prestressing More expensive forms than flat plate Portions of build ings where twoway deep beams are needed for other reasons Industrial build ings with heavy concentrated loads * Spans shown are approximate using mild reinforcing steel. Spans may be increased about 25% to 50% with the use of prestressing. ** The occupancy or type of building for which the framing scheme is most appropriate. DISADVANTAGES Low shear capacity BUILDING TYPE** Hotels, motels, dormitories, condominiums,, hospitals

Longer spans than flat plate

Must have many reuses of formwork to be economical

Minimum thickness

Minimum concrete and steel

Unattractive for a ceiling

Minimum weight, hence reduced column and footing size Formwork may cost more than flat plate Long spans in one direction

Easy poke-through electrical Similar to joist slab Less concrete than joist slab Lower rebar placing costs Use joist space for mechanicals Longer two-way spans Attractive exposed ceilings Heavy load capacity Long span in one direction

Long span in two directions Small deflection Carry concentrated loads

Same as for one-way beams, only more so