Engineering Structures 31 (2009) 551559

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Engineering Structures
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Shear capacity of prestressed hollow core slabs in slim floor constructions

J. Hegger a , T. Roggendorf a, , N. Kerkeni b
a b

RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Structural Concrete, Mies-van-der-Rohe-Str. 1, D-52074 Aachen, Germany H+P Ingenieure GmbH & Co. KG, Kackertstrae 10, D-52072 Aachen, Germany

article

info

a b s t r a c t
Research in Finland and Germany reveals that the shear strength of hollow core slabs is reduced considerably due to transverse stresses when the slabs are bedded on flexible supports (e.g. slender beams). The aim of the present investigation is to analyse the load bearing behaviour of hollow core slabs supported on shallow steel beams, so-called slim floor constructions. This paper describes four full-scale tests on two-span floor systems and reference tests on single slabs with rigid supports. The observed shear strengths are compared with predicted failure loads according to international code provisions. Finally, recommendations regarding the design and the construction on flexible supports are given. 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Article history: Received 9 May 2008 Received in revised form 27 June 2008 Accepted 3 October 2008 Available online 28 November 2008 Keywords: Shear strength Hollow core slabs Flexible supports Prestress Slim floor constructions

1. Introduction A common type of slim floor construction consists of precast prestressed hollow core slabs supported on the lower flange of transverse shallow steel beams. This construction method enables slender ceilings without girders (Fig. 1). Due to the fast erection of standardised steel frames and the use of precast concrete elements, short construction times and a high level of quality can be achieved. Furthermore, the application of hollow core slabs reduces the dead load of the structure, which positively affects the design of subjacent columns and foundations. After the slabs are set in place, the joints between the slabs and the beam are reinforced and grouted with in-situ concrete to obtain diaphragm action. Slim floor constructions are very common in Scandinavia and the Netherlands, and their share in the German market is continuously increasing. The steel beams are usually arranged in the smaller span to minimise the deflections. However, remaining deflections of the supporting steel beams with a limited bending stiffness lead to transverse stresses significantly reducing the shear capacity of the hollow core slabs. The decrease in shear strength may control the design prior to flexural failure, and should be considered, especially for slabs with short spans or high loads close to the supports. Only a limited number of large-scale tests [15] determining the residual failure load is available in the literature. At the Institute

of Structural Concrete at RWTH Aachen University, four full-scale tests on continuous two-span floor systems (6 10 m2 ) were performed to investigate the load bearing behaviour of prestressed hollow core slabs supported on flexible steel beams. The effects of several test parameters such as cross section of the hollow core slabs, bending stiffness of the steel beam, bearing details, horizontal constraints of the slabs and filling of selected hollow cores on the shear capacity were investigated. The observed shear strengths are compared with international code provisions. 2. Load carrying behaviour and design criteria on flexible supports The first substantial investigations of the load carrying behaviour of hollow core slabs under different support conditions are presented in [2]. In full-scale tests, the shear strengths of slabs supported on various beam types (concrete beams with and without prestressing, steel beams) were determined. The results indicate that all types of flexible supports may cause a decrease in shear strength up to 60%. In addition, longitudinal cracks underneath the webs of the slabs were observed close to the supports. These cracks may weaken the transfer of prestress of the strands nearby. Since the slabs do not contain any reinforcement except the prestressing strands, only limited tensile stresses due to deflections of the supports can be sustained. The concretes tensile strength is mainly utilised for shear resistance and the transfer of prestress. Fig. 2 illustrates the loads acting on slabs supported on a flexible steel beam. Shear deformations are the main impact on the slabs next to the supports of the beam (edge slabs). In tests

Corresponding author. Tel.: +49 241 80 25170; fax: +49 241 80 22335. E-mail address: troggendorf@imb.rwth-aachen.de (T. Roggendorf).

0141-0296/$ see front matter 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.engstruct.2008.10.006

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Fig. 3. Stress components in the webs of an edge slab on flexible supports (according to [2]). Fig. 1. Principle of slim floor constructions.

Fig. 4. Considered composite beam to calculate the shear stress zy in transverse direction (acc. to [9]).

as

I =

x
2

x2
4

2 + 2 . + xz zy

(1)

Fig. 2. Stresses of hollow core slabs supported on a flexible steel beam.

from the literature [15] with single span beams, shear failure was always governed by the edge slabs of a floor. According to [2], test observations and measured displacements indicate that the shear deformations of these slabs control the design. However, the shear deformations cannot solely be explained by the deflection and curvature of the beam. Even small deflections of l/1000l/300 (where l is the span of the beam) at the failure state may cause a considerable decrease in shear strength. Besides the bending stiffness of the beam, the degree of composite action between the slabs and the beam as well as the cross section of the hollow core slabs are critical for the design [2]. The slabs at midspan of the beam are mainly subjected to transverse bending moments. Due to the curvature of the beams, a concentration of the support reaction underneath the outermost webs may occur. Furthermore, friction between the soffit of the slabs and the beam flange induces additional transverse tensile stresses. The stresses superpose as a result of the support deflection and the transfer of prestress. Hence, especially for slabs with a high prestressing force, there is an elevated risk of longitudinal cracks increasing the transfer length. A design model to account for the decrease in shear capacity on flexible supports which has been adapted to fib-guidelines [6] as well as building codes in Finland [7] and the Netherlands [8] is presented in [9] (based on the test results from [2]). Web shear failure is assumed when the maximum principle stresses I in the webs reach the tensile strength fct of the concrete. The maximum principle tensile stresses I are approximated from the present stress components in the webs of the edge slabs according to Fig. 3

According to the model, bearing of the slabs on flexible supports leads to the shear stress component zy in transverse direction due to composite action between the supporting beam and the slabs. A composite beam model consisting of the beam, in-situ concrete and the hollow core slabs as illustrated in Fig. 4 is used to calculate zy . On both sides of the beam the shaded sections of the slabs (upper and lower flange) extending to the width beff are considered. The effective width of the slabs beff takes into account the degree of composite action. Values of beff serve as calibration factors to adjust calculated failure loads and test results. These values have to be determined experimentally for different construction types. Further information on the model, such as definition of the critical section for the design, detailed calculations of the stress components and effective widths beff for different beam types can be taken from [9], while the latest extensions are given in [7]. According to the Steel Construction Institute [10], the influence of the support stiffness does not need to be considered if the factored shear force applied to the slabs after grouting of the joints and presence of a composite action is less than 35% of the design shear strength VRd provided by the manufacturer (for rigid supports). Advice from the manufacturer is recommended when propped constructions are used and hence transverse stresses due to the dead load of the structure occur or imposed loads after grouting exceed 35% of VRd . So far, no standardised design procedure for prestressed hollow core slabs on flexible supports has been established in Germany. According to [11], the design shear strength VRd should be reduced to 50% when the slabs are supported on beams except for very stiff concrete girders. An increased bearing depth of the slabs and reinforcement bars in the joints are recommended to enhance anchorage of the prestressing strands. The application of prestressed hollow core slabs in Germany is controlled by construction approvals since their characteristics substantially deviate from the regulations of the German Bulding Code DIN 1045-1 [12]. Approvals from several suppliers (e.g. Echo, Betonson

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553

Fig. 6. Test setup to determine the shear strength according to DIN EN 1168 [13].

Fig. 5. Test setup to determine the shear strength on flexible supports.

and Schwoerer) currently allow for the application on flexible supports when the shear capacity is decreased and structural measures are taken. The acting shear force may not be greater than 0.5 VRd and the deflection of the supporting beam may not exceed l/300 under service loads. Slabs have to be bedded on a neoprene strip with a thickness of 10 mm. The width of the strip depends on the pressure in the bearing surface, but has a minimum of 50 mm. Finally, filling of the outermost hollow cores of the slabs with in-situ concrete to a depth of 80 cm including stirrups ( 10 mm) connected with the tie rod for diaphragm action is required. Revisions of the bearing details and the in-situ concrete filling are currently being discussed. 3. Experimental investigations 3.1. Test setup To investigate the effects of different support conditions on the shear strength of prestressed hollow core slabs, four fullscale tests on floor systems consisting of 10 slabs (Fig. 5) as well as reference tests of single slabs on rigid supports (Fig. 6) were performed. In the middle of the two-span floor systems the slabs were supported on a shallow steel beam. A so-called Integrated Floor Beam (IFB) consisting of a bisected steel section (flange beam) and a broadened lower flange to provide a bearing surface for the slabs was used. According to [13], the load was applied close to the IFB with a shear slenderness of a/h = 2.5, where a is the distance of the centre line of the applied load to the middle of the bearing surface and h is the slab thickness. The same shear slenderness was used in the reference tests with the aim to obtain web shear failure instead of flexure failure or flexureshear failure. In order to prevent torsion of the slabs, the supporting beams at the ends of the floor system (end beams) were designed to deflect approximately as much as the IFB. Cracking of the soffit of the slabs could be observed because the test setup was arranged on a framework at a height of 2 m above the ground. The loads were applied by tension rods passing through the middle hollow core of each slab. Steel sections on top of the floor spread the loads over the total width of the slabs. The outline and a sectional view in the longitudinal direction of the test setup are depicted in Fig. 5. Total length of the slabs was 5.09 m and spacing of the centre lines of the supports added up to 4.97 m.

Fig. 7. Reinforcement of joints and bearing details.

In-situ concrete with an average cylinder strength of 20.8 MPa at the time of testing was used to grout the joints of the floors. The top of each middle hollow core was opened to a length of 30 cm from the face of the slabs to achieve proper grout of the concrete along the IFB. Plastic plugs provided by the suppliers stopped the concrete from flowing deeper than 3550 mm into the remaining hollow cores (Fig. 7). The slabs were tied together with reinforced concrete at the end beams. The reinforcement of the in-situ concrete is illustrated in Fig. 7. One reinforcement bar 10 mm was placed in each joint between the slabs, as is common in practice. The longitudinal reinforcement was passed through drilled holes in the web of the IFB. Two bars 8 mm were arranged in the lateral direction of the slabs on each side of the IFB and at the end beams. A circumferential tie anchor

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Fig. 9. IFB with Iy = 35 400 cm4 (left) and Iy = 74 200 cm4 (right) (mm).

Fig. 8. Cross sections of hollow core slabs MV5/265 (top) and VMM-VSD 25 (bottom) (mm).

was not applied. It might have had a positive effect on the load carrying behaviour due to bonding of the slabs, but may not be present in each section of large ground plans in practice. 3.2. Test programme The main test parameters were cross section of the hollow core slabs, bending stiffness of the steel beam, bearing details, horizontal constraints of the slabs and filling of selected hollow cores. Table 1 summarises the test programme. Notation of the tests consists of a number for each floor system and the characters a (slabs no. 15) and b (slabs no. 610) to distinguish between the two spans with different parameters. The aim was to determine the failure load of each span separately. For this reason, a steel frame was arranged over the slabs where failure first occurred. Simultaneous loading of this framework when the slabs in the opposite span were tested until failure enabled an approximately symmetric loading of the IFB. However, damage of the reloaded slabs before failure of the opposite span cannot be precluded, and the steel frame affects the load transfer to the IFB as well as the interaction between the slabs and the beam. Remaining differences in the load bearing behaviour of both spans may give reason to question the results obtained in a second test run after arrangement of the framework. Hence, the present paper focuses on the results and the conclusions to be drawn from the first loading of each slab system. E.g., if results from test 2-b are presented, measurements were made in span b but in the first run of test no. 2. Hollow core slabs from two manufacturers with similar thicknesses but different cross sections were investigated (Fig. 8). Slab type MV5/265 (Brespa) from DW Systembau features five approximately circular hollow cores with a diameter of 167 mm, while the slab VMM VSD 25 from Echo has eleven oblongshaped openings. Further substantial differences are the minimum web width being 45% greater for slab type VMM-VSD 25 and manufacturing by extrusion and slip forming of the slabs MV5/265 and VMM-VSD 25, respectively. Table 2 summarises the slab properties. Two Integrated Floor Beams with different bending stiffnesses EIy at similar heights were used to investigate the influence of various deflections (Fig. 9). However, in the first test with slab type MV/265, the yield strength was reached in the outer compression fibre of the more slender beam (s 2 , steel grade S355 with fyk = 355 MPa) just before web shear failure of the slabs occurred. Following tests were performed with the stiffer beam featuring a higher steel grade (S460 with fyk = 460 MPa) in order to prevent large deformations due to plastification. This IFB totally recovered after removal of the slabs and the in-situ concrete so that it could be

repeatedly used. Deflection under the dead load of the floor system with the more slender beam was compensated by precambering. The stiffer beam was not precambered because it featured twice the bending stiffness and the deflection due to dead load could be neglected. In addition, different support conditions of the slabs were investigated in the tests 1 and 2. The effects of a neoprene strip increasing the friction in the bearing surface on the shear deformations and the transverse tensile stresses in the lower flange of the slabs were examined. Fig. 7 (Section 4-4) depicts the bearing details of the slabs. On one side the slabs were directly placed on the lower flange of the beam, as is common in Finland. With regard to the German construction approvals, they were bedded on a 10 mm thick and 35 mm wide neoprene strip with an overlap of 35 mm on the other side. The cementitious grout could flow underneath the overlapping slab so that a total bearing depth of 70 mm equal to the opposite side with a direct support was achieved. In tests 3 and 4, all slabs were bedded on neoprene strips (35/10 mm) at the IFB. Since the slabs and the in-situ concrete at the IFB with increasing deflection of the construction tend to move outwards over the supports of the beam (Fig. 2), horizontal constraints of the edge slabs were investigated in tests 3 and 4 (one test with each slab type). A common assembly of the beamcolumn connection with head plates is illustrated in Fig. 1. In the tests, steel plates were welded at the supports of the IFB (Fig. 11). Corresponding to head plates in practical constructions, these plates ended at the front edge of the beams compression flange. Thus, any movement of the in-situ concrete was eliminated and a transverse displacement of the slabs was only indirectly restrained due to the standard hollow core filling with a depth of 3550 mm (Fig. 7, section 4-4). Both in test 3 and test 4, a horizontal constraint of the slabs in the transverse direction caused by adjacent floor panels was simulated in one span by lateral steel beams across the total slab length. Despite the constraint through standard beamcolumn connections, the lower slab flange moves outwards due to rotation at the supports and curvature of the IFB. Between the edge slabs of adjacent floors transverse compression stresses in the lower flange may occur, increasing the shear deformation (Fig. 10). To prevent a vertical load transfer of the lateral steel beams, friction bearings were arranged between the edge slabs and the beams. Full load application to the lower slab flange was attained by a mortar layer with a height of 60 mm from the soffit of the slab. An overview and details of the test setup to investigate horizontal constraints which may occur in common constructions are presented in Fig. 11. The lateral beams were supported in the vertical and the horizontal direction at the IFB and the end beam. Furthermore, they were connected with tie rods arranged in the transverse direction of the slabs to increase the horizontal stiffness. The tie rods were slightly prestressed before the tests in order to forestall significant compression of the friction bearings. Thus, a horizontal constraint of the edge slabs was activated at small displacements. An in-situ concrete filling of the edge slabs outermost hollow cores to a length of 7080 cm with the aim to enhance the

J. Hegger et al. / Engineering Structures 31 (2009) 551559 Table 1 Test programme. Parameter Test number 1-a Slab type MV5/265 Slab type VMM-VSD 25 IFB with Iy = 35 400 cm4 IFB with Iy = 74 200 cm4 Slabs directly placed on beam flange Slabs bedded on neoprene strip Free horizontal movement of slabs Horizontal constraint by steel plates Horizontal constraint by lateral beams Edge slabs with filled hollow cores X X X X X X 1-b X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 2-a 2-b 3-a X 3-b X X 4-a

555

4-b X X X X X

Table 2 Characteristics of hollow core slabs. Unit Slab type MV5/265 Concrete grade according to [12] Thickness h/cross sectional area Ac /moment of inertia Ic Minimum web width bw Centroid zs Upper prestress layer (grade St 1570/1770) Lower prestress layer (grade St 1570/1770) Edge distance of strands zp,top /zp,bottom a Initial prestress p0,top /p0,bottom Calc. shear strength vRd,ct (fct = fctk;0.05 /c )b, c Tensile strength from tests fct ,test Calc. shear strength vRm (fct = fct ,Test )(3)
a b c

VMM-VSD 25 25/1869/129100

()

(cm/cm2 /cm4 )
(cm) (cm) () () (cm) (MPa) (kN/m) (MPa) (kN/m)

(1 )

C45/55 26.5/1685/144700 33 13.4 2 strands 3/8 (0.86 cm2 /m) 12 strands 0.5 (9.3 cm2 /m) 3.5/22.4 900/900 61.1 4.0 (no.1)/4.2 (no.3) 229 (no.1)/240 (no.3)

48
12.9 2 wires 5 mm (0.33 cm2 /m) 12 strands 0.5 (9.3 cm2 /m) 2.75/20.5 250/1080 105.6 3.5 (no.2)/3.6 (no.4) 278 (no.2)/285 (no.4)

From top surface of the slab. With fctk;0.05 = 2.7 MPa (5-% fractile of tensile strength) and c = 1.8 (safety factor for plain concrete) [12]. According to German construction approvals for rigid supports (vRd,ct given by the suppliers).

Fig. 10. Contact between edge slabs of adjacent floors due to deflection of slim floor constructions.

resistance against shear deformations was also tested. Concrete was grouted through 30 cm long openings which were arranged at a distance of 40 cm from the face of the slabs to minimise any damage close to the support. Fig. 12 illustrates the factory made openings of the slabs to grout the concrete at the IFB (hollow core in the middle) and to fill the outer hollow cores of the edge slabs. 3.3. Test results A main parameter of the tests was the influence of different beam deflections on the shear strength of the slabs. Fig. 13 shows the loaddisplacement behaviour of the Integrated Floor Beams until failure of the first slabs. The maximum deflection at midspan was 56 mm (l/100) for the more slender beam in

Fig. 11. Test setup to investigate horizontal constraints.

test 1 and approximately 30 mm (l/200) for the stiffer beam in the remaining tests. In the beginning of the tests, load cycles according to [13] were performed. The unique failure mode of all floor systems was web shear cracking of the edge slabs at shear loads from 158 to 182 kN/m including the dead load of the structure and the loading equipment. Table 3 summarises the shear strengths on rigid and flexible supports with the corresponding beam deflections. Based on the load capacity on rigid supports, 60%68% of the shear strength were achieved on flexible supports. A clear influence of the slabs

556 Table 3 Summary of test results. Test no. 1-a 1-b 2-a 2-b 3-a 3-b 4-a 4-b
a b c

J. Hegger et al. / Engineering Structures 31 (2009) 551559

Slab type

vs (kN/m)
239 266 268 282

Shear strength on rigid supports

Shear strength on flexible supports vbw (kN/m) 160 158 162 162 182c 168c

vbw /vs
(%) 67 66 61 68 60

Max. displacement u of IFB (mm) 57.5 (l/104)a 56.2 (l/107) 31.4 (l/191) 34.8 (l/172)b 31.5 (l /190) 29.1 (l/206)

MV5/265 VMM-VSD 25 MV5/265 VMM-VSD 25

Including 4.6 mm deflection after unloading the first test run (failure in span 1-b). Including 2.6 mm deflection after unloading the first test run (failure in span 2-a). Failure of edge slabs in both spans occurred simultaneously.

Fig. 12. Openings of the upper flange and filling of hollow cores close to the support.

Fig. 13. Loaddisplacement behaviours in the middle of the IFB.

cross section was not observed since the deviation of the average proportionate decrease in shear strength for both slab types was only about 5%. The concretes tensile strength fct was determined experimentally from drilled cores with a slenderness of hc /dc = 2 (with hc , dc : height and diameter of the samples, respectively) taken from the webs of the slabs. Similar shear strengths of all tested slabs despite the greater web width of slab type VMM-VSD 25 are mainly attributable to the smaller tensile strength of these slabs (Table 2). Despite different stiffnesses and corresponding deflections of the IFBs, nearly the same ultimate loads were obtained in tests 1 and 3 with slab type MV5/265. Besides the IFB, further test parameters have to be considered when comparing the results, but in principle the observation that the decrease in shear strength is not solely attributable to the deflection of the supports [2] is confirmed. However, substantial deflections increase the risk of longitudinal cracking of the slabs supported in the middle of the beam, as the cracking patterns in Fig. 14 reveal. With greater beam

deflections in the first test setup, cracking of several inner slabs was initiated under relatively small loads. Due to higher friction in the bearing surface, the majority of cracks occurred in the span where the slabs were bedded on a neoprene strip. Though supported on neoprene strips in both spans only few single longitudinal cracks were observed in the remaining tests with the stiffer IFB. The small number of cracks indicates that anchorage of the prestressing strands is only marginally affected. Measurement of the end slip at selected strands via inductive transducers arranged inside the hollow cores before grouting the concrete showed no great end slip and hence did not reveal a decrease in bond stiffness either. Due to the small curvature of the beam close to the supports, only one longitudinal crack (test 1 with slender IFB) was observed at the edge slabs where web shear failure was initiated. Obviously, longitudinal cracks do not contribute to the decrease in shear capacity on flexible supports. A 10 mm thick neoprene strip partially compensates for the potential spacing between the soffit of the inner slabs and the IFB due to its curvature (Fig. 2). This was revealed by measurements of the differential vertical slab displacement at the face of the lower IFB flange. The results may, however, be partially attributable to a shift of the resulting reaction force towards the web of the IFB and lower lateral bending of the supporting flange because of the relatively soft neoprene at the front end of the bearing surface (Fig. 7, bottom). No unfavourable effect of a neoprene strip due to increased friction was observed when the beam deflection was limited appropriately. Hence, the applied bearing detail can be used without concern. In tests 1 and 2 without horizontal constraints, a uniform displacement of the upper and lower edge slab flanges was measured by transducers attached to the flanges of the IFB (Fig. 15, top). However, shear deformations of the steel beam affecting the recorded data of the transducers occurred. Considering this, effective shear deformations of the edge slabs were in the order of 0.28 mm. Extensive cracking of the in-situ concrete in the joint along the IFB was observed under fairly small loads because of its small reinforcement ratio. Hence, a composite action between the beam and the slabs resulted in the first line only from friction in the bearing surface and was too small to induce measurable shear deformations of the edge slabs with respect to the IFB. It is assumed that besides the shear deformations an increased shear force acting on the edge slabs caused the observed decrease in shear capacity. Unevenly distributed shear forces with a concentration towards the supports of the IFB may occur in the hollow core slabs (v2 > v1 in Fig. 2) since considerable shear stresses are transferred over the concrete filled joints between the slabs in the transverse direction. Finite element analyses with threedimensional continuum models of a slab field are currently being performed to further investigate this assumption. In addition, one

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Fig. 14. Crack patterns of the soffit of the slabs and the edge slabs in test 1 (left) and test 3 (right).

Fig. 15. Displacements of hollow core slab flanges without (top) and with (bottom) horizontal constraint.

focus of future tests should be adequate measurements to examine the matter experimentally. A comparison of tests 3 and 4 with test 2 (all tests were conducted with the stiffer IFB) indicates that horizontal constraints of the slabs increase the stiffness of the floor system (Fig. 13). The degree of composite action and presumably the transfer of shear forces in the transverse direction over the slab joints are enhanced. Furthermore, the average slip between the beam and the edge slabs is decreased by 40% solely due to the steel plates at the supports simulating head plates of a beamcolumn connection (comparison of tests 2-b and 4-b in Fig. 15; transducers H5, H6). The relative displacements also reveal a stronger movement of the upper slab flanges and hence a distinct shear deformation. According to Fig. 15

(bottom), the measured shear deformation adds up to 0.3 mm (transducers H5, H6), which additionally has to be increased by the shear deformation of the IFB. Whereas the concrete filling between the head plates follows the rotation of the IFB at its supports, an effective horizontal constraint of the slabs may only be expected in the lower part of their cross section due to cracking of the joint along the beam propagating from the top side of the floor. Constraints underneath the slabs centre line increase the shear deformation. The lateral steel beams further enhance this effect and accordingly the greatest deformation of the slabs with a value of 0.6 mm (without consideration of the beams shear deformation) was measured in test 4-a (Fig. 15, bottom; transducers H3, H4). Despite different shear deformations, the edge slabs of both spans failed simultaneously in tests 3 and 4, respectively. Furthermore, similar ultimate loads as in the tests without horizontal constraints and corresponding smaller shear deformations were achieved. These observations confirm the assumption that a transfer of shear forces from the inner to the edge slabs over the longitudinal joints considerably contributes to the decrease in shear capacity. No increase in shear strength was observed due to filling of selected hollow cores of the edge slabs in tests 3 and 4. However, slab type MV5/265 with two filled hollow cores (width of hollow cores wc = 167 mm) achieved the same failure load as in test 1 despite greater shear deformations because of the horizontal constraints. In each span of test 4 with slab type VMM-VSD 25, one edge slab with two and one with four filled hollow cores (wc = 65 mm) was used, respectively (Fig. 12). Web shear failure was initiated in the edge slabs with fewer modified hollow cores at first, which suggests that the load bearing behaviour may be positively affected by the concrete filling. The shear strength was slightly smaller than in test 2 with the same slab type but without horizontal constraints. It is important to mention that the in-situ concrete could easily be removed from the inner surface of the hollow cores when the slabs were pulled down after the tests. The lack of prestressing, subsequent shrinkage and a relatively smooth inner surface caused by the manufacturing process obviously prevent an effective bond between the slabs and the in-situ concrete. Hence, a considerable load transfer of the concrete infill is not to be expected though the resistance against shear deformations may be enhanced. 4. Comparison of test results with code provisions German construction approvals provide formulae to determine the shear strength vRd,ct of hollow core slabs on rigid supports. According to present approvals, 0.5 vRd,ct may be utilised on flexible supports when the construction details described in

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Fig. 16. Hat shaped steel section (left) and delta beam (right).

chapter 2 are accomplished. Comparison between calculated shear strengths vRm under consideration of the experimental tensile strength fct ,test and c = 1.0 from Table 2 and observed failure loads vs in the reference tests from Table 3 shows a good agreement. Hence, the construction approvals are capable of determining the shear strength on rigid supports appropriately, which is also described in [14]. However, the compulsory structural measures on flexible supports should be reevaluated under consideration of the present test results and a general limitation of the utilised shear strength to 0.5 vRd,ct may be conservative in some cases. Tests from [2] were evaluated in [9] to determine values for the effective width beff of the slabs when supported on different beam types. The Finnish design model could then be used to calculate the shear strength on the considered (flexible) beam types with adjusted beff -values. Tested steel sections in [2] were a so-called delta beam and a hat shaped beam (Fig. 16). For a beam span of 6 m as in the present tests, beff is given as 106 mm and 165 mm for the hat shaped section and the delta beam, respectively. Greater effective widths consider among other effects a stronger composite action between the slabs and the beam. Obviously, a high degree of composite action occurs with a delta beam since the in-situ concrete can flow through the web openings into the section. It may be expected that the investigated IFB to a certain extent encloses the in-situ concrete between its flanges and hence features a stronger composite action than a hat shaped section. This leads to the assumption that beff determined from the own tests should range between 106165 mm. Corresponding to [9], beff -values of 73 mm, 154 mm, 113 mm and 145 mm are calculated for tests 14, respectively. Compared with slab type MV5-265, relatively high effective widths are determined for slab type VMM-VSD 25 (tests 2 and 4), which cannot be explained by the similar proportionate decrease in shear strength of both slabs and indicates that the effects of different cross sections are not considered appropriately in the model. Test 1 leads to a rather small beff -value, which may be due to extensive cracking of the insitu concrete and a correspondingly weak composite action under the great deflections of the more slender IFB. The evaluation was sensitive to several parameters and the calculated values feature a considerable scatter for different tests. However, the design model was applied to construction parameters other than tested in [2] and with a mean value of beff = 137 mm (beam span l = 6 m) determined from tests 2, 3 and 4 provides appropriate results for the shear strength of hollow core slabs supported on Integrated Floor Beams. Further information on the test evaluation is given in [15]. 5. Summary and conclusions The load bearing behaviour of slim floor constructions, in particular the shear strength of prestressed hollow core slabs, was investigated in four full-scale tests. Main parameters were the cross section of the hollow core slabs, bending stiffness of the supporting steel beam, bearing details, horizontal constraints of the slabs and filling of selected hollow cores. The following

conclusions for the design of slim floor constructions and hollow core slabs on flexible supports in general can be drawn from the tests results: (1) For beam deflections from l/100l/200 at failure no effect of the support stiffness on the slabs shear strength was observed. Considering tests from [2] and [5] with even smaller deflections but a similar decrease in shear strength, this observation leads to the implication that besides a limitation of the beam deflection, further measures are necessary to considerably increase the shear strength. It is assumed that on the other hand, large deformations due to plastification of the supporting beam will cause premature failure of the slabs in any case. (2) When the deflections are limited to l/300 under service loads, only marginal longitudinal cracking of the inner slabs due to transverse tensile stresses in the lower flange occurs. At the ultimate limit state only few cracks not affecting the overall bearing capacity of the floor will develop. Shear strength of the edge slabs which control the design was not affected by longitudinal cracks in any test. (3) It is recommended to support the slabs on a 10 mm thick neoprene strip to adjust dimensional tolerances and a concentration of the bearing pressure underneath the outer webs of the slabs. When the deflection of the supporting beam is limited appropriately, it is expected that the load bearing behaviour is not affected by higher friction in the bearing surface. Minimum widths of 35 mm for the neoprene strip and 70 mm for the total bearing depth are sufficient according to the present tests. (4) An in-situ concrete filling of selected hollow cores did not increase the slabs shear strength but the fracture pattern of one test with different numbers of filled hollow cores indicates that the resistance against shear deformations may be enhanced. Due to poor bond between the slabs and in-situ concrete, no considerable shear transfer of the filling was observed. (5) A reasonable decrease in the design shear strength of hollow core slabs on flexible supports is required to ensure a sufficient safety level. Test results indicate that 60%70% of the shear strength on rigid supports can be utilised under appropriate boundary conditions corresponding to those in the tests. On the other hand, even the utilisation of 50% may be nonconservative for long beam spans or unfavourable cross sections and interaction properties between the beam and the slabs among others. (6) Only a marginal effect of the slabs cross section on the shear strength was observed for the tested slab types. The ultimate load was controlled by the concrete tensile strength of the slabs. (7) Interaction between the slabs and the IFB leads to transverse stresses and shear deformations of the edge slabs. However, the present tests indicate that the decrease in shear strength is not solely attributable to this effect. Considerable shear forces are transferred from the inner to the outer slabs over the longitudinal joints, gradually increasing the shear load of the slabs towards the support of the IFB. The interaction of both effects may be the reason for the total decrease in shear strength. (8) Evaluation of the test results shows that the German construction approvals provide appropriate formulae to determine the shear strength of hollow core slabs on rigid supports. However, to generally utilise 50% of the calculated values on flexible supports may not be appropriate. The Finnish design model can be used to determine the shear strength on flexible supports. The results feature a certain scatter but a reasonable mean value to adjust the model to IFBs was determined. Finite Element analyses to further evaluate the mechanical behaviour of the edge slabs are currently being performed at the Institute of Structural Concrete at RWTH Aachen University. The effects of different construction parameters on the shear deformations and corresponding shear strengths due to interaction of longitudinal and lateral load transfer were evaluated. Further experimental and numerical results are given in [15].

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Acknowledgements The present research program (AiF-No. 14203) was supported by the funds of the Federal Ministry of Economy of Germany (BMWi) via the Arbeitsgemeinschaft industrieller Forschungsvereinigungen Otto von Guericke e.V. (AiF) and the German Cement Works Association (VDZ). The authors express thanks to the BMWi, AiF and VDZ for their financial support, as well as to the Bundesverband Spannbeton-Fertigdecken e.V. and ArcelorMittal Com.Sect. S.A. for the contribution of test materials. They are also grateful for the helpful suggestions of the suppliers and the committee accompanying the project. References
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