Worked example 6.

2: two-way slab

In this exercise, an example of calculation of a two-way slab is worked out.

The considered rectangular plate is supported on four edges.

DATA .............................................................................................................. 2

DESIGN CALCULATIONS ................................................................................. 3

Estimation of the slab thickness ....................................................................................... 3

Loads ............................................................................................................................... 3
Characteristic values: ............................................................................................... 3
Design values for ULS: ............................................................................................. 3
Sagging moments ............................................................................................................ 4
Main bottom reinforcement (sagging moments) .............................................................. 5
ULS Primary bottom reinforcement ............................................................................ 5
ULS Secondary bottom reinforcement ........................................................................ 6
Minimum and maximum reinforcement areas .............................................................. 7
Choice of bottom reinforcement ................................................................................. 8
Upper reinforcement ...................................................................................................... 10
Above the long beams (see 11.2.6.4)..................................................................... 10
Above the short beams (see 11.2.6.4) ................................................................... 11
Verifications for the SLS ................................................................................................. 12
a. SLS Stresses in concrete and steel ....................................................................... 12
b. SLS Crack opening ............................................................................................. 12
c. SLS Deflection ................................................................................................... 12
Shear reinforcement ...................................................................................................... 13

CONCLUSIONS .............................................................................................. 13

Thickness ....................................................................................................................... 13
Bottom reinforcement .................................................................................................... 13
Upper reinforcement ...................................................................................................... 13
No shear reinforcement ................................................................................................. 13
Drawing ......................................................................................................................... 14

Design of concrete structures Two-way slab - 30th nov. 2016 1/14

 DATA

A slab with dimensions 5 m x 6 m is simply supported by beams on the four edges.

Since the ratio of the length to the width of the plate is between 0,5 and 2 and since
the floor is supported on 4 edges, the plate will carry the loads in two directions.

x
6m

5m

Material properties and loads:

Concrete: C 30/37
Steel: BE 500
Concrete cover: 25 mm

Surfacing and covering: 2,5 kN/m2

Service load: 3 kN/m2

Design of concrete structures Two-way slab - 30th nov. 2016 2/14

 DESIGN CALCULATIONS

Estimation of the slab thickness

( 5.5.2 Table 5.5.2-2; Table 7.4N in EN 1992-1-1:2004)

Since the limit ratio l/d is the same as for the one-way slab:
l
20 with l = 5 m,
d
The thickness should be 29 cm.

But, as we have seen for the one-way slab, this value is very conservative, and a
thickness of 21 cm gave us an exact deflection under quasi-permanent loads smaller
than the limit l/250.
The same slab with 2 more supports will have a smaller deflection.
We adopt the same thickness, which will permit to make the comparison:

h = 21 cm

Loads

Characteristic values:

Permanent loads:

Self-weight of slab: 0,21 m x 25 kN/m = 5,25 kN/m

Surfacing and covering: 2,50 kN/m
Total = 7,75 kN/m
Variable loads:

Service load: 3,00 kN/m

Design values for ULS:

g = 1,35 7,75 kN/m x 1,35 = 10,5 kN/m

q = 1,50 3 kN/m2 x 1,50 = 4,5 kN/m

gd = 10,5 kN/m
qd = 4,5 kN/m

Design of concrete structures Two-way slab - 30th nov. 2016 3/14

 Sagging moments

To calculate the design bending moments of this rectangular slab, the abaci of
MARCUS can be used since the slab is an isolated slab.
(see 11.3.6)

mx = Kx.q.lx2 Where lx = a = 5 m
my = Ky.q.ly2 ly = b = 6 m

We make use of abacus 1 since the slab is supported at its 4 edges.

As a/b = 5/6 = 0,833,

the coefficients of MARCUS are:

Kx1 = 0,057
Ky1 = 0,028

One finds:

mx = 0,057 (10,5 kN/m + 4,5 kN/m) (5 m)2 = 21,4 kNm/m

m y = 0,028 (10,5 kN/m + 4,5 kN/m) (6 m) = 15,1 kNm/m
2

mx = 21,4 kNm/m
my = 15,1 kNm/m
Remark:

One notices immediately that the bending moments are very different than those of
the one-way slab:

mx = 46,8 kNm/m has reduced to mx = 21,4 kNm/m

my = 0,0 kNm/m has increased to my = 15,1 kNm/m

Design of concrete structures Two-way slab - 30th nov. 2016 4/14

 Main bottom reinforcement (sagging moments)

ULS Primary bottom reinforcement

Reduced moment:

Md md
d = =
b d fcd
2
d fcd
2

Primary = x-direction md = mx = 21,4 kNm/m

30 MPa
C 30/37 fck = 30 MPa fcd = 0,85. = 17 MPa
1,5
500 MPa
BE 500 fyk = 500 MPa fyd = = 435 MPa
1,15
dx = 210 mm 25 mm 10/2 mm = 180 mm if the principal rebars have a
diameter of maximum 10 mm

One finds:
21 400 Nmm/mm
d = = 0,039 << lim = 0,371 OK
(180 mm) 17 N/mm

Table A.4.2.3.7-a gives:

= 0,0404 and = 0,0935 = x/d << 0,45 (ductility) OK

Since
A s fyd
=
b d fcd
One finds
A sx f 17
= d cd = 0,0404 180 mm = 284 mm2 /m
b fyd 435

Asx / b = 284 mm/m

Design of concrete structures Two-way slab - 30th nov. 2016 5/14

 ULS Secondary bottom reinforcement

Reduced moment:

Md md
d = =
b d fcd
2
d fcd
2

Secondary = y-direction md = my = 15,1 kNm/m

30MPa
C 30/37 fck = 30 MPa fcd = 0,85. = 17MPa
1,5
500MPa
BE 500 fyk = 500 MPa fyd = = 435MPa
1,15
dy = 180 mm - 10 mm = 170 mm if the secondary rebars have a diameter of
maximum 10 mm (the secondary reinforcement
will be placed above the principal)

One finds:
15 100 Nmm/mm
d = = 0,0307 << lim = 0,371 OK
(170 mm) 17 N/mm

Table A.4.2.3.7-a gives:

= 0,0316 and = 0,083 = x/d << 0,45 OK

Since
A s fyd
=
b d fcd
One finds
A sx f 17
= d cd = 0,0316 170 mm = 210 mm2 /m
b fyd 435

Asy / b = 210 mm/m

Design of concrete structures Two-way slab - 30th nov. 2016 6/14

 Minimum and maximum reinforcement areas
(see 6.1.1)
a. The reinforcement area should be larger than:

A f
sx, min 2,9 MPa
= 0,26 . ctm . d = 0,26 . 180 mm = 271 mm/m OK
b f 500 MPa
yk
And Asy,min= 256 mm/m not OK
A sx, min
= 0,0013 . d = 0,0013 . 180 mm = 234 mm/m OK
b
And Asy,min= 221 mm/m not OK
A ct
A s, min = k c k fct, eff. (minimum reinforcement to control cracking)
s

Where: (see 5.4.2)

k c = 0,4 (simple bending without axial forces)

k =1
fct,eff. = fctm = 2,9 MPa
h
A ct = b = 105 mm . 1000 mm = 105 000 mm
2
s = fyk = 500 MPa

A s, min 105 mm
= 0,4 1 2,9 MPa = 244 mm/m OK
b 500 MPa

Asmin,x / b = 271 mm/m

Asmin,y / b = 256 mm/m

The required principal bottom reinforcement (284 mm/m) is larger than the minimum
reinforcement (271 mm/m), but not the secondary one (210 mm/m), which has to
be increased to the minimum (256 mm/m).

Asx / b = 284 mm/m

Asy / b = 256 mm/m

b. The reinforcement area should be smaller (outside lap locations) than:

A s, max
= 0,04 h = 0,04 . 210 mm = 8 400 mm/m OK
b
Asmax / b = 8 400 mm/m

The required bottom reinforcement (284 mm/m) is smaller than the maximum
reinforcement (8.400 mm/m). The condition is fulfilled.

c. The spacing should be smaller than:

min [1,5.h ; 250 mm] = 250 mm for the principal reinforcement (x)
min [2,5.h ; 400 mm] = 400 mm for the secondary reinforcement (y)

sxmax = 250 mm
symax = 400 mm

Design of concrete structures Two-way slab - 30th nov. 2016 7/14

 Choice of bottom reinforcement

The required area in the principal (x) direction is thus 284 mm/m.
The required area in the secondary (y) direction is thus 256 mm/m.

The different possibilities are the following (x=green; y=blue):

spacing
number

AREA (mm/m)
Diameter (mm)
- cm 6 8 10 12 16 20 25 32 40
20 5 565 1005 1571 2262 4021 6283 9817 16085 25133
17 6 471 838 1309 1885 3351 5236 8181 13404 20944
14 7 404 718 1122 1616 2872 4488 7012 11489 17952
13 8 353 628 982 1414 2513 3927 6136 10053 15708
11 9 314 559 873 1257 2234 3491 5454 8936 13963
10 10 283 503 785 1131 2011 3142 4909 8042 12566
9,1 11 257 457 714 1028 1828 2856 4462 7311 11424
8,3 12 236 419 654 942 1676 2618 4091 6702 10472
7,7 13 217 387 604 870 1547 2417 3776 6187 9666
7,1 14 202 359 561 808 1436 2244 3506 5745 8976
6,7 15 188 335 524 754 1340 2094 3272 5362 8378
6,3 16 177 314 491 707 1257 1963 3068 5027 7854
5,9 17 166 296 462 665 1183 1848 2887 4731 7392
5,6 18 157 279 436 628 1117 1745 2727 4468 6981
5,3 19 149 265 413 595 1058 1653 2584 4233 6614
5 20 141 251 393 565 1005 1571 2454 4021 6283
4,8 21 135 239 374 539 957 1496 2337 3830 5984
4,5 22 129 228 357 514 914 1428 2231 3656 5712
4,3 23 123 219 341 492 874 1366 2134 3497 5464
4,2 24 118 209 327 471 838 1309 2045 3351 5236
4 25 113 201 314 452 804 1257 1963 3217 5027
3,3 30 94 168 262 377 670 1047 1636 2681 4189
2,9 35 81 144 224 323 574 898 1402 2298 3590
2,5 40 71 126 196 283 503 785 1227 2011 3142

For the principal reinforcement:

- Diameter 6 mm every 9 cm (= 314 mm/m) close bars
- Diameter 8 mm every 17 cm (= 296 mm/m) OK
- Diameter 10 mm every 25 cm (= 314 mm/m) OK

We choose diameter 8 mm every 17 cm.

For the secondary reinforcement:

- Diameter 6 mm every 11 cm (= 257 mm/m) close bars
- Diameter 8 mm every 19 cm (= 265 mm/m) OK
- Diameter 10 mm every 30 cm (= 262 mm/m) OK
- Diameter 12 mm every 40 cm (= 283 mm/m) OK

We choose diameter 8 mm every 19 cm.

X: 8/170
Y: 8/190

Design of concrete structures Two-way slab - 30th nov. 2016 8/14

 Remarks:

We have respected the assumptions that were made for the calculation of the effective
depth dx and dy:
- Diameter of the principal rebars (x) smaller or equal to 10 mm
- Diameter of the secondary rebars (y) smaller or equal to 10 mm

In theory, the reinforcement area can be reduced to 50% near the supports. But in
this case, it cannot because the reinforcement area would become smaller than the
minimum.

Design of concrete structures Two-way slab - 30th nov. 2016 9/14

 Upper reinforcement

Above the long beams (see 11.2.6.4)

Primary:

Due to accidental hogging moments, a top reinforcement has to be provided above the
supports. According to Eurocode 2, the area of this reinforcement should not be
smaller than 25% of the main required bottom reinforcement.

A sX A
= 0,25. sx = 0,25 . 284 mm/m = 71 mm/m
b b
AsX / b = 71 mm/m

This area has to be provided on a length of 0,2 . 5 m=1 m from the supporting edges.

Secondary:

A repartition reinforcement should be placed in the perpendicular direction (thus

parallel to the long supports). According to Eurocode 2, the area of this reinforcement
should not be smaller than 20% of the main reinforcement.

A sY A
= 0,20. sX = 0,2 . 71 mm/m = 14 mm/m
b b

AsY / b = 14 mm/m

The spacing should be smaller than:

min [2,5.h ; 400 mm] = 400 mm for the principal reinforcement (X)
min [3.h ; 450 mm] = 450 mm for the secondary reinforcement (Y)

sXmax = 400 mm
sYmax = 450 mm
Choice of upper reinforcement above the long beams:

diameter 6 mm every 40 cm (71 mm/m) for the principal direction

diameter 6 mm every 45 cm (63 mm/m) for the secondary direction

X: 6/400
Y: 6/450

Design of concrete structures Two-way slab - 30th nov. 2016 10/14

 Above the short beams (see 11.2.6.4)

Primary:

Due to accidental hogging moments, a top reinforcement has to be provided above the
short supports. Its area should not be smaller than 25% of the main required bottom
reinforcement.

A sY A sy
= 0,25. = 0,25 . 210 mm/m = 52 mm/m
b b
AsY / b = 52 mm/m

This area has to be provided on a length of 0,2 . 6 m= 1,2 m from the supporting
edges.

Secondary:

A repartition reinforcement should be placed in the perpendicular direction (thus

parallel to the short supports). Its area should not be smaller than 20% of the main
reinforcement.

A sX A
= 0,20. sY = 0,2 . 52 mm/m = 10 mm/m
b b

AsX / b = 10 mm/m

The spacing should be smaller than:

min [2,5.h ; 400 mm] = 400 mm for the principal reinforcement (Y)
min [3.h ; 450 mm] = 450 mm for the secondary reinforcement (X)

sYmax = 400 mm
sXmax = 450 mm
Choice of upper reinforcement above the short beams:

diameter 6 mm every 40 cm (71 mm/m) for the principal direction

diameter 6 mm every 45 cm (63 mm/m) for the secondary direction

Y: 6/400
X: 6/450

Design of concrete structures Two-way slab - 30th nov. 2016 11/14

 Verifications for the SLS

The following 3 SLS should now be checked:

a. SLS Stresses in concrete and steel

One has to check the following conditions:

s 0,8.fyk under the characteristic combination of loads

c 0,6.fck under the characteristic combination of loads
c 0,45.f ck under the quasi-permanent combination of loads

b. SLS Crack opening

One has to limit either the diameter either the spacing of the bars to values which are
given by tables in function of the steel stress under the quasi-permanent combination
of loads:
M x,qp
s,qp =
A sx .z

c. SLS Deflection

The deflection has to be smaller than the span / 250:

fqp = (1 )fI + .fII < l/250

Where:
2
M
= 1 . r with = 0,5
Mqp

fctm.II
Mr =
h xI
5 Mqp .l
fI = is the deflection of the uncracked slab
48 Ec,ef .II
5 Mqp .l
fII = is the deflection of the fully cracked slab
48 E c,ef .III

We wont proceed to these 3 SLS verifications, this would be too long for this session.
Whats more, as the 3 SLS were satisfied for a slab supported by 2 beams, they will
also be satisfied for the more favorable case of the same slab supported by 2
supplementary beams.

Design of concrete structures Two-way slab - 30th nov. 2016 12/14

 Shear reinforcement

To be complete, we have to check if a shear reinforcement is needed, that is to say,

that:

vEd 1,25.vRd,c

Where
(10,5 kN/m + 4,50 kN/m) 5m
v Ed < v Ed,1 way = = 37,5 kN/m
2

v Rd,c =
VRd,c
b
[ ]
= 0,12 . k . (100 . . fck )1/3 + 0,15 . cp . d

With
200
k =1+ = 2,054 > 2 2
180
284 mm
= = 0,0016
180 mm . 1000 mm

Thus

[ ]
vRd,c = 0,12 . 2 . (100 . 0,0016 . 30)1/3 + 0,15 . 0 . 180 = 72,5 kN/m

We see that the slab does not need any shear reinforcement.

CONCLUSIONS

Thickness
h = 21 cm

Bottom reinforcement
X: 8/170
Y: 8/190
On the whole span.

Upper reinforcement
X: 6/400 above the long supports, on 1 m
Y: 6/400 above the short supports, on 1,2 m
repartition 6/450

No shear reinforcement

Design of concrete structures Two-way slab - 30th nov. 2016 13/14

 Drawing

6/400
6/450

1,2 m
6/450

6/450
1m 1m

6/400 8/170 6/400

8/190
1,2 m

6/450
6/400

Design of concrete structures Two-way slab - 30th nov. 2016 14/14