Reinforced Concrete Design

Module 8: Two – Way Slab

Two-Way Slab
In general, slabs are classified as being one way or two way. Slabs that primarily deflect in one
direction are referred to as one-way slabs. When slabs are supported by columns arranged
generally in rows so that the slabs can deflect in two directions, they are usually referred to as
two-way slabs.
Two-way slabs can be strengthened by the addition of beams between the columns, by
thickening the slabs around the columns (drop panels), and by flaring the columns under the
slabs (column capitals). These situations are shown in Figures.
Flat plates are solid concrete slabs of uniform depths that transfer loads directly to the
supporting columns without the aid of beams or capitals or drop panels. Flat plates can be
constructed quickly because of their simple formwork and reinforcing bar arrangements. They
need the smallest overall story heights to provide specified headroom requirements, and they
give the most flexibility in the arrangement of columns and partitions. They also provide little
obstruction to light and have high fire resistance because there are few sharp corners where
spalling of the concrete might occur. Flat plates are probably the most commonly used slab
system today for multistory reinforced concrete hotels, motels, apartment houses, hospitals,
and dormitories.
Flat slabs include two-way reinforced concrete slabs with capitals, drop panels,
or both. These slabs are very satisfactory for heavy loads and long spans.
Although the formwork is more expensive than for flat plates, flat slabs will
require less concrete and reinforcing than would be required for flat plates
with the same loads and spans. They are particularly economical for
warehouses, parking and industrial buildings, and similar structures, where
exposed drop panels or capitals are acceptable
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A two-way slab with beams is shown. This type of floor system is used where its cost is less
than the costs of flat plates or flat slabs. In other words, when the loads or spans or both
become quite large, the slab thickness and column sizes required for flat plates or flat slabs
are of such magnitude that it is more economical to use two-way slabs with beams, despite
the higher formwork costs.
Another type of floor system is the waffle slab. The floor is constructed by arranging square
fiberglass or metal pans with tapered sides with spaces. When the concrete is placed over
and between the pans and the forms are removed, the waffle shape is obtained. The
intervals or gaps between the pans form the beam webs. These webs are rather deep and
provide large moment arms for the reinforcing bars. With waffle slabs, the weight of the
concrete is greatly reduced without significantly changing the moment resistance of the
floor system. As in flat plates, shear can be a problem near columns. Consequently, waffle
floors are usually made solid in those areas to increase shear resistance.
Two-Way Slab

When a rectangular reinforced-concrete slab is supported on all four sides, reinforcement

placed perpendicular to the side may be assumed effective in the two directions. These
slabs are known as two-way slabs. The bending on these slabs occurs in both directions.
However, if a rectangular slab is supported in all four sides but the long side is two or more
times the short side, the slab will, for all practical purposes, act as a one way slab, with'
bending occurring in the short direction. Bending of two-way slab
❑ Design of Two-Way Slabs by the ACI Code
The ACI Code (13.5.1.1) specifies two
methods for designing two-way slabs for
gravity loads. These are the direct design
method and the equivalent frame method.
However, there are other methods that can
be used. These include the strip method and
moment coefficients method (Method 2).
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❑ COLUMN AND MIDDLE STRIPS

❑ MINIMUM SLAB THICKNESS

The minimum thickness of slabs
without interior beams spanning
between the supports shall be in
accordance with the provisions of
Table 10.1 and shall not be less the
following values:

Column and middle strips

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The minimum thickness of slabs with or without beams spanning between the supports
on all sides and having a ratio of long to short span not exceeding 2 shall be

but not less than

and need not be more than

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The values obtained from Eq. shall be modified as required by Sec. 5.9.5.3.4 and Sec.
5.9.5.3.5 but in no case shall the thickness be less than

For slabs without beams, but with drop panels extending in each direction from centerline
of support a distance not less than one-sixth the span length in that direction measured
center-to-center of supports, and projection below the slab at least one-quarter the slab
thickness beyond the drop, thickness required by Eq. may be reduced by 10%.
At discontinuous edges, an edge beam shall be provided with a stiffness ratio a not less
than 0.80; or the minimum thickness required by Eq., shall be increased by at least 10 %
in the panel with a discontinuous edge
where:
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❑ Direct Design Method

The code (13.6) provides a procedure with which a set of moment coefficients can be
determined. The method, in effect, involves a single-cycle moment distribution analysis of
the structure based on (a) the estimated flexural stiffnesses of the slabs, beams (if any), and
columns and (b) the torsional stiffnesses of the slabs and beams (if any) transverse to the
direction in which flexural moments are being determined. Some types of moment
coefficients have been used satisfactorily for many years for slab design. They do not,
however, give very satisfactory results for slabs with unsymmetrical dimensions and loading
patterns.
Limitations of Direct Design Method
1. There shall be a minimum of three continuous spans in each -direction.
2. Panels shall be rectangular with a ratio of longer to shorter span center to-center of
supports within a panel not greater than 2.
3. Successive span lengths center-to-center of supports in each direction shall not differ by
more than one-third the longer span.
4. Columns be offset a maximum of 10 percent of the span (in direction of offset) from
either axis between centerlines of successive columns.
5. All loads shall be due to gravity ori.ly and uniformly distributed over an entire panel. Live
load shall not exceed three times dead load.
6. For a panel with beams between supports on all sides, the relative stiffness of beams in
two perpendicular directions.
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and shall not be less than 0.2 nor greater than 5.0.

where:
L1 = length of span in direction that moments are being determined, measured center-to-
center of supports.
L2 = length of span transverse to L1, measured center-to-center of supports.
❑ Moments in Slabs
The total moment that is resisted by the slab equals absolute sum of positive and average
negative factored moments in each direction shall not be less than

If the transverse span of panels on either side of the centerline of supports varies, L2 in Eq.
shall be taken as the average of adjacent transverse spans. When the span adjacent and
parallel to an edge is being considered, the distance from edge to panel centerline shall be
substituted for L2.
Clear span Ln, shall extend from face to face columns, capitals, brackets,
or walls. Value of Ln, used in Eq. shall not be less than 0.65L1. Circular or
regular polygon shaped supports shall be treated as square supports with
the same area.
❑ Negative and Positive Factored Moments
Negative factored moments shall be located at face of rectangular supports.
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Circular or regular polygon shaped supports shall be treated as square supports with the
same area

Negative moment sections shall be designed to resist the larger of the

two interior negative factored moments determined for spans framing
into a common support unless an analysis is made to distribute the
unbalanced moment in accordance with stiffness of adjoining elements.
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Edge beams or edges of slab shall be proportioned to resist in torsion their share of exterior
negative factored moments.
For moment transfer between slab and an edge column, column strip nominal moment
strength provided shall be used as the transfer moment for gravity load.
❑ Factored Moments in Column Strips
Column strips shall be proportioned to resist the following portions in percent of interior
negative factored moments:

Linear interpolation shall be made between values shown.

Where supports consist of columns or walls extending for a distance equal to or greater
than three-quarters the span length L2 used to compute Mo, negative moments shall be
considered to be uniformly distributed across ,L2.
Column strips shall be proportioned to resist the following portions in percent of positive
factored moments:

Linear interpolations shall be

made between values shown
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Column strips shall be proportioned to resist the following portions in percent of exterior
negative factored moments:

Linear interpolation shall be made between values shown,

❑ Factored Moments in Beams

❑ Factored Moments in Middle Strips

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For slabs with beams between supports, the slab portion of column strips
shall be proportioned to resist that portion of column strip moments not
resisted by beams.
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❑ Modification of Factored Moments
Negative and positive factored moments may be modified by 10 percent provided the total
static moment for a panel in the direction considered is not less than that required by Eq for
Mo.
❑ Factored Shear in Slab System with Beam
Two-Way Slab
Problem 1
Using the NSCP Specifications, determine the minimum slab thickness for the exterior panel
shown. The slab has beam between all supports which are poured monolithically with the
slab. Use fy = 414 MPa and f’c = 21 MPa. Assume Ec be the same for slab, beam, and column.
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Solution
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Problem 2
Design the slab in Problem 1 assuming that the floor carries a uniform live load of 5.7 kPa
and a uniform dead load of 1.3 kPa not including its own weight. Use 12-mm main bars.
Solution

(NSCP 2001)
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Note: This an interior span, so Code

for interior span applies
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Moment along the long span (6 m end span)
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Note: The student must understand that the column strip exists in both sides
of the beam. Since we are to consider only the part on one side, the value of
the moment allotted to slab must be divided by 2. However, the middle strip
in no longer divided by 2 because the same moment is also all
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According to Section 5.13.4.1,

reinforcement in each direction
shall not be less than the required
spacing for shrinkage and
temperature bars.
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❑ Analysis by the Coefficient Method
The method makes use of tables of moment coefficients for a variety of conditions. These
coefficients are based on elastic analysis but also account for inelastic redistribution. In
consequence, the design moment in either direction is smaller by an appropriate amount
than the elastic maximum moment in that direction. The moments in the middle strips in
the two directions are computed from
𝑀𝑎 = 𝐶𝑎 𝑤𝑙𝑎2 and 𝑀𝑏 = 𝐶𝑏 𝑤𝑙𝑏2

where 𝐶𝑎 , 𝐶𝑏 = tabulated moment coefficients

𝑤 = uniform load (psf)
𝑙𝑎 , 𝑙𝐵 = length of clear span in short and long directions respectively
The method provides that each panel be divided in both directions into a middle strip whose
width is one-half that of the panel and two edge or column strips of one-quarter of the panel
width (see figure). As discussed before, the moments in both directions are larger in the
center portion of the slab than in regions close to the edges. Correspondingly, it is provided
that the entire middle strip be designed for the full, tabulated design moment. In the edge
strips this moment is assumed to decrease from its full value at the edge of the middle strip
to one-third of this value at the edge of the panel. This distribution is
shown for the moments 𝑀𝑎 in the short span direction in the figure. The
lateral variation of the long span moments 𝑀𝑏 is similar.
The discussion so far has been restricted to a single panel simply
supported at all four edges. It is seen that some panels, such as A (figure),
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have two discontinuous exterior edge, while the other
edges are continuous with their neighbors. Panel B has
one edge discontinuous and three continuous edges, the
interior panel C has all edges continuous and so on. At a
continuous edge in a slab, moments are negative, just as
at interior supports of continuous beams. Also the
magnitude of the positive moments depends on the
conditions of continuity at all four edges.
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