Reinforced Concrete Slabs

106. Reinforced Concrete Slabs

106.1. General
Reinforced concrete slabs may be categorized as one- or two-way slabs depending on the prevalent mode of bending of the slab. If the slab is supported on two parallel edges, the slab essentially bends in one direction (between the parallel supports). Bending (curvature) in the other direction is negligible. Such "one-way" slabs can be analyzed and designed in a manner very similar to beams. A unit width of the slab (b = 1 ft) is considered as a beam and the thickness of the slab and the required reinforcement are calculated. Since the reinforcement is the area of steel required per foot width of slab, Table 106.1 can be used to select an acceptable pattern. For example, if the required reinforcement is 0.64 in 2/ft, then an acceptable pattern is No. 5 bars at 5.5-in spacing (0.669) or No. 6 bars at 8-in spacing (0.663). Since slab thicknesses are small, typically slab reinforcement is accomplished using bars of smaller diameters.

Table 106.1. Reinforcement in Concrete Slabs (in2/ft)

106.2. One-Way Reinforced Concrete Slabs

Consider a oor system supported by oor beams as shown in Fig. 106.1. Each slab panel is supported by the beams spaced at a center to center spacing = S . The slab primarily bends transversely between these supports, with negligible bending in the longitudinal direction. If a unit strip of the slab (shown shaded) is analyzed, it is equivalent to analyzing a beam with width = 1. A simple span between beams would develop a maximum positive moment.

Figure 106.1. Unit width strip approach for one-way slabs.

(106.1) Where w is the uniformly distributed slab load (force/area). With monolithic support from the beam system, if the slab is continuous over three or more supports, the maximum positive bending moment can be reduced to

(106.2) This is then the design moment for the equivalent beam (strip of unit width).

106.3. Minimum Slab Thickness

If explicit deection computations are not performed, the minimum thickness of non- prestressed beams or one-way reinforced concrete slabs is given by ACI (see Table 106.2).

Table 106.2. Minimum Slab Thickness

End conditions Member type Solid oneway slabs Beams or ribbed oneway slabs Simply supported One end continuous Both ends continuous Cantilever

L /20

L /24

L /28

L /10

L /16

L /18.5

L /21

L /8

106.4. Temperature and Shrinkage Reinforcement

In one-way slabs, the reinforcement for shrinkage and temperature is placed perpendicular to the primary reinforcement according to the criteria in Table 106.3. Spacing of such steel is not to exceed 5 times the slab thickness nor 18 in.

Table 106.3. Temperature and Shrinkage Steel

Minimum ratio of temperature and shrinkage reinforcement in slabs Slabs where grade 40 or 50 deformed bars are used Slabs where grade 60 deformed bars or welded wire fabric are used Slabs where reinforcement with f > 60 ksi is used
y

0.0020

0.0018

0.0018 60,000/f

0.0014

The reinforcement ratios given in Table 106.3 are computed based on the full depth of the slab, rather than the eective depth. For example, for a 6-inthick slab using grade-50 reinforcement, the temperature and shrinkage

reinforcement is computed as

Example 106.1 A reinforced concrete slab is built integrally with its supports and consists of three equal spans, each with a clear span of 16 ft. The ends of the slab are cast integrally with spandrel beams. The service loads are superimposed dead load = 25 psf and live load = 120 psf. Assume f (iii) exterior span, and (iv) interior span. Solution For interior spans, minimum slab thickness: For exterior spans, minimum slab thickness: Assume h = 8 in Slab self-weight: Total factored load on slab: For a unit width (1 ft) of the slab, the factored moments at critical sections (see Table 105.1) are Negative moment exterior support:
c

= 4,000 psi, f

60,000 psi. Calculate the moments at (i) exterior support, (ii) interior support,

Positive moment exterior span: Negative moment interior support:

Positive moment interior span:

106.5. Two-Way Reinforced Concrete Slabs

Slabs that have such proportions or are supported in such a way that their bent shape resembles a dish rather than a cylinder (as with one-way exure), they are classied as two-way slabs. Two-way slabs may be edge-supported by beams or be primarily column-supported (as in at plate construction). Slabs exhibit two-way action if the aspect ratio l 1/l 2 < 2. Unlike one-way slabs, where the curvature in the minor (long) direction is negligible, there is signicant curvature, and therefore, signicant moments develops in both directions. The direct design method is a simplied procedure to determine bending moments in a two-way slab. The direct design method may be used when 1. Floor has rectangular panels with aspect ratio l 1/l 2 < 2. 2. There are a minimum of three continuous spans in each direction. 3. There is not a more than 33% variation between adjacent spans (based on the longer span). 4. Loading is uniformly distributed gravity loads. 5. Column osets are less than 10% of the span in the corresponding direction. 6. Loads are gravity loads only and live loads do not exceed twice the dead loads. 7. In the presence of supporting beams, the relative stiness between beams in the two perpendicular directions is no more than 5:1. 106.5.1. Total Static Moment in Slab Panel The clear span l n is dened to extend from face to face of the columns, capitals, brackets, or walls but should not be less than 0.65 l 1. For a strip bounded laterally by the centerline of the panel on each side of the centerline of supports is given by

(106.3) where l n = eective span of slab panel

l 2 = slab dimension perpendicular to span l n

For interior spans, the total static moment is distributed as follows:

For exterior spans, moments Fig. 106.2 at various critical sections are given by Eqn. (106.4)

Figure 106.2. Locations of critical moment in continuous slab.

(106.4) where the distribution factor is given in Table 106.4.

Table 106.4. Distribution Factor for Bending Moments in Exterior Spans

Slabs without beams between interior supports Slab with Exterior edge unrestrained beams between all Without edge beam With edge beam Exterior edge fully restrained

supports Interior negative moment Positive moment Exterior negative moment 0 0.16 0.26 0.30 0.65 0.63 0.57 0.52 0.50 0.35 0.75 0.70 0.70 0.70 0.65

The terms exterior span, interior span, etc., are as shown in Fig. 106.2.

106.6. Slabs on Grade

This section is written in accordance with the provisions of the Army Technical Manual TM 5-809-12: Concrete Floor Slabs on Grade Subjected to Heavy Loads. Concrete oor slabs poured directly on the subgrade soil are called slab on

grade . Depending on the intended use of the building, these slabs may be
subjected to light or heavy loads such as vehicular loads, stationary live loads, and wall loads. Loads which consist of forklift axle load of 5 kips or less and stationary live loads (such as due to stored materials) less than 400 lb/ft 2 are typically considered "light." Loads which consist of any one of the following: moving live loads exceeding a forklift axle load of 5 kips, stationary live loads exceeding 400 lb/ft 2, and concentrated wall loads exceeding 600 lb/ft are typically considered "heavy." Soils which exhibit undesirable properties for construction uses such as high compressibility or swell potential are designated as "special soils." A c oncrete slab resting on grade containing minimal distributed steel, usually of welded wire fabric (WWF), for the purpose of limiting crack width due to shrinkage and temperature change, is designated as an unreinforced slab.

Tests have shown that maximum tensile stresses in oor slabs will occur when vehicle wheels are tangent to a free edge. Stresses for the condition of the vehicle wheels tangent to an interior joint where the two slabs are tied together are less severe than a free edge because of the load transfer across the two adjacent slabs. The maximum allowable distributed stationary live load w (lb/ft 2) is given by

(106.5) where w = maximum allowable distributed stationary live load (lb/ft 2)

s = allowable extreme ber stress in tension (lb/in 2) k = modulus of subgrade reaction (lb/in 3). See Table 106.5 for typical
values of k .

Table 106.5. Modulus of Subgrade Reaction vs Moisture Content for Various Soils
Modulus of Subgrade Reaction k (lb/in3) for moisture content w (%) 14 Silts and clays with LL > 50 (OH, CH, MH) Silts and clays with LL < 50 200 175 150 125 100 75 50 58 175 912 150 13 16 125 17 20 100 21 24 75 25 28 50 29 25

(OL, CL, ML) Silty and clayey sand (SM, SC) Gravelly sand (SW , SP) Silty and Clayey gravels (GM, GC) Gravel and sandy gravels (GW , GP) > 300 > 300 > 300 > 300 300 > 300 300 250 300 250 225 200 150

h = slab thickness (in) E = modulus of elasticity of slab (lb/in 2)

Unless otherwise limited, the limiting stress s is typically taken as half of the 28-day exural strength, which is typically taken to be 9f
c.

Therefore,

106.6.1. Modulus of Subgrade Reaction Table 106.5 gives typical values of modulus of subgrade reaction ( k ) for

various types of soil and moisture conditions. Example 106.2 What is most nearly the required thickness (inches) of a concrete slab ( f 3500 psi) supported directly on a compacted silty sand with modulus of subgrade reaction = 200 lb/in 3. Assume the allowable tensile stress is half of the 28-day exural strength. The design load on the slab (induced by a wheel load) is 900 lb/ft 2. Solution For an unreinforced slab, the 28-day exural strength is given by
c

Allowable stress, s = 0.5 532 = 266 psi Modulus of elasticity of concrete slab,

The equation for allowable load can be rewritten as

Use a 3-in slab. 106.6.2. Subgrade Performance Load bearing capacity of the subgrade is a function of degree of compaction, moisture content, and soil type. Moisture content tends to aect load bearing capacity and the potential for shrinkage and swelling. Moisture content can be inuenced by a number of things such as drainage, groundwater table elevation, inltration, and pavement porosity (which can be assisted by cracks in the pavement). Generally, excessively wet subgrades will deform excessively under load. Some soils shrink or swell depending upon their moisture content. Additionally, soils with excessive nes may be susceptible to frost heave in colder climates. Shrinkage, swelling, and frost heave will tend to deform and crack any pavement type constructed over them. 106.6.3. Subgrade Rehabilitation Techniques

In construction of any kind of pavement or slab, poor subgrade should be avoided if possible, but when it is necessary to build over weak soils there are several methods available to improve subgrade performance: Method 1Removal and replacement (over-excavation) Poor subgrade soil can simply be removed and replaced with high-quality ll. Although this is simple in concept, it can be expensive. Table 106.6 shows typical over-excavation depths.

Table 106.6. Over-excavation Recommendations

Subgrade Plasticity Index 1020 2030 3040 4050 More than 50 2 ft 3 ft 4 ft 5 ft 6 ft Depth of Over-Excavation Below Normal Subgrade Elevation

Method 2Stabilization with a binder The addition of an appropriate cementitious or asphaltic binder (such as lime, Portland cement, or emulsied asphalt) can increase subgrade stiness and/or reduce swelling tendencies. The table below provides some typical strategies for subgrade stabilization. For sandy subgrade soils without excessive soil mass ner than the no. 200 sieve, asphalt emulsication is often recommended as a stabilization technique. On the other hand, for predominantly ne grained soils with plasticity index (PI) less than 10, addition of Portland cement is recommended. Expansive soils are best stabilized with lime. Method 3Additional Base Layers

Marginally poor subgrade soils may be compensated for by using additional base layers. These layers (usually of crushed stoneeither stabilized or unstabilized) serve to spread pavement loads over a larger subgrade area. A thick pavement structure over a poor subgrade will not necessarily make a good pavement.

106.7. Expansive Soils

Expansive soils are those containing sucient quantities of clay, which tend to swell when they absorb moisture and shrink when they lose moisture. Excessive watering, leaky irrigation systems, and/or poor drainage often accentuates this problem. Poor drainage adjacent to slabs and atwork is a common problem is expansive soils-related damage. Telltale signs of expansive soils behavior include edge lift at corners and shear cracking near corners. Perimeter heave is common tendency during the rst decade after construction, before soil moisture equilibrates beneath the structure. This phenomenon, caused by dierential swell beneath the corners, sides, and under the center of a uniformly loaded slab, is sometimes termed "edge curl." A common problem with lightly loaded structures on expansive soils is dierential heave, caused by the ponding of water on the shady side of such structures, leaky water lines, or natural variances in soil moisture content.
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Indranil Goswami: Civil Engineering All-In-One PE Exam Guide: Breadth and Depth, Second Edition. Reinforced Concrete Slabs, Chapter (McGraw-Hill Professional, 2012), AccessEngineering

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