CHAPTER 8

Analysis and Design

of
One – Way Slabs

8.1 Introduction to Slabs:

Slabs are flat horizontal surfaces with two large dimensions and a small thickness. They
are intended for utilization as living or activity areas. They are supported on two or four
sides by beams or walls as shown in Figures 8.1 and 8.2. The slabs discussed in this
chapter are elevated slabs that are different from slabs on grade.

Continuous
y

x L1 < L2
B3
Load Strip 2
Continuous Strip 1 Beam B3

B1 B2 L2

Continuous

B4

Beam B4
Continuous

Beam B1 Beam B2

Figure 8.1: Configuration of slab system supported by four beams.

Figure 8.1 above illustrates a slab supported by four beams on four sides. Slabs may be
supported by other means including walls, columns and others. One bay of the slab is
shown in the figure with planner dimensions of L1 and L2. A gravity load is shown
applied upon a representative area of the concrete slab with planner dimensions of 1 ft x
1ft. Such representative area is shown as a darkened location within the slab surface.
Upon the application of gravity load upon a concrete slab as illustrated, two potential
beams or 1 ft–wide strips of the slab, strip 1 and strip 2, might become candidates for
supporting the load and transferring such load to the perimeter beams. Strip 1 is parallel
to axis x and strip 2 is in the transverse direction parallel to axis y. Due to such
redundancy of support, the load distribution is based on displacement equalization at load

8.1
application point of both strips (compatibility of displacement). Based on their relative
rigidity or stiffness, the load upon the darkened square would be divided between the two
strips. Assuming that the slab is of a constant thickness within bay L1 – L2 and since both
strips are both 12 inch wide, then strip rigidity is a direct function of its span length. A
special case is if:

L2/L1 > 2.0 (8.1)

Then the slab is termed one – way slab. This terminology indicates that the rigidity of
strip 1 (the shorter strip) is significantly larger than the rigidity of strip 2 (the longer
strip). As such, the load supported by strip 2 is negligible where the load is transferred
via strips similar to strip 1 extending parallel to axis x. Beams B1 and B2 are primarily
responsible for supporting the slab. Transfer of load in one – way slabs is primarily in
one direction (the short direction). Bending will also be primarily in the short direction.
In Figure 8.1 this direction is the x direction.

Figure 8.2 represents a concrete slab supported by only two beams B1 and B2. With the
absence of support in y direction, the slab is a one – way slab supported in the x direction
by strips similar to strip 1 with length of L1 and thickness equal to slab thickness.

Therefore, a concrete slab can be a one – way if the ratio of its dimensions (L2/L1) is
greater than 2.0 or if it is supported in one direction only using beams or walls. The
aforementioned discussion has been generalized to the whole slab but intended for a bay
of the slab (bay L1 – L2). Such analysis should be extended to all the bays of the slab to
determine if one – way slab analysis is applicable.

Continuous
y

x L1

Continuous Load
Continuous
Strip 1

B1 B2

Continuous

Beam B1 Beam B2

Figure 8.2: Configuration of slab system supported by two beams.

8.2
This chapter covers the analysis of simply supported one – way slabs. For such analysis,
Figure 8.3 is used. It contains a one – way slab supported by two beams. Span of the
slab is L and thickness is h. Dead load is WD while live load is WL. Dead load and live
load are shown as liquidated load per square ft of the slab. A 12 – inch strip in the
direction of support and bending moment is shown. As they are subjected to bending
moments similar to beams, the analysis and discussion for beams in Chapters 4 thru 7 are
basically applicable to one – way slabs.

Liquidated Load on Slab

WD & WL (psf)
Load on Strip

y L
x
12” Strip

Beam B1 Beam B2

Figure 8.3: One – way slab.

Figure 8.4 is a two – dimensional and a three – dimensional representation of the loading
strip shown in Figure 8.3. As noted from Figure 8.4, the load on the slab shown in Figure
8.3 as a liquidated load in psf is converted to a linear load of the same value on the strip
since strip width is 12 inch or 1 foot. It is important for one to realize that the one foot
width of the representative strip is only selected to facilitate calculations. As such, the
slab strip is a beam with a uniformly distributed line load equal to the liquidated load on
the slab in psf. This beam’s thickness is h = slab thickness and width = 12 inch.

8.3
Analysis and design of this beam is similar to the design of conventional reinforced
concrete beams with the following differences that are dictated by ACI 318 Code:

WD & WL (lb/ft)

3 – D Representation
12”

h
L

WD & WL (lb/ft)
2 – D Representation

h
L

Figure 8.4: Representative loading strip for design of one – way slabs.

1. Slab thickness requirements so that deflection need not be calculated is according

to the following table (duplicated in Appendix A as Table A.12):

Table 8.1
Minimum thickness (h) for reinforced concrete slabs unless deflections are computed.1

Members Simply One-End Both-Ends Cantilever

Supported Continuous Continuous

Solid One - Way Span/20 Span/24 Span/28 Span/10

Slab
1
Normal weight concrete (unit weight, γ = 145 lb/ft3 or pcf) and 60,000 psi yield strength of steel, fy are assumed.
Multiply by (1.65 – 0.005γ) and (0.4 + fy/100,000), for light weight concrete and for fy ≠ 60,000 psi, respectively.
Does not apply to slabs supporting construction that is likely to be damaged by large deflections.

2. Other steel reinforcement considerations in concrete slabs are as follows:

a. There are two curtains of reinforcement in the slab, one for resistance of
the bending moment termed main reinforcement (typically in the short
direction). The other curtain is termed secondary steel. It is placed is in
the transverse direction (typically the long direction) is often referred to as
shrinkage and temperature steel and is for reducing cracks due to
shrinkage and temperature changes,

8.4
 b. The two curtains of steel are placed one on top of the other with the main
steel placed to result in a larger value of effective depth, d. As such, main
steel is on the bottom and shrinkage steel is on top if the bending moment
is positive and vice versa if the slab is subjected to negative bending
moment,

c. Maximum spacing of bars of main steel shall not exceed three times the
thickness of slab (3h) or 18” whichever is smaller. Maximum spacing of
bars of shrinkage steel shall not exceed five times the thickness of slab
(5h) or 18” whichever is smaller, and

d. Clear cover over steel bars in concrete slabs may not be less than ¾”
according to ACI 318 Code.

3. Minimum reinforcement ratio in slabs is different than beams. Minimum

reinforcement must be provided for concrete slabs in both directions against
shrinkage and temperature variation. The value of minimum reinforcement is
summarized as follows based on ACI 318 Code:

a. For fy < 60,000 psi, ρmin = 0.0020 based on the full cross sectional area of
the slab. As such, Asmin = 0.0020x12xh (in2/ft),

b. For fy = 60,000 psi, ρmin = 0.0018 based on the full cross sectional area of
the slab ==> Asmin = 0.0018x12xh (in2/ft), and

c. For fy > 60,000 psi, ρmin = 0.0018x(60,000/fy) based on the full cross
sectional area.

4. Design of concrete slabs entails determining slab thickness and the area of main
steel (in2/ft) and transverse steel (in2/ft). Although the analysis depends on a 12”
wide representative strip, steel placement need not follow such strips. Strip
utilization is a mathematical too simplifying analysis and design. Steel
distribution is normally called as a steel bar number and spacing such as #4@10”,
#6@7” or #5@4”. One may need to convert the area of the selected steel
reinforcement in slabs to an equivalent area per foot wide strip or per linear foot.
This conversion may be achieved using the following equation:

As = area of selected steel bar x 12” / selected bar spacing (8.2)

Where As = representative area of steel bars in in2/linear ft.

Table 8.2 can be utilized for steel bar area conversion to in2/ft in lieu of using
Equation 8.2.

8.5
 Table 8.2
Equivalent area of steel bars in concrete slabs (in2/ft)

Bar # 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Spacing
3 0.44 0.80 1.24 1.76 2.40 3.20 4.00 5.08 5.64
4 0.33 0.60 0.93 1.32 1.80 2.37 3.00 3.81 4.23
5 0.26 0.48 0.74 1.06 1.44 1.90 2.40 3.05 3.38
6 0.22 0.40 0.62 0.88 1.20 1.58 2.00 2.54 2.82
7 0.19 0.34 0.53 0.75 1.03 1.35 1.71 2.18 2.42
8 0.17 0.30 0.47 0.66 0.90 1.19 1.50 1.91 2.12
9 0.15 0.27 0.41 0.59 0.80 1.05 1.33 1.69 1.88
10 0.13 0.24 0.37 0.53 0.72 0.95 1.20 1.52 1.69
12 0.11 0.20 0.31 0.44 0.60 0.79 1.00 1.27 1.41
14 0.094 0.17 0.27 0.38 0.51 0.68 0.86 1.09 1.21
16 0.083 0.15 0.23 0.33 0.45 0.59 0.75 0.95 1.06
18 0.073 0.13 0.21 0.29 0.40 0.53 0.67 0.85 0.94

5. Thickness of concrete slabs and spacing of steel bars need to be construction

friendly. As such, thickness of slabs is selected in ½” increments up to a
thickness of 6” followed by using 1” increments up to a thickness of 12” followed
by using 2” increments. Spacing of steel also needs to be construction friendly.
One may use 1” increments up to 10” spacing followed by 2” increments up to
18”.

To determine the loading on a concrete slab, one needs to include primarily dead and live
load. While dead load may be computed, live load on slabs is specified by ASCE/SEI 7
standards. One needs to compute the dead load on a concrete slab using self weight and
other permanent attachment, and then include the standards dictated live load in analysis
and design. Other loads may also be included as the situation dictates. There are two
types of live loads that slabs need to be designed for: uniform load and concentrated load.
The distributed load is applied over the whole area of the slab. The concentrated load is
applied on a 2.5’x2.5’ square area located so that it generates maximum effect (moment
or shear) in the structure. Therefore, in design of the slab 1 ft strip, it is loaded with the
dead load, and then (1) it is loaded with the distributed live load and maximum moment
and shear are determined, and (2) the distributed live load is removed and 40% (1 ft strip
width divided by 2.5 ft side length of concentrated load square) of the code dictated
concentrated live load is placed at midspan (or critical location) and maximum moment

8.6
and shear are determined. The maximum moment and shear of cases 1 and 2 are then
used for design. Table 8.3 is a summary of the live load required for use in slab design.

Table 8.3: Summary of live load on slabs

Use of Uniform Live Load Concentrated Live Load (lb)

Structure (psf) on 2.5 ft Square Area

Balconies 100 N/A

Decks 100 N/A

Residential Dwellings 40 N/A

Offices 50 2,000

Office Corridors & Computers 100 2,000

Schools 40 1,000
Corridors 100 1,000

Light Storage 125 N/A

Heavy Storage 250 N/A

Retail Store 100 1,000

Whole Sale Store 125 1,000

Light Manufacturing 125 2,000

Heavy Manufacturing 250 3,000

Restaurant and Ballroom 100 N/A

Hospitals 80 1,000

Hotel – Rooms 40 N/A

Corridors and Public Rooms 100 N/A

Passenger Garage 40 N/A

Sidewalks and Driveways 250 8,000

Roofs 20 N/A

8.7
Example 8.1:

Investigate the adequacy of the simply supported concrete slab shown in the figure if its
use for passenger garage and driveway. f’c = 2,500 psi and fy = 60,000 psi.

8” #5@6”o.c. #4@12”

12 ft
Solution:

1. Min. slab thickness (Table 8.1) = span/20 = 144/20 = 7.2” < 8” available O.K.

2. Dead load due to self weight = (8/12)x150 pcf (self weight of concrete) = 100 psf

Distributed live load = 250 psf (Table 8.3 for driveway)

Concentrated live load = 8,000 lb (Table 8.3 for driveway)

3. Check slab under distributed live load:

Wu = 1.2x100 + 1.6x250 = 520 psf

1 ft strip – Distributed load, Wu = 0.52 k/ft

(Mu)max = Wu.L2/8 = 0.52x(12)2/8 = 9.36 ft.k

Slab under uniformly distributed live load:

Wu = 0.52k/ft

8” Strip section
12”
12 ft #5@6”o.c.

Beam similitude of 1 ft slab strip

Mumax= WuL2/8 = 9.36 ft.k

Bending moment diagram for 1 ft strip

8.8
4. Check slab under concentrated live load:

Wu = 1.2x100 = 120 psf (dead load only)

Pu = 1.6x8,000 = 12,800 lb (concentrated live load only)

1 ft strip – Distributed load, Wu = 0.12 k/ft

Concentrated load at midspan = 0.4x12,800 = 5,120 lb = 5.12 kips

(Mu)max = Wu.L2/8 + Pu.L/4= 0.12x(12)2/8 + 5.12x12/4 = 17.52 ft.k

Slab under uniformly concentrated live load:

Pu = 5.12k
Wu = 0.12k/ft

8” Strip section
12”
12 ft #5@6”o.c.

Beam similitude of 1 ft slab strip

Mumax= WuL2/8 + PuL/4 = 9.36ft.k

Bending moment diagram for 1 ft strip

Therefore, for bending moment, the effect of the concentrated live load on slab is more
critical than the effect of distributed live load. The magnified bending moment to be used
for slab design is 17.52 ft.k

5. Adopt Mn = the lower bound of Mn or (Mn)min = Mu/φ (remember that Mn > Mu/φ)

Mn = 17.52/0.9 = 19.47 ft.k

6. Determine the value of d as follows:

d = slab thickness – clear cover – diameter of main steel bars/2

d = 8 – ¾ - (5/8)/2 = 6.94 in

8.9
7. Rn = Mn/(b.d2) = 17.52x12,000/[12x(6.94)2] = 363 psi
Based on Table A.17, ρ = 0.0047 ===> Asreq = 0.0047x12x6.94 = 0.39 in2/ft
Asprov = #5@6”o.c. Based on Table A.24 ===> Asprov = 0.62 in2/ft
Asprov = 0.62 in2/ft > Asreq = 0.39 in2/ft O.K.

8. Verify that slab has minimum reinforcement or better in both directions:

Asmin = 0.0018x12x8 = 0.173 in2/ft

Main steel As = 0.62 in2/ft > 0.173 in2/ft O.K.

Spacing = 6” < Max spacing = 3h or 18” whichever is smaller

Shrinkage steel As = #4@12”o.c. = 0.20 in2/ft (Table A.24) > 0.173 in2/ft O.K.
Spacing = 12” < Max spacing = 5h or 18” whichever is smaller

Example 8.2:

Design the cantilever concrete slab shown in the diagram if it is used as a balcony with
railing causing a line load of 200 lb/ft. f’c = 4,000 psi and fy = 60,000 psi.

Line Load = 200lb/ft

Main Steel

Support Shrinkage Steel

Beam 8 ft

Solution:

1. Min. slab thickness (Table 8.1) = span/10 = 8x12/10 = 9.6” – Use h = 10”

2. Self weight = (10/12)x150 pcf (self weight of concrete) = 125 psf

Concentrated dead load (railing line load) = 200 lb/ft

Distributed live load = 100 psf (Table 8.3 for balcony)

Concentrated live load = 0 lb (Table 8.3 for balcony)

3. Since ASCE/SEA 7 (Table 8.3) does not require a concentrated load for
balconies. Thus, one only needs to check slab under dead load + distributed live
load:

8.10
 Wu = 1.2x120 + 1.6x100 = 304 psf Line Load Pu = 1.2x200 = 240 lb/ft

For 1 ft strip Distributed dead load, Wu = 0.30 k/ft

Concentrated dead load (railing), Pu = 0.24 kips

(Mu)max = –Wu.L2/2 – Pu.L = –0.30x(8)2/2 – 0.24x8 = –11.52 ft.k

Wu = 0.30 k/ft Pu = 0.24 kips

1 ft Strip Loaded as a Beam

8 ft

– Bending Moment Diagram for 1 ft Strip

Mumax = –WuL2/2 – PuL

4. Adopt Mn = the lower bound of Mn or (Mn)min = Mu/φ (remember that Mn > Mu/φ)

Mn = –11.52/0.9 = –12.8 ft.k

5. Determine the value of d as follows:

d = slab thickness – clear cover – diameter of main steel bars/2

Assume main steel bars are #6
d = 10 – ¾ - (6/8)/2 = 8.88 in

5. Rn = –Mn/(b.d2) = –12.8x12,000/[12x(8.88)2] = –162 psi use steel in top portion of

the slab:

Based on Table A.19, ρ = 0.0028 ===> Asreq = 0.0028x12x8.88 = 0.30 in2/ft

Asprov = #6@12”o.c. Based on Table A.24 ===> Asprov = 0.44 in2/ft
Asprov = 0.44 in2/ft > Asreq = 0.30 in2/ft O.K.

7. Verify that slab has minimum reinforcement or better in both directions:

Asmin = 0.0018x12x10 = 0.22 in2/ft

Main steel As = 0.44 in2/ft > 0.22 in2/ft O.K.

Spacing = 12” < Max spacing = 3h or 18” whichever is smaller

Shrinkage steel As = #5@12”o.c. = 0.31 in2/ft (Table A.24) > 0.22 in2/ft O.K.
Spacing = 12” < Max spacing = 5h or 18” whichever is smaller

8.11
Test your knowledge:

1. What is the definition of one – way slab?

2. What is the difference between main and secondary steel in concrete slabs?

3. How is main steel placed in concrete slabs?

4. Why is minimum steel reinforcement in concrete slabs different than concrete beams?

5. What phase of behavior of concrete slabs is closest to service conditions?

6. Why is 12” wide strip selected for design of concrete slabs and does the
reinforcement need to be spaced at 12” apart? Explain.

Design the following concrete slabs:

Type Span Use f’c & fy Line Load

7. Simple Span 10 ft Residential 4 and 60 0

8. Simple Span 12 ft Light Industrial 3 and 60 200 lb/ft (PL @ CL)

9. Simple Span 15 ft Education 4 and 60 0

10. Cantilever 6 ft Residential 4 and 60 200 lb/ft (PD @ Edge)

11. Cantilever 5 ft Balcony 4 and 60 250 lb/ft (PD @ Edge)

12. Cantilever 8 ft Office 3 and 60 150 lb/ft (PD @ Edge)

8.12