Analysis of lateral load

transfer by internal slabcolumn joints

Daniel N. Farhey, David Z. Yankelevsky and Moshe A. Adin
Faculty of Civil Engineering and National Building Research Institute, Technion - Israel
Institute of Technology, Haifa - 32000, Israel
(Received April 1991; revised version accepted December 1991)

The results of an analytical study examining the behavior and load

transfer mechanism of 16 interior flat slab-column joint models,
transferring lateral load, are presented. Predictions of the connection
response were calculated using a professional finite element computer program, utilizing three-dimensional, elasto-plastic, concrete
elements.
Currently, various analytical methods are suggested for calculating
the load transfer. They assume that the slab sections carry the external unbalanced moment by developing a bending moment on the front
and back faces, and a torsional moment on the side faces. Several
studies have tried to determine the relative contribution of the bending
and torsional moments. Slots or cuttings through the slab, made along
the respective column faces, were introduced in an attempt to isolate
the components that resist the external moment.
According to the present analysis, the various types of connections
have a minor effect on the response. They display very similar deformations and stress distributions in the slab, except for very local
stress concentrations, almost ignoring the slots and cuttings. As a
result of this analysis, the attempts to isolate appear to be unsuitable
since the slab's bending and torsional mechanisms are highly
coupled.
Keywords: buildings, structural analysis~ earthquake resistant
structures, flat concrete slabs, connections
One of the significant steps taken towards the beginning
of the twentieth century was the change from differently
supported slabs to self-supported flat slabs. Today,
towards the end of the century, one of the most widely
used construction methods for residential and other
buildings is the structural system built of reinforced concrete flat slabs. They are monolithically cast on column
heads, without beams on top of interior columns, but
usually, according to codes, with edge beams on the circumference.
The architectural advantages and performance efficiency have accelerated the construction of flat slabs
since the beginning of the century. However, we still
witness structural failures. A structural frame, consisting of columns and fiat slabs, is prone to be injured
under lateral and cyclic deformations, thus causing progressive collapse. The presence of shear walls has not
always provided a guarantee against failure. Under
severe seismic excitation the flat slab-column frame
should carry the external unbalanced moment and
transfer the lateral force to the shear walls.
Many studies on different flat slab-column connections have been carried out and, as a result, design codes
of practice provide various simplified methods of
12
calculation'.
They C ommo n ly supply empirical tools

for the calculation of the ultimate load carrying capacity

and represent the moment transfer mechanism of the
connection in completely different analytical models.
The commonest methods are based on predetermined
yield line patterns 34, or equivalent beams framing the
column faces instead of the full slab -s, or assumed
linear distribution of shear stresses on the slab around
the column 5. Nevertheless, significant uncertainties still
exist in the current methods of design simplification,
which distract the designer from understanding the real
behaviour.
Experimental studies were carried out 6 in an attempt
to determine the resistance mechanism to an external
applied moment, shared by: the bending moments in the
front and back faces of the column, and the torsional
moments along the side faces. Furthermore, Kanoh and
Yoshizaki 7 performed tests on 'half' flat slab-column
connections, shown in Figure 1, claiming to transfer torsional moments only. In their tests, the external moment
was transferred to the slab exclusively through the side
faces of the column. Their results, used by codes today,
concluded that the torsional contribution is much larger
than it was believed to be. Nevertheless, cracking
patterns and the failure mode reported in their work
clearly show that the slab also resisted in bending and

0141-0296/92/060379-16
1992 B u t t e r w o r t h - Heinernann Ltd

Eng. Struct. 1992, Vol. 14, No 6 379

Analysis of lateral load transfer: D. N. Farhey et al.

Co,umn

behind the beam analogy concept and the equivalent

width recommendations; and finally to study the
influence of the connection type between the column and
the slab on the total behaviour.
Sixteen interior flat slab-column joint systems were
modelled using three-dimensional concrete finite
elements. The models were subjected to a static
transverse loading of unity magnitude. The main
investigation variables considered in this study were the
location, size and orientation of slots cut through the
slab, made along respective column faces, the widths of
equivalent beams, and total 'isolation' cuttings along the
slab.

Slab

Flat s l a b - c o l u m n models
Geometric idealization

The chosen prototype is a popular residence building

with fiat slabs of 15 cm (6 in) thickness, 4 m (157.5 in)
span in each direction and 3 m (118 in) high column of
20 x 20 cm (8 x 8 in) square section, as shown in
Figure 2.
A quarter of this prototype served as a specimen for
the investigation. The following boundary conditions
were assigned: symmetry conditions along the longitudinal loading axis and antisymmetry conditions along
the transverse axis. The models were subjected to a
static transverse loading of unity magnitude, acting
horizontally at the lower end of the column, representing
a normalized equivalent earthquake loading.

Material properties
Figure 1 Kanoh and Yoshizaki 7 'half' c o n n e c t i o n test

shear, so that the contribution of this resistance component should not be disregarded. There is a need to
investigate the mechanism of load transfer between the
column and the slab, and to study the possibility of
'isolating' the resistance components and justifying clear
distinction between them by means of slots around
the column or cuttings along the slab s .

Notation
DMAX
MX
VINC

O"v
7"~v

maximum displacement in lateral load direction x, at lower edge of column (loading point)
maximum value on stress distribution diagram
value of increment between constant stress
contour lines
normal stresses along load direction x
normal stresses in transverse direction y
shear stresses perpendicular to plane xy

Objectives and scope

The objective of this investigation was to analyse the
behaviour and load transfer mechanism of interior fiat
slab-column connections, representative of those used
in typical frequent slab-column framed structures. The
specific objectives of the investigation were: firstly to
study the effect of column face slots on the general
response of the connection; secondly to study the logic

380

Eng. Struct. 1992, Vol. 14, No 6

The concrete type was the common B-20, with a cube

strength of 20 MPa (2844.7 psi), a modulus of elasticity
of 25 000 MPa (3.556 E 6 psi) and a Poisson ratio of
1/6. The stress-strain diagram of the concrete material
was idealized by a multilinear elasto-plastic curve, having a cracking strength of 1.7 MPa (241.8 psi), a yield
strength of 17 MPa (2418 psi) and an ultimate crushing
strength of 20 MPa (2844.7 psi), as shown in Figure 3.

Finite element modelling

The mesh layout used in this study is shown in Figure
4. The smallest slab elements were located adjacent to
the column and were a 5 x 5 x 15 cm (2 x 2 x 6 in)
cube. The smallest column elements were located adjacent to the slab and were a 5 x 5 x 10 cm (2 x 2 x 4 in)
cube.
The prime finite element program chosen for this
study was the 'ANSYS', version 4.2B, with STIF-65,
three-dimensional, solid finite elements having concrete
characteristics. The element is defined by eight nodal
points having three degrees of freedom at each node with
translations in the nodal x, y and z directions. The element has 2 x 2 x 2 integration points. This study does
not include the rebar capability for modelling reinforcement behaviour.

Research method
To achieve the above objectives, three series of models
(I, II, III) were designed for analysis.

Analysis of lateral load transfer: D. N. Farhey et al.

2.Ore

'~
Hinge support ~

Free

side

<

Symmetry--.

~ ~ H i n g e

Symmetry o
Hinge support~'o

.........

Free side l

\~

supportt~~

~'1 . . . .

Free side ~

.\

Figure 2

Fullspecimenfor analysis

Series I
The first series was designed to study the attempts to
isolate the resistance contributors and their influence on
the overall response of the slab, by means of different
column face slots.
The series (see Figure 5) included five principal
models (A, B, C, D, E) and four additional models (B 1,
B2, C1, C2) with variations, introducing slots through
the slab, having different dimensions and made along
appropriate column faces.
Model A is a regular slab with symmetrical boundary
conditions in the direction of the loading axis, along the
section through the column, and antisymmetrical boundary conditions in the perpendicular direction, along the
section through the column.
Model B is similar to model A but includes a slot, of
zero width, between the slab and the column face,
perpendicular to the loading direction. Model B1 is
similar to model B but the slot is 5 cm (2 in) wide. In

22
20

~Itimate

18

0.

03

1614
12
10
8
6
q
2 ICracking(I .7)
i
J
0~0
0.001

Figure 3

(20

g (17)

0.002
Strain

0.003

Stress-straindiagramfor concretematerial

0.004

model B2 the slot is 5 cm (2 in) wide as in model B1 but

its length is longer -- 40 cm (16 in) long, which is
double the column dimension.
Models C, C1 and C2 are similar to B models,
however, the slots are parallel to the loading axis. Model
D has zero width slots along all the column faces and the
column therefore remains connected at the four corners
only through the thickness of the slab. Model E is
similar to model A, but is disconnected at the four corners along 5 cm (2 in) to each side. It is therefore
oppositely connected for model D.

Series H
The second series was designed to study the behaviour
of different equivalent beams compared to the behaviour
of the whole slab. The series (see Figure 6) included 3
models (Q1, Q2, YD).
The first model (Q1) used 1 m (39 in) wide equivalent
beams, the second model (Q2) had 40 cm (16 in) wide
equivalent beams. The last model in this series, YD, is
similar to QI, but with a triangularly widening comer
which blunts the right angle and therefore enables a
smooth transfer of stresses.

Series III
The third series was designed to study the possibility of
isolating the torsional resistance or the bending
resistance by connecting only one side face of the column to the slab. The series (see Figure 7) included 4
models (Y1, Y1S, Y2, Y3).
The first model (Y1) is a half-slab with a free edge
along the loading axis. Model Y1S is similar to model
Y 1 but with symmetrical boundary conditions along the
cut edge. Model Y2 is similar to model Y1, but with
5 x 5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 x 2 in) cube grooves for further
isolation of the torsional side face. Model Y3 is similar
to model Y1S, though rotated by 90 for the respective
connected face of the column, trying to isolate the
bending resistance.

Eng. Struct. 1992, Vol. 14, No 6

381

Analysis of lateral load transfer: D. N. Farhey et al.

., --..

i ...

-...

'.-..

~..

,,

."

.'.::.....::

".;

..:;:.:.:.:::::.......
. p;-;>:.',
.

: ~iiS~!;:":!i: !il

i
!:il

Free

side

g
c

Hinge support

Symmetry

0000 00@ON
[0]]00000 0 0
~0000 O O N
~0000 O O N
[]3]0000 O N N
~0000 O N N
O000OOO 0

?ZFq
FNFq
F-TV~
F--I~

c-1 r-"l r"-I r----1 v - - - 1

f--1 r l E l FT-'I r - - - n

'~..t."
I

Figure 4 View and plan of finite element mesh layout of specimen quadrant

Description of results
General

The predicted stress distribution diagrams on the bottom

face of the slab were ox (normal stresses in lateral load
direction x), o~ (normal stresses in transverse direction

382

Eng. Struct. 1992, Vol. 14, No 6

y), Z~,.(shear stresses perpendicular to plane xy). They

describe the general behaviour and represent
qualitatively and quantitatively the bending in the two
orthogonal directions and the torsion with shear, respectively In addition, the maximum value of each stress
distribution diagram is also calculated and printed to its
right, denoted by MX. The value of the increment

Analysis of lateral load transfer: D. N. Farhey et al.

ci
I
i

-.-F~
^~i

~"

" "-j

L ......

Symmetry

i-+.+~ "q, sy+try

B2

r*-i
i
I

i_.
I .~e I
I

<~v

''+
......

I Symmetry
I

,...~

2_ _L__"

;o,O~

" -~

,,

Symmetry

L~__I___J

Figure 5 First series specimens (part pla'n): A, B, C, D, E and B1, B2, C1, C2

Eng. Struct. 1992, Vol. 14, No 6

383

Analysis of lateral load transfer: D. N. Farhey et al.

F r e e side

tl1
ll

<

Free side

Q2

&
c

L
./

Symmetry

<

"c
o

tn

Free

YDiII

ide

I"

--t

iiii!

I
i

i
i

1
J

Ill[I
III11

I
1

I
1

I
1

1
1

1
I

I
I

[t-

I "t'

Symmetry

I1
1111

<lllil
IIIll:
I1111

[ N
N

i!!n

__

[hj

*~
o
r~
Q.

&

t"c

II
||
[|

Symmetry

Figure 6 Second series specimens: Q1, Q2, YD

between the constant stress contour lines is denoted by

VINC. In addition, the maximum displacement at the
lower edge of the column (the loading point), denoted by
DMAX, is calculated. Table 1 summarizes the maximum
stress values, the maximum displacement and gives their
increase in percentages relative to the compared regular
model A, without slots, which is used as a reference.

Series 1
In general, the five models of the first series (A, B> C,
D, E), having zero width slots, and also the four additional models (B1, B2, C1, C2), even though they have
wider and longer slots along the appropriate column
faces, behaved almost identically. The differences

384

Eng. S t r u c t . 1 9 9 2 , Vol. 14, No 6

between the corresponding stress distribution diagrams

were very local and, in fact, all the models behaved very
much like model A (see Figures 8 to 11 and Table 1).
Model B, with lateral face slots, almost doubled by
94% the torsional shear stresses rx,, in front of tbe side
faces which transfer the moment from the column (see
Figure 9). The lateral stresses ox, on the disconnected
lateral faces, which were expected to vanish or at least
decrease significantly, differ from the previous case by
less then 1%. The transverse stresses o, are not much
influenced either (6 % difference).
Model BI, with wider slots than B, increased the torsional shear stresses Z,,. by 145%, and again the lateral
stresses o< did not differ too much, increasing by 16%.
However, the transverse stresses o, increased by 25%,

Analysis of lateral load transfer: D. N. Farhey et al.

Y1

YIS

Free side

IIII

II
==
O~
t"1-

lEE
lEE
mmllm

II
i|

o
m
Q.

III
III
III
III
lEE

II
II

!Iill
III
III
1111
II11
II11

g
e"
Z

iiii

Free side

Y2

0
Q.
CX

II11
IIII
IIII

EEmmEm

ii

Free side

Symmetry

Y3

Free side

>,
I.

0
I2.

rs

E
E

e._
-r

c
<

Free side

0
r~

E
E

t-r"

t<

I
i

E:

Free side
Symmetry

I
Figure

Third series specimens: Y 1 , Y I S ,

Y2,

Y3

because of the transverse flexural freedom of the column

made possible by the lateral face slots.
Model B2, with longer slots than B1, considerably
increased the torsional shear stresses rxr (by 610%).
Nevertheless, the lateral stresses crx and the transverse
stresses try remained almost the same as for model B1
increasing by 15% and 25%, respectively, relative to
model A.
Mode C, with transverse face slots, increased the
lateral stresses trx by only 2% and the transverse
stresses try by only 3 % on the faces which transfer the
moment (see Figure 10). The torsional shear stresses
r~. in front of the disconnected faces, again wrongly
expected to decrease considerably, were not much
influenced, they increased by a mere 5 %.

Model C1, with wider slots than C, increased the

lateral stresses ax by 11%. The transverse stresses ay
are not much influenced with an increase of only 5 %.
The torsional shear stresses Zxy decreased by 11%.
Model C2, with longer slots than C1, increased the
lateral stresses tr~ by 57 % and decreased the transverse
stresses try by only 4%. The torsional shear stresses rxy
decreased by 15%, almost like model C1.
Model D, connected only at the comers, increased the
lateral and transverse stresses by only 5% and 2%,
respectively, (see Figure 11). However, the torsional
shear stresses increased by 56%.
Model E, disconnected at all corners, increased the
lateral, transverse and torsional shear stresses by 20%,
21% and 15%, respectively.

Eng. Struct. 1992, Vol. 14, No 6

385

Analysis of lateral load transfer: D. N. Farhey et al.

Table

Comparison of results

Model
(1)

~v

"r~v

DMAX

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

2607

1365

597

0.03905

2604
0%
2668
2%
2748
5%
3131
20%
3019
16%
2999
15%
2905
11%
4088
57%
2758
6%
3999
53%
2670
2%
3892
49%
3831
47%
3500
34%
5503
111%

1449
6%
1409
3%
1398
2%
1645
21%
1705
25%
1704
25%
1432
5%
1309
-4%
1346
2%
1246
9%
1357
-1%
1390
2%
1895
39%
1450
6%
431
-68%

1156
94%
625
5%
929
56%
689
15%
1465
145%
4237
610%
533
-11%
506
-15%
530
11%
648
9%
567
-5%
1992
234%
1759
195%
3478
483%
1433
140%

0.04308
10%
0.03948
1%
0.04456
14%
0.04057
4%
0.0444
14%
0.0597
53%
0.04032
3%
0.04321
11%
0.04564
17%
0.06942
78%
0.04336
11%
0.04937
26%
0.04863
25%
0.05662
45%
0.05374
38%

C
D
E
B1
82
C1
C2
Q1
Q2
YD
Y1
Y 1S
Y2
Y3

The maximum displacements of the principal models

show little differences, where the highest ascent was
14% in model D, which was only connected at the corners. The maximum displacements of models B and C,
disconnected at different faces, were close to the maximum displacement of model A, 10% ascent in B and
1% in C. The maximum displacements of the remaining
models were higher because of the decrease of material
in the slab's plane, where model B2, disconnected
perpendicular to the loading direction, had the highest
ascent of all the models in this series being larger by
53%, as compared to A.

Series H
In the second series, model Q1, with 1 m (39 in) wide
beams, showed little difference compared to A, except
for the region located at the right angle corner between
the perpendicular beams. The changes in the lateral,
transverse and torsional shear stresses were represented
by only a 6% increase, a 2% decrease and an 11%
decrease, respectively. The maximum displacement was
17% higher than A, though 56% of the slab plane was
removed (see Figure 12).
In model Q2, with 40 cm (16 in) wide beams and 81%
of the slab plane removed, the lateral stresses were
larger by 53%, the transverse stresses were decreased
insignificantly by 9% and the torsional shear stresses
increased by 9%. The increase in the maximum
displacement was 78%.

386

Eng. Struct. 1992, Vol. 14, No 6

In model YD, with the obtuse angles in the corner, the

stress picture was improved in comparison with model
Q1. The changes were not significant in comparison to
model A, namely 2 % increase in the lateral stresses, 1%
decrease in the transverse stresses and 5 % decrease in
the torsional shear stresses. The increase in the maximum displacement was only 11% relative to A, though
52% of the slab plane was removed.

Series II1
In the third series, a principal difference was observed
in the transverse stresses ~, of models Y1, Y1S and
Y2, which were strongly concentrated near the column
(See Table 1).
Model YI, connected along the side face only, had an
increase of 234% in the torsional shear stresses, but the
lateral stresses, wrongly expected to decrease, also
increased by 49% (see Figure 13). The transverse
stresses remained almost the same, increasing by only
2%.
Model Y 1S, with antisymmetry instead of free boundary as in Y1, showed an increase of 195% in the torsional shear stresses, but again the lateral stresses
increased by 47%, and the transverse stresses by 39%.
Model Y2, with separating slots, had a larger increase
of 483% in the torsional shear stresses, but again the
lateral stresses increased by 34%, and the transverse
stresses by only 6%.
Model Y3, connected along the front face only,
showed an increase of 111% in the lateral stresses.
Unexpectedly, the torsional stresses also increased by
140% (see Figure 14). The transverse stresses too had
an appreciable change, principally along the antisymmetrical axis, perpendicular to the loading direction,
where they decreased by 68%.
The largest increase in the maximum displacement
was 45 % for model Y2. The increase in the maximum
displacement of model Y3 was by 38%.

Discussion
The attempts to isolate the resistance components,
reported in the literature, by introducing slots through
the slab and modelled here in the first series, were
shown to be groundless. The slab continued to resist the
same stresses through its plane, except that very local
stress concentrations formed in the close vicinity of the
slots. In the worst case, the maximum distance of their
influence reached twice the slab thickness.
The second series shows that the modelling attempt by
means of completely disconnected equivalent beams is
an oversimplification. Naturally, an updated and
improved model is needed, which will require sensible
in-plane inter-relationships between the beams and will
guarantee their co-operation to the extent observed in
real whole slabs.
In the third series, with various versions of models
similar in principle to those of Kanoh and Yoshizaki 7
(with cuttings along the slab), the anticipated absence or
significant decrease of the corresponding stresses was
seen to be completely wrong. The configuration of the
stress diagrams shows local stress concentration
phenomena, but no isolation.

Analysis of lateral load transfer: D. N. Farhey et al.

A
qX

MX =2607

VINC=275

2607

J
,e- j

f
I J

/
i

MX=1365

\72

F'" / J l

r7_921i-'_

VINC=144

\,,

1365

I~"\ \

-,, ~xy

Ill

3.6 ~NII/

a09
.72

'j/,

~llll/~

lu=wij
~JFilW

Figure 8

VINC=63

"

s3s ~III//, /

597

"

Stress distributions for specimen A

Eng. Struct. 1992, Vol. 14, No 6

387

Analysis of lateral load transfer: D. N. Farhey et al.

[
0

MX = 260q

VINC = 275

260q

It

Illl

/
/

M X = I q49

[j,,,rj/i

L~'~.~ 230

\6,8_~ , %,

VINC=153

\
I

1449

1'1

xy

61"1"~ \ \

ill

'

183

MX=1156

'0'~l

)j

.27klkl f' J
s"gkNi, / / /
671 HdiL ~/ /
793 ~ml

1156=m

I IlL.
I~1Ewt"

Figure 9

388

/
J

. L ~ 61

/r"

~'~

Stress distributions for specimen B

Eng. Struct. 1992, Vol. 14, No 6

VINC = 122

Analysis of lateral load transfer: D. N. Farhey et al.

C

ax

MX = 2668

VINC = 281

2668

fill

IIII
llll

IIII,

_.-/

. ~"

I---

MX = 1409

'N5

ETII L~"

VINC

= 149

k
----.=

,~522"

1409

j,~\

~xy
-33

99

,,0Jill \

//
MX = 625

363FLNII/i
//,
029:
.gs["klill l el r
s61 k l l l l / ,
625 IIIR iflv/j
OIF I M l l r f

Figure 10

VINC = 66

~"
v
~

Stress distributions for specimen C

Eng. Struct. 1992, Vol. 14, No 6

389

Analysis of lateral load transfer: D. N. Farhey et al.

DII

C/
X

/"

f ~

III .d
II, ~

MX = 2748

I,
\

VINC= 290

YJ~ - ~ 7 2 1
IIK~., 2", ~
L'~ I
I !

|
I

p" Iv

2748

(7

0/
/
/

1tl

~"

111

MX = 1398

~4

bKl 14"

l lt~l

llX

VINC= 148

1398

0!

"[xy

It

\
/ -

147 ' ~

,+_Ill

j/
f /

,I

343 ] ~

o37kklll 1 / "
735 N , I l I i
833 l l ' ~

Figure 11
390

m
E~

Stress distributions for specimen D

Eng. Struct. 1992, Vol. 14, No 6

MX = 929

:/

441 LN I
s39

929~

-49

VINC= 98

Analysis of lateral load transfer: D. N. Farhey et al.

Q1
(5
X

H
I i
MX=2758

~ 1 4 6
436
727

L/]]4 ,~ " " / ~0181

/ [ L _ 13)9

r~

VINC=291

I
I
l#ml I

2758

II./j
1,1"I 1.1
I Ll,f]~

~.~,x
I In

I1~,!

MX=1346

71

I~ I
213 I " - L
ll~,

J\ J
]

VlNC=142

IX

1346

xy

II/

Jl
"H41 ~,,
MX=530

..01,I,N/L{I/H-'"

19~LP1,~!111//],,-l-252

= =

, , o
VINC=56

3~.~w]ll L,K /I I I

\ I

'1
Figure 12

Stress distributions for specimen Q1

Eng. S t r u c t . 1 9 9 2 , V o l . 14, No 6

391

Analysis of lateral load transfer: D. N. Farhey et al.

Y1

1/

O
X

JiJ
/
/

MX=~

/I I,I, HI-

\,,~

VINC

lO25

3892

[I

in[
ill j_~,~
Ifl'~ /
141

MX=1390

VINC=147

73 ~;E:~ i,, -,,_

220 rmmn
1390

r~

111

"~xy

I05

/
/

II1

315~
I

Figure 13

392

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1155
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my
mm

iN

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S t r e s s d i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r s p e c i m e n Y1

Eng. Struct. 1992, Vol. 14, No 6

MX=1992

VINC=210

Analysis of lateral load transfer: D. N. Farhey et al.

Y3
0X

MX=5503

VINC=580

/
;~

\87o

F~ i ~ ~,'N-~5503

\
\

\
MX=431

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299 \
345
-46

161

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~
I,- - - ~ . . = j . ~ 2 9 9 ,

VINC=46
~

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431

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J
226
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528

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I I rll'~ll I P ' j
j) IB

Figure 14

-T

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Stress distibtutions for specimen Y3

Eng. Struct. 1992, Vol. 14, No 6

393

Analysis of lateral load transfer: D. N. Farhey et al.

Conclusions
Attempts to isolate the strength components of a slabcolumn connection, introducing slots between the column face and the slab, are erroneous and misleading.
Slab slots on the column face cause local disturbance,
and the slab always mobilizes distant regions in its plane
so that the behaviour is expected to be planar and not
linear as we may assume for beams.
Beam analogies and equivalent beam methods ignore
the planar behaviour observed experimentally9 and in
this study. Therefore, they are not capable of taking into
account the general behaviour and the degrading yield
forms with the possible ultimate failure mechanisms.
Existing predictions of equivalent beam widths seem to
be unrealistic, according to the stress distribution
diagrams seen here.
Furthermore, cuttings along the slab, with only one
connected face of column, do not result in isolating
resistance components. The results of the 'isolated'
components, functioning in the two orthogonal directions as bending and torsion, are definitely not additive,
namely they do not add up to the result of the regular full
connection. From this study it is clear that the different
participating mechanisms are strongly coupled and any
cutting is only causing local disturbance which is
bypassed by the coupled mechanisms.
The results of this limited series of investigations
improve our comprehension of the general behaviour of
an interior slab-column connection. The study clarifies

394

Eng. Struct. 1992, Vol. 14, No 6

the degree of justification in the use and development of

existing analytical methods to predict response.
The conclusions are primary and the study is being
extended to reinforced models with the available rebar
capability for modelling reinforcement and its yield
behaviour.

References
1 ASCE-ACI Committee 426. 'The shear strength of reinlorced concrete
members - slabs', Proc., ASCE, 1974, 100, (ST8), 1543-1591
2 Park, R. and Gamble, W. L. 'Reinforced concrete slabs ~, John Wiley.
New York, 1980, pp 5 1 6 - 5 4 5
3 Park, R. and Islam, S. 'Strength of slab-column connections with shear
and unbalanced flexure', J. Struct. Div., ASCE, 1976, 102, (STg),
1879- 1901
4 Gesund, F. H. and Goli, H. B. 'Limit analysis of flat-slab buildings
for lateral loads', J. Struct. Div. ASCE. 1979. 105, (STII),
2187-2202
5 Hawkins, N. M. 'Shear strength of slabs with moments transferred to
column', SP-42, Shear in reinforced concrete, American Concrete
Institute, Detroit, 1973, pp. 8 1 7 - 8 4 6
6 Stamenkovic', A. and Chapman, J. C. 'Local strength at column heads
in flat slabs subjected to a combined vertical and horizontal loading',
Proc., ICE, Part 2, 1974, 57, 2 0 5 - 2 3 2 .
7 Kanoh, Y. and Yoshizaki, S. 'Strength of slab-column connections
transferring shear and moment', ACI J. 1979, 76, (3), 4 6 1 - 4 7 8
8 Adin, M., Yankelevsky, D., Gl~ick. J. and Farhey, D. 'Behavior of
flat slab structures under earthquakes - part I: state-of-the-art and
analysis', Building Research Station, Rep. 6 0 1 7 - 5 0 , November 1988,
Technion, Haifa, 137 pp., (in Hebrew)
9 Farhey, D. N. 'Elasto-plastic response of reinforced concrete slabc~lumn framcs to load reversals'. D.Sc. the,~'i.~. Technion-lsrael
Institute of Technology, Haifa, 1991, (in Hebrew)