Worked example 6.

3: continuous slab

The abaci of MARCUS can only be used for isolated slabs.

In case of continuous slabs, an isolation of each area must be performed. This
exercise illustrates how to do so on the middle span of a continuous slab composed
with 3 spans.

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

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

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

Loads ............................................................................................................................... 3
Characteristic values: ............................................................................................... 3
Design values for ULS: ............................................................................................. 3
Hogging and sagging moments ........................................................................................ 4
Sagging moments: .................................................................................................. 4
Hogging moment: .................................................................................................... 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 above long beams (hogging moments) ........................................... 9
ULS Primary upper reinforcement .............................................................................. 9
ULS Secondary upper reinforcement .......................................................................... 9
Minimum and maximum reinforcement areas ............................................................ 10
Choice of upper reinforcement................................................................................. 10
Upper reinforcement above short beams ....................................................................... 11
Primary: ............................................................................................................... 11
Secondary: ........................................................................................................... 11
Maximum spacing .................................................................................................. 11
Choice of upper reinforcement above the short beams: .............................................. 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 (only span nr 2)................................................................................................ 14

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

 DATA

The area to design is the 2nd span of a continuous 3-span slab.

The dimensions of this middle span are the same as the previous designed 1-way and
2-way isolated slabs (5 m x 6 m) in order to compare the results.
The 2 other spans are slightly different (4 m x 6 m).
De slab is simply supported on a grid of beams.

x x
6m

y
y

Span 1 Span 2 Span 3

4m 5m 4m

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 Continuous 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)

We assume a light reinforcement and thus low stresses in the concrete ( = 0,5 %).

l
Starting from the condition of limited deflection: 30 with l = 5 m,
d
we get : d 16,7 cm

Since thickness h = d + cover + diameter of bars,

h = 167 mm + 25 mm + 10/2 mm = 197 mm if principal diameter is 10 mm

If we want to follow this rule, we have to take h = 20 cm, but as we have seen in
worked examples 6.1 and 6.2, this rule is conservative.
Whats more, we have seen that
- 21 cm was the perfect thickness for the 1-way slab (see SLS of deflection)
- 21 cm was too big for the 2-way slab (see ULS of bending : required area of
reinforcement are very small)

Lets thus take:

h = 18 cm

Loads

Characteristic values:

Permanent loads:

Self-weight of slab: 0,18 m x 25 kN/m = 4,50 kN/m

Surfacing and covering: 2,50 kN/m
Total = 7,00 kN/m
Variable loads:

Service load: 3,00 kN/m

Design values for ULS:

g = 1,35 7 kN/m x 1,35 = 9,45 kN/m

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

gd = 9,45 kN/m
qd = 4,5 kN/m

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

 Hogging and sagging moments
(see 11.6)

In order to use the abaci of MARCUS, the span 2 needs to be isolated.

The loads are subdivided into 2 parts; quasi-permanent loads q and variable loads q:

q = gd + qd = 9,45 +4,5/2 = 11,7 kN/m

q = qd = 2,25 kN/m

The bending moments are then given by:

Sagging moments in span 2: Where:

mx = Kx3.q.lx2+Kx1.q.lx2 lx = lx,span2 = a = 5 m
my = Ky3.q.ly2+Ky1.q.ly2 ly = ly,span2 = b = 6 m

Hogging moment on intermediate supports:

mX = max (0,8.mX,span1 ; 1,2.mX,span2)

= max (0,8.KX2.(q+q).lx,span12 ; 1,2.KX3.(q+q).lx,span22)

Where the coefficients of MARCUS with a/b = 5/6 = 0,833 are:

Kx1 = 0,057
Ky1 = 0,028
Kx3 = 0,032
Ky3 = 0,011
KX2 = 0,103
KX3 = 0,075

Sagging moments:

m x = 0,032 (5m )2 11,7 kN/m + 0,057 (5m )2 2,25 kN/m = 12,6 kNm/m
m y = 0,011 (6m )2 11,7 kN/m + 0,028 (6m )2 2,25 kN/m = 6,9 kNm/m

mx = 12,6 kNm/m
my = 6,9 kNm/m
Remark:
One notices immediately that the bending moments are very different than
those of the simply supported 2-way slab:

mx = 21,4 kNm/m has reduced to mx = 12,6 kNm/m

my = 15,1 kNm/m has reduced to my = 6,9 kNm/m

Hogging moment:

m X, span1 = 0,103 (11,7 kN/m + 2,25 kN/m ) (4m )2 = 23,0 kNm/m

m X, span2 = 0,075 (11,7 kN/m + 2,25 kN/m ) (5m )2 = 26,2 kNm/m

m X = max(0,8 . 23,0 kNm/m ; 1,2 . 26,2 kNm/m) = 31,4 kNm/m

mX = 31,4 kNm/m

Design of concrete structures Continuous 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 = m x = 12,6 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 = 180 mm -25 mm 10 mm /2 = 150 mm

One finds:
12 600 Nmm/mm
d = = 0,033 << lim = 0,371 OK
(150 mm) 17 N/mm

Table A.4.2.3.7-a gives:

= 0,0340 and = 0,086 = x/d << 0,45 (ductility) OK

Since
A s fyd
=
b d fcd
One finds
A sx f 17
= d cd = 0,0340 150 mm = 199 mm2 /m
b fyd 435

Asx / b = 199 mm/m

Design of concrete structures Continuous 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 = 6,9 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
dy = 150 mm 10 mm = 140 mm if primary and secondary rebars have a diameter
10 mm (the secondary reinforcement will be placed above the principal).

One finds:
6 900 Nmm/mm
d = = 0,0207 << lim = 0,371 OK
(140 mm) 17 N/mm

Table A.4.2.3.7-a gives:

= 0,0212 and = 0,067 = x/d << 0,45 OK

Since
A s fyd
=
b d fcd
One finds
A sx f 17
= d cd = 0,0212 140 mm = 116 mm2 /m
b fyd 435

Asy / b = 116 mm/m

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

 Minimum and maximum reinforcement areas
(see 6.1.1)

a. The reinforcement area should be larger than:

A sx, min fctm 2,9 MPa

= 0,26. .d = 0,26 . 150 mm = 226 mm/m not OK
b fyk 500 MPa
And Asy,min= 211 mm/m not OK
A sx min
= 0,0013.d = 0,0013 . 150 mm = 195 mm/m OK
b
And Asy,min= 182 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 = 90 mm . 1000 mm = 90 000 mm
2
s = fyk = 500 MPa

A s, min 90 mm
= 0,4 1 2,9 MPa = 209 mm/m not OK
b 500 MPa

The required bottom reinforcements are smaller than the minimum reinforcement.
They have to be increased:

Asx / b = Asx,min / b = 226 mm/m

Asy / b = Asy,min / b = 211 mm/m

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

A s, max
= 0,04 h = 0,04 . 180 mm = 7 200 mm/m OK
b

Asmax / b = 7 200 mm/m

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 Continuous slab - 30th nov. 2016 7/14

 Choice of bottom reinforcement

Diameter 8 mm every 22 cm (= 228 mm/m) is enough for direction x.

Diameter 8 mm every 23 cm (= 219 mm/m) is enough for direction y.

X: 8/220
Y: 8/230

Remarks:

The chosen diameter is well smaller or equal to 10 mm, which was assumed for the
calculation of the effective depths dx and dy.

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.

We see that the required areas are still very small despite we have chosen a smaller
thickness than the one recommended by the rule of 5.5.2.

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

 Upper reinforcement above long beams (hogging moments)

ULS Primary upper reinforcement

Reduced moment:

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

Primary = X-direction md = m X = 31,4 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
d = 150 mm

One finds:
31 400 Nmm/mm
d = = 0,082 << lim = 0,371 OK
(150 mm) 17 N/mm

Table A.4.2.3.7-a gives:

= 0,087 and = 0,143 = x/d << 0,45 OK

Since
A s fyd
=
b d fcd
One finds
A sX f 17
= d cd = 0,0870 150 mm = 510 mm2 /m
b fyd 435

AsX / b = 510 mm/m

ULS Secondary upper reinforcement

A secondary reinforcement should be placed in the transversal direction. Its area

should not be smaller than 20% of the main reinforcement.

A sY A
= 0,2. sX = 0,2 . 510 mm/m = 102 mm/m
b b

AsY / b = 102 mm/m

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

 Minimum and maximum reinforcement areas

a. The reinforcement area should be larger than:

A sX, min fctm 2,9 MPa

= 0,26. .d = 0,26 . 150 mm = 226 mm/m OK
b fyk 500 MPa
A sX, min
= 0,0013.d = 0,0013 . 150 mm = 195 mm/m OK
b
A sX, min 90 mm
= 0,4 1 2,9 MPa = 209 mm/m OK
b 500 MPa

These values are only for to the principal upper reinforcement (X).
For the secondary upper reinforcement (Y), the rule of 20% is applied:
A sY, min A sX, min
= 0,2. = 0,2 . 226 mm/m = 45 mm/m OK
b b

AsXmin / b = 226 mm/m

AsYmin / b = 45 mm/m

The required bottom reinforcements are larger than the minimum reinforcement. The
conditions are fulfilled.

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

A s, max
= 0,04 h = 0,04 . 180 mm = 7 200 mm/m OK
b

AsXmax / b = 7 200mm/m

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

Choice of upper reinforcement

The required area in the principal (x) direction is thus 510 mm/m.
The required area in the secondary (y) direction is thus 102 mm/m.

Diameter 10 mm each 15 cm (= 524 mm/m) is enough for direction X.

Diameter 6 mm each 25 cm (= 113 mm/m) is enough for direction Y.

X: 10/150
Y: 6/250
Remark:
The chosen diameter is well maximum 10 mm, which was assumed for the calculation
of the thickness from the effective depth d.

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

 Upper reinforcement above short beams

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. = 0,25.116 mm/m = 29 mm/m
b b
AsY / b = 29 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 = 0,2.29 mm/m = 6 mm/m
b b

AsX / b = 6 mm/m

Maximum spacing

The spacing should be smaller than:

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

min [3.h ; 450mm] = 450mm 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 Continuous slab - 30th nov. 2016 11/14

 Verifications for the SLS

In theory, 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.fck 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:
Mx,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 Ec,ef .III

We wont proceed to these 3 SLS verifications, this would be too long for this session.

Design of concrete structures Continuous 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
4m + 4m
(9,45 kN/m + 4,50 kN/m)
2 = 31,4 kN/m
v Ed
2

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

With
200
k =1+ = 2,15 > 2 2
150
524 mm
= = 0,0035
150 mm . 1000 mm

Thus
[ ]
v Rd, c = 0,12 . 2 . (100 . 0,0035 . 30 )1/3 + 0,15 . 0 . 150 = 78,8 kN/m

Despite the value of the shear force is an approximation, we see that the slab does
not need shear reinforcement.

CONCLUSIONS

Thickness
h = 18 cm

Bottom reinforcement
X: 8/220
Y: 8/230
On the whole span.

Upper reinforcement
X: 10/150
Y: 6/250

On the 2 intermediate (long) supports, and

Y: 6/400
X: 6/450
On the 2 edge (short) supports.

No shear reinforcement

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

 Drawing (only span nr 2)

6/400
6/450

1,2 m
6/250

6/250
10/150 10/150
8/220
8/230

6/450
1,2 m
6/400

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