Finite Element Strip – Fixed Band Strip

The recommended and efficient method to design the steel reinforcement for a flat slab or raft
foundation is by using the steel contours (Asd) in the FE Post Analysis Processor with reference to
the “Flat Slab Training” document.

However, there is a method to obtain slab reinforcement on the plan view using the Finite Element
Fixed Band Strip as described below with a regular flat slab model :

 This will design for a single top and bottom rebar for the max hogging and sagging moment
along the width and length of the strip

 Hence the design will be conservative if compared with the steel contour method

 Click the Slab Strip Icon and choose Type = Finite Element

 Click on the FE tab and choose fixed band strip. The “Integral Strip” option will average the
design moment along the width of the strip, hence giving a lower design moment.

 Care should be taken to adjust an appropriate width bearing in mind that averaging with an
excessive large width may result in an unreasonable low final design moment.

 The width of the strip can be adjusted in the general tab.

 The same method can be used for a raft foundation analysed using FE Raft Foundation
Analysis.
Finite Element Strip – Fixed Band Strip

Above : Cut strip through top columns. Change Extents Left (top) to O and Right (bottom) to 2000
(quarter of panel width in accordance with general BS8110 code guidance of a column strip)

Above : Cut a second strip across columns now with left and right extent set to 2000 mm.

The width of the strip is an engineer’s decision with reference to chosen code of practise.
Finite Element Strip – Fixed Band Strip

1. Click on 2. Click on
the arrow this Left Box

3. Click on the left extent of the strip on

plan view. Then click update

Above : Cut the middle strip and adjust the left and right extents so that is coincides exactly with the
extent of the other strip, ie. no overlapping of strip widths. Do for the left extent and then the right
extent using the procedure shown above.

Above : Run FE Floor Analysis

Finite Element Strip – Fixed Band Strip

Above : Mesh > Exit

Above : Go to Analysis Post-Processor to examine the results > Exit

Finite Element Strip – Fixed Band Strip

Above : OK to Transfer Slab Strip FE Analysis Results (to transfer the FE design moment to slab strip
design later)

Above : Right click on plan view > Arrange Steel Bars > Update Steel Bars > This will show rebars on
plan view.

To obtain the slab design report, you can choose “Slab Strip Check Design” option shown in picture
above. Alternatively, go to Run > Slab Analysis and Design.

If there are changes to any parameters that affects the design forces, e.g. change of slab loading, the
following must be repeated:

a. Run FE Floor Analysis

b. Mesh > Exit

c. Go to FE Analysis Post-Processor > Exit

d. OK to Transfer Slab Strip FE Analysis Results

e. Right click on plan view > Arrange Steel Bars > Update Steel Bars