Development of Charts for Partially Clamped Slabs by Finite-Element Predictions

Abstract

The procedures involved in the use of a typical finite-element model for the development of prediction charts for partially clamped, reinforced concrete slabs, under uniformly distributed loading, are demonstrated in this paper. Test results from two sets of four, partially clamped slabs are used as a basis for finite-element simulation and extensive parametric studies, to identify the set of computational conditions and model parameter values, which would guarantee reliable prediction for similar slabs. The direct finite-element simulation of nine other partially clamped slabs, with the identified values, gave an average experiment-to-predicted strength ratio of 0.93. The developed finite-element model is then used for the analysis of a total of 450 “computer-model,” partially clamped slabs, resulting from various geometric dimensions, material strengths and reinforcement ratios, and the resulting database of ultimate strengths is used for chart development. Predictions from the developed charts, for partially clamped slabs of similar configuration, are found to be of the same order of accuracy as the direct finite-element analysis. Other design applications of the outlined procedure are also discussed.