Numerical Analysis of Structural Behavior of Slab

Mohammad Zuhair
Associate Professor, P. R. Pote Patil College of Engineering and Management Amravati
[email protected]

Abstract
Slabs are crucial elements in structural systems, and their performance significantly impacts
building safety and functionality. The paper employs finite element modeling (FEM) to
accurately represent diverse slab types, including one-way and two-way slabs. Various
loading conditions, such as dead loads, live loads, and environmental factors, are simulated to
replicate real-world scenarios. The primary goal is to predict deflection and stress distribution
under loads while considering support with openings. The results provide essential insights
for engineers and designers to make informed decisions about slab thickness, reinforcement
design, and overall structural performance, ultimately improving construction practices. In
summary, this numerical analysis enhances our understanding of slab behavior, contributing
to safer and more durable structures.
Keywords: One-way slab, Two-way slab, Behavior of slab, ANSYS

1. Introduction distributing them to the underlying beams,

A slab refers to a flat, two-dimensional columns, or walls. RC slabs are popular in
structural component with a thickness residential, commercial, and industrial
considerably smaller than its other two construction due to their strength,
dimensions. Its main purpose is to offer a durability, and adaptability.
flat working surface or a protective cover
within buildings. Slabs primarily bear loads Types of RC Slabs:
through flexural bending in either one or  One-way slabs are designed to support
two directions. Reinforced concrete slabs loads in a single direction, often with
find applications in building floors, roofs, parallel beams on both sides.
walls, and even as bridge decks. The floor  Two-way slabs are capable of
system in a structure can take various distributing loads in two directions and
forms, including in situ solid slabs, ribbed are supported by beams or walls on all
slabs, or pre-cast units. Slabs can be four sides.
supported by monolithic concrete beams,  Flat slabs do not have beams and
steel beams, walls, or directly above feature a flat soffit.
columns. Concrete slabs primarily function  Waffle slabs have a ribbed pattern on
as flexural elements, and their design the underside to reduce their weight.
closely resembles that of beams.
A reinforced concrete (RC) slab is a Structural Components:
commonly used structural component in  RC slabs primarily consist of concrete,
buildings and other structures. Its primary which provides the necessary strength
function is to provide a level, horizontal and durability.
surface capable of supporting loads and
 Reinforcement in the form of steel bars floating, and troweling to achieve the
(rebars) is embedded within the desired appearance and smoothness.
concrete to resist cracking and offer
tensile strength. Advantages of RC Slabs:
 During construction, temporary molds  RC slabs offer design versatility,
or frameworks known as formwork accommodating various shapes and
shape the concrete. sizes to meet specific project needs.
 They provide excellent strength,
Design Considerations: durability, and resistance to fire,
 Design factors consider the anticipated making them suitable for a wide range
loads, including dead loads (such as the of applications.
slab's own weight and finishes), live  The inherent properties of concrete,
loads (occupancy, furniture), and any including good acoustic and thermal
additional loads. insulation, enhance comfort and energy
 The span of the slab and its intended efficiency within the structure.
use dictate the required thickness to
ensure adequate strength and deflection Behavior of One-Way Slab:
control.  A one-way slab is a type of slab that
 Design specifications outline the size, spans in only one direction, typically
spacing, and placement of rebars to supported on two parallel opposite
handle tensile forces, control cracking, edges.
and maintain structural stability.  If the slab is supported on all four
 The type of support (beams, walls, or edges, and the ratio of the longer span
columns) influences the design, (ly) to the shorter span (lx) is greater
including reinforcement details and than 2 (ly/lx > 2), it effectively spans
thickness near the supports. across the shorter span and is also
considered a one-way slab.
Construction Process:
 Formwork is constructed to define the
shape and dimensions of the slab.
 Reinforcing bars are placed within the
formwork according to design
specifications, including both main
reinforcement (bottom bars) and
distribution bars.
 Fresh concrete is poured into the
formwork, ensuring it fills all voids and
thoroughly covers the reinforcement.
 Adequate curing methods, such as wet
curing, membrane curing, or curing
compounds, are crucial to achieve the
desired strength and durability.
 After curing, the surface of the slab is Fig 1.1: Behavior of One-way slab
typically finished with screeding,
 In one-way slabs, main reinforcement is ANSYS Software:
provided along the spanning direction  ANSYS is a widely used computer-
to resist bending in that direction. aided engineering (CAE) software suite
developed by ANSYS, Inc.
Behavior of Two-Way Slabs:  It provides simulation tools for various
 Two-way slabs are rectangular slabs engineering disciplines, including
supported on four edge supports, structural analysis, fluid dynamics,
bending in two orthogonal electromagnetics, and multiphysics.
(perpendicular) directions and  Engineers and designers use ANSYS to
deflecting like a dish or saucer. simulate and analyze the behavior of
 For a slab to be considered two-way, their designs before physical
the ratio of ly (longer span) to lx construction, allowing for optimization
(shorter span) should be less than or of performance, durability, and safety
equal to 2 (ly/lx ≤ 2.0). in engineering projects.
 In two-way slabs, due to transverse
loads, corners tend to curl up and lift,
1.1 Aim of the work
causing a loss of contact in some
The aim of analyzing a reinforced concrete
regions. This lifting of corners is a
(RC) slab using Ansys software is to
common behavior in two-way slabs.
determine its structural behavior under
 Two-way slabs can be categorized as
loading conditions. Ansys is a powerful
simply supported if they are not
finite element analysis (FEA) software that
connected to beams, and restrained if
can simulate and analyze slabs, to assess
they are cast monolithically with beams
their performance and ensure they meet
to prevent corner lifting.
design requirements.
 In restrained slabs, corners are
prevented from lifting, but rotation can
still occur in the central strip, leading to 2. Objectives of the work
torsion effects.  To study the ANSYS software for
analyzing slab / plate
 Determine the slab's ability to withstand
applied loads without experiencing
excessive deflections, cracks, or failure.
This involves evaluating factors such as
bending moments, shear forces.
 Assess the deflection behavior of the
slab under different loads and
determine if it meets the required
design criteria. Excessive deflections
can lead to aesthetic or functional issues
in the structure.

Fig1.2: Behavior of Two way slabs 3. System Development

3.1 Types of Slab Analyzed: 4.5 m)
The following cases were analyzed using
the finite element analysis software
ANSYS slab / plate without opening:
Slab Size (4 m x 4.5 m)

Fig 3.3 Slab with Reinforcement-

straight bars

3.2 Loads on Slab

Fig 3.1 Slab without opening For the analysis load of 10kN/m2 were
applied on the slab.
Slab /plate with opening: Slab Size (4 m x
4.5 m) 3.3 Support Conditions
For the slab the fixed support was
considered.

4. Performance Analysis

4.1 Analysis Parameters

The slabs considered in the analysis were
analyzed for the structural parameters of
shear force and total deformation in
ANSYS software.

4.2 Analysis of Slabs

The slab/plate without opening is analyzed
in ANSYS workbench and it shows the
result as below for the shear stress and total
Fig 3.2 Slab with opening deformation for the cases mentioned.

Slab with reinforcement: Slab Size (4 m x

 Fig: 4.4 Shear Stress Distribution in slab
Fig 4.1 Shear Stress Distribution in slab
with opening
without opening
Slab with Reinforcement: The RC slab
was analyzed with opening for shear stress
and total deformation

Fig 4.2 Total Deformation in slab without

opening

Slab with Opening: The slab was analyzed

with opening for shear stress and total
Fig 4.5 Shear Stress Distribution in RC slab
deformation.

Fig: 4.3 Total Deformation in slab with

opening Fig 4.6 total deformation in RC slab
4.3 Result 2. Muttoni, Aurelio & Fernández Ruiz,
 The slabs are analyzed in the ANSYS Miguel. MC2010: The Critical Shear
for the structural parameters of shear Crack Theory as a mechanical model
stress and total deformation. The results for punching shear design and its
obtained are shown in the above figures application to code provisions. fib,
 For the case of without opening the Bulletin. 57.
shear stress was found out to be 0.083 3. Renuka Gurusiddappa Madiwalar et.al.,
Mpa & total deformation of 12.667 Analyse the seismic behaviour of
mm. structure with flat slab over
 For the case of with opening the shear conventional slab.
stress was found out to be -1.85 Mpa & 4. Fatma Sheta, Ezz El-Din Mostafa,
total deformation of 12.639 mm. Ayman Khalil, Non-linear Finite
 For the case of RC slab, the shear stress Element Analysis for the Behavior of
was found out to be -0.0083 Mpa & Punching Shear in Flat Slabs with
total deformation of 1.2667 mm Openings
5. Asha T. S. MabroukL, Ali A. Hegab,
5. CONCLUSION Analysis of the behavior of RC flat
 For the slab / plate with and without slabs with horizontal and vertical shear
opening the shear stress values near the reinforcement.
opening are much higher as compared 6. Ahmed Ibrahim, Hani Salim and
with the slab without opening. The Hamady Shehab Eldin, Analysis of
shear stress values are much lower for Waffle Slabs with and without
the slab with reinforcement. Openings, Journal of Structural
 For the slab / plate with and without Engineering, ASCE.
opening the total deformation values 7. Anjaly Somasekhar and, Preethi
near the opening are not much differ Prabhakaran, Analysis of Reinforced
slab without opening. The total Waffle Slab with Opening,
deformation values are much lower for International Journal of Emerging
the slab with reinforcement. Technology and Advanced
 The lower deformation values may due Engineering.
to the addition of reinforcement in 8. Chee Khoon Ng, Timothy Julius
slab/plate. Edward and Daniel Kim Tee Lee,
 The shear stress values are reduced as Theoretical Evaluation on Effects of
proceed away from the opening. Opening on Ultimate Load carrying
Capacity of Square Slabs, Electronic
Journal of Structural Engineering.
6. References 9. Dr. B. Kawadkar, Dr. D. V. Bhope and
S.D. Khamankar, Evaluation of Stress
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Concentration in Plate with Cut out and
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reinforced concrete flat slab with the
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ICONBUILD & RCCE 2019