Title: Practical Deflection Prediction of Concrete Slabs

Author(s): Jonathan Hirsch, Flora Calabrese, Eamonn Connolly, and Allan Bommer

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 284

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 1-24

Keywords: cracking, creep, deflection, shrinkage

DOI: 10.14359/51683813

Date: 3/1/2012

Abstract:
Today’s slab designers face a quandary – economic efficiency demands the use of very thin slabs; however the deflection performance of these slabs is difficult to predict. Exacerbating the situation is that the construction methods and sequences to be utilized are unknown at the time of design. This paper looks at the predictions of several deflection calculation methods and then compares them to actual measured deflections in both the laboratory and field. The variability of deflections and the reasonable range of predictions are also discussed concluding with recommendations for design practice utilizing off-the-shelf software.