Title: Some Australian Research on Flat Plate Structures

Author(s): John F. Brotchie

Publication: Journal Proceedings

Volume: 77

Issue: 1

Appears on pages(s): 3-11

Keywords: bending; deflection; flat concrete plates; flat concrete slabs; moment distribution; prestressed concrete; reinforced concrete; research; shear proper-ties;structural analysis; structural design.

DOI: 10.14359/6984

Date: 1/1/1980

Abstract:
This paper outlines some theoretical studies on concrete slabs conducted at the CSIRO Division of Building Research in Australia. These studies have resulted in the derivation of simple techniques for use in design and these are presented. The research is focused on design of prestressed and reinforced concrete flat plate structures. In designing for shear at the column edge, the interaction of shear and moment is treated as an independent variable. The moment is adjusted to maximize the shear resistance through a balance between risks of concrete failure in compression and in diagonal tension. The resulting moment distribution at the column edge corresponds to the elastic moments in the slab, allo wing the shear and bending design to be handled together. Several alternative methods for determining these design moments in the slab are discussed. Deflection control by partial balancing of these moments is considered as an extension of previous work. A basis for optimal design under conditions of uncertainty is also introduced and provides a perspective for the design techniques above.