Chapter – 6

Strip Method For Slabs

Introduction
 Different methods of analysis are allowed by EBCS-2,one of these
is plastic methods
 Strip method for slab design was developed by Hillerborg, his first
results were published in Swedish in 1956
 Strip method is a plastic method of analysis - gives results on the
safe side, which is certainly preferable in practice
 In contrast to yield line analysis, the strip method is a lower bound
approach, based on the satisfaction of equilibrium and bounder
condition requirements every where in the slab
 A moment field is first determined that fulfills equilibrium
requirements, after which the reinforcements of the slab.
 Basic Principles
• The governing equilibrium equation for a small slab element
having sides dx and dy is:

 mx
2
 2my  2 mxy
 2  q
x 2
y 2
xy
Where: q = The external load per unit area

mx and my = BM’s per unit width in x and y directions

mxy = The twisting moment.

Forces acting on small slab element: Flexural and twisting moments

Plate Equation

This equation is independent of

elasticity or plasticity effects,
poisson’s ratio or whether the slab is
isotropic or orthotropic
 The basis for the simple strip method is that the torsional
moment is chosen equal to zero; no load is assumed to be
resisted by the twisting strength of the slab.

 m xy  0
 The equilibrium equation then reduces to:

 mx
2
 2my
  q
x 2
y 2
 This equation can be split conveniently in to two parts,
representing twist less beam strip action

 2 mx  2my
  kW   1  k W
x 2 y 2

Where ;

 W = The external load per unit area (q)

k in the x- direction and (1-k) in the y-direction

 k =1 for the load is dispersed by strips in one direction or

k = 0.5 when it is dispersed x- or in y- equally

 Choice of Load Distribution

 In principle, the load, w, can be divided arbitrarily between the x

and y directions, i.e. choices open to the designer.

 Different divisions will, of course, lead to different patterns of

reinforcement and all will not be equally appropriate.

 The desired goal of choice of load distribution;

• Is to determine an arrangement of steel that is safe and

economical and

• That will avoid problems at the service load level

associated with excessive cracking or deflections
Examples for load distribution:
1. Consider the square, simply supported slab shown
below.
 This example show the strip method and to illustrate the choices
open to the designer, and The simplest load distribution is obtained
by setting k = 0.5 over the entire slab.

 The load on all strips in each direction is thus w/2 (with k = 0.5).

 This gives maximum design moments

mx = my = wa2/16

• Implying a constant curvature for strips in the x- direction at x =

a/2 corresponding to a constant moment wa2/16 (see fig. d).
Similar constant curvatures are also expected at various x’s
corresponding to the constant BM’s at x = constant. The same
applies for y-direction strips.
• It is recognized however that the curvatures, hence the
moments, must be greater in the strips near the middle of the
slab than near the edges. If the slab were reinforced according
to this solution extensive redistribution of moments would be
required, certainly accompanied by much cracking in the highly
stressed regions near the middle of the slab.

• So, what we need is a type of load distribution which can give a

moment distribution such that we get great curvatures in say x-
direction strips near slab middle and less near the edges.
2. Try the alternative, more reasonable distribution shown below.
Here the regions of different load dispersion, separated by the dashed
dotted discontinuity lines, follow the diagonals, all of the load on any
region is carried in the direction giving the shortest distance to the
nearest support (k = 0 or k = 1 in the different regions)
y
Simple supports 4 sides

wa2/8

A A
y
(a) x (d) wx across x = a/2
a
w w
(b) wx along A-A
wy2/2
(c) mx along A-A
 The lateral distribution of moments shown in figure (d)
would theoretically require a continuously variable bar
spacing, obviously impractical.

3. A third alternative is with discontinuity lines parallel to

the edges. Thus k is given values 0 or 1 along the middle
edges and 0.5 in the corners and center of the slab, with
load dispersion in the directions indicated by the arrows.
 y
Simple supports 4 sides

B B

A A
y
(a) Plan view x
(d) mx across x = a/2
a

(b) wx and mx along A-A

(c) wx and mx along B-B

Fig. Square slab with load near diagonals shared equally in two directions
 Two different strip loadings are now identified. For an
x- direction strip along section A-A, the maximum
moment is: 2
w a a wa
mx    
2 4 8 64
 And for a strip along section B-B, the maximum
moment is:
2
a a w a 3a 5wa
mx  w      
4 8 2 4 8 64
 This design leads to a practical arrangement of reinforcement,
one with constant spacing through the centre strip of width a/2
and a wider spacing through the outer strips, where the elastic
curvatures and moments are known to be less.

 The three examples also illustrate the simple way in which the
moments in the slab can be found by the strip method, based on
familiar beam analysis.
 Load Distribution – Comparison
 The first example would be unsatisfactory
 Requires more redistribution of moments
 Exccessive cracks and large deflections

 In the second example reinforcement more nearly matches

the elastic distribution of moments
 But results in an impracticable bar spacing
 Moment averaging may be needed

 The third example , with discontinuity lines parallel to edges,

doesnot require moment averaging, and leads to a practical
reinforcing arrangements
16
 Often prefered
 Rectangular slabs
y
y b/a*b/2 b/a*b/2 b/4 a - b/2 b/4
a – b2/a

w/2
b/4
b/2
w/2
b

b/2
w w
b
b/2
x w

b/4

•Rectangular slab with discontinuity x

lines originating at corners a

•Rectangular slab with discontinuity lines

parallel to the sides
 The second, preferred arrangement, shown in Fig. (b)
gives design moments as follows:
In the x- direction
Side strips: mx = w/2 * b/4 * b/8 = wb2/64
Middle strips: mx = w * b/4 * b/8 = wb2/32
In the y- direction
Side strips: my = wb2/64
Middle strips: my = wb2/8
 Fixed Edges and Continuity
 In determining by strip method, slab strips carrying loads
only near the supports and unloaded in the central region are
encountered (see figure).

figure

 It is convenient if the unloaded region is subject to a constant

moment (and zero shear) because this simplifies the selection
of positive reinforcement.

 Let us consider slab strips with one end fixed and one end
simply supported as shown below.
The following are recognized:

• Although the middle strips have the same width as those of the
rectangular slab with simple supports, the discontinuity lines
are shifted to account for the greater stiffness of the strips with
fixed ends.

• Their location is defined by coefficient a , with a value clearly

less than 0.5, so that the edge strips have widths greater and less
than b/4 at the fixed end and simple end respectively (see fig.).
 y (1-a)b/2
ab/2
a - b/2
a2wb2/2
B

w/2 w/2
ab/2 ab
w/2
w/2

A A
b b/2
w

(1-a)b/2

x
B 12awb2/2
(a) Plan a (d) wy and my along B-B

w w

(b) wx and mx along A-A

(1-2a)wb2/8

a2wb2/8
• For a BM diagram for x- direction middle strips (section A-A)
with constant moment, over the unloaded part the following
maximum moments are achieved.
 Observing, the absolute of the negative moment at a support plus
the span moment = the “cantilever” moment

 Now the ratio of negative to positive moments in the x-direction

middle strip is: m xs 1  2a

m xf a2
 Hillerborg notes that as general rule for fixed edges, the support
moment should be about 1.5 to 2.5 times the span moment in the
same strip.

For mxs/mxf = 2

2a2 + 2a - 1 = 0  a = 0.366
 Higher values should be chosen for longitudinal strips that are
largely unloaded and in such cases a ratio of support to span
moment of 3 to 4 may be used.

Moment in the x- direction edge strips:

Note that they are one half of those in the middle strips
because load is half as great.

Moment in the y- direction middle strips:

 It is reasonable to choose the same ratio between support

and span moments in the y- direction as in the x-
direction.
 Choose the distance from the right support to maximum moment
section as ab [the cantilever span = (1- a)b  mys = (1-2a)wb2/2].
• Hence, the ratio of negative to positive moment is as before:
mxs 1  2a

mxf a2
Moment in the y-direction edge strips:
 With the above expressions, all the design moments for the slab
can be found once a suitable value for a is chosen. 0.35 ≤a≤
0.39 give corresponding ratios of negative to positive moments
from 2.45 to 1.45, the range recommended by Hillerborg.

 For example, if it is decided that support moment is to be twice

the span moments, the value of a = 0.366 and the negative and
positive moments in the central strip in the y- direction are
respectively 0.134wb2 and 0.067wb2.

 In the middle strip in the x- directions, moments are one-fourth

those values; and in the edge strips in both directions, they are
one-eighth of those values.
 Unsupported edges
 Problems with unsupported edges could not be handled by
conventional procedures so easily.

 The real power of the strip method becomes evident when dealing
with non-standard problems, such as:

• Slabs with unsupported edge,

• Slabs with holes, or

• Slabs with reentrant edges (L – shaped slabs).

 For a slab with one edge unsupported; a strip along the
unsupported edge takes a greater load per unit area than the actual
load acting, i.e., the strip along the unsupported edge acts as a
support for the strips at right angles.

 Such strips have been referred to by Wood and Armer as “strong

bands”. A strong band is, in effect, an integral beam, usually
having the same total depth as the remainder of the slab but
containing a concentration of reinforcement.

 The strip may be made deeper than the rest of the slab to increase
its carrying capacity, but this will not usually be necessary.
Slab with free edge in short span direction:

 Consider the rectangular slab carrying a uniformly distributed

ultimate load per unit area, with fixed edges along three sides and
no support along one short side.

 Consider a strip along A-A in the x direction. Summing moments

about the left end, with unknown support moment mxs,
• Thus k can be calculated after the support moment is selected.

• The appropriate value of mxs to be used in the above equation will

depend on the shape of the slab. If a is large relative to b, the strong
band in the y direction at the edge will be relatively stiff, and the
moment in the left support in the x direction strips will approach the
elastic value for a propped cantilever.

• If the slab is nearly square, the deflection of the strong band will tend to
increase the support moment; a value about half the free cantilever
moment shall be selected.

• Once mxs is selected and k value is known, it is easily shown that the
maximum span moment occurs when

X= (1 – k)* b/4
 y
b/4 a - b/2 b/4
B C D

b/4 w/2 -kw/2

w/2 (1+k/2)w
A A
b/2 w
b -kw
(1+k)w
w/2
b/4 -kw/2
w/2 (1+k/2)w

x
B C D
(a) Plan a (d) wy and my along B-B
w

mxs
-kw
(b) wx and mx along A-A
mxs

mxf
b
w/2 w/2
(c) wy along B-B
b/4 b/4

w
(b) wy along C-C

(1+k/2)w (1+w)k (1+k/2)w

(b) wy along D-D

Fig. Slab with free edge along short side

 And it has a value, mxf = kwb2  8a 
 3 k
32  b 

 The moments in the x direction edge strips are one-half of those in

the middle strip.
 Y- direction middle strip along C-C: Simply supported span
Moment = wb2/8
 Adopting a ratio of support to span moment of
2 2
mxs = wb mxf = wb
12 24
Moments along sections B-B and D-D can also be found by the
same principles for the corresponding load values, with appropriate
ratios of negative and positive moments.
 Slab with free edge in long span direction
y

-k2w (1+k2)w βb
A A
(1-k1)w
b
B B (1-β)b
k1w

x
C
(a) Plan a

(1+k2)w

(b) wx along A-A

(1-k1)w
(c) wx along B-B

k1w

(d) wx along C-C

-k2w
• Suitable discontinuity lines for the load distribution are shown in
the figure below. Width of strong band along the free edge is βb
(normally chosen as low as possible considering the limitations on
tension reinforcement ratio in the strong band).
EXAMPLES

1. Figure below shows a typical interior panel of a slab floor

in which support is provided by beams on all column lines.
Hence the slab can be considered fully restrained on all sides.
The floor must carry a live load of 6 kN/m2 with C30 grade
concrete and steel having fyk = 420 MPa. The dimensions of
the slab panel are shown in the figure. Find the moments at
all critical sections and determine the required slab thickness
and reinforcement.
.
.
Solution: .
 Depth required for serviceability

d = 145.5mm,
Dused=170mm
deff,s=149mm
deff,l=137mm
 Loads on the slab
DL of the slab = (0.170 * 25) = 4.25 kN/m2
LL given in the problem = 6 kN/m2
Design load = 1.3(4.25) + 1.6(6) = 15.13 kN/m2
q = 15.13 kN/m2 , q/2 = 7.56 kN/m2
 Strips in the slabs
The discontinuity lines are selected as shown in the figure below.
Edge strip width = b/4 = 6/4 = 1.5 m
 In the corners the load is divided equally in the two directions;
elsewhere 100 percent of load is assigned to the direction
indicated by the arrows.
 A ratio of support moment to the span moment of 2 is used 41
 Calculation of moments:

X direction middle strip along A-A:

 Cantilever moment: mx = 15.13 * 1.52/2 = 17.02 kNm/m
 Negative Moment: mxs = 17.02 * 2/3 = 11.35 kNm
 Positive moment: mxf = 17.02 * 1/3 = 5.67 kNm
X direction edge strip:
 Cantilever moment: mx = 7.56 * 1.52/2 = 8.51 kNm
 Negative Moment: mxs = 8.51 * 2/3 = 5.67 kNm
 Positive moment: mxf = 8.51 * 1/3 = 2.84 kNm
Y direction middle strip along B-B:
Simply supported span moment:
my = 15.13 * 62/8 = 68.09 kNm
Negative Moment: mys = 68.09 * 2/3 = 45.39 kNm
Positive moment: myf = 68.09 * 1/3 = 22.69 kNm
Y direction edge strip:
Cantilever moment: my = 7.56 * 1.52/2 = 8.51 kNm
Negative Moment: mys = 8.51 * 2/3 = 5.67 kNm
Positive moment: myf = 8.51 * 1/3 = 2.84 kNm
45
2. A rectangular slab, 5 m x 8 m with fixed supports at all the four
sides has a central opening of 1.25 m x 2.5 m. Slab thickness is
Calculated to be of 200mm. The slab is to carry a uniformly
distributed factored load of 15 kN/m2 including its self weight.
Device an appropriate system of strong bands to reinforce the
opening and determine moments to be resisted at all critical
sections of the slab. Materials used include; concrete C-25, steel S-
300, and class I works.

46
 F
E

B A
G
5m

8m 47
48
49
50
Because of the
hole, certain strips
lack support at one
end.
 0.3m wide
strong bands
will be
provided in the
X dir. and
 0.6m wide
strong bands in
the Y direction

51
52
 The negative value of w1 indicates that the cantilever strips are
serving as support for strip D-D and in turn for the strong bands
in the Y direction

 which is hardly a reasonable assumption.

 Hillerborg suggests the restraint moment

to be as close to the “basic case” as
possible without w1 being negative i.e.
choosing w1 = 0 (cantilever alone).

mys = 15*(1.575)2 / 2 = 18.6 kNm

53
54
55
56
57
58
59
Depth Check

60
Reinforcements

61
 3.Rectangular slab with long edge unsupported

The 3.65 m x 5.8 m slab shown in the figure with three

fixed edges and one long edge unsupported must carry a
uniformly distributed service live load of 6 kN/m2.
Consider concrete grade to be used as C30 and steel to
be used has fyk = 420 MPa. Select an appropriate slab
thickness, determine all factored moments in the slab,
and select reinforcing bars and spacing for the slab.
 Assignments
1) Reinforcement layouts and bar schedules of the slabs designed in
examples 1 & 2 of the strip method
2) Design the slab in example 1 of the strip method using the
coefficient method, and compare the results in the two methods of
design.

Submission date: December 15, 2012 E.C

70