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Fundamental support and span moments - Deflection curves »

Shear forces and support reaction forces

A slab supported on all four edges with an aspect ratio of longer to shorter theoretical span
less than ≤2.00, is considered to be two-way.

Static analysis of two-way slabs, subjected to uniform load, is performed using tables, which
give the fundamental support moments, span moments and shear forces.

In these tables, each slab is characterized by a number from 1 to 6, depending on the type of
support, as illustrated in the following figure:

Figure 4.6

The floor diaphragm, as a rule, consists of many connected slabs affecting each other. The
accurate calculation of these influences is performed only by means of two dimensional finite
elements. In usual cases, shear and reaction forces are not affected by adjacent slabs. An
additional reason for considering slabs isolated, is to use simplified methods for the
calculation.

Simplified method

Distribution of load is considered as triangular or trapezoidal. Heights of triangles/trapezoids

determine the maximum values of load transferred to the corresponding points of the
peripheral support. These maximum loads are the maximum shear forces Vi,j of the slab, while
equivalent loads p i,j represent the equivalent uniform reactions.

The distribution of reaction forces may be calculated according to the following simplified
rule:
Figure 4.6.1.1-1

 At the intersection of two similar edges (both fixed and simply supported) load is
distributed with sharing angle φ/2  (45ο for rectangular slab).

 · At the intersection of two dissimilar edges (one fixed and the other simply
supported), load is distributed with sharing angle 2φ/3 towards the fixed edge (60º for
rectangular slab) and φ/3 towards the simply supported edge (30º for rectangular slab).

Notes:

 In the example presented in the previous figure, the equivalent rectangular slab is
indicated by a red dashed line. Dimensions lx', l y' are determined bu considering equal
area and moments of inertia.

 The above rule for the load distribution is also valid for slabs with more than four
edges.

 The load distribution rule adopted approximates the accurate one according to
elasticity theory. In practice, trapezoidal loading represented by equivalent
rectangular, as shown in the following figures.

 Supports which are not taken into account in the calculation of a slab, should
participate in the load distribution.

 The same approach may be applied to slabs supported on two or three edges.

The values of coefficients of shear forces Vi,j and equivalent uniform reactions pi,j are given in
the six tables b5.1 to b5.6 cite in the end of the book.
Figure 4.6.1.1-2

Vxr=ρxr·p·lx

Vxerm=ρxerm·p·lx

Vyr= ρyr·p·lx

Vyerm= ρyerm·p·lx

pxr=υxr·p·lx

pxerm=υxerm·p·lx

pyr= υyr·p·lx

pyerm= υyerm·p·lx

In each of six support cases two triangles and trapezoids are formed in directions x, y or
conversely (depending on the side ratio).

Next, the general case of slabs is considered for two aspect ratios where S≥0 (as shown in the
two following figures). Tables b5 have been composed according to the resulting equations.

General simplified calculation of shear forces and reaction forces

Figure 4.6.1.1-3 Figure 4.6.1.1-4

VL=L·p=ρL·p·lx, VR=R·p=ρR·p·lx, VL=L·p=ρL·p·lx, VR=R·p=ρR·p·lx,

VD=D·p=ρD·p·lx, VU=U·p=ρU·p·lx VD=D·p=ρD·p·lx, VU=U·p=ρU·p·lx

pL=(A1,3,6,5·p)/ly=υL·p·lx pL=(A1,3,5·p)/ly=υL·p·lx

pR=(A2,4,6,5·p)/ly=υR·p·lx, pR=(A2,4,6·p)/ly=υR·p·lx, pD=(A1,2,6,5·p)/lx=υD·p·lx

pD=(A1,2,5·p)/lx=υD·p·lx
pU=(A3,4,6,5)·p/lx=υU·p·lx
pU=(A3,4,6·p)/lx=υU·p·lx

D=[1/(cota1+cota2)]·lx=ρD·lx , where ρD=1/ L=[1/(tana1+tana3)]·ly=ρL·lx,  where ρL=ε/

(cota1+cota2) (tana1+tana3)

U=[1//(cota3+cota4)]·lx=ρU·lx , R=[1/(tana2+tana4)]·ly=ρR·lx, where ρR=ε/
where ρU=1/(cota3+cota4) (tana2+tana4)

L=[cota1/(cota1+cota2)]·lx=ρL·lx , D=[tana1/(tana1+tana3)]·ly=ρD·lx, where 
where ρL=cota1/(cota1+cota2) ρD=(ε·tana1)/(tana1+tana3)

R=[cota2/(cota1+cota2)]·lx=ρR·lx , U=[tana2/(tana1+tana3)]·ly=ρU·lx, where 
where ρR=cota2/(cota1+cota2) ρU=(ε·tana3)/(tana1+tana3)

S=ly-D-U=(ε-ρD-ρU)·lx S=lx-L-R=(1-ρL-ρR)·lx

pL=A1,3,6,5/ly=0.50·(ly+S)·L/(ε·lx)=0.50·(2ε- pL=(A1,3,5·p)/ly=0.50·ly·L/ly=0.50·ρL·lx, where υL=
ρD-ρU)·ρL·lx·lx/(ε·lx)=υL·p·lx , 0.50·ρL
where υL=[0.50·(2ε-ρD-ρU)·ρL]/ε
pR=(A2,4,6·p)/lx=0.50·ly·R/ly=0.50·ρU·lx,  where υR=
pR=A2,4,6,5/ly=0.50·(ly+S)·R/(ε·lx)=0.50·(2ε- 0.50·ρR
ρD-ρU)·ρR·lx·lx/(ε·lx)= =υR·p·lx , pD=A1,2,6,5/lx=0.50·(lx+S)·D/lx=0.50 · (2-ρL-
where υR=[0.50·(2ε-ρD-ρU)·ρR]/ε ρR)·ρD·lx·lx/lx=υD·p·lx,  where υD=0.50·(2-ρL-ρR)·ρD

pD=(A1,2,5·p)/lx=0.50·lx·D/lx=0.50·ρD·lx , wh pU=A3,4,6,5/lx=0.50·(lx+S)·U/lx=0.50 · (2-ρL-
ereυD=0.50·ρD ρR)·ρU·lx·lx/lx=υU·p·lx,

pU=(A3,4,6·p)/lx=0.50·lx·U/lx=0.50·ρU·lx , wh where υU=0.50·(2-ρL-ρR)·ρU
ere<υU=0.50·ρU
Verification: (a) S≥0, (b) D+U=ε·lx, (c) υL+υR+
Verification: (α) S≥0, (b) L+R=lx, (c) (υD+υU)/ε=1.0
υL+υR+(υD+υU)/ε=1.0
Example: slab type 4, lx=6.0 m, ly=4.0 m, p=15.0
Example: slab type 4, lx=4.0 m, ly=6.0 m, kN/m2
p=15.0 kN/m2
ε=ly/lx=4.0/6.0=2/3. For slab type 4 a1=45°,
ε=ly/lx=6.0/4.0=1.5. For slab type a2=60°, a3=30°, a4=45°, thus
4 a1=45°, a2=60°, a3=30°, a4=45°, thus
ρxerm=ρL=0.423, ρxr=ρR=0.244, ρyerm=ρD=0.423,
ρyerm=ρD=0.634, ρyr=ρU=0.366, ρyr=ρU=0.244, S=(1-0.423-0.244)·lx=0.333·lx
ρxerm=ρL=0.634, ρxr=ρR=0.366 S=(1.5-
0.634-0.366)·lx=0.50·lx υxerm=υL=0.50·ρL=0.50x0.423=0.212

υxerm=υL=[0.50x(2x1.5-0.634-0.366)  υxr=υR=0.50·ρR=0.50x0.244=0.122

x0.634]/1.5=0.423
υyerm=υD=0.50x(2-0.423-0.244)x0.423=0.282

υxr=υR=[0.50x(2x1.5-0.634-0.366) 
υyr=υU=0.50x(2-0.423-0.244)x0.244=0.163
x0.366]/1.5=0.244
Consequently:
υyerm=υD=0.50·ρD=0.50x0.634=0.317
Vxerm=ρxerm·p·lx=0.423x15.0x6.0=38.07 kN/m
υyr=υU=0.50·ρU=0.50x0.366=0.183
Vxr=ρxr·p·lx=0.244x15.0x6.0=21.96 kN/m
Consequently:
Vyerm= ρyerm·p·lx=0.423x15.0x6.0=38.07 kN/m
Vxerm=ρxerm·p·lx=0.634x15.0x4.0=38.04
kN/m Vyr= ρyr·p·lx=0.244x15.0x6.0=21.96 kN/m

Vxr= ρxr·p·lx=0.366x15.0x4.0=21.96 kN/m pxerm=υxerm·p·lx=0.212x15.0x6.0=19.08 kN/m

Vyerm= ρyerm·p·lx=0.634x15.0x4.0=38.04
kN/m pxr= υxr·p·lx=0.122x15.0x6.0=10.98

Vyr= ρyr·p·lx=0.366x15.0x4.0=21.96 kN/m pyerm=υyerm·p·lx=0.282x15.0x6.0=25.38 kN/m

pxerm=υxerm·p·lx=0.423x15.0x4.0=25.38 pyr= υyr·p·lx=0.163x15.0x6.0=14.67 kN/m

kN/m

pxr= υxr·p·lx=0.244x15.0x4.0=14.64 kN/m

pyerm= υyerm·p·lx=0.317x15.0x4.0=19.02
kN/m

pyr= υyr·p·lx=0.183x15.0x4.0=10.98 kN/m

Czerny's elasticity method

Figure 4.6.1.2-1: Shear force diagram by Czerny for side

ratio 1.50

According to the theory of elasticity, the distribution of shear forces along the length of the
four edges of a slab, results from the shear forces along its perimeter as described by
equations. The most unfavourable shear forces along the sides of a slab (as well as the most
unfavourable bending moments) are tabulated in the tables of the book entitled "Applications
of Reinforced Concrete" (p46-51 for two-way slabs, p52-59 three- or two-side-supported
slabs) of series of books by Apostolos Konstantinidis published in1994.
Figure 4.6.1.2-2

Depending on the ε = lx / ly (where lx is the shortest dimension) and the type of support, shear
forces at the edges are equal to:

Notes:

 The simplified method produces more unfavourable shear forces than the previously
reported tables.

 Both the elasticity equations and the corresponding tables, refer to orthogonal slabs or
symmetric combinations of them. The general solution taking into account various
shapes and arbitrary arrangement of slabs is obtained accurately only by means of the
finite element method.

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