CE5510B Advanced Structural

Concrete Design to EC2

2. Collapse Load Methods for

Slab Design
– Yield Line Method –

Professor Tan Kiang Hwee

Dept of Civil & Environmental Engrg
National University of Singapore

Contents
2.1 Plastic analysis 3
2.2 Yield line method 4
2.2.1 Layout of yield line mechanism 5
2.2.2 Typical yield line patterns 6
2.2.3 Moment of resistance 8
2.2.4 Work done by yield line & external loads 9
2.2.5 Examples 10
2.3 Limitations of yield line theory 20

© Tan K H, NUS 2
2.1 Plastic Analysis

Compatibiltiy Equilibrium Constitutive

True solution    

Upper bound
 
solution
(collapse (virtual work 
(e.g. yield-line
mechanism) equations)
method)
Lower bound

solution 
 (static
(e.g. strip (yield criteria)
equations)
method)

© Tan K H, NUS 3

2.2 Yield Line Method (Johansen)

 Slabs when loaded to failure:
 large cracks occurred normal
to directions of max. mts.
 by yielding of tensile reinft. with
large ductile rotations
 sections bet. yield lines undergo
rigid body displacement

 Load-carrying capacity:
 strain hardening and membrane
action ignored
 calculated value (“upper
bound”) can in fact be less
than the actual value

© Tan K H, NUS 4
2.2.1 Layout of Yield Line Mechanism

 Rules for postulation of non-curved yield lines:

 Yield lines are straight lines and form axes of rotation
 Yield lines must terminate at a boundary unless
parallel to a support
 Axes of rotation coincide with s.s. edges, cut free
edges* and pass over column supports
 Yield lines must pass through the point of intersection of
axes of rotation of adjacent slab segments
 Hogging yield lines will form along encastré supports

*refer to edges cut from adjacent slabs

© Tan K H, NUS 5

2.2.2 Typical Yield Line Patterns

1. Draw axes of rotation

2. Project lines from pts
of intersection
3. Obtain yield lines

© Tan K H, NUS 6
Exercise 1

Postulate the yield line patterns for the following slabs

under uniform loading.

© Tan K H, NUS 7

2.2.3 Moment of Resistance

Resisting moment per unit length:

mn x L = (m x L sin ) x sin 
 mn = m sin2 

In the case of isotropic slabs

(with identical reinforcement in
two orthogonal directions),

mn = m sin2  + m sin2(900 -) = m

© Tan K H, NUS 8
 2.2.4 Work done by yield line & external load

m xy (  sin  )
= m  ( xy sin  )


Int. work done by yield lline

= moment x rotation x projected length
 = m x  x x’y’
 cos 
 sin 

Ext. work done by applied load

= load x displacement

© Tan K H, NUS 9

2.2.5 Examples
Example 1 – Square slab under u.d.l.

Internal W.D. = 4(1+i)mL = 8(1+i)m

External W.D. = 4(nL2/4)(1/ 3) = n L2 / 3
Equating Int WD = Ext WD:
 = 1/(L/2) = 2/L
m = n L2 /[24(1 + i )]
© Tan K H, NUS Under central pt. load, m = P/[8(1+i)] 10
Example 2 – Rectangular slab under u.d.l.

Internal W.D. = 2m(1+i) L(1/(L))

+ 2m(1+i) L(2/(L))
= 2m(1+i)(/ + 2/)


External W.D. = 2n[(L2/2)(1/3)

+2(L2/4)(1/3)+(1-2)L2/2(1/2)]
= 2n(3–2)L2/12

m = (3 – 2)/(/ + 2/) nL2/[12(1 + i )]

© Tan K H, NUS 11

To get smallest n for a given m:

dm/d = 0
i.e.,
– (/2)(3 - 2) + 2(/ + 2/) = 0 or

42 + 42 - 32 = 0

which gives
 = - 2 /2 + (/2)(2 + 3)

Therefore,

m = [(2 + 3)- ]2 n(L)2/[24(1 + i )]

© Tan K H, NUS 12
Example 3 – Triangular Slab under u.d..l.

Note:
AB = 1/B’X

mAB AB’
= m (1/B’X) AB’
= m cot 

Ext. W.D. = (1/3) n ( L1 L2 sin )/2

Int. W.D. = m (cot  + cot ( - ) )

© Tan K H, NUS 13

Equating Ext. W.D. = Int. W.D. gives

n L1 L2 sin /6m = cot  + cot ( - )

= cot  + (cot  cot  + 1) / (cot  - cot  )

Differentiating w.r.t. cot  gives:

0 = 1 + [(cot  - cot  )cot  - (cot  cot  + 1)(1)] /(cot  - cot  )2

or
cot2  - 2 cot  cot  - 1 = 0
cot  = cot  + (cot2  + 1) = (1 + cos  )/ sin  = cot /2

Therefore,
m is max. when  = /2, giving:
m = (n L1 L2 / 6) sin2/2

© Tan K H, NUS 14
 Example 4 – Circular Slab under u.d.l.

s=R

Sagging mts, W.D.= m(R)(1/R) =m

Hogging mts, W.D. =im(R)(1/R)=im
Total Int. W.D. =(1 + i )m

Ext. W.D. = (1/3)n(R2  / 2) = nR2 /6

m = nR2 / [6(1 + i )]

Under central point load: m = P / [2 (1 + i )]

© Tan K H, NUS 15

Example 5 - Square Slab (other collapse

mechanisms)

Values of m
YL Pattern u.d.l. %error Pt. load %error
Classical* nL2/48 - P/16 -
Corner level nL2/44.02 9 P/13.25 21
Part fans nL2/43.46 10 P/12.57 27
Complete circle** nL2/48 - P/12.57 27
© Tan K H, NUS *see Ex. 1; ** see Ex. 4 16
Exercise 2

Propose a yield line pattern for each of the uniformly

loaded slabs shown.

column

simple support
fixed

column

fixed

(a) (b)

© Tan K H, NUS 17

Exercise 3

The layout of a flat slab floor is as shown in the figure. The characteristic live load
is 5 kN/m2. The total characteristic dead load is 7.5 kN/m2 including finishes
and partition loads. The column strips* are reinforced isotropically with – 1.0
m and + 0.75 m and the middle strips** are reinforced isotropically with – 0.35
m and + 0.65 m, where m is in kNm/m.

(a) Postulate a yield line mechanism for panel ABCD and determine the value of
m.
(b) If a heavy concentrated load, P (kN), is applied at the centre of panel ABCD,
calculate P using the value of m determined in part (a) assuming a fan
mechanism failure mode. Use an appropriate value for r.

Assume the slab to be 250 mm thick and the columns to be 450 mm x 450 mm in
cross-section. Use fck = 30 MPa, fyk = 500 MPa and a clear cove of 25 mm.

* column strips have a width of span/2, centred on the line of columns

** middle strips are strips bounded by the column strips

© Tan K H, NUS 18
 All dimensions are in
mm.

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2.3 Limitations of Yield Line Theory

 Provides rational determination of flexural strength

for slabs of any shape, supported in various ways
 Elastic solutions available only for restricted
conditions, usually uniformly loaded rect. slabs
 As a upper bound method, it predicts a collapse
load that may be greater than true collapse load
 Requires adequate rotation capacity at yield lines;
nevertheless attainable in slabs
 Presumes that earlier failure will not occur due to
shear or torsion and cracking & deflections are not
excessive under service load
© Tan K H, NUS 20
Further Reading:

 Darwin, D., Dolan, C.W. & Nilson, A.H., “Design of Concrete

Structures”, 15e (Int’l. Ed.), 2016, Ch 23.
 Wight, J.K., “Reinforced Concrete: Mechanics & Design”, 7e
(Global Ed.), 2016, Ch 14.
 Martin, L. and Purkiss, J., “Concrete Design to EN1992”, 2nd Ed.,
2006, Butterworth-Heinemann, Chap. 10.
 Park, R., “Reinforced Concrete Slabs”, 2nd Ed., 2000, John Wiley
& Sons, Chaps. 5 to 8.

© Tan K H, NUS 21

Test Your Understanding –

Yield-line Method & Strip Method
1. Both yield line method and strip can be used for design of irregular
slabs. True or False?
Ans:

2. Which of the following do the yield line method and strip method
respectively give: (a) a lower bound solution; (b) an exact solution;
or (c) an upper bound solution?
Ans:

3. There is no need to consider serviceability (deflections and

cracking) of slabs designed using yield line method or strip method.
T or F?
Ans:

© Tan K H, NUS 22
Review
Collapse Load Methods for Slab Design
 Yield Line Method (Upper Bound Approach)
 Work done by yield line (isotropically reinft. slabs):
m x ϕ x projected length
 requires adequate rotation capacity at yield lines
 presumes cracking/deflections alright at SLS
 Strip Method (Lower Bound Approach)
 Discontinuity lines - for load distribution
 number of strips – enable efficient detailing
 hogging/sagging moment – ensure serviceability
 strong bands – to frame openings & free edges

© Tan K H, NUS 23

Test Your Understanding –

Yield-line Method & Strip Method
1. Both yield line method and strip can be used for design of irregular
slabs. True or False?
Ans: True.

2. Which of the following do the yield line method and strip method
respectively give: (a) a lower bound solution; (b) an exact solution;
or (c) an upper bound solution?
Ans: Yield line method – (c); Strip method – (a).

3. There is no need to consider serviceability (deflections and

cracking) of slabs designed using yield line method or strip method.
T or F?
Ans: False.

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Solution to Exercise 1
Postulate the yield line patterns for the following slabs
under uniform loading.

© Tan K H, NUS 25

Solution to Exercise 2

(a) (b)

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Solution to Exercise 3
(a) Internal W.D.
= 4 x [(0.75m + 0.65m)x4
+ (1.0m + 0.35m)x4] x ¼
= 1.4mx4 + 1.35mx4
2m
= 5.6m + 5.4m = 11m

4m 8m External W.D.
+0.65m = 4 x ¼ x 82 x n x 1/3 = 64n/3
2m +0.75m
-0.35m
-1.0m
Equating Int. W.D. = Ext. W.D. gives
-1.0m
m = 64n/33
0.75m, -1m....... column strip
0.65m , -0.35m...mid strip Since n = 1.35 x 7.5 + 1.5 x 5 = 17.625
kN/m2, therefore
m = 64 x 17.625 / 33
= 34.2 kNm/m
© Tan K H, NUS 27

2m (b) Assume r < 2 m (refer Slide 16):

4m 8m P = 2  (1 + 0.35/0.65) m
+0.65m = 2  x 1/0.65 x 34.2
-0.35m
2m = 330 kN

© Tan K H, NUS 28