TWO-WAY SLABS

EQUIVALENT FRAME METHOD

Introduction to Equivalent Frame Method
• Equivalent Frame Method is a general method for the design of two way
column supported slab system based on stiffness and moment distribution
technique. There is no restriction and limitations in this method as in the
direct design method.
• The only difference between the direct design method and the equivalent
frame method is in the determination of the longitudinal moments in the
spans of the equivalent rigid frame. Whereas the direct design method
involves a one-cycle moment distribution, the equivalent frame method
involves a normal moment distribution of several cycles.
 EQUIVALENT FRAME METHOD
• The equivalent frame method involves the elastic analysis of a structural frame consisting
of a row of equivalent columns and horizontal slab members that are each one panel long
and have a transverse width equal to the distance between centerlines of the panels on
each side of the columns in question.
 EQUIVALENT FRAME METHOD
• The equivalent frame is made up of the horizontal slab, any beams spanning in the
direction of the frame being considered, the columns or other members that
provide vertical support above and below the slab, and any parts of the structure
that provide moment transfer between the horizontal and vertical members.
• There will be quite a difference in moment transfer from the case where a column
provides this transfer and where there is a monolithic reinforced concrete wall
extending over the full length of the frame. For cases in between, the stiffnesses of
the torsional members such as edge beams will be estimated.
 Properties of Slab Beams
• Our first objective is to compute the properties of the slab beams (i.e., the stiffness factors,
distribution factors, carryover factors, and fixed-end moments).
SLAB SYSTEM WITHOUT BEAMS:
 Properties of Slab Beams
• SLAB SYSTEM WITH DROP PANELS:
 Properties of Columns
• The length of a column is assumed to run from the middepth of the slab on one floor to the
middepth of the slab on the next floor. For stiffness calculations, the moments of inertia of
columns are based on their gross dimensions.
• Figure 17.7 shows a sample column, together with its column stiffness diagram.
 Properties of Columns
The column stiffness (Kc ) here is assumed to include the stiffness of the column above (Kct ) and
the one below (Kcb ).
Thus, ∑Kc = Kct + Kcb

In a similar fashion, the total torsional

stiffness is assumed to equal that of the
torsional members on both sides of the
joint (∑ Kt = Kt1 + Kt2).

For an exterior frame, the torsional

member will be located on one side only.
 Properties of Columns
• The following approximate expression for the stiffness (Kt ) of the torsional member was
determined using a three-dimensional analysis for various slab configurations.
9𝐸𝑐𝑠 𝐶
𝐾𝑡 = ෍
𝐶
𝑙2 (1 − 2 )3
𝑙2
• In this formula, C is to be determined with the following expression by dividing the cross
section of the torsional member into rectangular parts and summing the C values for the
different parts.
𝑥 𝑥3𝑦
𝐶 = ෍(1 − 0.63 )( )
𝑦 3
 Properties of Columns
• The flexibility of the equivalent column is equal to the reciprocal of its stiffness, as follows:

1 1 1
= +
𝐾𝑒𝑐 σ 𝐾𝑐 σ 𝐾𝑡
1 1 1
= +
𝐾𝑒𝑐 𝐾𝑐𝑡 + 𝐾𝑐𝑏 𝐾𝑐 + 𝐾𝑡
Solving this expression for the equivalent column stiffness and multiplying through by Kc

𝑲𝒄𝒕 + 𝑲𝒄𝒃 (𝑲𝒕 + 𝑲𝒕 )

𝑲𝒆𝒄 =
𝑲𝒄𝒕 + 𝑲𝒄𝒃 + (𝑲𝒕 + 𝑲𝒕 )
 Properties of Columns
• After the value of Kec is obtained, the distribution factors can be computed as follows (see
Figure 17.8):
𝐾𝑏1
DF for beam 2 − 1 =
𝐾𝑏1 + 𝐾𝑏2 + 𝐾𝑒𝑐
𝐾𝑏2
DF for beam 2 − 3 =
𝐾𝑏1 + 𝐾𝑏2 + 𝐾𝑒𝑐
𝐾𝑒𝑐 /2
DF for column above =
𝐾𝑏1 + 𝐾𝑏2 + 𝐾𝑒𝑐
 EXAMPLE NO. 1:
• Using the equivalent frame method, determine the design moments for the
hatched strip of the flat-plate structure shown in Figure 17.9 if fc = 4000 psi, fy =
60,000 psi, and (unfactored deadload) qD = 120 psf and (unfactored live load) qL
= 82.5 psf. Column lengths = 9 ft 6 in.
SOLUTION:
STEP 1. Determine the depth required for ACI depth
limitations (9.5.3). Assume that this has been
done and that a preliminary slab h = 8 in. (d = 6.75 in.)
has been selected.
STEP 2. Check beam shear for exterior column
qu = 1.2qD + 1.6qL = 1.2(120 psf) + 1.6(82.5 psf) = 276
psf
7.5 𝑖𝑛
Vu for 12 in width = 0.276 𝑘𝑠𝑓 11𝑓𝑡 ൬ 𝑖𝑛 −
12𝑓𝑡
 EXAMPLE NO. 1:
(0.75)(2)(1.0)( 4000𝑝𝑠𝑖)(12 𝑖𝑛)(6.75 𝑖𝑛) 𝑘 𝑘
∅𝑉𝑐 = = 7.684 > 2.708 ∴ 𝑂𝐾
1000 𝑓𝑡 𝑓𝑡
STEP 3. Check two-way shear around interior columns
15 𝑖𝑛 + 6.75 𝑖𝑛 2
𝑉𝑢 = 18𝑓𝑡 22𝑓𝑡 − ( ) 0.276𝑘𝑠𝑓 = 108.39 𝑘
𝑖𝑛
12
𝑓𝑡
(0.75)(4)(1.0)( 4000𝑝𝑠𝑖)(4)(15 𝑖𝑛 + 6.75 𝑖𝑛)(6.75𝑖𝑛)
∅𝑉𝑐 = = 111.42𝑘 > 108.39𝑘 ∴ 𝑂𝐾
1000
STEP 4. Using tables in Appendix A, determine stiffness factor and fixed-end moments for the 22-foot Spans
12𝑖𝑛
𝑙2 ℎ 3 ( × 18𝑓𝑡)(8𝑖𝑛)3
𝑓𝑡
𝐼𝑠 = = = 9216𝑖𝑛4
12 12
Ecs = 3.64 x 106 psi (from Appendix A, Table A.1)
 EXAMPLE NO. 1:
See Table A.16, notice that C values are column dimensions as shown in the
figures accompanying Tables A.16 to A.19. The tables are rather difficult to
read.
C1A = C2A = C1B = C2B = 15in =1.25 ft
𝐶1𝐴 1.25 𝑓𝑡
= = 0.057
𝑙1 22.0 𝑓𝑡
𝐶1𝐵 1.25 𝑓𝑡
= = 0.057
𝑙1 22.0 𝑓𝑡
By interpolation in the table (noting that A is for near end and B is for far end),
the values from the table are very rough.
 EXAMPLE NO. 1:
4.17𝐸𝐶𝑆 𝐼𝑠 STEP 5. Determine column stiffness
𝑘𝐴𝐵 = 1
𝑙1 𝐼𝑐 =
12
15𝑖𝑛 (15𝑖𝑛)3 = 4219𝑖𝑛4
(4.17)(3.64 × 106 𝑝𝑠𝑖)(9216 𝑖𝑛4 ) ECC = 3.64 x 106 psi
𝑘𝐴𝐵 = Using Appendix A, Table A.20
12𝑖𝑛 ln = 9ft 6in = 9.50 ft
(22𝑓𝑡)
𝑓𝑡 8𝑖𝑛
𝑙𝑐 = 9.50 𝑓𝑡 − = 8.833𝑓𝑡
𝑘𝐴𝐵 = 529.9 × 106 𝑖𝑛. 𝑙𝑏 12
𝑖𝑛
𝑓𝑡
FEMAB = FEMAB = 0.084qul2l12 𝑙𝑛 8.833 𝑓𝑡 𝑙𝑢
= = 0.930 =
𝑙𝑐 9.50 𝑓𝑡 𝑙𝑐
= (0.084)(0.276ksf)(18ft)(22ft)2 = 202 ft.k With reference to the figure given with Table A.20,
𝑎 4 𝑖𝑛
= = 1.00
CAB = CBA = carryover factor = 0.503 𝑏 4 𝑖𝑛
kAB = 4.81 by interpolation
 EXAMPLE NO. 1:

4.81𝐸𝑐𝑐 𝐼𝑐
𝐾𝑐 =
𝐻
(4.81)(3.64 × 10 𝑝𝑠𝑖)(4219𝑖𝑛4 )
6
𝐾𝑐 = = 648 × 106 𝑖𝑛. 𝑙𝑏
12𝑖𝑛
9.5𝑓𝑡 ( )
𝑓𝑡
CAB = 0.55 by interpolation
STEP 6. Determine the torsional stiffness of the slab section (see Figure 17.10)
 EXAMPLE NO. 1:
𝑥 𝑥3𝑦
𝐶 = ෍(1 − 0.63 )( )
𝑦 3
0.63 × 8𝑖𝑛 (8𝑖𝑛)3 (15𝑖𝑛) STEP 7. Compute Kec, the stiffness of the equivalent
𝐶 = (1 − )
15𝑖𝑛 3 column
C = 1700 in4 σ 𝐾𝑐 σ 𝐾𝑡
𝐾𝑒𝑐 =
9𝐸𝑐𝑠 𝐶 σ 𝐾𝑐 + σ 𝐾𝑡
𝐾𝑡 = (2 × 648.0)(2 × 307.3)
𝑐 𝐾𝑒𝑐 =
𝑙2 (1 − 2 )3 2 × 648.0 + (2 × 307.3)
𝑙2
9 (3.64 × 106 𝑖𝑛. 𝑙𝑏)(1700𝑖𝑛4 ) 𝐾𝑒𝑐 = 416.9 × 106 𝑖𝑛. 𝑙𝑏
𝐾𝑡 = 3
15𝑖𝑛 A summary of the stiffness values is shown in Figure
(12𝑖𝑛/𝑓𝑡)(18𝑓𝑡) 1 − 12𝑖𝑛
(
𝑓𝑡
)(22𝑓𝑡) 17.11.

Kt = 307.3 x 106 in.lb

 EXAMPLE NO. 1:
STEP 8. Computing distribution factors and balancing moments (see Figure 17.12): The
authors do not show moments at tops and bottoms of columns, but this could easily be done
by multiplying the balanced column moments at the joints with the slabs by the carryover
factor for the columns, which is 0.55.
 EXAMPLE NO. 1:
Summary of moment values:
EXAMPLE NO. 1: