2018

Modelling Flat Slab Structure

Table of Contents
1.1 Import Members .................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Create wall, beam and slab ..................................................................................... 7
1.3 Inserting slabs ........................................................................................................ 8
1.4 Final Flat Slab Model .............................................................................................. 9
1.5 Material Properties ................................................................................................ 9
1.6 Flat Slab Analysis & Design Flow ........................................................................... 10
1.7 Building Analysis to Generate Lateral Design Forces.............................................. 11
1.8 Slab Meshing........................................................................................................ 13
1.8.1 Long term deflections ............................................................................................................... 13
1.8.2 FE floor analysis settings ........................................................................................................... 14
1.9 Batch FE chasedown analysis ................................................................................ 15
1.9.1 Verify the results ....................................................................................................................... 16
1.9.2 Reviewing results in the model ................................................................................................. 16
1.10 Finite element analysis form – Post Processing ..................................................... 17
1.10.1 Review the FE results ................................................................................................................ 17
1.10.2 Bottom steel reinforcement provision ..................................................................................... 19
1.11 User defined contours .......................................................................................... 20
1.11.1 Creating contours (bottom steel provision).............................................................................. 22
1.11.2 Creating contours (top steel provision) – As(d)1-top ............................................................... 23
1.11.3 Warning on top steel provision – Insufficient slabs .................................................................. 28
1.11.4 Column node adjustments ........................................................................................................ 29
1.11.5 Node interpolation.................................................................................................................... 30
1.11.6 Using integral (average) strip results ........................................................................................ 30
1.11.7 Increase slab thickness.............................................................................................................. 30
1.12 Reinforcement which is not in the global axes (For Information Only) ................... 30
1.13 Column design ..................................................................................................... 31

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1.1 Import Members
In this example a DXF drawing is imported into ProtaStructure. This drawing can then be used for the following
features:-
• Automatic Import of Axis (see notes below)
• Automatic Import of Column Sections (see notes below)
• Use the DXF as a Ghost Layer to accurately create the elements and loads
• Snap to locations on the .DXF
• Import a different .DXF at each level (St) of the structure
• Provides quick effective checking for changes to the scheme by importing revised drawings

➢ Create a New project

➢ Select ‘UK (BS8110)’ template and Import to current project settings

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➢ Click on the ‘External Reference Drawing’ icon

Please note the following recommendations before considering the Import of any .DXF into ProtaStructure :
• Tidy the DXF drawing before importing. Do not import all the information in the DXF file, e.g. remove
tile layout or any hatching entities. The less information on the DXF file the less likely mistakes are going
to be made during the creation of the model. You may consider create a separate drawing solely for
import purposes.
• To keep the dxf file small, it is recommended you save each floor as a separate dxf file.
• Axes will only be recognised within the ProtaStructure model if they are separated into a Unique
Identifiable Layer, drawn as a LINE objects.
• Columns will only be recognised within the ProtaStructure model if they are separated into a Unique
Identifiable Layer, drawn as POLYLINE objects
• Ensure the Lower Left corner of the DXF drawing is consistent in location with the Lower Left corner of
the sheet in ProtaStructure, to ensure the correct import location in ProtaStructure

➢ Click the DXF Load button

➢ Select the dxf drawing ‘Irregular_Flat_Slab.dxf’

➢ Import the drawing unit in mm and click OK

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If the tick box for ‘Display Reference Drawing’ is selected, you should be able to see the drawing in the
background.

➢ Click Import Members button and make the settings below:-

Ticking the ‘Import Axes’ option will allow the layers to be used for active Grid Lines in the model. In this case a
layer has been set up for direction 1 and direction 2 axes.
If grids are not separated to 2 different layers, choose “NONE” for Axis Later (Dir 2).
Ticking the box to Group Axis by Directions will automatically assign the correct direction to a single axis layer
drawing.

Ticking the ‘Import Columns’ option will allow the layers to be used for Active Columns in the model.

Note: Only Axes and Columns can be imported all other elements have to be created manually.

➢ Click on OK, which will then automatically open the Building Model Check. This will check for errors in the
imported members and axes.

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➢ Click Cancel to close this window after the check has been performed

➢ Go to the Settings menu > Layers and Color Settings > Layers and Color Settings, where you will be able to
switch the Reference Drawing on/off, change its colour and Text Font

➢ Click on the Axis icon and left click to create the four additional axis shown below (name of axes does not
matter)

➢ Go to Visual Interrogation  Scene Settings  Uncheck Grid (to switch off the grey grids)

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1.2 Create wall, beam and slab

➢ Create 250 mm thk. core walls and a 250 mm x 500 mm beam as shown below

➢ Insert all 300mm thk. slabs with an Additional Dead Load of 0.5kN/m2, and an Imposed Load of 3kN/m2.

➢ Proceed to insert ST04 via Building Setout > Insert Storey

➢ Make all ST01, 02 & 03 storeys similar via Building Setout > Edit Storey (Multiple select 3 Storeys & click
Define Selected Storeys as Similar)
ST04 cannot be similar storey because it’s the roof & hence the elevation is not similar to rest of the storeys.
➢ For ST04, go to Building Setout > Generate Storey > Copy all members from ST01 (Source) to ST04 (Target)

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1.3 Inserting slabs
There are different techniques for inserting slabs. Each one has its own merits; which to use is your decision.

• Axis Region : Insert slab based on the nearest axes as boundary. Hold own CTRL
& pick several axes region to combine  release CTRL key & single slab in the
combined region will be created.
• Beam Region : this is of no use for flat slab models due to the absence of beams.
This is to be used only for beam & slab model.
• Pick Axis : Select the axes one by one consecutively to define the boundary of
the slab  Ensure it they are listed in the table  Ensure to pick back the first
axis. To start a new slab or to reset, click Delete All Axes
• Pick Points : Pick the intersection of axes that forms the corner of the slab in
clockwise manner  once the loop is closed, the slab will be auto created
If slabs cannot be inserted by any of the above methods, try closing the slab
properties & start again.

Note: Before creating the slabs in a Flat Slab model it is paramount that the layout of the slab panels is given
consideration, and the following guidelines are met:-

• All Walls and Beams (if any) must lie on slab boundaries – Columns can sit within slab panels
• Slab boundaries sharing the same grid line will be continuous in the FE model
• Slab panels should be as large as possible (Lots of small panels will complicate the FE)
• Slabs should have the minimum edges possible (triangle/square/rectangle). Irregular shaped panels L
etc. should be avoided
• There is No Right or Wrong layout for the slab panels, but by adhering to the above, slab layouts
should be simple and effective when entering the FE environment

Before copying this storey’s information to the other floors, perform the Building Model Check.

➢ Go to the Building Analysis > Analysis > Building Model Check

➢ Uncheck “Check Column Inside Slab Panels”.

This check is for beam slab layout. For flat slab, the columns
can overlap with slabs.

➢ Click Start to check.

Ensure there are no errors.

➢ Click Cancel to exit

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1.4 Final Flat Slab Model
This is the Flat Slab Model that will be Analysed and Designed as shown below:-

Consider the model shown above. A core wall system is assumed to brace the structure and therefore the flat
slabs and peripheral columns are to be designed for gravity loads only.

Although it looks like a simple layout, it would actually be very difficult to apply the idealisation of column and
middle strips and hence it becomes almost impossible to apply the BS8110 code’s simplified design methods.
Therefore the ProtaStructure Finite Element Analysis is going to be used to determine the Gravity Loads on the
Columns and Walls.
➢ Continue with the model you have setup in the former section or use the given model ‘Irregular Flat Slab’.

1.5 Material Properties

➢ Enter the Building Analysis Form and click Edit Materials
➢ Make sure the Unit Weight of Concrete = 24 kN/m3
➢ Click on the Concrete Grades button for Slabs
➢ Select C32/40 making sure the Short term Modulus of Elasticity = 28000 N/mm2
➢ Tick the ‘Apply to All Member Types’
➢ Click OK in the ‘Concrete Grade’ window
➢ Using similar techniques as used to change the Concrete Grades, specify Grade 500 steel with a Steel
Material Coefficient of 1.15
➢ Check the Bar Sizes for Slabs are set to H10/H12/H16/H20/H25/H32
➢ Click OK in the ‘Material’ window
➢ All element types have a Consistent Set of Section Properties
Note: These settings for the Material Properties apply to both the Building Analysis and the Finite Element
Analysis.

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1.6 Flat Slab Analysis & Design Flow
Before we start analysing the model, let us look the analysis & design flow of flat slab (highlighted in yellow) :

The steps to analyse & design a flat slab model is as follows :

1. Model the flat slab model using slabs as outlined in the previous section.
2. Run Building Analysis (BA)
- This will give results of gravity (G & Q) and lateral (notional + wind)
- Gravity results are not valid since BA requires beams to support the slabs.
- Lateral results is valid as lateral loads are transferred via rigid diaphragm formed by the flat slab.
3. Run FE Chasedown Analysis for Gravity Loads
- Since BA cannot evaluate flat slab gravity loads, we need to run FE Floor Analysis to obtain gravity
load results
- FE Floor Analysis analyses single floor with slab meshed. To correctly accumulate column & wall
loads, we need to run the process from top to bottom storey (gravity load chase down)
4. Merge the results of both analyses for design
- Lateral loads results will be from Building Analysis
- Gravity loads results will be from FE Floor Analysis

Building for lateral loads + FE Analysis for gravity loads

Fx

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1.7 Building Analysis to Generate Lateral Design Forces
We will now proceed to setup the materials & options before running Building Analysis:
➢ Analysis (top menu) > Building Analysis
➢ Loading Combinations > Loading Generator > Generate load cases & combination using > Untick Create
Different Combinations for Steel Design (since no steel members) > rest all default > OK
➢ Edit Material > Ensure all materials as shown in diagram below

➢ Go to Model Options > Settings > For flat slabs, ensure to Use Un-decomposed Slab Loads for the calculation
of the storey weight
➢ Go to Analysis tab > Run Building Analysis by left clicking ‘Start’, making sure the Column/Wall and Beam
Reinforcement Design is ‘Unticked’

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At the end of the analysis process you should see a warning indicating load has been lost.

This warning will always appear when running Building Analysis for flat slabs. It indicates that an FE analysis is
required for the gravity loads. Hence this message can be ignored.

In the Building Analysis the slabs are replaced with diaphragms to decompose the lateral loads to the
Columns/Walls in the structure.

Note: ONLY the lateral design forces have been calculated correctly.

As no beams are present in the model there is no means of decomposing the vertical loads onto the
Columns/Walls. Therefore, for vertical / gravity loads, we need to perform FE Analysis Gravity Load Chase Down
for the structure to obtain the correct gravity results.

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1.8 Slab Meshing
1.8.1 Long term deflections
Adjustment to the slab stiffness to cater for long term deflections are recommended in 2 references:
• Concrete Society TR58 - Deflections in Concrete Slabs and Beams
• The Concrete Centre (HTFS) - “How to Series” - How to Design Reinforced Concrete Flat Slabs using Finite
Element Analysis.

HTFS & TR 58 – Recommends linear elastic analysis

• ProtaStructure currently uses linear elastic analysis.
• This is the simplest analytical method discussed in the report. So it should be the simplest for you to
use.
• It should only be used to show that deflection is not critical, rather than for providing ‘true’ deflection
estimates.
• For this method a long term elastic modulus should be used.

HTFS – Recommends adjustment of E

• Creep cracking and shrinkage are all factors that affect the long term deflection of concrete.
• Short term E (Est) should be reduced to allow for these factors, a long term value (Elt) should be used in
analysis.
• HTFS suggests:
• For office / residential :Elt = 1/4 Est
• For storage / plant :Elt = 1/6 Est

In ProtaStructure, you can use the Cracking and Creep to estimate the amount of adjustment.

By changing the Properties of ALL elements we are complying with the code ‘consistent section properties’ and
the distribution of load will be unaffected.
If only the ‘Slab Stiffness’ is adjusted the columns will attract more moments, perhaps greater than traditional
engineering expectation.
➢ Go to Analysis > FE Floor Analysis and set Storey to St04

➢ Click the Cracking and Creep button

➢ Enter an Average/Typical Dead Load of 7.7 kN/m2

➢ Enter an Average/Typical Live Load of 3 kN/m2

➢ Click Ok – Your settings should now look as follows

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1.8.2 FE floor analysis settings
‘Column/Wall Model Type’ – The ‘Short Frame Model’ should be selected to allow the Columns and Walls to
form part of the FE Model. This should be the chosen option to allow moments to develop between the Slabs
and the Columns/Walls and will also allow the load to be transferred to the floor below.

‘Include Column Sections in FE model’ – This allows the Finite Element Mesh to form around the perimeter of
the columns, producing moments at the face of columns rather than the centre of the columns. This option
significantly reduces the peak hogging moments over the column heads in Flat Slab Construction.

‘Include Slab Plates in FE Model’ – This option must be selected for Flat Slab Models. For Beam and Slab models
un-ticking this option would allow the beams to be loaded as per the Building Analysis model, using Yield Line
or FE decomposed Loads.

‘Consider Beam Torsional Stiffnesses’ – This allows the torsional stiffness of any beam members to be
considered in the design. Un-ticking this option would assume the beams to have No Torsional Stiffness.

‘Include Upper Storey Column Loads’ – This option must be selected to allow the Load to be chased down
through the model (even at the top storey).

➢ Click on the ‘Floor Mesh and Analysis’ button to enter the FE Floor Analysis Form, then mesh the floor
using 800mm plate size and a Mesh Uniformity Factor of 25%

Uniformity Factor : This controls mesh density. Higher uniformity results in mesh sizes that are similar in size
irrespective of location. Lower uniformity will result in smaller & denser mesh sizes around complex area such
column/wall/slab openings position. Lower mesh uniformity may be preferable to more accurately capture
abrupt change in forces (e.g moment), eg. near support locations.
Plate Element Size : This controls the maximum size of the mesh. Generally the smaller the mesh, the higher the
number of total mesh & hence longer analysis time.

The key objective is to choose an ideal balance of Plate Element Size and Mesh Uniformity Factor to produce
minimum number of plates but still sufficient to accurately replicate the “true” behaviour of the slab (so analysis
time is minimized). Generally try to achieve between 8 plates between the column heads.

Using 800mm plate size and uniformity factor to 25% produces a mesh arrangement as shown previously which
is clearly more than adequate.

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1.9 Batch FE chasedown analysis
The previous operation could be performed at each floor level by analysing and moving to the floor below until
the load has been transferred to the foundation level. However using the ‘Batch FE Chasedown’ this procedure
can be automated:

➢ Make the settings as shown above and click OK.

You can select the column header to highlight the entire column & change all the settings at once
Red cross denotes the analysis has not been completed for that storey.
Green tick denotes analysis is completed for that storey.
➢ Un-tick the ‘Pause to Check Meshing at Each Floor’ as the floor plates are all the same in this model so
there is no need to check and approve the Mesh at every floor level.
It may be that you choose to “Check the Mesh at Each Floor” for the first FE run of the Load Chase Down.
However after minor changes, you may well un-tick this option.

When the FE Load Chase Down is complete the Maximum Positive

and Negative Displacements are shown at each floor level.

If there are large displacement, go to the FE Analsis Post-

Processor to examine the deformation of floor & verify the model
is correctly setup.

➢ Before Exiting the ‘Finite Element Analysis Form’

tick the ‘Merge Column Results with Building Analysis
Results’
It is very important that this is done for flat slab
system, otherwise gravity loads will still be based on
Building Analysis (wrong!).
The option to also Merge Beam Results… is optional &
is a user decision if there are also beams in the model.
➢ Select Close.

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1.9.1 Verify the results
When FE Chasedown is successfully completed, you can access the Axial Load Comparison Report from the Post-
Analysis Processes and Reports tab of the FE Floor Analysis form.
➢ Check values of Table 1 : Total Loads (Input Loads) is close to Table 4 : Finite Element Analysis Columns/Wall
Axial Loads (Output Loads).

Ignore Table 2 & Tabe 3 (& the warnings below the tables) as it is for beam slab model which requires results
from Building Analysis.
If there are large discrepancies between sum of Table 1 & Table 4 it may mean that the flat slab model is setup
incorrectly & hence loadings are lost.

1.9.2 Reviewing results in the model

➢ In the plan view, go to left toolbar icon - Active Window Settings and Visual Interrogation > Column
Plan Display > Check Axial Load and Loading G, Q and G+Q*F > Click OK.

Note: If you have chosen to design including Imposed Load Reduction Settings for the columns (Edit
Storey), the Axial Load values for ‘G’ and ‘Q ‘are the Unfactored Dead and Imposed Load.
Any combination results reported graphically include the Imposed Load Reductions if applicable.

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1.10 Finite element analysis form – Post Processing
➢ Return to the Finite Element Floor Analysis form, set to Storey: St04 > Post-Analysis Processes and Reports
tab.
➢ Set the Positive (sagging) Moment Factor to 1.2 before accessing the contour plots.

Why the adjustment?

For FE Floor Analysis Models it should be noted that they do not include for the effects of Pattern Loading. It is
not feasible to automate pattern loading to generate every possible worst case scenario for every conceivable
irregular arrangement. If you are concerned about the effects of Pattern Loading we suggest amplifying the
‘Positive Moment Factor’ (10-20%) to allow for these effects.
Alternatively, you can setup user-defined load pattern using ‘Finite Elements Slab Load Definitions’

1.10.1 Review the FE results

➢ From the Post-Analysis Processes and Reports > Select Analysis Post processing

This will open the model in a 3D view with any default contours selection shown on the slab area. The Elements
tab controls what elements you want to see. Example, if the view is too cluttered, switch off some elements.
➢ De-activate Plates to switch off mesh blue plates

Experiment switching on & off other elements & information icons to find out what each icon does.

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It is highly recommended to carefully examine the Displacement, as slabs are the key structural element of FE
Floor Analysis. Specifically, check if the shape & magnitude of the slab deflection are reasonable.
➢ Choose Displacement in the Results tab. You can Increase or Reduce Scale. User defined Scale can be
entered in View Settings > Displacement node.

➢ Animation is very useful to visualise the deformation of slab in motion, e.g. observe if the slabs is indeed
deforming as connected entities.
➢ Choose Standard Contours to display the selected effect in coloured contours. Contours settings can be
changed in the View Settings > Contours node

Placing the mouse cursor on any node of the slab will display the exact value of the effect in the bottom status
bar.

Because we used the Cracking & Creep tool, we have made adjustments to all of our Element Stiffness Factors.
Although these Displacement Contours are based on the G+Q*F Combination, these stiffness factor adjustments
mean that the displacements shown are actually Unfactored.

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1.10.2 Bottom steel reinforcement provision
➢ Before starting to review reinforcement requirements, click on the Concrete Cover icon and set the concrete
effective depth to some reasonable values.

We will start by assuming that the whole slab is to be reinforced orthogonally in the Global X and Y directions.
At this point the slabs reinforcement angles have not been adjusted, so Direction 1 steel is aligned with global
X, which runs from left to right in the view below.
➢ Select Effect under “Required Steel Area”, e.g. As(d)1-bot” & also ensure Standard Contours is activated
It is recommended to always refer to plots that include Wood & Armer adjustment i.e. torsional effect of
slabs. These are denoted with “d” = design, e.g. As(d)…
➢ Click Plan View (right at the top left corner) to lock the view in plan mode.

This view (above) shows design bottom steel requirements in direction 1 and as might be anticipated the peak
requirements are occurring along the longest free edges.

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In direction 2 (below) we see a very similar situation and a very similar peak requirement of around 1500mm2/m.

In practice you may want to consider the reinforcing requirements if the main steel along the angled edges is
aligned to the edge. This can be done and will be shown in an extra section at the end of this example.

Note: All contours / values shown within the Finite Element Post Processor are shown in mm 2/m.

1.11 User defined contours

➢ Switch back to view As(d)1-bot

We can now use the custom contours option to show where different steel reinforcement provisions would be
adequate. In general the strategy would be to decide on some general lower level of reinforcement to be
provided continuously throughout the slab and identify the regions where an increased provision is required.

➢ Click on the User Defined Contours icon and Edit Contours button

➢ Set Number of Contours to ‘3’ and Legend to ‘Both’, and click Update button to re-interpolate contour
values.

Effect - This is the brought through from the current view selected in the FE Post Processor

Loading - The current Load Case or Combination selected in the FE Post Processor

Legend - This allows the user to choose the information displayed on the legend within the Post Processor – E.g.
Contour Value only (565.5mm2/m) / Contour Label only (H10 – 200) / Both

Number of Contours - This allows the user to specify the number of contours to be displayed on the screen.
Note. The Minimum (0.0) and Maximum cannot be changed.

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Contour Label / Contour Value / Diameter and Spacing - This area allows the user to select bar sizes and
spacing’s for the creation of the contours. The labels and values are automatically created based on the selected
size and spacing of the reinforcement.

➢ Make the contour settings as shown below and click on Update for each input.

➢ Click OK to view the Reinforcement Requirements for the Bottom Steel, in Direction 1 (Global X axis in this
case).

The “blue” region is where H12-200 is required. The “Green” region is where H12-200 + H16-200 is required.
Effectively, this means H12-200 is placed in in the entire slab, while H16-200 added in specific “”Green” area.
“Red” region indicates area where the provided steel is insufficient (there are none here).

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1.11.1 Creating contours (bottom steel provision)
➢ Using the same techniques, create the As(d)2-bot contours, as shown below
➢ Create two contours H12-200 and H12-200 + H16-200

We have now considered the possibility of laying in extra H16-200 (providing H12 and H16 alternate bars) and
the view shows that this is adequate everywhere else.
These requirements can be simply communicated to the detailer by exporting the above contours to the main
graphical editor and then to DXF.
➢ Export Contours of As(d1)-bot & Asd(2)-bot by clicking on Export Contours

As shown above the contours can be viewed in main model view via the Visual Interrogation.
Alternatively, you can “Print”or “Save View As Image File” to save the image of the contour by clicking respective
icons in the top menu.

Note: Although only 2 reinforcement provisions have been shown in the above example, if required many
more contours could be introduced to suit specific project requirements.

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1.11.2 Creating contours (top steel provision) – As(d)1-top
➢ Switch back to view Standard Contours for As(d)1-top

As expected, a review of the top reinforcing requirements shows that in theory no steel is required over large
areas of the slab and that the hogging moments intensify rapidly over the column heads and core wall. However,
many engineers would tend to provide minimum reinforcement throughout the top of an irregular flat slab and
similarly use user-defined contours to design the steel.

Note: there is a warning message prompted stating “Peak local moments are such that steel requirements
cannot be calculated” and some insufficient slabs are reported. We will look at this issue in details later.

➢ Create the contours shown below: H10-200 and H10-200 + H16-200

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In this case we can see H10-200 will be provided everywhere (cyan / blue).
Then we see large areas where H16-200 would need to be added (green) leaving relatively small areas where a
higher provision is necessary (red).
As expected, peak steel requirement is at top of columns & walls. It would be impractical to provide top steel
exactly to match the peak maximum steel area as these a very small localised area often exposed when meshing
slabs.
The only practical way to deal with these peak requirements is to integrate (average) results in strips cut across
the column and wall heads.
In the view below a 2m wide strip is cut across the head of the most critical internal column.

➢ Click the Draw Slab Strip icon then type the ‘Half Band’ as 1.0. This will create a strip a total of 2.0m
in width. Hold down CTRL key whilst left clicking and dragging the strip extents, this will allow the strip to
snap to the horizontal (0 degrees) position, see below:-

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Based on the proportions and span of the slabs involved this might be considered as a reasonable strip width
and the average steel requirement in this width is approx. 3000 mm2/m. However, if this steel were provided,
it must be provided over at least the 2m width of the strip. Clearly this strip strays beyond the contour
boundaries where a much lower steel requirement has been shown to be adequate.
‘Design Moment’ – Allows for Wood and Armer Adjustments
‘Req. Steel Area’ – Converts the Design Moments into area of steel in mm2/m
‘Integral’ – Takes the average vales over the width of the strip
Note: If “including the Column Sections” is checked, the moments will be taken at the face of the columns &
hence there will be a “blank area” with zero moment inside the column edge. Attention should also be paid
to the direction of the strips being cut in the model; strips should be cut in the same direction as the direction
of the selected contour.

As an alternative it is more conservative to cut a narrower strip as shown below with a ‘Half Band’ of 0.5m (total
1m).

This strip is cut just within the boundaries where the lower provision of H10-200 + H16-200 is shown to be
adequate. The average requirement in this narrower strip has increased to 3700 mm2/m. (This is in line with
the rule of thumb expectation that the peak hogging steel provision will be in the order of double the peak
sagging steel provision).
The same principle can be applied at the walls.
➢ Set ‘Half Band’ to 1.0 (i.e. 2m width strip)
➢ Click on ‘Draw Slab Strip’ icon and drag a strip line along and within the wall edge as shown.

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Note the average requirements over the column head and the shear walls from the two strips:
• Column strip – 3700 mm2/m
• Wall Strip – 3200 mm2/m

Peak requirements tend to occur around the ends/corners of walls, and as seen in this example the peak
requirement at the wall corner is slightly lesser than at the column. In this area there is not much of a case for
cutting a wider strip and determining a lower average steel requirement in the vicinity of the wall.

Now we have gathered the results by using Strips and taking the average over a given width we can now add a
final contour to satisfy the ‘Average Strip Result – Integral’ rather than the nodal peak moment values in areas
of high hogging over the columns.

Hence, our final contour will be required to satisfy the column strip value (maximum) of 3700 mm2/m.

➢ Add a third and final contour for H25-125 (the yellow areas will then show where H25 bars are required).

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Upon closer inspection of the contour plots you can see ‘red’ areas are shown, this is suggesting that the
contours created are not adequate. This would be the case if we were considering every nodal value for the floor
plate. However, as we have chosen to design these areas by using the ‘Integral’ (average) results the red areas
can be ignored.

Note: In order to achieve standardisation throughout we have chosen to provide H25-125 as a standard
“patch” of reinforcement across all column heads. Once again this information can be communicated to the
detailer by adjusting the user defined contours as shown above. The yellow patches indicate the minimum
zones in which the peak reinforcement is required. However, it would probably be good practice to apply a
standard minimum patch throughout, in this case something like a minimum of 6H25-125 across all column
heads. To be effective these bars must also extend a full anchorage length beyond the point where they are
required.

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1.11.3 Warning on top steel provision – Insufficient slabs
➢ Switch back to view Standard Contours for As(d)2-top

A warning is prompted as shown below (the message is self-explanatory) and some insufficient slabs are
reported.

This can be investigated - as shown below, it can be seen that the problem occurred at the top left & right corner
of the core wall. The nodal moment there is so high that the steel requirement cannot be calculated for the 300
thick slab and hence it is reported as zero.

As(d)2-top = 0 mm2/m??

You will notice the contour plot is distorted (blue), and reporting a nodal value of Zero. However, the slab
thickness is not undersized so it should be possible to determine the steel requirement by use of integral strips.

Since the walls are modelled as a series of nodes, undesired stress concentrations may occur at these locations,
which may result in unexpectedly high support moments.

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1.11.4 Column node adjustments
Column Nodes: Include

All results from all nodal points will be taken into account for the design of the slab.

Green Nodes – Included

Column Nodes: Ignore

Shear wall end nodes will be ignored, and the results from the adjacent node will be used.

Red Nodes (end of walls and column centre nodes) – Ignored

Column Nodes: Interpolate

The results used for the end of walls and columns are obtained by taking an average from the peak centre node
and the neighbouring nodes.

Red Nodes Ignored – Smaller green dots between nodal points used for the design of the slab.

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1.11.5 Node interpolation
To eliminate the distortion to the contour plot caused by the zero value, it is possible to redraw the contour plot
with the Column Nodes set to ‘Interpolate’ as shown below with the values at these nodes averaged with their
neighbour nodes. This may be useful when creating contours to pass to the detailer.

These contour plots could then be used to determine the steel requirements for the top reinforcement
requirements.

1.11.6 Using integral (average) strip results

If setting to use node interpolation does not eliminate the warning, the only practical way to deal with these
peak requirements is to integrate results in strips cut across the column and wall heads (as discussed in the
earlier topic).

1.11.7 Increase slab thickness

Alternatively, you may increase the slab thickness to eliminate the warning.

1.12 Reinforcement which is not along the global axes (For Information Only)
It was noted that for this slab some of the highest sagging moments and hence the greatest bottom steel
requirements occur along the angled slab edges. This requirement was being established on the assumption
that direction 1 and 2 steel will be provided in the global X and Y directions throughout. The steel requirement
at this point is high in both directions.

If you check you will find high design moments in both directions at these points, and if you look at the
unadjusted moments you will find that Mxy is very high and that the Wood and Armer adjustment is having a
big impact on the design moments for reinforcement if it is not going to be provided parallel to the free edge.

Logically you would expect that steel provided parallel to the free edge would be the most efficient solution in
an area like this.

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When you cut a strip at an angle as shown above you will automatically be looking at moments and hence
reinforcing requirements along the cut line.

1.13 Column design

By following the procedures discussed in ProtaStructure Day 1 Standard Training the columns can then be
designed.

➢ Merge the Column Results with Building Analysis Results

➢ Run > Column Section Design

➢ Perform Column Design (Batch Mode)

The axial loads and moments are transferred from the FE analysis (short frame model) and that the braced
columns can now be designed in ProtoStructure including for IL reduction factors if desired.

Since there are no beams attached to these columns, ProtaStructure assumes a small strip of slab is effective as
the beam and calculates effective length factors on this basis.

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