Flexural capacity and stiffness of monolithic biaxial hollow slabs

Abstract

The article presents a research on flexural behaviour of hollow monolithic reinforced concrete slabs. It focuses on the results of experimental investigation into full-size hollow reinforced concrete slabs and analyses their flexural capacity and stiffness. The self-weight of the slabs directly depends on the shape and number of hollows. An increase in the hollowness of a slab significantly reduces the load caused by self-weight. This allows increasing the estimated length of the slab under the same payload. An increase in the amount of hollows of the slab changes the stiffness of the slab cross-section that has a direct impact on slab deflection. Considering the shape of the slab cross-section, theoretical calculations of the flexural capacity and deflection of experimental slabs were made. The design of a new type of slabs and variations in different parameters of the slab experience difficulties in conducting a large amount of experimental tests. Therefore, the initial analysis may apply to numerical simulation. The paper describes the principles of designing a numerical model. The calculations were made using DIANA software. The stiffness and flexural capacity of the hollow slabs were established employing numerical simulation compared to the results of experimental investigations. The findings indicate that numerical simulation can be applied for analysing the stress state of the examined structures.

Keywords:

• monolithic reinforced concrete
• slab
• hollows
• stiffness
• flexural capacity
• numerical simulation

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Juozas Valivonis

Juozas VALIVONIS. Prof., Dr at the Department of Reinforced Concrete and Masonry Structures, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU). Publications: the author and co-author of more than 92 scientific publications, 4 textbooks, 12 course books. Research interests: theory of reinforced concrete behaviour, composite structures, reinforced concrete bridges.

Bronius Jonaitis

Bronius JONAITIS. Doctor, Associate Professor at the Department of Reinforced Concrete and Masonry Structures, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. Research interests: theory of reinforced concrete behaviour, masonry and masonry constructions, composite structures, strengthening of structures.

Robertas Zavalis

Robertas ZAVALIS. Doctor, Assistant at the Department of Reinforced Concrete and Masonry Structures, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. Research interests: reinforced concrete, masonry and masonry constructions.

Tomas Skuturna

Tomas SKUTURNA. Doctor, Associate Professor at the Department of Reinforced Concrete and Masonry Structures, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. Research interests: theory of reinforced concrete behaviour, composite structures, strengthening of reinforced concrete structures.

Arnoldas Šneideris

Arnoldas ŠNEIDERIS. Doctor, Associate Professor at the Department of Reinforced Concrete and Masonry structures at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. Research interests: strengthening of reinforced concrete and masonry structures; behaviour of concrete and reinforced concrete in the fire temperatures; an experimental test of materials and structures.