Structural analysis and design of irregular shaped reinforced concrete slabs using a simplified design method

This paper presents a simplified method to analyze and design the irregular reinforced concrete slabs based on structural safety and economy. The triangular, trapezoidal, and curved slab sections are selected in this study to be analyzed and designed using a simplified design method approach (SDM) as these sections are the most common type of irregular slab sections used in the construction industry. Flexural design formulas for triangular and curved slabs are derived based on the theoretical principles of plate and yield line theories and ACI building code of design constraints. Numerical examples are presented in this study to illustrate the method capability of designing the most commonly used irregular slabs sections. The complete design of four triangular slabs (TS-1 to TS-4) and four curved slabs (CS-1 to CS-4) is provided in this study. Besides, the required equivalent (triangular and rectangular) shaped sections are provided to deal with irregular trapezoidal slab section. The selected irregular slab sections (triangular and curved slab sections) are also analyzed and designed using the computer software (SAFE) and the results obtained are compared with the numerical solutions. The percentage difference of the simplified method with the finite element software (SAFE) ranges from 4% to 12%. The results obtained for all the selected irregular shaped slab sections indicates that the SDM is a good and quick approach to design irregular (triangular and curved) slab sections.