Two-Way Slab Systems: Recent Developments and Showcases on Design, Analysis, Construction, and Evaluation Methods-Analysis of Flat-Plate and Frame Construction (PDF)

Analysis of Flat-Plate and Frame Construction (PDF)

Pdf Summary

The document is a summary of presentations and discussions held at the ACI Fall 2013 Convention, recognizing the legacy of Dr. W. Gene Corley in the field of structural concrete design. The primary focus here is on flat plate and flat slab construction methodologies, particularly the Equivalent Frame Analysis, which Dr. Corley pioneered.<br /><br />Dr. Corley, alongside collaborators including Neil Hawkins and James Jirsa, contributed significantly to the development and improvements of design methods for concrete structures, particularly in the context of flat plates and slabs. His work began with his Ph.D. thesis and extended through numerous publications and collaborations, focusing on topics like shear strength testing and analysis, and shear reinforcement.<br /><br />In particular, the Equivalent Frame Analysis for flat plates and slabs, introduced in ACI 318-71, represents a significant achievement by allowing for a more standardized and robust design method. It improved over previous empirical methods that were limited by the properties of early 1900s load-tested slabs. Key innovations within this work include assumptions about slab stiffness, torsional member stiffness, and equivalent column stiffness, which impacted design practices.<br /><br />The discussions also highlighted practical issues in design, such as preventing "secondary" punching shear failures and understanding shear and moment transfer in structural slabs. The sessions discussed the limitations of existing methods and noted that Corley's work led to improved shear reinforcement techniques, like the use of shearheads, to increase structural safety.<br /><br />The presentations solidified Dr. Corley's legacy, acknowledging his contributions to advancing the understanding and application of concrete design engineering, promoting safer, more resilient construction methodologies through studies calibrated by fundamental principles and practical applications. This work continues to influence current practices and codes, and unresolved issues related to shear reinforcement and moment transfer remain as areas for future research and development in structural engineering.

Keywords

W. Gene Corley

structural concrete design

flat plate construction

flat slab construction

Equivalent Frame Analysis

shear reinforcement

shear strength testing

ACI 318-71

punching shear failures

concrete design engineering