Orthotropic Coefficients and Continuity Factors of Reinforced Concrete Slabs Supported on 3-sides

The analysis and design of reinforced concrete slabs supported on 3-sides in masonry or reinforced concrete construction involve analytical formulations. In published analytical formulations, orthotropic coefficients and continuity factors are unknown parameters. To obtain moment carrying capacity of the slabs using available formulations, these factors must be required. In this research work, these orthotropic coefficients and continuity factors are presented for transverse loaded RC rectangular slabs supported on three sides under uniform area loading at top face of the slab. These coefficients were obtained using FEA (Finite element Analysis) based Structural Analysis Program (SAP) software. It is also validated with FEA (Finite element Analysis) based SCIA Engineer software and published formulations. It have been observed that obtained results are well comparable with published literature and FEM based software. Results presented in this research paper are conducive to predict the moment-field of the reinforced concrete rectangular slabs supported on three sides having one edge is unsupported. These coefficients will be very helpful for structural designers dealing with reinforced concrete slabs supported on three sides.