Abstract:

A new calculation method was proposed to predict the ultimate load capacity of the reinforced concrete slabs under the compressive membrane effect based on its loading mechanism and the geometrical conditions at ultimate state with the lateral restraint load as intermediate variable. The method is according to the theory of the additional load capacity, considers the load capacity of the compressive membrane effect as the sum of the puve bending load capacity and the additional load capacity by the threehinge arch effect, uses the computeraided programable algorithm to easily get the required results. A series of specimens of the shearwall restrained reinforced concrete slabs were designed with the horizontal support with constant lateral restraint stiffness to restrain the dateral deflection of the specimen. The ultimate load capacities of the specimens obtained by the proposed method were on an average 38.3% higher than those calculated by the yielding line method. Compared with the other calculation methods, the proposed method is easy to use and the test data proved its calculation precision suitable for engineering application.

Key words: civil engineering, reinforced concrete slab, compressive membrane effect, reinforced concrete slab, additional load capacityOckleston