Two-Way Slab Design Using The Coefficient Method

Page |1
Jason Edwards, PE
www.structuralpe.wordpress.com
Coefficient Method Two Way Slab Design with Edge Beams

The Coefficient Method is a quick hand-method of calculating the moments in two-way slabs
supported by edge beams. The Coefficient Method was first included in the 1963 edition of the ACI
Code as a method to design two-way slabs supported on all four sides by walls, steel beams, or
deep beams. The Coefficient Method is not included in current versions of the ACI Code 318, but it
can still be used for two-way slab systems with edge beams.
The Coefficient Method makes use of tables of moment coefficients for a variety of slab edge
conditions. The coefficients are based on elastic analysis but also include considerations for
inelastic moment redistribution.
The moments in the middle strips are calculated using formula (1) and (2)
= 2
where:
Ca =
Cb =
w=
la =
lb =
= 2
(1)
(2)
moment coefficient from table

moment coefficient from table
uniform load (psf)
clear span length in short direction
clear span length in long direction
The panel must be divided into middle strips and edge strips in both the short and long direction.
The width of the middle strip in each direction is equal to the clear span length. The 2 edge
strips are then the width of the clear span length.
*Lateral variation of
long-span moments
Mb is similar
Page |2
Jason Edwards, PE
As expected in two-way slabs, the moments in both directions are larger in the center portion of
the slab than the edges. Therefore, the middle strip must be designed for the maximum tabulated
moment. In the edge strips, the strips must be designed for 1/3 of the maximum value of the
calculated moment.
The ACI Coefficient Tables are designed to give you appropriate coefficients based on the edge
conditions of the slab. To give you an idea of different edge conditions, see the floor plan below:
The numbers correspond to the edge conditions in the
following tables:
Case 4: 2 edges continuous, 2 edges discontinuous
Case 8: 3 edges continuous, 1 edge discontinuous
Case 2: 4 edges continuous
At continuous edges, moments are negative similar to
continuous beams at interior supports.
Table 1 gives the moment coefficients for Negative Moments at Continuous Edges. The
coefficient you use depends on the ratio of la/lb and the edge conditions of the panel in question.
The maximum negative edge moment occurs when both panels adjacent to an edge are fully
loaded; therefore the negative moment is computed for full Dead and Live load. Negative moments
at discontinuous (free) edges are assumed to be 1/3 of the positive moment in the same direction.
Table 2 gives the moment coefficients for Positive Moment due to Dead Load. Again, the
coefficient used depends on the ratio of short span to long span as well as the edge conditions.
Table 3 gives the moment coefficient for Positive Moment due to Live Load. This table is used in
the same manner as Table 2. The reason for the separation of Dead and Live load positive moments
is due to Live load placement to achieve maximum effect. For live load, the maximum positive
moment in the panel occurs when the full live load is on the panel and not on any adjacent panel.
This produces rotations at all continuous edges of the panel which require restraining moments.
Dead load across all the panels creates rotations that cancel each other out (or closely enough).
Table 4 provides the coefficients for determining shear in the slab and loads on edge beams.
Page |3
Jason Edwards, PE
Placing Reinforcement
The main reinforcement for the two-way edge-supported slab panel should be placed orthogonally
(parallel and perpendicular) to the slab edges. The reinforcement in the short direction (la) should
be placed lower than the reinforcement in the long direction (lb). Negative reinforcement should
be placed perpendicular to the supporting edge beams.
All other requirements for minimum reinforcement (temperature & shrinkage) should be observed.
For two-way slab systems, the spacing of reinforcement should not exceed twice (2) the slab
thickness (tslab).
Page |4
Jason Edwards, PE
Table 1 - Coefficients for Negative Moments in Slabs

= , 2
= , 2
Ratio
1.00
0.95
0.90
0.85
0.80
0.75
0.70
0.65
0.60
0.55
0.50
Ca,neg
Cb,neg
Ca,neg
Cb,neg
Ca,neg
Cb,neg
Ca,neg
Cb,neg
Ca,neg
Cb,neg
Ca,neg
Cb,neg
Ca,neg
Cb,neg
Ca,neg
Cb,neg
Ca,neg
Cb,neg
Ca,neg
Cb,neg
Ca,neg
Cb,neg
Case 1
where wu = total factored uniform load (DL + LL)

Case 2
0.045
0.045
0.050
0.041
0.055
0.037
0.060
0.031
0.065
0.027
0.069
0.022
0.074
0.017
0.077
0.014
0.081
0.010
0.084
0.007
0.086
0.006
Case 3
0.076
0.072
0.070
0.065
0.061
0.056
0.050
0.043
0.035
0.028
0.022
Case 4
0.050
0.050
0.055
0.045
0.060
0.040
0.066
0.034
0.071
0.029
0.076
0.024
0.081
0.019
0.085
0.015
0.089
0.011
0.092
0.008
0.094
0.006
Case 5
Case 6
Case 7
0.075
0.071
0.071
0.079
0.075
0.067
0.080
0.079
0.062
0.082
0.083
0.057
0.083
0.086
0.051
0.085
0.088
0.044
0.086
0.091
0.038
0.087
0.093
0.031
0.088
0.095
0.024
0.089
0.096
0.019
0.090
0.097
0.014
Case 8
Case 9
0.033
0.061
0.061
0.033
0.038
0.065
0.056
0.029
0.043
0.068
0.052
0.025
0.049
0.072
0.046
0.021
0.055
0.075
0.041
0.017
0.061
0.078
0.036
0.014
0.068
0.081
0.029
0.011
0.074
0.083
0.024
0.008
0.080
0.085
0.018
0.006
0.085
0.086
0.014
0.005
0.089
0.088
0.010
0.003
Page |5
Jason Edwards, PE
Table 2 - Coefficients for Dead Load Positive Moments in Slabs

, + = , 2
, + = , 2
Ratio
1.00
0.95
0.90
0.85
0.80
0.75
0.70
0.65
0.60
0.55
0.50
where wDL = uniform factored Dead Load (DL)
Case 1
Case 2
Case 3
Case 4
Case 5
Case 6
Case 7
Case 8
Case 9
Ca,DL
0.036
0.018
0.018
0.027
0.027
0.033
0.027
0.020
0.023
Cb,DL
0.036
0.018
0.027
0.027
0.018
0.027
0.033
0.023
0.020
Ca,DL
0.040
0.020
0.021
0.030
0.028
0.036
0.031
0.022
0.024
Cb,DL
0.033
0.016
0.025
0.024
0.015
0.024
0.031
0.021
0.017
Ca,DL
0.045
0.022
0.025
0.033
0.029
0.039
0.035
0.025
0.026
Cb,DL
0.029
0.014
0.024
0.022
0.013
0.021
0.028
0.019
0.015
Ca,DL
0.050
0.024
0.029
0.036
0.031
0.042
0.040
0.029
0.028
Cb,DL
0.026
0.012
0.022
0.019
0.011
0.017
0.025
0.017
0.013
Ca,DL
0.056
0.026
0.034
0.039
0.032
0.045
0.045
0.032
0.029
Cb,DL
0.023
0.011
0.020
0.016
0.009
0.015
0.022
0.015
0.010
Ca,DL
0.061
0.028
0.040
0.043
0.033
0.048
0.051
0.036
0.031
Cb,DL
0.019
0.009
0.018
0.013
0.007
0.012
0.020
0.013
0.007
Ca,DL
0.068
0.030
0.046
0.046
0.035
0.051
0.058
0.040
0.033
Cb,DL
0.016
0.007
0.016
0.011
0.005
0.009
0.017
0.011
0.006
Ca,DL
0.074
0.032
0.054
0.050
0.036
0.054
0.065
0.044
0.034
Cb,DL
0.013
0.006
0.014
0.009
0.004
0.007
0.014
0.009
0.005
Ca,DL
0.081
0.034
0.062
0.053
0.037
0.056
0.073
0.048
0.036
Cb,DL
0.010
0.004
0.011
0.007
0.003
0.006
0.012
0.007
0.004
Ca,DL
0.088
0.035
0.071
0.056
0.038
0.058
0.081
0.052
0.037
Cb,DL
0.008
0.003
0.009
0.005
0.002
0.004
0.009
0.005
0.003
Ca,DL
0.095
0.037
0.080
0.059
0.039
0.061
0.089
0.056
0.038
Cb,DL
0.006
0.002
0.007
0.004
0.001
0.003
0.007
0.004
0.002
Page |6
Jason Edwards, PE
Table 3 - Coefficients for Live Load Positive Moments in Slabs

, + = , 2
, + = , 2
Ratio
1.00
0.95
0.90
0.85
0.80
0.75
0.70
0.65
0.60
0.55
0.50
where wLL = uniform factored Live Load (LL)
Case 1
Case 2
Case 3
Case 4
Case 5
Case 6
Case 7
Case 8
Case 9
Ca,LL
0.036
0.027
0.027
0.032
0.032
0.035
0.032
0.028
0.030
Cb,LL
0.036
0.027
0.032
0.032
0.027
0.032
0.035
0.030
0.028
Ca,LL
0.040
0.030
0.031
0.035
0.034
0.038
0.036
0.031
0.032
Cb,LL
0.033
0.025
0.029
0.029
0.024
0.029
0.032
0.027
0.025
Ca,LL
0.045
0.034
0.035
0.039
0.037
0.042
0.040
0.035
0.036
Cb,LL
0.029
0.022
0.027
0.026
0.021
0.025
0.029
0.024
0.022
Ca,LL
0.050
0.037
0.040
0.043
0.041
0.046
0.045
0.040
0.039
Cb,LL
0.026
0.019
0.024
0.023
0.019
0.022
0.026
0.022
0.020
Ca,LL
0.056
0.041
0.045
0.048
0.044
0.051
0.051
0.044
0.042
Cb,LL
0.023
0.017
0.022
0.020
0.016
0.019
0.023
0.019
0.017
Ca,LL
0.061
0.045
0.051
0.052
0.047
0.055
0.056
0.049
0.046
Cb,LL
0.019
0.014
0.019
0.016
0.013
0.016
0.020
0.016
0.013
Ca,LL
0.068
0.049
0.057
0.057
0.051
0.060
0.063
0.054
0.050
Cb,LL
0.016
0.012
0.016
0.014
0.011
0.013
0.017
0.014
0.011
Ca,LL
0.074
0.053
0.064
0.062
0.055
0.064
0.070
0.059
0.054
Cb,LL
0.013
0.010
0.014
0.011
0.009
0.010
0.014
0.011
0.009
Ca,LL
0.081
0.058
0.071
0.067
0.059
0.068
0.077
0.065
0.059
Cb,LL
0.010
0.007
0.011
0.009
0.007
0.008
0.011
0.009
0.007
Ca,LL
0.088
0.062
0.080
0.072
0.063
0.073
0.085
0.070
0.063
Cb,LL
0.008
0.006
0.009
0.007
0.005
0.006
0.009
0.007
0.006
Ca,LL
0.095
0.066
0.088
0.077
0.067
0.078
0.092
0.076
0.067
Cb,LL
0.006
0.004
0.007
0.005
0.004
0.005
0.007
0.005
0.004
Page |7
Jason Edwards, PE
Table 4 - Coefficients for Shear in Slabs

Ratio of load W in l a and l b directions for Shear in Slab and Load on Supports for Beams
Ratio
1.00
0.95
0.90
0.85
0.80
0.75
0.70
0.65
0.60
0.55
0.50
Case 1
Case 2
Case 3
Case 4
Case 5
Case 6
Case 7
Case 8
Case 9
Wa
0.50
0.50
0.17
0.50
0.83
0.71
0.29
0.33
0.67
Wb
0.50
0.50
0.83
0.50
0.17
0.29
0.71
0.67
0.33
Wa
0.55
0.55
0.20
0.55
0.86
0.75
0.33
0.38
0.71
Wb
0.45
0.45
0.80
0.45
0.14
0.25
0.67
0.62
0.29
Wa
0.60
0.60
0.23
0.60
0.88
0.79
0.38
0.43
0.75
Wb
0.40
0.40
0.77
0.40
0.12
0.21
0.62
0.57
0.25
Wa
0.66
0.66
0.28
0.66
0.90
0.83
0.43
0.49
0.79
Wb
0.34
0.34
0.72
0.34
0.10
0.17
0.57
0.51
0.21
Wa
0.71
0.71
0.33
0.71
0.92
0.86
0.49
0.55
0.83
Wb
0.29
0.29
0.67
0.29
0.08
0.14
0.51
0.45
0.17
Wa
0.76
0.76
0.39
0.76
0.94
0.88
0.56
0.61
0.86
Wb
0.24
0.24
0.61
0.24
0.06
0.12
0.44
0.39
0.14
Wa
0.81
0.81
0.45
0.81
0.95
0.91
0.62
0.68
0.89
Wb
0.19
0.19
0.55
0.19
0.05
0.09
0.38
0.32
0.11
Wa
0.85
0.85
0.53
0.85
0.96
0.93
0.69
0.74
0.92
Wb
0.15
0.15
0.47
0.15
0.04
0.07
0.31
0.26
0.08
Wa
0.89
0.89
0.61
0.89
0.97
0.95
0.76
0.80
0.94
Wb
0.11
0.11
0.39
0.11
0.03
0.05
0.24
0.20
0.06
Wa
0.92
0.92
0.69
0.92
0.98
0.96
0.81
0.85
0.95
Wb
0.08
0.08
0.31
0.08
0.02
0.04
0.19
0.15
0.05
Wa
0.94
0.94
0.76
0.94
0.99
0.97
0.86
0.89
0.97
Wb
0.06
0.06
0.24
0.06
0.01
0.03
0.14
0.11
0.03

Two-Way Slab Design Using The Coefficient Method

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Two-Way Slab Design Using The Coefficient Method

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Page |1

Coefficient Method Two Way Slab Design with Edge Beams

moment coefficient from table

Table 1 - Coefficients for Negative Moments in Slabs

where wu = total factored uniform load (DL + LL)

Table 2 - Coefficients for Dead Load Positive Moments in Slabs

where wDL = uniform factored Dead Load (DL)

Table 3 - Coefficients for Live Load Positive Moments in Slabs

where wLL = uniform factored Live Load (LL)

Table 4 - Coefficients for Shear in Slabs

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