ABSTRACT
ART. 5.1. INTRODUCTION I n reinforced-concrete work, the design of slabs is normally more straightforward than the design of beams, and for the following reasons. There is only the depth of the slab which the designer can vary by choice whereas with beams he has within his control the depth and the breadth of the beam rib, as well as parts of the slab where T-beam action is developed. The question of shear stress in slabs is frequently not significant; and where it is (as for example at columns in flat slab construction), it is unusual to provide shear reinforcements, and the slab thickness is
Qsettled so that jt is kept within the permissible value. It is oLq,
unusual also to make use of compression reinforcement in slabs, except perhaps at the supports where continuity is developed. Thus slab analysis normally consists simply of the calculation of tension reinforcement in a singly reinforced member, and the depth of the slab is generally determined either by consideration of acceptable deflections or the compressive stress in the concrete.
