Good evening,my student colleagues and I have been set a question the issue is we disagree with the lecturer on how to proceed
The question was
“A rectangular solid concrete flat slab floor, with a thickness T, has 5 spans with a length X each in one direction and 5 spans with a length Y each in the perpendicular direction. The slab is simply supported at the intersections of these spans.
Create a model using the structural analysis package provided. Carry out a mesh sensitivity analysis for each case.
Apply a uniformly distributed load q over the entire slab and obtain the bending moment, shear and torsion force diagrams for the central and edge spans.
By analysing quantitatively and qualitatively the distribution of the internal forces obtained in the previous section, explain the load paths in this slab.”
Now we started this by creating plates and were in the process of analysing this, until our lecturer stopped us and suggested we modelled beams on a grid frame instead with beams in the X and Y direction with the beams defined as a property of 1m width. Mainly due to the second part of the question.
“If the previous slab is modified by introducing additional beams, with a width B and a depth T+D, located around the perimeter of all the spans “
With this he suggested that the model is similar to part 1 but with perimeter and intersecting beams of T section in the x and y plane while the remainder stay rectanglar. As the lecturer said that plates could not be modelled on top of beams which I do not think is true.
We have tried working with beams acting as slabs but it is counter intuitive(Please visit the site to view this file) and confusing.
Does anyone have any advice on how to best go about creating the model or pointing us in the direction of a useful tutorial? I am assuming beams may be concrete forming the T or half T rather than steel beams
He suggested that analysis of a plate is more difficult than a beam which is why he wants us to model slabs as beams. Which seems almost like using beams to perform a finite element of a slab.
Thank you for your time.
