Design structures with transfer plate and transfer beam

Johny P Senior Structural Engineer When design a structure with transfer plates and transfer beams, normally I model the structure, control the deflection of transfer elements then use the results from the model to design for vertical elements. In this case the deflection of the transfer elements may result in high bending moment for the walls or columns which are above and directly connected to the transfer elements. My concern is that Can we simply ignore the deflection of the transfer elements in design of the above columns/walls? Can we consider the transfer elements acting as pile-cap without settlement?

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Kevin Wong, Mohamed A.AZIM and 1 other like this 4 comments

Joseph Joseph Leonov Senior Structural Engineer - Designer at Construction Control Inc. Considering the transfer elements as pile-cap in other words rigid body is rougher approximation and its use depends on the spans magnitude between the vertical elements. I think, this approach can be used(a rule of thumb) for a maximum span of up to the depth of the transfer element. On the other hand, using more sophisticated models(that is defining the slab as a thick or a beam as deep) will inherently give small deformations!
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Andy Andy Beeton Technical Director at Hartigans You may also find, in general, that the permanent deflection accumulates progressively during construction and there may be quite a lot already in there, before you get far above your transfer level. This may mitigate your problem somewhat but care is needed to avoid undesirable effects. You may need to make a 'staged' analysis. Personally, I would try to avoid having a transfer that isn't stiff enough as it may signal wider problems, or potential problems, of compatibility. If your superstructure elements are disposed advantageously and if they are resistant enough, they may participate and reduce your deflections. However, if that is the case, they need to be strong enough to do so without exhibiting excessive cracking and other SLS issues. Lastly, a transfer structure that deflects a lot just might indicate that it isn't very robust and collapse resistant. It's especially important to address those issues in transfers as they are, by their nature, crucial in supporting a large volume of structure and may not be very well disposed to sharing and forming alternative load paths.
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Velimir Velimir Kazic Director, structure design developer Top Contributor For my opinion ther is no circumstances that you can ignore deflections of transfer slab. Also you can not design structure above in the maner as pile cap without setlements.

Your transfer plate is to weak, what is bad for vertical loadings, but also have bad influence on horizontal loading , like earthquake and wind. You must increase the strenght and thickness of transfer plate and every of her elementes.
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MANOJ KUMAR MANOJ KUMAR P K Senior Structural Designer The deflections of transfer slab/beam require special attention. More stringent deflection limit (like, L/1000) has to be set for transfer elements. For this, the strength and stiffness is to be increased; also their supporting elements are to be strengthened. Construction sequencing analysis is to be done. Otherwise, the distribution of forces in the structure above will deviate from normal design concepts, as Mr.Andy has noted. Also the lateral and dynamic loads will be dangerous, as opined by Mr.Velimir.
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