Comparison of existing methods for stiffened slab-on-grade
Methods
Building Research Advisory
Board (BRAB) (1968)
Wire Reinforcement Institute
(WRI) (1981, 1996)
Australian Standards (AS)
(1996, 2011)
Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI)
(2012)
Parameters
Climatic index and plasticity
index
Climatic index, plasticity index
and soil support index (slab-
soil interaction)
Depth of water suction change
and climatic zones
The weather parameter uses
Thornthwaite moisture index
and the change in water
suction at the ground surface.
The soil parameter uses liquid
limit, plastic limit, percent fine
clay, water suction
compression index and
diffusion coefficient
Comments
Characterizes the weather
using climatic index (U.S. map).
The climatic index is combined
with the plasticity index,
together with the slab
dimensions and loadings, to
determine the maximum
bending moment, shear and
deflection.
Tends to be very conservative
The slab-soil support index is
used to obtain the beam
spacing and the unsupported
cantilever length from which
the maximum bending
moment, shear and deflection
are calculated.
Similar with BRAB (1968)
The vertical soil movement is
calculated from the depth of
influence (active zone) and the
differential movement
depending on the type of
construction.
Selecting a recommended
stiffened slab specifications
based on calculation of slab
stresses and deformation on a
soil mound (Walsh and
Mitchell Methods)
From the weather and soil
information, the edge
moisture penetration distance
and the differential soil
movements are calculated for
the edge-lift and edge-drop
conditions. The a series of
equations based on regression
analysis and of a plate on an
elastic soil with an initial
mound configuration are used
to find the slab bending
moment, shear and deflection
for both edge-lift and edge-
drop conditions