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How to use Eurocode 2: Flat Slabs

R Moss xxx xxxx xxxx, O Brooker BEng CEng MICE

Introduction
Common Intro. for all publications - TBC

Designing to Eurocode 2
The design of flat slabs with Eurocode 21 is essentially the same as with BS 81102, however, the layout and
content of Eurocode 2 will initially appear alien to designers familiar with BS 8110. British designers will find it
strange that Eurocode 2 does not contain the derived formulae or specific guidance on determining moments and
shear forces. This has arisen because it has been European practice to give principles in the codes and for the
detailed application to be presented in other sources such as text books.

The checks for flexural capacity and deflection can be carried out using similar procedures to those in BS 8110.
However, assessment of the punching shear capacity may initially appear unusual. This guide will lead the
designer through the design steps required for flat slabs and highlight key points that will enable Eurocode 2 to be
used with confidence.

The first guide in this series How to use Eurocode 2: Introduction3 highlighted the key differences between
Eurocode 2 and BS 8110, including terminology. Eurocode 2 terminology will be used throughout this guide to aid
familiarity, eg units of stress will be quoted in MPa, not N/mm2. It should also be noted that values from the UK
National Annex have been used throughout this guide; this includes values that are embedded in derived formulae.

Analysis
In terms of analysis of flat slabs Eurocode 2 and BS 8110 are very similar; the following methods of analysis may
be used:
• Grillage Analysis
• Finite element analysis
• Yield line analysis
• Equivalent frame method
The code gives further advice, in appendix I, on the equivalent frame method; those used to designing flat slabs
using BS 8110, will find this very familiar. Whatever method is used to determine the moments and shears, the
following guidance can be used for the design of the reinforcement.

Flexural Capacity
Eurocode 2 offers alternative methods for determining the stress-strain relationship of concrete. For simplicity and
familiarity the method presented here is the simplified rectangular stress block which is very similar to that found in
BS 8110 (see figure 1).

Eurocode 2 gives recommendations for the design of concrete up to grade C90/105, however, the factor, λ,
modifies the strength capacity for concretes above grade C50/60. It is important to note that concrete strength is
based on the cylinder strength and not the cube strength (eg for grade C28/35 the cylinder strength is 28 MPa,
whereas the cube strength is 35 MPa).

As with BS 8110, K can be determined from the design ultimate moment, concrete strength and the width and
depth of the section. K’ is similarly dependant of the amount of redistribution carried out. Knowing K and K’, the
lever arm, z, the area of reinforcement can be determined using formulae derived from the stress block (see Figure
2). Finally, checks can be carried out to ensure that the area of reinforcement is within the maximum and minimum
areas permitted by the code. Note that minimum area of reinforcement is greater than under BS 8110 where the
cylinder strength is over 25 MPa.
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Figure 1: Simplified Rectangular Stress Block from Eurocode 2

Selected Symbols
Symbol Definition Value
x Depth to neutral axis (d-z)/0.4
xmax Limiting value for depth to neutral axis (δ - 0.4)d where δ≤1.0
bw Width of section, or width of web on flanged
beams
d Effective depth
d2 Effective depth to compression reinforcement
δ Ratio of the redistributed moment to the elastic
bending moment
As Area of tension steel
As2 Area of compression steel
η Factor defining the effective strength 1.0 for fck≤ 50 MPa
1.0 – (fck – 50)/200 for 50 < fck < 90
λ Factor defining the effective height of the 0.8 for fck≤ 50 MPa
compression zone 0.8 – (fck – 50)/400 for 50 < fck < 90
fcd Design value of concrete compressive strength αcc fck/γc
fck Characteristic cylinder strength of concrete
αcc Coefficient taking account of long term effects 0.85 for flexure and axial loads.
on compressive strength and of unfavourable 1.0 for other phenomena
effects resulting from the way load is applied (From UK National Annex)
fyk Characteristic yield strength of reinforcement 500 MPa for grade XXX
fyd Design yield strength of reinforcement fyk/γm = 435 MPa for grade XXX
fctm Mean value of axial tensile strength 0.30 fck(2/3) for fck ≤ C50/60 (from
Table 3.1, Eurocode 2)
γm Partial factor for material properties 1.15 for reinforcement (γy)
1.5 for concrete (γc)
Ac Cross sectional area of concrete b.h
K Factor to take account of the different structural See table 7.4N
systems
ρ0 Reference reinforcement ratio √fck/1000
ρ Required tension reinforcement at mid-span to As/bd
resist the moment due to the design loads (or at
support for cantilevers
’
ρ Required compression reinforcement at mid- As2/bd
span to resist the moment due to the design
loads (or at support for cantilevers
leff Effective length of member See section 5.3.2.2 (1)
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No
Concrete grade
≤C50/60? Outside scope of this guide
Yes

Determine K and K’ from:

M
K= 2 & K' = 0.594δ − 0.18δ 2 − 0.2088 where δ≤1.0
bd f ck

No Compression reinforcement
required – Not recommend
Is K ≤ K’ ? for typical slabs

Yes Table X: Values for K’

δ % K’
No compression reinforcement required Redistribution
1.00 0 0.2052
0.95 5 0.1931
0.90 10 0.1800
Calculate lever arm Z from 0.85 15 0.1661
d
[
z = 1 + 1 − 3.53K ≤ 0.95d
2
] 0.80
0.75
20
25
0.1512
0.1355
0.70 30 0.1188

Calculate tension reinforcement required from

Table X: Values of
As = M/fyd.z fctm
fck fctm
25 2.6
Check minimum reinforcement requirements: 28 2.8
As,min = 0.26 fctm bt d/fyk where fck ≥ 25 30 2.9
32 3.0
35 3.2
Check maximum reinforcement requirements As,max = 0.4 Ac 40 3.5
for tension of compression reinforcement outside lap locations 45 3.8
50 4.1

Figure 2: Procedure for Determining Flexural Reinforcement

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Table X: z/d for singly

reinforced rectangular
sections
K z/d
0.010 0.991
0.015 0.987
.020 0.982
0.025 0.977
0.030 0.973
0.035 0.968
0.040 0.963
0.045 0.959
0.050 0.954
0.055 0.949
0.060 0.944
0.065 0.939
0.070 0.934
0.075 0.929
0.080 0.924
0.085 0.918
0.090 0.913
0.095 0.908
0.100 0.902
0.105 0.897
0.110 0.891
0.115 0.885
0.120 0.880
0.125 0.874
0.130 0.868
0.135 0.862
0.140 0.856
0.145 0.849
0.150 0.843
0.155 0.836
0.160 0.830
0.165 0.823
0.170 0.816
0.175 0.809
0.180 0.802
0.185 0.795
0.190 0.787
0.195 0.779
0.200 0.771

Deflection
In principle the assessment of deflection is similar in both Eurocode 2 and BS 8110. Eurocode 2 gives two
methods for determining whether deflection is acceptable, either by limiting the span to depth ratio or by calculation
of actual deflection. The span to depth ratios should ensure that deflection is limited to span over 250 and this is
the method presented in this guide. The deflection by calculation method is described in How to use Eurocode 2:
Deflection4.

Table 7.4N from the code presents some basic span to depth ratios and introduces a factor, K, which takes
account of the different structural systems and is reproduced here for convenience.[RW: Can table 7.4N be
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interpolated?] A more accurate method is to use the formulae on which Table 7.4N is based and these are given in
Figure 3 which presents a flow chart for checking the deflection of beam elements.

Note 4: Values are obtained using expressions (7.16) for grade C30/37 concrete and σs = 310 MPa

Symbols for Deflection Checks

Symbol Definition Value
l/d Limiting span to depth ratio
K Factor to take account of the different structural See table 7.4N
systems
ρ0 Reference reinforcement ratio √fck/1000
ρ Required tension reinforcement at mid-span to As/bd
resist the moment due to the design loads (or at
support for cantilevers
ρ’ Required compression reinforcement at mid- As2/bd
span to resist the moment due to the design
loads (or at support for cantilevers
fck Characteristic strength of concrete
leff Effective length of member See section 5.3.2.2 (1)
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Select K from Table 7.4N

(K = 1.2 for flat slab)

No
Is ρ ≤ ρ0
l/d = K[11+1.5 √fck ρ0/(ρ - ρ’) + √fck√{ρ’/ρ0}/12]

Yes
3/2
l/d = K[11+1.5 √fck ρ0/ρ + 3.2√fck{ρ0/ρ-1} ]

Does the slab span

exceed 8.5m &
support brittle
partitions?
m1 = 1.0 No

Yes

m1 = 8.5/leff
Is actual l/d < (l/d).m1?
No

Yes Increase section depth or increase area of tension reinforcement.

The basic l/d can be modified by:
310/σs = 500 As,prov/(fyk As,req)
Check complete Where σs is tensile steel stress under SLS design load

Figure 3: Procedure for Assessing Deflection

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Design for punching shear

In principle the Eurocode 2 and BS 8110 methods for punching shear capacity checks are similar. The main
differences are as follows:

• The standard factors for edge and corner columns (β) which allow for moment transfer are greater in
Eurocode 2. However, β can be calculated directly to give more efficient designs.
• The maximum value of shear at the column face is not limited to 5 MPa.
• Eurocode 2 does not limit the provision of shear links to less than twice the concrete shear stress; although
such designs may not be economic or desirable.
• The perimeters for rectangular columns in Eurocode 2 have rounded corners.
• Where shear reinforcement is required the procedure in Eurocode 2 is simpler, the point at which no shear
reinforcement is required can be calculated directly and then used to determine the extent of the area over
which shear reinforcement is required.
• It is assumed that the reinforcement will be in a radial arrangement.

The procedure for determining the punching shear requirements are shown in Figure 5 together with a
commentary.

- corner column

Figure 4: Recommended standard values for β

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Determine value of factor β
Determine value of vEd,max (design shear stress at face
of column) from:
vEd,max = β.VEd/(ui.deff)
where ui is perimeter of column
Determine value of vRd,max
No
Is vEd,max < vRD,max?
Yes
Determine value of vEd, (design shear stress) from:
vEd = β.VEd/(u1.deff)
where u1 is length of control perimeter.
Determine concrete punching shear capacity
(without shear reinforcement) from:
vRD , c = 0.12k (100 ρ l f ck )
1 3
3 ≥ 0.035k
Where k = 1 + √(200/deff) ≤ 2 & ρl = (ρly.ρlz) ≤ 0.02
No
Is vEd > vRD,c?
Yes
Determine area of punching shear reinforcement from:
Asw = (vEd – 0.75vRd,c)sr.u1/(1.5 fywd,ef)
Where sr is the radial spacing of shear reinforcement
fywd,ef = 250 + 0.25 deff ≤ fywd (See Table x)
Determine radius of outer perimeter where shear
reinforcement not required from:
Uout,ef = β.VEd/(vRd,c.d), and
r,sq = [Uout,ef – 2(cx + cy)]/2π for rectangular column
Determine layout of punching shear reinforcement from
detailing rules – see figure 4
Figure 5: Procedure for Determining Punching Shear Capacity
23 February 2005
Commentary
β is a factor to allow for the additional shear stress that
arises from applied moments, it can be taken from
Figure 4. Alternatively and less conservatively it can be
calculated from expressions 6.38 to 6.46 in the code.
From expression 6.38 in code.
deff = (dy + dz)/2 where dy and dz are the effective
depths in orthogonal directions
vRd,max is related to concrete strength -
refer to Table x
Redesign slab
VEd may be reduced by the load within the area
of the column.
u1 can be assessed from Figure 6.13 in code, or
from the following:
u1,sq = 2(cx + cy) + 4πd for rectangular column
where cx & cy are column dimensions
u1,cir = π(ø + 4d)
where ø is column diameter.
2
f ck
½
Expression 6.47 from code. See table x
ρly.ρlz are the reinforcement ratios in two orthogonal
directions for fully bonded tension steel, taken over
a width equal to column width plus 3d each side.
No punching shear
reinforcement required
The strength of the shear reinforcement is limited
because a full bond cannot be developed at the
ends of the shear links. Where bent-up bars are
proposed refer to the code. Note it is assumed
that the reinforcement will be laid-out radially.
The extent of the area requiring punching shear
reinforcement can be determined by finding the
position of the outer perimeter where shear
reinforcement is no longer required.
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Table x: Values for vRd,max Table x: Values for fywd,ef

fck vRd,max deff fywd,ef
20 3.31 150 288
25 4.05 175 294
28 4.48 200 300
30 4.75 225 306
32 5.02 250 313
35 5.42 275 319
40 6.05 300 325
45 6.64 325 331
50 7.20 350 338

Table X: vRd,c resistance of members without shear reinforcement, MPa

Effective depth, d (mm)
ρl
200 225 250 275 300 350 400 450 500 600 750
0.25% 0.54 0.52 0.50 0.48 0.47 0.45 0.43 0.41 0.40 0.38 0.36
0.50% 0.59 0.57 0.56 0.55 0.54 0.52 0.51 0.49 0.48 0.47 0.45
0.75% 0.68 0.66 0.64 0.63 0.62 0.59 0.58 0.56 0.55 0.53 0.51
1.00% 0.75 0.72 0.71 0.69 0.68 0.65 0.64 0.62 0.61 0.59 0.57
1.25% 0.80 0.78 0.76 0.74 0.73 0.71 0.69 0.67 0.66 0.63 0.61
1.50% 0.85 0.83 0.81 0.79 0.78 0.75 0.73 0.71 0.70 0.67 0.65
1.75% 0.90 0.87 0.85 0.83 0.82 0.79 0.77 0.75 0.73 0.71 0.68
2.00% 0.94 0.91 0.89 0.87 0.85 0.82 0.80 0.78 0.77 0.74 0.71
2.50% 0.94 0.91 0.89 0.87 0.85 0.82 0.80 0.78 0.77 0.74 0.71
k 2.000 1.943 1.894 1.853 1.816 1.756 1.707 1.667 1.632 1.577 1.516
Note: This table has been prepared for fck = 30, where r1 exceed 0.40% the following factors
may be used:
fck 25 28 32 35 40 45 50
factor 0.94 0.98 1.02 1.05 1.10 1.14 1.19

Rules for spacing and quantity of reinforcement

Minimum area of principal reinforcement
The minimum area of reinforcement is As,min = 0.26 fctm bt d/fyk but not less than 0.0013bt.d [RW it does not actually state
this for flat slabs, but I assume this is the case!]
½
The minimum area of vertical shear reinforcement is Asw,min = 1.5/(sr.st) ≥ 0.08fck fyk.

Where sr is the spacing of the links in the radial direction

st is the spacing of the links in the tangential direction

Maximum area of reinforcement

The maximum area of tension or compression reinforcement, outside lap locations should not exceed As,max = 0.4
Ac

Minimum spacing of reinforcement

The minimum spacing of bars should be the greater of:
• Bar diameter
• Aggregate size plus 5 mm
• 20 mm
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Maximum spacing of main reinforcement
For slabs less than 200mm thick the following maximum spacing rules apply:
• For the principal reinforcement: 3h < 400 mm
• For the secondary reinforcement: 3.5h < 450 mm
Except in areas with concentrated loads or areas of maximum moment where the following applies:
• For the principal reinforcement: 3h < 400 mm
• For the principal reinforcement: 3h < 400 mm
Where h is the depth of the slab.

For slabs 200mm thick or greater reference should be made to section 7.3.3 of the code or the How to use
Eurocode 2: Getting Started5 guide

Spacing of punching shear reinforcement

Where punching shear reinforcement is required that following rules should be observed:

• It should be provided between the face of the column and kd inside the outer perimeter, where no shear
reinforcement is no longer required. k is 1.5, unless the perimeter at which reinforcement is no longer
required is less than 3d from the face of the column. In this case the reinforcement should be placed in the
zone 0.3d and 1.5d from the face of the column.

• There should be at least two perimeters of shear links.

• The radial spacing of the links should not exceed 0.75d (see figure X).

• The tangential spacing of the links should not exceed 1.5d within the 2d of the column face.

• The tangential spacing of the links should not exceed 2d for any other perimeter.

• The distance between the face of the column and the nearest shear reinforcement should be less than
0.5d.

Perimeter of outermost
shear links

Outer control perimeter –

no reinforcement required

Further Guidance
TBC
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References

1
BRITSH STANDARDS INSTITUTION Eurocode 2: design of concrete structures – Part 1-1 General rules and
rules for building, BS EN 1992-1-1: 2004.
2
BRITSH STANDARDS INSTITUTION The structural use of concrete – Part 1 Code of practice for design and
construction, BS 8110-1: 1997
3
THE CONCRETE CENTRE How to use Eurocode 2: Introduction, 2005.
4
THE CONCRETE CENTRE How to use Eurocode 2: Deflections, 2005
5
THE CONCRETE CENTRE How to use Eurocode 2: Getting Started, 2005