Deflection Control of Two-Way Reinforced Concrete Slabs

Limitation of midpanel deflection is an essential performance design of two-way slab systems. Two alternative design procedures for deflection control are presented in this paper. One procedure with fewer parameters is written in a format of the minimum thickness requirements. The other, allowing more flexibility in choices, involves the direct calculation of midpanel deflections. Both procedures suggested herein are simple; however, various factors influencing deflections of two-way slab systems (i.e., loading intensity, slab geometrical configuration, material properties, cracking phenomenon, slab discontinuity, long-term effects, and allowable deflection limits) are also considered. These techniques are provided with illustrative examples as well as comparisons with both the available experimental data and ACI 318-89 being made.