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Civil Engineering/Diaphragm shear transfer in concrete slabs

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Expert: - 5/20/2008


Question
Dear Arshad,
I have a question regarding diaphragm shear in concrete slabs. I would like to ask you how this shear force transferred through the concrete slab. And what needs to be checked? If this was steel deck with concrete infill sitting on steel beam, then diaphragm force is carried through the puddle weld or studs that are attached to steel beam trough deck (composite beam action). You make sure that total capacity of that beam connection to deck (studs or puddle weld) is sufficient to carry its horizontal force coming from bracing system. I would like to find out the same load path for the concrete slab case that how this shear force at the end gets transferred to the shear wall at that storey.

Answer
Hi Adam,

The principles for diapgram forces in RC slab are the same for what you describe for steel beams with composite deck. Basically check that the slab can take the forces without exceeding shear stress (say 5 N/mm2)a nd then you can add in additional diognal rebar (in the horizontla plane), ONLY if the existing rebar in the slab (for gravity design) is insuficient for this purpose.

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Arshad Khan

Expertise

I can answer any questions to do with civil and structural engineering consultancy and construction industry in East Africa and the Middle East, and specifically with the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures. My particular expertise is in the aseismic design and optimisation of tall buildings.

Experience

Employment history: 36 years in Construction and consultancy in the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Somalia, Zambia, Austria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and the U.A.E.

Organizations
.Fellow of Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) .Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers(UK) .Member of the Institution of Engineers, Kenya .Registered Engineer, ERB, Kenya .Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (Engineers Chapter) .Chartered Engineer (UK)

Publications
•1984: International Conference on the Art and Practice of Structural Design, London •1994: 3rd Int. Kerensky Conference in Structural Engineering, Singapore •2008: International Conference on High-Rise Towers, Abu Dhabi

Education/Credentials
BSc, 1st Class Hons, in Building Engineering, University of Bath, UK MSc in Concrete Structures and Technology, University of London. Diploma of Imperial College, UK.

Awards and Honors
•Science Congress Special Award (for 2-seater Hovercraft - 1968) •Institution of Civil Engineers Award for outstanding performance at Bath University (1975) •Concrete Society Postgraduate study Bursary Award (1976) •Consular Representative for British High Commission, Nairobi. (1995 to 1998) •Examiner for Institution of Civil Engineers Professional Interviews, Nairobi. (1997 to 1998) •Branch Representative in Vienna for PI assessment for Inst. of Struct. Engrs. (1999 to date)

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