Civil Engineering/slab design

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Expert: - 1/14/2010


Question
Dear Sir
i need to design a reinforced concrete slab to go on top of a box culvert.the arrangement is culvert comes in precast units together with the bedding then three(150mm) compacted layers of fill on top of the culvert then lastly the reinforced concrete slab.the slab will carry loads from heavy vehicles hence the need to put a reinforced slab. my question is, in your opinion is this slab best designed as a simply supported slab taking the culvert width as the clear span or designed as a slab on grade and also please help on the loading determination  

Answer
Hi Tafs,

This really depends on what loading the culverts have been designed for- if they are for use in highways applications, then you can design your slab as one on grade.

As for the wheel loading- you need to look up this info in your local codes for the applicable location/usage of the road.

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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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