Civil Engineering/ground beams

Advertisement

Expert: - 12/14/2010


Question
hello mr.Arshad
i want to ask about the design of ground beams that are poured on the top of columns neck so that its top level is the level of on-grade slab , my idea that it is designed as simple beams under its own weight and walls weight  but reinforced as contineous beams.I need to know if it is true . and i need also to know the references that help me to proof it .
Thank you in advance for your help .

Answer
Hi Waleed,

I am not sure I completely understand your question, but ground beams cast as you say can be designed and reinforced as continuous so long as support conditions are consistent. For deflection compatibility, you should alos consider a strip of on-grade slab (say 1m wide, or minimum 1/5th of the width of the slab) to be supported by the ground beam.

Please refer to:

http://communities.bentley.com/products/structural/structural_analysis___design/...

and...

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=279&page=32

As you will note there is much debate as to how to analyse ground beams cast on grade, and you need to use some engineering judgement to achieve a safe but economical design.

Civil Engineering

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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)

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.