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Civil Engineering/single beam to two slabs at different levels

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Expert: - 6/25/2011


Question
Hello sir.

Iam modelling a villa in Etabs.I hav two Slab panels of size 6mx3m.thickness 150mm,side by side but at different level. one slab panel is at 3.2m above ground level n other panel is at 2.6m above ground level.i defined reference plane to draw lower slab at 2.6m instead of defining seperate storey.i want to use only one beam to take the loads from these two slabs instead of two beams for two slabs at different levels.i want to model the beam in such a way taht it should be connected to both slabs n take the loads.can this be possible in etabs.

THANKS

Answer
Hi Tanveer,

If I was doing this modelling, I would just put the slabs at the same level, say at 2.9m level, as the overall effect for the analysis and design for the slabs will be minimal, and the only thing you need to consider when designing the beam is to allow for additional hanger stirrups to cater for the tension gravity load from the lower slab.

However, if you want to model it visually correctly, the only way I can suggest is to use a spandrel beam (i.e area object of 600mm depth), which you can model between the two slab levels.

Civil Engineering

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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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