Study on modeling reinforced concrete slabs with secondary beams using the finite element method

Abstract

Reinforced concrete slabs with secondary beams are structures composed of a continuous slab and a system of secondary beams with multiple equal spans, supported by primary beams. The relevance of such structures in the current stage is quite widespread in both civil and industrial constructions. Considering that the construction sector in the Republic of Moldova is undergoing constant changes, there is an increasing demand for buildings where slab structures with high load-bearing capacity can be applied, while also being as economical as possible in terms of material usage, with reduced cross-sections of the load-bearing elements.

The article provides a general overview of the structural analysis of reinforced concrete slabs with secondary beams using the finite element method by using Structure CAD Office software. In the SCAD software, four slab structures were modeled: three with offset finite element positioning and one standard model with finite elements placed on the same axis, as shown in Figure 1. In two structural models, the use of the absolutely rigid tool was applied at the node connections between the offset elements of the slab and secondary beams, Figure 2. The obtained results were analyzed and compared with each other relative to the standard model.