The deformation of a rectangular slab stiffened by beams under transverse loads

Summary A rectangular slab spans between simple supports and is stiffened by beams of uniform cross-section (Figure 1). Complete composite action is assumed to exist between the slab and the beams. Each panel of the slab can carry point loads, acting at any point of the panel, and a uniformly distributed transverse load, and the beams carry loads which are either uniformly distributed along their lengths or are concentrated so as to act as point loads. The magnitudes of the loads carried by each panel and by each beam will generally not be the same. It is assumed that the transverse deflexion of the structure and the stress function that describes forces in the plane of the slab are governed by independent biharmonic equations. To these equations series solutions are taken and the coefficients which they contain are determined by satisfying the conditions of compatibility and continuity at the slab-beam junctions. The results of experiments with models are described and brief details are given of computer...