MOMENT TRANSFER AND SLAB EFFECTIVE WIDTHS IN LATERALLY LOADED EDGE CONNECTIONS

Three dimensional elastic finite element analysis of isolated edge connections in multistory flat plate structures subjected to lateral loads is conducted. The floor slabs and columns were simulated using 20-noded solid isoparametric elements. The parameters studied are the slab aspect ratio and the square column dimension, within practical ranges. The salient advantages of using 3-D analysis are discussed. The transfer mechanism of unbalanced moments from the columns to the slabs is investigated using the 3-D stress distributions at the column-slab interfaces, and at the so-called 'slab critical section.' The contributions of various slab stress components to moment resisting mechanism are compared with the results of another elastic model as well as with the predictions of the ACI eccentric shear model at ultimate.