Mechanism Method for

2Way Slabs
Yield-Line Method
Part 1
Basis for Yield-Line Method
• The upper-bound theorem (mechanism) can be used for finding collapse
loads for ductile 2-way slabs.
• Similar to frames, the assumption of shape of collapse (i.e. distribution of
yield-lines, where steel yields within the slabs) is a priory requirement before
starting of calculations.
• The slabs are generally less sensitive than frames for the assumed distribution
of yield-lines.
Example: Simply-Supported One-Way Slab
Simple Boundaries

• Let’s define the plastic bending B

capacity for the slab “m” to be per B m2
one-unit width. m1

• Thus m1 and m2 are kN.m/m L

L
• For simple-slab as shown, the yield- Free Boundaries Direction of reinforcement for m1
line is define as the line where all ALL Steel is Bottom Steel
steel has yielded (i.e. where the
bending moment in the slab along
that line has reached its plastic B m2
capacity) m1
• Notice for this one-way slab, one a
w
single yield line is required for L
collapse C
Yield-Line A
• For this yield-line, only L
reinforcement for m1 bending C
capacity dissipates plastic energy. A
Δ
• Notice: Direction of m1 is L/2 ϴ ϴ L/2
perpendicular to the yield-line
Example: Simply-Supported One-Way Slab
• Based on mechanism method: The external work at collapse must equal the
plastic dissipation energy.
• External work = 2*{(L/2)*B*w*Δ/2} = 2*(L/2)*B*w*(ϴ*L/2)/2 = ϴ*B*w*L2/4
• Internal plastic work = m1*B*(2ϴ)= 2ϴ*m1*B
• Set Ext Work = Plastic Work gives m1 = w*L2/8 { notice m1 is per unit width}
• The result is trivial for the 1-way slab, but the methodology can be extended
for two-way slabs
Definitions
• We say that the slab is isotropic is the bending capacity in two orthogonal
directions are equal (i.e. m1 = m2)
• If m1 ≠ m2 the slab is called orthotropic.
• A simple boundary condition is the line where the vertical support for the slab
does not allow for torsional resistance (i.e. it cannot take torsional moment
along the line. The simple boundary only takes shear reaction.
• The boundary is called fixed boundary (or continuous boundary) , if it can
allow for torsional resistance, and thus resists negative bending moment in
direction perpendicular to the line of support. Examples: reinforced Shear
wall, or continuity of the slab to the other panel.
• A free boundary is the boundary that has no vertical support underneath.
Boundary Conditions
Panel 1

• For instance, take the given plan. If

the spandrel beams do not resist Panel 2 Panel 4
torsion, but they carry downward
force (they carry load), thus all
Panel 3
spandrel beams are simple
boundaries. As shown in the
isolated Panels
Simply-supports Continuous Support
• The inside boundaries are

Simply-supports

Simply-supports
(fixed-support)
continuous (thus require

Continuous
Panel 1 Panel 2
reinforcement for negative Continuous
(fixed-support)
moment), unless the designer
chose to consider each panel all
Continuous Continuous
simply-supported (fixed-support) (fixed-support)
Boundary Conditions
Panel 1

• If there are no spandrel beams, or

their resistance is very small to Panel 2 Panel 4
vertical loads, then they are
considered free boundaries.
Panel 3
• If there are no internal beams, then
we have two scenarios.
1) Neglect beam effect in column strips Continuous Support
Free end
and thus complex shapes of collapse

(fixed-support)
Free boundary
patterns can emerge.

Continuous

Free end
2) Consider beam effect of column strips Panel 1 Panel 2 Continuous
thus leading to formation of beam-like (fixed-support)

strips which must be designed as

beams and must carry at least 85% of Continuous Continuous
net moment woL1L2^2/8 (fixed-support) (fixed-support)
Selecting Panels
• If we have no internal beams, we No internal
have to consider many possible beams
Panel 1
scenarios for the collapse panels
and compute collapse load for
each scenario as per rules that will
be presented later.

Panel 3

Panel 2 Panel 4
Selecting Panels
• Possibilities can be complex for
non-regular shapes.
• Adding internal beams can
make the collapse patterns
easier to predict.
• However, the simplicity of
algebraic calculations makes
the method very effective for
such slabs
 General Procedure
L
Negative Y-L
m1
m2
• Let’s take a triangular orthotropic slab with fixed boundaries
of side length L and with positive moment capacities m1 L +ve Plastic Moment

Po
b

siti
and m2, and negative moment capacities of m’1 and m’2 m'2

ve
m'1

Y-
• To make things simple and have symmetric solution, we will

L
-ve Plastic Moment
assume that m1=m2=m’1=m’2.
m2
• For collapse, we need two negative Y-L and one positive Y-L,
they are symmetric due to symmetry of slab. m1

• We always assume the collapse is made of triangle and

rectangles that rotate around axes of rotations in a Axis of Rotation
compatible manner.
• Lets assume the Y-L to be made of infinitesimal zig-zag lines

Axis of Rotation
b
as shown. Each one of the zig-zag lines will activate one of
the bending reinforcement (either m1 or m2) but NOT Collapse Shape
BOTH!!
b’ bA
General Procedure
L

• We can geometrically relate the displacements of the center points of

the loads on each slab-segment to the maximum displacement in the L
b
whole slab (i.e. to Δb)
• Assuming uniform load over the whole slab (w), then the
displacement of the center of the load equals the displacement of L
the center of segment.
• Thus for segment 2, the displacement of its centroid equals (1/3)*Δ b
L b
• The same is true for segment 1.
 •Thus we can compute the external work for L b’ ΔA
each segment as the product of its area times h/3
the load times the displacement of the center
of the load b
L
• W =Σ{wseg*Δseg } = 2*w*A*(1/3)*Δb
(1/3)Δb
Due to symmetry, A = (½) L2/2 h b’
b’ Δb
W= Δb*wL2/6
 General Procedure
LS L
• To compute the internal plastic energy, we need to find the rotation for each Y-L.
• For the positive line, and since each segment is assumed to stay plane. Then its b
L
rotation, θ , will be equal to Δb / LS , where LS is the shortest distance θ
perpendicular to axis of rotation for the segment. In our case, LS = L/2.
• Notice that this rotation is identical for the negative Y-L as well. b’ Δb
• Now recall, if we hypothesized the Y-L to be composed of zig-zags, then all zig-
zags that are perpendicular to m1, will activate the steel reinforcement for m1, +Y

Axis of Rotation
-L

for Segment 2
thus if we sum these zig-zags, we get the projected length for the Y-L over the
axis of rotation of the segment (LPR). In our case LPR = L/2
b
• Thus, for the positive Y-L, the internal work consumed by the plastic moment m1 LS
from segment 2, equals m1*LPR* θ , and for m2 it equals m2*LPR* θ , thus for
both segments it equals:
Wpl+ = Σ{m*LPR*Δ/LS} = m1*(L/2)* Δb / (L/2) + m2*(L/2)* Δb / (L/2) = (m1 + m2 )*Δb
+Y
• For the negative Y-L, the plastic work from both segments is -L
LPR
Wpl- = Σ{m*LPR*Δ/LS} = m’1*(L)* Δb / (L/2) + m’2*(L)* Δb / (L/2) = (2m’1+2m’2)*Δb m1

• Now setting external work equal to internal work will produce

Δb*wL2/6 = (m1+m2)*Δb + (2m’1+2m’2)*Δb  m1+m2 +2(m’1+m’2) = wL2/12
General Equation for Y-L Method
• Thus the energy equation for the yield-line method can be written generally
as: Σ{wseg*Δseg } = Σ{m*LPR*Δ/LS}
• Where:
wseg = the resultant of the load over the rotating segment of the slab
Δseg = the displacement of the center of the loading on he segment
LPR = the projected length of the yield line in the rotating segment onto the axis
of rotation
LS = the shortest perpendicular distance from the point of max displacement to
the axis of rotation
Δ = the maximum displacement of the rotating segment.
Yield-Line Patterns Axes of Rotation

• From experience, one can develop a sense Free

for how to assume yield-line patterns
• The slab is generally divided into segments

Free
that can freely rotate around axes of
rotations
• Axes of rotations can intersect, and
generally Y-L emerges at the intersection of
axes of rotations
• Sometimes there can be many possibilities
for Y-L patterns for the same slab!