Authors

Abstract

In this research, nine orthotropically reinforced concrete (RC) rectangular slabs
having various boundary restraints at the edges are tested under uniformly distributed
load. The main aim of these tests is to show that when some or all edges of a slab are
restrained against rotation and horizontal translation the ultimate load carrying capacity
of the slab will be enhanced greatly above that suggested by the simple Johansen ,s yield
line theory(1). For this purpose, a specially designed rig is constructed and used for
providing slabs with various boundary restraints along their edges.
The results of tests, which are presented in the form of load-deflection curves plotted
non-dimensionally, show that for restrained slabs the enhancement in load above
Johansen ,s load ranges between 50% and 100% depending on the number and positions
of the slab restrained edges. These results are also used to examine the accuracy of a
recently submitted elastic-plastic theoretical model(2).

Keywords