Some experimental studies on a reinforced concrete slab-beam system

Experimental tests on nineteen single-panel square slab-beam models are reported in order to study the enhancement of the load-carrying capacity due to the development of compressive membrane forces. The variables included are the percentage of reinforcement, and the degree of edge restraint at the surrounds of the slab provided by the varying lateral rigidity of the edge beams. The ultimate loads of the models are predicted by a method proposed by the authors and compared with the experimentally obtained values for good agreement. An empirical recommendation for the enhanced capacity due to T-beam action alone, which induces some precompression in the slab, is also made.