Design of Slabs & Footings Using SAFE-2016

Types of Slabs:
Span Length:
 If Span<4m -> Solid slab (thickness 10-15cm, with interior beams).
 If 4m<Span<7m -> One-way ribbed slab (thickness 25 to 30 cm).
 If 7m<Span<10m -> Two-way ribbed slab or Flat slab (flat slabs without interior beams).
 If Span>10m -> Waffle slab or Frame system or Post-tensioned slab.
Live Load:
 ASCE7-10
 Check if there is a Lebanese Code

General Notes for Slabs:

New Model:
 File -> New Model->choose Design code, units and the initial design platform (usually Grid Only).
 Cartesian -> number of axis -> edit grids -> spacing and anything related to grids.
 Set Display Option () -> uncheck “Horizon” – check “extrude view” when needed.
 Options -> Graphic Colors -> you can edit colors.
 Screen right click -> snap options -> snap five (grid intersections – points – perpendicular projections –
intersections intelligent snap) – snap increments.
Define:
 Materials -> concrete -> {material type - weight – Modulus of Elasticity[ 4700*sqrt*(f’c)] - f’c – modulus of
rupture -> user specified – 0.62*sqrt(f’c)}.
 Materials -> Rebar -> {material type – weight – Modulus of Elasticity – fy=420}. (LongitudinalRebars).
 Materials -> Rebar -> {material type – weight – Modulus of Elasticity – fy=240}. (Transverse Rebars).
 Column Properties -> material -> Column section Dimensions -> check “Include Automatic Rigid Zone Area
Over Column” (this option to define column as an area and calculate moment and shear on the surfaces).
 Wall Properties -> material -> wall thickness -> check “Include Automatic Rigid Zone Area Over Column”
-> uncheck “Wall Takes Out-Of-Plane Moment” (Wall don’t take moment in weak side).
 Slab Properties -> material -> slab type and thickness (app. L/30) -> uncheck “orthotropic” (Not for
concrete materials) and “Thick Plate” (not for slabs, only for footings).
 Beam Properties -> material (concrete and rebar) -> beam type and dimension (depth L/10) and cover
(beam depth/10) -> uncheck “no design”
 Load Patterns -> Dead (self weight of multiplier 1).
 Load patterns -> Live, super dead (partitions and finishing),..etc (all of multiplier 0).
 Load Combinations -> add new comb – COMB1 (type: Linear add) -> Dead, Finishing and Partition with 1.4
factor -> check “Strength (Ultimate)” only.
 Load Combinations -> add new comb – COMB2 (type: Linear add) -> Dead, Finishing and Partition with 1.2
factor -> Live with 1.6 factor -> check “Strength (Ultimate)” only.
  Deflection cases (5 cases) 1st method:
 Load Cases -> add new case (case 1) -> check “Zero Initial Conditions-Unstressed State” and “Nonlinear
Long Term Cracked” – load applied (Dead with scale factor 1). (load case type is static)
 Load Cases -> add new case (case 2) -> check “Stiffness of End of Nonlinear Case” (select case1) and
“Nonlinear Long Term Cracked” – load applied (Partitions with scale factor 1). (load case type is static)
 Load Cases -> add new case (case 3) -> check “Stiffness of End of Nonlinear Case” (select case2) and
“Nonlinear Long Term Cracked” – load applied (Finishing with scale factor 1). (load case type is static)
 Load Cases -> add new case (case 4) -> check “Stiffness of End of Nonlinear Case” (select case3) and
“Nonlinear Long Term Cracked” – load applied (Live with scale factor 0.25). (load case type is static)
 Load Cases -> add new case (case 5) -> check “Stiffness of End of Nonlinear Case” (select case4) and
“Nonlinear Cracked” – load applied (Live with scale factor 0.75). (load case type is static)
 Read deformed shape of Case 5.
 Deflection cases 2nd method:
 SDL is both the finishing and partition.
 Load cases -> add new case -> name it “Immediate all Loads” ->check “Zero Initial Conditions-Unstressed
State” and “Nonlinear Cracked” – load applied (Dead, SDL and Live with scale factor 1). load case type is
static)
 Load cases -> add new case -> name it “Long Term Sustained” ->check “Zero Initial Conditions-Unstressed
State” and “Nonlinear Long Term Cracked”– load applied (Dead, SDL with scale factor 1and Live with scale
factor 0.25). load case type is static)
 Load cases -> add new case -> name it “Immediate Sustained Loads” ->check “Zero Initial Conditions-
Unstressed State” and “Nonlinear Cracked” – load applied (Dead, SDL with scale factor 1and Live with
scale factor 0.25). load case type is static)
 Load Combination -> name it “Long Term COMB” (type: Linear add) ->“Immediate all Loads” &“Long Term
Sustained” with 1 factor and “Immediate Sustained Loads” with -1 factor -> Uncheck all design selection.
 Read deformed shape from combination‘Long Term COMB”. (Long Term Deflection).
 Read deformed shape from case “Immediate all Loads”. (Short Term Deflection). (cracked Section).
Draw:
 Draw Column -> (Type – height – Property – offsets – angle).
 Draw Wall -> (Type – height – Property – offsets – angle).
 Draw Slabs/Areas (Type - property) – (it may be an opening).
 Draw Beam/Lines -> (Type – Property – offsets).
 Draw Design Strips.
Assign:
 Select Slab -> Load Data -> Surface Loads -> insert all loads except dead load.
 Select one end Beams -> Beam Data -> end Release. (at this points, uncheck “ automatic rigid zone” in
column and wall properties.

Design:
 Design Preferences -> Min cover of slab (20 top & bot) -> Min cover of beam (as defined beam).
 Select Slab -> design -> slab design overwrites -> Finite element Based -> rebar material– check cover
“from Preferences”
 Run:
 Automatic Slab Mesh Options -> insert Mesh size (usually 0.5) (how much I reduce the number it will be
more accurate).
 Run Analysis & Design
Display:
 Show deformed shape (Less than allowable deflection).
 Show punching shear design (it must be less than 1).
 Show Undeformed shape.
 Show Strip Forces -> Load Combination “COMB2” and layer A or B and read moments, shear forces or
torsion.
 Show Slab Design.
 Show Beam Design -> in Display Type choose “Longitudinal” – in Rebar Type choose “Enveloping”- check
“Impose Minimum Reinforcing”.
 Show Beam Design -> in Display Type choose “Transversal” – in Rebar Type choose “Total”.
Detailing:
 Detailing Preferences -> dimensions and materials units – marks -> ok.

Punching shear Solution:

Column Capital:
 Define -> Column properties -> Add a copy of property -> change name -> check “Include Automatic
Column Capital” -> dimensions (Height include slab thickness, dmax =span/4, hmax =0.5(dmax-b), Dx=col
dim (it is b)+2h+2 th of slab, H=h+th of slab).
 Select needed columns -> assign -> column data -> properties -> choose the new column -> ok.
Drop Panel:
 Define Slab properties -> add new property -> name, material, type (drop) and thickness (not less than
1.25 of slab thickness) -> uncheck “thick plate”.
 Draw -> quick draw areas around points -> type, shape, property and dimensions (not less than 1/6 span
of each side).
Stud Rails:
 Select Needed Columns -> Design -> Punching Shear Overwrites -> choose “Stud Rails” from
Reinforcement Allowed -> choose the suitable reinforcement pattern -> Diameter – spacing – Fy -> ok.

Flat Slab Design

Define:
 In Slab properties choose “Slab” which means Flat or Solid.
Draw
 Draw Design Strips -> Type – layer (Once A and second direction B) – width (1m all width)- draw only one
strip in both directions.
 Select each strip alone -> Edit –> replicate –> linear -> increment -> number of increments.
 Or: Draw column and middle strip in both directions.
Display
 Show Slab Design -> Design Basis “strip Based” – Display Type “Envelope Flexure Reinforcement” – check
“Impose Minimum Reinforcement” – in Show rebar above specified value check “Typical Uniform
reinforcing specified below” – in Reinforcing Display Type check “Show Number of Bars of Size”.
 Detailing:
 Slab/mat reinforcing preferences -> in general and display check “show additional bars”- enter suitable
bars.
 Slab/mat reinforcing preferences -> in rebar selection - check “enforce user minimum reinforcement”-
enter suitable bars in preferred rebar sizes.

One Way Ribbed Slab Design

Define:
 In Slab properties choose “Ribbed” which means One Way Ribbed Slab -> Rib Spacing is Block width + Rib
width -> Rib direction is in the long span.
Draw
 Draw Design Strips ->Type – layer (Only A) – width (as Rib Spacing)- draw only one strip.
 Select the strip drawn -> Edit –> replicate –> linear -> increment -> number of increments.
Display
 Show Slab Design -> Design Basis “strip Based” – Display Type “Envelope Flexure Reinforcement” –
uncheck “Impose Minimum Reinforcement” – in Show rebar above specified value check “None” – in
Reinforcing Display Type check “Show Number of Bars of Size”.
Assign:
 Select Slab -> Load Data -> Surface Loads -> insert block loads as DEAD load (10*weight of block=load per
squared meter).

Two Way Ribbed Slab Design

Define:
 In Slab properties choose “Waffle” which means One Way Ribbed Slab -> Rib Spacing is Block width + Rib
width.
Draw
 Draw Design Strips -> Type – layer (Once A and second direction B) – width (as Rib Spacing)- draw only
one strip in both directions.
 Select each strip alone -> Edit –> replicate –> linear -> increment -> number of increments.
Display
 Show Slab Design -> Design Basis “strip Based” – Display Type “Envelope Flexure Reinforcement” –
uncheck “Impose Minimum Reinforcement” – in Show rebar above specified value check “None” – in
Reinforcing Display Type check “Show Number of Bars of Size”.
Assign:
 Select Slab -> Load Data -> Surface Loads -> insert block loads as DEAD load (8*weight of block=load per
squared meter).
Waffle Slab Design (it may be with or without interior beams)
Define:
 In Slab properties choose “Waffle” which means One Way Ribbed Slab -> Rib Spacing is Block width + Rib
width.
 Slab Properties -> name (solid head) -> material -> slab type (Drop) and thickness (as slab) -> uncheck
“orthotropic” (Not for concrete materials) and “Thick Plate” (not for slabs, only for footings).
Draw
 Draw “Solid Head” -> quick draw areas around points -> type, shape, property and dimensions (not less
than 1/6 span of each side).
 Draw Design Strips -> Type – layer (Once A and second direction B) – width (as Rib Spacing)- draw only
one strip in both directions.
 Select each strip alone -> Edit –> replicate –> linear -> increment -> number of increments.

Display
 Show Slab Design -> Design Basis “strip Based” – Display Type “Envelope Flexure Reinforcement” –
uncheck “Impose Minimum Reinforcement” – in Show rebar above specified value check “None” – in
Reinforcing Display Type check “Show Number of Bars of Size”.

SingleFooting:
New Model:
 File -> New Model -> choose Design code, units and the initial design platform (usually “Blank”).
 Set Display Option () -> uncheck “Horizon” – check “extrude view” when needed.
 Options -> Graphic Colors -> you can edit colors.
 Screen right click -> snap options -> snap five (grid intersections – points – perpendicular projections –
intersections intelligent snap) – snap increments.
Define:
 Materials -> concrete -> {material type - weight – Modulus of Elasticity [4700*sqrt*(f’c)] - f’c – modulus of
rupture -> user specified – 0.62*sqrt(f’c)}.
 Materials -> Rebar -> {material type – weight – Modulus of Elasticity – fy=420}. (Longitudinal Rebar).
 Materials -> Rebar -> {material type – weight – Modulus of Elasticity – fy=240}. (Transverse Rebar).
 Slab Properties -> material -> slab type (Footing) and thickness (app. Number of stories*10) -> uncheck
“orthotropic” (Not for concrete materials) – check “Thick Plate” (not for slabs, only for footings).
 Slab Properties ->name (stiff) -material -> slab type (Stiff) and thickness (as footing) -> uncheck
“orthotropic” (Not for concrete materials) – check “Thick Plate” (not for slabs, only for footings).
 Load Patterns -> Dead (self-weight of multiplier 1).
 Load patterns -> Live with multiplier 0.
 Load Combinations -> add new comb – Ultimate (type: Linear add) -> Dead with 1.2 factor -> Live with 1.6
factor -> check “Strength (Ultimate)” only.
 Load Combinations -> add new comb – Service (type: Linear add) -> Dead & Live with 1 factor ->Uncheck
all design Selection.
 Soil Subgrade Properties -> Add New Property – property Name – Subgrade Modulus (120*B.C (B.C is in
KN/m2 150,200,250,…etc.)) – Check “compression Only” in Non-linear Option
 Draw:
 Quick Draw Areas around Points (Type - property) – (Footing and Stiff (as Column Dimensions)).
 Draw Points – On the center of the stiff area.
 Draw Two Design Strips in Both Direction Each has its width as footing dimensions.
Assign:
 Select Footing ->Support Data -> Soil Properties ->choose the Suitable Soil -> ok.
 Select thePoint defined above -> Load Data ->Point Loads -> insert all loads,Dead and Live loads in Gravity
direction (-Z) – Insert dimensions of column in “Size of Load for Punching Shear”.

Design:
 Select Slab -> design -> slab design overwrites -> Finite element Based -> rebar material– check cover
“from Preferences”
Run:
 Automatic Slab Mesh Options -> insert Mesh size (usually 0.5) (how much I reduce the number it will be
more accurate).
 Run Analysis & Design
Display:
 Show Reaction forces – check Load Combination and choose Service - in Type of Reactions, check Soil
pressure – Apply – (max & min stress must be less than B.C).
 Show punching shear design (it must be less than 1).
 Show Strip Forces -> Load Combination “Ultimate” and layer A or B and read moments, shear forces or
torsion.
 Show Slab Design -> Design Basis “strip Based” – Display Type “Envelope Flexure Reinforcement” – check
“Impose Minimum Reinforcement” – in Show rebar above specified value check “None” – in Reinforcing
Display Type check “Show Number of Bars of Size”.
Detailing:
 Detailing Preferences -> dimensions and materials units – marks -> ok.

Combined Footing:
Manual Calculations:
 Resultant Reaction of Both Column Service Loads must be in the middle of the footing – so sum of
moments in any one of the columns must be zero – The add the offset out of column and multiply by 2 to
calculate the length of footing.
 Width of footing =sum of service loads/ (B.C*Length of footing).
New Model:
 File -> New Model -> choose Design code, units and the initial design platform (usually “Combined
Footing”) – Insert all Data needed.
 Set Display Option () -> uncheck “Horizon” – check “extrude view” when needed.
 Options -> Graphic Colors -> you can edit colors.
 Screen right click -> snap options -> snap five (grid intersections – points – perpendicular projections –
intersections intelligent snap) – snap increments.
Define:
 Materials -> concrete -> {material type - weight – Modulus of Elasticity [4700*sqrt*(f’c)] - f’c – modulus of
rupture -> user specified – 0.62*sqrt(f’c)}.
 Materials -> Rebar -> {material type – weight – Modulus of Elasticity – fy=420}. (Longitudinal Rebar).
 Materials -> Rebar -> {material type – weight – Modulus of Elasticity – fy=240}. (Transverse Rebar).
 Slab Properties -> material -> slab type (Footing) and thickness (app. Number of stories*10) -> uncheck
“orthotropic” (Not for concrete materials) – check “Thick Plate” (not for slabs, only for footings).
 Slab Properties -> name (stiff) -material -> slab type (Stiff) and thickness (as footing) -> uncheck
“orthotropic” (Not for concrete materials) – check “Thick Plate” (not for slabs, only for footings).
 Load Patterns -> Dead (self-weight of multiplier 1).
 Load patterns -> Live with multiplier 0.
 Load Combinations -> add new comb – Ultimate (type: Linear add) -> Dead with 1.2 factor -> Live with 1.6
factor -> check “Strength (Ultimate)” only.
 Load Combinations -> add new comb – Service (type: Linear add) -> Dead & Live with 1 factor -> Uncheck
all design Selection.
 Soil Subgrade Properties -> Add New Property – property Name – Subgrade Modulus (120*B.C (B.C is in
KN/m2 150,200,250,…etc.)) – Check “compression Only” in Non-linear Option
Draw:
 Quick Draw Areas around Points (Type - property) – (Footing and Stiff (as Column Dimensions)).
 Draw Points – On the center of the stiff area.
 Draw Design Strips in Both Direction Each has its width as footing dimensions.
Assign:
 Select Footing -> Support Data -> Soil Properties -> choose the Suitable Soil -> ok.
 Select the Point defined above -> Load Data -> Point Loads -> insert all loads, Dead and Live loads in
Gravity direction (-Z) – Insert dimensions of column in “Size of Load for Punching Shear”.

Design:
 Select Slab -> design -> slab design overwrites -> Finite element Based -> rebar material– check cover
“from Preferences”
Run:
 Automatic Slab Mesh Options -> insert Mesh size (usually 0.5) (how much I reduce the number it will be
more accurate).
 Run Analysis & Design
Display:
 Show Reaction forces – check Load Combination and choose Service - in Type of Reactions, check Soil
pressure – Apply – (max & min stress must be less than B.C).
 Show punching shear design (it must be less than 1).
 Show Strip Forces -> Load Combination “Ultimate” and layer A or B and read moments, shear forces or
torsion.
 Show Slab Design -> Design Basis “strip Based” – Display Type “Envelope Flexure Reinforcement” – check
“Impose Minimum Reinforcement” – in Show rebar above specified value check “None” – in Reinforcing
Display Type check “Show Number of Bars of Size”.
Detailing:
 Detailing Preferences -> dimensions and materials units – marks -> ok.
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