Simplified method of applying loads to flat slab floor structural model

Abstract

The article analyses the impact of the live load position on the surface of a reinforced concrete flat slab floor of 32.0 m × 28.8 m. Four variants of a live load position are investigated: located on the entire concrete slab, set in a chessboard pattern, applied by bands and imposed separately in each of the slab panels. Conclusions are drawn upon differences in bending moments, the time of calculation and the size of output files. The problems in the interpretation of results are presented too. A procedure is presented to model the reinforced concrete structures in computational programs. The recommendations of the Eurocodes are presented regarding to load combinations in the Ultimate Limit State (ULS). Convergence analysis of the finite element mesh is carried out to verify the obtained results. The law status on the implementation of the Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology in Poland points out significant time savings in the application of this technology.