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AS 2870 Slab on Grade Design Software
The first step of almost any construction project is to build the foundation slab, typically referred to as a slab on grade. There are numerous methods of slab on grade construction, including flat slabs, stiffened raft slabs, waffle slabs and slabs with pile foundations. In Australia, most residential ground slabs are designed to the Australian Standard AS 2870-2011 Residential Slabs & Footings.
The design of ground slabs is typically governed by the site classification, stiffness and reactivity (i.e. swell/shrink due to moisture changes) of the founding material. A slab on grade needs to be stiff enough to not experience large movements due to soil settlement but strong enough to limit cracking due to differences in the stiffness of supporting material.
Ground slabs can be designed using 3D Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software (such as SkyCiv S3D), or prescriptive “deemed-to-comply” methods created by Australian Standard bodies. SkyCiv provides engineers with a range of tools for both approaches, supporting more efficient and code-compliant software for residential structural design.
About the AS 2870 Residential Slab Design Module
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Contents
How to use AS 2870 Residential Slab Design Calculator
What does the AS 2870 Residential Slab Design Calculator do?
This tool carries out design and compliance checks for stiffened raft slabs in accordance with AS 2870:2011 Residential Slabs & Footings. Calculations are based on the Simplified Method for Raft Designs outlined in AS 2870 Clause 4.5 which is an extension of the deemed-to-comply values provided in Clause 3.2. The simplified method allows for extension and modification of the deemed-to-comply values to suit changes required by the design engineer, hence avoiding the need for complex 3D analysis of structure/soil interaction.
This method is compliant for slabs with a design distributed load up to 10kPa and a design edge line load up to 25kN/m. AS 2870 Clause 4.5 has a set of strict conditions that must be satisfied for use, including maximum beam spacing, minimum beam depths and minimum slab reinforcement. This tool initially carries out a Clause 4.5 suitability check, followed by stiffness and strength checks in accordance with Clause 4.5.2 and Clause 4.4(f).
This calculator can also be used to export an engineering plan drawing with a detailed beam reinforcement schedule.
How to design a slab on grade to AS 2870 Residential Slabs & Footings?
AS 2870 has an extensive range of deemed-to-comply designs for stiffened rafts, footing slabs, waffle rafts and stiffened slabs with deep edge beams. These are outlined in Section 3 of the standard. These tabulated values allow designers to specify compliant designs without carrying out structural stiffness/capacity calculations.
AS 2870 also provides guidance for designs which are outside the scope of the deemed-to-comply values for stiffened raft slabs, allowing designers to customise their designs to suit desired site geometry and beam dimensions. The method for modifying deemed-to-comply raft designs is outlined in AS 2870 Clause 4.5.
The Simplified Method for Raft Designs comprises the following:
- Suitability Check: Clause 4.5 has a series of criteria that a slab must meet to be suitable for the Simplified Method. These criteria include maximum beam spacing, minimum beam depths and minimum slab reinforcement.
- Soil & Settlement Parameters: The site classification and maximum differential deflection must be determined based on the expected surface movement (ys) and method of wall construction.
- Stiffness Check: The stiffness of any thickened beams in the raft slab must be checked. The required stiffness is obtained from AS 2870 Figure 4.1, based on the site classification and expected surface movement.
- Strength & Ductility Check: Clause 4.4 requires all beam sections to have sufficient reinforcement so that the ultimate strength (Mu) is 20% greater than the cracking moment calculated using AS 3600 Clause 8.1.6.1(1). The beams must also have sufficient reinforcement to satisfy the minimum reinforcement requirements of AS 3600 Clause 8.1.6.1(2).
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