Flat Plates with Regular and Irregular Column Layouts. II: Numerical Evaluations

The application of the membrane/plate analogy and the structural‐membrane theory combined in the analysis of flat plates in the companion paper is explained and tested through a series of design examples. Where the ACI 318‐89 code is applicable or where actual tests are available, the results have been compared. In case of flat plates supported by triangular or hexagonal column layouts, the results from the new approach have been compared to those obtained by finite‐element analysis. The analysis of a plate supported on a hexagonal‐column layout has been presented in details using the new approach. An example of an approximate design approach for the design of flat plates supported on randomly spaced columns is outlined. The resulting plate moments are represented as continuous mathematical functions, in difference to the results obtained from finite‐element analysis. Consequently, the new method allows direct calculation of the deflections throughout the plate.