Simplified Analysis of Edge Stiffened Cantilever Slabs

A realistic analysis of edge stiffened cantilever slabs having linearly varying thickness in one direction (and subjected to concentrated loads) is usually done by rigorous methods that are either computer based or are too complex for everyday design office use. Semigraphical manual methods are presented which provide solutions comparable to those given by rigorous methods. The methods provide longitudinal moments in the slab and also the maximum hogging and sagging moments in the edge beams. The charts are based on grillage analogy analyses of slabs and therefore are subjected to the same limitations as the grillage analogy method, which is demonstrated to conform closely to the classical plate solution for plates of varying thickness.