GGU-SLAB: System description (Example 1)

Below, slab analysis is demonstrated using a practical example. The example is taken from

• H. R. Schwarz
  Methode der finiten Elemente (Finite-Element Methods), Teubner, Stuttgart 1991

The example is shown in Section 6.1.5.2 on pages 391 pp of the book. It deals with a bridge slab with the following dimensions:

Open

Figure 1 Example from Schwarz 1991

The following slab data are given:

• thickness d of slab = 0.40 m

• Young's modulus of concrete = 40,000.0 MN/m²

• Poisson's ratio of concrete = ¹/₆ = 0.1667

• specific weight of concrete = 2.548 g/cm³ → = 25 kN/m³

The loading on the slab results entirely from self weight.

Because this is a bridge slab the system is first analysed without subgrade.