ANALYSIS OF CONCRETE SLAB DEFLECTION USING FINITE DIFFERENCE METHOD

Abstract

The performance of reinforced concrete (RC) slabs under service and dead loads is a measure of their ability to support the weight of the structure. The value of deflection is significant for serviceability. This paper presents a numerical simulation model for RC slab deflection based on the finite difference method (FDM) where the governing fourth-order partial differential equation (the deflection equation) was converted to a set of algebraic equations. A MATLAB program code was developed to solve the system of ordinary algebraic equations by applying the boundary condition at the supports of the slab. Twelve slabs were analysed for deflection, under uniform (5 ) load under triangle load (10 ). The slab dimensions vary between  ,  , and , The validation of the FDM model was verified with the results of an analytical solution and Ansys software for the present slabs. Whereas the accuracy and reliability of the MATLAB code are studied in terms of convergence analysis and mesh sensitivity. The results showed that the 2-D FDM model of the concrete slab agreed with the Ansys data and the analytical solution. However, the code required a significant large number of nodes to match the exact solution.