EQUIVALENT BEAM MODEL FOR FLAT-SLAB BUILDINGS .2. EXTERIOR CONNECTIONS

In analyzing flat-slab buildings for gravity and lateral loading, the same effective slab width is used at both interior and exterior slab-c olumn connections. Tests of slab-column connections have clearly shown the moment-transfer mechanism at interior connections to be distinctl y different than the one at exterior connections therefore significant ly different from those of the interior connections. Recognition of th is fact is important in accurately predicting the lateral drift and un balanced moments at connections in flat-slab buildings. The equivalent beam model for slabs at exterior slab-column connections is presented . Based on test results of 41 exterior connections, the ultimate momen t-transfer capacity is found to be a combination of the torsional capa city of the slab edge and flexural capacity of the slab portion framin g into the from face of the column. The test results also show the act ual torsional capacity of the spandrel beam or slab edge at exterior c onnections to be considerably larger than the theoretical capacity cal culated as an isolated beam. An equivalent beam model is proposed for exterior connections that gives a better prediction of the unbalanced moment at connections and lateral drift of flat-slab buildings.