FLAT PLATES WITH REGULAR AND IRREGULAR COLUMN LAYOUTS .1. ANALYSIS

By the use of the structural membrane theory, an effective and accurat e method for determining bending moments in flat plates is developed. This involves using a three-dimensional model, which removes the inher ent limitations of the two-dimensional frame representation of plates as recommended in the ACI 318 code. For square and rectangular layouts , this method yields excellent agreement with existing test data. The method makes it possible to analyze plates with triangular, hexagonal, and other regular column arrangements. It furthermore furnishes an ap proximate design for plates with irregular column layouts. Originally developed for the design of thin shells supported on irregularly space d columns, the structural membrane theory provides accurate results fo r similarly supported flat plates. With extreme simplicity in both inp ut and output files, combined with limited requirements for computer m emory and computer time, it promises to become a popular tool for the practicing engineer.