Recent Developments in Two-Way Slabs: Design, Analysis, Construction, and Evaluation

During the last couple of decades, there have been new developments on the design and analysis of two-way slab systems, particularly associated with safety issues against earthquakes. In regard of the recent developments, Joint ACI-ASCE Committee 421 published a comprehensive state-of-the-art report, “Guide to Design of Reinforced Two-Way Slab Systems (ACI 421.3R-15)”, with indebted contributions from many dedicated members. To appreciate this achievement, Committee 421 organized two technical sessions titled, “Two-Way Slab Systems: Recent Developments and Showcases on Design, Analysis, Construction, and Evaluation Methods”, which were held at previous ACI Conventions on November 2015 in Denver, CO, and April 2016 in Milwaukee, WI. The presentation topics included new design and construction methods in two-way slab systems; innovative reinforcement methods for punching shear prevention; practical design and analysis experiences in recent projects of complex geometries; showcases on serviceability and maintenance issues encountered in RC or PT slabs; experimental tests and/or numerical modeling against extreme hazards, such as earthquake, fire, blast, and progressive collapse; and nondestructive evaluation techniques for in-place two-way slabs.