Slab Material Properties
The slabs are treated as linearly elastic solids, and thus the user must specify the modulus of elasticity E, Poisson's ratio nu, the coefficient of thermal expansion alpha, and the slab density. Except for slabs founded directly on a tension-supporting dense liquid, the slab density must be included in an analysis to accurately predict stresses. Including slab density is especially important when considering curling of a slab founded on an elastic solid base, where the primary loading on the slab is due to its own self-weight. Thus, the default slab density corresponds to that for normal-weight concrete. However, including a non-zero slab density also implies that self-weight deflections are included in the analysis results, and must be subtracted from the total deflections prior to computing joint load transfer efficiencies.