Assessment and Evaluation of Slab Analysis and Design Practice In Ethiopia

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Date

2014-08

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

The analysis and design of plate elements is too complex, for most cases there is no closed form of solution for these are highly intermediate structures which are full of assumptions, and uncertainty makes difficult for day to day application and become uneconomical during design. To tackle this, researchers and engineers developed simplified method with acceptable reliability and accuracy. Still the limitation is visible that some methods are only applicable to some particular problems. Hence to control this, codes were prepared and used in practical analysis and design practices and used to harmonize the application throughout the country. But many professionals claim that the practice is not to the standard and may damage the economy of the country as whole if some devastating earth quake happens. Moreover, these believes care shall be taken in design, construction and service of the buildings for the country is under development, projects are becoming cost intensive and massive in terms of size (in which large number of occupants may use it). It is clear that buildings shall be safe, economical and serviceable. But is very difficult to attain these requirements the same time , that is, these may need more time, finance and experience with knowledge. Almost all designers claim that the cost provided by most clients extremely unaffordable and time that they required for analysis and design is too short which leads for inexperienced and unqualified designers to join the practice on the contrast the well experienced go to large projects. For instance, in this research, it is identified mechanical engineers participate in design of buildings knowing the analysis software alone. Hence, this study focuses on the actual practice of slab analysis and design assessment and evaluation. It covers international and local challenges faced during analysis and design, approval and construction (partly) of slabs. It compares and clarifies our code of practice with respect to related international code practice and re-evaluates the country local practical (particularly Addis Ababa and Mekelle) practice with our code of standard. Moreover, present and clarifies the methods of slab design and analysis stated in our code

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Structures Major

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