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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Keywords
Structures Major