January 16, 2024

How To: Understand Long Term Deflection Results in RISAFloor ES

RISAFloor ES allows users to analyze Long Term Deflection for Concrete Floor Slabs using "User Defined" as the design method. For more information on how to model Long Term Deflection in RISAFloor ES, follow our other article link below. In this article, you'll learn how to:

Understand Deflection Methods
Understand Your Deflection Results

Link: Long Term Deflection in RISAFloor ES

Understanding Deflection Methods

In the Model Settings, there are two Concrete Deflection methods available. The deflection method options allow you to choose from I Cracked/Elastic or Long Term.

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I Cracked/Elastic

Selecting a Deflection Method of I Cracked/Elastic in the Model Settings controls the stiffness reduction based on the Icr factor in the Slabs spreadsheet .

The Icr factor default is set to 0.25 per ACI 318-14 Section 6.6.3.1.1 (ACI 318-11 Section 10.10.4.1). You can modify this factor with any value between zero and 1.0 by typing in this field. The Icr factor adjusts the stiffness of the plate elements comprising the slab by altering the thickness during solution.

Long Term
Selecting a Deflection Method of Long Term, the program will automatically adjust the plate stiffness by adjusting the Moment of Inertia to be I_e (ACI 318-14 24.2.3.5). This stiffness adjustment is an iterative analysis per plate based on the global axis. The slab is modeled as plates, and based on the finite element analysis, the program is obtaining a moment demand for each plate, then the program will adjust the plate moment of inertia by the equation below based on the Mcr/Ma.

Note: The Icr in the equation for Ie is not using the user input from the Slabs spreadsheet, but actually calculating Icr from the following table: Table 10-2 Gross and Cracked Moment of Inertia of Rectangular Section in the PCA Notes on ACI 318-11.

Understanding Your Deflection Results

There are internal Load Combinations included when the Long Term Deflection analysis is turned on. These internal Load Combinations can be shown in the Slab-Contours- Displacements as well as the Slab Point Deflections spreadsheet.

Slab Point Deflections Spreadsheet

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The Sustained LL Factor and the Creep Shrinkage Coefficient gets used in the Load Combinations listed below.

Service LC: Uses the Icr factor on 1.43*Ig (ACI 318-14 Section 6.6.3.2.2)
Sustained Load: DL + (Sustained LL Factor)*LL
Total Load: DL + LL Total Load tab uses Ie described in the Deflection Methods section of this article
Long Term Sustained: Sustained Load * (1 + Creep Shrinkage Coeff)
Long Term: Long Term Sustained + ( Total Load - Sustained Load )

Slab-Contours- Displacements Graphically

The Long Term Deflection can also be viewed graphically using the Slab Contours-Displacement.

Open your Model Display Options.
Navigate to the Slabs tab to change the display of the slab contours. The internal Load Combinations are listed in the Results Display.

More Questions on Modeling Long Term Deflection in RISAFloor ES? Reach out to our support engineers by clicking the button below.

RISA Support

Tags: RISAFloor ES, Concrete, RISAFloorES

April 26, 2018 | New, Deflection, RISAFloorES, Long Term Deflection

Long Term Deflection in RISAFloor ES

RISAFloor ES has the ability to check the Long Term Deflection with Creep and Shrinkage. The program uses an iterative method to adjust the plate stiffness until it converges upon a solution. You can setup all the necessary coefficients and factors in the Model Settings (as shown below). Once you run solution on a RISAFloor ES floor model with User Defined Rebar, the Slab Point Deflection results will automatically show you the internal load combinations: Sustained Load, Total Load, Long Term Sustained and Long Term. You can also view these load combinations with deflection and contouring to make it easy to understand the results. For more information about Long Term Deflections, visit the RISA Help section listed below: Link: RISAFloor Help: Long Term Deflection…

June 21, 2018 | RISA-3D, New, Analysis, Deflection

Beam Deflection Ratio Options

RISA-3D v16.0.4 introduces an enhancement that will allow for more control over the beam deflection ratio through Deflection Ratio Options. As part of the member properties, you can now designate the ends of single and multi-span beams as a cantilever or supported. This will determine whether the beam deflection ratio is calculated as L’/y’ (supported) or 2L’/y’ (cantilever). Modifying Members From the Members spreadsheet, go to the Advanced tab, where you can designate the Defl Ratio Options. Note: These options are only applicable to members designated as beams. By default, the deflection ratio will be calculated automatically, either as a supported member or as a cantilever. An example of when the deflection ratio option can be useful is if the beam deflection ratio of a member is calculated by the program as a cantilever, but you consider it to actually be supported. You can then set the deflection ratio options to explicitly specify that it is supported and the beam deflection ratio will be adjusted accordingly. Single span beams can be designated as supported on both ends, or cantilevered from either end. In addition, multi-span beams have the option to be designated as a double cantilever, where both ends are…

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Viewing the Deflected Shape in RISAFloor

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