Eccentric Loading on Wall

[CivilStruc86]

Hi everyone, just an urgent question:

A concrete slab sits on the top of a brick wall. Uneven spans and/or uneven loads on the slab on either side of the wall will cause eccentric loading on the wall. What measures can be taken to reduce the eccentricity of the load?

Thanks a lot!

 

[concretemasonry]

Is this a design or existing construction situation?

What is the amount of loading that causes the possible eccentric problem? The eccentricity on an existing wall is difficult to change. Eccentricity is not necessarily a problem.

Very few walls have perfectly concentric loading conditions, but the wall below can be designed to accept eccentricity.

Dick

 

[CivilStruc86]

Thanks Dick,

Well its just a design question not regarding any existing structure. Its a question posed by a lecturer at university and am unsure with the answer to it. I thought about:

- increasing slab thickness on either side
- placing a drop panel under the slab where the wall sits

But he told me i was completely wrong. So what are the ways in which i can reduce the eccentricity? Would really appreciate your help!

Adam

 

[hokie66]

Making the slab stiffer will decrease the effective eccentricity on the wall. Very flexible slab, more deflection, thus more eccentricity. Infinitely stiff slab, no eccentricity on wall.

It is also possible to use partial bearing on the wall by using a bearing pad to locate the centroid of the load where you want it.

 

[hokie66]

Adam,

I note you have just joined this forum. You are welcome, but the rules prohibit student posting of their classwork.

 

[CivilStruc86]

I finished university two years ago but I am encountering this scenario in this engineering firm i am working in and so i had to look into my past notes.

So the bearing pad sits between the concrete slab and the wall? Used to centralise the uneven loading on my wall? If i centralise this load somewhere, are there any other steps i could take?

Adam