Determination of reinforcing bars for tests of hollow core slabs with continuity

The structural designs of floors formed by hollow core slabs usually consider these as simply-supported slabs. In recent years there have been project changes and hollow core slabs with continuity are widely used. The objective of this study is to suggest a way to calculate the reinforcement bars to be used in tests with continuity provided by a structural topping. Thus, this paper presents a method based on the maximum positive resistance moment and maximum shear strength of a hollow core slab. The method is applied to a test in hollow core slab specimens which have the following dimensions: 2 m width, 6 m long, and 21 cm high. The results indicated that the method was satisfactory to the performed test, and can therefore be applied to the other test configurations or even designs.