APPENDIX D

The information presented below was issued by the City of Los Angeles Department of Building
and Safety as Information Bulletin/Public-Building Code, Reference L.A.M.C. 91. 1806,
Document P/BC 2002 to be effective May 10, 2004.

ACCEPTABLE DESIGN AND ANALYSIS METHODS

FOR USE OF SLABS-ON-GRADE AS FOUNDATIONS

PURPOSE: This Information Bulletin establishes a list of acceptable analysis methods for slabs-
on-grade (“SOG”) as foundations.

ACCEPTABLE DESIGN METHODS: The following methods of design and analysis for
SOGs are acceptable:

• ACI Committee 360, “Design of Slabs-On-Grade - Reported by ACI Committee 360,” ACI
360R-92, 1997.

• Packard, Robert G., “Slab Thickness Design for Industrial Concrete Floors on Grade,”
IS195.01D, Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Illinois, 1976.

• Departments of the Army and Air Force, Concrete Floor Slabs on Grade Subjected to Heavy
Loads,” ARMY TM 5-809-12, Air Force AFM 88-3, Chapter 15, 1987.

• Department of Defense, “Engineering and Design: Rigid Pavements for Roads, Streets, Walks
and Open Storage Areas,” TM-5-822-6, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C.,
1977.

• Wire Reinforcement Institute, “Formulas for Success: Innovative Ways to Reinforce Slabs-
On-Ground,” TF 705-R-03, 2003.

• Post-Tension Institute, “Design and Construction of Post-Tensioned Slabs on Ground,”

Phoenix, AZ, 1980.

The following are additional acceptable methods presented to the SEAOSC membership during a
series of seminars held in March 2003 and available from SEAOSC:

• Equivalent Footing - Analysis of allowable loads is modeled by assuming a “saw-cut” square

unreinforced section using the conventional working stress method.

• Integral Footing - Analysis of SOGs strength using empirical equations developed by the
American Concrete Institute. (Design and Construction of Concrete Slabs on Grade, ACI
SCM-11(86), American Concrete Institute, Detroit, 1980).

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• Empirical Method - Method of analysis based on studies that compare the load test results to
computer analysis. (Shentu, L., Jiang, D., Hsu, T. (1997). “Load Carrying Capacity for
Concrete Slabs on Grade.” Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, January 1997, pp 99-
103.)

• Evaluated the limitations of a chosen method for the intended application based on
assumptions documented on the plans.

The following parameters must be given consideration in design and proper documentation
supplied to justify assumptions of field conditions:

1. Specified Compressive Strength of Concrete, f’c:

a. assumed to be 2,000 psi., or
b. core tests conducted per Section 91.1920.2.3 of the Los Angeles Municipal
Code (“LAMC”).

2. Soil Capacities:
a. assume Allowable Soil Bearing Pressure to be 500 psf., or
b. assume Standard Modulus of Subgrade Reaction, K30, to be 60 pci., or
c. foundation investigation approved by the Department, or
d. verified by documentation of approved compacted fill, as determined by ASTM D1557
e. in Section 91.7011.3 of the LAMC and on file with the Department.

3. Reinforcement steel location, size, and spacing

a. SOG load capacity may be analyzed assuming unreinforced concrete, or
b. SOG reinforcement verified by documentation from drawings on file with the
Department, or
c. SOG reinforcement verified by tests.

4. Slab thickness:
a. verified with information from drawings on file with the Department, or
b. test methods listed in the code, or
c. interior SOGs of commercial or industrial buildings may be assumed to be 3 inches thick
d. without testing, or
e. interior SOGs of residential buildings may be assumed to be 2 inches thick without
testing.

INSPECTION:
1. Structural Observation: The Structural Observer shall use the criteria established on
the plans to confirm the installation of structural members supported by SOGs
relative to cracks, slab edges, piping, conduit and other slab openings. The Structural
Observer shall report findings to the Building Inspector pursuant to Section 91.1702.5
of the LAMC.

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2. Field Verification by the Building Inspector:

a. The thickness of new SOGs will be confirmed during inspection of holes drilled in the
concrete slabs for attaching anchor bolts shown on plans.
b. The size, location and spacing of reinforcement in existing SOGs shall be confirmed
using
c. methods approved by the Department as indicated on the approved plans.

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