Design of Reinforced Concrete Slabs Having Large Square or Rectangular Holes

Frequently many designers face the problem of designing reinforced concrete slab having large square or rectangular holes subjected to transverse loads. Exact mathematical analysis for these problems are not yet known due to difficulty is obtaining a suitable deflection function satisfying the complex boundary conditions around the edges of hole. As such many practising engineers often resort to either some empirical formulae or sometimes try to apply their experience in designing such slabs. The object of this paper is to introduce design, engineers with the idea of solving such complex problems by a much simpler method of finite difference which involves less advanced mathematical technique and therefore is within the scope of practising engineers.