Analysis of the subgrade stiffness effect on the behaviour of ground‐supported concrete slabs

This paper confirms that the structural behaviour of ground‐supported slabs is a non‐linear function of the structural properties of slabs as well as the supporting soil. The findings reported emphasize that the suggested equations used in design codes pay insufficient attention to the effect of the supporting ground stiffness within the context of the mechanical behaviour of slabs as far as ductility is concerned. The results presented demonstrate that ground stiffness has a significant effect on the ductility of ground‐supported slabs. It also pays particular attention to the possibility of determining the ductility limit of slabs.