The Slab Designer provides civil and structural engineers with a finite‑element based tool for slab‑on‑ground design, modeling joint discontinuities, soil‑slab interaction, and curling effects. The software automatically calculates required slab thickness and support spacing, visualizes stress and deflection results, and generates exportable design reports for highways, airfields, and industrial floors.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Designing slab‑on‑ground structures still relies on the 1920s Westergaard theory, which does not account for real‑world effects such as slab curling, loss of support, and the presence of joints that act as structural discontinuities. This can lead to inaccurate thickness and support calculations, compromising safety and cost efficiency in highway, airfield, and industrial floor projects.
Solution
The Slab Designer modernizes slab‑on‑ground design by applying finite‑element analysis (FEA) to model loaded concrete slabs with joints, support loss, and curling behavior. The software replaces the legacy analytical formulas with a numerical engine that captures discontinuities and soil‑slab interaction, delivering more accurate predictions of stresses and deflections. Engineers can input project‑specific geometry, material properties, and support conditions, and the tool automatically generates slab thickness recommendations and support layouts that meet safety criteria. Results are presented with clear visualizations and detailed reports, enabling faster design iterations and reduced reliance on conservative assumptions.
Target Audience
Primary users are civil and structural engineers responsible for designing highway pavements, airfield runways, and industrial concrete floors, as well as consulting firms that perform slab‑on‑ground analysis.
Features
- Finite‑element solver tailored for slab‑on‑ground analysis, including joint and support discontinuities
- Built‑in models for slab curling and loss of support due to soil settlement
- Automatic calculation of required slab thickness and support spacing based on user‑defined loads and material data
- Interactive 2D/3D visualizations of stress distribution, deflection contours, and joint behavior
- Exportable design reports compatible with standard engineering documentation formats