Finnish code provisions for the design of the hollow core slabs supported on beams

The first test evidence in Finland that the hollow core slabs supported on beams suffer from a considerable reduction of the load-bearing capacity when compared to the maximum capacity of the slabs supported on walls, dates back to the beginning of the previous decade. During the past 12 years, the behavior of the slabs has been intensively studied both experimentally and theoretically. The design code provisions were renewed in 2002-2003 and are now in the format of the structural Eurocodes. The provisions rely on the 'composite beam model' and take into account the behavior of the hollow core slab ends as a part of a composite structure. The paper overviews the contents of the code, explains its safety concept and the background of the provisions in the light of the test evidence.