The required quantity of negative moment reinforcement in the deck is computed based on the sum of precast and composite moments. The required amount of top (and bottom, if any) steel shown represents the amount of steel associated with the beam under consideration and should be provided within the effective area.

Top steel is assumed to be located at the mid-height of the slab. Bottom steel, which is occasionally necessary to avoid an over-reinforced condition, is assumed to be located at two inches from the bottom flange of the precast (compression face).