Flat Slab Floor System.

A flat slab is a one-way or two-way system with thickenings in the slab at the columns
and load bearing walls called ‘drop panels’ Figure 9. Drop panels act as T-beams over
the supports. They increase the shear capacity and the stiffness of the floor system
under vertical loads, thus increasing the economical span range.

C.A.P. Turner constructed flat slabs in U.S.A. in 1906 mainly using intuitive and conceptual
ideas, which was start of this type of construction. Many slabs were load-tested between 1910-
20 in U.S.A. It was only in 1914 that Nicholas proposed a method of analysis of flat slabs based
on simple statics. This method is used even today for the design of flat slabs and flat plates and
is known as the direct design method. Structural engineers commonly use the equivalent frame
method with equivalent beams such as the one proposed by Jacob S. Grossman in practical
engineering for the analysis of flat plate structures. Floor systems consisting of flat slabs are
very popular in countries where cast-in place construction is predominant form of construction
because of many advantages in terms of architectural flexibility, use of space, easier formwork,
and shorter construction time. Flat slabs are being used mainly in office buildings due to
reduced formwork cost, fast excavation, and easy installation.

This form of construction has become less popular in recent years because of the limit
on economical spans of about 9.5 m for reinforced slabs and about 12 m for
prestressed slabs. Reinforced flat slabs may need to be sensibly pre-cambered (not
overdone) to control deflection.
The plan dimensions of the drop panels are a minimum of 1/3 of the span in the
direction under consideration, usually rounded to the nearest 100 mm. The overall
depth of the drop panel is typically taken as 1.75 to 2 times the depth of the slab, again
rounded to suit timber sizes or the nearest 25 mm.

The principal features of a flat slab floor are a flat soffit, simple formwork and easy
construction. The economical span ‘L’ of a reinforced concrete flat slab is approximately
D x 28 for simply supported, D x 32 for an end span and D x 36 for an interior span.
Prestressing the slab increases the economical span to D x 35, D x 40 and D x 45
respectively, where D is the depth of the slab excluding the drop panel.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Flat Slabs
Advantages:
 Simple formwork
 No beams—simplifying under-floor services outside the drops
 Minimum structural depth
 Usually does not require shear reinforcement at the columns.
Disadvantages:
 Medium spans
 Generally not suitable for supporting brittle (masonry) partitions
 Drop panels may interfere with larger mechanical ducting
 Vertical penetrations need to avoid area around columns
 For reinforced flat slabs, deflection at the middle strip may be critical.
Types of Flat Slab Construction

There are four major types of flat slab construction:

 Simple flat slab construction

 Flat slab construction with column heads
 Flat slab construction with drop panels
 Flat slab construction with both column heads and drop panels

Uses of Column Heads in Flat Slab Construction

 They increase the sheer strength of flat slabs.

 They reduce the moment in flat slabs by reducing effective or clear span.

Uses of Drop Panels in Flat Slab Construction

 They increase the absolute strength of the slabs.

 They increase the negative moment capacity of the slabs.
 They stiffen the slabs and thus reduce deflection.

Advantages of Flat Slab Construction

There are several advantages of flat slabs, including:

 It is a known fact that flab slabs without the use of drop panels can be manufactured in
very less time as the framework of structure is diminished and simplified. Therefore, in
such a case, the construction time is significantly reduced.
 Flat slab construction can significantly reduce floor-to-floor height especially in cases
where deep false ceiling is absent. It is because flat slab construction does not restrict
the placement of horizontal partitions and services. This can be very beneficial in terms
of reduced cladding expense and pre-fab services.
 In case the client wants to make changes in the interior plans and use the
accommodation according to his changing needs, flat slab construction is the best
choice as it offers flexibility in terms of design and layout. This flexibility is mainly
 possible due to square lattice and absence of beam that makes allocation of partitions
and channelling of services difficult.

Types of Flat Slab Design

Several methods and processes are involved in the designing the flat slabs and assessing these
slabs in flexures. These methods include:

 The empirical method: This method is usually used for designing smaller frames.
 The sub-frame method: This method is usually used to design irregular frames. Their
designs are conceptualized by using appropriate software. However, using sub-frame
methods for very complex designs can be very costly.
 The yield line method: This is the most cost effective method that is best suited for
homogenous installation of reinforcements. A detailed visualization and thorough
examination of cracking and deflection is needed since this method utilizes only collapse
mechanism.
 Finite-element analysis: Application of this method is very advantageous in case of
structures that have floor with irregular supports, bear heavy loads, or have large
openings. Finite-element analysis can also be used to calculate cracked width and
deflections.

Flat Plate Floor System

Flat Plate

The flat plate is a two-way reinforced concrete framing system utilizing a slab of uniform
thickness, the simplest of structural shapes.
Flat Plate System Introduction

A flat plate is a one- or two-way system usually supported directly on columns or load bearing
walls. It is one of the most common forms of construction of floors in buildings. The principal
feature of the flat plate floor is a uniform or near-uniform thickness with a flat soffit which
requires only simple formwork and is easy to construct.

The floor allows great flexibility for locating horizontal services above a suspended ceiling or in a
bulkhead. The economical span of a flat plate for low to medium loads is usually limited by the
need to control long-term deflection and may need to be sensibly pre-cambered (not overdone)
or prestressed.

The important features, construction and the advantages of employing a flat plate floor system
are briefly explained in this article.

Features of Flat Plate Floor System

The important features of the flat plate floor system are enlisted below:

1. One of the important features of a flat plate floor system is the thickness of the floor. It is
constructed with uniform thickness with a flat soffit.

2. The soffit constructed for a flat plate system requires simple formwork which hence
makes the construction easier.

3. The flat plate floor system is the best choice for serving the purpose of a horizontal floor
over a suspended ceiling.

4. The flat plate floor is constructed with an economical span that takes up medium loads
and avoids the chances of long-term deflection.

5. A flat plate floor system depending upon the load and deflection criteria can be either
pre-cambered or prestressed.
Construction Details of Flat Plate Floor System

A flat plate floor can be constructed with an economical span of 6 to 8m for ordinary reinforced
flat plate floor. For prestressed construction, the economical span can be increased to 8 to 12m.

In general, if D is the depth of the slab, then

Span ‘L’ for a Simply Supported Reinforced Concrete Flat Plate System = D x 28

Span ‘L’ for an End Span Continuous Reinforced Concrete Flat Plate System = D x 30

Span ‘L’ for an Internal Continuous spanned Reinforced Concrete Flat Plate System = D x 32If
the flat plate system is prestressed, the span L can change to D x 30, Dx 37 and D x 40
respectively.

Advantages of a Flat Plate Floor System

The basic advantages of a flat plate floor system are:

1. A flat plate floor system does not demand any beam.

2. The use of zero beams helps to have underfloor spaces and more service areas.

3. The flat plate floor system requires simple formwork. This system is suitable for a direct
fix or sprayed ceiling.

4. The structural depth of a flat plate floor is minimum.

5. Reduced depth of slab helps to increase the floor to floor height of the building.

Disadvantages of Flat Plate Floor System

The basic disadvantages of a flat plate floor system are:

1. The lateral load capacity of a flat plate floor system is limited compared to a moment
frame.

2. The spans employed are medium length

3. Special reinforcement for shear must be provided at the columns or larger columns must
be constructed.

4. Long-term deflection is an expected factor that requires full life control.

5. A flat plate floor system is not a good choice for supporting partitions that are too brittle.
For example Masonry Walls.

6. A flat plate floor system is not a good choice to take up heavy loads
Ribbed and Waffle Slabs
Ribbed or waffle slab is a slab system which consists of series of parallel reinforced
concrete T beams framing into reinforced concrete girders. The slab is the flange of the
beam and the extended part is the web. The extended part is known as ribs. The
spacing between the ribs should be in general 20-30 inch. The ribs are tapered in cross-
section in its lower part.

Types of Ribbed and Waffle slabs

There are two types of ribbed slab system

1. One way ribbed slab system

2. Two-way ribbed slab System (Waffle system)

One-way Ribbed Slab System

A one-way joist floor slab consists of a series of small, reinforced concrete T beams that
are connected with girders that in turn carried by the building column. T beams are
known as joists which are formed by setting steel pan at a constant spacing. Concrete is
cast between those spacing to make those ribs and in this way, the slab also cast and
the slab becomes the flange of T beam

Ribbed floors consisting of equally spaced ribs are usually supported directly by
columns. They are either one-way spanning systems known as ribbed slab or a two-way
ribbed system known as a waffle slab. This form of construction is not very common
because of the formwork costs and the low fire rating.
 .

Two-way Ribbed Slab System (Waffle System)

The system was designed to decrease the weight of traditional full-concrete slabs. The
dome-shaped forms create a matrix of voids surrounded by orthogonal ribbing,
producing a two-way configuration very suitable for large-spanning slabs. Voids
between all the domes reduce the dead load as the width of that portion of the slab is
less than a flat slab. This type of slab is known as waffle slabs because they look like
waffles with rows of beams running underneath them. Waffle slab shows a ceiling which
is suitable to install all the electrical appliances and can give a better outlook thus
increasing the aesthetic factor.

Advantages of Ribbed and Waffle Slabs

 In this type of slab, the tension stress is eliminated in the tension side of the slab.
The strength of concrete in tension is very small and so elimination of much of
the tension concrete is done by the use of pan forms.
 Economical where the live loads are fairly small such as apartment houses,
hotels.
 Long slab spans can be constructed through ribbed and waffle Slabs. In many
cases, long spans are desirable in the building. Ribbed or waffle slabs are an
easy solution for this purpose.
 Provide architectural advantages. All the Electrical appliances can be installed
easily in the gap of the ribs which can be architecturally aesthetic.
  Slab thickness of ribbed or waffle slabs is less than other slab systems.
Therefore the weight of slab is reduced. This saving of weight can change in
structural characteristic.
 Lighter and stiffer slab than an equivalent flat slab.
 Reducing the extent of foundations by reducing the ultimate load.
 They provide a very good form where slab vibration is a viable issue.

Disadvantages of Ribbed and Waffle Slabs

 Not suitable where the live loads are huge as heavy manufacturing buildings,
warehouses.
 The thickness of the slab is controlled as the requirement of fire resistance.
 Formwork cost is high.
 Sometimes difficult to install the electric equipment.

Spanstress Floor System

They are also known as spanstress pre-cast connectors. Precast fabrications are made
out of rebars and concrete as specified on its particular usage by computing the span of
the posts and its load. Used for earthquake-proofing
SLIPFORM FLOOR SYSTEM