FLAT SLAB

In reinforced-concrete buildings, slabs are used to provide flat, useful surfaces. A

reinforced-concrete slab is a broad, flat plate, usually horizontal, with top and
bottom surfaces parallel or nearly so. By definition, a flat slab structure consists of a
slab built monolithically with columns and supported directly by these columns
without the aid of beams and girders.
Flat slabs are appropriate for most floor situations and also for irregular column
layouts, curved floor shapes, ramps etc. The benefits of choosing flat slabs include a
minimum depth solution, speed of construction, flexibility in the plan layout (both in
terms of the shape and column layout), a flat soffit (clean finishes and freedom of
layout of services) and scope and space for the use of flying forms.
These slabs are classically used in foundations, although they can also be used in
the construction of roadways, paths, and other structures. Depending on the size
and complexity of a flat slab, it may need to be designed by an engineer who is
familiar with the limitations and needs of slabs, or it may be possible for a handy do
it yourselfer to make one in an afternoon for a simple project.
Typically, a flat slab is made with reinforced concrete, in which rebar is crisscrossed
in the forms to provide support and reinforcement once the concrete is poured and
hardened. The slab design is designed to be reinforced in several directions so that
it can withstand stresses such as shifting ground, earthquakes, frost, and so forth.
Failure to fully reinforce a flat slab can cause it to crack or give along weak lines in
the
concrete,
which
will
in
turn
cause
instability.
The flexibility of flat slab construction can lead to high economy and yet allow the
architect great freedom of form.

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Examples are; solid flat slab, solid flat slab with drop panel, solid flat slab with
column head, coffered flat slab, coffered flat slab with solid panels, banded coffered
flat slab.

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FLAT PLATE
A concrete slab reinforced in two directions, and supported directly on the columns
witnout column capitals or beams.
A flat plate floor system is a two-way concrete slab supported directly on columns or
loadbearing walls with reinforcement in two orthogonal directions. Primarily used in
hotels, multi-family residential buildings, and hospitals, this system has the
advantages of simple construction and formwork and a flat ceiling, the latter of
which reduces ceiling finishing costs, since the architectural finish can be applied
directly to the underside of the slab. Even more significant are the cost savings
associated with the low-story heights made possible by the shallow floor system.
Smaller vertical runs of cladding, partition walls, mechanical systems, plumbing,
and a large number of other items of construction translate to large cost savings,
especially for medium and high-rise buildings.
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 precambered (not overdone) or prestressed.
An economical span for a reinforced flat plate is of the order of 6 to 8 m and for
prestressed flat plates is in the range of 8 to 12 m. The span L of a reinforced
concrete flat-plate is approximately D x 28 for simply supported, D x 30 for an end
span of a continuous system, to D x 32 for internal continuous spans. The
economical span of a flat plate can be extended by prestressing to approximately D
x 30, D x 37 and D x 40 respectively, where D is the depth of slab.

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RIBBED FLOOR SLAB

Ribbed floors consisting of equally spaced ribs are usually supported directly by columns. It is a oneway spanning system.

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WAFFLE SLAB
Waffle slab is a reinforced concrete roof or floor containing square grids with deep
sides. This type of slab is used in construction projects needing intense strength to
weight ratios. Waffle slab is a popular option for commercial construction work such
as industrial building projects, bridges and others needing extra stability.

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LIFT SLAB