INTRODUCTION

With increasing demand for flexibility in interior layout, the use of flat
plate for landed houses is gaining much popularity amongst architects.
The main and unique feature of this system is that it provides a way for
the architect to achieve the concept of high and completely flat ceiling
with no beam protrusion.
Some projects have reported an improvement in the construction speed
and cost savings from using this system which requires only simple
formwork. The use of flat plate appeals to designers particularly because
design flexibility is possible through shifting of walls without the need
for columns to be properly aligned. The services can be installed within
or below the slab and there are flexibilities in relocating vertical small
penetrations. The soffit is often flat and high ceiling height can be
achieved.
The columns used in this system are either cast in-situ concrete columns or circular steel hollow sections. When the
columns used are steel hollow sections with concrete in-fill, the desired finish with exposed steel can be easily achieved.

GENERAL CONSIDERATION FOR USE OF FLAT PLATE FLOOR SYSTEM

Architectural layout should be planned to fully enhance the main area where high flat ceiling with neatly arranged
concrete columns are required in the design.
Spacing of column
Long term deflection of the flat plate.
Early planning of routing for M&E services opening for void and location of staircase.

SEISMIC DESIGN OF FLAT PLATE/SLAB

Flat plate/slab structure in area of low seismicity(Zone1&2) can be designed as permitted by code to resist both
vertical and lateral loads.
For areas of high seismicity(Zone3,4&5) code does not permit flat slab construction to resist earthquake lateral
load, hence lateral load resisting system has to be designed separately in addition to flat plate/slab gravity system.
When flat slab is used in combination with shear walls for lateral load resistance the column can be designed for
only 25% of the design force.

POST TENTIONED FLAT PLATE/SLAB

Post tensioned flat plate slab are common variations of the conventional plate structure where most of the
reinforcement is placed by post tensioned strands of very high strength steel.
The structural advantage of post tensioning over conventional RCC is that the slab is neatly crack free at full service
load.
The lack of cracking lead to a water tight structure.
The disadvantage in using post tensioned system in commercial building in India is its lack of flexibility to create
openings when the slab is completed with post tensioning.

COMPARISON BETWEEN FLAT PLATE FLOOR SYSTEM AND TRADITIONAL BEAM SYSTEM

Longer span length achieved

The economical span of a flat plate can be extended by pre-stressing to approximately D*30,D*37&D*40.
Whereas for the traditional reinforced concrete beam and slab floor has an economical span D*15,D*20.

Flat soffit & flat ceiling.

The main & unique feature of the system is that provides a way for the architect to achieve the concept of
high and completely flat ceiling with no beam protrusion.
Saving in shuttering cost.
In traditional beam column slab system the need of shuttering area is more & cost of form work is also
more.
Saving in construction time.
As form work& stagging time is reduced the over all construction time also get reduced in flat plate slab
system.
Pre stressing.
Pre stressing is not possible in traditional beam column system where as post tensioned flat plate are a
common variation of the conventional structure where most of the reinforcement is placed by post
tensioned strands of very high strength steel.
Building height.
Traditional beam column slab system produces building or structure higher than flat plate slab system.
Service
In traditional beam column slab system the penetrations through beam for large ducts difficult to handle.

Analysis (Moment Determination):

A method of frame analysis such as moment distribution, or stiffness method or a Computer.
A simplified method using the moment & shear co-efficient Table.
STEPS OF FLAT PLATE SLAB DESIGN
DETERMINE THICKNESS
DEAD & LIVE LOAD CALCULATION
MOMENT CALCULATION BY USING TABLS & CO-EFFICIENTS
REINFORCEMENT DESIGN
SHEAR CHECK

Figure: Design Moment & Shears for flat plate floor interior Panel C.
(a): Moments
(b): Shears

CONNECTION & DETAILING

The main consideration for steel column connection to flat plate is to ensure that the base plate for the steel columns are
cast into the concrete flat plate. Hence the positioning and alignment of the base plates are of utmost importance.
If concrete in-fill and column bars are required within the steel hollow section, the starter bars for the columns have to be
placed and fixed in position prior to casting of concrete flat plate (see figure 5.5 for base plate connection).
In the concrete column with flat plate design, the connection is more simplified without the need for base plate connection.
In this case, reinforcement bars should be properly detailed between the columns and slabs. Punching shear checks are
critical and vertical shear reinforcement should be detailed accordingly
ENSURE THAT:
Reinforcement bars should be properly detailed between the columns and slabs.
Punching shear checks are critical & vertical shear reinforcement should be detailed accordingly.

IMPORTANT ASPECT: PUNCHING SHEAR

Another Important Aspect regarding flat plate design is punching shear at the columns which require supplementary shear
reinforcement, & transfer of unbalanced moments to the column which may require additional flexural bars in the negative
bending region of the column strip
A typical flat plate punching shear failure is characterized by the slab failing at the intersection point of the column.

TYPES OF SHEAR REINFORCEMENT FOR FLAT PLATES

Figure 5.2 Typical shear failure near column. Proper detailing of shear reinforcement
must be provided

Figure 5.3 Examples of shear reinforcement

Alternatively, designers may introduce hidden beam within slab along column strip to cater for the shear stresses near
column location.

Various Punching Failure Zones

RIBBED SLAB SYSTEM

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. A 120-mm-thick slab with a minimum rib thickness of 125
mm for continuous ribs is required to achieve a 2-hour fire rating. A rib thickness of greater than 125 mm is usually required
to accommodate tensile and shear reinforcement. Ribbed slabs are suitable for medium to heavy loads, can span
reasonable distances, and are very stiff and particularly suitable where the soffit is exposed.
Slab depths typically vary from 75 to 125 mm and rib widths from 125 to 200 mm. Rib spacing of 600 to 1500 mm can be
used. The overall depth of the floor typically varies from 300 to 600 mm with overall spans of up to 15 m if reinforced,
longer if post-tensioned. The use of ribs to the soffit of the slab reduces the quantity of concrete and reinforcement and
also the weight of the floor. The saving of materials will be offset by the complication in formwork and placing of
reinforcement. However, formwork complication is minimized by use of standard, modular, reusable formwork, usually
made from polypropylene or fiberglass and with tapered sides to allow stripping.
For ribs at 1200-mm centers (to suit standard forms) the economical reinforced concrete floor span L is approximately D x
15 for a single span and D x 22 for a multi-span, where D is the overall floor depth. The one-way ribs are typically designed
as T-beams, often spanning in the long direction. A solid drop panel is required at the columns and loadbear ing walls for
shear and moment resistance.
RIBBED SLAB CONSTRUCTION
Advantages:
Savings on weight (lightweight) and materials
Attractive soffit appearance if exposed
Economical when reusable formwork pans used
Vertical penetrations between ribs are easy.
Medium to long spans
Holes in topping easily accommodated
Large holes can be accommodated
Profile may be expressed architecturally, or used for heat transfer in passive cooling
Disadvantages:
Depth of slab between the ribs may control the fire rating
Requires special or proprietary formwork
Greater floor-to-floor height
Large vertical penetrations are more difficult to handle.
Higher formwork costs than for other slab systems
Slightly greater floor thicknesses
Slower