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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.

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.

Various Flat Slab Systems

Advantages and Disadvantages of Flat Slabs


Advantages:
Simple formwork

No beamssimplifying 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.
Flat slab: An important development in RCC floor is that of a flat slab RCC floor. In
this method slab is built monolithically, with supporting columns only without
provision for beams. The flat slab may either be with drop or without drop. The
term drop is used to indicate that part of slab around the column having greater
thickness than the rest of the slab. See the sketch above to give various
nomenclature of flat slab.
The reinforcement in the flat slab can be arranged either in two way system or
four way system. For ordinary loading conditions, the two-way system of
reinforcement is generally adopted. The flat slab construction grants the following
advantages.
i). as the slab is constructed without any beam, a flat ceiling is obtained which
gives attractive appearance and greater height without obstructions for services.
ii). It is considered less vulnerable in case of fire as compared to the ordinary
slab-beam construction.
iii). The concrete is more logically used in this type of construction and hence it
proves to be economical for large spans with heavy live loads.
iv). The formwork is simple and economical.
v). The plain ceiling grants better diffusion of light.
Hollow block and rib floors: In this type of floors, the hollow blocks of clay or
concrete are used to reduce the total weight of the floor.
In one form, the blocks are placed 100 mm apart and in this space, the mild steel
bars are placed as shown in sketch. A minimum cover of 80 mm is kept at the top .
suitable flooring at top and ceiling finish are provided. The blocks are provided
with rough or grooved surface so that they can develop enough bond with
concrete. This type of floor is economical, fire-proof, sound-proof and light in
weight. If properly designed, this type of floor can even be used to carry heavy
loads. The plumbing and electrical installations can be conveniently carried
through the hollow blocks without affecting the appearance. As hollow blocks
replace a portion of solid concrete, the dead weight is reduced and thereby the
economy is achieved. These floors are widely used for buildings like hospitals,
hotels, schools, offices, etc. the structural hollow clay floor tiles should be free
from cracks and they should be of uniform color and texture. It is desirable to
keep projections on one of the extreme face of such tiles so as to facilitate the
application of plaster. The weight per meter length of structural hollow clay floor
tiles does not exceed 140 N. The length, width and height of structural tiles are
from 450 mm or 900 mm, 190 mm or 240mm and 70 mm or 90 mm respectively.

Pre-cast concrete floors: With the development of pre-cast concrete construction


technique, it is possible to prepare the pre-cast units for the floor. These pre-cast
units are available in suitable sizes as can be conveniently handled, transported
and fixed. They may be supported either on walls or on rolled steel joists. The
sides of each unit contain grooves which are used to connect the adjacent units.
Advantages of pre-cast concrete floors: Following are the advantages of the pre-
cast concrete floors:
i). The construction work can be carried out speedily as there is absence of
operations like watering, curing, etc.
ii). The members are light in weight and hence the foundation cost proves to be
economical.
iii). They are fire proof and sound proof.
iv). They do not require formwork during construction.
v). They have good thermal insulation.
Disadvantages of pre-cast concrete floors: Following are the disadvantages of the
pre-cast concrete floors:
i). There are chances for breakages to occur during their transport from factory to
the site of work.
ii). They prove to be economical and cheap only when manufactured on a large
scale.
iii). They require careful supervision and skilled labor during their manufacturing
process.
iv). They require fairly uniform spacing of beams and columns throughout the
structure which becomes practically difficult.
v). They should be properly designed to resist the stresses developed during
transport and handling operations.
A flat slab is a two-way reinforced concrete slab that usually does not have beams and
girders, and the loads are transferred directly to the supporting concrete columns.

For more detailed definition: Flat Slab Floor System : Definition & Description

Advantages of Flat Slab


Flat Slabs are used by engineers in many building due to its advantages over
other reinforced concrete floor system in different cases. The most important advantages of
flat slabs are given below:

Flexibility in room layout.


1
Partition walls can be placed anywhere.

Offers a variety of room layout to the owner.

False ceiling can be omitted.

Reinforcement placement is easier.


2
As reinforcement detailing of flat slab is simple, it is easier to place

Ease of Framework installation.


3
Big table framework can be used in flat slab

Building height can be reduced.


4
As no beam is used, floor height can be reduced and consequently
the building height will be reduced.

Approximately 10% in the vertical member could be saved

Foundation load will also reduce.


Less construction time.
5
Use of big table framework helps to reduce construction time

Prefabricated welded mesh.


6
Standard sizes

Less installation time

Better quality control.

Auto sprinkler is easier.


7

Disdvantages of Flat Slab


Flat slabs have some disadvantages also. The major disadvantages are given below.

Span length is medium.


1
In flat plate system, it is not possible to have large span.

Not suitable for supporting brittle (masonry) partitions


2

Use of drop panels may interfere with larger mechanical


3 ducting
Critical middle strip deflection
4
In flat slabs, the middle strip deflection may be critical.

Higher slab thickness


5
Compared to typical reinforced concrete two way slab system, the thickness
of flat plat slabs are higher.

Most engineers are familiar with the


limitations on the size of drop panels
in two-way non-prestressed slabs.
ACI 318-14, Section 8.2.4 describes two qualifications:

(A) Depth of the drop panel must be at least of the slab


thickness away from the drop panel; and

(B) The drop panel must extend 1/6 of the span length from the
center of support in each direction

It is important to note that these limitations do not apply for


prestressed slabs, which allows the designer tremendous flexibility in
sizing drop panels to increase negative moment capacity and reduce
non-prestressed reinforcement over the columns. For example, you do
not need to design large drop panels that are 1/6 of the span length in
each direction in order to take advantage of the increased section for
flexure.
We recommend that the depth of the drop below the slab soffit be at
least 4 in., which is the nominal depth of a 2 x 4 plus in. plywood
sheathing (plyform). The depth of the drop should be increased if
required to increased punching shear capacity. I further recommend
using a minimum drop panel size of 4 x 4 ft in plan. The size of the
drop should be increased if necessary to increase flexural or punching
shear capacity and fit shear reinforcement within the dimensions of the
drop.

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