Waffle Slab

• The waffle slab belongs to the family of reinforced concrete slabs that are non-
homogeneous, lightened, and reinforced in two orthogonal directions, forming a
ribbed plate’.
• Waffle slabs are a reinforced concrete footing and slab system constructed on
ground. They consist of a perimeter footing (edge beam) and a series of narrow
internal beams (strip footings) at one metre nominal centres running each way.
The whole footing and slab system is constructed on top of the ground.
• Waffle slabs achieve their strength by varying their height above ground. The
higher the slab above ground – the deeper the beams. The deeper the beams –
the more stiffness the system has.
 Where this system is used ?
• Waffle slab can be used as both ceiling and floor slab. They are used in the
areas where less number of columns are provided, i.e. it is basically used in th
areas which has huge spans.
• Waffle slab is not used in typical construction projects. They are used for
specialized projects that involve clean rooms, spaces requiring seclusion from
low frequency vibration or those needing low floor deflections.
• The concrete waffle slab is often used for industrial and commercial
buildings while wood and metal waffle slabs are used in many other
construction sites.
• This form of construction is used in airports, parking garages, commercial
and industrial buildings, bridges, residences and other structures requiring
extra stability.
• The main purpose of employing this technology is for its strong foundation
characteristics of crack and sagging resistance. Waffle slab also holds a
greater amount of load compared with conventional concrete slabs.
 A Place for Waffle Slabs
• Waffle slabs work really well on sites that are almost flat, natural soils or
controlled fill, that have good surface strength and where the natural
ground surface falls away from the outsides of the building in all
directions. They work well on non-reactive sites, slightly reactive clay sites
and some moderately react
• Waffle slabs are not recommended on highly reactive clay sites (Class H1
and H2) because the requirements for good drainage are almost
impossible to achieve.ive clay sites.
 Benefits
• Flexible
• Relatively light, therefore less foundation costs and
longer spans are economic
• Speed of construction
• Fairly slim floor depths
• Robustness
• Excellent vibration control
• Thermal mass
• Good for services integration
• Durable finishes
• Fire resistance
 Uses
• Public buildings
• Commercial building.
• Residential buildings.
 Appearance :
• The top of a waffle slab is generally smooth,
like a traditional building surface, but the
underside has a shape reminiscent of a waffle.
• Straight lines run the entire width and length
of the slab, generally raised several inches from
the surface.
• These ridges form the namesake square
pockets of the entire length and width of the
slab
 Features of the Waffle Slab
• They are used on flat sites
• They are wholly above ground
• No beam excavation is required
• No controlled or rolled fill is used
• Cardboard slab panel/void formers are used
• Slab panels are on 1 metre grids (approximately)
• Trench mesh or individual bars can be used
• Slab thickness is 85 - 100 mm
• Internal beams are 110 – 200 mm wide
• There is minimal concrete volume
• No beam down drag from clay (above ground slab) occurs
• Shrinkage of slab is lower than stiffened rafts and footing slabs
• They use 30% less concrete than a stiffened raft
• They use 20% less steel than a stiffened raft.
Advantages :
• Waffle slabs are able to carry heavier
loads and span longer distances than flat
slabs as these systems are light in weight.
• Suitable for spans of 7m – 16m ; longer
spans may be possible with
posttensioning.
• It is also economical as the amount of
concrete and steel is reduced as
compared to flush slabs. Saving 15%
concrete and 10% steel as compared to
traditional T beams.
• These systems are light in weight and
hence considerable saving is ensured in
the framework as light framework is
required.
• Coffered underside is usually left
exposed for visual appearance.
Dis-advantages :
• Construction requires strict
supervision and skilled labour.
• The casting forms or moulds
required for pre- cast units are very
costly and hence only economical
when large scale production of
similar units are desired.
• Headroom is reduced , hence
increased storey height.
• Due to waffle ceiling , it creates
problem in lighting facilities and
hanging pipes or ducts.