There are several different types of slabs used in construction, such as one-way

slabs on beams, ribbed slabs, waffle slabs, flat plates, bubble deck slabs, and
more. Let’s learn all about the amazing features and benefits of each type of
slab, and explore their unique applications in different types of buildings.
Whether it's a cosy residential home or a towering commercial high-rise, each
type of slab has its own advantages and practical uses.

What is a slab in construction?

In the context of construction, a slab refers to a flat, horizontal, and typically reinforced
concrete element used to form floors, ceilings, and roofs. Slabs are one of the essential
components of a building structure and provide a solid, stable base for supporting other
building elements such as walls, columns, and beams.

Types of slab in construction

The different types used in construction projects depend on various factors, including
the span of the slab, the loads it will be subjected to, and the available materials and
resources. However, there are several types of slabs including:

1) One-way slabs on beams:

These slabs are supported by parallel beams that transfer the load to
columns. These slabs are designed to resist loads in one direction only,
and the reinforcement is provided in the direction perpendicular to the
beams.

2) One-way joist slab (ribbed slab):

This type of slab consists of a series of small reinforced concrete T-
beams, spaced at regular intervals, and supported by columns or walls.
The T-beams act as ribs, providing extra stiffness and reducing the
amount of concrete required. The space between the beams can be filled
 with lightweight concrete or hollow blocks, reducing the overall weight of
the structure.

3) Waffle slab (grid slab):

A waffle slab, also known as a grid slab, is a two-way reinforced concrete
slab with square or rectangular recesses, resembling a waffle or grid
pattern. These recesses or voids reduce the weight of the slab while
maintaining its strength and stiffness. The beams between the recesses act
as stiffeners and transfer the load to the columns.

4) Flat plates:
A flat plate slab is a one-way or two-way reinforced concrete slab
supported directly on columns or walls. The slab is usually thin and has no
beams or ribs. The reinforcement is provided in both directions to resist
the loads. Flat plate slabs are simple and economical to construct.

5) Flat slabs:
Flat slabs are similar to flat plate slabs but have drop panels around the
columns to increase the strength and stiffness of the slab. The
reinforcement is provided in both directions, and the slab is supported
directly on the columns or walls.

6) Two-way slabs on beams:

These slabs are supported by beams in both directions and are designed to
resist loads in two directions. The reinforcement is provided in both
directions, and the slab is usually thicker than one-way slabs.

7) Hollow core slab:

A hollow core slab is a precast concrete slab with hollow cores running
through the length of the slab. The hollow cores reduce the weight of the
slab, making it easier to handle and transport. The slab is supported by
beams or walls, and the reinforcement is provided in both directions.

8) Hardy slab:
 A Hardy slab, also known as a profiled steel sheet slab, is a composite
slab made of a steel sheet and a concrete topping. The steel sheet acts as a
formwork during construction and as a tensile reinforcement after
the concrete has hardened. The composite slab has a high strength-to-
weight ratio..

9) Bubble deck slab:

Bubble deck slab is a type of two-way concrete slab that has hollow
plastic balls or bubbles incorporated into the slab. These plastic balls are
made from recycled materials and are placed in a matrix pattern within the
slab. The bubbles reduce the amount of concrete required in the slab,
making it lighter and more cost-effective. The voids created by the
bubbles can also be used for services such as electrical and plumbing
conduits.

10) Composite slab:

A composite slab is made up of two or more materials that work together
to provide the required strength and stiffness. A typical composite slab
consists of a steel deck, steel reinforcement, and a concrete topping. The
steel deck acts as a formwork and a tensile reinforcement, while the
concrete topping provides compression strength.

11) Precast slab:

Precast slabs are precast concrete elements that are manufactured in a
factory and transported to the construction site. These slabs can be one-
way or two-way and can have a variety of shapes and sizes. Precast slabs
are usually supported by beams or walls and are connected to each other
by jointing systems.

Understanding the different types of slabs used in construction is crucial for anyone
involved in the building design and construction industry.

Functions of slab in construction

Slabs are an essential component in the construction of buildings, and they perform
various functions, including:
 Providing a stable base to support other building elements.
 Distributing the weight of the building and its contents evenly
across the foundation.
 Creating a level surface for floors, ceilings, and roofs.
 Providing a stable base for floor and wall finishes.

This is an in-depth look at the various types of slabs used in construction. It

explains what a slab is and how important it is in providing a stable foundation for
other building elements. Choosing the right slab type is essential for any
construction project, and there are a variety of factors to consider, including span,
load, budget, and construction method. This guide helps you to get a
comprehensive understanding of slabs and be equipped with the knowledge to
select the ideal slab type for your next project.
Flat slab is a reinforced concrete slab supported directly by concrete columns without the
use of beams. Flat slab is defined as one sided or two-sided support system with sheer load
of the slab being concentrated on the supporting columns and a square slab called ‘drop
panels’. Drop panels play a significant role here as they augment the overall capacity and
sturdiness of the flooring system beneath the vertical loads thereby boosting cost
effectiveness of the construction. Usually the height of drop panels is about two times the
height of slab.
Flat Slabs are considered suitable for most of the construction and for asymmetrical column
layouts like floors with curved shapes and ramps etc. The advantages of applying flat slabs
are many like depth solution, flat soffit and flexibility in design layout. Even though
building flat slabs can be an expensive affair but gives immense freedom to architects and
engineers the luxury of designing. Benefit of using flat slabs are manifold not only in terms
of prospective design and layout efficacy but is also helpful for total construction process
especially for easing off installation procedures and saving on construction time. If possible,
try to do away with drop panels as much as possible and try to make the best use of
thickness of flat slabs. The reason is to permit the benefits of flat soffits for the floor surface
to be maintained, ensure drop panels are cast as part of the column. To utilize the slab
thickness to optimum level, the essential aspects that should be kept in mind are:

1. Procedure related to design

2. Presence or absence of holes

3. Significance of deflections

4. Previous layout application experience

Types of Flat Slab Construction

Following are the types of flab slab construction:
  Simple flat slab

 Flat slab with drop panels

 Flat slab with column heads

 Flat slab with both drop panels and column heads

Uses of Column Heads

 It increase shear strength of slab

 It reduce the moment in the slab by reducing the clear or effective span
Uses of Drop Panels

 It increase shear strength of slab

 It increase negative moment capacity of slab

 It stiffen the slab and hence reduce deflection

Advantages of Flat Slabs

It is recognized that Flat Slabs without drop panels can be built at a very fast pace as the
framework of structure is simplified and diminished. Also, speedy turn-around can be
achieved using an arrangement using early striking and flying systems. Flat slab
construction can deeply reduce floor-to –floor height especially in the absence of false
ceiling as flat slab construction does act as limiting factor on the placement of horizontal
services and partitions. This can prove gainful in case of lower building height, decreased
cladding expense and pre-fabricated services. In case the client plans changes in the interior
and wants to use the accommodation to suit the need, flat slab construction is the perfect
choice as it offers that flexibility to the owner. This flexibility is possible due to the use of
square lattice and absence of beam that makes channelling of services and allocation of
partitions difficult.

Thickness of flat slab

Thickness of flat slab is another very attractive benefit because thin slab provides the
advantage of increased floor to ceiling height and lower cladding cost for the owner.
However, there is profound lower limit to thickness of slab because
extra reinforcements are needed to tackle design issues. Besides this, added margin must be
provided to facilitate architectural alterations at later stages.

Types of Flat Slab Design

Multitudes of process and methods are involved in designing flat slabs and evaluating these
slabs in flexures. Some of these methods are as following:

 The empirical method

 The sub-frame method

 The yield line method

 Finite –element analysis

For smaller frames, empirical methods are used but sub-frame method is used in case of
more irregular frames. The designs are conceptualized by employing appropriate software
but the fact is using sub-frame methods for very complicated design can be very expensive.
The most cost effective and homogenous installation of reinforcements can be achieved by
applying the yield line method. A thorough visualization in terms of complete examination
of separate cracking and deflection is required since this procedure utilises only collapse
mechanism. Structures having floors with irregular supports, large openings or bears heavy
loads, application of finite- element analysis is supposed to be very advantageous. Great
thought is put into choosing material properties or installing loads on the structures.
Deflections and cracked width can also be calculated using Finite- element analysis. Areas
That Require Attention in Design of Flat Slab 1. Deflections-Usually at the center of
each panel deflections are maximum. Foreseeing deflections can be very tricky and will
engage some form of elastic appraisal. While designing structure layout and during
implementation using sub frame method, one way to evaluate mid-panel deflection is to use
at least two parallel column strips. 2. Proprietary punching sheer reinforcement
systems- In case of thin flat slab construction punching sheer reinforcements are
indispensable. 3. Optimization of Main reinforcement- In certain design procedures,
especially in yield line output is better optimized than in other design methods.
Benefits of Using Flat Slab Construction Method

 Flexibility in room layout

 Saving in building height

 Shorter construction time

 Ease of installation of M&E services

 Use of prefabricated welded mesh

 Buildable score
Flexibility in Room Layout

Flat slabs allows Architect to introduce partition walls anywhere required, this allows owner
to change the size of room layout. Use of flat slab allows choice of omitting false ceiling
and finish soffit of slab with skim coating.

Saving in Building Height

 Lower storey height will reduce building weight due to lower partitions and
cladding to façade

 Approximately saves 10% in vertical members

 Reduced foundation load

Shorter Construction Time

Use of flat slabs requires less time for construction by the use of big table formwork.

Single Soffit Level

Ease of Installation of Flat Slabs

All M & E services can be mounted directly on the underside of the slab instead of bending
them to avoid the beams.

Use of Prefabricated Welded Mesh

 Use of prefabricated welded mesh minimizes the installation time of flat slabs. These mesh
are available in standard size and provides better quality control in construction of flat slab.

Buildable Score

This allows standardized structural members and prefabricated sections to be integrated into
the design for ease of construction. This process makes the structure more buildable, reduce
the number of site workers and increase the productivity at site, thus providing more
tendency to achieve a higher Buildable score.
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