Slab Types

As shelter or to occupy different slab types are constructed. Slabs can be constructed from
concrete. Apart from that floor can be constructed from steel or timber too.

In this article, we are discussing the concrete slab which could be constructed as reinforced
concrete slabs, post-tension slabs, or pretension slabs.

Let's discuss each slab type of slab in detail. The categorization of the slab types is based on the
nature of the structure, material used, load transfer mechanism, etc.

Two Way Slab

One of the most common types of slabs is the two-way slab. The classification of these slabs is
based on the load transfer mechanism.

In two-way slabs, loads applied on the slab are transferred in both directions. Four edges of the
slab are rested on the concrete beams or maybe on the steel or any other supports such as concrete
walls.

These slab types are more common in building construction. Generally, the thickness of the slab
is in the range of 125 -200mm. On special occasions, these thicknesses could be increased as
per the requirement of the structural design.

The desing of the slab will be based on the moment coefficients and shear force coefficient that
are provided in the relevant standard based on the boundary condition of the slab. In addition,
computer modeling could also be done to find the being and shear forces in the slabs.

One Way Slab

Loads will be transferred is on one direction. There will be minimal load transfer in the longer
direction. The loads in the slab will be carried by the beams along the short edges.

One-way slabs are not economical when compared to the way slabs as they transfer the loads in
one direction. We could be required to provide a higher area of reinforcement and slab thickness
comparatively due to the one-way nature.

The design process is the same as the two-way slabs.

Waffle Slab

A waffle slab is a combination of beams to support the slab. Beams are placed at regular intervals
and at closer spacing. The thickness of the slab is also smaller in these types of slabs.

Waffle slabs are mostly constructed in places where the aesthetic appearance is more important.

Higher spans can be constructed with waffle slabs. However, the cost of construction could be
higher compared to other slab types due to the increase in the volume of concrete and area surface
area for formwork.

Ribbed Slab

Rib slabs are also somewhat similar to waffle slabs. Generally, there are rib beams to support the
slab.

Rib slab types are constructed only on special occasions as a bit difficult to do the construction
with the nature of the structure. Formwork arrangements are much more difficult compared to the
other types of slabs.

The rib beam may be rectangular or tapered in shape. It could be decided based on the aesthetic
appearance. The width of the rib beam could be about 75mm - 150mm. However, depending on
the aesthetic requirements and the structural requirements, the depth and width of the beam
could be selected.

Post Tension Slabs

Post tension slabs are more popular slab types among the other types of slabs due to their
productivity in construction. Design and construction of the post-tension slabs are somewhat
different from the other slabs.

Mainly there are two types of post-tension slabs.

 Placing on the conduits in the cast-in-situ slab and carrying out post-tensioning after
the concrete gets hard.
 Cast concrete slab panels and then do the post-tensioning.

Some of the advantages of the Post tension slabs are as follows.

 Slab space can be increased significantly compared to the normal reinforced concrete slab.
 There is no such increase in the cost with the increase in the span of the slab.
 Fewer beams are more favourable for services as well as to maintain the floor-to-floor
heights.
 The use of the precast slab panels reduces the construction time.

Some of the aspects considered in the design of post-tension slab types are as follows.

 Generally, the slab weight is balanced by the upward press applied by the post-tension
cables are done in the design.
 An increase in the span requires a higher thickness of the slab-like the normal slabs.
 Though post-tensioning is done, we need to provide a certain amount of reinforcement for
the slab to control cracking.

Pretension Slabs

Pretension slabs are used in bridge and slab construction. It is required to have beams placed at
regular intervals to support the pre-tensioned slabs.

These slab types are more efficient construction element that reduces the construction time
significantly.

Regular size slab panels are cast and they are placed on the beams placed at regular intervals.
These beams could be reinforced concrete beams, precast beams, or post-tensioned beams.
Pre Cast Slab

Precast slab construction is similar to previously discussed pre-tension slabs.

In this method, we constructed reinforced concrete slab panels and placed them on the beam placed
at a regular spacing.

Precast slab panels cannot be spanned like post-tension slabs or precast slabs.

Cantilever Slab

The most common type of slab constructed in the buildings. There seems no building without a
cantilever slab. Generally, the slab is extended beyond the beam or support without support on the
opposite edge the slab is called the cantilever slab.

In these slab types, the load is transferred in one way and only to one support.

Providing reinforcement adequately is very important for the cantilever slabs. Attention shall be
made to the following.

 Design reinforcement shall be provided in the direction of the cantilever and they shall be
placed at the top net.
 Sometimes, bottom reinforcement nets are not provided for the cantilever slabs as there is
no structural strengthening required.
 However, it is recommended to provide bottom reinforcement to improve the durability
of the concrete. Especially in tropical climates, where the ambient temperature rises up
to about 30 - 340C, there are possibilities of cracking the slab due to the thermal
expansions and contractions.
 Therefore, therefore, adequate distribution reinforcements shall be provided to avoid
thermal cracking. It is suggested to provide distribution reinforcement at a spacing of
200mm at least.

The article cantilever slab design could also be referred to for further information on designs.

Composite Slab

Composite slabs are constructed mainly in steel buildings. When we required the concrete floor in
a steel building, construction of the composite slab are done.
The composite slab is completely different from the slab types such as reinforcement slabs. Some
of the special features are as follows.

 Composite action of the concrete and steel will carry the loads
 A Steel decking sheet is normally used as the formwork of the concrete slab too. Where
required by the design, sports are used during the concreting.
 Composite slabs are spanned on singer direction like one-way slabs.
 The decking sheet acts as the bottom reinforcement. Bottom reinforcement is provided
where required by the design.
 General, bottom reinforcement is provided to improve the fire resistance.
 Hogging reinforcement and crack controlling reinforcing are provided.
 Shear studs are provided to get the composite action of the beams

Slab On Grade

Instead of suspended slabs, we construct the slabs on the ground to support the ground floor.
Though suspended slabs are heavily reinforced to carry the loads, slabs on grade are not as such.

Nominal reinforcement or BRC meshes are provided generally. On special occasions, we provide
the reinforcement as required by the design. The construction of slab foundations is a good
example of that.

In the event, we support the heavy load structure a thicker concrete will reinforce like a normal
slab is provided.
Sunshades

Sunshades are sometimes called canopy slabs. They are constructed about the doors and windows
to cut off the sunlight and to avoid the rainwater coming through the windows.

Sunshades are less reinforced concrete elements. Providing reinforcement to the sun shades is safer
and it improves the durability of the concrete.

Kitchen Slabs

Kitchen slabs sometimes are called worktops. They are constructed not only in the kitchen,
bathrooms, pantries, and many more locations.

The thickness of the slab is in the range of 50-100mm. depending on the supporting and space
requirements.

BRC mesh or single reinforcement net are provided most of the time.

Cable Suspension Slab

These are the slab that are supported the suspension cables. They are in the suspension bridges.

The slab is supported by a steel structure hung by high tensile strength cables. These bridges are
not common and are constructed on special occasions where we can have more support than other
bridges.

Suspension bridge mostly construed across reivers.

Pitched Roof Slabs

The use of reinforced concrete slab types to cover the building is not common and new to the
construction. There are old and new structures.

However, the construction of pitched roof slabs is challenging due to the nature of the structure.
Pouring concrete in the sloping direction and working there is a bit difficult. Further, tying
reinforcement is also challenging.

It is common practice to use low slump concrete for concrete pouring. In addition, higher attention
shall be made to the thermal cracking of the concrete.
Providing adequate reinforcement to resist the cracking in the immature concrete and during
the service is a must to avoid water leakage through the roof if it is not further covered with
roofing sheets. In addition, attention shall be made to the curing of the concrete.

Dome Slabs

Dome slabs are very special slab types where the design and construction are very challenging.

They are mostly constructed in structures where the aesthetic appearance of the dome is important
and in religious places.

The nature of the structure creates difficulty in the construction. The curved shape makes it difficult
for the execution process. Compute aid software is used to design the dome structures most of the
time.
Bubble Deck Slab

Pouring a higher volume of concrete incurs a very high cost. Further, the most effective area of
the concrete is close to the extreme fibres of the section.

This means the concrete in the middle part of the section is not contributing much to resist bending
moments. It is required to resist the shear forces and to maintain the connectivity of the top and
bottom parts.
A cavity is created inside the slab and the design is done according. The Construction of bubble
deck slabs is a bit challenging due to the difficulty of creating voids within the concrete. However,
there are methods to do that.

Hollow Core Slab

Hollow-core slabs are also similar slab types to bubble deck slabs.

Instead of the bubbles, there will be a continuous hole in the slab section. These types of slabs are
constructed in the bridge deck construction.

Removable flexible material or lost formwork will be used for the construction.

Hardy Slab

Hardy slab construction is done as precast construction or as cast-in-situ construction.

In simple terms, hardy slab construction is the construction of slabs using prefabricated blocks
resting on the beams constructed at regular intervals. It can be described as follows.
  Blocks are constructed initially. The length of the block is in the range of 450mm. This
could vary as per the design.
 These blocks are generally hollow blocks.
 One method is to place the precast or post-tensioned beams and rest the blocks on them
and place a concrete layer with BRC mesh.
 Another option is to construct the cast-in-situ beams and place the blocks and lay filling
concrete with BRC mesh.
 This is very fast and sometimes understood as cost-effective construction.

Sunken Slab

As the name implies, it is the type of slab constructed by lowering the slab's top-level when
compared to the other slabs. Apart from that constructing a different slab below the original slab
to hide the service lines are also considered a sunken slab.

Sunken slabs are constructed in toilets areas, balconies, courtyards, etc.

The reinforcement detailing of the slab shall be done accordingly.