SABADO, Jhuan Carlos J. Sept.

21, 2018
 1. A concrete slab is a common structural element of modern buildings. Horizontal slabs of steel
reinforced concrete, typically between 4 and 20 inches (100 and 500 millimeters) thick, are most
often used to construct floors and ceilings, while thinner slabs are also used for exterior paving.
Sometimes these thinner slabs, ranging from 2 inches (51 mm) to 6 inches (150 mm) thick, are
called mud slabs, particularly when used under the main floor slabs. (Garber, 2006)1

One-Way Slab:
One way slab is a slab which is supported by beams on the two opposite sides to carry the load
along one direction. The ratio of longer span (l) to shorter span (b) is equal or greater than 2,
considered as one way slab because this slab will bend in one direction i.e. in the direction along
its shorter span

Two- Way Slab:

Two way slab is a slab supported by beams on all the four sides and the loads are carried by the
supports along both directions, it is known as two way slab. In two way slab, the ratio of longer
span (l) to shorter span (b) is less than 2. (Vamshi, 2017)2

Flat Plate vs. Flab Slab

The flat plate is a two-way reinforced concrete framing system utilizing a slab of uniform thickness,
the simplest of structural shapes. The flat slab is a two-way reinforced structural system that
includes either drop panels or column capitals at columns to resist heavier loads and thus permit
longer spans. (Concrete Construction, 1975)3

2. Standard concrete floor slab thickness in residential construction is 4 inches. Five to six inches is
recommended if the concrete will receive occasional heavy loads, such as motor homes or
garbage trucks (Vanderwerf, 2007)4

A decrease in the concrete strength and an increase in the yield strength of the tensile
reinforcement tend to decrease the ultimate curvature and hence the sectional ductility of a
member subjected to flexure. (Bari, 2016)5

Temperature reinforcements are the reinforcements provided in structures to control cracks due to
shrinkage stress. They are placed normal to the direction of main reinforcement; that is, flexural
reinforcement and calculated based on the specifications of code. (Rai, 2017)6

1
Refer to Garber (2006) for more info
2
Refer to Vamshi (2017) for more info.
3
Refer to Concrete Construction (1975) for more info
4
Refer to Vanderwerf (2007) for more info
5
Refer to Bari (2016) for more Info.
6
Refer to Rai (2017) for more info.
 Figure 1: Steel Required by the ACI Code
3. NSCP states that in lieu of frame analysis, the following approximate moment and shears are
permitted for design of continuous beams and one-way slabs (slabs reinforced to resist flexural in
only one direction), provided:
a. There are two or more spans
b. Spans are approximately equal, with larger of two adjacent spans not greater than the shorter
by more than 20%
c. Loads are uniformly distributed
d. Unit live does not exceed three times unit dead load, and
e. Members are prismatic. (Gillesania, 2013)7

7
Refer to Gillesania (2013) for more info.
 (ASEP, 2016)8

8
Refer to ASEP (2016) for more info.
References
ASEP. (2016). National Structural Code of the Philippines 2015. Quezon City: Association of Structural
Engineers of the Philippines.

Bari, M. S. (2016, March). Use of 500 Grade Steel in the design of Reinforced Concrete Slab. Retrieved
from BSRM Steels Limited: https://bsrm.com/wp-
content/uploads/2016/03/Dr.S.Bari_BSRM_Paper_on_Slab.pdf

Concrete Construction. (1975, March 1). FLAT-PLATE AND FLAT-SLAB ROOFS. Retrieved from Concrete
Construction: https://www.concreteconstruction.net/how-to/flat-plate-and-flat-slab-roofs_o

Garber, G. (2006). Design and Construction of Concrete Floors.

Gillesania, D. I. (2013). Simplified Reinforced Concrete Design. Cebu City: Diego Inocencio Tapang
Gillesania.

Rai, P. (2017, March 4). What is temperature reinforcement? Retrieved from Quora:
https://www.quora.com/What-is-temperature-reinforcement

Vamshi, N. (2017, May 7). Engineering: What are the basic differences between one-way and two-way
slabs? Where do we use them specifically? Retrieved from Quora:
https://www.quora.com/Engineering-What-are-the-basic-differences-between-one-way-and-
two-way-slabs-Where-do-we-use-them-specifically

Vanderwerf, P. (2007, July 23). Concrete Floor Slabs. Retrieved from Concrete Construction:
https://www.concreteconstruction.net/how-to/construction/concrete-floor-slabs_o