Flat floor system

A flat floor system is a reinforced concrete frame system with a uniform

thickness that is supported directly over the columns or the load-bearing walls.
The flat floor system is a common floor construction type employed in the
construction of the building.

Fig.1.Flat Floor System

Features of Flat Floor System

The important features of the flat floor system are enlisted below:

1. One of the important features of a flat floor system is the thickness of the
floor. It is constructed with uniform thickness with a flat soffit.
2. The soffit constructed for a flat system requires simple formwork which
hence makes the construction easier.
3. The flat floor system is the best choice for serving the purpose of a
horizontal floor over a suspended ceiling.
4. The flat floor is constructed with an economical span that takes up
medium loads and avoids the chances of long-term deflection.
5. A flat floor system depending upon the load and deflection criteria can be
either pre-cambered or prestressed.
Construction Details of Flat Floor System
A flat floor can be constructed with an economical span of 6 to 8m for ordinary
reinforced flat floor. For prestressed construction, the economical span can be
increased to 8 to 12m.

Advantages of a Flat Floor System

The basic advantages of a flat floor system are:

1. A flat floor system does not demand any beam.

2. The use of zero beams helps to have underfloor spaces and more service
areas.
3. The flat floor system requires simple formwork. This system is suitable
for a direct fix ceiling.
4. The structural depth of a flat floor is minimum.
5. Reduced depth of slab helps to increase the floor to floor height of the
building.
Disadvantages of Flat Floor System
The basic disadvantages of a flat floor system are:

1. The lateral load capacity of a flat floor system is limited compared to a

moment frame.
2. The spans employed are medium length
3. Special reinforcement for shear must be provided at the columns or larger
columns must be constructed.
4. Long-term deflection is an expected factor that requires full life control.
5. A flat floor system is not a good choice for supporting partitions that are
too brittle. For example, Masonry Walls.
6. A flat floor system is not a good choice to take up heavy loads.
 Flat roof system
A flat roof is a roof which is almost level in contrast to the many types of
sloped roofs. The slope of a roof is properly known as its pitch and flat
roofs have up to approximately 10°. Flat roofs are an ancient form mostly used
in arid climates and allow the roof space to be used as a living space or a
living roof.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Flat Roofs

Advantages
• Cost One of the most significant benefits of a flat roof is that it is less expensive
to install than a pitched roof. Rafters and engineered trusses must be installed to
support a pitched roof, while a flat roof usually requires only basic support beams.
As a result, less labour and materials are necessary, so you can save considerable
money.

Figure 1 Soffit of the sloped roof

• More Usable Space While a pitched roof can provide attic space that a flat roof
cannot, the area is not usually suitable for use as a room. With a flat roof, you
may opt to have your interior ceiling extended to the point where the roof begins,
creating additional usable space in your home. In addition, you can create
additional space for outdoor entertaining.
Disadvantages
• High Maintenance: The major drawback to a flat roof is that it typically requires
more maintenance than a pitched roof. Because it is not sloped, the roof does not
drain naturally so water can easily accumulate. If water puddles on the surface, it
can soak into the roof through its seams and cause structural damage. You must
check your roof on a regular basis to ensure that it is free of water and clean up
any debris that has settled on the roof as well so the drainage system does not
become clogged.
• Shorter Lifespan: A flat roof typically does not last as long as a pitched roof. Its
lifespan is affected by the maintenance measures that are taken, but -- depending
on the material from which it is made -- a flat roof may have a lifespan as short
as 10 years.
• Absorbs Heat: All parts of a flat roof are continually exposed to the sun, so the
roof absorbs heat all day long. In warmer climates, the heat absorption may cause
your home to become uncomfortably warm. You may also have a problem in
milder climates during hot summer months. However, in a cooler climate, you
may find the additional heat provided by a flat roof to be beneficial, particularly
during the winter.
Common Failure of Flat Roof
• The insured complained of water damage to the ceiling
• The flat roof was surveyed and was found to have the following faults – Lack
of Maintenance (Moss build up at outlet) – Lack of Flashing detail at Boundary
wall – Water Pooling due to insufficient falls in roof – Cracking in roof sheets