ARC 412-18 – Building Technologies 5 –

Alternative Building Construction Systems

First Semester (2022 – 2023)
Ar. ENP. Mark G. Delfin
Section: 4AR-1

SPECIAL SLABS
Research no. 3

Joson, Joshua C.
Flat Plate
A flat slab is a type of construction where a slab is directly support by the
reinforced concrete column (RCC). In flat plate, the beam is not included in
construction, which in this case the load carried by the slab is then directly sent to the
columns to support. The flat plate is the most basic structural shape and a two-way
reinforced concrete framing method that uses a slab of uniform thickness.

Visual 1.0: Example of a flat plate construction

The uniform thickness and level soffit of the flat plate floor, which only needs basic
formwork and is straightforward to build, are its key features. The floor gives a lot of
options when it comes to placing horizontal services in bulkheads or above suspended
ceilings. The spans and slabs of a flat plate with pre-stressing tendons (PT) are longer.

Flat Plate Applications

Flat plates are commonly used in different kinds of constructions. Below are some of
the structures that are built with this construction method namely the Burj al Khalifa in
Dubai.

Visual 1.1-3: Flat plate uses – High-rise buildings (Left), Parking Buildings (Middle), Hotels (Right).
Economic Span Range (Flat Plate)

Table: 1.0: Flat Plate Standards

Flat Slab
On the other hand, the flat slab introduces more innovation that differentiates the flat
plate in such manner it may support of carry more load than that of the flat plate
construction. Flat slabs, similarly to flat plates, does not have beams present in
construction however is established with drop panels and column capital.

Visual 2.0: Example of a flat slab construction

Drop panels, created by thickening the slab's base around columns, increase the
slab's shear capacity and rigidity, enabling the use of thinner slabs. Thicker slabs and
longer spans are produced using a flat slab with prestressing tendons (PT).
Flat Slab Applications

Visual 2.1-4: Similar to flat plate, flat slabs may be used on high-rise buildings, hotels, parking
buildings, and/or, residential buildings.

Economic Span Range (Flat Slab)

Table 2.0: Flat Slab Standards

Ribbed Slab
A one-way joist floor slab is made up of a number of tiny, reinforced concrete
T-beams joined together by girders, which are itself supported by the building column.
T beams, also referred to as joists, are created by positioning steel pan at regular
intervals. While order to create the ribs, concrete is cast between the spaces; in doing
so, the slab is also formed and becomes the flange of the T beam.
 Visual 3.0: Example of a Ribbed Slab

Ribbed Slab Applications

Visual 3.1: Ribbed Slab Applications

Like other slabs, ribbed slab is also commonly used in parking buildings, ceilings,
residential constructions and other high-rise constructions.
Waffle Slab
The system was made to be lighter than conventional full-concrete slabs. The
dome-shaped forms produce a two-way arrangement that is ideal for large-spanning
slabs by generating a matrix of voids surrounded by orthogonal ribbing. Voids between
all the domes reduce the dead load as the width of that portion of the slab is less than
a flat slab. Waffle slabs are this kind of slab because they resemble waffles and have
rows of beams running underneath them. Waffle slab displays a ceiling that can
accommodate the installation of all electrical fixtures and can improve the appearance,
hence enhancing the aesthetic quality.

Visual 4.0: Example of a Waffle Slab

Waffle Slab Applications

Visual 4.1-2: Applications of waffle slabs as ceiling, or, for car parking
buildings.
Reference

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