Floors System - June 2022

6/8/2022
Slabs and floor systems
BCI
BASICS IN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM
FLOOR SYSTEM
TADESSE GELAYE
CONTENT of the Lecture
1. What is it ? _ Definition of floor.
2. Why it is needed ? _ Purpose of floor
3. What it has to fulfill ? _ Requirements of floor.
4. How many types it has ? _ Types of floor.
5. How is it constructed ? _ Construction process & details of floor.
6. Common mistakes in local construction practice
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Objective of the Lecture
 Understand and define floor system.
 Describe the purpose of floor system in buildings.
 List and describe the expected requirements of floor.
 List and describe floor types, compare and contrast between the types.
 Understand, know and describe the components of floor system.
 Be able to read and draw construction details of floor system.
 Know the common mistake of local practice and avoid in future.
THE BUILDING SYSTEM

• Foundation
• Floor
• Wall
• Vertical circulation
• Roof
• Opening
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FLOOR SYSTEMS
DEFINITION
FLOORS: are the horizontal planes of a building

system that divides the building vertically into different
levels, which is called stories of a building.
 It support both live loads (people, furniture's, and

movable equipment) and dead loads (the weight of
the floor itself).
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PURPOSE OF FLOOR SYSTEM
The very basic purpose of a floor is to support and

accommodate the function of the space in a building
as a platform. Any floor has the following purpose:
a. Provide horizontal, leveled and uniform

surfaces for users activity.
b. Transfer loads horizontally across space to
beams & columns or/ to the load bearing
walls or/ to the earth.
c. Give enclosure to a space or separate stories
of different levels.
d. Provide both sound and thermal insulation.
IMPORTANT TERMS or COMPONENTS IN FLOOR SYSTEM

 Sub-base: well-compacted soil or selected material beneath hardcore or foundation.
 Hardcore: stone based material which create a solid base for a ground supported
floor slab construction. The gaps between the stones serves as a capillary break
inhibiting moisture rise.
 Subfloor: is the structural layer in the floor components that spans between the
supports. It support all the loads applied on the floor including the dead loads.
 Floor screed: is a cement, sand and water mix (1:3 cement sand ratio) commonly
used kind of bedding components. Floor screed :
• Harmonize floor finish top levels during different material usage which
have different thickness.
• Used to accommodate Electrical cables.
• Create the desired slope for drainage purpose.
• Increase the thermal insulation capacity of the floor.
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 Floor cover or flooring: is the permanent finishing cover applied on top of the
subfloors.
 Floor finish material: the top most material applied on a floor surface as a
finished surface.
 Floor surface: the top most surface of a floor.
 Tiles : refers to pieces of finishing materials that are fixed on a rigid sub surface
by using binders and fillers to form a large surface finish in unison.
 Skirting: is strip of material at the bottom of a wall applied to hide the joint or a
decorative element in between wall and floor system.
 JOINTS in concrete : are planned breaks constructed in order to accommodate movement

in the plane of a concrete and prevent random cracking.
1. Expansion joints
. A joint created to totally separate two

structural components. Such joint allow
movement so that each element can act
separately.
E.g. an isolation joint between a ground

supported floor and grade beam. It allows
separate movement in addition to isolating the
floor load from the beam/ foundation column.
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 JOINTS : are planned breaks constructed in order to accommodate movement in the plane
of a concrete and prevent random cracking.
2. Construction Joints/ cold joint
 Is joint provided at location where
concrete pouring work stop temporarily.
Usually placed on 1/3 of the span.
 Cold joint also serve as isolation joints,
can be doweled to prevent vertical
differential movements of adjoining
slab sections.
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 JOINTS : are planned breaks constructed in order to accommodate movement in the plane
of a concrete and prevent random cracking.
3. Control Joints
 Is an intentionally created joint or line

of structural weakness in order to
control or stop spreading of cracks to
the entire structure.
 Is essential to break an irregular slab

shape into square or rectangular
sections.
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REQUIREMENTS of FLOOR SYSTEM

To perform its function any floor must fulfill the following basic requirements:
A. Functional requirement of a floor system

 Strength and stability: must be strong enough to support the dead and live
loads
 Leveled, dry and hygienic surface
 Resistance to fire
 Resistance to the passage of moisture and dampness
 Resistance to passage of heat
 Responsive to the acoustic needs
 Safe for any movement (non slippery floor surface)
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REQUIREMENTS of FLOOR SYSTEM
B. Non functional requirements of a floor system
 Aesthetically appealing
 Cost effectiveness
 Cleanness and ease of cleaning
 Ease of maintenance
 Durable
 Environmental friendly
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COMPONENTS OF FLOOR
The depth and type of a floor system is directly related to the function of building,
the size and proportion of the structural bays it must span and the strength of the
materials used.
Any floor is composed of two essential components:
1. Sub-floor or floor base : Structural component of floor

2. Flooring or Floor covering: the outer most part of floor system which is
usually of 5cm thickness
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TYPES OF FLOOR
Floor system can be categorized based on:
1. Structure supporting system
Ground supported floor and Suspended floor
2. Load Transfer
One-way and two-way

3. Material used
Wood, steel, concrete, etc.
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GROUND FLOORS:
Ground floors are subdivided into Ground supported floors, and Ground
suspended floors.
A. GROUND SUPPORTED FLOORS

 Floors supported directly on earth (expected load is direct compression)
 Mostly made of Concrete, rammed earth, stone and brick.
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Level of ground floors is governed by:
 The nature and/or climate of the site

 Slope drain of the site
• Any Ground supported floors has to be

raised from the natural ground level.
According to Ethiopia building code it
should have a minimum of 15 cm level
difference between NGL and GFL.
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Ground supported floor consists of basically three components:
a. Hard core: The main purpose is to prevent the dampness from the soil penetrating and
affecting the floor through capillary action. In addition it provide a clean, dry and firm
working surface for concrete bed.
 Damp or water proof membrane(optional) : is an impervious layer such as heavy
duty polythene sheeting to prevent moisture passing through the floor to the interior
of the building.
b. Concrete bed: the component providing the solid level surface to which screeds and
floor finishes can be applied.
c. Flooring: the upper most surface of a floor includes floor finishing and screed or
adhesive beneath.
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Construction process of Ground supported slab

1. Site clearance: after setting out is done the area of the building needs to be cleared
2. Perimeter masonry walls: after the site clearance perimeter walls has to be constructed
according to the site condition.
3. Earth compaction and select material fill: the next step will be earth compaction filling with
selected material (if needed).
4. Erect form work & Construction beams: erection of form work for grade beams will follow
based on the design depth.
5. Hard core sub base: hard core installation with appropriate depth. Spaces between hard
core stone shall be filled with crushed stone.
6. Installation of sanitary pipes and any drainage systems: once the hard core is done or in
parallel to the hard core placement all sanitary pipes and manholes (if any) shall be put in
place according to the given design.
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Construction process….
7. Lean concrete and water proof membrane(optional): if the project has water proofing
system beneath the ground floor slab there should be lean concrete base on top of the hard
core as a protection layer (blinding) with maximum thickness of 5 cm. Second layer of lean
concrete will be laid on top of membrane prior to any reinforcement work.
8. Prepare and place reinforcement: the rebar works for ground supported slab is the next
activity.
9. Installing expansion joint: to allow any movement expansion joint will be installed on the
perimeter of all beams.
10. Concreting: concrete will be poured over the network of pre prepared reinforcement mesh.
The mesh is normally placed to bond the concrete together.
11. Flooring: finally, once the concrete is set off the floor can be finished in a variety of ways.
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Construction process in picture
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CONCRETE SPACERS for slabs a minimum of 1.5 cm
Used to provide concrete cover for reinforcement
 Fire protection &
 Corrosion protection
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B. GROUND SUSPENDED FLOORS

When ground floor is being supported on elements of
structure rather than on beneath earth. This result a
void beneath such floors.
Ground suspended floor is preferred than a ground

supported slab on the following occasions:
 Sites with a low bearing capacity soil,
 On sloppy sites
 Sites with high water levels: In this case, the

natural ground could be covered with 10cm
thick concrete to exclude ground moisture &
vegetable growth
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SUSPENDED FLOORS
(UPPER FLOORS)
As the name implies it is a floor that is not

resting on ground, it is suspended (raised)
in the air, it is supported by load bearing
walls, beams and or columns.
Upper floors are usually reinforced to span
either one or both directions of structural
bay.
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SUSPENDED FLOORS
Based on the material suspended

floors can be categorized as
• Reinforced Concrete
• Steel
• Wood
• Composite
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Based on the load transfer suspended floors can be categorized as:
1. One-way
2. Two-way
One-way Slab Two-way Slab
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One-way Slabs:
 When the ratio of the longer to the

shorter side (L/ S) of the slab is
equal or greater than 2.0
 When a slab is supported on two

opposite edges as shown in the
picture.
• The main reinforcement bars for

resisting bending are provided in
one direction.
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RC CONCRETE SOLID FLOOR RIBBED FLOOR
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RC CONCRETE SOLID FLOOR
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SUSPENDED RC CONCRETE FLOOR
• Horizontal structures reinforced to

span either one directions of
structural bay
Advantages:
• Greater spans are possible
• Eliminates or reduces number of

sleeper walls
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RIBBED SLABS:
It is a type of slab consisting of uniformly and closely spaced parallel rib beams (small
beam) supporting a thin strip of ribbed block slabs in between the rib beams
A. Ribbed slabs with pre cast beams B. Ribbed slabs with site insitu beams
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Advantages of ribbed slab:
 They are light in weight.

 They provide better thermal insulation.
 They have better sound proofing qualities.
 Especially if the slab is in situ beam ribbed
slab it has flat ceiling surface.
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Suspended Ribbed floor(In situ ribbed beam) construction process

1. Fixing the level: fixing the next floor level prior to floor columns casting. Once the floor level
is decided supporting underneath floor columns will be casted.
2. Assemble and erect form work: construction of form work based on the designed slab and
beam depth will follow.
3. Prepare and place beam reinforcement: the reinforcement bar work for main beams is the
next activity.
4. Laying of ribbed block: ribbed blocks according to the designed direction will continue.
5. Prepare and place rib reinforcement: rebar work placement for rib beam is the next
activity. The gaps between the blocks are called a rib beam.
6. Electric and sanitary installation: installation of all electrical and sanitary pipes according
to the given design.
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7. Place top mesh reinforcement: plain reinforcement mesh will be placed in proper spacing
on both directions on the entire slab area resting on ribs.
8. Concrete cover for the main beams: placing of concrete spacers in manageable distances
so that there should be a standard space in between
9. Cleaning and watering: Prior to the concrete casting clean &watering all the sub-surfaces
so that the ribbed block and form work does not soak away the concrete water.
10. Concreting: concrete will be poured over the network of pre prepared ribbed block and
reinforcement mesh.
11. Curing concrete and removal of formwork: give time for the concrete to dry completely
with proper watering. Watering the concrete shall be done until the concrete reaches its
maximum strength.
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Two-way Slabs
 When the ratio of the longer to the shorter side (L/ S)
of the slab is less than 2.0
 Is slab supported on four edges as shown in the

figure, it bends in two directions as indicated by the
arrows marked on the slab.
 Reinforcements in two directions have to be

designed to resist the bending in their respective
direction.
 Effective for medium spans & heavy loads (high
resistance to lateral forces)
 Usually constructed as flat slabs & plates without
beams.
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Types of two Two-way Slabs:
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Two way beam supported slab
 The beams known as T-beams, act as

intermediate supports to the slab which is
continuous over these beams.
 Reinforced in two directions & cast
integrally with supporting beams &
columns on all four sides
 Effective for medium spans & intermediate
to heavy loads or when high resistance to
lateral forces
 More efficient when spanning square or
nearly square bays
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*Column & Middle

Strips for placement
of reinforcement
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Two-Way sold slab & beam
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Flat Slab:
• Is reinforced concrete slab supported directly
by columns without beams or girders
• Flat plates are the most common type of two-

way slab system. It is commonly used in multi-
story construction such as hotels, hospitals,
offices and apartment buildings.
• It has several advantages:
 Easy formwork
 Creates a low floor-to-floor height
 Creates flat ceiling (good appearance)

Disadvantage
• Punching shear
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 Thickened at its column supports (drop panel)

to increase:
• Shear strength
• Moment-resisting capacity
 Suitable for relatively heavy loads & longer
spans
*Minimum projection of drop panel or column

capital= 0.25 x slab thickness
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Waffle Slab:
 Slab with reinforced concrete containing
square grids with deep sides
 Able to carry heavier loads & span longer

distances than flat slabs; longer spans can be
possible with posttensioning
 More efficient when spanning square or nearly

square bays
 Solid heads at columns supports for greater

shear strength & moment resisting capacity
• The advantage of the intermediate beams of

the waffle is they support a thin floor slab and
reduce the dead weight of the floor.
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Suspended RC floor construction process

1. Fixing the level: after the underneath floor is casted the next step will be fixing the next
floor level prior to the columns casting.
2. Assemble and erect form work: erection of form work based on the designed slab and
beam depth will follow.
3. Prepare and place reinforcement: In this stage, the reinforcement of suspended slab
and beam is being prepared and put in place according to the structural schedule and
within the setting out axis.
4. Concrete cover spacer placement: placing of concrete spacers in manageable

distances so that there should be a standard space between the form work and
reinforcement bars.
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5. Electric and sanitary installation: once the reinforcement bars are completed all
electrical and sanitary pipes will be put in place according to the given design.
6. Cleaning and watering: clean all debris from the area. And then prior to the concrete
casting watering all the sub surfaces so that the formwork does not soak away the concrete
water.
7. Concreting: In this stage the concrete will be poured over the network of pre prepared
reinforcement mesh. The concrete to be poured should be properly vibrated so that the
aggregates to fully spread in to the slab and beam.
8. Curing concrete and removal of formwork: give time for the concrete to dry completely
with proper watering.
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INSTALATIONS
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ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION IN SOLID SLAB
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ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION IN RIBBED SLAB
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SANITORY INSTALLATION IN SOLID SLAB
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FLOOR FINISH
Purpose:
 To put a protective surface on the floor
 To ease in cleaning
 To enhance the beauty of floors
 To increase the overall appearance level of the building because the first impression
is the lasting impression
Before installing any floor finish, the sub floor must fulfill the following requirements:
 Clean
 Dry
 Level
 Structurally sound
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The choice of floor finishes depends on the use to which the floor is likely to be
employed. The following are the factors that affect the choice of flooring materials:
1. Initial cost and purpose of the space: The cost of the material should be in
conformity with the type of building, and its likely use.
2. Appearance: covering should give pleasing appearance, it should produce a
desired color effect and architectural beauty.
3. Cleanliness: flooring should be capable of being cleaned easily, and it should be
non absorbent.
4. Durability: flooring should have sufficient resistance to wear, temperature
changes, disintegration with time and decay.
5. Damp resistance: flooring should offer sufficient resistance against dampness.
6.Thermal insulation: flooring should offer reasonably good thermal insulation.
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7. Sound insulation: flooring should insulate the noise. It should not be such that noise
is produced when users walk on it.
8. Fire resistance: flooring material should offer sufficient fire resistance so that fire
barriers are obtained between different levels of building.
9. Smoothness: flooring material should be smooth, and should have even surface.
However it should not be slippery.
10. Hardness: It should be sufficiently hard so as to have resistance to indentation
marks, in prints etc.
11. Maintenance: flooring material should require least maintenance. However,
whenever repairs are required, it should be such that repairs can be done easily with
least expenditure.
FLOOR FINISHES APPLICATION:

Two types:
A. Using floor screed as binding agent(usually 5cm thick in total with floor finish)
• Provides level surface to floor finish
• Provides falls/slope to floor finish
• Protects damp-proof membrane
• Provide hard-wearing surface for floor finish
B. Using adhesives or screw: mastic asphalt screed bitumen or rivet
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FLOOR FINISHES APPLICATION:
A. DIRECTLY ON SUB FLOOR
 Using wet screed base: marble,

ceramic etc.
 Using dry screed base system such

as PVC
B. SELF LEVELING FLOOR
 Epoxy floor, Concrete and cement

screed flooring
C. RAISED FLOOR FINISH
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COMMON MISTAKES FLOOR CONSTRUCTION

 Poor bearing soil beneath or formwork
Ground Supported
 Missing of expansion joint around beam

 Missing of sanitary installation
Supported RC slab
 Incorrect use reinforcement size and spacing

 Below standard concrete cover and reinforcement spacing
 Missing placement of electric and sanitary conduits/pipes
 Segregation of concrete
 Grout leakage from poor formwork
 Using flexible elec. conduits
Ribbed slab
 Incorrect ribbed block alignment and quality

 Incorrect ribbed block size on wet areas
 Honeycombed porous concrete formation
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FLOOR SYSTEM FAILURES
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Questions?
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Thank You
34

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6/8/2022

Slabs and floor systems

Slabs and floor systems

CONTENT of the Lecture

1. What is it ? _ Definition of floor.

2. Why it is needed ? _ Purpose of floor

3. What it has to fulfill ? _ Requirements of floor.

4. How many types it has ? _ Types of floor.

5. How is it constructed ? _ Construction process & details of floor.

6. Common mistakes in local construction practice

Slabs and floor systems

Objective of the Lecture

 Understand and define floor system.

 Describe the purpose of floor system in buildings.

 List and describe the expected requirements of floor.

 Understand, know and describe the components of floor system.

 Be able to read and draw construction details of floor system.

 Know the common mistake of local practice and avoid in future.

Slabs and floor systems

THE BUILDING SYSTEM

Slabs and floor systems

Slabs and floor systems

FLOORS: are the horizontal planes of a building

 It support both live loads (people, furniture's, and

Slabs and floor systems

PURPOSE OF FLOOR SYSTEM

The very basic purpose of a floor is to support and

a. Provide horizontal, leveled and uniform

Slabs and floor systems

IMPORTANT TERMS or COMPONENTS IN FLOOR SYSTEM

Slabs and floor systems

 Floor surface: the top most surface of a floor.

Slabs and floor systems

 JOINTS in concrete : are planned breaks constructed in order to accommodate movement

. A joint created to totally separate two

E.g. an isolation joint between a ground

Slabs and floor systems

2. Construction Joints/ cold joint

 Is joint provided at location where

concrete pouring work stop temporarily.

Usually placed on 1/3 of the span.

 Cold joint also serve as isolation joints,

can be doweled to prevent vertical

differential movements of adjoining

Slabs and floor systems

 Is an intentionally created joint or line

 Is essential to break an irregular slab

Slabs and floor systems

REQUIREMENTS of FLOOR SYSTEM

A. Functional requirement of a floor system

 Leveled, dry and hygienic surface

 Resistance to the passage of moisture and dampness

 Resistance to passage of heat

 Responsive to the acoustic needs

 Safe for any movement (non slippery floor surface)

Slabs and floor systems

REQUIREMENTS of FLOOR SYSTEM

B. Non functional requirements of a floor system

 Cleanness and ease of cleaning

Slabs and floor systems

Any floor is composed of two essential components:

1. Sub-floor or floor base : Structural component of floor