Types slabs used in high rise buildings

1-Flat slabs in high rise building

The reinforced concrete flat plate is a simple structural system that consists of a flat slab
supported directly by columns. This system is favored by many designers for its functional
form and construction economy. It is widely used for both low and high rise buildings. Under
vertical loads, the structural performance and design of reinforced concrete flat plates are
well established.

However under lateral loads , uncertainty in the behavior of flat plates persists. Proper
methods of lateral design are currently unsettled particularly with regards to the slab-
column connection. A resolution of these issues is critical in view of the fact that punching
shear is the common mode of failure for flat plates. By initiating a progressive collapse, the
failure of one slab-column connection has the potential of catastrophic consequences for
the whole building

It is generally recognized that in seismic zones the high flexibility and low energy dissipation
capacity of flat plates make it necessary to combine them with another lateral load resistant
system such as shear walls or moment resistant frames. From past experience, the seismic
performance of even these dual systems remains questionable. After the 1985 Mexico City
earthquake, a number of failures of flat-slab structures were reported, some in dual
systems. During the 1964 Alaska earthquake, the J. C. Penney building which comprised flat
plates and shear walls suffered a partial collapse. Although the Holiday Inn buildings of the
1971 San Fernando earthquake did not collapse, extensive nonstructural damage occurred.
A better understanding of the lateral behavior of flat plates is needed together with more
specific design criteria for slab-column connections in seismic regions.

To ensure the safety of building occupants, it is vital that flat slabs are prevented from
collapsing after punching failure occurs. Additional experimental data are needed in this
area to supplement past research. There is evidence that the detailing of continuous bottom
slab bars directly over columns prevents the slab from collapsing.

BUT IN GENERAL I THINK FLAT SLAB IS NOT THE BEST SOLUTION TO BE USED IN HIGH RISE BUILDING
DUE TO ITS HEAVY WEIGHT ALSO THE PUNC HING SHEAR PROBLEM I HAVE MENTIONED BEFOR E .
2-Ribbed slabs in high rise building

In the last decades, huge numbers of the reinforced concrete structures are constructed
using hollow block reinforced concrete slabs. The main advantages of using this type of
reinforced concrete slabs are that they provide an economical, lightweight slab system,
unobstructed space, architectural flexibility and easier frame work [1]. However, in most
cases, due to lack of deep strong beams, which can form with columns strong frame actions,
the resulted transverse stiffness may be low. This may lead to potential damage even when
subjected to earthquakes with moderate intensity

Different retrofitting techniques were investigated in the last decades to upgrade the
seismic performance of existing undamaged structures before being subjected to an
earthquake, so that lateral resistance and ductility of a building may be increased. Usually,
there are two main retrofitting techniques, the first is considered as non-conventional
method, which incorporates base isolation and energy dissipation systems. This technique
aims to increase the structural ductility and hence reduce the earthquake demand. The
practical applicability of this technique is not so popular, at least till now. The second one
is the system of strengthening and stiffening which is considered the most common seismic
performance improvement strategies adopted for buildings with inadequate lateral force
resisting systems. This approach includes adding new structural elements such as structural
walls or steel bracing or the selective strengthening of deficient structural elements such as
the use of concrete, steel jackets and fiber reinforced polymers. The philosophy here is to
provide systems that are strong enough to resist the seismic forces and light enough to keep
the structural elements from needing further reinforcement

IN GENERAL RIBBED SLABS ARE NOT USUALLY USED TO RESIST LATERAL LO ADS IN HIGH RISE BUI LDING
BUT THERE ARE SOME M ETHODS YOU CAN FOLLO W TO IMPROVE THE RIGIDITY OF THE WHOLE SYSTEM
SO YOU RESIST LATERA L LOADS EASILY THEN YOU CAN USE TH E RIBBED SLABS OR WAFFLE SLABS
SYSTEMS IN HIGH RISE BUILDING EFFICIENTLY HAVING THE TWO ADVAN TAGES LIGHTWEIGHT OF THE
SYSTEM AND ITS CAPAB ILITY TO RESIST LATE RAL LOADS .
3-Solid slabs in high rise building

The slab which is supported on Beams and columns is called solid slab . In this kind, the
thickness of slab is small whereas depth of the beam is large and load is transferred to
beams and then to columns , this kind is considered to be the most popular type of slabs
used In high rise building

THIS SYSTEM HELPS TO CREA TE A CONNECTION BET WEEN ALL COLUMNS TO ACT LIKE ONE STRU CTURE
AND THAT’S IS A VERY HELPFUL PO INT IN HIGH RISE BUI LDING DESIGN BECAUSE IF YOU MADE ALL THE
ELEMENTS ACT LIKE ON E ELEMENT IT INCREAS ES THE RIGIDITY OF T HE WHOLE STRUCTURE A ND THAT’S
A VERY HELPFUL WHEN YOU ARE CREATING A S YSTEM WHICH RESIST ING A LARGE LATERAL LOADS SUCH
AS A HIGH RISE BUILD ING SYSTEM .

You can imagine that by creating two structural models , the first one is a number of
cantilever elements (columns ) subjected to a lateral forces (wind and earthquake loads )
and have a total fixation with soil

The second model is a cantilever truss which have a vertical main members (columns )
connected together by horizontal bracing members (beams )

Which model of them would be more rigid ?? of curse the cantilever truss so it will be more
efficient to resist the lateral loads so in total the solid slab system is better to reduce the
lateral loads effect on high rise building .

Another benefit of using solid slab system in high rise building that its not matter which
system you use to resist lateral loads because you already have another system by using a
solid slab system because beams connected to columns are acting like a semi rigid frame and
that is considered one of the most popular systems used in high rise building ( rigid frame
system )
-Steel decks
the first steel frame skyscraper was the Home Insurance Building (originally 10 storeys with a
height of 42 m) in Chicago, Illinois in 1885. Even the Empire State building in New York, and
many popular landmarks of the world were built decades ago using steel construction.

Steel construction have many advantages when we talk about high rise building , the main
advantage is the self weight of the steel structure , it helps to have a very little gravity loads
especially in the upper floors of the skyscraper .

STEEL DECKS ARE THE BEST S OLUTION TO THE HEAVY LOADS PROBLEMS ALSO IT HELPS TO GIVE THE
STRUCTURE MORE RESIS TENCE AGAINST LATERA L LOADS DUE TO ITS BIG I NERTIA IN THE LOADS
DIRECTION .

Flying Decks are a new and unique way of construction for high-rise buildings. They are
pour-in-place floor forms that slide into the building. The main benefit of this system is the
productivity it brings in the construction process. In many cases the need for reshoring is
dramatically reduced, thereby increasing the speed of deck construction, cutting the time of
formwork almost in half.

_Prestressed concrete slabs

Prestressed concrete has been used as an alternative of reinforced concrete all over the
world for decades . Now prestressed technology provides efficient solutions for various
structural members and situations , floor structure , vertical element lateral load resisting
system etc. however in high rise building construction prestressed concrete especially post
tension system has been used in a major floor system starting from around 2005 . post
tension system is in the process of going to be a mainstream in the high rise building market
.