FLAT SLAB

DESIGN

ASI, JEMMARIE P.
DE CASTRO, JAMICA F.
 I. DEFINITION
II. COMPONENTS OF FLAT SLAB
CONTENTS III. TYPES OF FLAT SLABS
IV. APPLICATION
V. FAILURES IN FLAT SLABS
VI. ADVANTAGES OF FLAT SLAB
VII.DISADVANTAGES OF FLAT
SLAB
WHAT IS FLAT SLAB?
DEFINITION
WHAT IS FLAT SLAB?

• It is a reinforced concrete slab supported directly by concrete

columns without the use of beams.

• A flat slab is a two-way reinforced concrete slab that usually

does not have beams and girders, and the loads are transferred
directly to the supporting concrete columns.

• Flat slab is an effective choice for asymmetrical construction

of column layouts, providing good aesthetic appearance,
flexible for interior design and easy to make different kinds of
floor layouts.
COMPONENTS OF
FLAT SLAB
COMPONENTS OF FLAT SLAB

1. Drops
To resist the punching shear which is
predominant at the contact of slab and column
support. The drop dimension should not be less
than one-third of panel length in that direction.

2. Column Heads
Certain amount of negative moment is
transferred from the slab to the column at the
support needs to be increased. This is facilitated Flat slab with drop panel & column
by providing column capital/heads. head
TYPES OF FLAT SLAB
TYPES OF FLAT SLABS
TYPES OF FLAT SLABS
1. Solid Flat Slab (or flat plate)

This is the usual type of slab type. The uniform

thickness of the slab continues through the slab. Low
span slab can be constructed with uniform thickness.
When the span increases, slab thickness needs to be
increased.

It increases the cost of construction otherwise,

other slab types could be used.
TYPES OF FLAT SLABS
2. FLat Slab with Drop Panels

A drop panel is an area around the column having increased the slab to improve the
structural capacity of the slab. This is connected with the flat slab design.

The flat plate slab does not have much

structural capacity. there will be higher bending
moments and shear forces around the column.
When the uniformed slab thickness is not
adequate, we increase the slab thickness. It
increases the bending and shear resistance. Thus, a
drop panel is added.
TYPES OF FLAT SLABS
3. Flat Slab with a Column Head

The construction of column heads in flat slabs is very common. When it is required to
resist higher shear forces at the column head, and there are higher bending moments, the
construction of a column head has many advantages.

Column heads are smaller when compared to

drop panels. However, the depth of the column head
is higher than the drop panels. Further, the column
head is tapering with its height.
TYPES OF FLAT SLABS
4. Flat SLab with Column Head and Drop Panel

The figure indicates the slab with a

drop panel and column head. When the
being and shear forces extend beyond the
column head, we could provide the drop
panels to cater the increase in the bending
and shear stresses.
APPLICATION OF
FLAT SLAB
APPLICATION OF FLAT SLABS

1.Flat slabs are mostly used in large industrial

structures, parking garages, ramps, warehouses,
tall buildings, and hotels.

2. Flat slabs are used where the beam is not

required.

3. Flat slabs are also used where the structures

requires less formwork.

4. Also, provide better diffusion of light to the

plain roof surface.
FAILURES IN FLAT
SLAB
FAILURES IN FLAT SLABS
Punching Shear failure

• It is one of the main issue that can be

faced while using flat slab design.

• It is the failure of flat slab (Reinforced

concrete slab) when subjected to high
localized stress.

• It happens around the column support

region or the region where the column
comes to contact with the slab.
FAILURES IN FLAT SLABS
The phenomenon behind the punching shear failure
is the concentrated support reaction from the column
creates a pushing effect on the slabs and due to the loads
on the slabs cracks generates abound the loaded areas of
the slab which results in conical failure of slab.

To solve this problem the following methods are

adopted:

• Increase overall slab thickness

• Providing drop panels and column heads
• Increase the size of column size enough to cover up
the shear perimeter
• Providing good shear reinforcement
ADVANTAGES OF
FLAT SLAB
ADVANTAGES OF FLAT SLABS
1. Flexibility in room layout.
- Partition walls can be placed anywhere.
- Offers a variety of room layout to the owner.
- False ceilings can be omitted.

2. Reinforcement placement is easier.

- As reinforecement detailing of flat slab is simple, it is easier to place.

3. Ease of framework can be reduced.

- Big table framework can be used in flat slab.

4. Building height can be reduced.

- As no beam is used, floor height can be reduced and consequently the building
height will be reduced.
- Approximately 10% of the vertical member could be saved.
ADVANTAGES OF FLAT SLABS
5. Less construction time.
- Use of big table framework helps to reduce construction time.

6. Prefabricated welded mesh.

- Standard sizes.
- Less installation time
- Better quality control

7. Auto sprinkler is easier.

DISADVANTAGES OF
FLAT SLAB
DISADVANTAGES OF FLAT SLABS

1. Span length is medium.

- In flat plate system, it is not possible to have large span.

2. Not suitable for supporting brittle (masonry) partitions.

3. Use of drop panels may interfere with larger mechanical ducting.

4. Critical middle strip deflection.

- In flat slabs, the middle strip deflection my be critical.

5. Higher slab thickness.

- Compared to typical reinforced two way slab system, the thickness of flat plate
slabs are higher.
THANK YOU!

PRESENTERS:
JEM & JAM