ZAHA HADID ARCHITECT’S NEWEST CURVING BODY OF WATER

WAFFLE
Waffle slabs are a reinforced concrete
footing and slab system constructed on
ground. it consist of a perimeter footing

SLAB (edge beam) and a series of narrow internal

beams (strip footings) at one meter nominal
centers running each way. the whole
footing and slab system is constructed on
top of the ground.

This type of reinforcement is common on

concrete, wood, and metal construction. a
waffle slab gives a substance significantly
more structural stability without using a lot
of material.

This type of slab is able, very adequately, to

support distributed and point vertical loads,
and to a lesser extent also horizontal
actions. They are bi-directional or two-way
slabs, because of the two orthogonal
directions of their reinforcement, and slab
bending can be broken down and analysed
according to those two reinforcement
directions.

Because of the ribs and double reinforcement, it

is more stable and recommended for larger span
slabs or foundations.

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WAFF
COMMON
CONFIGURATIONS
A one-way joist floor slab consists of a
OF
seriesAofWAFFLE SLAB
small, reinforced concrete T
beams that are connected with girders that

E
in turn carried by the building column. The
other is the two-way ribbed slab creating a PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
matrix of voids surrounded by orthogonal CENTER, MANILA
ribbing, producing a two-way
configuration.

High rigidity & stiffness

THICKNESS OF THE WAFFLE SLAB IS USUALLY 80 TO 100 MILLIMETERS
For spans of 16 meters and beyond, pre-fabricated waffles slabs are recommended.

WAFFLE SLAB ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAG

CHARACTERISTICS Structural Advantages
ES
Some disadvantages within
DESIGN The construction of waffles this construction method
The design of the waffle slab depends upon slabs are efficient when post are:
the total area on which the waffle slab is haste construction is
required. necessary. • Not used in
The thickness of the waffle slab generally Also, it has a very good conventional
range from 80 mm to 100 mm. vibration control capacity construction methods.
The recommeneded depth of the waffle slab is compared to other types of • Expensive due to
limited to 300 mm to 600 mm. foundations. customized formworks.
The width of beams or ribs provided in waffle • In-need of proper
slab are generally 110 to 200 mm. Spacing of • flexible expertise and skilled
ribs recommended is 600 to 1500 mm. • relatively lighter & labor.
stiffer, therefore less • Not suitable for sloped
FEATURES foundation costs and areas
it is not to required pre-soaking underlying longer spans
soil pads and also is not required of footing, • long spans
which indicates there are no earth spoils. • large load carrying
capacity
Does not require any type of moisture barrier • Speed of construction
or capillary break, because the slab sections • Fairly slim floor depths
are above grade typically 12.5 to 16 inches. • savings on weight &
materials
Structural Efficiency
From the other post-tension slab type the
current design practice provides with equal
stiffness post-tension on grade slab that is a
better technique.

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WASHINGTON METRO, WASHINGTON

TYPES OF
WAFFLE SLABS
HOLEDECK WAFFLE SLAB
Utilities are provided within the slab connections through
holes. This provides a clean and hidden illusion of the
electrical, mechanical, and plumbinf utilities which are
commonly exposed on a building slab.

DOMICAL WAFFLE SLAB

This configuration of the waffle slab puts into
consideration the shape of a dome. This is due to the
necessity for structural stability in structures such as
tunnels, in where the protrusions of columns and other
structural elements are important, to save space and allow
a wide visual persception.

TRIANGULAR WAFFLE SLAB

In this unuqiue configuration, the ribs are alligned forming
a triangular pattern. This configuration increases structural
integrity due to the triangular forms created from the
profile.

1 WASHINGTON METRO, WASHINGTON

 The Philippine Convention Center is a convention center in the Cultural Center of
the Philippines Complex in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines. The facility has
been hosting international and local meetings, fairs, and social events.

Designed in 1976, the Philippine International COnvention Center has been rendered
as the brutalist icon of architecture in the country. Designed by the National Artist
Leandro Locsin, the structure showcases brutalist approach on its design, including
the elements of bare concrete, striking visuals, heavy atmosphere, and distinctive
lines. By its function of providing wide and spacious area for visual perception, the
PICC building utilized the contsruction of the waffle slab above its entrance drop off,
achieving a long span of inviting lines radiating towards the interior, with suspended
ceiling elements and illumination for the added aesthetic value.

PICC
Philippine International Convention Center, Man

WAFF
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https://www.tatlerasia.com/lifestyle/arts/how-the-picc-became-an-icon-of-brutalist-
architecture