Viability of flat slabs

Abstract

In the construction industry nowadays, there are many types of slab systems amongst of which we find the flat slab system. This type of system is very much similar to the solid slab-frame system, which is one of the systems most frequently used. A two way spanning solid slab can be transformed into a flat slab by just removing the beams. Despite the difference of only an element, the benefits of flat slab construction may outweigh those of the solid slab-frame construction. The dissimilarities in the design values, method of construction, structural performance and costs together with other inherent properties such as architectural freedom and planning are significant. Therefore, a parametric study is conducted to investigate the benefits of flat slab system at the conceptual design stage. The difference in the design methods and values, analysis and results are examined for both systems under two different situations; being subjected to gravitational loading alone, and also being subjected to lateral wind loading plus gravitational loading. Detailed design calculations are prepared in accordance to BS 8110. Two software packages were used; Microstran and FEA, to carry out further analysis by moment distribution and finite element analysis.