Different types of slabs in construction | Its uses | Pros & Cons -lceted LCETED INSTITUTE FOR CIVIL ENGINEERS

A structure is made up of many connecting building elements such as walls, beams, columns, foundations, slabs. Of these, the slab is the most important. This allows other parts of the building elements to withstand different loads. There are different types of slabs in construction. But in this article we have discussed in detail the types of concrete slabs.

What is a Slab in Construction?

A slab is a structural element that is made of concrete, which is used to create flat horizontal surfaces such as floors, roofing floors and roofs. A slab is usually several inches thick typically between 100 and 500 mm thick and is supported by beams, columns, walls or floor.

TYPES OF CONCRETE SLAB USED IN CONSTRUCTION

1. FLAT SLAB

2. CONVENTIONAL SLAB

3. HOLLOW CORE RIBBED SLAB OR HOLLOW CORE SLAB

4. HARDY SLAB

5. WAFFLE SLAB

6. SUNKEN SLAB

9. COMPOSITE SLAB

10. LOW ROOF SLAB

11. PROJECTED SLAB

12. WAIST SLAB

1. FLAT SLAB

Flat slab is also known as beam-less slab because it is supported directly by columns or caps. Here, the loads are transferred directly to the columns.

The function of this type of slab is to provide a plain ceiling surface, which will give the best diffusion of light. They are commonly used in hotels, parking lots, commercial buildings or places where beam projections are not suitable for height controls or even aesthetics view.

ALSO READ: What Is Flat Slab? | Application Of Flat Slabs | Advantages And Disadvantages Of Flat Slab

2. CONVENTIONAL SLAB

A slab supported by beams and columns is called a conventional slab or regular slab. In these types, the thickness of the slab is small, while the depth of the beam is large and it is transferred to the load-bearing beams and then to the columns. This requires more formwork compared to the flat slab. It is not necessary to provide column caps on the regular type slab.

ALSO READ: What Is Conventional Slab | Types | Advantages | Disadvantages

3. HOLLOW CORE RIBBED SLAB OR HOLLOW CORE SLAB

It name derived from the cores or voids that run through the units. The cores can act as service pipes and will undoubtedly reduce the self-weight of the slabs and increase structural efficiency. Cores also have the advantage of stability by reducing the amount of material used.

4. HARDY SLAB

This type of slab is built with hardy bricks which is made of hollow bricks and concrete. These bricks are used to fill thick slab areas, which saves the amount of concrete, thus reducing the slab's weight. These types of slab are commonly found in Dubai and China. This slab is used in areas where the temperature is very high. The thickness of the slab is increased to withstand the temperature from above the slab. The heat coming from the walls is counteracted by using special bricks that contain thermocoles.

ALSO READ: What Is Hardy Slab | Types | Application | Advantages | Disadvantages

5. WAFFLE SLAB

Waffle slab is a also called grid slabs. It is a reinforced concrete roof or floor with a square grid with deep sides. This type of slab is mainly used for good picture viewing and installation of artificial lighting at the entrances of hotels, malls and restaurants.

This is a type of slab where you can see that there is a hallow hole in the slab when the formwork is removed. PVC sheets (pieces) are first placed on the shutter, then reinforcement is provided between the pieces and a steel mesh is provided above the pod, which is then filled with concrete. After the concrete sets, the formwork is removed and the PVC pieces are not removed. This creates a hollow hole in which a hole is closed at one end.

This type slab is mainly used for industrial and commercial buildings, while wood and metal waffle slabs are used on many construction sites.

ALSO READ: What Is Waffle Slab? | Types | Advantages And Disadvantages

6. SUNKEN SLAB

This type slab used below the washrooms to cover sewer pipes or WC pipes or other equipment is called a sunken slab. Care should be taken to avoid leakage problems as the water pipes are hidden below the ground.

Proper waterproofing and treatment of the slab provided to prevent leakage or moisture. After sending the sewer pipes in the slab, the slab is filled with broken bricks or coal or suitable lightweight material.

The slab that is provided below the normal level of the floor at a depth of 200mm to 300mm and filled with pieces of broken brick is called a sunken slab.

The slab that is provided above the normal floor level at a height of 200mm to 300mm and filled with coal or pieces of broken bricks called the sunken slab.

7. PRESTRESSED CONCRETE SLAB

a) Pre-Tensioned Slab:

The steel tensioned in slab before placing the concrete is called the pre-tensioned slab. The slab has the same features of post-tension.

b) Post-Tensioned Slab:

The slab in which the steel cables or tendons are tensioned after concreting is called the post-tensioned slab. Reinforcement is provided to resist compression. In this slab, the reinforcement is replaced with steel cables / tendons.

This type slabs break the natural weakness of the concrete in tension and makes better use of its strength in compression.

8. PRECAST SLAB

Precast concrete slabs are embedded in fabrication plants and cured, after which they are supplied for erection. The greatest advantage of precast concrete slabs is that they are manufactured in the plant, which increases their performance and achieves high-quality control over concrete slabs on site

Additionally, precast concrete slabs can be found to be about 24% cheaper than cast-in-place concrete slabs. Even if you spend more on assembly, you save a lot on formwork.

The most commonly used precast slab types are channel and double T types.

9. COMPOSITE SLAB

Typically, it is built on reinforced concrete castings on top of a profile steel base. During the construction phase the decking acts as a working area and formwork, and also acts as an external reinforcement during the life of the slab.

10. LOW ROOF SLAB

The slab provided above the door for storage is called a low ceiling (roof) slab. This type of slab closes at all ends and opens at one end. This slab is just below the actual slab and above door and window level. This type of concrete slabs are used in homes.

11. PROJECTED SLAB

A slab that is fixed on one side and free on the other is called a projected slab or cantilever slab. These types of slab are usually built in hotels, universities, function halls, etc to use that area for picking or dropping up zone and for unloading and loading area. This is one of the types of concrete slabs.

12. WAIST SLAB

The Waist Slab is nothing more than a normal slab with some inclination angle between the two supports. (Mainly used on RCC stairs).

The Waist Slab rests from the beam to the beam and the main stair reinforcement steel goes up to the middle of the resting beam. The thickness of the waist slab depends on the length of the stair flow. Usually the thickness is 5 ″ or 6 of.