[TechTalk]: Concrete Slabs | Common types of building Slabs | Slab basic design concept --- (PART-1/2)

This short note is essentially useful for technical personnel and engineers, and may not serve much purpose to the majority of common people because of certain core civil engineering terms used to explain. However, like always, BRICKS-n-mortar Edesk has tried to explain in utmost simpler terms and language so that a non-technical person interested in knowing may also understand if he/she may so desire. This note is published on request of 'Chan Gul', one of our long-time avid subscribers.

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Slab construction over deck sheet forms

What, in the first place, is meant by a 'slab' in the building design concept?

Before proceeding further, it would be prudent to explain for the understanding of our non-technical readers, as what is meant by a 'slab' in the technical jargon.

A slab is essentially a two-dimensional reinforced or non-reinforced cement concrete structural element of the modern building design concept that serves the purpose of a floor and/or a ceiling and/or a landing base. It is termed a two-dimensional structural element as it spans across the length and width (or trigonometric components of horizontal and/or vertical planes thereof like that in case of inclined roofs, stair waist slabs, etc.).

The most common examples of slabs being the floors, roofs, ramps, concrete staircases, etc. The slabs may or may not have composite beam(s) network associated with them, which provide inherent support and rigidity to the slabs per se.

Classification of Concrete Slabs

The classification of concrete slabs is basically done based on the following factors:

• based on the position of slab :
  i.e., whether the slab is to be constructed ..
  
  
  • directly resting over the well compacted ground (called Slab-on-grade or Slab-on-ground). Such slabs can also be simply termed as ground floor slabs in layman's language as these are cast directly over well-rammed and compacted sub-base (ground), and serve the purpose of floors resting over the ground. That is why such slabs are commonly called as 'Ground Floors'.
    
  • elevated slabs that are constructed somewhere higher on the structural frame (like first floor, second floor, roof, etc.)
  
  
• based on the shape and geometry of the slab :
  i.e., whether the slab is ..
  
  
  • square, or
  • rectangular, or
  • circular, or
  • annular ring slab
    
  • triangular, or
  • any other geometrical shape whatsoever.
  • symmetrical slab
  • asymmetrical or elongated slab
  • dome slab
  • curved slab
    
  
  
• based on the end conditions (end supports) of the slab :
  i.e., whether the slab is a ..
  
  
  • continuous slab
  • discontinuous slab
  • simply supported slab
    
  • fixed end slab (comprising multiple conditions with options like fixed at one end, two ends, three ends, all four ends, opposite ends, adjacent ends, etc.)
  • cantilever slab
    
  
  
• based on the reinforcement design principle of the slab :
  i.e., whether the slab is a ..
  
  
  • one-way slab
  • two-way slab
  
  
• based on the construction practices or usage or rigid design principles :
  i.e., whether the slab is a ..
  
  
  • flat slab
  • sunken slab
  • raised slab
    
  • waffle slab
  • ribbed slab
  • corrugated slab
  • staircase waist slab
  • deck-resting slab
  
  
  

  

  Concrete being poured for roof slab construction

Brief definition / explanation of the various types of Concrete Slabs 

The above mentioned various types of concrete slabs shall be discussed in brief in the next concluding part of this post titled: Concrete Slabs | Common types of building Slabs | Slab basic design concept --- (PART-2/2)
that shall be published here on BRICKS-n-MORTAR(dot)com shortly. Do check in for the details if find the topic interesting.

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Post title: [TechTalk]: Concrete Slabs | Common types of building Slabs | Slab basic design concept --- (PART-1/2)

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