Question

a) Discuss the economic, aesthetic & structural importance of a flat plate slab.
b. Discuss the structural performance of a flat panel slab based on
-load increment
-span increment
-depth increment
-edge conditions
C. Discuss the conclusion & recommendations of a flat plate slab on the building industry of Botswana

Discuss the same question, a, b & c for a one way slab.

Answer 1

a) The flat plate slab system often provide the most economical solution for high rise residential or commercial construction. The systems low floor height results in overall reduction of building height which further result lesser dead load leading to lower foundation cost.

Many advantages of flat slab system: gives higher headroom due to lack of interior beams. There are no beams that can obstruct light and air flow. Gives a more aesthetic appearance than beam slab system since there are no obstructed ceilings and beams underside

Flat plate floor system requires simple formwork. This system is suitable for a direct fix or sprayed ceiling. The structural depth of a flat plate floor is minimum. Reduced depth of slab helps to increase the floor to floor height of the building.

b) Reinforced concrete flat plate is a type of structural system containing slab with uniform thickness supported directly on columns without using beams. Flat plates are commenly used in building where relatively low gravity loads are applied. A major concern is punching failure of slab in the vicinity column due to high stress concentration.

The thickness of flat slab upto span of 10 m shall be generally controlled by considerations of L/d ratio as given below:

Cantilever-7; simply supported-20; continuous-26

Flat slabs without drop panels can be built at a very fast pace as the framework of structure is simplified and diminished. Flat slab construction can deeply reduce floor to floor height especially in the absence of false ceiling as flat slab construction does act as limiting factor on the placement of horizontal services and partitions.