What is slab ? Different types of slabs used in building construction? And their uses ?

Photo of author

By Shravan

Contents

What is slab ? Different types of slabs used in building construction? And their uses ?

The slab is the horizontal plate which is placed above the beams in building structure. Selecting the proper types of slabs is important factor in design of buildings. Basically slab sections are helps to transfer the load which is related to the gravity load or lateral loading condition to the beam sections. Through the beam sections the load is again released to columns and foundations.

slabs types
Two floors slab building

Types of slabs used in the building construction

Selecting the proper slab in building design is important as per the structural engineering. The following are the some basic important 10 slabs preferably used in the construction

  1. One way slab
  2. One way joist slab
  3. Grid slab system
  4. Flat slab system
  5. Two way slab system
  6. Hallow core slab
  7. Hardy slab system
  8.  bubble deck slab
  9. Composite slab
  10. Precast slab

One way slab system

One way slab system is the first number in the list in the one way slab system the ratio L/B plays an important role. If the L/B is greater than or equal to 2 then we can call it as one way slab. In this case the slab member is completely rests on two opposite side beams. The reinforcement is provided in one direction condition only.

The complete concept of one way slab design is explained in my previous blog please click here to read.

One way joist slab system

The one way joist slab system consisting of the monolithic combination of ribs with regular intervals in between the ribs (joists). These are basically used as permanent structures or removable filters placed in between ribs. This type of slab is also having similar application like one way slab design.

Grid slab system

The grid slab system is the third slab system in our list. In this case the grids are placed below the slab section in order to decrease the deflection of the main beams. The placement of the grids are placed in such a way that beam is able to carry small loads.

Flat slab system

The main concept of flat slab system in building design is to eliminate the beams. The slab construction without the beam section is taken as flat slab building. In this flat slab system initially the columns are constructed with proper reinforcement values of foundation then the slab is constructed on the slabs . Under this case depending upon the requirements it is consisting of flat slab with perimeter beams, flat slab with all the beams case. The reinforcement design steps are differ in this case as per IS standards.

Two way slab system

The two way slab system is fifth in the list. In this case the slab is supported to the beams in all the four directions. The two way slab system is also depends upon the ratio of L/B where L stands for length of slab and B stands for width of the slab under consideration. If the L/B values are less than 2 then we can easily say that slab is comes under two way systems. Now a days the two way slab system is most popular in the world because of the good design property and less maintenance.

two way slab
Two way slab reinforcement details

Hallow core slab

The hallow core slab is the sixth one as per the list. In this the main concept is arrived from the voids or cores which are run through the slab unit. By using the voids in the slab we can decrease the self weight of the slab section in building design. The core slab design is also taken in sustainable constructions by reducing the volume of concrete. These type of slabs are basically used in precast constructions where the fast construction is required for the project. The cores are numbered between four to six numbers throughout the length of the slab member. The below figure shows the sample of core slab using in the site.

Hardy slab system

This type of slab system is generally used in Dubai  and china countries. In this type the hardy blocks related to the hollow blocks are laced in the slab section these hallow blocks are generally made with concrete material. Basically in hardy slab system also the voids are used which is results in reducing the volume of the concrete and self weight of structure. This slab system is having more thickness than 0.27m when we compared with conventional slab system case. The installation process is also different when we compared with conventional slab system. In the hardy slab system again it is consisting of one way hardy slab and two way hardy slab as per the considerations of design.

Bubble deck slab

This type of slab is comes under the 8th number in our list. The basic concept of this type of slab is to develop the hallow member. In this case the plastic bubbles are placed in the concrete slab in two directions in slab. By using these bubbles it is easy to reduce the volume of the concrete required to make slab. At the same time the self weight of the structure is also reduces. This type of bubble slab construction is using in the industries now a days because of its many advantages.

Composite slab

The word composite stands for combination of two or more materials in slab construction. In this type the profiled steel shuttering is used as permanent shuttering and it will take the weight of wet concrete used in the slab design. This type of slab sections is generally used in the industries.

Pre cast slab

This is the last slab in the list in this type the slab is used in the construction is initially made at the pre casting station depending upon the dimensions requirements and is shifted to the construction site after proper curing methods.

The main reason to construct the precast construction is to decrease the time requirements for completing the project. By installing the pre cast members in site directly we can decrease the project time period. This type of construction now a day’s using in the high rise building design also because of its various advantages.

The complete concepts of types of slabs is explained in my YouTube channel civil engineering by shravan. Click here to see the detailed concept.

Conclusions of types of slabs in building construction

Well now the above explained concepts are related to the types of slabs used in building design which are classified in to ten groups one way slab, one way joist slab, grid slab system, flat slab system, two way slab system, hallow core slab, hardy slab system, bubble deck slab, composite slab and precast slab

Please follow our previous posts here

How to calculate the dimensions of water tank for 2lakh and 5lakh capacity click here to read

Complete one way slab design as per IS456 code click here to read

Cost estimation of marbles and tiles for 1000sft and1500sft slab area click here to read

Two way slab design as per IS 456 Code click here to read

What is slab? Types of slabs? Difference between one way slab and two way slab ? click here to read

Please watch interesting concepts in my YouTube channel Civil engineering by shravan. Please feel free to text us at contact us page for any quarries.

Thank You

Your Shravan

Have a good day.