Chapter 4 Ribbed Slabs and Waffle Slabs
Chapter 4 Ribbed Slabs and Waffle Slabs
Chapter 4 Ribbed Slabs and Waffle Slabs
Ribbed slabs are used for long spans with relatively light loads. They are constructed in one
of the following ways as described in clause 30 of IS: 456-2000
1. As a series of concrete ribs with topping.
2. As a series of concrete ribs or solid blocks, between precast hollow as a solid blocks.
3. With continuous top and bottom but containing voids of rectangular, oval or other shapes.
These three types of constructions are shown in fig. 14.1.
(b) Concrete ribs or solid blocks, between precast hollow as a solid blocks
The ribs may have rectangular, trapezoidal or any other appropriate shape. If trapezoidal (or
other shaped) rib is provided, the width of rib is calculated as an average width excluding
topping. The minimum width of the rib shall be determined in accordance with minimum
cover required to the reinforcement. The minimum width of the rib shall not be less than 65
mm. The depth of the rib excluding topping shall not be more than four times the width of
rib. Maximum spacing of the ribs shall be 1.5 m.
Ribbed slab can be idealized as a solid slab replaced by a series of beams which are spaced at
smaller distances. Loading from the topping shall be transferred to the ribs simply by two-
way reinforced jail, usually formed by minimum reinforcement.
The ribs can be analyzed by the usual procedure applicable to the solid slabs. If the ribs are
continuous, they can be analyzed by one of the following ways.
(1) As continuous ribs, which may be analyzed by using coefficients applicable to continuous
beams or slabs if it has three or more than three uniformly loaded and approximately equal
spans; if not, these can be analyzed by moment distribution considering various live load
arrangement.
(2) If the ribs are not exposed to the weather or corrosive conditions, and if the support
cracks can be permitted, then continuous ribs are designed as a series of simply supported
ribs. In addition, few reinforcement at the support shall be provided to reduce the cracks at
the support.
The ribs are now designed as follows:
The ribs are designed as tee or ell beams. The width of the flange is usually the actual width
of the flange owing to the smaller spacing of the ribs. For example, a central tee beam has a
flange width equal to the spacing of the ribs. For continuous ribs, support section is designed
as a rectangular section.Moment reinforcement consists of one bar or more than one bar at
the bottom or at the top as the case may be.If the continuous ribs are designed as simply
supported ribs, support reinforcement equal to 25 per cent of span reinforcement shall be
provided. These reinforcement shall extend at least one-tenth of clear span into adjoining
spans.Clear cover to the main reinforcement shall be as per the solid slabs. However, If the
ribbed slab Is provided with permanent hollow concrete blocks, the side cover may be 10
mm.The topping shall be usually provided with minimum reinforcement i.e. 0.12% with
HYSD bars and 0.15% with mild steel bars. The spacing of topping reinforcement shall not
be more than one-half the spacing of the ribs. If the ribs are widely spaced. the reinforcement
shall be designed.
The rules to check development length, deflection and cracking shall be as per solid slab or
flanged beam design as the case may be.
Ribbed slabs discussed in the previous articles are one-way spanning. We shall now discuss
two-way spanning ribbed slabs. Such slabs are also termed as waffle slabs. The analysis and
design set out for one-way spanning ribbed slabs in previous articles are applicable to waffle
slabs also. The moments in the ribs may be determined by using the coefficients for two-way,
solid slabs. Load transfer from waffle slabs to the supporting beams shall be assumed as per
two-way solid slabs.
Waffle slabs are usually made solid in some portion around the supporting beams
- to resist negative bending moment
- to resist torsion at the edges In the end spans
4.3.2 ADVANTAGES
4.3.3 DISADVANTAGES
Solution :
a) Proposed arrangement :-
total thickness of slab :- 300 mm
Thichness of topping :- 75 mm (Two-way ribbed slab)
1000
Spacing of ribs :- mm
width of waffle :- 125 mm
depth of waffle :- 225 mm
slab is made solid for 500 mm width at edges in all panels.
b) Loading :-
Topping :- self wt. 0.075 x 25 :- 1.875 kN/m2
floor finish :- 2 kN/m2
live load :- 4 kN/m2
Total :- 7.875 kN/m2
Rib :-
From topping :- 0.5 x 7.875 :- 3.9375 kN/m
self wt. :- 0.125 x 0.225 x 25 :- 0.703125 kN/m
Total :- 4.641 kN/m
Factored load :- 1.5 x 4.641 :- 6.96 kN/m
c) Shear and moments :-
shear at support (thickned slab) :- (w x l)/2 :- 27.84 kN
shear 1000
at mm from supp. (ribs) :-
0.5 x
:- 27.844 - 6.96 :- 24.36 kN
i) Topping reinforcement :-
As :- 90 mm2/m.
d :- 56 assume 6.00 dia bar.
Maximum spacing :- 5 d :- 280 mm.
use 6 mm # wrapping mesh @ 200 mm c/c :- 141
mm2/m at the centre of topping.
steel quantity
topping reinforcement
along long span steel :- 6 # 200 mm c/c
L :- 1 m
shear reinforcement :
along long span steel :- 6 # 193 mm c/c
L :- 0.85 m
No. of bars :- 332 nos.
weight of steel :- 63 kg.
along short span steel :- 6 # 193 mm c/c
L :- 0.85 m
No. of bars :- 332 nos.
weight of steel :- 63 kg.