Question for the more experienced people here: when do you…
By Aisha Rahman,
Question for the more experienced people here: when do you choose a flat slab over beam-and-slab?
The textbook answer is formwork speed and a flat soffit for services. It seems the real decider is often the punching check at the columns. Curious what drives it in practice.
Replies
Dr. Sarah Chen:
Services and floor-to-floor height usually decide it. A flat slab saves the beam depth on every storey, which adds up quickly in a tall building.
Priya Nair:
Deflection governs flat slabs as often as punching does. Drop panels or column heads help with both.
James Okoro (reply):
Good point, thanks.