1

purpose and scope

Concrete structures have for many years dominated the Australian commercial building scene, from
modest suburban offices to hi-rise city office buildings.
Landmark projects such as Sydney's Governor Phillip building and Melbourne's Rialto Tower rank
among the tallest reinforced concrete buildings in the world and testify to the skills of Australian
designers, builders and tradesmen.
This design guide has been developed to permit the rapid selection of economical solutions for longspan concrete floors.
It will assist:
Students
Designers
Quantity surveyors
Builders
Developers
It examines the types of floor that are feasible for typical office and carparking loadings (3-5 KPa) for
a range of medium to long spans.
To assist the cost comparison of these floor types, information is provided which relates the
quantities of concrete, reinforcement and formwork to the selected span and floor type.
A checklist for design procedure is provided.
Cost saving information is provided to assist practical design and detailing for construction.

2
advantages of concrete
Concrete floors have inherent advantages over other types of flooring solutions.
Concrete floors are economical. All the necessary information for their design and construction is
well understood and covered by Australian Standards.
Concrete floors are strong and durable.
Concrete floors are quiet. Concrete is a very dense material, which limits the transmission of
sound.
Concrete floors are energy efficient.
Concrete floors are suitable for a wide range of floor coverings.
Concrete floors are inherently fire resistant.
Concrete floors allow design flexibility.
Concrete floors lend themselves to fast construction.
Speed of construction is of greatest interest to builders and developers. Reinforced concrete floors
are delivering floor construction cycles as low as 3-4 days per floor on high-rise buildings.
Penetrations for services are easily accommodated. Steel reinforced concrete floors are amenable
to later cutting for penetrations as may be required over the life of a building. There is a growing
view that designers need to build in future flexibility for the buildings they design. For this reason the
partial prestress solution is finding favour for large spans as it ensures that the majority of the floor
area is conventionally reinforced. This allows later service penetrations to be cut without the risk of
cutting through prestressing wires.

3
concrete floor systems
There are many feasible concrete floor systems from which the designer can select an economical
and technically satisfactory solution. To provide satisfactory performance a concrete floor must have
adequate strength to safely resist the applied loads, and sufficient stiffness to limit deflections under
both transient and long term loads. With the trend toward longer spans, the criterion of stiffness has
become more important, so that in practice the principal dimensions of the floor are determined by
stiffness considerations rather than strength.
Concrete floors are reinforced using either reinforcing bars or fabric to form a normal reinforced
concrete structure, or using high-strength wire strand, which is stressed to form a prestressed
concrete structure. The action of prestressing a draped cable in concrete enables the applied loads
to be balanced by the uplift force so that deflection is largely counterbalanced. This is a significant
benefit in long-span floors as it eliminates the need to camber formwork or to provide deeper
concrete sections. Prestressing brings with it additional complexity on site over conventional
reinforcement, but allows concrete to compete with structural steel framed floors for long spans.
In recent times the difference between normal reinforced concrete and fully prestressed concrete
has become less clear-cut with the increasing popularity of partially prestressed concrete for large
spans. This approach combines the prestressing benefits of controlling deflection and cracking with
the economy of reinforced concrete.
A combination of partially prestressed beams (with both strand and reinforcement) together with
conventional steel reinforced slab panels make an economical floor system for large spans. It has
the advantage that the conventionally reinforced slab panels allow future services penetrations, or
the possible provision as a later addition, of a stair between floor levels

4
design considerations
Traditionally, column spacings were selected to provide the most economical structure, and slab
spans were often in the order of 8 -9 metres. However, recently there has been a trend to larger
floor areas in city office buildings, where the economics of smaller spans have been disregarded to
obtain spans as great as 16 metres or more. Large spanning floors incur penalties in structural
depth, self weight, bounce, deflection, and cost.
It behoves the designers to look carefully at the need for large spans as the cost penalty increases
in a logarithmic proportion to the span.
In many cases the addition of just a couple of internal columns at the rear of a lift core can transform
the economics of a structure by markedly reducing slab span.

In this case the columns at the rear of the lift core form an area that would be ideal for a meeting
room or compactus storage, whilst saving structural cost.
Sensible positioning of columns need not detract from the flexibility of floor areas.
The irony of large expenditure to provide long-span 'column free' space is that the tenants of the
column-free space often install dummy columns to contain vertical cabling and services.
There are trends in design of high-rise buildings now to separate the core of the building into
separate vertical elements which provides the benefit of reduced spans and shorter air conditioning
duct runs. This adds up to reduced structural weight, cost and depth; and, reduced ceiling depth
needed for smaller ducts, giving savings on floor to floor height.

5
Materials
Designers are taking advantage of the high strength materials now available, with the advent of 500
MPa steel reinforcement and high strength concrete mixes. These high strength materials have led
to review of the Australian Standard AS 3600 - Concrete Structures. Under the recommendations,
the use of 500 MPa steel reinforcement - classes N (Normal Ductility) and L (Low Ductility) - is
permitted in the design of reinforced concrete structures. While these can strongly influence the
ductility and load carrying capacity of reinforced concrete beams and slabs, other details are also
important. The ratio of moment capacity to cracking moment in critical regions is a vital factor.
Particular consideration is directed to the effects of moment redistribution when predicting the fire
resistance period for structural adequacy of continuous beams and slabs.
High strength concretes are being used in the construction industry predominantly in columns and
core walls. This trend is extending to the use of higher strength concretes in slabs and beams. At
this stage many engineers limit the maximum design strength of concrete to 50 MPa because most
codes for concrete structures do not provide for higher concrete strengths. It is to be expected that
there will be change in time to much higher strengths as knowledge of their behaviour is gained,
particularly in regard to brittleness and confinement.
It is no longer possible to simple expect the designers specifications will ensure that the materials
are fit for purpose, unless Test Certificates for those materials are submitted and approved. This is
vital to the performance of the structure.
Designers should be aware that direct substitution of non Australian produced steel reinforcement
for Australian made product may not achieve design intent. There are some significant differences
in metallurgical properties of reinforcing steels. Australian site practices require that the reinforcing
steel have a low carbon equivalent to suit the prevalence of on site welding of steel cages. Welding
is also used in high-speed factory made reinforcing cages, produced by member companies of the
Steel Reinforcement Institute of Australia, where reliability of performance and delivery are assured.
It is of real concern, that decisions may be made to circumvent the assured nature of a known
Australian product allied to known welding practices that suit the metallurgical nature of the local
product, in favour of uncertain results. A further factor influencing caution in the selection of steel
supply is the rebendcharacteristics of the reinforcement to suit Australian site practices where
rebending to 90 degrees then complete straightening is common.
The vital significance of the ductility of reinforced concrete structures is gaining increased
recognition. Materials and ductility are no logner of passing concern.

6
floors for apartment buildings
Apartment buildings, home units, townhouses and other forms of residential building make particular
demands on floor systems. These demands differ from those that serve office buildings, schools or
warehouses.
The different demands on floor systems for apartment buildings may be summarised, as follows:
COLUMN LAYOUT
The columns supporting the floor slab of apartment buildings are invariably of a narrow blade
type set in the walls. The walls are placed to suit the apartment layout not to suit a regular
structural grid. As a result, there may be no regular grid type layout for columns, and
adjacent slab panel spans may differ markedly. The design flexibility of a concrete flat plate
floor answers this demand better than any other flooring type.
FLOOR SLAB DESIGN
The floor slab design for apartment buildings is usually driven by the demand that the depth
of the structure be an absolute minimum, with the soffit of the slab being the ceiling. The
shallow structural depth of a concrete flat plate floor answers this demand better than any
other flooring type. A flat plate floor without beams is the usual design selected, to achieve
the minimum structural depth.
On low height apartment buildings the floor slab may be supported on load bearing internal
walls, or on beams, and be designed as a hinged one-way or two-way slab.
On apartment buildings of medium height and above, flat plate slabs without beams prevail,
to minimise structural depth.
DROP PANELS
Drop panels may be used to assist the slab span and to control shear at the column head;
however, the recent trend is to use shear mat reinforcement or stud rails at column heads to
obviate the need for drop panels. It is much simpler to build a plain flat plate floor slab
without drop panels or band beams, as the formwork deck is totally flat, and as a result much
easier to construct. Shear mat reinforcement, by eliminating drop panels, removes the drop
panel protrusion below the slab, which is often in the way of services. Additionally, drop
panels are usually unpopular where exposed to view.
LARGER SPANS
Flat plate slab conventionally steel reinforced construction is now capable of longer spans in
relation to slab depth for apartment buildings. Considerable savings in depth and cost are
due to recent advances in technology and code requirements.
Even in shorter spans, the advances bring savings in slab depth and cost.
The advances that allow increased flat plate slab spans include:
The introduction of high strength 500 MPa steel reinforcement.
The now common use of higher strength (32 MPa plus) concrete in slabs.
The use of negative top reinforcement to limit deflections in multiple bay spans.
The acceptance of a range of serviceability responses (revisions to AS 1170).
The opportunity for reductions in cover for fire (for apartments) due to the performance
based Building Code of Australia
Combine the advances (with the lesser floor loadings allowable for apartments compared to
offices), and the flat plate slab becomes very efficient.

New formwork systems and new prefabricated steel reinforcement systems add to the
economic effectiveness of the flat plate floor while maintaining it's inherent flexibility in being
suitable for any shape in plan. Electrical conduits are easily located within the floor slab, and
plumbing and other services are readily accommodated. Future services can generally be
incorporated later due to the forgiving nature of conventional steel reinforced concrete.

7
serviceability considerations for floors
Concrete floors are noted for their inherent advantages in regard to serviceability. However regard
must be addressed to serviceability issues which arise with any floor system, of any type. The
design of any floor system is governed by serviceability limit states.
SERVICEABILITY LIMIT STATES
These are states beyond which the specified service requirements of the flooring system is
no longer met, and the functionality is impaired.
Serviceability limit states (ref AS 1170.1-1989) include:
Deformations or deflections affecting the appearance or effective use of the structure.
Vibrations causing discomfort to people or damage to finishes and fixtures.
Cracking of the concrete likely to adversely affect the appearance, durability, or watertightness of the structure.
These states are satisfied for most flooring systems by limiting the span to depth ratio and by
satisfying detailing requirements.
EFFECTS ON APPEARANCE AND FUNCTIONALITY
Short term deflections
Deflection limited relative to span and relative to proximity of reference sight lines (eg. face
brickwork) and dependent upon available lines of sight.
Long term deflections
Excessive long term deflections can lead to loss of function and amenity. Slab deflections
can cause unintended load transference to partitions. Suitable movement allowance should
be provided for partitions both below and above slabs. This is particularly important in the
case of masonry walls.
Differential deflection of longer span floor beams can result in end rotation. This can be
significant in respect of appearance, function or damage. A 500mm deep beam with a
span/300 deflection has an end rotation of 0.1 radians corresponding to a 5mm relative
horizontal displacement.
Dynamic response
The dynamics (bounce) of flooring systems is a limiting state in design. For lightly loaded
floors in particular, the application of static live load deflection limits does not necessarily
ensure satisfactory dynamic performance. The response can result in shaking, rattling, and
horizontal movement of furniture.
Cracking and damage to ceilings and linings can also result.
Camber
Camber may be used in some cases to reduce the visual impact of deflections, or to prevent
ponding. However, camber does not reduce the actual deflections due to load. The use of
camber to allow for larger deflections than usual for non-cambered floors, can lead to
problems with end rotations, and misalignments of associated building elements. The use of
camber needs to be carefully considered as it impacts on the cost of formwork.

8
selection of floor type
Common types of floor systems.
8.1 Flat Plate
The principal feature of the flat-plate floor is its flush soffit which requires only simple
formwork and easy construction. The overall depth of this floor is a minimum and it allows
great flexibility for locating horizontal services.
The economical span of a flat plate is limited, however, by the need to control long-term
deflection.
The span 'L' of a reinforced concrete flat-plate is approximately D x 30 to D x 32. The
economical span of a flat Plate can be extended by prestressing to approximately D x 35
for a single span and D x 42 for a multi-span, where D is the depth of slab.

This guide allows a quick overview of suitable floor systems for a range of spans.

Advantages:
Simple formwork
No beams - suits services
Minimum structural depth
Disadvantages:
Smaller economical spans
Long term deflection may be controlling factor

8.2 Flat Slab

A flat-slab floor maintains many of the advantages of the flat plate: flat soffit, simple
formwork and easy construction. By adding a drop panel at the column, which increases
the stiffness of the floor, the economical span range is increased. The economical span 'L'
of a reinforced concrete flat slab is approximately D x 32 for an end span and D x 36 for an

interior span. Prestressing increases the economical span to D x 45 for an end span and D
x 50 for an interior span. D is the depth of the slab excluding the drop panel, in each case

Advantages:
Simple formwork
No beams - suits services
Minimum structural depth
Disadvantages:
Smaller economical spans
Economical span not as great as beam and slab
8.3 Waffle Slab
Introducing waffles to the soffit of the slab reduces the quantity of concrete and
reinforcement and also the weight of the floor. The saving of materials tends to
be offset by increasing structural depth. Formwork complication is minimised by use of
standard, modular, reusable formwork. The deeper, stiffer floor permits longer spans to be
used. The economical reinforced concrete floor span 'L' is approximately D x 20 for a
single span and D x 25 for a multi-span, where D is the depth of the slab and waffle.
Advantages:
Reusable formwork pans
Savings on weight and materials
Long span possible
Attractive soffit appearance
Economical
Disadvantages:
Structural depth
Penetrations controlled by waffle ribs

8.4 Slab and Joist

Frequently the slab thickness between the joists/ribs is controlled by requirements for fireresistance rating. For example a 2-hour fire resistance rating requires a 120-mm slab
thickness, which is capable of spanning approximately 4 m. For this widely spaced rib or
joist floor the economical span 'L' is D x 20 for a single span and D x 25 for a multi-span.
Prestressing the joists/ribs permits the economical span 'L' to be increased to D x 24 in a
single span. D is the depth of slab plus the joist/rib in each example.
Advantages:
Thin slab panels possible
Suits industrial structures
Suits long spans
Disadvantages:
More formwork
Joists and beams intrude on services
Depth of floor

8.5 Beam and Slab

The traditional beam-and-slab floor comprises beams framing into columns and supporting
slabs spanning between the beams. The relatively deep beams provide a stiff floor capable
of long spans and able to resist lateral loads.
The traditional reinforced concrete beam-and-slab floor has an economical span 'L' of D x
15 for a single span and D x 20 for a multi-span, where D is the depth of the slab plus
beam.
Advantages:
Traditional effectiveness
Good cost/time solution
Suits long spans
Disadvantages:
May need service penetrations through beams
Depth of floor

8.6 Band Beam and Slab

The traditional beam-and-slab floor comprises beams framing into columns and supporting
slabs spanning between the beams. The relatively deep beams provide a stiff floor capable
of long spans and able to resist lateral loads.
The traditional reinforced concrete beam-and-slab floor has an economical span 'L' of D x
15 for a single span and D x 20 for a multi-span, where D is the depth of the slab plus
beam.
Advantages:
Traditional effectiveness
Good cost/time solution
Suits long spans
Disadvantages:
May need service penetrations through beams
Depth of floor

Single Span

Multi Span

8.7 Precast and Composite Floors

Precasting offers the advantages of off-site manufacture under factory conditions and fast
erection on site. When combined with prestressing, additional benefits of long span and
high load-capacity can be obtained.
One popular type of precast floor unit is the hollow-core slab. Such slabs are cast by
machine in a long line bed and the units are cut to required length. The relatively
lightweight units are erected to form a flush soffit, finished with a composite topping and a
shear key between units to ensure load sharing between the units
The economical typical span for a precast hollow core unit is approximately D x 35 to D x
40 where D is the depth of the precast unit plus topping. A typical multi-span arrangement
includes precast soffit beams spanning between the columns

Advantages:
Speed when properly set up
Elimination of formwork
Structural efficiency
Disadvantages:
Propping may be required
Careful detailing needed
Limited penetrations
cranage may prove critical

8.8 Soffit Slabs

Known in Australia as Transflooror Humeslab
Precast soffit slabs are an economical method of combining formwork and part of the
structural floor. These comprise thin concrete sections either reinforced, prestressed or
incorporating partially exposed trussed reinforcement. These floors may be referred to as
Composite lattice girder soffit slab
To reduce dead weight and increase the effective span, a voided slab can be formed by
using polystyrene blocks.
For long spans, soffit slabs require temporary props for support until the composite section
is able to carry the construction loads
The economical span 'L' between band beams is approximately D x 30 for a single span
and D x 35 for a composite multi-span, where D is the depth of the soffit slab plus topping.
A band beam formed up using a similar precast system typically increases depth by 50 mm.
Advantages:
Speed when properly set up
Elimination of formwork
Structural efficiency
Disadvantages:
Propping may be required

 Careful detailing needed

Limited penetrations
cranage may prove critical

8.9 Single and Double T-Beams

Precast prestressed T-beams of standard profile are relatively light units of high load
capacity capable of long spans. Either double-tee or single-tee sections are used, typically
tied together by welded plate inserts and insitu topping to ensure adequate load transfer.
The economical span 'L' between supporting beams is approximately D x 25 where D is the
overall depth of the T-beam plus topping.
Advantages:
Working platform
Speed when properly set up
Long spans
Disadvantages:
cranage may prove critical
Limited penetrations

9
Selection of Floor types
Preliminary Selection Guide and Ready Reckoner
A convenient and quick selection guide indicating the economical span range for various
slab and beam floor types is given in the Preliminary Selection Guide (below) and the
Ready Reckoner (on the following page)
SPAN , L (m)
6

Flat Plate

10

11

12

13

14

Flat Slab

*
*

Pan Floor
Band Beam
and Slab
Hollow Core
Soffit Slab
T - Beam
Generally uneconomical for

* single spans greater than 8 m

Reinforced Concrete
Prestressed Concrete

span depth ready reckoner

This guide allows a quick overview

Using the 'depth-multipliers' from the floor types shown in section

(Clauses 8.1-8.9), the Ready Reckoner provides a simple basis for a quick
comparison of economical spans for different floor types.
For example:

(A) If the multiplier is 25 and the depth must be restricted to 550 mm, then the
economical span can be read off as 13.8m.
Alternatively:

(B) If the required span is 11.5m and the system has a multiplier of 30, the
depth can be read off as 380 mm.

15

16

SPAN, L (m)

DEPTH MULTIPLIER
50 45 40 35

18

30

25

20
18

17
16

16
15
14

14

13
12

12
11

10

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

DEPTH, D (mm)

800

900

1000

10
cost comparisons
The choice of Boor system is usually made by comparing the cost of alternative proposals
which are technically feasible and which satisfy the constraints imposed by the planning
and construction of the building. In practically every case the final decision is made on the
basis of least cost.
The structural component of a multi-storey commercial/office building accounts for
approximately 17-25% of the total direct building cost; of this the floors account for
approximately half. The floor structure thus represents a significant component of the cost
of a commercial/office building. For a simple structure with few services, such as a parking
station or storage building, the floor structure represents an even greater proportion of the
total cost
The direct cost of a floor structure comprises the cost of materials, plant labour formwork
and consumable items directly associated with the floor. The normal sub-contract system
used on a building project permits a reasonably accurate assessment of the direct cost of
alternative structures since the costs of the main items - concrete, reinforcement and
formwork - are known. Thus a useful guide to comparative direct costs and the cost
sensitivity of different floor systems to increasing span is obtained from the quantities of
materials required.
These quantities determined for various floor systems in popular current use are set out in
the nomographs which follow. They may be used directly to assist in the assessment of
different floor systems for a building proposal.
Clearly there is a cost premium for increased span, since quantities of materials per square
metre increase as the span increases. This is as expected because the principal factors of
bending, shear and deflection which affect the design of the floor, increase with increasing
span. The premium paid for increasing span can be kept to a minimum by selecting a floor
system that is highly efficient for the required span and thus is less sensitive to the effects
of the increased span.
Any cost comparison of alternatives should include also the effect of consequential costs
arising from associated elements such as the facade and the mechanical services, eg a
deeper floor zone increases the cost of the facade, core and services. Beam penetrations
and complicated ductwork required with some floor systems also increase costs. Such
costs can also be assessed fairly accurately.
Indirect costs arising from overheads related to the estimated time of construction should
be considered also. However, an important distinction should be made between direct
costs that can be assessed and controlled by appropriate contractual arrangements and
time-related overhead costs that can be estimated for a construction floor cycle which may
be difficult to achieve. A builder assessing the relative merits of different floor systems will
consider the risk exposure and apply what is considered to be an appropriate weighting to
direct and indirect costs.

FLOOR SYSTEMS FOR LIGHTER LOADING (Live Load range 2-3 kPa)
REINFORCED CONCRETE FLAT SLAB MULTI SPAN
(Column Support)
AVERAGE CONCRETE
THICKNESS (mm)

REINFORCEMENT
(Kg/m2)

400

21

380

20

360

REINFORCEMENT

340

19
18

320

17

300

16

280
CONCRETE

260

15

14

240

13

220

12

200

11

180

10

160

9
NUMBERS REFER TO DIAGRAM BELOW

140

120

100

For typical square grid

interior span only
Case 1
Self weight plus 2 kPa Live Load
Case 2
Self weight plus 0.5 kPa Dead Load
plus 3 kPa Live Load

9
SPAN, L (m)

10

11

6
12

REINFORCED CONCRETE FLAT SLAB MULTI SPAN

(Wall Support)
AVERAGE CONCRETE
THICKNESS (mm)

REINFORCEMENT
(Kg/m2)

400

15

380

14

360

13
NUMBERS REFER TO DIAGRAM BELOW

340

12

320

11

300

10

280

260

9
REINFORCEMENT

240

220

6
2

200

CONCRETE

180

160

140

120

100

For typical square grid

interior span only
Case 1
Self weight plus 2 kPa Live
Load
Case 2
Self weight plus 0.5 kPa
Dead Load plus 3 kPa Live
Load

9
SPAN, L (m)

10

11

0
12

FLOOR SYSTEMS FOR HEAVIER LOADING (Live Load range 3-5 kPa)
Notes on Nomographs
1.

Diagrams are suitable for park stations, offices and normal commercial buildings, ie
total loadings of 3-5 kPa. Heavy weight partitions or storage loads will require
increased quantities of concrete and/or reinforcement.

2.

For single span floors, quantities are given for a typical bay assuming minimal
structural edge beams. Deep architectural beams should be considered separately

For multi-span floors quantities are for a typical internal bay. Allowance should be
made for approximately 5-10% additional concrete and/or reinforcement for end
spans and non-typical areas.

3.

For convenience, multi span beam layouts assume a transverse spacing of 8.4 m to
suit carparking. Longer spans are possible eg 9.6m but quantities will increase.

4.

A required fire rating of two hours is assumed. Higher ratings will require an
increase in concrete quantities and possibly reinforcement.

REINFORCED CONCRETE FLAT SLAB MULTI SPAN

AVERAGE CONCRETE
THICKNESS (mm)

REINFORCEMENT
(Kg/m2)

400

40

380

38

360

36

340

34

320

32

300

30
CONCRETE

280

28

260

REINFORCEMENT

26

240

24

220

22

200

20

180

18

160

NOT ECONOMIC
AT SPANS
EXCEEDING 10m

140
ECONOMIC SPAN RANGE
120
100

16
14
12

For typical square grid

interior span only

9
SPAN, L (m)

10

11

10
12

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE FLAT SLAB MULTI SPAN

AVERAGE CONCRETE
THICKNESS (mm)

TOTAL REINFORCEMENT AND

PRESTRESSING (Kg/m2)

14

320
DASH LINES
INDICATE
UNECONOMIC
SPAN LENGTHS

300
280

13
12
11

260

10

CONCRETE

240
220

200

180

7
PRESTRESSING

160

140

120

4
REINFORCEMENT

100

NUMBERS REFER TO DIAGRAM BELOW

80

10
11
SPAN, L (m)

12

13

2
14

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE FLAT SLAB SINGLE SPAN

AVERAGE CONCRETE
THICKNESS (mm)

TOTAL REINFORCEMENT AND

PRESTRESSING (Kg/m2)

400

15

380

14

360

13

340

12

320

11

300

10

CONCRETE

280

9
PRESTRESSING

260

240

220

200

5
REINFORCEMENT

180

160
NOT ECONOMIC AT
SPANS SHORTER
THAN 6m

140

3
NOT ECONOMIC
AT SPANS
EXCEEDING 10m

ECONOMIC
SPAN RANGE

120

2
1

100

0
6

9
SPAN, L (m)

10

11

12

REINFORCED CONCRETE BAND BEAM AND SLAB MULTI SPAN

AVERAGE CONCRETE
THICKNESS (mm)

REINFORCEMENT
(Kg/m2)

300

38

280

36

260

34
CONCRETE

240

32

220

30
REINFORCEMENT

200

28

180

26

160
140

NOT
ECONOMIC

NUMBERS REFER TO DIAGRAM BELOW

24

NOT ECONOMIC
AT SPANS
EXCEEDING 12m

22

ECONOMIC
SPAN RANGE

120

20

100
6

For typical interior span only

Case Bw
1
2

1200
2400

Ds

8400
8400

200
170

10
11
SPAN, L (m)

12

13

18
14

REINFORCED CONCRETE BAND BEAM AND SLAB SINGLE SPAN

AVERAGE CONCRETE
THICKNESS (mm)

REINFORCEMENT
(Kg/m2)

44

340
DASH LINES
INDICATE
UNECONOMIC
SPAN LENGTHS

320
300

42
40
38

280

36

260

CONCRETE

240

34

220

32

200

30

180

28

160

26

140

24
REINFORCEMENT

22

120
NUMBERS REFER TO DIAGRAM BELOW

100

20
6

Case Bw
1
2
3

600
1200
2400

Ds

4200
4800
6000

120
120
120

10
11
SPAN, L (m)

12

13

14

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE BAND BEAM (4m centres) SINGLE SPAN

AVERAGE CONCRETE
THICKNESS (mm)

TOTAL REINFORCEMENT AND

PRESTRESSING (Kg/m2)

9.0

280
260

8.5

DASH LINES
INDICATE
UNECONOMIC
SPAN LENGTHS

240
220

8.0
7.5
7.0

200

6.5

CONCRETE

180
160

6.0

REINFORCEMENT

140

5.5

120

5.0

100

4.5

80

4.0

PRESTRESSING

3.5

60
NUMBERS REFER TO DIAGRAM BELOW

40

3.0
2.5

20
0

2.0
7

Case Bw
1
2

600
1200

Ds

4000
4000

120
120

10
11
SPAN, L (m)

12

13

14

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE BAND BEAM (8.4m centres)

MULTI SPAN
AVERAGE CONCRETE
THICKNESS (mm)

TOTAL REINFORCEMENT AND

PRESTRESSING (Kg/m2)

8.0

300
DASH LINES
INDICATE
UNECONOMIC
SPAN LENGTHS

280
260

7.5
7.0
6.5

240
CONCRETE

220

6.0

200

5.5
5.0

PRESTRESSING

180

4.5

160
REINFORCEMENT

4.0

140
120
100

3.0
7

Case Bw
1
2

3.5

NUMBERS REFER TO DIAGRAM BELOW

1800
2400

Ds

8400
8400

160
150

10

11
12
13
SPAN, L (m)

14

15

16

PRESTRESSED CONCRETE BAND BEAM (8.4m centres)

SINGLE SPAN

AVERAGE CONCRETE
THICKNESS (mm)

TOTAL REINFORCEMENT AND

PRESTRESSING (Kg/m2)

280

9.0

260

8.5
CONCRETE

240

8.0

220

7.5

200

7.0

180

6.5

160

6.0
5.5

REINFORCEMENT

140
120

5.0

100

4.5
PRESTRESSING

4.0

80
NUMBERS REFER TO DIAGRAM BELOW

60
DASH LINES
INDICATE
UNECONOMIC
SPAN LENGTHS

40
20
0

3.0
2.5
2.0

Case Bw
1
2

3.5

1800
2400

Ds

8400
8400

160
150

10

11
SPAN, L (m)

12

13

14

11
Practical Design and Detailing for Construction
Having selected the type of concrete floor system and established the principal dimensions
of the slabs and any beams to meet the overall criteria for economy the designer should be
confident that he has taken the correct decision. However, the following steps of detail
design and documentation are equally important in achieving the desired overall economy
and speed of construction. Poor detailing or complex details can add large cost and time
penalties to an otherwise economical solution.
Some general principles should be followed:
Avoid unnecessary complications and refinements of detail. Use simple details that
reduce construction complications and problems. There is a tendency for some
designers to be blinded by the power of computers to generate voluminous calculations
and refined analysis of forces with consequent refined details of reinforcement to suit.
Such refinements are wasted if the practical conditions on site are not considered.
Rationalise the sizes of members to simplify formwork consistent with structural economy
Use standard plywood sheets or multiple thereof to reduce waste, eg band-beam widths of
1200, 1800 and 2400 mm. Detail band/beam and beam/column intersections to simplify
formwork. Adopt standard dimensions for drop panels in flat slabs to suit plywood sheets
and timber sizes.
Co-ordinate the requirements of other trades for holding-down bolts and block-outs for
electrical and plumbing work.
Simplify reinforcement details to suit fixing in the field, reduce the risk of errors and ease
checking on site. The sizes and spacings of reinforcement should be rationalised so that
differences between structural bays are kept to a minimum. There is a trade off between
the cost of the material and labour which usually results in an additional cost for complexity.
Refer to the Concrete Institute of Australias Reinforcement Detailing Handbook for specific
examples.

12

FORMWORK FACTORS
(For minimum structural edge details)

FORMED FACE
PLAN AREA

1.30

1.25

1.20

1.15

1.10

1.05

1.00

10

11

12

13

14

SPAN, L (m)

Formwork factors are based on minimal structural edge beams. Deep architectural
beams increase these factors significantly and may inhibit the use of flying table
forms.

13
checklist for design procedure
The Australian Standard AS 3600 Concrete Structures Code is a significant document
defining the design requirements.
It specifies design criteria for both:
serviceability - by limiting deflections to tolerable values and designing for
durability/exposure conditions
and
strength - by defining appropriate section details to resist applied loads
The following check list sets out the principal steps in designing a concrete floor to meet
the requirements of AS 3600.

1.

Member Arrangement
Determine a feasible arrangement for columns, walls, beams. Note
preferred options for structural efficiency (Section 7)

2.

Establish the Basic Design Criteria

a) Occupancy of the structure
b) Fire rating (Building regulations)
c) Sound transmission class (Building regulations)
d) Exposure classification and durability requirements (AS 3600)

3.

Floor Slab Sizing

Determine the minimum slab thickness from step 2 above and the concrete
strength and cover

4.

Floor Depth
Select a suitable overall depth of floor to satisfy deflection control from the
guideline values

5.
6.

Determine the Dead and Live Loads (AS1170)

Calculate Design Bending Moments and Shear Forces
Determine the design actions at the critical sections in accordance with the
strength requirements of AS3600

7
8.

Calculate Flexural and Shear Reinforcement for Strength

Design
Calculate Deflection
Check the calculated deflection or the span to depth ratio using the
simplified method in accordance with AS 3600. Estimate required camber if
any or recycle design from step 4 if deflection is excessive.

9.

Prestress Design
For a prestressed design, proceed as above to step 5, then select a load to
be balanced - typically 0.8 to 1.0 times selfweight and a combination of
prestress force to drape and balance this load. Calculate design bending
moments and shear forces as in step 6 above and additional reinforcement
for strength design as in step 7. Check deflection if required. This will not
be critical for the usual combination of balanced live and dead load.

10.

Complete Detailed Design of Flexural and Shear

Reinforcement