MATERIALS – MODULES Concrete

Systems

Chart for establishing preliminary size of reinforced concrete slabs

Initial size estimate at design stage

1/12
Depth of slab
h (m)

2.00

1.90
1/14
1.80

1.70

1/16
1.60

1.50

1.40

1.30 1/20

1.20

1.10 1/24

1.00

0.90
1/30

0.80

0.70
1/40
0.60

0.50

0.40

0.30

0.20

0.10

0.00 Span of slab

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 l (m)

Element Span h*/l

(loadbearing) l (m)

Slab on walls – 10 m 1/24 – 1/40

Flat slab on columns, conventional 6 – 12 m 1/16 – 1/24

reinforcement
Fig. 50: Notes for using this chart Flat slab with flared column heads 8 – 12 m 1/20 – 1/30
With a high load (dead and imposed loads) use the
maximum value for the slab depth as proposed by
the chart – vice versa for a low load. Slab with downstand beams, conventional 8 – 20 m 1/12 – 1/16
The sizes and relationships shown cannot be verified
scientifically. The shaded areas are supposed to be reinforcement
slightly “indefinite”. In the interest of the rational use
of a loadbearing element, the “edges” of this chart Waffle slab 10 – 20 m 1/14 – 1/20
should be avoided.

Source: M. Dietrich,
Burgdorf School of Engineering, 1990 *Prestressing can reduce the structural depth of the slab by up to about 30%.

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