CANTILEVER SLABS

A cantilever is a rigid structural element, such as a beam or a plate, anchored at only one end to
a (usually vertical) support from which it is protruding; this could also be a perpendicular
connection to a flat vertical surface such as a wall.

1. Cantilevers can also be constructed with trusses or slabs. When subjected to a structural

load, the cantilever carries the load to the support where it is forced against by
a moment and shear stress.

2. Cantilever construction allows for overhanging structures without external bracing, in

contrast to constructions supported at both ends with loads applied between the supports,
such as a simply supported beam found in a post and lintel system.
Cantilevers are widely found in construction, notably in cantilever bridges and balconies etc.

3. Cantilever slabs are a typical one way slabs. They are projections from wall face of lintel
beams or floor slabs.
4. Even while designing they are considered as one-slabs with cantilever fixed or
continuous at supports

a) Cantilever slabs must be designed to the hogging moment occurring at the support between
the cantilever span and adjacent continuous span.

b) For cantilever slabs, reinforcement at the top is the main reinforcement.

c) All cantilever slab spans must have a back span i.e. an adjacent continuous span

d) Top rebar from the cantilever slab span must extend into the adjacent continuous span atleast
for a length which is greatest of the following:

 1.5 times the length of cantilever

 tension anchorage length
 0.3 times the length of adjacent continuous span
e) Deflection requirement is stringent when compared to simply supported and continuous
beams. This needs to be considered during the design.
 5. The thickness of such slabs is varied from max. at the fixed end to the min. of 100 to 150
mm at the free end.

6. Distribution steel should be provided at the transverse direction.

7. Proper selection of depth and detailing of reinforcements will safeguard against excessive
deflections and cracking of the cantilever slabs.

8. Also, cantilever structural elements should be checked for safety against overturning.

In an architectural application, Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater used cantilevers to project

large balconies.

The concrete deck slabs of girder bridges are usually projected transversely beyond the
outermost girders. These projections, which are provided for reasons of economy and
aesthetics, are referred to in this book as cantilever slabs or cantilever overhangs.