RC

COMPONENTS
B E A M, C O L U MN , F L O O R &
F L AT R O O F
BQS502 Construction Technology III

Mohd Arif Marhani

A377
0193105479
School of Construction and Quantity Surveying,
College of Built Environment,
UiTM Shah Alam
 CONTENT

o Beam
o Column
o Floor slab
o Roof
REINFORCED
CONCRETE
BEAM
 REINFORCED
CONCRETE
BEAM
o When floor slab is
cast monolithic
with the beam, the
beams are of the
following shapes:
Deep T-beam, T-
beam, L-beam
(upstand) & L-
beam (down
stand)
 REINFORCED CONCRETE
BEAM
o Horizontal member of a framework, to transfer the loads imposed
on it to the points of support (column or main beam)
o When subjected to loads, will deflect/bend & create:- tension
(bottom); compression (top); & shear at/near the support, or along
its length
o Beams are normally continuous over support, & there will be a
reversal of stress at the point of support, normally compressive
stress & this can be solved by the following methods:
1. Providing compressive reinforcement
2. Deepening the rib by means of a haunch
3. Widening the rib for its full depth
4. Widening the bottom of the rib only to provide a lower flange
REINFO
RCED
CONCR
ETE
BEAM
Examples
REINFORCED
CONCRETE
COLUMN
 REINFORCED CONCRETE
COLUMN
o Vertical member which transfers the loading of the beam &
floor to the substructure
o When subjected to loads, it will be either :
 Squashing/buckling – occurs as a result of the column
material being unable to withstand compressive loading
 Bending – occurs when beam fixed rigidly to the column
o Concrete is strong in compression & can be said that if the
compressive strength of the concrete is not exceeded, then no
reinforcement will be required
o BUT, for this to be true, the following conditions must exist:-
column must be short; & cross section of column must be
large
o Unfortunately, these do not occur in framed buildings, as a result
REINFORCED CONCRETE
COLUMN
Various shapes/sections of
columns
o Round
o Square

o Octagonal
o Rectangular

o U-shaped
o L-shaped
 REINFORCED Examples
CONCRETE COLUMN
REINFORCED
CONCRETE
FLOOR SLAB
 REINFORCED CONCRETE
FLOOR SLAB
o Definition: horizontal plane to support both live &
dead loads, & safely transfer these loads to beam &
column (dividing element at different levels)
o There are many types of floor structures:
 In-situ solid concrete floors
 In-situ hollow block floors
 Pre-cast floors
 Steel floors
 Composite floors
 Timber floors
 REINFORCED
CONCRETE FLOOR
SLAB: FUNCTIONAL
REQUIREMENTS
o To support its own weight, ceilings &
superimposed loads
o To posses an adequate standard of
stability
o To restrict the passage of fire
o To restrict the transmission of sound
from one floor to another
o To accommodate services readily
o To provide an acceptable surface finish
o To act as dividing element between floor
o Thermal insulation
o Damp resistance
 REINFORCED CONCRETE FLOOR
SLAB: FACTORS AFFECTING
CHOICE OF FLOORING SYSTEM
o Types of building structure loading
o Span-each type of floors tend to be economic over
only a limited range of span/building
o Degree of fire resistance
o Degree of sound insulation
o Provision of services
o Cost
o Speed of erection
REINFORCED CONCRETE
GROUND FLOOR SLAB
Ground floor

Solid Suspended

Plain In-situ
 REINFORCED
CONCRETE GROUND
FLOOR SLAB: SOLID
GROUND FLOOR
o Can either be plain or reinforced in-situ
concrete
o Plain concrete usually:
 Suitable for soil with high bearing
capacity
 Not suitable for basement (to resist
upward pressure of sub-soil water)
 Not suitable for floor carrying heavy
loads
o Reinforced concrete usually suitable for:
 Soil with low bearing capacity
 Uneven bearing capacity
 Filled ground (tendency of settlement)
 REINFORCED CONCRETE
GROUND FLOOR SLAB:
SOLID GROUND FLOOR
o Thickness of slab varies according to:
 Loading
 Bearing capacity of the ground
o Floor levels (levels from ground level) depends on:
 Nature of the site (e.g., sloping or wet/low laying)
 Types of building (e.g., Surau)
 Drainage (e.g., gradient for a drain)
o Damp-proof membrane (DPM) will be required at
min. 150mm above ground level
Excavate to reduce
REINFOR
level commencing
at platform level
Lay hardcore CED
CONCRE
TE
Lay blinding
Place GROUND
reinforcement
FLOOR
SLAB:
DPM is laid either
above hardcore
SOLID
Pour concrete below the slab or
above slab below
GROUND
the screed FLOOR
 REINFORCED
CONCRETE
GROUND FLOOR
SLAB: SUSPENDED
GROUND FLOOR

o Suspended ground
floor slab is usually
suitable for ground
with low bearing
capacity
o Construction process
similar to upper floor
o Concrete blinding is
required to provide
even surface & to
prevent water to
seep through quickly
 REINFORCED CONCRETE
UPPER FLOOR SLAB
o Most common form of upper floor construction
especially RC frame structure
o Give maximum freedom in design on plan & section
o Floor thickness vary according to load & span
o Column grids supports beam, & slab spans either one
or two-way direction
 ED
CONCRETE
UPPER
FLOOR
SLAB: ONE-
o WAY
Suitable for:
SPANNING
 Small/short span (4.60m
– 5.00m)
 Medium to heavy loads
building
 Rectangular layout
o Construction:
 Supported on two sides
 Main bar will be cast in
in one direction
 Distribution bar will be
cast the other way round
 Commonly used in steel
frame building
 REINFORCED
CONCRETE UPPER
FLOOR SLAB: TWO-
WAY SPANNING
o Suitable for :
 Larger spans
 Heavy loading
 Square grids (most
economical); can also be used
for rectangular & square shape
floor
o Supported on four sides
o Reinforcement bars in two
directions (two-way main bar) &
both are main bars
o For rectangular grids, the shorter
span carries a greater load
o Economic due to reduction in slab
thickness
 REINFORCED
CONCRETE UPPER
FLOOR SLAB: TWO-
WAY FLAT PLATE
FLOOR
o Floor without beam – resting directly on
& cast monolithically with columns
o Slab/plate reinforced at the bottom in
each direction over the whole of its area
o The effect of up truss stress is high
o Reinforcement:
 Both direction at bottom over the whole area
 Same as two-way span – both are main bars
 Both direction at the top of plate
 Reinforcement at the top of column is greater
to support the loads from the floor
REINFOR For economic reasons:

CED o Grid repeats uniformly

CONCRE o Spacing 5.50 m in each direction
between column
TE UPPER o Column layout similar throughout
the buildings
FLOOR o Min 3 bays in each direction + ½

SLAB: bay cantilevered beyond the external

column

TWO- Suitable for light &

WAY medium load buildings:

FLAT o Residential (flat): grid spacing of up

to 4.50m with plate slab 125-150mm
PLATE thick
o Commercial (offices): grid spacing
FLOOR of up to 5.00m with plate slab
200mm thick
 o Advantages:
 Simplification of
formwork
 Simple
reinforcement
 Reduction in dead
weight as compared
to beams & slab
floor
 Standard ceiling
height
 Overall reduction in
total height of
building
 Savings on the cost
REINFORCED of structure (15-
CONCRETE UPPER 20%) as compared
FLOOR SLAB: TWO-WAY to beams & slab
FLAT PLATE FLOOR floor
 o Similar in construction as in
flat plate but are used for
REINFOR heavier evenly distributed
CED superimposed loads
CONCRET o Suitable for warehouses &
E UPPER others with heavy imposed
FLOOR loadings & large imperforate,
SLAB: undivided areas of floor
o Grid spacing of 6.00-7.50m
TWO-WAY
and for loadings of 4.5kN/m2
FLAT and over, with slab thickness
SLAB from 225-300mm
FLOOR o Thickness – 225-300mm
o Advantages similar to flat
plate
 REINFORCED
CONCRETE UPPER
FLOOR SLAB: TWO-
WAY FLAT SLAB
FLOOR
o To increase resistance to shear
& punching stresses over the
points of support (column), the
heads of the columns are
expanded (mushroom cap)
o Mushroom cap can either be
square or circular depending
on the shape of the column
o In some circumstances, the slab
over the mushroom cap can be
thicken to form what is
termed as drop panel
 REINFORCED
CONCRETE UPPER
FLOOR SLAB: ONE-
WAY RIBBED FLOOR
(T-BEAM)

o T-beams cast monolithically

side by side to forming rib at
600mm c/c
o T-beams size – 90 to 100mm
o Depth of rib & slab thickness
depends on the load & span
o Economical up to 10m span, if
over this may require pre-
stressed rib
o An expensive floor to construct
with normal forms, instead
special forms are required
o Used for light or medium load
 REINFORCE
D
CONCRETE
UPPER
FLOOR
SLAB: TWO-
o WAY RIBBED
Waffle/honeycomb
o FLOOR
Used for heavier loads or
longer spans where thickness of
solid slab might be excessive
o Suitable for widely spaced
square column grid & floor
that support comparatively
heavy load
o Advantages:
 Use less concrete & reinforcement
 It has honeycomb pattern –
attractive features
 Reduce the numbers of columns &
beams
 Cost saving for foundation due to
less load
 Add visual aspect of ceiling
ROOF
 ROOF
o Most exposed element in a building
o The supporting structure & the roof must be well-
designed & constructed
o Main function:
 To provide protection from the weather
 To enclose space & to protect the space it covers
(against rain, wind and snow)
 To protect interior of the building from moisture
& excessive heat loss
 An integral part of the structural frame – sustain
load
 FUNCTIONAL
REQUIREMENTS
1. Strength and stability
o Roof structure – A major factor for consideration in the
design & choice of roof structure are span, materials used
& its load over spans of varying degrees
o The economic consideration of roof structure is to keep its
dead weight to a minimum
o Minimum dead weight becomes critical with wide span
building, as such the structural problem in design is trying to
achieve a low dead & live load ratio
o The solutions are:
 Characteristics of materials to be used must be stiff & do
not easily bent
 Form & shape of the roof
 2. Wind pressure
o Varies
according to its
velocity, the
height of the
building & the
locality of the
building
o Wind exert
pressure &
suction on roof
o Excessive
FUNCTIONAL suction can
REQUIREMENTS cause uplift to
roof (stripped
(CONT’D) off)
 FUNCTIONAL
REQUIREMENTS (CONT’D)
3. Weather resistance
o Adequate weather resistance should be provided by the roof
covering
o The nature or type of roof covering will affect the form or
shape & some details of the roof structure
4. Thermal insulation
o Does not affect the design of the roof
o Rarely a factor affecting the choice of the roof type because
normal methods of providing it are generally applicable to all
forms of roof
o Methods used vary & involve the incorporation of flexible
or stiff insulating material in or under the roof cladding or
structure
 FUNCTIONAL
REQUIREMENTS (CONT’D)
5. Fire resistance
o Degree of fire resistance depends upon the proximity of other
buildings & the nature of the building which the roof covers
o Adequate fire resistance is necessary in order to:
 Protect against the spread of fire from & to any adjacent
buildings
 To prevent early collapse of roof
6. Sound insulation
o Roof construction must provide an adequate degree of
insulation against sound from external sources
o Special precautions in the choice & design of the roof structure
is necessary for buildings like concert hall, cinema & theatre (in
noisy localities)
 FACTORS AFFECTING THE
CHOICE OF ROOF
CONSTRUCTION
1. Type of building
o Either the building is high-rise or low-rise building
o Normally flat roof is used in high-rise building & building of
complex or asymmetrical shape
2. Climate
o Countries with rainy seasons usually have pitch roof to avoid
accumulation of water on top of roof
3. Loading
o Whether the top of roof is intended for transportation area, party,
swimming pool, or services
o Must be able to withstand heavy loads of snow during winter
4. Natural lighting
o Affect the material used in roof
o E.g., stadium needs natural lighting
 FACTORS AFFECTING THE
CHOICE OF ROOF
CONSTRUCTION (CONT’D)
5. Services and piping's
o Usually, flat roof can provide space for air-conditioner unit
6. Speed of construction
o Flat roof takes lesser time to construct
7. Ease of maintenance
o Flat roof is easier to maintain than pitch roof because of the flat
surface
8. Economy
o Flat roof is more economical because less difficulties in
construction
9. Aesthetic value
o Pitch roof with coloured tiles is more attractive than flat roof
which has no finishes
10. Prevention of entry of moisture, rain, heat & sound
 ROOF
DESIGN
Various type of
roof design
REINFORCE
D
CONCRETE
FLAT ROOF
o Slope must be not more
than 10°
o Construction details similar
to suspended floor &
gutters are designed to be
hidden
o It can be either solid
reinforced concrete (half-
way span) or pre-cast
o Unlike suspended floor, flat
roof have coverings & edge
details
o Less load compared to
suspended floor, hence no
need to use flat plate
 REINFORCED CONCRETE
FLAT ROOF
o Water proofing can be done by:
 Water proofing cement screed
 Waterproofed reinforced concrete slab
 Add admixture to be waterproof, could eliminate
pores in concrete
 No need plaster
 Water proofing membrane
o Falls required in flat roof is to encourage natural drain-
off of rainwater to gutter or scupper drain, or rainwater
outlet, & falls can be achieved by using screed
 REINFORCED CONCRETE
FLAT ROOF
o Falls can be classified into:
 1-way fall to external gutter
 2-way fall to external gutter
 4-way fall to external gutter
 4-way fall to single internal outlet
 4-way fall to multiple internal outlet
 4-way fall to 2 outlets & valley
 Roof falling to internal gutter
REINFORCE
D
CONCRETE
FLAT ROOF
1-way fall to
external gutter

2-way fall to
external gutter
REINFORCE
D
CONCRETE
FLAT ROOF

4-way fall to
external gutter

4-way fall to 2
outlets/valley
REINFORCE
D
CONCRETE
FLAT ROOF
4-way fall to
single internal
outlet

4-way fall to
multiple internal
outlet
REINFORCE
D
CONCRETE
FLAT ROOF

Roof falling to
internal gutter
 REINFORCED CONCRETE
FLAT ROOF
o Flat roof finishes:
 Material which covers the decking slab to provide
protection from the weather
 Finishes also contribute to thermal insulation,
resistance to fire & condensation of the roof
o Finishes can either be:
 Single sheet material (metal)
 Multiple layer material (bitumen felt)
 Monolithic material applied as liquid & dries to
form a solid covering (asphalt)
 REINFORCED CONCRETE
FLAT ROOF
o Monolithic roof finishes:
 Mastic asphalt, a mixture of:
 Asphaltic cement, which is bitumen (a black water
resisting material which softens when heated and is
derived either naturally or from the distillation of
petroleum
 Aggregate which either asphalt rock or limestone
(limestone naturally impregnated with bitumen)
 Mastic asphalt may be applied to most roof decking
including timber boards & in-situ or pre-cast concrete,
provided that the decking is:
 Sufficiently supported to avoid excessive deflection
 Laid to fall of at least 1:80
REINFORCED CONCRETE
FLAT ROOF: STEPS OF
MONOLITHIC ROOF FINISHES
The decking is
Mastic asphalt is
covered with
heated & spread over
sheathing felt (an
the sheathing felt by
underlay of bitumen
wood float
impregnated felt)

A surface of
The asphalt is applied
protective stone
in two coats of 10mm
chippings is applied
thick
on top of the asphalt
REINFOR
CED
CONCRE
TE FLAT
ROOF
Example
REINFORCED CONCRETE
FLAT ROOF:
EXAMPLE
 Reinforced in-situ concrete roof

REINFOR
CED
CONCRET
E FLAT
ROOF:
EXAMPLE

Reinforced precast concrete roof

 REINFORCED CONCRETE
FLAT ROOF
Advantages Disadvantages
o Simple construction o Poor insulation against transfer
o Space can be used for of heat (no space between roof
and space below)
mechanical plant o Tendency to give an
o For complicated plan shape, appearance of unfinished
flat roof is the best solution building
o Ponding of water if not
properly constructed
o Tends to collects leaves, etc.
o Leakage due to failure of water
proofing construction
TUTORIAL 4
o A suspended concrete floor is a floor slab where its
perimeter is, or at least two of its opposite edges are,
supported on walls, beams or columns that carry its
self-weight & imposed loads.
With the aid of sketches, explain in detail the
construction of suspended concrete floors.