ABSTRACT

This thesis presents a critical study and comparative analysis of flat slabs and waffle
slabs using manual calculations, STAAD.Pro, and ETABS software. The study aims to
evaluate the structural performance and cost-effectiveness of both slab types for a
building with a rectangular grid of 7 m x 6 m, designed to support an imposed load of
4 kN/m² and a floor finish load of 1 kN/m². Design parameters include concrete grade
fck = 20 MPa and steel grade fy = 415 MPa.
In this study a comparative analysis of flat slabs and waffle slabs, focusing on their
structural behavior, cost implications, and design considerations using two prominent
design standards, namely IS 456:2000 and Eurocode. The analysis encompasses
fundamental aspects such as load distribution, deflection characteristics, and
construction feasibility. Structural analysis was conducted using software tools
including STAAD.Pro and ETABS, highlighting differences in performance under
varying loads and boundary conditions. Cost estimation models were developed to
assess economic viability, considering material usage and construction complexity.
Findings reveal that while flat slabs offer simplicity in construction and reduced
formwork requirements, waffle slabs exhibit superior load-carrying capacity and
stiffness, particularly advantageous for larger spans and heavy loads. The study
underscores the importance of selecting appropriate design methodologies aligned with
project-specific requirements and regulatory frameworks. Future research directions
include exploring long-term deflection behavior, integrating sustainability metrics, and
advancing structural analysis techniques to further enhance design efficiency and
performance of both slab types.
The study concludes that the choice between flat and waffle slabs should be based
on specific project requirements, including budget constraints, structural performance,
and construction feasibility. The use of STAAD.Pro and ETABS software proved
invaluable in validating the designs and providing detailed insights into structural
behavior, underscoring the importance of integrated design approaches in modern
structural engineering. This comparative analysis provides essential information for
engineers and architects to make informed decisions regarding slab selection in building
design.

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table No. Content Page

Table 3.1 Design Life 43
Table 3.2 Moment Distribution for Longer Span 57
Table 3.3 Moment Distribution for Shorter Span 58
Table 3.4 Moment Distribution for Exterior Span (Longer) 60
Table 3.5 Moment Distribution for Exterior Span (Shorter) 61
Table 3.6 Summary result of flat slab as per IS 456:2000 69
Table 3.7 Apportionment of moments between column strips 72
Table 3.8 Apportionment of moments between column strips and 73
middle strips (Shorter Span)
Table 3.9 Summary result of flat slab as per Eurocode 2 81
Table 3.10 Summary result of waffle slab as per IS 456:2000 91
Table 3.11 Summary result of waffle slab as per IS Eurocode 2 102

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 LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Topic Page No.
Figure 3.1 Flow chart 35
Figure 3.2 Percentage of Tension Reinforcement 45
2Figure 3.3 Components of Flat Slab Construction (IS Code) 55
Figure 3.4 Periphery of Critical Section (IS Code) 62
Figure 3.5 Reinforcement detail (IS Code) 68
Figure 3.6 Section Through Column Strip 68
Figure 3.7 Section through Middle Strip (IS Code) 68
Figure 3.8 Components of Flat Slab Construction (Eurocode2) 70
Figure 3.9 Periphery of Critical Section (Eurocode 2) 74
Figure 3.10 Reinforcement detail (Eurocode 2) 80
Figure 3.11 Section through Column Strip (Eurocode 2) 80
Figure 3.12 Section through Middle Strip (Eurocode 2) 80
Figure 3.13 Detailings of Steel in Waffle Slab 90
Figure 3.14 Detailings of Steel in Waffle Slab 101
Figure 3.15 Defining the nodes of flat slab 104
Figure 3.16 Defining the nodes of waffle slab 104
Figure 3.17 Render model of flat slab 105
Figure 3.18 Render model of waffle slab 105
Figure 3.19 Define material properties and slab thickness of flat slab 106
Figure 3.20 Define material properties and slab thickness of waffle 106
slab
Figure 3.21 Define support on flat slab 107
Figure 3.22 Define support on waffle slab 107
Figure 3.23 Define load (dead and live load) on slab 108
Figure 3.24 Define load (dead and live load) on slab 108
Figure 3.25 Define concrete design of flat slab as per IS Code 109
Figure 3.26 Define concrete design of waffle slab as per IS Code 109
Figure 3.27 Nodal displacement result of flat slab 110
Figure 3.28 Nodal displacement result of waffle slab 111
Figure 3.29 Bending moment (a) longer span, and (b) shorter span) 112
on flat slab
Figure 3.30 Bending moment (a) longer span, and (b) shorter span) 113
on waffle slab
Figure 3.31 Defining the nodes of flat slab 114
Figure 3.32 Defining the nodes of waffle slab 115
Figure 3.33 Render model of flat slab 115
Figure 3.34 Render model of waffle slab 116
Figure 3.35 Define material properties and slab thickness of flat slab 117
Figure 3.36 Define material properties and slab thickness of waffle 117
slab
Figure 3.37 Define support on flat slab 118
Figure 3.38 Define support on waffle slab 118
Figure 3.39 Define load (dead and live load) on slab 119
Figure 3.40 Define load (dead and live load) on slab 119

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Figure 3.41 Define concrete design of flat and waffle slab as per IS 120
Code
Figure 3.42 Define concrete design of flat and waffle slab as per 120
Eurocode 2
Figure 3.43 Nodal displacement result of flat slab 121
Figure 3.44 Nodal displacement result of waffle slab 121
Figure 3.45 Bending moment (a) longer span and (b) shorter span on 122
flat slab
Figure 3.46 Bending moment (a) longer span and (b) shorter span on 123
waffle slab
Figure 4.1 Variation of deflection of flat and waffle slab with 126
different approaches (IS456:2000)
Figure 4.2 Variation of deflection of flat and waffle slab with 126
different approaches (Eurocode 2)
Figure 4.3 Variation of bending moment (longer span) of flat and 127
waffle slab with different approaches (IS456:2000)
Figure 4.4 Variation of bending moment (longer span) of flat and 127
waffle slab with different approaches (Eurocode 2)
Figure 4.5 Variation of bending moment (shorter span) of flat and 128
waffle slab with different approaches (IS456:2000)
Figure 4.6 Variation of bending moment (shorter span) of flat and 128
waffle slab with different approaches (Eurocode 2)
Figure 4.7 Cost variation of flat and waffle slab with different 130
approaches (IS456:2000)
Figure 4.8 Cost variation of flat and waffle slab with different 131
approaches (Eurocode 2)

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 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

C.S. Conventional Slab

ETABS Extended Three Dimensional Analysis of Building System
F.S. Flat Slab
HPC High Performance Concrete
IS Indian Standard
MF Modification Factor
R.C. Reinforced Concrete
STAAD Pro Structural Analysis and Design Program
UHPC Ultra High – Performance Concrete.
W.S. Waffle Slab

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 LIST OF SYMBOLS

c Ratio of flexural stiffness of the exterior column to the flexural

stiffness of slab at a joint
Ast Area of Steel
c Ratio of short side to long side of column
b0 Periphery of the critical sector
bf Effective width of flange
bw Breadth of web or rib
C Torsional Constant
D Overall depth of beam or slab
Df Thickness of flange
DL Dead load
d Effective depth of beam or slab
DX Flexural Rigidity of beam in X – direction
DY Flexural Rigidity of beam in Y – direction
Ec Modulus of elasticity of concrete
Es Modulus of elasticity of steel
fck Characteristic cube compressive strength of concrete
FF Floor Finish
fy Characteristic Strength of Steel
G Shear Modulus
Gk Permanent Action
kc Sum of the flexural Stiffness of the column meeting at joint.
ks Flexural stiffness of the slab expressed as moment per unit
rotation.
LL Live load or imposed load
ln Clear span, face-to-face of supports
lx Length of shorter side of slab
ly Length of longer side of slab
M Bending moment
Mxy Maximum Torsional Moment
Nx No. of beams in X – direction
Ny No. of beams in Y – direction
 Poisson’s Ratio
Qk Variable Action
SS Stress in Reinforcement at Serviceability Limit State
ul Perimeter of Column
V Shear force
Vedmax. Maximum Design Shear Stress.
W Total load
wo Distributed load per unit area
z Lever arm
c Shear stress in concrete
v Nominal shear stress
 Diameter of bar

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