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Civil Engineering/FLATSLAB THICKNESS

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Expert: - 1/15/2010


Question
Dear Arshad,
What flat slab thickness do I assume for a shopping floor with column supports in a grid spacing of 10x8m.
The building is to be put up in Nairobi.

Answer
Hi Samual,

This really depends on various factors, such as:

1. Whether you can use column heads/drop panels or not.
2. What the usage and loading is (to control deflection). Shopping zones can be for a mall or for storage shelves.
3. How many spans- continuous, edge situation, etc.
4. What the fire-rating/concrete cover is.

As a rule of thumb, for 10x8m, I would expect the RC slab to be between 400 to 500mm deep if no drop panels are used, and about 75-100mm thinner with drop panels.

Check out these websites:

www.cementindustry.co.uk/PDF/BPG%20Flat%20Slabs.pdf

web.iiit.ac.in/~rahman/is456.pdf

Civil Engineering

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Arshad Khan

Expertise

I can answer any questions to do with civil and structural engineering consultancy and construction industry in East Africa and the Middle East, and specifically with the analysis and design of reinforced concrete structures. My particular expertise is in the aseismic design and optimisation of tall buildings.

Experience

Employment history: 36 years in Construction and consultancy in the UK, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Africa, Somalia, Zambia, Austria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Doha and the U.A.E.

Organizations
.Fellow of Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) .Fellow of Institution of Civil Engineers(UK) .Member of the Institution of Engineers, Kenya .Registered Engineer, ERB, Kenya .Member of the Architectural Association of Kenya (Engineers Chapter) .Chartered Engineer (UK)

Publications
•1984: International Conference on the Art and Practice of Structural Design, London •1994: 3rd Int. Kerensky Conference in Structural Engineering, Singapore •2008: International Conference on High-Rise Towers, Abu Dhabi

Education/Credentials
BSc, 1st Class Hons, in Building Engineering, University of Bath, UK MSc in Concrete Structures and Technology, University of London. Diploma of Imperial College, UK.

Awards and Honors
•Science Congress Special Award (for 2-seater Hovercraft - 1968) •Institution of Civil Engineers Award for outstanding performance at Bath University (1975) •Concrete Society Postgraduate study Bursary Award (1976) •Consular Representative for British High Commission, Nairobi. (1995 to 1998) •Examiner for Institution of Civil Engineers Professional Interviews, Nairobi. (1997 to 1998) •Branch Representative in Vienna for PI assessment for Inst. of Struct. Engrs. (1999 to date)

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