Slabs

Concrete slabs come in a variety of forms, which can be divided into two categories – precast or in situ, depending on where the concrete was cast. Wherever the concrete is cast it may be reinforced or prestressed. Reinforced concrete uses steel bars to resist the tension in the slab. Prestressed concrete has high strength steel strand cast in it which compresses the concrete and maximises the benefit of concrete compressive strengths.

Precast concrete options are cast in a factory environment and include the following prestressed concrete options:

• Hollowcore units
• Double-tee units
• Solid concrete units
• Beam and block floors

Precast reinforced concrete slabs include:

• Lattice girder slabs
• Biaxial voided slabs
• Solid concrete units

In situ reinforced concrete options include:

• One-way slabs
• Two-way slabs
• Ribbed slabs
• Waffle slabs
• Flat slabs

In-situ concrete can also be prestressed after casting the concrete and this is known as post-tensioning, and the options include:

• Flat slabs
• One-way slabs
• Ribbed slabs