Two-Way Joist Concrete Slab Floor (Waffle Slab) System Analysis and Design (ACI 318-14)
Design the concrete floor slab system shown below for an intermediate floor with partition weight of 50 psf, and unfactored live load of 100 psf. The lateral loads are independently resisted by shear walls. A flat plate system will be considered first to illustrate the impact longer spans and heavier applied loads. A waffle slab system will be investigated since it is economical for longer spans with heavy loads. The dome voids reduce the dead load and electrical fixtures can be fixed in the voids. Waffle system provides an attractive ceiling that can be left exposed when possible producing savings in architectural finishes. The Equivalent Frame Method (EFM) shown in ACI 318 is used in this example. The hand solution from EFM is also used for a detailed comparison with the model results of spSlab engineering software program from StructurePoint.
Figure 1 – Two-Way Flat Concrete Floor System