Design of Waffle Slabs

Design of Waffle Slabs
Waffle slabs are reinforced concrete slabs that are normally employed for large-span construction.
They can be described as the equivalent of 2-way spanning solid slabs but with a ribbed slab
system spanning in both directions. In waffle slabs, the grids run in two directions to provide support
for the floor.
Waffle slabs have a flat top and a surface resembling a grid made of concrete joists on the bottom.
After the concrete has set and cured, the waffle moulds are removed to create the grid. Due to the
rigidity of the waffle slab, this form of structure is suggested for buildings like manufacturing plants
and laboratories that require little vibration.
Additionally, waffle slabs are utilized in structures like theatres and train stations that call for
expansive open areas. Waffle slabs may be more expensive than other types of slabs because they
require intricate formwork, but depending on the project and the amount of concrete used, they
may be less expensive to construct.
The design concept of waffle slabs is similar to that of ribbed slabs, with the difference being that
waffle slabs have ribs spanning in both directions, and the coefficients used for analysing the slab are
similar to those used for a two-way restrained slab. Waffle slabs are supported on beams or columns,
where the support zones are made to be uniformly thick.
Design Example of Waffle Slab
A church building has a square grid of 7.5m x 7.5m of waffle slab, and is to support an imposed load
of 5 kN/m2, design an interior panel of the waffle slab, and a supporting beam. fck = 30 Mpa, fyk = 500
Mpa. The design will be done according to Eurocode 2 (EN 1992-1-1:2004).
For details of waffle mould, see details of technical data sheet.
Solution
From basic span/effective depth ratio of 26, the trial depth of slab to be adopted = 7500/26 = 288
mm
From the table, let us select the following mould details;

Mould height = 225 mm
Top layer thickness = 75 mm
Total height of slab = 300 mm
Average rib width = 176 mm
Load Analysis
Self weight of concrete = 5.2 kN/m2 (see technical data sheet)
Finishes = 1.2 kN/m2
Partition allowance = 1.5 kN/m2
Total permanent action = 7.9 kN/m2
Imposed load = 5 kN/m2
At ultimate limit state = 1.35gk + 1.5qk = 1.35(7.9) + 1.5(5) = 18.165 kN/m2
Load per rib = 0.9 × 18.165 = 16.35 kN/m2
Analysis of the slab

Treating as all sides fixed:
k = Ly/Lx = 1.0
Span coefficient = +0.024
Support coefficients = -0.032
Design of the span

Designing the span as a T-beam;
MEd = 0.024 × 16.35 × 7.52 = 22.07 kN.m
Effective depth (d) = h – Cnom – ϕ/2 – ϕlinks

Assuming ϕ12 mm bars will be employed for the main bars, and ϕ10 mm bars for the stirrups (links)
d = 300 – 25 – (12/2) -10 = 259 mm
k = MEd/(fckbd2) = (22.07 × 106)/(30 × 500 × 2592) = 0.0219

Since k < 0.167, no compression reinforcement required
z = d[0.5+ √(0.25 – 0.882k)]

k’ = 0.0219
z = d[0.5+ √((0.25 – 0.882(0.0219))] = 0.95d = 246.05 mm
Depth to neutral axis x = 2.5(d – z) = 2.5(259 – 246.05) = 32.375 mm < 1.25hf (93.75 mm)
Therefore, we design rib as a rectangular section
Area of tension reinforcement As1 = MEd / (0.87fyk z)

As1 = MEd / (0.87fyk z) = (22.07 × 106) / (0.87 × 500 × 0.95 × 259) = 206 mm2
Provide 2H12 Bot (ASprov = 226 mm2)
Check for deflection

ρ = As,req /bd = 206 / (900 × 259) = 0.0008837
ρ0 = reference reinforcement ratio = 10-3√(fck) = 10-3√(30) = 0.00547
Since ρ ≤ ρ0;
L/d = k [11 + 1.5√(fck) ρ0/ρ + 3.2√(fck) (ρ0/ρ – 1)(3⁄2)]
k = 1.5 (continuous system)
L/d = 1.5 [11 + 1.5√(30) × (0.00547/0.0008837) + 3.2√(30) × [(0.00547 / 0.0008837) – 1] (3⁄2)]
L/d = 1.5[11 + 50.855 + 207.227] = 269.082
βs = (500 Asprov)/(fyk Asreq) = (500 × 226) / (500 × 206) = 1.09
beff/bw = 900/176 = 5.11
Therefore multiply basic length/effective depth ratio by 0.8

Therefore limiting L/d = 1.09 × 0.8 × 269.082 = 234.639
Actual L/d = 7500/259 = 28.96
Since Actual L/d (28.96) < Limiting L/d (234.639), deflection is satisfactory.
Design of Supports;
MEd = 0.032 × 16.35 × 7.52 = 29.43 kN.m
k = MEd/(fckbd2) = (29.43 × 106)/(30 × 176 × 2592) = 0.083

Since k < 0.167, no compression reinforcement required
z = d[0.5+ √(0.25 – 0.882k)]

k = 0.083
z = d[0.5+ √((0.25 – 0.882(0.083))] = 0.92d
Area of tension reinforcement As1 = MEd / (0.87fyk z)

As1 = MEd / (0.87fyk z) = (29.43 × 106) / (0.87 × 500 × 0.92 × 259) = 283 mm2
Provide 3H12 TOP (ASprov = 339 mm2)
Shear Design
Maximum shear force in the rib
VEd = 0.33 × 16.35 × 7.5 = 40.466 kN/m
VRd,c = [CRd,c.k.(100ρ1 fck)(1/3) + k1.σcp]bw.d ≥ (Vmin + k1.σcp) bw.d
CRd,c = 0.18/γc = 0.18/1.5 = 0.12

k = 1 + √(200/d) = 1 + √(200/259) = 1.88 < 2.0, therefore, k = 1.88
Vmin = 0.035k(3/2) fck0.5
Vmin = 0.035 × (1.88)1.5 × 300.5 = 0.494 N/mm2
ρ1 = As/bd = 339/(176 × 259) = 0.00743 < 0.02; Therefore take 0.00743
VRd,c = [0.12 × 1.88 (100 × 0.00743 × 30 )(1/3)] × 176 × 259 = 28941.534 N = 228.94 kN
Since VRd,c (28.94 kN) < VEd (40.466 kN), shear reinforcement is required.
The compression capacity of the compression strut (VRd,max) assuming θ = 21.8° (cot θ = 2.5)
VRd,max = (bw.z.v1.fcd) / (cot⁡θ + tanθ)

V1 = 0.6(1 – fck/250) = 0.6(1 – 30/250) = 0.528
fcd = (αcc fck) / γc = (0.85 × 30) / 1.5 = 17 N/mm2
Let z = 0.9d
VRd,max = [(176 × 0.9 × 259 × 0.528 × 17) / (2.5 + 0.4)] × 10-3 = 126.981 kN
Since < VEd < VRd,c < VRd,max
Hence Asw / S = VEd / (0.87 Fyk z cot θ) = 40466 / (0.87 × 500 × 0.9 × 259 × 2.5 ) = 0.159
Minimum shear reinforcement;

Asw / S = ρw,min × bw × sinα (α = 90° for vertical links)
ρw,min = (0.08 × √(fck)) / fyk = (0.08 × √30) / 500 = 0.000876
Asw/Smin = 0.000876 × 176 × 1 = 0.154
Maximum spacing of shear links = 0.75d = 0.75 × 259 = 194.25 mm
Provide H8mm @ 175 mm c/c as shear links (Asw / S = 0.574)
Slab Topping
A142 BRC Mesh can be provided or H8 @ 250mm c/c
Watch out for design of supporting beams…

Design of Waffle Slabs

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Design of Waffle Slabs

Design Example of Waffle Slab

For details of waffle mould, see details of technical data sheet.

From the table, let us select the following mould details;

Imposed load = 5 kN/m2

At ultimate limit state = 1.35gk + 1.5qk = 1.35(7.9) + 1.5(5) = 18.165 kN/m2

Load per rib = 0.9 × 18.165 = 16.35 kN/m2

Analysis of the slab

Design of the span

Effective depth (d) = h – Cnom – ϕ/2 – ϕlinks

k = MEd/(fckbd2) = (22.07 × 106)/(30 × 500 × 2592) = 0.0219

z = d[0.5+ √(0.25 – 0.882k)]

Area of tension reinforcement As1 = MEd / (0.87fyk z)

Provide 2H12 Bot (ASprov = 226 mm2)

Check for deflection

βs = (500 Asprov)/(fyk Asreq) = (500 × 226) / (500 × 206) = 1.09

beff/bw = 900/176 = 5.11

Therefore multiply basic length/effective depth ratio by 0.8

k = MEd/(fckbd2) = (29.43 × 106)/(30 × 176 × 2592) = 0.083

z = d[0.5+ √(0.25 – 0.882k)]

Area of tension reinforcement As1 = MEd / (0.87fyk z)

VRd,c = [CRd,c.k.(100ρ1 fck)(1/3) + k1.σcp]bw.d ≥ (Vmin + k1.σcp) bw.d

CRd,c = 0.18/γc = 0.18/1.5 = 0.12

VRd,max = (bw.z.v1.fcd) / (cot⁡θ + tanθ)

Since < VEd < VRd,c < VRd,max

Minimum shear reinforcement;

Watch out for design of supporting beams…

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