Grid/ Waffle Slab

Outline of Presentation
Definition
Where this system can be used
Features of the Grid Slab
Decorative grid slabs in historical structures
Types of Grid Slab
Comparison: Long Span Structures
Construction
Construction Technique
Formwork Required
Reinforcements Details
Modification in Grid Slab for Utility
Services Provided in Grid Slab
Benefits
Iconic Landmarks using Grid Slabs
Definition:
A grid slab is a type of building material that has two-
directional reinforcement on the outside of the
material, giving it the shape of the pockets on a
waffle.
Where this system can be used ?

Can be used as both ceiling and floor slab.

Used in the areas where less number of columns are provided,

i.e. it is basically used in the areas which has huge spans.

Used for specialized projects that involve clean rooms, spaces requiring
seclusion from low frequency vibration or those needing low floor deflections.

The concrete grid slab is often used for industrial and commercial buildings
while wood and metal waffle slabs are used in many other construction sites.
Where this system is used ? (Contd.)

This form of construction is used in airports, parking garages, commercial and

industrial buildings, bridges, residences and other structures requiring extra
stability.

The main purpose of employing this technology is for its strong foundation
characteristics of crack and sagging resistance. Grid slab also holds a greater
amount of load compared with conventional concrete slabs.
Features of the Grid Slab
They are used on flat sites.
No beam excavation is required.
No controlled or rolled fill is used.
Cardboard slab panel/void formers
are used.
Slab panels are on 1 metre grids
(approximately).
Trench mesh or individual bars can
be used.
Slab thickness is 85 - 100 mm.
Internal beams are 110 200 mm
wide.
There is minimal concrete volume.
No beam down drag from clay (above
ground slab) occurs.
Shrinkage of slab is lower than
stiffened rafts and footing slabs.
They use 30% less concrete than a
stiffened raft.
They use 20% less steel than a
stiffened raft.
Decorative grid slabs in historical structures

Tomb of Galileo, Vatican City

Apsis in Nazar, Portugal

Arch of Septimius Severus, Rome

Decorative grid slabs in historical structures (Contd.)

Late 16th century coffered ceiling of Coffering on the ceiling of the

Santa Maria in Aracoeli, Rome Pantheon, Rome
Types of Grid Slab

Diagrid Orthogonal

3-way Grids For Triangular & Hexagonal Areas

Comparison: Long Span Structures

3m-50 m 6m-60m 8m-75m

10m-70m 10m-90m 20m-1200m

Construction
Grids are generally limited to the interior
of a slab, leaving one or two of the
forms out to create a solid fill around the
supports.

The solid fills provide the strength

required for shear transfer to the
supports.

The fills also reduce the compression

stresses at the soffit of the floor around
the supports, thus avoiding the
necessity of bottom reinforcement in this
region.

Picture illustrate typical grid

constructions using unbounded tendons.

A light top mesh over the grid is

generally the only top reinforcement at
the interior of the floor panels.
Construction Technique

1. Arranging the 2. Fixing the 3. Fixing the Framework 4. Providing a horizontal

Framework Connectors connector

5. Placing the Pods 6. Fixing pods to the 7. Removing framework 8. Removing

connectors connectors

9. Removing pods 10. Providing stacking

Formwork Required

The formwork required for grid slabs are

as follows:
Grid Pod Clits
Vertical support stand Pods
Horizontal support beams Metal/Steel bars
Connectors Cube junctions
Wall connectors Hole plates
Reinforcements Details

Reinforcement
detail at
junction of wall
and grid slab.

Reinforcement detail
at junction of sloping
slab and grid slab.

Reinforcement Detail at
Junction of Beam and
grid slab.
Modification in Grid Slab for Utility

Lens lights to provide diffused daylight

through concrete roofs.

Lens lights are used in a concrete roof

as roof lights to provide resistance to
fire, for reasons of security and to
reduce sound transmission.

Square or round glass blocks or lenses

those are cast into reinforced concrete
ribs.

The lens lights can be pre-cast and

bedded in place on site or in-situ cast in
a concrete roof.
Services Provided in Grid Slab

Spanish architects, Alarcon &

Associates, have modified the
conventional grid slab to fill it with holes
so that services can be run within the
depth of the slab, reducing the floor to
floor height and getting some of that
extra cost back.
This new system they invented is called
the Holedeck.

Due to the holes in the grid system

following services can be provided:
Air-conditioning
Plumbing
Lighting
Insulation Materials
Wiring etc.
Services Provided in Grid Slab (Contd.)
Benefits

Flexible

Relatively light, therefore less

foundation costs and longer spans are
economic

Speed of construction

Fairly slim floor depths

Robustness

Excellent vibration control

Good for services integration

Durable finishes

Fire resistance
Iconic Landmarks using Grid Slabs

Metropol Parasol, Italy

It is the worlds largest wooden

structure which is made up of
waffle system.

Chattrapati Shivaji Terminal,

India

It is recognized for its innovative

column design which also
consists waffle design.
Iconic Landmarks using Grid Slabs (Contd.)

Museum of the Park

Fortaleza, Brazil

Lodytel Communication Development

Centre, Spain
Thank You