CHAPTER 3

SUPER STRUCTURE
Part 1

1
 Content

➢ Beam

➢ Slab

2
 Introduction

Superstructure

3
 Introduction
⚫ Superstructure Definition
A physical or conceptual structure extended/developed from a
basic form, or
A part of a building or other structure above the foundation.
 Introduction
• solid structures (have
Mass little or no open space
Structure inside).
• e.g. Dams

• have useable space in

Bearing
them.
Wall
• Wall holds floors and
Structure roof above them.

• usually made from wood,

reinforced concrete and
steel.
Framed • The frame made up of
Structure beam and column and it
supports the roof and all
floors, ceilings and
5 contents.
Introduction
Single storey to 4 storey
• Wood frames structure
• Reinforced concrete frames

Tall building
• Reinforced concrete frames
• Steel frames

High Rise & Skyscrapers

• Steel frames
Introduction
 Bearing Wall
Structure

Framed Structure
5
 Introduction

Bearing Wall Structure

Mass
Structure

Framed Structure-Steel
Load Distribution in Structure Elements
DL+ LL+WL+SL
Load Distribution
DL + LL
DL+ LL+WL
⚫ must consider not only what loading conditions might effect a
structure, but also how those loads are transferred from their
point of origin through the structure to the ground.
From occupants? water tank？machineries？

⚫ design decisions concerning the structural framing system will

dictate this flow of forces
⚫ Normally base on load from Dead load, Wind load and Life load.
- Flow of load distribution
- Roof - truss – roof beam – column – foundation
- Wall – beam – column – foundation
- Slab – beam – column – foundation
 Beam and Slab

Superstructure

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Beam
⚫ Beam is a horizontal structure element that is capable to
withstand load primarily by resisting bending.

⚫ The bending force induced into the material of the beam as a

result of the external loads, own weight and the span.
⚫ reactions to these loads is called a bending moment.
 Beam Students read

⚫ Beams are characterized by

⚫ profile (the shape of their cross-section),
⚫ length, and
⚫ material.
⚫ In contemporary construction, beams are typically made of steel,
reinforced concrete, or wood.
⚫ Most common types of steel beam is the i-beam or wide-flange
beam (also known as a "universal beam" or, for stouter sections, a
"universal column") and commonly used in steel-frame buildings and
bridges.

⚫ Other common beam profiles are the

⚫ C-channel,
⚫ the hollow structural section beam,
⚫ the pipe, and the angle.
 Beam
⚫ Beams are also described by how
they are supported:

⚫ A simple beam is supported by a

pin support at one end and a roller
support at the other end.

⚫ cantilever beam - A beam with a

laterally and rotationally fixed
support at one end with no
support at the other end.

⚫ Overhanging beam - A beam

simply supported at two points
and having one end or both ends
extended beyond the supports.

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 Concrete Beam
⚫ There are two methods to construct concrete beam. One is
common construction or we call in-situ method and another one is
by technology called pre-cast concrete beam.

⚫ In-situ concrete beam

⚫ The disadvantages of in-situ concrete are:
1. The need for formwork
2. The time taken for the concrete to cure before the
formwork can be released for the reuse and the beam
made available as a working area
3. The very small contribution by a large proportion of
the concrete to the strength of the beam

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 Concrete Beam
⚫ Pre-cast concrete beam
⚫ Manufacture in the factory. Controlled quality.
⚫ Overcome some or all of disadvantages of in-situ reinforced
concrete slab.
⚫ Design consideration (full economy)-should be within the span,
width, loading, and layout limitation of units under
consideration, coupled with the advantages of repetition.

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 Beams Shapes

⚫ Most beams in reinforced concrete buildings have rectangular

cross sections, but the most efficient cross section for a simply
supported beam is an I or H section.
⚫ Other shapes, like L (angles), C (channels) or tubes, are also used
in construction when there are special requirements.
Purlin, lintel, rack rail, bracing member
 Beam Types
There are 5 type of beam according to its function:
1) Main Beam- Main beam are the beam that stretch over from column
to column where it is main beam to transfer the whole upper load to
column that consist inside the building structural.
2) Secondary Beam: This type of beam is stretches over the main
beam. This beam is also transmitted to the load of the main beam.
The function is reduce a length that support the structure or catch
the load of structure
3) Tertiary Beam : It’s the beam across between the columns and the
main beam and its function is distribute the load from the beam to
column
4) Tie Beam: Beam that stretches over a columns and its purpose to
binding are both of the columns. This is to support stability of
structure. link between column; not connected with slab
5) Edge Beam: Function as binding beam to stretches between the
17 external columns
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 Beam Construction

Launching of the precast-

concrete beam for bridge
structure Reinforced Concrete Beam- Cast
in place (in-situ)
Beam Construction

Installation of the precast concrete beam

Beam Construction

Timber beam
 Slab

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 Slab Students read

⚫ Also known as floor

⚫ Functional requirements of slab/floor are:

⚫ Strength and stability (design requirements)
⚫ Resistance to weather and ground moisture
⚫ Durability and freedom from maintenance Building
⚫ ProFire safety (resisting spread and passage of regulations
fire)
⚫ viding stable support for occupants to evacuate
⚫ Resistance to passage of heat.
⚫ Resistance to the passage of sound

⚫ Common Floor Slabs materials are : Concrete and Timber

Slabs/Floors
Non-
• The slab is in-contact with ground
Suspended • Constructed separately from
Slab ground beam.

• The slab is supported by ground beam

Suspended and hanging above the ground
• Constructed monolithically with the
Slab beam
• Act as roof or floor above ground level
Non-Suspended Slab

• Normally located on the ground (ground slab).

• Commonly used on hard and stable ground condition.
• Provides a level surface that capable to support all
live or dead load.
• Transfer load directly to the ground/soil below it.
• Moisture related problems is the critical condition,
therefore this slab required water proofing.
• Suitability of this method depends on moisture
content of the soil.
 Non-Suspended Slab (construction Method)

Stage 1

⚫ Casting the ground beam 25mm

lower from original depth

⚫ Leveling and well-compacted

sub-grade and crusher run

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 Non-Suspended Slab (construction Method)
Stage 2

Placing damp proof polythene sheet and followed by reinforcing

fabric steel layer

Casting the ground slab to required level as specified in the

constructio n drawing

S.F.L=structural floor level

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 Non-Suspended Slab (construction Method)

Stage 3
⚫ Leveling the slab with
gradient to fall as specified
in the construction drawing
⚫ Applying floor hardener
finisher

Stage 4
⚫ Forming a groove line by
diamond cutter at both end
of ground beam

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 Students read

Considerations during construction

• Use side formwork to form shape of the ground floor

• Define M&E and services piping location and level before placing

concrete

• Install chairs for spacers

• Set up joint inspection, joint survey (architect, engineer, surveyor)

• check all drawing, such as shop drawing, construction drawing of

C&S and Architect)

 Students read

Considerations during construction

• Set up machineries, manpower, tools, equipment, materials,

logistic, weather forces before proceed to concreting

• Always plan for back up (during concreting)

• Pouring concrete can be done by using concrete bucket and crane

or concrete pump

• Side formwork can be removed after 1 days (depend on size of

the structure)

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 SHOP DRAWING
A shop drawing is a drawing or set of drawings produced by
the contractor, supplier, manufacturer, subcontractor,
or fabricator. Shop drawings are typically required
for prefabricated components.

Examples of these include: elevators, structural steel, trusses, pre-cast

concrete, windows, appliances, cabinets, air handling units, and millwork.

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Non-Suspended Slab (Construction Process)

1. Construct base on setting out

2. Define structure level. (always refer general detail drawings)

3. Construct the ground floor base (ground beam, backfill inside
ground beam, lean concrete, anti-termite protection, damp
proof membrane)

4. Used side formwork to form shape

• Typical slab thickness: 150 mm to 200 mm (or more as per
structural design).
5. Install rebar.
• Use chairs/spacers to maintain concrete cover.
• Provide starter bars where necessary for future structural connection

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Non-Suspended Slab (Construction Process) cont.

6. Define M&E and other services before placing concrete.

7. Setup joint inspection. engineer/consultant/surveyor
8. Setup machineries, manpower, tools, equipment, materials, logistics
and weather forces before concreting. Always plan for back-up.

9. Pouring (concrete) using bucket and crane or concrete pump.

• Typical concrete grade: 25 N/mm², 30 N/mm², or as specified. vibrate concrete
adequately to prevent
honeycombing
10. Side formwork can be removed after 1 day.

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 Suspended Slab

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Suspended Slab
⚫ Also known as suspended floor

⚫ Beam and slab cast together

⚫ Typical method of construction from

first floor up to roof beam

⚫ Provides a level of surface that is

capable of supporting all live and dead

loads imposed on it.

⚫ Provide area for M&E services

 Suspended Slab
⚫ Suspended slab constructed monolithically with the beam.

⚫ Starter bar installation is continue from column.

⚫ Used when the condition of ground;

⚫ Has slopes

⚫ Has poor or uncertain bearing capacity

⚫ Is liable to volume change (swells and shrinks)

⚫ Can be constructed using;

⚫ Precast reinforced concrete planks or slab

⚫ Block and beam floor systems or

⚫ In-situ reinforced concrete slabs

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 Suspended Slab Students read

⚫ Main functions:
⚫ To prepare a plane surface

⚫ To support loads

⚫ Operate as a sound, fire and heat

insulator or resistance

⚫ As a ceiling to the beneath floor

⚫ The space between the floor and

ceiling can be used to place

building equipment and materials.
HVAC/lighting/wiring
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Construction of Suspended Slab
 Suspended Slab (detail design)

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Suspended Slab (conventional)
construction procedure
• Conventional or traditional method
• Setting out
• Install soffit formwork for beam
• Install side formwork for beam
• Install formwork for slab
• Install rebar for beam & slab
• Install any starter bars required
• Install spacer block and chairs
• Install ducting or conduit for M&E
• Construct any required opening
• Make sure location of drop slab depression i.e. dp50, dp100, dp150
• Joint inspection (surveyor, engineer, architect, M&E)
• concreting
 Students read

Suspended Slab (conventional)

Advantages
• Well known
• Economy for low cost project
• Material, easy to get
• Easy to modify base on drawing
Disadvantages
• Time constrain
• no working area under the floor
• Need time for concrete to cure
• Required skill workers
• Not so systematic (base on experience)
• Do not allow for cold joint
• Very congested
Suspended Slab (industrialized method)

⚫ METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION:
⚫ Setting out
⚫ Normally using system formwork (beam & slab)
⚫ Install rebar for beam & slab at fabrication yard
⚫ Cast slab or beam at fabrication yard (pre-stress structure)
⚫ Install beam or slab
⚫ Install ducting or conduit for M&E
⚫ Construct any required opening
⚫ Make sure location of drop
⚫ Joint inspection (surveyor, engineer, architect, M&E)
⚫ Concreting (topping up)
 Advantage of modern or
industrialized method: Students read

⚫ Fast track project

⚫ Economy for high cost project
⚫ Sectional slab and beam re-design by f/w consultant
or design by consultant at early stage
⚫ Easy to construct and maintain cleanliness
⚫ Systematic
⚫ Reduce +/- 50% of concrete volume (hollow section)
⚫ Reduce +/- 25% of reinforcement weight
⚫ Reduce +/- 10% of foundation size

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 Disadvantage of modern or
industrialized method: Students read

⚫ Required skill workers

⚫ Cannot simply cut for opening
⚫ Take time to study and plan for the system
⚫ Not every contractor can afford cost and
ability to construct

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Suspended Slab (industrialized method)
Suspended Slab (industrialized method)
 QUIZ 2
1) Give two (2) differences between the end bearing piles and
the friction piles. (4 marks)
2) List four (4) factors to be consider when selecting the type
of foundation for building construction. (4 marks)
3) Define the following:
i. Suspended slab (1 mark)
ii. Non-suspended slab (1 mark)

Duration: 20 minutes

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