ABSTRACT
This chapter considers several types of floors and explores the design of the ground floor of the building. Some of the designs are equally suitable for upper floors if modifications are made. The load on the beams supporting the floor should be investigated to determine the most adverse combination of loads. The appropriate section in BS8110 covers three main types of construction. They are slabs formed from permanent blocks with intervening cast in situ concrete ribs and with or without topping; slabs formed by the use of forms that are removed after the concrete has hardened; and slabs that have a flat soffit but incorporate voids of various shapes. It is reasonable to require the topping to be sufficiently strong to span between the ribs if it is subjected to concentrated loads, such as those due to partitions parallel to the ribs.
