One of the major applications of concrete in residential construction in Kenya is that it is used in the construction of concrete slabs for making floors and ceilings. Concrete slabs are structural elements used to create flat horizontal surfaces and transfer loads safely from the columns to the walls. Generally, concrete slabs can be either ground-bearing or suspended. Slab on the ground is the most common type of concrete slab and is laid directly on the foundation while suspended slabs are constructed above the ground level and are commonly used for floors and upper stories. Concrete slabs in Kenya can also be prefabricated off-site and assembled on-site or constructed on the site using formwork. Suspended ground floors are increasingly becoming popular among homeowners as they seek to benefit from their advantages.
Why homeowners prefer suspended slabs in Kenya
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Creates additional space
Having suspended floors creates extra storage space on the same square meter for your household items or laundry and garage.
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Lower construction costs
Constructing suspended slabs is cheaper compared to the others because the labor, excavation, and forming costs are lower since the slab is built on undisturbed soil.
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Fast completion of projects
Due to their time-saving characteristics, suspended slabs are advantageous because they result in quick completion of projects since there are no extensive excavations required.
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Less risk of flooding
Unlike standard ground floor slabs, suspended slabs do not sit directly on the ground. This helps improve the proper airflow and ventilation, therefore, preventing mold and dry rot over the damp ground, and there is also less risk of flooding.
Types of concrete slabs for residential homes in Kenya
Various requirements and circumstances need the selection of the appropriate and cost-effective concrete slab taking into consideration the type of building, architectural plan, aesthetic elements, and span length. Below are the common types of concrete slabs used in residential construction in Kenya.
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Convectional slabs
These slabs are supported with beams and columns and are mainly classified into one-way and two-way slabs, whereby one-way slabs are supported only on one of their opposite sides, while two-way slabs are supported on all four sides.
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Flat slabs
These slabs are directly supported by columns without the use of beams, they are easy to construct and require less formwork compared to conventional concrete slabs. Flat slabs lower the floor-to-floor height and are used to improve the light diffusion on the plain roof surface.
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Waffle slabs
These slabs are designed to have square grids with deep sides without column interference, they take greater loads compared to conventional slabs and are suitable for longer spans. Waffle slabs can be divided into two; triangular and square pod systems according to their shape. They are suitable for use as roof and floor slabs
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Composite slabs
These slabs involve the construction of a reinforced concrete cast on top of a steel decking as a supporting system for the above concrete slab, they gain superior strength, weight, and stiffness-weight ratio.
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Hollow core slabs
These slabs are designed to reduce the overall weight of the concrete by having cores and voids within them. Unlike conventional slabs, these slabs always consume less concrete and achieve longer spans therefore suitable for multistory buildings. These slabs have excellent fire resistance and sound insulation properties due to their thickness.
Wrap-up
Given that every lab has its own structural considerations, it is essential to choose the right slab for your residential home construction in Kenya because choosing the wrong type could cause the slab to crack under the strain of its own weight or regular traffic flow.
