STRUCTURAL CONCRETE ELEMENTS

   

Structural concrete can be used for almost all buildings, whether single story or multistory. The concrete building may contain some or all of the following main structural elements. 

• Slabs are horizontal plate elements in building floors and roofs. They may carry gravity loads as well as lateral loads. The depth of the slab is usually very small relative to its length or width.

• Beams are long, horizontal, or inclined members with limited width and depth. Their main function is to support loads from slabs.

 • Columns are critical members that support loads from beams or slabs. They may be subjected to axial loads or axial loads and moments. 

• Frames are structural members that consist of a combination of beams and columns or slabs, beams, and columns. They may be statically determinate or statically indeterminate frames.

• Footings are pads or strips that support columns and spread their loads directly to the soil. 

• Walls are vertical plate elements resisting gravity as well as lateral loads as in the case of basement walls. 

• Stairs are provided in all buildings either low or high rise.