Concrete Ribbed Slabs: Review of Structural Performance, Design Methodologies, and Recent Research Developments

In this review, a novel ribbed ground slab (RGS) system without mid-span support for underground buildings is proposed, and the mechanics model of the RGS is established. Because they lower both the amount of concrete and the total weight of the structure, the latter being the most significant, ribbed slabs are very common in reinforcement concrete building. The review addresses the basic one–way ribbed slab structural system with its major parts, i.e. concrete topping, longitudinal ribs, reinforcement and supports. Special emphasis is placed on flexural performance, shear capacity, deflection, cracking and serviceability criteria. In addition, conventional design methodologies that utilize traditional reinforced concrete design principles and numerical methods particularly finite element (FE) analysis to predict the structural behaviour under various loading conditions are presented. Comparative studies demonstrate the effects of rib spacing , rib depth, screed thickness, reinforcement configuration, and material properties on structural efficiency and performance. Recent trends such as the use of fiber reinforced concrete, light weight materials, sophisticated numerical modeling, vibration control, fire resistance and sustainable design are also discussed. A numerical example is presented to illustrate the calculation of equivalent line load, maximum bending moment and support shear for simply supported ribbed slab. Major gaps for future research are long-term behavior, experimental verification of numerical modeling, construction variation, and linking structural performance with that of environment. Results show that to have a good design of ribbed slab, strength, stiffness, serviceability, material efficiency and constructability should be considered properly.