What Is Slab Beam / Hidden Beam / Concealed Beam | Advantage and Disadvantage

What Is Slab Beam / Hidden Beam / Concealed Beam?

The hidden beam is a reinforced concrete beam, also knows as a different name also like that, a Concealed Beam, and a Slab beam provided within the depth of supporting slabs.

So, the depth of the hidden beam is the same as slab depth, as may be noticed in as per below fig. Concealed beams are popular and form an essential part of modern reinforced concrete framed structures.

Lastly, strict and rigid architectural considerations led to the provision of hidden beams. In this manner, the load which could be brick wall will be dealt with, and the height of the floor won’t be compromised.

In this article, a different aspect of reinforced concrete hidden beams will be discussed.

Also, read: Why Hairline Cracks in Concrete | Type of Cracks in Concrete 

Why It Is Used?

The concept of a Slab beam originated from a flat slab concept. Hidden Beams only means to spread the concentrated load of the walls on the slab area.

Where Did It Use in Buildings?

Hidden beams are usually inserted inside the suspended slabs where slab thickness is considerable.

The hidden beam is provided between dining and living spaces right angle to each other. This gives a neat and level ceiling surface that’s good for the look.

How to Design a Slab Beam / Hidden Beam / Concealed Beam?

The design of a hidden beam is the same as a conventional beam, but its depth is restricted and shouldn’t be greater slab thickness.

Therefore, it might be required to increase the reinforcement ration and width of the beam to overcome this restriction to a certain degree.

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Purpose of Slab Beam / Hidden Beam / Concealed Beam

• It’s used to help disperse loads imposed on the slab for example weight of brickwork masonry wall

• It allows using of greater span for the slab

• Hidden beams are provided exclusively for architectural aesthetic purposes in the building interior

• To break a wide panel of a slab into considerable size.

• Around the cutouts

• To improve architectural aesthetic appearance by providing neat and leveled ceiling surface

• To achieve maximum floor height.

• To clear the way for electromechanical duct-work

• It saves floor height clearance.

• It allows if brickwork needs to be constructed over the slab.

Also, read: What Is Floating Slab| Floating Slab Construction | How to Build a Floating Slab | Advantages & Disadvantages Floating Slabs

Advantages of Slab Beam / Hidden Beam / Concealed Beam

Slab Beam / Hidden Beam / Concealed Beam are desired structural element because of several advantages which include:

• By providing  Hidden Beam floor height can achieved, clears the way for electromechanical duct-work, economical and also aesthetic appearance of the building.

• This is more applicable to commercial buildings.

• It’s economical as it saves the cost of materials, formwork, and labour.

Disadvantages of Slab Beam / Hidden Beam / Concealed Beam

The disadvantage of the hidden beam is that it’s considerably low ductility because of the height reinforcement ratio that’s provided to compensate for depth restriction specifically at column connection.

Structurally it creates a spanning problem, as spans for structural support are in a right angle to each other. This means one slab structurally rests over the other.