Flat Plate Systems
This system was initially developed at the beginning of the century by Robert Maillart in Switzerland and C.A.P. Turner in the USA. The first systems had thicker floor slabs around the columns to increase the slab's resistance to punching shear. The flate plate resists this shear by an increase in the reinforcing steel or the introduction of shear heads at the columns. This is a very common system today for moderately sized structures.
Next Structural System
© 1996 Chris H. Luebkeman