Effect of void former shapes on one‑way flexural behaviour of biaxial hollow slabs

The Two-way hollow slab system (biaxial voided slab) is an innovative slab system, being adopted all over the world as an alternate for the conventional solid slab. It reduces the self-weight up to 50% in comparison with solid slabs without significant change in its structural performance. The voided slab consists of void formers in shapes like spherical, donut, and cuboid. Experimental and analytical investigations were carried out to study the behaviour of biaxial voided slab under one-way flexure. Voided slab specimens were prepared and tested with two different shapes of voids namely sphere and cuboid, which were manufactured using recycled polypropylene. Comparison of experimental and analytical studies showed that the ultimate load-carrying capacity of voided slabs was higher or similar to that of solid slab. An analytical study was carried out using the yield line analysis in conjunction with Indian Standards. It was found that the capacity of voided slab can be estimated by yield line analysis. The flexural stiffness of voided specimen is approximately 50% lesser in comparison with solid slab of identical dimensions and reinforcement at yield stage. The reduction in flexural stiffness is mainly due to the presence of void former and the maximum void ratio at a section defines the flexural stiffness of the voided slab. Nevertheless, the deflection is under serviceable limit for both the specimens for 75% of ultimate load. Ultimately, it is found that the behaviour of voided slabs under one-way flexure can be predicted by provisions of Indian Standards with necessary correction for loss of cross-section caused by voids.