Flat slab is a reinforced concrete slab supported directly by concrete columns without the use of beams. Flat slab is defined as one sided or two-sided support system with sheer load of the slab being concentrated on the supporting columns and a square slab called ‘drop panels’
Common practice of design and construction is to support the slabs by beams and support the beams by columns. This may be called as beam-slab construction.
The beams reduce the available net clear ceiling height. Hence in warehouses, offices and public halls some times beams are avoided and slabs are directly supported by columns.
This types of construction is aesthetically appealing also. These slabs which are directly supported by columns are called Flat Slabs.
