Grid Floor System

Er. Salman Khursheed

Assistant Professor
Building Engineering and Management
School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi
 Introduction :
GENERAL FEATURES
* * This floor system consists of beams spaced at regular intervals in
perpendicular directions.
* * The beams are monolithic with a topping slab.
* * Each RIB (beam) acts as a T-beam.
* * For rectangular or square grids, ribs (beams) are provided in mutually
perpendicular (orthogonal) direction.
* * The sizes of the beams running in perpendicular direction is generally
kept the same in a square grid/rectangular grid.
* * Instead of a rectangular beam grids, a diagonal grid can also be used
with the beam inclined at 45o to sides. Such grid systems are called Dia
grids.
 SEC.1-1 OF RIBS

REINFORCED CONCRETE GRID FLOOR ( TYPICAL DESIGN EXAMPLE )

Applications of Grid Floors :

Grid floors are adopted for large halls where flat RCC roof is desired.
* * Examples : Auditoriums, Conference Halls, Multiplex halls etc.

Common Shapes of Grid Floors :

Grid floors may be provided with different shapes and arrangements.
Some of the arrangements are illustrated in sketches here.
* * Square Grids.
* * Rectangular Grids.
* * Dia Grids.
* * Circular Grids.
* * Continuous Grid Floors.
* * Other Miscellaneous Shapes.
Supporting
Columns
are located
along the
periphery
only.

SQUARE GRIDS – REFLECTED CEILING PLAN

SQUARE GRIDS FOR A RECTANGULAR HALL
DIA GRIDS – REFLECTED CEILING PLAN
DIA GRIDS FOR A SQUARE HALL
CIRCULAR GRIDS WITH RADIAL BEAMS
SQUARE GRIDS FOR A CIRCULAR HALL
PRELIMINARY SIZES FOR A RECTANGULAR/SQUARE GRID
FLOOR SYSTEM :

These empirical rules will help to plan and fix up the grid floor system
without going for detailed design calculations.

Span Range = 10m – 30m Spacing of ribs = 2m – 3 m C/C

Width of ribs = 150 – 250 mm
(larger width for larger spacing of ribs)

Spacing of Columns (only along periphery) = 4m - 6m c/c

(i.e at alternate grids)
Depth of ribs (overall) = span / 20 to span / 25
Thickness of slab = 100-125 mm
Peripheral Beams :
Width of Beams = Width of peripheral column
Depth of Beams = Depth of ribs

Peripheral Columns : Provide 500 - 600mm diameter circular

columns or 500 – 600 mm side square columns at alternate grid
spacing along the periphery only.
No intermediate columns are provided.
PRELIMINARY SIZING OF MEMBERS IN GRID FLOORS –
PERIPHERIAL COLUMNS

Sectional Area of Column : 15cm2/Sq. M. of area supported by Column

But minimum size = 500mm X 500mm
Example : Grid Floor Plan area = 20m x 20m
Col spacing : 4m c/c
No of Columns : 20
Area supported/ column = (20x20)/20 = 20m2
Ac = 15x20 = 300 cm2 = 173mm X 173mm
But provide Min size 500mm x 500mm
METHODS OF ANALYSIS :

1. Using Design Coefficients.

2. Computer Analysis based on generalized Matrix Method.

Due to easy availability of Computers and Software's, Computer Analysis

and Design is now more commonly adopted for Analysis and Design of Grid
Floor Systems.
BASIS OF ANALYSIS :

1. Formulate equations of deflections, along various grids.

2. Equate deflections at common intersection points along X-X and Y-Y
directions.
3. Compute load distribution of loads (q1 & q2) and resulting moments and
shears along various grids.
4. Design sections for critical locations.
 m

DEFLECTION OF RIBBED / GRID FLOORS

GIRD FLOOR- An Example of StaadPro Software Analysis.
An Example of Grid Floor to show the use of the Staadpro Software for a 12
m x 16 m span

Grid Floor with 2 m x 2 m grid spacing is taken. The floor is treated as a

plate in three dimensions. The supports for ribs (beams) are treated to be
hinged. The Floor system analyzed and StaadPro model is shown in the
sketch below. The StaadPro analysis has been done accordingly.
LOADING DIAGRAM OF GRID FLOOR . ANALYSIS OF GRID
FLOORS BY STAAD
PLAN OF THE GRID WITH JOINT NOS & MEMBER NOS.
 ANALYSIS CHARACTERISTICS OF GRID FLOORS

1. The RIBS are designed as flanged (T Beam) sections to resist the

Bending Moments, Torsional Moments and Shears developed at the
critical sections.
2. Maximum Bending Moments develop at centre of the span while max.
Torsonal Moments are generated at the corners of the grid.
3. Max. Shear Forces develop at midpoints of longer side supports.
 SOME OTHER SHAPES
AND
LAYOUTS OF GRID FLOOR SYSTEMS
DIA GRIDS ( DIAGONAL GRIDS )
DIA GRIDS ( DIAGONAL GRIDS )
DIA GRIDS ( DIAGONAL GRIDS )
DIA GRIDS ( DIAGONAL GRIDS )
SQUARE GRIDS FOR A CIRCULAR HALL
RADIAL GRIDS FOR A CIRCULAR HALL
DIA GRIDS FOR A HALL WITH HEXAGONAL LAYOUT
COMBINATION OF SQUARE GRIDS AND DIAGONAL GRIDS
FOR A SQUARE HALL
EVOLVING AESTHETICALLY APPEALING LAYOUT OF GRID
FLOOR SYSTEMS
 SOME CASE STUDIES
OF GRID FLOOR SYSTEMS
1. Hall of Technology, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
(20 m X 20m dia grids)

2. Hall of States, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

(20m X 20m to 65m X 65m square grids)

3. India Habitat Centre – Auditorium Roof, New Delhi.

(30m X 30m designer’s grids ).

4. Parliament Secretariat Extension Building, Conference Room ,

New Delhi.
(20m X 20m square grids ).
HALL OF TECHNOLOGY
PRAGATI MAIDAN, NEW DELHI

(DIA GRIDS PROVIDED FOR

20M X20M HALLS AT MEZZININE FLOORS)
 SECTION OF HOLLOW PERIPHERIAL BEAMS
AND HOLLOW COLUMNS. THESE ALSO
ACCOMMODATE SERVICES LIKE A/C DUCTS,
ELECTRICAL AND TELEPHONE CONDUITS ETC.

SECTIONS
THROUGH GRID
FLOORS

MEZZANINE FLOOR
STRUCTURAL PLAN

HALL OF TECHNOLOGY – PRAGATI MAIDAN , NEW DELHI

HALL OF STATES AT PRAGATI MAIDAN
NEW DELHI
HALL OF STATES – PRAGATI MAIDAN, NEW DELHI
AUDITORIUM, INDIA HABITAT CENTRE,
NEW DELHI

(DESIGNER’S GRIDS PROVIDED)

 REFLECTED
CEILING PLAN
AUDITORIUM,
INDIA HABITAT
CENTRE, NEW
DELHI

INDIA HABITAT CENTRE – AUDITORIUM ROOF : APPROX 30M X 30M

Conference Hall, Parliament Secretariat Extension Building
New Delhi

(20m x 20m hall provided with grid floors at grid spacing of

4mx4m centres)
 CONFERENCE
HALL,
PLAN
PARLIAMENT
EXTENTION
BUILDING
NEW DELHI
TYPICAL SUPPORTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR
DOUBLE LAYERED SPACE GRIDS
 a b c

(a) METHODS OF
SUPPORTING THE GRID
d

CORNICE VERTICAL MANSARD

(b) GRID EDGE PROFILES
 (C) LOCATION OF
SUPPORTS

METHODS OF SUPPORTING DOUBLE-LAYERED GRIDS

 (C) LOCATION OF
SUPPORTS

METHODS OF SUPPORTING DOUBLE-LAYER GRIDS

 A) ONE WAY ACTION :
PLANAR TRUSSES ON LATTICE GRID
 B) TWO WAY ACTION :
PLANAR TRUSSES ON LATTICE GRID
 C) THREE WAY ACTION :
PLANAR TRUSSES ON LATTICE GRID
MULTILAYER SYSTEMS ( Double layer systems )
M.S. COLUMN CAPITAL BOTTOM CHORD INCLINED MEMBER
50 Ø M.S. PIPE 50 Ø M.S. PIPE
M.S. COLUMN 300 Ø TOP CHORD50 Ø
M.S. PIPE

KEY PLAN
 50 Ø M.S. BOTTOM
CHORD

4 MM THICK
M.S. CONNECTING
PLATE

50 Ø M.S.
TOP CHORD

300 Ø M.S.
COLUMN

PART PLAN AT – A
FIBRE GLASS ROOFING M.S. ANGLE TOP CHORD CONNECTING PLATE
50X50X6 M.S. PIPE 50 Ø M.S. 4 MM THICK

INCLINED MEM.
30 Ø M.S. PIPE

CONNECTING PLATE
M.S. 4 MM THICK BOTTOM CHORD
50 Ø M.S. PIPE

M.S. COLUMN
300 Ø

SECTION
Connections in Double Layered Space Structures :
A No. of members meet at a joint in a Two layered Grid Space Structures.
Accordingly, jointing of these members at a joint poses problems due to
congestion of members. A No. of standard methods are adopted to
provide jointing. Some of the methods adopted are illustrated in the
sketches that follow.

Mero System - (developed in Germany in 1940) :

This system consists of prefabricated tubular steel components screwed
into forged spherical steel connectors known as Mero tubes and Mero
balls respectively. The Mero joint enables upto18 members to be joined
together without any eccentricity. The connectors do not requires any site
welding and are capable of creating any shape of space structure merely
by being screwed together.
 WELDED SEAM

END CONE
SLEEVE

KK – SYSTEM (MERO)
MERO JOINTING
SYSTEM – JOINTING
DETAILS AT BOTTOM
CHORD
 PLATE JOINT SYSTEM

WEB MEMBER
RETAINING WASHER
BOLT CHORD MEMBER
BOLT CHORD MEMBER

WEB MEMBER
RETAINING WASHER

VIEW B – B SECTION A –A

THE TRIODETIC SYSTEM

 (1) (2) (3)

(4) (5) (6)

TYPICAL TRIODIC JOINT CONFIGURATIONS

STEEL SKELTEL DOUBLE GRID SPACE FRAMES – ALTERNAT
JOINTING DETAILS