Filler slab technology is a smart and budget-friendly approach that lightens the load of a slab by substituting concrete with cost-effective filler materials. This innovative method optimizes the use of resources, ensuring efficiency in construction.
The core idea driving filler slabs is to recognize that the lower portion of an RCC slab doesn’t necessitate concrete for support during construction. Concrete mainly serves a compressive function in the upper half of the slab. To replace this concrete, affordable and lightweight filler materials such as clay pots and Mangalore tiles are utilized.
For supported roofs, where the lower part undergoes tensile forces and the upper part deals with compressive forces, materials like bricks, cellular concrete blocks, and tiles become substitutes. Steel reinforcements, which withstand greater tensile forces than concrete, are strategically placed in a grid pattern after the shuttering process. The grid’s size is determined by the filler material’s dimensions and the overall structural design.
Choosing the right filler materials is crucial for the success of filler slabs. Considerations include avoiding reactions with other materials, matching dimensions with reinforcement spacing, minimal water absorption, utilization of local materials, and adapting to the ceiling design and room purpose.
To promote environmental sustainability, filler materials are sourced from waste or discarded products that can be repurposed. The list includes Mangalore tiles, clay pans, bricks, waste bottles, coconut shells, thermocol, cyber wastes like keyboards, stabilized mud blocks, and terracotta tiles.
The casting process involves soaking the filler material in water to prevent water absorption during the concrete casting, following conventional methods.
In conclusion, filler slabs offer a sustainable and economical alternative in construction, with careful consideration required for materials and construction expertise.
