Optimum Design Of Concrete Slab Forms

Abstract

This paper presents a design optimization method for concrete slab forms. This procedure was formulated to provide a safe slab form design with minimum cost. The proposed method considers in its design process the cost of each slab form component (sheathing, joist, stringer, and steel shore) as well as all available combinations of slab form components. A case study is presented to show the capabilities of the proposed method and also to illustrate its potential cost savings over the slab form design practice in the State of Qatar. The study showed that the proposed design method has a substantial cost saving over the design practice currently used in the State of Qatar.