Question

Thickened part of a flat slab over its supporting column, is technically known as _____________

(a) drop panel

(b) capital

(c) column head

(d) cannot be determined

I got this question during an interview.

This intriguing question comes from Estimation in R.C.C. Structures in division Different Type Roofs, R.C.C of Civil Engineering Drawing

Answer 1

Correct choice is (a) drop panel

The best explanation: Drop panel is used for resisting high shear at the column, drop panels have thickness more than the slab thickness and they are mostly used when the span is large or shear load is high.

While column capital is the upper head of the column which is thickened to reduce the punching shear on the column, column capital also reduces the clear span.