What is a Hidden Beam?
Hidden beam is a reinforced concrete beam, also called concealed beam provided within the
depth of supporting slabs. So, the depth of hidden beam is the same as slab depth as it can be
noticed in Figure 2. Concealed beams are popular and form an essential part of modern
reinforced concrete framed structures. Lastly, strict and rigid architectural consideration led to
the provision of hidden beams. In this manner, the load which might be brick wall will be dealt
with and height of the floor will not be compromised. In this article, different aspect of
reinforced concrete hidden beams will be discussed.
WHAT IS HIDDEN/CONCEALED BEAM?
Hidden beams can be defined as the beams whose depth is equal to
the thickness of the slab. Hidden beams are also known as
concealed beam.
Beams normally have a depth larger than the slab it is lifting, however,
hidden beams have the same depth as the slab, but it is reinforced
separately from the slab, having stirrups and longitudinal bars just as a
normal beam. Hence they can’t be seen after fulfilling it with concrete.
They are hidden in the slab.
Hidden beams are generally inserted within the suspended slabs
where slab thickness is considerable. The concept of concealed
beam originated from flat slab concept. They are more applicable in
commercial buildings.
PURPOSE OF HIDDEN BEAMS:
Hidden beams are used for the following purposes
1. To disperse loads on the supporting slab.
2. To break a wide panel of slab to considerable size.
3. To achieve maximum floor height.
4. To clear the way for electro-mechanical duct work.
5. To improve architectural aesthetic appearance by providing neat
and leveled ceiling surface.
ADVANTAGES OF HIDDEN BEAM:
1. It saves floor height clearance.
2. It allows if a brickwork needs to be constructed over the slab.
3. It is economical as it saves cost of materials, formwork, and labor.
4. It gives better aesthetic interior appearance.
DISADVANTAGES OF HIDDEN BEAM:
Structurally it creates a spanning problem, as spans for structural
support are at right angle to each other. This means one slab
structurally rests over the other.
WHAT IS HIDDEN/CONCEALED BEAM?
Hidden beams can be defined as the beams whose depth is equal to
the thickness of the slab. Hidden beams are also known as
concealed beam.
Beams normally have a depth larger than the slab it is lifting, however,
hidden beams have the same depth as the slab, but it is reinforced
separately from the slab, having stirrups and longitudinal bars just as a
normal beam. Hence they can’t be seen after fulfilling it with concrete.
They are hidden in the slab.
Hidden beams are generally inserted within the suspended slabs
where slab thickness is considerable. The concept of concealed
beam originated from flat slab concept. They are more applicable in
commercial buildings.
PURPOSE OF HIDDEN BEAMS:
Hidden beams are used for the following purposes
1. To disperse loads on the supporting slab.
2. To break a wide panel of slab to considerable size.
3. To achieve maximum floor height.
4. To clear the way for electro-mechanical duct work.
5. To improve architectural aesthetic appearance by providing neat
and leveled ceiling surface.
ADVANTAGES OF HIDDEN BEAM:
1. It saves floor height clearance.
2. It allows if a brickwork needs to be constructed over the slab.
3. It is economical as it saves cost of materials, formwork, and labor.
4. It gives better aesthetic interior appearance.
DISADVANTAGES OF HIDDEN BEAM:
Structurally it creates a spanning problem, as spans for structural
support are at right angle to each other. This means one slab
structurally rests over the other.