What Is Hidden Beam/Concealed Beam – Purpose, Advantages & Disadvantages


What Is Hidden 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 beam

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.

hidden beam

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 electromechanical 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.

Also Read –

Types Of RCC Beams Used In Construction

What Is Spandrel Beam?

How To Design RCC Building Manually

Difference Between One Way & Two Way Slab

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8 thoughts on “What Is Hidden Beam/Concealed Beam – Purpose, Advantages & Disadvantages”

  1. Thanks for the post. The disadvantage that states spanning problem that one slab rests on another, is not clear. Better if it is clarified please.

    Reply
  2. Hi, please clarify the disadvantage with a sketch. I tried to understand in vain. Also say there are 2 nos. 150×150 columns supporting a 450×150 beam. Now say that rotate the beam i.e hidden beam with dimension 450×150, the 150mm being in line with a slab 150 mm. thick. What happened to the columns size? Do we need to increase the column as well say 450×150 to match the width of the slab?

    Reply
  3. Can you please write an article on down stand beam in two situation: 1. where the web of the beam is cast first and the top part is cast later on altogether with slab 2. when beam and slab are cast together? Also when is cantilever beam required or when cantilever slab by itself is enough? Thanks.

    Reply

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