What is a hidden beam or concealed beam in a slab? - Uses of a hidden beam.

 1. What is a hidden beam or concealed beam in a slab?

The hidden beam is a structural member, whose depth is equal to the thickness of the slab.

 In other words, the beam which is concealed in the slab & cannot be seen on the outer surface of the slab is called a hidden beam.

The hidden beam is also known as a concealed beam.

The width of the hidden beam is always greater than the depth of the beam.

2. Why the hidden beams are provided in a slab?

  The different reasons for providing a hidden beam in a slab are,

1.  Flat ceiling: 

The hidden beam helps in enhancing the aesthetic appearance of a building by providing a larger flat ceiling, that gives a wider space look to the room.

2.  Headroom: 

The hidden beam provides a clear headroom height to work on the interior false ceilings, without any beam obstructions.

3.  Partition wall : 

If the partition wall or brick wall comes over the slab, a hidden beam plays a major role in distributing the wall load, keeping the slab safe from the superimposed loads, that act over it.

4. Overhead tank:

Installation of the overhead tank ( larger capacity ) directly over the slab may develop cracks due to a higher concentrated load. If the water tank is rested over the hidden beam area, it helps to distribute the load to the adjacent supported beams. 

Providing a hidden beam beneath the concentrated loads if any, that acts over the slab, helps to enhance the life span of the building.

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