Minimum Practical Concrete Slab Camber
Minimum Practical Concrete Slab Camber
(OP)
What do we consider to be the minimum camber that can be specified without getting silly? Here's what I know:
1) I see default specs often with L/1000 specified as a minimum camber. This seems to lead to a lot of very small cambers (<8 mm).
2) The first clip below from structuremag suggests that cambers less than 6 mm (tolerance) should be ignored because contractors will just ignore them since 6 mm is less than tolerance. Of course that's not how tolerances should be used but that's another thread.
3) The second clip below from ACI 302.1 seems to suggest that 1/2" is the lower bound camber. This is consistent with what I've been doing in practice.
So, what do we like for a minimum camber?
For what it's worth, I'm not a fan of camber in general and try to avoid it whenever possible.


I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
1) I see default specs often with L/1000 specified as a minimum camber. This seems to lead to a lot of very small cambers (<8 mm).
2) The first clip below from structuremag suggests that cambers less than 6 mm (tolerance) should be ignored because contractors will just ignore them since 6 mm is less than tolerance. Of course that's not how tolerances should be used but that's another thread.
3) The second clip below from ACI 302.1 seems to suggest that 1/2" is the lower bound camber. This is consistent with what I've been doing in practice.
So, what do we like for a minimum camber?
For what it's worth, I'm not a fan of camber in general and try to avoid it whenever possible.


I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.






RE: Minimum Practical Concrete Slab Camber
RE: Minimum Practical Concrete Slab Camber
For steel beams current firm is a rebel and will spec cambers of 1/2".
RE: Minimum Practical Concrete Slab Camber
As you said, I only use it when I absolutely need to.
RE: Minimum Practical Concrete Slab Camber
To clarify, do you mean:
1) When specified camber would be 1/2" or greater, you consider using it rather than adding reinforcing or;
2) When long term defelection exceeds 1/2", you start to consider using camber rather than adding reinforcing?
I'm fairly certain that you mean #1 but I want to be sure.
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Minimum Practical Concrete Slab Camber