Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Design Optimization of Reinforced Concrete Slabs for Sustainable Construction

Alsabbagh, Abdullatif LU and Abdulrahman, Mohamad (2025) In 0349-4969 VBKM01 20251
Division of Structural Engineering
Abstract
The construction industry plays a vital role in societal development but faces increasing
demands to reduce its environmental impact, particularly the high carbon footprint associated
with concrete production. Among the most widely used structural elements in buildings are
concrete slabs, which are fundamental for load transfer and spatial integrity. However, these
elements could be overdesigned, leading to excessive material use and unnecessary emissions.
This thesis investigates practical strategies for optimizing reinforced concrete slabs, with a
focus on multi-family residential buildings.
By combining finite element modelling (FEM-Design), parametric Python-based optimization,
and tailored reinforcement strategies, this study... (More)
The construction industry plays a vital role in societal development but faces increasing
demands to reduce its environmental impact, particularly the high carbon footprint associated
with concrete production. Among the most widely used structural elements in buildings are
concrete slabs, which are fundamental for load transfer and spatial integrity. However, these
elements could be overdesigned, leading to excessive material use and unnecessary emissions.
This thesis investigates practical strategies for optimizing reinforced concrete slabs, with a
focus on multi-family residential buildings.
By combining finite element modelling (FEM-Design), parametric Python-based optimization,
and tailored reinforcement strategies, this study evaluates the performance and environmental
impact of various slab systems. The analysis is further supported by interviews with industry
professionals and focuses on flat slab with embedded beams, waffle, and ribbed slabs. The
results indicate that reinforcement’s layout optimization, particularly when reinforcement is
manually distributed to match stress distributions, can yield substantial material savings.
Specifically, a ribbed slab with manual redistribution of the reinforcements achieved a 29%
reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to the reference case, traditional slab with embedded
beams, while maintaining structural integrity and compliance with Eurocode standards.
This thesis contributes with insights into sustainable design practices and highlights the value
of combining engineering intuition with computational tools. The methods proposed here are
intended to bridge the gap between academic optimization techniques and practical
implementation on construction sites, providing engineers with feasible strategies to reduce
carbon emissions in future projects. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Alsabbagh, Abdullatif LU and Abdulrahman, Mohamad
supervisor
organization
course
VBKM01 20251
year
type
H3 - Professional qualifications (4 Years - )
subject
publication/series
0349-4969
report number
25/5308
other publication id
LUTVDG/TVBK/25/5308
language
English
additional info
Examinator: Miklos Molnar
id
9196484
date added to LUP
2025-06-10 18:07:49
date last changed
2025-06-10 18:07:49
@misc{9196484,
  abstract     = {{The construction industry plays a vital role in societal development but faces increasing
demands to reduce its environmental impact, particularly the high carbon footprint associated
with concrete production. Among the most widely used structural elements in buildings are
concrete slabs, which are fundamental for load transfer and spatial integrity. However, these
elements could be overdesigned, leading to excessive material use and unnecessary emissions.
This thesis investigates practical strategies for optimizing reinforced concrete slabs, with a
focus on multi-family residential buildings.
By combining finite element modelling (FEM-Design), parametric Python-based optimization,
and tailored reinforcement strategies, this study evaluates the performance and environmental
impact of various slab systems. The analysis is further supported by interviews with industry
professionals and focuses on flat slab with embedded beams, waffle, and ribbed slabs. The
results indicate that reinforcement’s layout optimization, particularly when reinforcement is
manually distributed to match stress distributions, can yield substantial material savings.
Specifically, a ribbed slab with manual redistribution of the reinforcements achieved a 29%
reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to the reference case, traditional slab with embedded
beams, while maintaining structural integrity and compliance with Eurocode standards.
This thesis contributes with insights into sustainable design practices and highlights the value
of combining engineering intuition with computational tools. The methods proposed here are
intended to bridge the gap between academic optimization techniques and practical
implementation on construction sites, providing engineers with feasible strategies to reduce
carbon emissions in future projects.}},
  author       = {{Alsabbagh, Abdullatif and Abdulrahman, Mohamad}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{0349-4969}},
  title        = {{Design Optimization of Reinforced Concrete Slabs for Sustainable Construction}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}