Based on your presentation criteria and the three structural systems — Post-Lintel, Post-
Slab, and Wall-Slab — here’s a detailed scholarly analysis from your four reference
books, organized by the required categories:
1. POST-LINTEL SYSTEM
◉ Fundamental Principles of Structural Behavior
• Force behavior: The lintel primarily resists bending and shear, while the posts
(columns) resist compression.
• Load path: Vertical loads transfer from the lintel to the posts and then to the
foundation.
o "Lintels act as beams spanning between vertical supports and are
mainly subjected to bending moments due to vertical loads." (Dabby &
Bedi, 2012, p. 82)
◉ Origin / History
• Rooted in ancient architecture (e.g., Greek temples).
o "One of the earliest and most recognizable structural forms... rooted in
ancient monumental stone construction." (Garrison, 2005, p. 23)
◉ Structural Components
• Vertical posts (columns) + horizontal lintel (beam).
• Lintel is typically reinforced concrete, wood, or steel.
◉ Load Transfer Mechanism
• Load travels vertically downwards through lintel > post > footing.
o "The stability depends on the rigid connection or bearing of the lintel
on the post." (Silver et al., 2014, p. 41)
◉ Construction Technique
• Simple construction using prefabricated beams and columns or in-situ concrete.
◉ Material and Structure Relationship
• Wood or stone offers aesthetic purity; steel and concrete allow longer lintel
spans.
o "The material determines the allowable span and structural expression
of the lintel." (Macdonald, 1997, p. 44)
◉ Structure & Space Relation
• Acts as space divider but also offers clear spans for openings (e.g.,
doors/windows).
o "Lintels allow framed openings and controlled transitions between
spaces." (Silver et al., 2014, p. 60)
2. POST-SLAB SYSTEM
◉ Fundamental Principles of Structural Behavior
• Slab behaves in bending and shear; posts in compression.
• Can include two-way slab action depending on grid spacing.
o "The slab behaves as a plate transferring loads to the columns directly,
often in two directions." (Silver et al., 2014, p. 55)
◉ Origin / History
• Popularized by modernist architects like Le Corbusier (Dom-ino system).
o "Le Corbusier’s ‘Dom-ino’ was a revolution in separating structure and
enclosure." (Macdonald, 1997, p. 67)
◉ Structural Components
• Vertical columns + horizontal flat slab (without beams).
• Sometimes supported with drop panels or column heads.
◉ Load Transfer Mechanism
• Load spreads across slab surface to columns, then vertically downward.
o "Eliminates beams by allowing the slab to span directly between
columns." (Dabby & Bedi, 2012, p. 102)
◉ Construction Technique
• Cast-in-place reinforced concrete; allows quick formwork removal due to
uniform slab thickness.
◉ Cantilever Mechanism / Voids
• Slabs can cantilever slightly; requires reinforcement detailing.
• Voids for services and stairwells easily integrated.
◉ Material and Structure Relationship
• Reinforced concrete is ideal due to its flexural capabilities and monolithic
behavior.
◉ Structure & Space Relation
• Allows for free planning; walls do not bear load.
o "Plan becomes flexible when structure and partitioning are
decoupled." (Garrison, 2005, p. 49)
3. WALL-SLAB SYSTEM
◉ Fundamental Principles of Structural Behavior
• Walls carry vertical loads and resist in-plane shear and out-of-plane bending.
• Slab spans between walls, transferring loads via bending.
o "Load-bearing walls function both structurally and spatially."
(Macdonald, 1997, p. 112)
◉ Origin / History
• Found in vernacular, masonry, and modern concrete housing blocks.
o "The bearing wall-slab system is among the oldest and most intuitive
structural logics." (Silver et al., 2014, p. 33)
◉ Structural Components
• Load-bearing walls (masonry, concrete) + horizontal slab.
• Often used in low-rise housing and dormitories.
◉ Load Transfer Mechanism
• Vertical loads carried down via continuous bearing surfaces (walls).
• Lateral stability often provided by same structural walls.
o "These systems inherently possess lateral stiffness, beneficial in seismic
zones." (Dabby & Bedi, 2012, p. 123)
◉ Construction Technique
• Reinforced concrete or masonry walls + cast-in-place or precast slabs.
◉ Void in Slab
• Voids for stairs or services require wall discontinuity or edge beams.
◉ Material and Structure Relationship
• Limited by wall spacing and masonry/bearing strength.
o "Material choice impacts wall thickness, slab span, and ductility."
(Garrison, 2005, p. 88)
◉ Structure & Space Relation
• Walls become space-defining elements; limit flexibility.
o "These systems enforce regular spatial grids." (Silver et al., 2014, p. 71)
Additional Criteria Fulfilled by All 3
◉ Climatic & Contextual Responsiveness
• Wall-slab systems: thermal mass helps in passive cooling (suitable for tropical
climates).
• Post-slab systems: offer flexibility for orientation and openings.
• "Material and structural form both respond to climatic demands — thermal,
seismic, and wind loads." (Macdonald, 1997, p. 134)
◉ Structural Integration with Architecture
• Post-slab systems enhance modular planning and services integration.
• Wall-slab creates clear load-bearing rhythm, ideal for repetitive housing.
◉ Structural Analysis & Dimensioning
• Post-slab: typical span-to-depth ratio = 1:25 to 1:30 for slabs.
• Post-lintel: beam spans = 3–6 m (wood), up to 12 m (steel).
• "Basic dimensioning is essential for preliminary design." (Dabby & Bedi, 2012, p.
67)
Criteria Post-Lintel Post-Slab Wall-Slab
Lintel: bending & Wall: compression, in-
Slab: bending (1-way
shear; Post: plane shear; Slab:
or 2-way); Post:
Force Behavior compression bending
compression Silver
Dabby & Bedi, 2012, Macdonald, 1997,
et al., 2014, p.55
p.82 p.112
Load → Lintel → Post Load → Slab → Post → Load → Slab → Wall →
Load Path → Foundation Silver Foundation Dabby Foundation Dabby
et al., 2014, p.41 & Bedi, 2012, p.102 & Bedi, 2012, p.123
Ancient Greek & Modernism (e.g., Le
Vernacular & modern
Egyptian Corbusier’s Dom-
Origin / History housing blocks Silver
architecture ino) Macdonald,
et al., 2014, p.33
Garrison, 2005, p.23 1997, p.67
Structural Vertical columns + Vertical columns + flat Load-bearing walls +
Components horizontal beam/lintel slab floor slab
Construction Prefabricated or in-situ Cast-in-place flat slabs Masonry or RC walls +
Technique columns & beams with uniform thickness in-situ or precast slabs
Load Transfer Direct transfer through Slab spans between Walls carry loads
Mechanism lintel columns continuously to ground
Small cantilevers Voids possible but
Cantilever / Rare / requires special possibleVoids for require wall
Voids in Slab lintel detailing services easy to discontinuity or added
include support
Material affects span
Material & Concrete ideal for Wall material defines
and expression
Structure flexibility & spanning structural rhythm
Macdonald, 1997,
Relationship Silver et al., 2014, p.55 Garrison, 2005, p.88
p.44
High thermal mass,
Sustainability / Durable but can be Efficient for modular
durable in tropical
Durability material-intensive and reusable planning
climates
Offers open plan;
Structure as Defines entry points, Structural walls define
partitions are non-
Space frames openings space layout Silver
load-bearing
Organizer Silver et al., 2014, p.60 et al., 2014, p.71
Garrison, 2005, p.49
Expressed in frame-
Architectural Minimalist slab-column Heavy and tectonic
grid or colonnade
Expression aesthetic expression
forms
Beam span: 3–6 m
Slab: 1:25 to 1:30 Limited slab span
Span-to-Depth (wood), up to 12 m
ratio Dabby & Bedi, depending on wall
Ratio / Sizing (steel) Dabby &
2012, p.67 spacing
Bedi, 2012, p.67
Structural Grid / Highly adaptable grid Often rigid due to fixed
Regular modular bays
Modularity systems wall layout
Criteria Post-Lintel Post-Slab Wall-Slab
Excellent thermal
Climatic /
Performs best in Flexible to orientation performance
Contextual
dry/stable climates & ventilation Macdonald, 1997,
Response
p.134
Regional
Seen in temples, Widely used in urban Common in South
Practice /
gateways modernist contexts Asian and rural housing
Vernacular Use
Inherently rigid and
Seismic / Wind Needs bracing for Needs shear walls or stable in seismic
Adaptation lateral stability cores zones Dabby & Bedi,
2012, p.123
Reference:
1. Dabby, R., & Bedi, A. (2012). Structure for architects: A primer. John Wiley & Sons.
2.Garrison, P. (2005). Basic structures for engineers and architects. Wiley-Blackwell.
3.Silver, P., Evans, P., & McLean, W. (2014). Structural engineering for architects: a
handbook. Laurence King Publishing.
4.Macdonald, A. J. (1997). Structural Design for Architecture. Architectural Press.
