(Solved): QUESTION 2 (20 marks) A structural slab with dimensions of 12 meters by 8 meters and a thickness of ...

QUESTION 2 (20 marks) A structural slab with dimensions of 12 meters by 8 meters and a thickness of 0.25 meter is supported by nine columns. The slab is composed of four layers: - a \\( 75 \\mathrm{~mm} \\) thick layer of lightweight concrete with a density of \\( 1600 \\mathrm{~kg} / \\mathrm{m}^{3} \\), - a \\( 125 \\mathrm{~mm} \\) thick layer of reinforced concrete with a density of \\( 2400 \\mathrm{~kg} / \\mathrm{m}^{3} \\), - a \\( 30 \\mathrm{~mm} \\) thick layer of insulation with a density of \\( 50 \\mathrm{~kg} / \\mathrm{m}^{3} \\), - and a \\( 20 \\mathrm{~mm} \\) thick layer of floor finish with a density of \\( 2200 \\mathrm{~kg} / \\mathrm{m}^{3} \\). The slab is designed to support a uniform distributed load of \\( 4.5 \\mathrm{kPa} \\), in accordance with the local building codes. Calculate the total load, including the self weight and imposed load, that the slab exerts on the columns. Assuming that there are nine columns supporting the slab, determine the load taken by each column.