COMPOSITE FLOORS

COMPOSITE FLOORS

Designing a reinforced concrete slab or pre-stressed concrete slab in composite
construction is not different from any conventional R.C. or pre-stressed structures; .  concrete floors using profiled decks are treated in depth. The structural behavior of these floors is similar to a reinforced
concrete slab, with the steel sheeting acting as the tension reinforcement. The main
structural and other benefits of using composite floors with profiled steel decking are:
 Savings in steel weight are typically 30% to 50% over non-composite construction
 Greater stiffness of composite beams results in shallower depths for the same span.

Hence lower storey heights are adequate resulting in savings in cladding costs,
reduction in wind loading and savings in foundation costs.
 Faster rate of construction.

The steel decking performs a number of roles, such as:

•  It supports loads during construction and acts as a working platform
•  It develops adequate composite action with concrete to resist the imposed loading
•  It transfers in-plane loading by diaphragm action to vertical bracing or shear walls
•  It stabilizes the compression flanges of the beams against lateral buckling, until

concrete hardens.

•  It reduces the volume of concrete in tension zone
•  It distributes shrinkage strains, thus preventing serious cracking of concrete.