Part 1: Architect’s Guide 1 - 22 4.3 Floors 4.3.1 General The structural function of floors is to transfer loads to the main members of the structure. Floors also contribute to the global stability of the structure because they generally act as a diaphragm to provide stability in the horizontal plane of each storey. The design of a floor conforms to specifications that include: Applied loads Thermal performance Acoustic performance Fire resistance Service integration Requirements to connect a false ceiling. The structural part of the floor can be one of the following: Composite slab using steel decking Concrete slab with steel decking used as permanent formwork Dry floors Plain slab, concrete slab including a precast slab Prefabricated slab. 4.3.2 Concrete slab with steel decking The use of steel decking has many advantages: Efficient permanent formwork (the formwork does not have to be removed after concreting) Installation of a steel decking is easier than that of a precast slab Propping during construction is often not necessary. A simple steel decking is efficient as permanent formwork at the construction stage. Special steel deckings have been developed in order to contribute to the bending resistance of the floor, as a tension component. For these deckings, embossments provide a good connection with the concrete. See Figure 4.13.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MzE2MDY=