HC Slab

A hollow core slab, also known as a voided slab, hollow core plank or simply a concrete
plank is a precast slab of prestressed concrete typically used in the construction of floors in multi-
story apartment buildings. The slab has been especially popular in countries where the emphasis of
home construction has been on precast concrete, including Northern Europe and former socialist
countries of Eastern Europe. Precast concrete popularity is linked with low-seismic zones and more
economical constructions because of fast building assembly, lower self weight (less material), etc.
Precast hollow-core elements is also known as the most sustainable floor/roof system and has far
smaller CO2 footprint than even CLT slabs.[citation needed]
The precast concrete slab has tubular voids extending the full length of the slab, typically with a
diameter equal to the 2/3-3/4 the thickness of the slab. This makes the slab much lighter than a
massive solid concrete floor slab of equal thickness or strength. The reduced weight also lowers
material and transportation costs. The slabs are typically 120 cm wide with standard thicknesses
normally between 15 cm and 50 cm. Reinforcing steel wire rope provides bending resistance.
Slabs in prestressed concrete are usually produced in lengths of up to 200 meters. The process
involves extruding wet concrete along with the prestressed steel wire rope from a moving mold. The
continuous slab is then cut to required lengths by a large diamond circular saw. Factory production
provides the obvious advantages of reduced time, labor and training.
Another fabrication system produces hollow-core floor slabs in Reinforced Concrete (not
prestressed). These are made on carousel production lines, directly to exact length, and as a stock
product. However, the length is limited to about 7-8 meters. Especially in Belgium, this method is
widely used in private housing.
To meet modern standards (both hollow-core and massive slab) of soundproofing the floor needs to
be covered with a soft floor covering that is able to dampen the sound of footsteps or a floating
floor screed should be installed. An alternative is to put a strip of rubber underneath the floor slabs.
Hollow-core slabs and wall elements without prestressed steel wire can be formed by extruders. The
size of these elements will typically range in width from 600 to 2400 mm, in thickness from 150 to
500 mm, and can be delivered in lengths of up to 24 m.[1]
The voids of the hollow core can be used as conduit for installations. The interior of the core can be
coated in order to use it as a ventilation duct.

Structurally, the hollow core slabs provide the efficiency of a prestressed element, reaching
considerable spans with high load bearing capacity and small displacements. Moreover, if
properly designed and detailed, they help to distribute the horizontal loads through the floor
diaphragm effect.

Another important benefit of the hollow core slabs is fire resistance. According to PCI [3] a
hollow core panel can resist up to four hours when subjected to high temperatures. This
resistance depends on the height of the element and also on the cover of the reinforcement.

Usually these slabs are designed assuming simple supports. This happens because they are
prestressed elements in which pretensioning is used, with the prestressed tendon placed
near the bottom face. This provides the slabs high load bearing capacity, large spans, and
small displacements.

However, a connection between two hollow core slabs can be implemented to ensure the
negative moment resistance. This is called continuity.
The design of a hollow core slab considering continuity must be obey the two phases
described below:

 The first one corresponds to the simply supported slab condition. At this phase the
self-weight of the precast slab has an effect (g1) and also the weight of the concrete
cast in situ (g2), corresponding to the topping. The slab must resist the positive
moment in the middle of the span. This first phase occurs during the continuity test;
 The second phase corresponds to connection with continuity and the emergence of
rigid support. In this case, the positive moment is the sum between the positive
moment obtained in the first phase and related to the second phase, in which the
other dead loads (g3) and the live loads (q) act. Consequently, the maximum
negative moment is that calculated for the second phase, with the dead and live
loads in the most unfavorable conditions. In the continuity test the second phase is
represented by the hydraulic jack and the self-weight of the steel beams used to
promote the load.