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ARC 1418: BUILDING TECHNOLOGY 5

Alternative Construction Systems
Pre-cast floor System and Roof Slab
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PRE-CAST FLOOR AND ROOF SLAB

BUILDING TECHNOLOGY 5

Precast concrete slabs, beams, and structural tees

are one-way spanning units that may be supported
by sitecast concrete, precast concrete, or masonry
bearing walls, or by steel, sitecast concrete, or
precast concrete frames. The precast units are HOLLOW CORE SLAB
(Source: DK. Ching, 2019)
manufactured with normal-density or structural
lightweight concrete and prestressed for greater A- Grout key
structural efficiency, which results in less depth, B- 2"to31/2"(51to90) concrete topping reinforced
reduced weight, and longer spans. with steel fabric or reinforcing bars bonds with the
precast units to form a composite structural unit
The units are cast and steam-cured in a plant off-
site, transported to the construction site, and set in •The topping also conceals any surface
place as rigid components with cranes. The size and irregularities, increases the fire-resistance rating
proportion of the units may be limited by the means of the slab, and accommodates underfloor
conduit for wiring.
of transportation. Fabrication in a factory •When the flooring is to be pad and carpet, the
environment enables the units to have a consistent topping may be omitted if smooth-surface units
quality of strength, durability, and finish, and are used.
eliminates the need for on-site formwork. The
modular nature of the standard- sized units,
however, may not be suitable for irregular building
shapes.
PRE-CAST FLOOR AND ROOF SLAB

AXONOMETRIC VIEW OF PRECAST FLOOR SYSTEM

(Source: DK. Ching, 2019)
PRE-CAST FLOOR AND ROOF SLAB

A- If the floor is to serve as a horizontal diaphragm

and transfer lateral forces to shear walls, steel
reinforcement must tie the precast slab units to
each other over their supports and at their end
PRECAST FLOOR SECTION
bearings. (Source: DK. Ching, 2019)

B- The underside of precast slabs may be caulked

and painted; a ceiling finish may also be applied to
or be suspended from the slabs.
PRE-CAST FLOOR AND ROOF SLAB

Solid Flat Slab

A precast, pre-stressed concrete plank
suitable for short spans and uniformly
distributed floor and roof loads. For short
spans and minimum slab depth.
• 12'to24'(3.6 to7m) span range
• Rule of thumb for depth: span/40 SOLID FLAT SLAB
(Source: DK. Ching, 2019)

Hollow Core Slab

A precast, prestressed concrete plank
internally cored to reduce dead weight.
Hollow-core slabs are suitable for medium
to long spans and uniformly distributed
floor and roof loads.
• 12’ to 40’ (3.6 to 12m) span range
• Rule of thumb for depth: span/40
HOLLOW CORE SLAB
(Source: DK. Ching, 2019)
PRE-CAST FLOOR AND ROOF SLAB

Single Tee
A precast, prestressed concrete slab
having a broad T shaped section
• 30' to 120' (9 to 36 m) span range
• Rule of thumb for depth: span/30

SINGLE TEE
(Source: DK. Ching, 2019)

Double Tee
A precast, prestressed concrete slabs
having two stems and a broad cross
section resembling the capital letters T.
• 30' to 100' (9 to 30 m) span range
• Rule of thumb for depth: span/28
• Double tees do not require
temporary support against tipping.
DOUBLE TEE
(Source: DK. Ching, 2019)
PRE-CAST FLOOR AND ROOF SLAB

Beams
• 15' to 75' (4.5 to 22 m) span range
• Rule of thumb for depth: span/15
• Use the span ranges indicated for
preliminary sizing only. Consult
manufacturer for availability of sizes,
exact dimensions, connection details,
and span-load tables.

BEAMS
(Source: DK. Ching, 2019)

AASHTO GIRDER
• American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials
• Designed originally for bridge structures but
used sometimes in building construction.
• 36' to 60' (10 to 18 m) span range

AASHTO GIRDER
(Source: DK. Ching, 2019)
PRE-CAST FLOOR AND ROOF SLAB

Pre-cast connection detail

Precast Concrete Connection Detail

(Source: DK. Ching, 2019)
PRE-CAST FLOOR AND ROOF SLAB

Pre-cast connection detail

Precast Concrete Connection Detail

(Source: DK. Ching, 2019)
PRE-CAST FLOOR AND ROOF SLAB

Pre-cast connection detail

Precast Concrete Connection Detail

(Source: DK. Ching, 2019)
PRE-CAST FLOOR AND ROOF SLAB

Pre-cast connection detail

Precast Concrete Connection Detail

(Source: DK. Ching, 2019)
PRE-CAST FLOOR AND ROOF SLAB

Lift Slab
• Lift-slab construction is a technique of constructing multistory buildings in which all horizontal
slabs are cast at ground level and, when cured, are raised into position by hydraulic jacks.
• Lift-slab construction, used chiefly with two-way flat plate structures, virtually eliminates formwork.
The floor and roof slabs of a building are cast in a stack on the ground. Then hydraulic jacks are used
to lift the slabs up the columns to their final elevations, where they are welded in place using special
cast-in-place steel slab collars.

Lift Slab Construction Illustration

(Source: DK Ching, 2019) Lift Slab Construction in Progress
(Source: E. Allen, 2009)
PRE-CAST FLOOR AND ROOF SLAB

Span stress floor system

• A construction method which utilizes span-stress prestressed T- Joist that can be used with
filler blocks or collapsible steel forms, or plywood forms.
• A system that is light yet capable of heavy loads and long span
much economical compared to conventional cast-in-place concrete slab
• Also, T-joist slab system requires less concrete on site, reduced steel reinforcement
• The system has the stiffness of a conventional slab since the concrete was poured
monolithic and is connected with the structure by providing connection reinforcement
that will transfer the lateral forces to the lateral load resisting member
PRE-CAST FLOOR AND ROOF SLAB

Flying form
• A large form that can be
moved by a crane, used
in constructing the
concrete floors and roofs
of a multistory building.
• For floor slabs that are
cast in place, flying
formwork is fabricated in
large sections that are
supported on deep metal
trusses. The sections are
moved from one floor to
the next by crane,
eliminating much of the
labor usually expended
on stripping and re- Flying Form
(Source: E. Allen, 2009)
erecting formwork.
PRE-CAST FLOOR AND ROOF SLAB

Slip forming
• It is useful for tall- walled structures such as elevator shafts, stair wells, and storage
silos. A ring of formwork is pulled steadily upward by jacks supported on the vertical
reinforcing bars, while workers add concrete and horizontal reinforcing in a continuous
process

Elevator shaft Construction

(Source: E. Allen, 2009)
PRE-CAST FLOR AND ROOF SLAB

Precast concrete roof systems are similar in form and

construction to precast floor systems and use the same
types of slab units

A- Bearing connections should allow for limited

horizontal movement due to creep, shrinkage, and
temperature changes.
B- Site cast concrete topping,
reinforced with welded wire fabric or reinforcing
bars, bonds to precast slabs to form a composite
structural unit; 2" (51) minimum.
C- Roofing membrane over rigid
D- Parapet Flashing
E- To serve as a horizontal diaphragm and transfer
lateral forces to shear walls, steel reinforcement
must tie the precast slab units to each other over
their supports and at their end bearings.

Precast Concrete Roof

(Source: DK. Ching, 2019)
PRE-CAST FLOOR AND ROOF SLAB

Precast Concrete Roof Connection Detail

(Source: DK. Ching, 2019)
LONG-SPAN CONCRETE STRUCTURES
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BUILDING TECHNOLOGY 5

References:
• Allen, E. (2009). Fundamental of building construction: materials and method 5th
edition. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
• Chudley, R. (2010). Building Construction Handbook 8th Edition. USA: Elsevier.
• Ching, F. (2014). Building Construction Illustrated 5th Edition. New Jersey: John
Wiley & Sons.