Steel Decking for Flooring

Steel deck is a useful material used in various types of construction. It is a cold-formed corrugated steel sheet that is supported by steel beams or joints. It is mainly used as a support to the concrete of a roof. Its main purpose is to provide a structurally efficient product for use in floor and roof systems.

The design and fabrication of steel deck enhances the properties of the steel in order to produce a high strength-to-weight ratio. It lowers the material, erection, and handling costs but still maintains the overall durability of the construction material.

Steel is 100% recyclable, so after processing, discarded steel finds its way into new construction. With steel, there is less waste on construction sites, which results in less debris sent to landfills. Visit this source.

Despite the fact that it is a structural component, its uniform quality can offer an attractive appearance, especially with the use of properly specified shop and field applied coatings. Steel deck is also a component of many UL and ULC approved fire rated assemblies.

Steel and concrete composite slabs are lighter and stronger than most conventional slabs. The steel decking provides tensile reinforcement, combining with the compressive strength of the concrete for an all round stronger slab. Steel decking profiles are designed to prevent any longitudinal slip between the steel and concrete in the slab itself, and any transverse movement between the slab and supporting beams.

The weight savings achieved in composite slabs can be passed on to other areas of the design, such as foundations. And because steel decking acts as permanent formwork, it can significantly reduce the need for propping or temporary formwork -saving both time and money. 

An advantage achieved with steel floor systems, is greater spans resulting in fewer columns required for support, and in turn fewer footings reducing overall costs. The majority of floors utilise Cold Form Steel sections, and occasionally hot rolled bearers fabricated off site. Read this.

Steel decks are normally delivered to construction sites in pre-cut lengths, and pre-packaged bundles. The bundles can be easily craned into work areas while the individual decks can be quickly segregated by hand. One truck or loader can carry around 1,000 square metres of decking at a time and a team can install up to 400 square metres in a day.

A composite slab works as a safe working platform. Once the slab is poured, workers can go with their jobs right away. Work may continue to proceed on the floors above, allowing simple installation of services. Ductwork, service pipes, and cable trays can be suspended neatly underneath the slab with brackets, hangers, and designed clips which locate quickly and easily into recesses in the steel decking profile.