Precast Elements
5.1 Columns
The following is relevant to column design:
a) Columns are designed for combined axial compression and bending.
b) Column bending moments at beam level are determined from the
eccentric loading at the connection.
c) In the case of slender unbraced columns, the additional moments due to
Floor
slenderness effects are added to the total design moment at each floor level.
Apex Depth
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5.2 Beams
Reinforced or prestressed concrete beams in a precast concrete frame are
designed for the specified loadings and support conditions.
The beam may be composite or non-composite. Composite beams act with the
floor, column and screed to form a monolithic structure.
Flo
a) Inverted Tee-Beam
Beams are typically designed as simply supported with a characteristic concrete
strength of between 40N/mm2 and 50N/mm2.
Precast Column - Installation
Floor
Floor
Beams generally span from column to column. Alternatively, the beam can cantilever
over the end of the column to facilitate a drop-in beam. See diagram page 15.
Precast beam profiles are generally inverted T-Beams or l-Beams designed to facilitate the support of
the precast concrete floor units.
Floor
a) Inverted Tee-Beam
Floor
Floor
Floor
Floor
Floor
Floor
Floor
Floor
Floor
c) Changes in Floor Level
b) Rectangular Beam
b) Rectangular Beam
Floor
a) Inverted Tee-Beam
a) Inverted Tee-Beam
Floor
Floor
Floor
d) Changes in Floor Level
Floor
Floor in Floor Level
c) Changes
Floor
Floor
or
Floor
Floor
Floor
oorc)Level
Changes in Floor Level
Floor
Floor
Floor
Floor
Floor
b) Rectangular Beam
d) Changes in Floord)Level
Changes in Floor Level
e) Changes in Floore)Level
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Changes in Floor Level
Precast Elements
Internal Beams
to Column Head
Edge Beam
to Column Head
Split Level
Beams to
Column Face
Mid-Height
Column
Splice
Half Joint
to Column
Arm
Beam to
Deep Column
Corbel
Floor Level
Column
Splice
Beam to
Shallow
Column
Corbel
Beam to
Column
Face
Beam
Half
Joint
Continuous
Beam to
Column
Head
Beam to
Column
Haunch
Beam to
Column
Splice
Continuous
Beam to
Column
Splice
Column
Baseplate
on Retaining
Wall
Column in
Grouted Pocket
Column on Bolted
Shoe or Brackets
Column in
Grouted Sleeve
Column on Bolted
Baseplate on Pad Footing
5.3 Beam Column Connections
The Steel Billet is a common method of connecting precast beams to precast
columns. The billet is cast into the body of the column and projects from the
column face to form a seating for the floor beam. Another common method of
column to beam connection is the formation of a concrete corbel in the column.
5.4 Precast Floors
A: Steel
BillettoDetail:
Safety, quality, and the transfer ofDETAIL
the installation
process
the manufacturer are
factors driving the growing market share for precast floors. Precast concrete units
have significant time-saving advantages over propped formwork flooring methods.
Reducing the construction programme and presenting the building ahead of
schedule for rental are important cost-saving factors.
Units are manufactured to exact standards in factory conditions and installed by
Health & Safety trained operatives. In addition, openings can be left for services
such as cabling and service hangers and fixings installed as part of the precast
sub-contract package. Precast floor units are typically supported by concrete or
steel beams or on solid block walls. Precast concrete floors are particularly valued
for their excellent sound insulation and fireproofing qualities.
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Precast Elements
In situ Topping
5.4.1 Selecting a Precast Floor System
There are three main precast floor unit types. The specific structural characteristics
of each type must be taken into account in assessing the most suitable option for
a particular application. In some applications the structural capabilities such as
In situ Infill
Hollowcore Slab
spanning
ability will determine the choice. In short-span
buildings, structural and
material efficiency or proximity to site might be the determining factor. The most
suitable choice is relative to the specific project requirements and conditions.
In situ Topping
In situ Topping
Double-Tee Slab
Hollowcore Slab
In situ Infill
In situ Topping
In situ Topping
In situ Topping
Hollowcore Slab
Wideslab
In situ Infill
Steel Lattice Reinforcing
Double-Tee Slab
In situ Topping
In situ Topping
Double-Tee Slab
Wideslab
Steel Lattice Reinforcing
Precast floor systems have a number of advantages: In situ Topping
a) Reduction in Frame Size
Precast floors can be designed to act compositely with the structure of the building
to reduce frame sizes: e.g. main support beams supporting solid slab and screed
can be designed as T-beams.
Wideslab
Steel Lattice Reinforcing
b) Progressive Collapse
Prestressed composite floors can be tied-in to the main structure and are therefore
particularly suited to buildings where progressive collapse is a consideration.
c) Diaphragm Action
Precast floor slabs together with the structural screed provide a structural deck
with full diaphragm action where required in multi-storey buildings.
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Precast Elements
5.4.2 Hollowcore Floor
Hollowcore slabs derive their name from the
circular voids or cores which run from end
to end of the slab. The cores can function
as cable/services ducts and significantly
reduce the self-weight of the slabs,
maximising structural efficiency. Units are
available in standard 1200mm widths and
in depths of 150mm to 500mm.
Hollowcore slabs have excellent long-span
capabilities, achieving a maximum capacity
of 2.3 KN/sq.m over a 16 metre span. The
long-span capability is ideal for office,
retail or car park developments. Units are
installed with or without a structural screed,
depending on requirements. Slabs arrive
on site with a smooth pre-finished soffit.
In car parks and other open structures,
pre-finished soffits offer a maintenance
free solution.
Hollowcore Floor Units
5.4.3 Solid Wideslab Floors
Solid Wideslab is sometimes referred to as plate flooring which is generally used
in residential developments. Wideslab flooring contains an internal mesh/strand
which facilitates notching and the forming of opes.
Apartments - Wideslab Floors
There are two distinct types of wideslab:
a) In situ screeded slabs 2400mm wide and in depths of 65mm to 200mm deep
with spans of up to 7.5m. These slabs are generally for upper floors and have
smooth self-finishing soffits. Some manufacturers can apply a specialist painted
finish to the soffit as part of the contract. Generally a 75mm structural screed is
required. A triangular steel lattice girder reinforcement which projects into the screed
can be used to increase the spanning capabilities of the wideslab unit and the overall
robustness of the floor. The pre-camber of prestressed units should be discussed
with the technical department of the selected precast company.
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Precast Elements
b) Pre-screeded slabs 150mm to 200mm deep are delivered self-finished for
ground floor applications. These slabs are particularly suited to poor ground
conditions or where cut and fill is required. Maximum spans of 7.5m can be
achieved.
5.4.4 Double-Tee Floor Slabs
Double-Tee floor units are produced in standard widths of 2400mm and in depths
of between 250mm and 1000mm. The system offers greater structural capacity at
longer spans than hollowcore or wideslabs, but often requires a deeper floor zone.
The Double-Tee system is the only system which offers a solution for spans over
16m.
Note: For design advice, span/load details and material specifications, please
contact the Technical Service Department of the relevant precast company.
Double-Tee Floor Units
5.5 Precast Floors with Composite Toppings
Structural toppings can be combined with precast units to produce Precast
Composite Floors. The advantage of Precast Composite Floors is the increased
bending and flexural stiffness. Structural toppings can also be specified to improve
acoustic performance and reduce vibration. In situ toppings will also improve
thermal performance.
Structural toppings are generally 75mm to 100mm thick and it is recommended
that their thickness should not be less than 50mm.
Provided there is sufficient anchorage/bonding with the precast unit, the topping
and unit can be considered as a monolithic.
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Precast Elements
5.6 Checking Calculations
The following items should be checked when designing precast floors:
Applied Loading
Assumed Loading Distribution
Design Assumptions (structural screed, temporary propping, etc.)
Section Size
Strand Pattern - Number and Location of Prestressing Strands
Fire Rating
Cover
Service Stresses - Allowable vs Actual
Ultimate Bending Moments - Allowable vs Actual
Ultimate Shear - Allowable vs Actual
Deflection
Workshop Drawings
It is important that design assumptions made about the slab are reflected in the
production drawings used to manufacture the slabs. For example, the drawings
should confirm the designed reinforcement strand pattern, whether open cores are
required for forming stability tie details and if temporary propping is required while
pouring the structural screed.
Slab Widths
All three flooring systems can be produced in narrower widths than the standard
widths indicated. However, sq.m prices for off-standard widths are higher than for
standard widths. Consequently, buildings designed on grids which are a multiple
of 1200mm will maximise the cost benefit of precast floors.
5.7 Precast Stairs
Precast stairs do not require the propping and fixing which is necessary for cast in
situ stairs. Stair units are connected to floors and landings using steel angle joints.
Other connections such as continuous halving joints and intermittent halving joints
are sometimes used. Combined stairs and landing units are also available. Once
installed, precast stairs allow immediate, safe access to upper floors for following
trades.
Precast stairs are particularly cost effective when duplicated. The greater the
number of identical units required, the lower the cost.
5.8 Precast Balconies
Precast balconies are manufactured mainly for use in
apartment complexes. Units have steel bars projecting
from the back which tie-in with the steel mesh in the
structural screed of the precast floor units. Balcony units
are temporarily supported while the structural floor screed
is being poured. When the screed has set, the supports
are removed leaving the balcony unit cantilevered from
the floor edge.
Apartments Precast Balconies
26
Precast balcony units typically have integral drainage slots
to receive drainage outlets and an upstand to facilitate
proper weatherproofing details at door threshholds.
Student Accommodation Precast Stairs
