Composite Concrete Floors on Steel Decking.

Example provided by the NZ Master Concrete Placers Association of metal decking failing during concrete placing

In New Zealand the design and construction of concrete floors on steel decking is a safety issue which needs addressing. It is a regular occurrence to see instances of the decks shifting and moving during construction requiring urgent propping to allow the pour to proceed. It was exactly the same in the UK. This prompted the UK Concrete Society and the Association of Concrete Industrial Flooring Contractors to write a guidance report on the construction and associated design considerations. This guide also picks up on the tolerances and flatness specifications for elevated floors, again a matter of considerable importance for NZ where our NZS3114 is completely inappropriate for elevated floors. Despite this is it alway specified by engineers.  This “Good Concrete Guide No 5” (GCG5) is titled: “Composite Concrete slabs on steel decking. Guidance on construction and associated design considerations.” Andrew Dallas has written a paper to  review the issues that led to its writing in the UK, to see if they apply to construction practice on New Zealand sites and recommend where we go from here. If you would be interested to read this paper simply click on the link below:

Composite Concrete Slabs on steel decking