Precast beams vs. reinforced concrete
Precast beams vs. reinforced concrete
(OP)
Anyone care to offer some words of wisdom on the following:
As part of a slab to be poured for the floor of a small house, it will be necessary to bridge across the top of a "cellar" in the middle of the house. This hole is about 12 feet wide by 30 feet long. Would precast beams and blocks be a better choice than just rebar across the top of the hole? In either case, the hole will be covered as part of the pour for the entire floor. The area would need to support a ceramic tile floor and interior non-load-bearing 8 ft wood frame & drywall walls.
Any thoughts on the use of metal form decking on this?
Thanks for your thoughts
As part of a slab to be poured for the floor of a small house, it will be necessary to bridge across the top of a "cellar" in the middle of the house. This hole is about 12 feet wide by 30 feet long. Would precast beams and blocks be a better choice than just rebar across the top of the hole? In either case, the hole will be covered as part of the pour for the entire floor. The area would need to support a ceramic tile floor and interior non-load-bearing 8 ft wood frame & drywall walls.
Any thoughts on the use of metal form decking on this?
Thanks for your thoughts






RE: Precast beams vs. reinforced concrete
RE: Precast beams vs. reinforced concrete
An expert is a man who has made all the mistakes which can be made in a very narrow field
RE: Precast beams vs. reinforced concrete
Michael.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
RE: Precast beams vs. reinforced concrete
Other materials may be more economical, however.
BA
RE: Precast beams vs. reinforced concrete
Tile floor = need for minimal movement in the supporting slab.
RE: Precast beams vs. reinforced concrete
The wooden beams and floor have been removed and it is now desired to lay a slab and tile floor across the hole, while maintaining the hole open, with access from the outside, to be used as a cellar.
I have been looking at these precast beam and block systems:
http://www.cube6.co.uk/beam-and-block.htm
and
http://www.supaslab.co.za/
as opposed to using conventional forms or metal form decking, such as:
http://www.metaldeck.com/floor_deck.htm
and
http://www.metaldecksupply.com/
I thank you in advance for your thoughts on this.
RE: Precast beams vs. reinforced concrete
In the U.S., it is unlikely you would find a producer willing to make the necessary block to use the system since the U.S, construction is one of the few areas where wood and lightweight construction is really common in the total concept.
For such a small DIY area the choice is to use the local materials compatible with your style of construction. - You just have provide adequate support around the "hole", span over it and cover with the materials that are compatible with what you have and what you plan to use as a surface.
Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.
RE: Precast beams vs. reinforced concrete
Also if you change from insitu concrete to precast with topping you are introducing a crack point.
If you need the formwork to be permanent then I would suggest a metal deck as mentioned above but I would avaid using steel beams if possible.
One thing that you need to consider is if you need the slab to restrain the top of the walls, if so then you may want insitu slab rather than deck so it interlocks with the walls.