Historic Floor System
Historic Floor System
(OP)
Does anyone have any idea what type of floor system this is? (see picture)
This is in the basement of a 1890's 4-story apartment building located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It appears to be a metal plate with holes which seem to be filled in with glass. The building has steel columns and i'm assuming the beams are steel as well (they are not exposed anywhere in the building).

Thanks!
This is in the basement of a 1890's 4-story apartment building located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It appears to be a metal plate with holes which seem to be filled in with glass. The building has steel columns and i'm assuming the beams are steel as well (they are not exposed anywhere in the building).
Thanks!






RE: Historic Floor System
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Historic Floor System
Beams from the 1890's could be either steel or wrought iron, depends on the date. Wrought iron was effectively phased out about 1895. Before then, both were available.
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RE: Historic Floor System
Ditto on Mike probably being right. I looked through a paper on antiquated floor system and some old text books (early 20th C), there's nothing close to your photo. I googled "sidewalk skylights" and found some images that are similar. I also found this website:
http://glassian.org/Prism/Bruner/Sweet27-28/A390.h...
I found this photo on the same site:
RE: Historic Floor System
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Historic Floor System
I wonder if that was added at a later date?
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