Historic Floor System

[crross93]

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!

 

[msquared48]

Looks like old skylight construction used in the sidewalks of many turn of the century buildings in Seattle after the fire when the grades of the new streets were raised one story.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[SlideRuleEra]

crross93 - Could that flooring have been added later than the 1890's? Mike's suggestion is probably right.

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.

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

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[bridgebuster]

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.html

I found this photo on the same site:

 

[KootK]

I've encountered the skylight system as well and can confirm that's what it looks like. In my case, I had to evaluate it for fire truck loads. It was easy. Are you encountering this system in above grade floors?

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.

 

[JAE]

That looks like some kind of galvanized steel - galvanizing was invented long ago but you don't normally see it in 1840's construction that I'm aware of.
I wonder if that was added at a later date?



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