Composite Cinder and Concrete Slab

Baerbomb · Sep 13, 2010

I am analyzing a 1922 construction system which consists of (from top to bottom, materials per drawings):
1 inch cement finish
4 inch cinder concrete fill
4 inch concrete slab

There is a note indicating "cinder conc 1+2+5".

I initially assumed the 4" concrete slab is the structural support and the rest is non-structural topping. However, others think the 4" cinder can be included as a structural element, thus making the analysis for an 8" thick slab.

Who is right?

frogit22 · Sep 13, 2010

The cinder concrete fill is just that...fill. this type of material has perhaps 500 to 700 psi compressive strength.

See Donald Friedman's book "Historical Building Construction" , chapter 7.

Relying on the cinder concrete as providing any significant structural contribution is not realistic by current design or evaluation standards.

bridgebuster · Sep 14, 2010

I agree with frogit. A while back I had to analyze some floor systems from about the same era with the same type of construction. Another good reference is:

"Structural Analysis of Historic Buildings" by J. Stanley Rabun, published by Wiley.

It's a bit expensive though.

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