FLOOR SYSTEMS

FLOOR

- It is the bottom surface of a room.

- It can be stone, wood, bamboo, metal or any other material that
can support the expected load.
- It is the term used in the construction and building industry to
refer to the horizontal surfaces that can form the base of the
building or structure.
- This are essential component of any building as they provide a
stable level surface for people, furniture, and equipment to
stand on.
- This are an integral part of any construction project as they
provide both functional and aesthetic benefits to a building or structure.

When designing a multistory building, there’s quite a few different options to choose for floor framing
systems. Floor framing is more loosely coupled to the
rest of the building than other structural elements -
it’s often possible to swap out flooring systems while
leaving the rest of the building unchanged. There are
some limitations - you can’t use a wood framing
system in type I or type II construction for instance.
And some systems have more natural synergies than
others - if the rest of your building is cast concrete, it probably makes sense for your floor to be concrete
too. But generally, for a given building, there are at least a few different options for floor framing.

When constructing the floor system, it is important to take into consideration the type of flooring, the
laying of pipes and reinforcement. The type of flooring in a house must be adequately supported by the
flooring structure below.

Different buildings have different requirements, so not surprisingly there is no 'one size fits all' most
appropriate solution. Clearly the requirements vary depending on the type of use, but there are also some
more subtle issues to consider and these are highlighted below.

It should not be forgotten that when considering intended use, it may be appropriate to pay attention to a
different use in the future - many steel solutions offer flexibility that can result in high levels
of sustainability over the lifetime of a building.
 COMPONENTS OF A FLOOR

2 Essential components of a floor:

➢ Sub-floor

Also called Floor Base, is a structural

component which supports the floor
covering

➢ Flooring

Floor covering itself

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE SELECTION OF FLOOR SYSTEM

▪ Simplicity and Familiarity

As a rule of thumb designers should adopt the simplest solution that will meet the project requirements.
Generally speaking the simplest solution will also be the most common, and familiarity will facilitate
the design, fabrication and erection processes as no new learning is involved.

▪ Speed of Construction

For some projects the need to reduce to a minimum the construction time (on site) may play a determining
role. Indeed, time is often one of the key drivers for choosing a steel solution.

▪ Service Integration

The volume of services needed in a building is clearly a function of the end use design philosophy adopted
by the services engineer, e.g. air-conditioned, naturally ventilated, etc.

▪ Need for adaptable space

One of the long-recognized benefits of steel frame construction has been its ability to span significant
distances. This is particularly true when composite solutions are adopted, given the efficiencies of that form
of construction. This spanning ability allows the number of internal load bearing walls and columns to be
minimized
 ▪ Daylight Requirements

'Deep' floor plans may mean that, for example, office workers are a long way from natural lighting. Long
span solutions may not then be the most appropriate solution for certain situations, where a short span design
with an internal atrium may provide a more appropriate internal environment. The designer must seek the
best compromise.

▪ Aesthetics

If false ceilings are used then the aesthetics of the soffit of a given structural floor system are clearly
irrelevant. However, clients may require exposed soffits, specified primarily so that the thermal mass of the
floor is exposed. The soffit must also then be visually appealing. In some cases the presence of down stand
beams interrupting the soffit may not be welcome, although it is also true that an expressed structure may be
desired. A number of steel framed options may therefore be appropriate depending on specific requirements.

▪ Acoustics

Good detailing is needed to avoid flanking issues, where sound travels around a barrier (such as a floor) by
passing through an adjoining wall.

▪ Fire Resistance

Fire resistance requirements depend on the use and height (number of storeys) of a building. Fire resistance
periods between 60 minutes and 120 minutes are typical.

▪ Thermal Mass

Provision of sufficient thermal mass is an important part of a low energy building solution. The mass
provides a heat sink that absorbs heat during the day, and then in combination with natural ventilation the
heat is purged during the cooler night time.

▪ Floor Stiffness

Stiffness is needed to ensure that a floor behaves correctly from a dynamic point of view, thereby assuring
user comfort. This is a complex subject, as the real issue is how the floor responds (in terms of acceleration),
which is a function of a number of variables including stiffness and the mass that is mobilized.

▪ Deconstruction

There has been considerable interest in the benefits of designing for deconstruction . The ability to dismantle
a building and use the components again elsewhere is clearly attractive from a sustainability point of view,
and steel lends itself to such a solution.
 ▪ Cost

The cost comparison studies illustrate that for a range of building types, on a like for like basis steel frame
and floor solutions are highly competitive. The studies also highlighted the importance of considering total
building cost not just structural frame cost, as the choice of the structural frame and floor configuration will
have associated impacts on many other elements, including the substructure, roof and external cladding.

FLOOR SYSTEMS

- The choice of a correct floor system is an important economic decision in a building or structure.

o Reinforced Concrete Floor Systems

– takes advantage of continuity over interior supports by providing negative moment reinforcement
in the slab.

• One-way Slab
• Two-way Slab

One - way slabs - span continuously over walls or beams un to 24

feet (7.3 meters). These are 7 to 8 inch thick, and require simple
formwork, with simple reinforcement.

One – way pan joists and beam system – is a thin, welded

wire mesh reinforce slab that sits closely spaced cast-in place
joists spanning between major beams.

One – way slab spanned over closely spaced beams – this

permits use of a thin slab thickness, from 3 to 6 in (7.6 to 15
cm) and larger spans of up to 46 feet (14 meters).
Two – way flat plate – directly supported by columns or short
walls

Two – way flat slab – requires capitals or drop panels at the columns
to increase their shear negative moment capacities at the supports.

Waffle flat slab – supported by a square grid of closely spaced

joists with filled panels over the columns.

Two – way slab and beam system – spans two ways between
orthogonal sets of beams that transfer the load to the column of walls.

o Steel Framed Floor Systems

– steel framed structures also use reinforced concrete slabs placed upon the steel framing
• One – way slab
• Two – way slab
• Composite slab

Cast concrete on a metal deck – one-way reinforced concrete

slab, either a cast-in-place, typically 4 in thick requiring only 2.5
in of concrete thickness
 Precast concrete panels – alternative to the cast-in-place slab, it is
laid directly upon the steel beams and finished with a thin concrete
topping such as core slab.

One – way beam system – consists of a rectangular grid of steel

columns and steel beam running in the long direction, whilst using
the reinforced concrete slab to span the shorter direction.

Two – way steel beam system – it is used in buildings where the

columns are required to be farther apart in both directions.

Three – way steel beam system – it is used in buildings where

there is a need to have a large column free area.

Steel decking composite slabs – when the frame support

system is tied to the concrete slab via sheer connectors, the slab
becomes the compression flange of the new composite system

Composite frame – when the reinforced concrete slab is tied

directly to the supporting steel beam, the composite action comes
from the welded steel studs on the top flange of the beam.
 Composite frame and steel decking system – this
combines the quickly erected steel deck with the steel
studs welded through to the supporting beam or truss.

Flooring systems are a fundamental component of any building project, encompassing a wide range of
materials, designs, and technologies that form the walking surface of rooms and spaces.

When discussing flooring systems, it's essential to consider the variety of materials used, which include
hardwood, laminate, vinyl, ceramic tile, stone, and carpet, among others. Each material offers distinct
advantages and is suitable for different settings based on factors such as foot traffic, moisture exposure, and
the desired visual effect. For instance, hardwood floors are prized for their natural beauty and longevity,
while vinyl flooring provides a cost-effective and water-resistant option ideal for areas like kitchens and
bathrooms.

Overall, flooring systems are a diverse category that requires careful consideration of material properties,
installation methods, intended use, and environmental impact to ensure the selection of the most appropriate
and effective solution for any given project.

REFERENCE:

https://construo.io/tags/floors

https://www.construction-physics.com/p/comparing-flooring-systems

https://www.steelconstruction.info/Floor_systems

https://www.annamalaiuniversity.ac.in/studport/download/engg/civil%20and%20structural/TALL%20BULI
DING%20FLOORING%20SYSTEM%20By%20Dr.PNR.pdf