Concrete Slab On Metal Deck Cracking

Cracking in composite concrete metal decking floor slabs.

Concrete slab on metal deck cracking.

Although a crack free floor is always desirable random cracks are to be expected in the kind of floor described. Engineers who design slabs on metal deck aren t thinking about the contractor. Cracking can occur in both hardened and fresh or plastic concrete as a result of volume changes and repeated loading. Generally they are found to be satisfactory in service.

Cracking is usually the first sign of distress in concrete. Lloyd concrete services the contractor should ask the engineer if it s ok to run laser guided screeds on the deck. As a contractor therefore don t be afraid to talk to the engineer about all this. It is however possible for deterioration to exist before cracks appear.

Any concrete floor cast on a metal frame and deck is severely constricted. However visible cracking is one aspect that occasionally causes problems and complaints from building occupiers. Composite concrete profiled steel sheet slabs are a popular form of construction for suspended floor slabs as they are simple and economical to design and construct. A crack in a slab of 1 8 inch or less is typically a normal shrinkage crack and not a cause for concern.

While the concrete shrinks the steel frame does not causing high tensile stresses in the concrete which ultimately lead to cracks.