I have a question about concrete floor practices speciffically associated with Quad-Deck or similar products ( Lite-deck, insuldeck). Considering a two story house with a basement. Essentially a 50x 28 foot rectangle. If one uses Quad-Deck or isuldeck to span ~ 28 feet for the concrete floor with radiant tubes, I understand that the shoring required would be supported by the basement floor while the concrete sets. I don't think that would be a big problem. However, when you do the second floor the shoring rest on the recently poured first floor slab ( ~ 3-4") while the second floor concrete sets. Is that 3 -4" slab sufficient to support the weight of the 2nd floor concrete without designing some special beams into the first floor? How long would you let the first floor set before pouring the 2nd floor? Thanks JW

j.
There are a few things that have to be taken into account in order to give you a specific answer.
the design load of the first floor, the dead load of the second, the amount of live load for the people on the second floor during the pour etc.
If you are pouring in the cold, then pour the first slab, stack and pour the walls, then pour the second floor with the supports stil under the first slab. Wait untill the slabs are 30 days old before taking out the supports.
Keep heat on the slabs after they are poured to keep them from freezing.
Regards,
Joe

J.W.
You might want to look in to speed floor. I will price out at about $11.00 with radiant heat kit and no shoring. that is all the labour and concrete in the price ...with a heating kit also. more bang for your buck.

J.,

You will need to let the floors cure to the design strength of the concrete required by your engineer (2500 PSI or greater). This is when you can remove the shoring. If you are doing multiple floors you will have to leave the shoring in two floors below until the engineered concrete strength is met. This can be done with a number of methods quicker than waiting 30 days. If you use a High Early conrete design and have test cylinders crushed at 7 day intervals you will be able to remove your shoring sooner without guess work. You can also use more cement in your mix (something like a 6.5 sack) with super plasticizer to reduce your water to cement ratio which can reach strengths of 4000 PSI in 7 days.

I would also put rebar in the basement slab.

Thanks

ICF Contractor

What is the max unsupported span for Speedfloor for reasonable loads? Can you Span 28'?

THanks

JW

It can span 30' without interim bracing. Further if you want to brace in the middle.

It can span 30' without interim bracing. Further if you want to brace in the middle.

Hey Tom,

I have never used the speed floor system. I am courious if it is a metal truss system with a camber built into it. If it is, I have used a similar product but had big problems with floor bounce after install and full cure. I was wondering if it is similar how they might have corrected the issue or if they haven't. Because if it is as easy and fast as you say I would love to start using it but it has to be solid.

ICF Contractor

how does speedfloor compare to hambro in performance and price. they seem pretty similar. I am also considering lite deck and amvic concrete flooring systems. are there others that i should be considering? i plan to put radiant heating in them and want 30' spans or so.

Speed floor is a lot like Hambro, as they are both composite concrete floor that require no shoring. Speed floor is much lighter and can even be man handled. hambro requires a lift. We used speed floor for a 26' car park about 4 years ago and I don't recall a bounce. and Our client has never called back and it has been in constant use. We actually set these joist by hand with only 2 men total. As for the other shored systems, it will require at least 60 days of cure time after the last pour. And I would error on the safe side and shore both levels the entire time. I'm attaching in the next post the strapping that I installed myself with the aid of a 2x4 a step ladder and a cordless drill.