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Toppings and Interface Shear PDF

This document discusses the design considerations for composite hollowcore floors. It notes that a structural concrete topping on hollowcore units enhances structural performance through composite action. However, the design must properly address the shear at the interface between the precast and in-site concrete, as well as the structural design of the topping itself. Key design factors for the topping include stresses, shear transfer at the interface, durability, and cracking due to shrinkage. The interface shear stress design considers surface roughness factors to ensure the topping acts compositely with the precast units.

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67 views

Toppings and Interface Shear PDF

This document discusses the design considerations for composite hollowcore floors. It notes that a structural concrete topping on hollowcore units enhances structural performance through composite action. However, the design must properly address the shear at the interface between the precast and in-site concrete, as well as the structural design of the topping itself. Key design factors for the topping include stresses, shear transfer at the interface, durability, and cracking due to shrinkage. The interface shear stress design considers surface roughness factors to ensure the topping acts compositely with the precast units.

Uploaded by

Dima Ovsii
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Toppings and Interface Shear in July 2018

Hollowcore Composite Floors


A composite hollowcore floor combines precast hollowcore units with a structural concrete topping
resulting in enhanced structural performance and lateral load distribution. However, the design of the
topping and the shear at the interface between the precast and in-situ concrete must be properly
addressed.

STRUCTURAL DESIGN OF HOLLOWCORE COMPOSITE FLOORING

• Hollowcore planks are designed in accordance with Eurocode 2: Design of concrete


structures, in particular Part 1-1 (General rules and rules for buildings) and Part 1-2
(General rules - structural fire design). Additionally, hollowcore planks are
manufactured to conform to BS EN 1168.

• Hollowcore composite floors are designed to have effective shear key joints between
adjacent slabs such that when grouted with a minimum C20/25 concrete the
individual slabs become a system that behaves similarly to a monolithic slab.

• The use of a structural topping on precast prestressed planks enhances the structural
capacity of the floor due to composite action between the topping and the planks.
Steel Construction Institute (SCI) Report P401 indicates that if a structural topping
is used, then typically it is possible to increase the resistance of hollowcore planks
by between 20% and 60%.

• Typically, a structural topping comprises a 50 mm to 75 mm thick layer of C25/30


normal weight concrete reinforced with A142 fabric reinforcement. The structural
topping should not be confused with some types of screed that do not contribute any
structural enhancement to the precast concrete planks.

Structural topping
Reinforcement

Grout
Precast hollowcore plank

• Prestressed hollowcore slabs will exhibit a degree of camber, the extent of which
will depend upon the span and the amount of prestress within the design. Due
allowance must therefore be made for this in determining finishes and the overall
floor thickness. The specified thickness of structural topping must be provided at the
point of maximum camber.

The Old Rectory, Main Street, Leicester, LE3


8DG
Tel: 0116 232 5170, email:
[email protected]
www.precastfloors.onfo
• The design of the topping must take into account the following:

(a) compressive stress in the topping


(b) horizontal (complementary) shear at the interface between the topping and
the floor planks
(c) durability requirements of the concrete
(d) cracking of the topping due to shrinkage and thermal movement during and
after construction

• With respect to item (b), although there is usually no mechanical fixing between the
structural topping and precast planks, the two parts can be designed to act
compositely provided that the shear stress at the interface meets the requirements
of clause 6.2.5 of BS EN 1992-1-1:2004.

In simple terms the design value of the shear stress at the interface should not
exceed the design shear resistance at the interface. The magnitude of the design
shear resistance takes into account the roughness of the interface using two factors
c and μ. Surfaces may be classified as very smooth, smooth, rough or indented as
follows:

Classification Example c μ
Very smooth A surface cast against steel, plastic or 0.025 – 0.10 0.5
specially prepared wooden moulds
[1]
Smooth A slipformed or extruded surface, or a 0.20 0.6
free surface left without further
treatment after vibration
Rough[2] A surface with at least 3 mm roughness 0.40 0.7
at about 40 mm spacing, achieved by
raking, exposing of aggregate or other
methods giving an equivalent behaviour
Indented A surface with indentations complying 0.50 0.9
with Figure 6.9 of BS EN 1992-1-1
[1]
This is the standard top surface finish
[2]
This is an optional surface finish that can be formed at the time of casting

The upper surfaces of precast planks can therefore be finished as to ensure that the
topping acts compositely with the planks to form a unified structural element.

• Hollowcore composite floors can be designed to provide diaphragm action to transmit


horizontal force to the primary supporting structure. Any requirement for floor
diaphragm action will need to be considered when designing precast prestressed
concrete floors. The reinforcement in the structural topping will need to be designed
for both bending and diaphragm actions. Clause 10.9.3 of BS EN 1992-1-1 explains
the principles of how a precast floor can be designed to act as a diaphragm.

• On site hollowcore planks must be grouted immediately after installation. Prior to


laying a structural topping the top surfaces of the precast planks should be
thoroughly cleaned and free from any debris and then they should be wetted
approximately 30 minutes before laying the topping. The precast surfaces should be
saturated but free of surface water.

Published with the support of A product group of British Precast Working with

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