CMA UPDATES HOLLOW-CORE CONCRETE SLAB BROCHURES:
Article Date: 29 March 2010
 The Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA) has updated two brochures on precast concrete slabs, ‘Prestressed hollow-core concrete slabs’ and ‘Precast concrete slabs on load-bearing masonry’. Both are intended for developers, building professionals, architects, structural engineers, and quantity surveyors and are based on SABS standards for the types of materials used.
Originally conceived and developed as an alternative to in situ cast concrete flooring for multi-storey buildings some 25 years ago, today hollow-core slabs are used in at least five other applications, namely, security walling, reservoir walling and roofing, retaining walls, and warehouse walling, and the first brochure expands on these applications citing examples. It also gives information on how to fit down-lighting into hollow-core slabs and the correct method of attaching ceramic tiles to suspended flooring.
The second brochure acts as a good practice guide focusing on precast concrete slabs in combination with load-bearing masonry walls, and covers buildings types and associated economics, flooring and roofing applications, the types of slabs and associated walling, and design aspects. Construction methods, materials and jointing aspects are also covered here, as are SANS standards and references on precast concrete slab construction.
CMA director, Hamish Laing, says the hollow-core slab is a viable, and in many instances, preferable alternative to more conventional building materials.
For instance, some of the advantages of erecting vertical walling using prestressed hollow-core slabs include:
• Quicker construction and completion times
• Immediate installation upon delivery
• No shuttering or on-site curing
• Excellent durability.
Laing advises that when used as security walling, prestressed slabs are cast using a 50MPa concrete mix, making the walls highly resistant to breaking and entering. In addition electric fencing or razor wire can be easily attached to the walls.
“Besides the obvious advantages of simpler, faster construction, not to mention a more durable end-product, the secret of applying hollow-core slabs successfully is in the pre-planning. Get one of our member companies involved at the concept stage and their advice and design input comes at no charge,” says Laing.
He adds there is huge potential for growth in the use of hollow-core slabs in South Africa.
“It is a concept which is still under-utilised locally in contrast to the EU and Russia where it enjoys a much higher usage profile. We tend to be cautious in our approach to new construction techniques and there are still many engineers unfamiliar with the technology.
“Nevertheless there is considerable professional interest in the use of prestressed and reinforced precast concrete hollow-core slabs as an alternative flooring material, especially for multi-storey buildings. Last year over 370 engineers, architects and property developers attended three seminars staged by the CMA on the subject year. The seminars focused on hollow-core slab technology and demonstrated how in situ columns and beams can be used in combination with precast hollow-core flooring to achieve a monolithic, structurally sound buildings,” observes Laing.
Anyone interested in obtaining copies of one or both of the hollow-core brochures should contact Pam Zukor at the CMA on 011 805-6742 or via email on main.cma@qmail.com .
DATE: March 2010
ISSUED BY: David Beer Communication Consultants
FOR: Concrete Manufacturers Association
ENQUIRIES: Hamish Laing (011) 805 6742
David Beer (011) 478 0239 or 082 880 6726. Email: bigsky@ibi.co.za
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