COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BUBBLE DECK SLAB AND

SOLID DECK SLAB

Seminar report submitted

to

MANIPAL UNIVERSITY

For Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the

Award of the Degree

of

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING
in

CIVIL ENGINEERING
by

WASEEM RAJA
160904094
Under the Guidance of

Prof. B Prakash Rao

&
Prof. Ravindranath
Department of Civil Engineering
 ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS: Bubble deck, Slabs, Conventional, concrete.

Bubble deck slab is an innovative floor system of reinforced concrete which contains

spherical hollows as concrete saving elements. It is a revolutionary method which virtually

eliminates all concrete from the middle portion of a floor slab. The structural dead weight

is reduced due to the non-performance of any structural function by the middle portion of

the slab. High density polypropylene spherical balls replace the in-effective concrete in the

center of the slab. Voids in the middle of the slab provide thermal insulation and also leads

to 30 to 50% lighter slab. Bubble deck slab allows longer spans between columns supports.

In this paper, flexural strength of the slab was determined by two point load test. The aim

of this paper is to discuss about various properties of Bubble deck slab based on the various

studies done abroad. Moment, deflection and stress distributions are verified using Finite

Element Method (FEM) in SAP2000.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page no

Introduction………………………………..……………………………………………4

Literature review………………………………………………………………………. 6

Chapter 1- Materials………………………………………………………………….. 9

Chapter 2- Properties of the Bubble Deck Slab…………………………………… 10

Chapter 2 – Finite Element Analysis ……………………………………………….. 15

Conclusions………………………………………………………………………….. 18

References…………………………………………………………………………….19

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 INTRODUCTION

In any Engineering structure, slabs constitute the most important part, used for berthing
purpose and are also used to transmit the loading to other structural members. In general,
slabs are classified as being one-way or two- way. Slabs that primarily deflect in one
direction are referred to as one-way slabs. When slabs are supported by columns arranged
generally in rows so that the slabs can deflect in two directions they are usually referred to
as two - way slabs. This study is performed on bubble deck slabs, invented by Jorgen
Bruenig in 1990’s (who developed the first biaxial hollow slab in Denmark), the slab is
constructed using void formers which merely create voids commonly referred to as bubbles
and the slab, as bubble deck (also known as voided slab). Bubble deck system is a new
construction technology using recycled spherical balls in slabs to reduce self-weight of the
structure as part of the concrete is replaced by the bubbles. The use of spherical balls to fill
the voids in the middle of a flat slab eliminates 35% of a slab self-weight compared to solid
slab having same thickness without affecting its deflection behavior & bending strength.

BUBBLE deck slab is a biaxial hollow core slab invented in Denmark. It is a method of
virtually eliminating all concrete from the middle of a floor slab not performing any
structural function (fig 1), thereby dramatically reducing structural dead weight. Bubble
deck slab is based on a new patented technique which involves the direct way of linking
air and steel. Void forms in the middle of a flat slab by means of plastic spheres eliminate
35% of a slab's self-weight [1], removing constraints of high dead loads and short spans.

Its flexible layout easily adapts to irregular and curved plan configurations. The system
allows for the realization of longer spans, more rapid and less expensive erection, as well
as the elimination of down-stand beams. According to the manufacturer, Bubble deck slab
can reduce total project costs by three percent. Bubble deck slab is a new innovative and
sustainable floor system to be used as a self-supporting concrete floor. The application of
the Bubble deck slab floor system in the Netherlands is manifested as the world-wide first
application. The Bubble deck slab floor system can be used for storey floors, roof floors
and ground floor slabs. A Bubble deck slab floor is a flat slab floor, therefore without beams
and column heads. The principal characteristic is that hollow plastic spheres are
incorporated in the floor, Clamped in a factory-made reinforcement structure. This

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reinforcement structure constitutes at the same time the upper and lower reinforcement of
the concrete floor.

The reinforcement structure with spherical shapes and possibly a thin concrete shell as
precast slab floor are supplied to the construction site in factory-made units with a
maximum width of 3 meters; they are installed on site and are assembled by installing
connecting rods and by pouring concrete as shown in fig 2. After the concrete has set, the
floor is ready to be used. The ratio of the diameter of the plastic spheres to the thickness of
the floor is such that a 35 % saving is achieved on the material or concrete consumption
for the floor in comparison with a solid concrete floor of the same thickness. The saving
on weight obtained in this way has the result that a Bubble deck slab floor can provide the
required load-bearing capacity at a smaller thickness this leads to a further advantage,
resulting in a saving of 40 to 50 % of the material consumption in the floor construction.

This is not the last of the advantages of the Bubble deck slab floor system: because of the
lower weight of the floor system itself, also the supporting constructions such as columns
and foundations can be less heavy. This can result eventually in a total weight or material
saving on the building construction of up to 50 %. Since the weight of the structure reduced,
this type of structure can useful to reduce earthquake damage.

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 LITERATURE REVIEW

In the 1990's, Jorgen Breuning invented a way to link the air space and steel within a

voided biaxial concrete slab. The Bubble Deck technology uses spheres made of recycled

industrial plastic to create air voids while providing strength through arch action. See Fig

2.1 for a section cut of a Bubble Deck. As a result, this allows the hollow slab to act as a

normal monolithic two-way spanning concrete slab. These bubbles can decrease the dead

weight up to 35% and can increase the capacity by almost 100% with the same thickness.

As a result, Bubble Deck slabs can be lighter, stronger, and thinner than regular

reinforced concrete slabs. Currently, this innovative technology has only been applied to

a few hundred residential, high-rise, and industrial floor slabs due to limited

understanding.

In June, 2010, Tina Lai studied the structural behavior of BubbleDeck Slab and Their

Application to Lightweight Bridge Decks at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Author stated that bubble deck slab system is a revolutionary concrete floor system

developed in Europe. High-density polyethylene hollow spheres replace the ineffective

concrete in the center of the slab, thus decreasing the dead weight and increasing the

efficiency of the floor. These bi-axial slab have many advantages over the conventional

solid concrete slab: lower total cost, reduced material use, enhanced structural efficiency,

decreased construction time and is a green technology. Through tests, models and

analysis from a variety of institution was proven to be superior than traditional solid

concrete. Deflection of the slab is slightly more than the traditional slab and the shear and

6
punching shear is significantly less than a solid deck slab since shear resistance is directly

related to the depth of concrete.

The author modeled and analyzed the office floor slab and bridge slab using this

technology by using SAP 2000. The results stated by the author proves that the Bubble

Deck Slab performed better than a traditional solid concrete, bi-axial slab. This

technology is more efficient in office floor system and the performance of the voided slab

is not as successful in a bridge slab. The Continuous, Simply supported bay layout of this

bridge was not optimal for this system since it generated a one way slab response rather

than a biaxial one. In 2012, Prabu Teja, P Vijay Kumar, S. Anusha, CH. Mounika,

Purnachandra Saha(2) discussed various properties of Bubble deck slab based on the

various studies done abroad. Moment, deflection and stress distributions are verified

using Finite Element Method (FEM) in SAP2000. And from their study, they concluded

that . Bending stresses in the bubble deck slab are found to be 6.43% lesser than that of a

solid slab. Deflection of Bubble deck is 5.88% more than the solid slab as the stiffness is

reduced due to the hollow portion. Shear resistance of bubble deck slab is 0.6 times the

shear resistance of the solid slab of same thickness. However required resistance can be

achieved by providing vertical reinforcement. Weight reduction is 35% compared to solid

slab. This innovative slab system with considerable reduction in self-weight and savings

in materials combines all advantages of the other floor systems, solving all problems

caused by their disadvantages in the same time. Besides that the new floor system

enhances the structural possibilities in combination with an improved cost-effectiveness.

Further on the floor system gives a tremendous contribution to sustainable development.

In 2009, Sergui Calin, Roxana Gintu and Gabriela Dascalu(3) stated the various tests and

studies done on the Bubble deck slab. From their study they concluded that Bubble Deck

7
will distribute the forces in a better way (an absolute optimum) than any other hollow

floor structures. Because of the three dimensional structure and the gentle graduated force

flow the hollow areas will have no negative influence and cause no loss of strength.

Bubble Deck behaves like a spatial structure – as the only known hollow concrete floor

structure, the tests reveal that the shear strength is even higher than presupposed, this

indicates a positive influence of the balls. All tests, statements and engineering

experience confirm the obvious fact that Bubble Deck in any way act as a solid deck and

consequently. It will follow the same rules/regulations as a solid deck (with reduced

mass), and further it leads to considerable savings

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 CHAPTER 1- MATERIALS

Bubble deck slab is composed of three main materials; they are steel, plastic spheres and
concrete.

CONCRETE

The concrete is made of standard Portland cement with max aggregate size of 20 mm. No
plasticizers are necessary for concrete mixture.

STEEL

The steel reinforcement is of grade Fy 60 strength or higher. The steel is fabricated in two

forms —meshed layers for lateral support and diagonal girders for vertical support of the

bubbles.

PLASTIC SPHERES

The hollow spheres are made from recycled high-density polyethylene or HDPE.

9
CHAPTER 2- PROPERTIES OF THE BUBBLE DECK SLAB

2.1 FLEXURAL STRENGTH

Bubble deck slab is conceived to omit a significant volume of concrete (compared to a solid
slab) in the central core where the slab is principally un-stressed in flexure [2]. In slabs,
the depth of compressed concrete is usually a small proportion of the slab depth and this
means that it almost always involves only the concrete between the ball and the surface so
there is no sensible difference between the behavior of a solid slab and Bubble Deck. The
only elements working are the outer ‘shell’ of concrete on the compression side and the
steel on the tension side. In terms of flexural strength, the moments of resistance are the
same as for solid slabs provided this compression depth is checked during design so that it
does not encroach significantly into the ball refer Table 1 (a 20% encroachment has been
shown to be insignificant).

2.2 SHEAR STRENGTH

In any flat slab, design shear resistance is usually critical near columns. The shear stresses
remote from the columns diminishes rapidly and outside the column zones it has been
demonstrated by testing and calculation the transverse and longitudinal shear stresses are
within the capacity of the Bubble deck slab system. Near the columns, bubbles are left out
so in these zones a Bubble deck slab is designed exactly the same way as a solid slab. Shear

10
resistance of Bubble deck slab is 0.6 times the shear resistance of a solid slab of the same
thickness [3]. If this is exceeded by the applied shear, at a column for example, we leave
out the balls and use the full solid shear values. Using Euro code 2, we would calculate the
applied shear at 2d and subsequent perimeters from the column face as per the code
requirements, as well as at the column face itself. We would then compare this to our
calculated resistance. If the applied shear is less than the un-reinforced hollow slab
resistance, no further check is required. If the applied shear is greater than the hollow slab
resistance we omit balls and make it solid and then check the solid part. The shear capacity
is measured for two ratios of a/d (distance from imposed force to support divided by deck
thickness). The results are shown in table 2. If the resistance is still greater than the solid
slab resistance and less than the maximum allowed, we provide shear reinforcement. For
these reasons, it is demonstrated that the design may be carried out in every way treating
the slab as a solid slab, with the provisions mentioned above, which are all taken account
of in the design process. We therefore use Euro code 2, which is fully compatible with the
system, for our design and which is somewhat more up to date than BS8110. Punching
shear [2] the average shear capacity is measured to 91 % compared to the calculated values
of a solid deck.

2.3 DURABILITY

The durability of bubble deck slab is not fundamentally different from ordinary solid slabs.

The concrete is standard structural grade concrete and combined with adequate bar cover

determined in accordance with EC2 or BS8110 [4] provides most control of durability

commensurate with normal standards for solid slabs. When the filigree slabs are

manufactured, the reinforcement module and balls are vibrated into the concrete and the

standard and uniformity of compaction is such that a density of surface concrete is

produced which is at least as impermeable and durable, arguably more so, to that normally

produced on site. Bubble deck slab joints have a chamfer on the inside to ensure that

concrete surrounds each bar and does not allow a direct route to air from the rebar surface.

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This is primarily a function of the fire resistance but is also relevant to durability. Cracking

in Bubble deck slab is not worse, and probably better, than solid slabs designed to work at

the same stress levels. In fact Bubble deck slab possesses a continuous mesh, top and

bottom, throughout the slab and this ensures shrinkage restraint is well provided for and

that cracking is kept to a minimum whether it is intrinsic or extrinsic cracking. Unlike an

off-the-shelf product, this is a system that is bespoke designed for each and every project.

All the peculiarities of a project are therefore taken into account in the design; therefore,

there is no risk of the product being misused by applying it to uses for which it is not

intended.

2.4 DEFLECTION

Span depth ratio calculations for deflections are very approximate and are not appropriate

in flat slabs of irregular layout except for the most simple or unimportant cases. FE

modeling, including non-linear cracked section analysis is used to calculate the deflection

using normal structural concrete with a Young's Modulus (secant) Ecm, multiplied by 0.9

and a tensile strength, fctm multiplied by 0.8 (to reduce the crack moment as mentioned

above. This is mainly significant in the computation of uncracked curvatures where the

geometry of the concrete section is significant but is of increasingly negligible significance

after cracking). The deflections in Bubble deck slab and solid slab are explained in terms

of stiffness as shown in table 1 [5]. It is not presently possible to calculate for the difference

in age related properties in the filigree and in-situ concrete parts. This is not considered to

be a significant weakness.

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2.5 SOUND INSULATION

A comparison was made between bubble Deck and one-way prefabricated hollow deck of

similar height. The noise reduction with bubble Deck was 1db higher than the one way

prefabricated hollow deck [6]. The main criterion for reducing noise is the weight of the

deck and therefore Bubble Deck will not act otherwise than other deck types with equal

weight. The Bubble deck slab construction is following every usual criterion, and can be

calculated according to usual principles. Test results are as shown in Table 3 [7]. The

construction is not deviating, in any way, from what is already known and used. The

construction is analogous to an equivalent solid deck.

2.6 VIBRATION

RC slab structures are generally less susceptible to vibration problems compared to steel

framed and light weight skeletal Structures, especially using thin slabs. However, Bubble

deck slab is light and is not immune from vibration [8] in all cases so this must be checked

just as it should be in appropriate solid slab applications. Where deflections are large, as

indicated by the static design, it is often an indication that the structure is Sensitive to

vibration SLS issues. The lighter weight of Bubble deck slab may be exploited if it can

usefully alter the modal frequencies of a slab - generally raising them compared to a solid

slab. The most effective weapons against vibration [7], particularly resonant vibration, are

13
stiffness and damping. If we consider damping to be similar to solid slabs, and concentrate

on stiffness, we may observe that a Bubble deck slab can provided over 2 times the stiffness

obtained from a solid slab for the same quantity of concrete used. This can be exploited in

vibration sensitive applications. At the present time, the static modification to the flexural

stiffness is applied.

2.7 CONTACT BETWEEN BUBBLES & REINFORCEMET

The potential for any contact is only theoretical because the balls do not perfectly fit

between reinforcement bars and moves slightly during assembly/site concrete compaction

so that some grout surrounds it and provides a measure of passivation. However, even if

there were contact between the ball and the steel, the environment inside the void is very

dry and protected - there is also no breach (apart from micro cracking) of the concrete to

the outside air. It is a better situation than exists with inclusion of plastic rebar spacers

within solid slabs that create a discontinuity within the concrete between the outside air

and the rebar in solid reinforced concrete slabs. We therefore have a situation that is better

than existing with plastic rebar spacers and these have been permitted for many years. Tests

carried out in Denmark, Germany and Holland showed that the flexural stiffness is

approximately 87% to 93% of the same thickness of solid slab - In design we use an average

of 90% and, in addition, the cracking moment is factored by 80% as recommended in Dutch

research. In fact one of the major benefits of the system is its virtue of reducing deflections

for a given span because the one-third weight reduction overwhelmingly more than

compensates for the very small reduction in stiffness. [9]

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 CHAPTER 2 – FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS

In order to understand the response of the system, analysis was performed to compare the

response of this new type of floor with a typical flat, solid concrete slab. A 3D solid slab

and a Bubble Deck slab were modeled in SAP2000 with all the same dimensions and as

two-way spanning floor systems. The biaxial slabs were modeled after a standard office

floor with each bay measuring 4m×4 m wide and 230mm thick, the deepest certified

Bubble Deck. There are four bays in the full model, with two bays per side and a total of

8m a side. Each office slab finite element model has approximately 1296 elements. Slab

with the column supports is displayed in Figure 3. The solid slab was generated as thick

shells of pure concrete while the Bubble Deck slab was designated as a layered shell. The

bubbles are arranged in such a way that around the column solid concrete modules are kept

for a four bubble modules distance since punching shear is more at columns. For simplicity

in the full Bubble Deck model, a rectangular layer of HDPE was sandwiched in between

two thin layers of standard concrete on top and bottom only. See Figure 4 for the simplified

Bubble Deck layers as used in the analysis. The arrangement of bubbles in the slab is as

shown in fig 5. Both models were subjected to an 10 kN live load in addition to their own

self-weight for the static analysis. The material properties used are standard concrete M30

and HDPE those are tabulated in table 5.

15
16
 RESULTS

The deformations developed in the solid slab are comparatively less than the bubble deck
slab the variations are shown in fig 5 whereas the stresses developed in the solid slab are
comparatively higher in case of solid slab the variations are shown in fig 6. The moments
developed in xx direction (M11), in yy direction (M22), in xy direction (M12), the shear
forces developed in xz direction (V13), in yz direction (V23), the maximum stresses that are
developed in the slab (SMAX), and the deflections (U3) are shown in table 6.

17
 CONCLUSIONS

The market of construction floors in the building industry consists mainly of massive

concrete floors, prefabricated filigree slab floors and hollow core slab floors. This situation

has not changed for more than 20 years. But this innovative slab construction technology

is proven to be more efficient than a traditional biaxial concrete slab in an office floor

system. The finite element models of the office slabs created for this study in SAP2000

verify the prior analysis and experiments.

1. Bending stresses in the bubble deck slab are found to be 6.43% lesser than that of

a solid slab.

2. Deflection of Bubble deck is 5.88% more than the solid slab as the stiffness is

reduced due to the hollow portion

3. Shear resistance of bubble deck slab is 0.6 times the shear resistance of the solid

slab of same thickness. However required resistance can be achieved by providing

vertical reinforcement.

4. Weight reduction is 35% compared to solid slab.

This innovative slab system with considerable reduction in self-weight and savings in

materials combines all advantages of the other floor systems, solving all problems caused

by their disadvantages in the same time. Besides that the new floor system enhances the

structural possibilities in combination with an improved cost-effectiveness. Further on the

floor system gives a tremendous contribution to sustainable development.

18
References

[1] T. Lai, “Structural behavior of bubble deck slab and their applications to lightweight bridge

decks",M.Tech thesis, MIT, 2009.,” Massechusets, 2009.

[2] M. S.-H. a. K. Pfeffer, “Punching behavior of biaxial hollow slabs" Cement and Concrete

Composites, Volume 24, Issue 6, Pages,” 2002.

[3] M. S.-H. a. K. Pfeffer, “Punching behavior of biaxial hollow slabs" Cement and Concrete

Composites, Volume 24, Issue 6, Pages 551-556,” 2002.

[4] S. C. a. C. Asavoaie, “Method for Bubble deck slab concrete slab with gaps,The Buletinul

Institutului Politehnic din Iaşi, LV (LIX,” 2009.

[5] C. M. G. D. C. A. Sergiu Calin, “Computational simulation for concrete slab with spherical

gaps", Proceedings of The 8-th International Symposium, Concepts in Civil Engineering, Ed.

Societatii Academice,” 2010.

[6] C. A. a. N. F. Sergiu Calin, “Issues for achieving an experimental model" Bul. Inst. Polit. Iaşi, t.

LV (LIX), f. 3, 2009.,” 2009.

[7] R. G. a. G. D. Sergiu Cǎlin, “"Summary of tests and studies done abroad on the Bubble deck

slab system", The Buletinul Institutului Politehnic din Iaşi, t. LV (LIX), f. 3, 2009.,” 2009.

[8] “ BubbleDeck voided Flat Slab Solutions- Technical Manual and Documents,Version:5, Issue

1, BubbleDeck UK, White Lodge, Wellington Road, St Saviour, JERSEY, C.I.,2008,,”

Wellington, 2008.

[9] “ BubbleDeck Fire resistance Tests and Reports, Test Report D3,BubbleDecak UK, White
Lodge, Wellington Road, St Saviour, JERSEY, C.I.,2002,Available: www.BubbleDeck-UK.com,”
www.BubbleDeck-UK.com, Wellington, 2002.

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