Voided biaxial slab

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Voided biaxial slabs are reinforced concrete slabs in which voids reduce the amount of concrete.
While concrete has been used for thousands of years, the use of reinforced concrete is usually
attributed to Joseph-Louis Lambot in 1848. Joseph Monier, a French gardener, patented a design for
reinforced garden tubs in 1868, and later patented reinforced concrete beams and posts for railway
and road guardrails.
The main obstacle with concrete constructions, in case of horizontal slabs, is the high weight, which
limits the span. For this reason major developments of reinforced concrete have focused on
enhancing the span, either by reducing the weight or overcoming concrete's natural weakness
in tension.
An early example is the Pantheon in Rome, built 125 AD. Although not reinforced, coffers were used
to reduce the weight.

Contents

• 1Biaxial slabs
• 2Composition
• 3Theory
o 3.1Shear
o 3.2Fire
o 3.3Sound
o 3.4Qualities
o 3.5Approvals
• 4Advantages
o 4.1Comparisons
o 4.2In general
• 5Implementation
o 5.1Execution of prefabricated version
o 5.2Installation of pure in situ versions [35]
• 6Construction problems and collapse
• 7Examples
• 8See also
• 9References

Biaxial slabs[edit]
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Focus has been on biaxial slabs and ways to reduce the weight. Several methods have been
introduced during the last decades, but with very limited success, due to major problems with shear
capacity and fire resistance as well as impractical execution.
For decades,[when?] several attempts have been made to create biaxial slabs with hollow cavities in
order to reduce the weight. Most attempts have consisted of laying blocks of a less heavy material
like expanded polystyrene between the bottom and top reinforcement, while other types included
waffle slabs and grid slabs.
Of these types, only waffle slabs can be regarded to have a certain use in the market. But the use
will always be very limited due to reduced resistances towards shear, local punching and fire. The
idea of placing large blocks of light material in the slab suffers from the same flaws, which is why the
use of these systems has never gained acceptance and they are only used in a limited number of
projects in Spanish-speaking countries.

Composition[edit]
The geometry of the BubbleDeck slab is identified by ellipsoids of a certain size, placed in a precise
modular grid. All geometrical parameters of the slab can be described by a single parameter, the
modulus named “a”. Modulus and corresponding deck heights are manufactured in steps (modulus
in steps of 25 mm, and effective heights in steps of 50 mm)[1]
In principle, fixing of the ellipsoids can be made in numerous ways, but using only the reinforcement
meshes reduces superfluous material consumption and allows for an optimal geometrical proportion
between concrete, reinforcement and voids.
The voids are positioned in the middle of the cross section, where concrete has limited effect, while
maintaining solid sections in top and bottom where high stresses can exist. Hence, the slab is fully
functional with regards to both positive and negative

bending.

Theory[edit]
In principle, voided biaxial slabs act like solid slabs. Designing is consequently like for solid slabs,
but with less load corresponding to the reduced amount of concrete. Investigations according
to Eurocodes made at universities in Germany, Netherlands and Denmark, conclude that a voided
biaxial slabs acts like as a solid slab.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
While a true biaxial slab as the BubbleDeck system must be calculated as a solid slab, ribbed slab
systems, like the U-boot system, consisting of a grid of orthogonal "I" beams, must be calculated as
beams.
The voided biaxial slabs technology is directly incorporated in international standards as the
Eurocodes, and various national codes such as the CUR in the Netherlands.[11]
Shear[edit]
The main difference between a solid slab and a voided biaxial slab refers to shear resistance. Due to
the reduced concrete volume, the shear resistance will also be reduced. For a voided biaxial slabs
with spheres the shear resistance is proportional to the amount of concrete, as the special geometry
shaped by the ellipsoidal voids acts like the famous Roman arch, enabling all concrete to be
effective. This is only valid when considering the voided biaxial slabs technology. Other types of
voided biaxial slabs have reduced resistances towards shear, local punching and fire.
In practice, the reduced shear resistance will not lead to problems, as balls are simply left out where
the shear is high, at columns and walls.[12][13][14][15][16][17]
Fire[edit]
As U-Boot Beton® is made of polypropylene, it is not toxic even if burnt. Moreover,the slab will not
explode due to the escaping of over pressurised gas from the feet (4 feet for each formwork) that act
as safety valves. Tests run at the CSI laboratory have demonstrated that with a cement cover of
3 cm the structure created with U-Boot Beton® is class REI 180.
As a voided biaxial slab (with spheres only) acts like a solid slab, the fire resistance is just a matter
of the amount of concrete layer. The fire resistance is dependent on the temperature in the rebars
and hence the transport of heat. As the top and bottom of the voided biaxial slab is solid, and the
rebars are placed in the solid part, the fire resistance can be designed according to demands. Due to
the specific shape of the voids, there are no issues with internal pressure. [18][19][20] Actual fire tests on
slabs made by specific BubbleDeck geometry has been carried out in Europe, Asia and South
America.
Sound[edit]
Tests have been carried out in Germany,[21] UK[22] and the Netherlands[23] according to ISO 140-
4:1998, ISO 140-7:1998, ISO 717-1:1997 and ISO 717-2:1997 measuring impact and airborne
sound. These tests show that 230 mm and thicker BubbleDeck® slabs can meet the national rules.
Qualities[edit]

• Low weight/stiffness ratio – influence of impact is proportional to

weight.
• Simplicity and symmetry and uniform extent – Lessen the impact
effect. Uniform and continuous distribution/flow of forces,
• Monolithic, continuous and ductile structure.
The BubbleDeck system fulfil these principles:

• Saves 35% weight compared to a corresponding solid slab – equal

stiffness.
• Simple, monolithic behaviour, uniform and continuous distribution of
forces.
• Max ductile structure - increased ductility due to increased
strength/weight ratio.
Approvals[edit]
 • Dutch Standards: From November 2001, The BubbleDeck system is
incorporated in the Dutch Standards (by CUR – Civieltechnisch
Centrum Uitvoering Research en Regelgeving).
• UK Standards: The BubbleDeck system can be treated as a normal
flat slab supported on columns (BS 8110) according to CRIC
(Concrete Research & Innovation Centre under the Imperial College
of Science, Technology & Medicine), 1997.
• Danish Standards: The BubbleDeck system can be calculated from
recognized principles and within existing standards - Directorate of
Building and Housing, Municipality of Copenhagen, 1996.
• German Standards: The BubbleDeck system can be used
according to existing technical standards according to Deutsches
Institut für Bautechnik, 1994.

Advantages[edit]
Comparisons[edit]
A two way spanning voided biaxial slab construction compared to a traditional two way spanning non
voided biaxial slab construction:

• The reduced weight of the slab will typical result in a change in

design to longer spans and/or reduced deck thickness. The overall
concrete consumption can be reduced with up to 50% depending on
design, as a consequence of reduced mass in slabs, vertical
structure and foundation.
A two way spanning biaxial slab construction compared to a one way spanning deck (traditionally a
hollow core):

• One way spanning decks are supported by a combination of walls

and beams. This leads to rigid and inflexible structures. This type of
structure should be used with care in seismic regions due to the risk
of progressive collapse.[24][25]
As this floor type is made of complete prefab elements with no structural coherence, support
moments are absent, resulting in increased material consumption.
A two way spanning voided biaxial slab construction with spheres according to the BubbleDeck
system, compared to older voided slab constructions:

• Acts like a solid slab. Does not have the earlier problems with
reduced resistances towards shear, local punching and fire.
In general[edit]
Benefits include:

• Design freedom – flexible layout easily adapts to irregular & curved

plan layouts.
• Reduced dead weight -35% removed allowing smaller foundation
sizes.
• Longer spans between columns – up to 50% further than traditional
structures.
 • Downstand beams eliminated – quicker and cheaper erection of
walls and services.
• Load bearing walls eliminated – facilitating MMC with lightweight
building envelopes.
• Reduced concrete usage – 1 kg recycled plastic replaces 100 kg of
concrete.
• Environmentally green and sustainable – reduced energy & carbon
emissions.
8% of global CO2 emissions are due to cement production. 1 tonne of cement:[26]

• Releases 1 tonne of CO2

• Consumes 5 million BTU of energy
• Uses 2 tonnes of raw materials
Due to the BubbleDeck technology's green credentials, the use of the BubbleDeck system qualifies
for LEED points in North America.[27][28]
LIGHT - THIN - BIDIRECTIONAL Reduction of weight up to 40%. Reduced deformations (maximum
loss of stiffness- 15%). Reduction of the foundation load. Reduction of columns section or their
number.
ECONOMIC Lower concrete cost with an equal thickness. Lower steel cost. Savings in useful height
on each level as there are no emerging beams. Possibility to gain floors at the same building height
(towers) and building volume. Quick and easy to implement. Also indicated for the top-down
technique. Possibility of large span at equal load or high load bearing capacity at an equal span.
Economical and easy to transport, handle and store, also outdoors. The soffit has a flat surface that
is ready to finish and does not require a false ceiling for aesthetic purposes. If a false ceiling, is
required it can be created faster.
Flexible Span up to 20 m. No beams between pillars. Reduction in the number of pillars. Can be
used together with prefabs. Does not require handling and/or hoisting equipment. Possibility of
single direction structures thanks to the bridge accessory.
Earthquake proof Lower seismic mass. Fewer dimensional limitations for the elements. Double
slab, upper and lower.
Open spaces Larger spaces. Greater architectural freedom. Simplified changes to the purpose of
use.
Fire resistant Considerable fire resistance certified REI 180 with a concrete cover of only 3 cm.
Improved acoustic behaviour Thanks to the increased stiffness of the lower and upper slabs,
acoustic transmittancy is decreased.
Thermal heating/cooling in slabs can substantial reduce the energy consumption. [29][30][31][32][33][34]

Implementation[edit]
Execution of prefabricated version [edit]
The overall floor area can be divided down into a series of planned individual elements, up to 3 m
wide dependent upon site access, which are manufactured off-site using MMC techniques. These
elements comprise the top and bottom reinforcement mesh, sized to suit the specific project, joined
together with vertical lattice girders with the void formers trapped between the top and bottom mesh
reinforcement to fix their optimum position. This is termed a ‘bubble-reinforcement’ sandwich, which
is then cast into bottom layer of 60 mm pre-cast concrete, encasing the bottom mesh reinforcement,
to provide permanent formwork within part of the overall finished slab depth.
On site the individual elements are then ‘stitched’ together with loose reinforcement simply laid
centrally across the joints between elements. The splice bars are inserted loose above the pre-cast
concrete layer between the bubbles, and purpose made mesh sheets tied across the top
reinforcement mesh to join the elements together. After the site finishing, concrete is poured and
cured. This technique provides structural continuity across the entire floor slab – the joints between
elements are then redundant without any structural effect – to create a seamless biaxial floor slab.
Installation of pure in situ versions [edit]
[35]

1. The entire surface of the slab to be cast on site is shuttered with

wood deckings (or similar systems), then the lower
reinforconcrete bars are positioned in two mutually
perpendicular directions according to the design and the lattice
for the upper reinforconcrete is arranged.
2. The voided biaxial slabs formworks are positioned using the
lateral spacers joints to place them at the desired centre
distance that will determine the beam width. Thanks to the
conic elevator foot, the formworks will be lifted from the surface,
making it possible for the lower slab to be formed. If double or
triple elements are used, these elements must first be
assembled, which will be supplied on distinct pallets in the yard.
3. The positioning of the reinforconcretes is completed by placing
above the formwork the upper bars in the two directions as well
as the reinforcement for shear and punching where necessary,
according to the design.
4. The concrete casting must be performed in two phases to
prevent the flotation of the formworks: an initial layer will be cast
to fill a thickness equal to the height of the elevator foot.
Casting will continue for this first portion of the slab until the
concrete starts to set and become semi fluid.
5. Once suitably set, the casting can be restarted from the starting
point, completely burying the voided biaxial system. The casting
is then levelled and smoothed in a traditional manner.
 6. Once the structure has hardened, the formwork can be
removed. The surface is smooth in correspondence of the soffit.

Construction problems and collapse[edit]

In 2017 the Bubbledeck system caused controversy due to the collapse of a parking garage
at Eindhoven airport in the Netherlands.[36] According to Royal BAM Group, the contractor in charge,
the shear strength of the interface between the precast concrete slabs was insufficient. According to
the contractor this may be caused due to the high temperatures during construction. [37] After the
incident an investigation was started among buildings using the same flooring system, this led to the
closure of several buildings, including the Polak-building of the University of Rotterdam and a school
building under construction in Hoeven in the Netherlands. All tested buildings are proven safe, and
are reopened.

Examples[edit]
Below are some examples of the voided biaxial slabs being used y:
University, Utrecht in the Netherlands':

Vogaskoli, School in Reykjavik, Iceland:

Sogn Arena, Oslo in Norway:

City Hall and Offices, Glostrup in Denmark:

Some examples:
City Life Milano Italy
Architectural planner: Arata Isozaki & Associates, Zaha Hadid Architects, Studio Daniel Libeskind
ITC Lab (Leed Platinum) Italy

Architectural planner: Richard Meier & Partners Architects Master plan: Jean Nouvel Ateliers
Vulcano Buono Italy
Architectural planner: Renzo Piano Building Workshop
Beirut Terraces Lebanon
Architectural planner: Herzog de Meuron

See also[edit]
• Concrete
• Reinforced concrete
• Building construction
• Construction engineering
• Structural engineering
• Filigree concrete
• Rebar

References[edit]