Concrete Slab On Metal Deck Cracking

They don t have any real design guidance concerning deflection or crack control or how the tolerances can be different between the concrete and the steel.

Concrete slab on metal deck cracking.

Cracking can occur in both hardened and fresh or plastic concrete as a result of volume changes and repeated loading. Engineers who design slabs on metal deck aren t thinking about the contractor. While the concrete shrinks the steel frame does not causing high tensile stresses in the concrete which ultimately lead to cracks. Any concrete floor cast on a metal frame and deck is severely constricted.

Cracks in concrete floors or slabs occur in poured concrete slabs may be found both in basement and in slab on grade or patio home construction and have a variety of causes and cures that we discuss here as we explain how to repair cracked concrete floors and as we describe slab on grade construction or patio home construction cracks and as we review the diagnosis of cracks in ceramic tile over concrete slab floors. Cracking is usually the first sign of distress in concrete. Lloyd concrete services the contractor should ask the engineer if it s ok to run laser guided screeds on the deck. As a contractor therefore don t be afraid to talk to the engineer about all this.

It is however possible for deterioration to exist before cracks appear. However visible cracking is one aspect that occasionally causes problems and complaints from building occupiers. If the crack is larger or growing larger an active crack or one side of the crack is higher than the other then you may need to have the work reviewed by a structural engineer. Although a crack free floor is always desirable random cracks are to be expected in the kind of floor described.

A crack in a slab of 1 8 inch or less is typically a normal shrinkage crack and not a cause for concern.