With over 37 years’ experience, AWA Engineers specialise in designing high performance concrete floor slabs for industrial buildings. Our team of award-winning structural engineers bring unparalleled expertise to every project, ensuring that your floor slabs are engineered to support static and dynamic loads, machinery, storage, and other potential impacts.
We understand that a well-designed and professionally installed floor slab is crucial to the longevity and safety of your industrial space. Our reputation for delivering sustainable, reliable, and efficient concrete floor slab designs is why our clients continually return to us.
AWA Engineers are qualified structural engineers for industrial floor slab projects. We can help design the concrete floor slab for industrial buildings, considering what it will need to support, including static and dynamic loads, machinery, storage and other potential impacts. Specialist skill is required to calculate the required thickness, reinforcement type and placement, and joint spacing to prevent cracking and other structural failures. A properly designed and installed floor slab, when maintained correctly, can have a lifespan of up to 50 years.
AWA’s derived design method adheres to the TR34 technical report issued by the Concrete Society. This allows us to design the most efficient design slab possible, which sometimes means careful use of the amount of material used. Some of the clients we work with have industrial spaces that are huge, if you consider how much concrete can be saved by just saving 10mm – 20mm of concrete, it is massive. We try not to over-design them because this is costly and wasteful for our clients and the environment.
Industrial floor slabs are essential components in large-scale facilities, particularly warehouses. These slabs serve as the foundation for high racking systems that can reach up to fifteen metres in height. Such racking systems are crucial for maximising storage space and efficiency. Without a specialised floor slab, these racks would lack the necessary support, compromising the functionality of the entire building. Investing in a well designed, efficient floor slab is a prudent decision to avoid future problems.
An industrial concrete floor slab is typically a cast-in-situ poured concrete ground floor. The thickness of these slabs range from 150mm to 400mm, depending on the load requirements. These slabs are common in warehouses, factories, superstores and leisure centres, where durability and resilience against abrasion are crucial. To enhance their strength and durability, these floors are reinforced, enabling them to support heavy traffic and substantial loads.
Proper installation of industrial floor slabs includes saw-cutting the slab approximately 24 hours after it is laid. This process creates controlled weaknesses that allow the slab to shrink and open at the saw cuts, reducing the risk of random surface cracking. Additionally, control joints, which are typically spaced about six metres apart, are vital for managing the natural contraction of the concrete as it cures and loses water. Isolation joints around perimeter walls and columns prevent the concrete from adhering to these structures, ensuring the slab can move independently and reducing the risk of cracks.
Reinforcing industrial concrete floors is essential for enhancing their strength and longevity. This reinforcement is achieved through the use of steel fibres, reinforcing fabric, or mesh within the concrete before it sets. Such reinforcement is particularly crucial in high-traffic industrial settings, as it fortifies the concrete against heavy loads and prolonged wear. The reinforcement process involves laying the reinforcement material and pouring concrete over it, creating a robust composite structure that can withstand the test of time.
Yes, hiring an industrial floor structural engineer for your project is essential. Industrial concrete floor slabs require careful design and precise execution. The role of a structural engineer is crucial in assessing the various applied loads and ensuring the floor slab has adequate structural capacity to handle these loads without experiencing excessive defamation, punching shear failure, or flexural failure. By following industry standards, such as the TR34 technical report issued by the Concrete Society as mentioned above, a structural engineer ensures that the slab is designed efficiently, often optimising material use to save significant amounts of concrete, making the project more sustainable and cost effective.
Moreover, structural engineers provide critical oversight during the construction phase, ensuring that the slab is installed correctly with proper reinforcement and joint placement. This includes the aformentioned saw-cutting the slab to control shrinkage and prevent random cracking, as well as incorporating control and isolation joints to manage natural contraction and movement. Without this expertise, the risk of structural failures and costly repairs increases significantly. Therefore, engaging a structural engineer is a smart investment to ensure the longevity, safety, and cost-effectiveness of your industrial floor slab, preventing future problems.
"The service and professionalism we experienced was second to none. Really happy with the recommendations they provided on our project. Clean and easy to deal with. They know their stuff!"
James Barber, Client
AWA is a structural engineering and civil engineering consultancy established in 1987, with a hard-won but deserved reputation for delivering excellence in our profession.
Our philosophy is simple: we put people first. This has resulted in a high number of repeat clients and an impressive track record of successful award-winning projects. We are proud to be professional, and approachable; we believe this makes us the ideal partner for your project.
AWA has chartered engineers in our offices located in Romsey, Hampshire and Bath, Somerset. We deliver services to clients across the South, South East and South West.
Our team includes both chartered structural engineers and chartered civil engineers committed to continuous professional development ensuring you benefit from up to date industry expertise, whatever your project entails.
To find out more about how AWA can help with your project, get in touch today. Call 01794 524447 (Romsey) or 01225 251498 (Bath) to speak to a member of our team. Alternatively, email mail@awaengineers.com and one of the team will be in touch.
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