Types of Materials and Technologies for Constructing Floor Slabs

Timber Floor Slabs

Beam floor slabs. Timber beams are laid with a certain spacing, forming the base of the floor slab. For thermal and sound insulation, the space between the beams is filled with insulation (for example, mineral wool or cellulose insulation). This type of floor slab is easy to install and is suitable for low-rise buildings.

Joists. Joists are timber beams that are laid perpendicular to the main beams. They serve as the base for the subfloor, providing even load distribution. This option is more often used in combination with beam floor slabs to increase structural strength and to make installation of the final floor covering more convenient.

Note: In Italy, the use of timber floor slabs in modern buildings is limited by strict standards (for example, UNI EN 1995, which defines the design of timber structures) in order to minimize fire risk and ensure sufficient strength.

Reinforced Concrete Floor Slabs

Monolithic floor slabs. This type of floor slab is created directly on the construction site. Formwork (a temporary mold for pouring) is installed, reinforcement (a metal cage for strengthening) is laid, and concrete is poured. After it hardens, the structure becomes monolithic and is characterized by high strength, durability, and resistance to loads.

Note: In Italy, standards such as UNI EN 206 (regulating concrete quality) require strict compliance with technologies to ensure the safety and durability of such floor slabs.

Hollow-core slabs. These reinforced concrete elements are manufactured at a plant and have internal voids, which make them lighter and reduce the load on the foundation. The slabs are laid on load-bearing walls using lifting equipment. They have excellent thermal and sound insulation properties and provide fast construction of floor slabs.

Voids (internal cavities) not only reduce the weight of the structure but can also be used for routing utilities.

Steel Floor Slabs

Beam slabs with steel beams. In this type of floor slab, steel beams (often I-beams) are used, which are installed with a certain spacing, creating a strong base. Metal decking sheets or reinforced concrete slabs are laid on these beams. Such a structure is characterized by high strength, durability, and the ability to withstand heavy loads.

Advantages:

• High strength and resistance to loads.
• Durability of the structure.
• Low probability of deformation.
• Use in buildings with increased strength requirements, such as multi-storey buildings and industrial facilities.

Disadvantages:

• Higher weight compared to timber floor slabs.
• The need to use a crane to install heavy slabs.
• Lower thermal insulation compared to timber or composite slabs, requiring additional insulation.

Composite Floor Slabs

Prefabricated slabs. Prefabricated floor slabs consist of various structural elements such as beams, slabs, and blocks that are manufactured in advance and assembled at the construction site. Depending on the project, such floor slabs may include both reinforced concrete and timber elements. The main advantage of this type of slab is the ability to combine different materials, which helps to improve structural performance.

Advantages:

• Flexibility in material use: it is possible to combine reinforced concrete with timber, which helps to achieve an optimal combination of strength and thermal insulation.
• Fast installation: since the elements are pre-manufactured at the plant, assembly of the slab on site can be quite fast.
• Cost efficiency: the use of different materials helps reduce material costs while maintaining high quality and structural strength.
• Suitable for different building types: thanks to material variability, composite floor slabs can be used in residential, commercial, and industrial facilities.

Disadvantages:

• Precise fitting is required: elements must match each other exactly, which requires high accuracy in manufacturing and installation.
• The need for specialized equipment: installation may require special equipment (for example, cranes for lifting heavy slabs).

Comparison with other types of floor slabs:
Composite floor slabs are the optimal choice when it is necessary to combine different characteristics (for example, strength and thermal insulation), while steel or monolithic floor slabs may be more preferable for facilities with high load requirements.

Thermodom Technology

Thermodom technology is a method of constructing floor slabs and walls using permanent formwork made of expanded polystyrene (foam plastic), which is filled with concrete. This approach combines the advantages of thermal insulation and strength, making it attractive for constructing energy-efficient buildings.

Principle of operation: First, expanded polystyrene panels are installed on the construction site, which act as formwork (mold) for the concrete. Then concrete is poured into these panels, creating strong and stable walls and floor slabs. The expanded polystyrene remaining inside the structure serves as additional insulation, which helps to significantly reduce heat loss.

Advantages:

• High thermal insulation: thanks to the expanded polystyrene that remains in the structure, excellent thermal insulation is provided, helping to reduce heating costs.
• Strength and durability: the concrete poured into the panels creates strong and stable walls and floor slabs that have durability and good load-bearing capacity.
• Construction speed: the use of permanent formwork shortens installation time, as there is no need to dismantle the formwork after pouring concrete.
• Energy savings: the technology makes it possible to build houses with low energy consumption, which is relevant in modern construction focused on energy saving.

Disadvantages:

• Limited possibilities for modifications: since the equipment used for concrete pouring and the expanded polystyrene remain inside the structure, changes or modifications in the future can be difficult and expensive.
• Technology cost: although this technology can be cost-effective in the long term, initial costs for materials and installation may be higher than for traditional technologies.

Thermodom technology is ideal for constructing residential and commercial buildings, especially when high thermal insulation, strength, and energy saving are required. It can also be used for building houses in cold climate zones, where protection from cold is important.