STRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT
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GIRDER-SLAB ® SYSTEM Structural Development
Research & Development
I n order to solve the floor-to floor and interference problems, Girder-Slab Technologies implemented a research and development program. We wanted an interior structural steel girder to be placed within the plane of the precast slab units, thereby producing a thin floor construction (akin to flat-plate) with a minimum floor to ceiling height. The GIRDER-SLAB® system and the open web D-BEAM® girder technology are the result of more than fifteen years of research and development. Early testing produced an ASD approach for a rational design of the GIRDER-SLAB® system.
In order to develop a rational analysis that would maximize the use of this technology, extensive laboratory testing and analysis was undertaken. This included both small-scale specimens and full-scale assemblies in order to simulate actual bays. Each assembly was load tested well above code required residential live loads. The D-BEAM® girder performed without failure even at these higher loads.
Recent, more sophisticated testing enabled us to develop an LRFD approach to the GIRDER-SLAB® system. Design Guide v3.3 improves upon the previously established structural and economical benefits of the GIRDER-SLAB® system. With simplicity in mind, new D-BEAM® girders have been introduced while others, less commonly used, have been eliminated.
The GIRDER-SLAB® system integrates easily with lateral resisting steel braced frames, and concrete or masonry shear walls.