The System — Girder-Slab® D-Beam® Technology

Page URL: https://www.girder-slab.com/the-system How the D-Beam® Works The proprietary D-Beam® girder is an open-web dissymmetric steel beam designed to sit within the plane of the precast hollow core slab — not below it. This eliminates the beam-below-slab depth that defines conventional steel construction. Key structural advantages: - 18–24″ of floor-to-floor height saved per level - No formwork, no shoring — slabs set directly on D-Beam® bottom flange - No above-grade concrete pours — grout placed through web openings - Single trade (ironworkers) — eliminates multi-trade sequencing conflicts - Upper-floor plank set before lower-floor grouting completes Assembly Sequence — Six Steps, One Trade, No Concrete 1. D-Beam® Erection — girders erected as part of the standard structural steel package; no separate mobilization required. 2. Hollow Core Slab Setting — precast slabs set directly on D-Beam® bottom flange. No formwork. No shoring. 3. Upper-Floor Steel Proceeds — upper-floor plank installed before lower-floor grouting completes. 4. Monolithic Grouting — grout placed through D-Beam® web openings. No above-grade concrete pour. 5. Composite Slab Complete — no curing wait before upper-floor steel continues. 6. MEP Trades Follow Floor-by-Floor — faster access, fewer conflicts. Technical Specifications: - Design: ASD (AISC 9th Edition) and LRFD (AISC 14th Edition) - Building Height: No limit - Fire Rating: UL K912 — 2-hour and 3-hour restrained; 2-hour unrestrained - Acoustic STC: 56 bare plank; 59 with 2″ topping — both exceed IBC 50 minimum - Testing: Villanova University and Auburn University — above code-required live loads - Completed Buildings: 400+ across US, Canada, India Acoustic Performance (tested assemblies): - 8″ hollow core plank bare: STC 56 / IIC 28 - 8″ plank + 2″ topping: STC 59 / IIC 31 - 8″ plank + vinyl tile on foam underlayment: STC 50 / IIC 58 - 8″ plank + vinyl tile on sound-deadening board: STC 54 / IIC 51 - 8″ plank + topping + carpet & pad: STC 57 / IIC 76 - 8″ plank + wood flooring + suspended ceiling: STC 59 / IIC 61 Resources: - Free evaluation: https://www.girder-slab.com/evaluate - Engineering tools: https://www.girder-slab.com/for-engineers - Projects: https://www.girder-slab.com/projects