The Girder Slab System: What does it do to your structures?
Whether adding on to a current commercial construction or building a new facility from the ground up, structural longevity is one of the most important factors to consider. Sometimes this is done out of necessity, such as if your building will be several stories in height (or more), or you’re looking to protect the new building from environmental elements like wind and heavy rain. There are several construction methods out there, and some are dependent on the kind of building and what you intend to use it for. However, one of the most structurally sound ideologies regarding strength and durability is the Girder Slab System. What exactly is girder slab construction, and how can it ensure the strength and longevity of your own building? Here is what you need to know.
What is The Girder Slab System
The Girder-Slab System takes advantage of both steel girders and long, monolith slabs of cement.
First, the frame of the building is constructed using steel girders. This makes it possible to have the entire frame of nearly any sized building set up and ready to go, which is different from other construction options that rely on the first floor to be fully installed before continuing.
With the girder frame in place, large cement slabs are then installed. Where some constructions rely on individual concrete blocs, the cement slab is larger and can be used for an entire section of the wall or floor. This reduces the reliance on mortar, which can often be the main source of cracking due to a cement block continuously expanding and contracting during the shift of weather temperatures.
Benefits of the Girder Slab System Over Previous Construction Methods
Taking advantage of precast masonry slabs has become commonplace throughout the construction industry when it comes to low to mid-rise buildings (usually anything under eight stories or so). While there are several benefits to using this kind of construction method, there are also several drawbacks.
For starters, this kind of building method is especially time-consuming. The need to lay individual cement slabs for an entire building will drag out the construction process, and when much of the construction waits for the masonry bearings and precast cement slabs to be set, there isn’t much else for a crew to do. Add on that it’s extremely labor-intensive, not to mention the weather can dictate whether the job can continue or will be delayed. This form of construction can quickly set any job behind schedule.
With the girder-slab system, the combination of durable steel can be used in framing anything from low-rise to both medium and high-rise constructions. With the frame in place, additional construction can continue as cement slabs are assembled between the steel girders. So, instead of waiting for the concrete to be set on the ground level of any construction projects, the Girder-Slab System allows the framing to be set and the cement slabs to be installed. This drastically cuts down on the amount of time it takes to assemble the frame of the building, all while slashing labor costs. These two perks alone make the Girder-Slab System financially beneficial over the other options out there.
Why Consider The Girder Slab System?
Beyond the main benefits of cutting labor costs and improving construction speed, there are other benefits you’ll realize when taking advantage of a girder and slab construction method. For starters, because there is less material between floors, you can maximize your floor-to-ceiling space. This means you may be able to reduce the height of certain floors, which in itself will help cut costs down further. This construction method also easily combines with other building methods while meeting the necessary fire code ratings for construction.
With other forms of construction, a good amount of the assembly takes place on-site. Whether through individual concrete slabs or using metal wiring between the slabs to help improve structural support, on-site assembly takes time—ideally, the less on-site assembly, the better. With the Girder-Slab System, your location-based assembly is kept to a minimum. The girders are installed, and then the large cement slabs are put into place. With the cement in place, you can install an entire wall or floor section without all the added cement mixing and mortar laying.
Because you don’t need the constant low of on-site mixing cement or mortars, you can reduce some clutter around the construction site (which can help with reducing possible on-site injuries), and you may be able to complete a job with fewer workers. Even if the same number of workers are used for the job, you’ll be able to put these employees to work in other areas of the building, which helps complete the job faster.
A faster-completing job means you can take on additional work throughout the year, which means a greater flow of income. All of this can be accomplished with the help of the Girder Slab System. And while every job has its own specific build method, for most buildings more than a few stories in height, using girders and slabs should be the desired construction method.
For further insights into how a Girder-Slab System can benefit your job specifically, our team here at C-Beams can answer all of your questions.
Discover the Girder Slab Construction Difference
The combination of cement and steel can produce one of the strongest building designs around. This building method will not only ensure your construction is solid against environmental elements, but it will also improve utility HVAC costs with improved heat retention. If you’re interested in learning more about the girder slab construction method, or you’re ready to begin the process of planning out your next construction job, our staff here at C-Beams is here to help. Give us a call or send us an email at your convenience, and our expert staff will address all of your questions, concerns, and needs for the upcoming project.
