flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Concrete innovation: voided biaxial slab slashes weight, saves concrete

Great Solutions

Concrete innovation: voided biaxial slab slashes weight, saves concrete

System reduces slab dead load by 30% on medical clinic project


By Robert Cassidy, Executive Editor | January 19, 2016
Concrete innovation: voided biaxial slab slashes weight, saves concrete

Photo: Mortensen 

ProHealth Care’s 76,140-sf D.N. Greenwald Center, completed earlier this year in Mukwonago, Wis., houses a medical walk-in clinic with emergency services, an ambulance garage, and an expanded imaging services unit.

The slab construction employed BubbleDeck, which precisely sets recycled plastic “void formers” that look like bowling balls in the hollow deck to displace concrete along the neutral axis. This reduced the slab’s non-axial dead load by 30% while maintaining biaxial strength, and saved 786 cubic feet of concrete on the job.

GRAEF (engineering services) completed the fabrication drawings, saving eight weeks. Other Building Team members: Eppstein Uhen Architects, Pearson Engineering (MEP), and Mortenson (CM).

Photo: GRAEF

Related Stories

Design Innovation Report | Apr 27, 2023

BD+C's 2023 Design Innovation Report

Building Design+Construction’s Design Innovation Report presents projects, spaces, and initiatives—and the AEC professionals behind them—that push the boundaries of building design. This year, we feature four novel projects and one building science innovation.

Design Innovation Report | Apr 19, 2023

Reinforced concrete walls and fins stiffen and shade the National Bank of Kuwait skyscraper

When the National Bank of Kuwait first conceived its new headquarters more than a decade ago, it wanted to make a statement about passive design with a soaring tower that could withstand the extreme heat of Kuwait City, the country’s desert capital. 

Design Innovation Report | Apr 19, 2023

HDR uses artificial intelligence tools to help design a vital health clinic in India

Architects from HDR worked pro bono with iKure, a technology-centric healthcare provider, to build a healthcare clinic in rural India.

3D Printing | Apr 11, 2023

University of Michigan’s DART Laboratory unveils Shell Wall—a concrete wall that’s lightweight and freeform 3D printed 

The University of Michigan’s DART Laboratory has unveiled a new product called Shell Wall—which the organization describes as the first lightweight, freeform 3D printed and structurally reinforced concrete wall. The innovative product leverages DART Laboratory’s research and development on the use of 3D-printing technology to build structures that require less concrete. 

Cladding and Facade Systems | Apr 5, 2023

Façade innovation: University of Stuttgart tests a ‘saturated building skin’ for lessening heat islands

HydroSKIN is a façade made with textiles that stores rainwater and uses it later to cool hot building exteriors. The façade innovation consists of an external, multilayered 3D textile that acts as a water collector and evaporator. 

Transportation & Parking Facilities | Mar 23, 2023

Amsterdam debuts underwater bicycle parking facility that can accommodate over 4,000 bikes

In February, Amsterdam saw the opening of a new underwater bicycle parking facility. Located in the heart of the city—next to Amsterdam Central Station and under the river IJ (Amsterdam’s waterfront)—the facility, dubbed IJboulevard, has parking spots for over 4,000 bicycles, freeing up space on the street.

Concrete | Jan 24, 2023

Researchers investigate ancient Roman concrete to make durable, lower carbon mortar

Researchers have turned to an ancient Roman concrete recipe to develop more durable concrete that lasts for centuries and can potentially reduce the carbon impact of the built environment.

Sponsored | Resiliency | Dec 14, 2022

Flood protection: What building owners need to know to protect their properties

This course from Walter P Moore examines numerous flood protection approaches and building owner needs before delving into the flood protection process. Determining the flood resilience of a property can provide a good understanding of risk associated costs.

Giants 400 | Nov 14, 2022

4 emerging trends from BD+C's 2022 Giants 400 Report

Regenerative design, cognitive health, and jobsite robotics highlight the top trends from the 519 design and construction firms that participated in BD+C's 2022 Giants 400 Report.

AEC Tech | Apr 13, 2022

A robot automates elevator installation

  Schindler—which manufactures and installs elevators, escalators, and moving walkways—has created a robot called R.I.S.E. (robotic installation system for elevators) to help install lifts in high-rise buildings.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category



Great Solutions

41 Great Solutions for architects, engineers, and contractors

AI ChatBots, ambient computing, floating MRIs, low-carbon cement, sunshine on demand, next-generation top-down construction. These and 35 other innovations make up our 2024 Great Solutions Report, which highlights fresh ideas and innovations from leading architecture, engineering, and construction firms.


halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021