Replies

1. 
   UncleDunc | Nov 02, 2003 04:26am | #1

   Do you mean suspended as in supported from above by tension members, or just suspended as in space instead of dirt underneath?

   Q deck is a relatively light gauge corrugated steel panel that supports a poured concrete deck while it is curing. It is left in place after the concrete is cured. I'd expect that you could find it at the same places that sell structural steel shapes. I don't believe the Q deck provides any significant reinforcement, so the concrete still requires properly engineered steel reinforcement.

   I have also seen concrete decks formed with plywood and supported by numerous temporary posts. Both the posts and the plywood are removed after the concrete cures.

1. 
   ptranfo | Nov 03, 2003 08:35am | #3

   Thank you

2. 
   dIrishInMe | Nov 03, 2003 05:11pm | #5

   Here is a related question:  When constructing a house with a front porch (most houses around here have front porches), assuming a concrete or concrete/masonry porch floor, the porch foundation walls are normally built up with brick & block, poured concrete walls, etc.  Then the porch floor is either filled with gravel or, if it is more than about 3 or 4' high, it is panned with metal and then a slab is poured on top.  When the floor is panned rather than filled, we use 'B' Metal which is a heavy corrugated sheet metal.  A masonry lip is provided to support the 'B' Metal pan, and perhaps some steel angles, beams, etc, depending on the porch size and configuration.  This space below the pan supported slab must be either ventilated (part of the crawlspace), or, less frequently, be part of the home's basement.  The metal is ordered from a steel supplier and comes with a grey paint on it; although the ends are raw where it was cut off with a torch or saw.    The 'B' Metal is just regular old steel - not galvanized.   My question is this:   Although I guess the chemicals in the concrete help to prevent corrosion, since this is a potentially damp location and the bottom of the pan is exposed to the air, isn't the metal pan eventually going to rust out from under the slab?  Matt

1. 
   BobKovacs | Nov 03, 2003 08:05pm | #6

   It probably will rust, yes.  But if the slab is properly sized, the decking is simply acting as a form until the concrete sets.  If the thickness of the slab requires the metal deck as part of a composite slab system, then you've got a problem.....

   Bob

1. 
   caseyr | Nov 03, 2003 08:19pm | #7

   Just happened the other day to run across an outfit called the Steel Deck Institute which claims to be an outfit to answer questions regarding steel decks.  (Don't know anything else about them)  There are some technical "white papers" available at the site:

   http://www.sdi.org/

2. 
   Catskinner | Nov 02, 2003 06:16am | #2

   Check with Reward Wall Systems, they have a concrete floor system.

   Also, check on Hambro trusses. This is a steel truss that is embedded in concrete, works great.

   DRC

1. 
   ptranfo | Nov 03, 2003 08:36am | #4

   Thank you

3. 
   Bruce | Nov 04, 2003 05:38am | #8

   Just did a double garage with a room under it.  The engineering solution was not elegant, but fairly cheap and effective.  W12 x 22 web beams runnng across the garage (22') on 4' centers.  1-1/2" corrugated steel decking on top.

   Formerly BEMW at The High Desert Group LLC