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Slab strengthening

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When an existing slab (of timber, composite steel beam, concrete or hollow clay block construction) is reinstated it often needs to be strengthened to reduce its deformability, increase its load-bearing capacity, and bring it into compliance with new regulatory requirements or support increased live loads required by the new use of the building (e.g. from residential to retail or office use, or when roof spaces or additional upper floors are brought into use).

One of the simplest and most effective ways of strengthening a slab is to construct a lightweight structural concrete slab above the old load-bearing structure, suitably connected to it and to the perimeter walls.

In effect, this creates a composite slab of mixed construction in which the lightweight structural concrete is the layer in compression and the old structure is mainly in tension.

This method offers many advantages:

  • significantly increased load-bearing capacity of the slab
  • stiffened slab (reduced deformability)
  • reduction or elimination of structural overloading. The lightweight structural concrete does not alter the structural behaviour of the vertical structures and foundations, reducing the risk of settlement and the need for complementary strengthening works
  • opportunity to increase the live load. As well as increasing the strength of the slab, the structural lightweight concrete makes it possible to increase the live load because it has reduced the permanent loads. This gives greater design freedom and makes it easier to change the use of the building.
  • reduced dynamic action on the structure in the case of a seismic event. In a seismic event, the lightness of the structural concrete reduces the inertial mass of the floor slabs, and consequently the stresses on the vertical structures. This simplifies the process of making the building safe and enhances its inherent safety.
  • improved connection between structural elements: if the lightweight concrete structural slab is associated with suitable connectors, in effect it connects the horizontal and vertical structural parts of the building together, enabling them to collaborate in distributing the load, particularly during a seismic event.
  • reduced thermal bridging at the node between the floor slab and the facade, due to the reduced thermal conductivity of the lightweight structural concrete, which is up to 4.5 times lower than that of ordinary concrete.
  • simplified construction because the density of the fresh concrete is lower, thereby reducing the amount of propping required when the slab is being cast.

Laterlite lightweight structural concretes, suitable for strengthening existing slabs, are available:

  • premixed in bags: ideal for small and medium construction sites or where there are problems of accessibility (Latermix Beton 1400 – Latermix Beton 1600)
  • prepared in a concrete mixing plant beginning from expanded clay of various types and granule sizes, to give a wide range of densities and strengths. Ideal for large construction sites.

For further information, please refer to the specific sections on new-build composite slabs or vaulted slabs.