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One innovation that is becoming more and more common in the building industry is the use of floordeck or bondek in concrete casting. Floordecks, as opposed to traditional casting, provide several advantages, from time savings to stronger and longer-lasting results.
However, traditional casting techniques are still frequently employed for several reasons, particularly in minor projects or remodeling. The features and applications of floordecking and traditional casting are different. As a result, the project’s requirements, financial constraints, and intended outcomes all influence the technique selection.
Conventional Slab vs Floordeck
Type of Material
Floordecking, made from corrugated galvanic material, forms both a temporary mold and a permanent part of concrete structures. Traditional casting, however, uses removable plywood or wood formwork.
Flexibility
Floordecking offers installation versatility, fitting projects with simple or complex designs and allowing cuts without structural weakening. Traditional casting allows for more customized shapes using wooden formwork.
The volume
Bondek reduces concrete volume by 6 to 7 cm, as the floordeck serves as both mold and reinforcement. Traditional casting needs thicker concrete for strength, often increasing material use.
Strength
Floordecks enhance concrete strength, evenly distributing weight and increasing resistance to stress. Traditional casting relies solely on concrete quality and iron reinforcement, needing precise calculations for optimal strength.
Requirements for Iron
Floordecks reduce reinforcing steel needs since the floordeck itself reinforces the concrete, lowering material costs. Traditional casting requires additional reinforcing iron to ensure structural strength, increasing demand for materials.
Planning
Floordecks simplify project planning by eliminating disassembly, speeding up scheduling, and requiring minimal preparation when installed on steel or concrete frames. Traditional casting requires careful planning for formwork construction and removal, often causing delays.
Operating Expenses
Although floordecks have higher upfront costs, they reduce overall project expenses by saving on labor, concrete, and finishing costs. Traditional casting, while cheaper initially, usually ends up costing more due to additional labor, materials, and disassembly.