Precast concrete floor system using funicular shells- A sustainable construction technology

International Conference on Sustainable Civil Engineering

June 20-21, 2016 Cape Town, South Africa

P Sivakumar

CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre, India

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Civil Environ Eng

Abstract :

The ever increasing problem of housing to the people has high priority in attaining sustainable development. Hence it is required to address the mass requirement in housing and approach this problem with suitable technology. Simple and feasible technologies are in demand to cater to the needs of affordable housing in urban and rural sectors in developing countries. There are a number of roof and flooring systems available other than conventional concrete slab. Some technological solutions were esoteric, but affordable to the common people. An innovative simplified solution with precast concrete funicular shell is presented here. A novel semi pre-fabricated flooring system has been developed using precast concrete funicular shells. Funicular shell, a special type of shell doubly-curved in shape distributes the load in all directions equally to withstand loading purely in compression in most parts of the shell. This property of the shell has been taken advantageously to distribute the load. This flooring system consists of precast concrete funicular shells, precast concrete I shaped thin beams supporting the shells and cast in-situ screed. This system provides quick and easy prefab technology for roof and flooring. Besides giving an aesthetic appearance, this system eliminates onsite formwork and plastering, making it feasible and affordable. Experimental studies on precast concrete funicular shells and precast concrete thin beams have been conducted for its structural adequacy. This paper presents the concept of the system and experimental studies carried out on the components.

Biography :

Email: pskumar@serc.res.in