STRUCTURAL PATHOLOGIES OF FLOOR SLABS

Abstract

In Ecuador, mezzanines are traditionally built with reticular reinforced concrete slabs with various types of lightening.  Another increasingly popular mezzanine system is the composite slab (steel deck).  In these systems, various pathologies have been observed that increase the global vulnerability of the structures, ranging from small defects to failures that could reduce the useful life of the building. The main constructive pathologies or those related to the material used are misaligned nerves with a width of less than 10 cm, improperly located pipes or ducts, concrete casting errors that cause cold joints, poor or non-existent curing, permeability formwork that allows the grout to leak, incorrect vibrating or dosage of the mixture, among others.

In recent years, the use of galvanized steel panels, known as steel deck slabs, has increased.  This increase is mainly due to the advantages of building slabs quickly.  Regarding the observation of this mezzanine system, the main pathologies were cataloged, such as damage to the collaborating plate (dent), fixing of the secondary steel beam with ceiling screws, incorrect concreting, among others.  Classifying and disseminating these pathologies affects the improvement of construction, which is the objective of this work