ENGINEERED

Grade-Supported Concrete Floors

OVERVIEW

The concrete industry has the strongest incentives to encourage the highest standards of workmanship, because the construction of grade-supported concrete floors focuses on concrete performance. The shortcomings of most slab-on-grade construction rely more on faults or oversights of workmanship than to inherent shortcomings in concrete.

CUPOLEX® offers value engineering and cost-effective structural design solutions for the cement and construction industry to be more sustainable and resilient to climate change. Over the past three decades, engineered CUPOLEX® designs have become an increasingly popular slab-on-grade method.

DESIGN FEATURES

Engineered to perform under compression and not in tension when loaded on slab-on-grade applications
Engineered to maximize control of concrete curing resulting in reduction of slab curling and shrinkage cracks
Design of grade beams or drop panels are integrated in the design of the system eliminating the need to box form or trench haunches in the subgrade.
Designed as a monolithic poured floor structure
Designed for any type of high distributed and/or concentrated racking loads and forklift loads
Post loads and concentrated loads concrete bearing and shear stresses for CUPOLEX® slabs are computed using design methods to verify all stresses are within allowable limits
Engineered to retain moisture in the slab so that the concrete continues to gain strength.

BENEFITS

Engineered to provide a capillary break from the subgrade and concrete to protect concrete from moisture damage
Contributing to reduced CO₂ emissions.
Replaces fill or gravel that is typically required to bring the slab to grade and eliminates the costs associated with importing, compacting and certifying engineered fill.
One truck of CUPOLEX® replaces on average 60 trucks of gravel or fill.
Provides an excellent moisture barrier sub-slab void that can be drained or vented in soil with high water content

ADVANTAGES

Thickened slab sections are integrated in the design of the system eliminating the need for trenching
Simplify post-construction installation of new utilities below slabs
Delays drying shrinkage until the concrete is strong enough to resist shrinkage cracking.
Properly cures concrete improving strength, durability, water tightness, and wear resistance.
CUPOLEX® designs do not impact the use of power troweling machinery such as a walk-behind or a ride-on trowel.
Screed equipment such as small ride-on or walk-behind as well as Truss Screeds can be used with the CUPOLEX® concrete formwork. Large screed machines can also be used if floors are placed in long alternating strips.

Customized Design Package

Design Application Analysis – Our firm helps clients determine the Engineered CUPOLEX® system solutions that address specific site needs.

Value Engineering – CUPOLEX® works with value-engineering at the forefront of each project. We provide the best alternatives for every project.

Structural Systems Evaluation – Every project is unique. Our team reviews multiple structural CUPOLEX® systems to determine the best fit for each project.

Preliminary Structural Design – We work with our clients and their designers to determine the performance of a given CUPOLEX® structure under the prescribed loads and/or other effects or requirements while using principles of statics, dynamics and mechanics of materials to determine the size and arrangement of CUPOLEX® structural elements.

Material & Cost Estimating – Our collective experience helps us to provide our clients with material recommendations to reduce costs while maintaining the function of the CUPOLEX® structure.

Engineered Design Drawings – Issued for construction (IFC) and supported with FEA structural calculations, PE stamp, construction documents and specifications.

CUPOLEX® Installation Shop Drawings – With detailed CUPOLEX® formwork installation procedures issued to contractors.

Onsite Support – Construction training, monitoring and inspections for successful construction, and we present the information in a comprehensive report.

Construction Administration – We provide responses to request for information and interpretation of CUPOLEX® design drawings, with completion statements and regulatory compliance reporting where required.