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subheading
Slimdek
residential pattern book
For multi-storey residential buildings
Introduction
to Slimdek
Introduction to Slimdek
The Slimdek construction system
Technical aspects of Slimdek

Introduction 3
Asymmetric Slimflor Beams (ASB)
Deep decking
Openings in the slab
Edge beams
Tie members
Connections
Columns
Discontinuous columns
10
Slimdek in an unbraced structure
10
Fire resistance
11
Acoustic insulation
11
Attachment of cladding to edge beams
13
Service integration
14
The application of Slimdek

Chosen building for study
15
Building form
16
Structural grids
17
Plan form and room layouts
18
Floor layout
22
Structural options
22
Material usage
28
Steel balconies and parapets
Figure 1.1 6 storey apartment block at Portishead Marina.

2
2
Types of balcony
29
Balcony attachments in Slimdek
30
Parapets and balustrades
32
References
35 36
Slimdek is a shallow depth steel floor system that

offers particular advantages in multi-storey
residential buildings.
Steel framed construction has for some years
dominated the UK market for multi-storey
commercial buildings due to its cost, speed
and quality benefits. The proven values of
structural steelwork are now being taken
advantage of in the fast growing multi-storey
residential building market. The Slimdek
floor system from Tata Steel offers particular
advantages in multi-storey residential
buildings. It provides a shallow floor depth
and can achieve 60 minutes fire resistance
with no added protection.
New research has also shown that Slimdek
separating floors comfortably meet the
acoustic insulation requirements of the new
Part E (2003) Building Regulations.
Slimdek floor system

Slimdek is a fully engineered floor solution
that has been developed to offer cost-effective
shallow-depth floors for multi-storey steel
framed buildings with grids of up to 9m x
9m. The system simplifies the planning and
servicing of a building resulting in significant
cost and speed of construction benefits.
Reductions in floor depth of up to 400mm
per storey, compared with conventional
construction, can be achieved using Slimdek.
This offers the potential for extra floors to be
accommodated within a given building height
or alternatively a reduction in total building
height and consequent savings on envelope
costs.
Slimdek floors achieve inherent fire resistance
of up to 60 minutes with no added fire
protection, reducing costs and speeding up
programme times. The relative light weight
of steel frames also leads to savings on
foundation costs.
Slimdek plan form and room layouts. Page 17.
Figure 1.2 4 and 6 storey apartment buildings at Penarth Marina, Cardiff.

3
Slimdek residential pattern book Introduction to Slimdek
Figure 1.3 Components of Slimdek
The key features of the system are:

A shallow composite slab, which provides
excellent load resistance, diaphragm action
and robustness.
An Asymmetric Slimflor Beam (ASB), which
achieves efficient composite action without
the need for shear studs.
An inherent fire resistance of up to
60 minutes with ASB fire-engineered
(ASB (FE)) sections.
Lighter, thinner web ASBs, which can be
used unprotected in buildings requiring
up to 30 minutes fire resistance or in fireprotected applications.
ComFlor 225 deep decking, which can span
up to 6.5m without propping (depending
on slab weight).
Light weight construction.
Slimdek has been widely employed in the

commercial sector, and its advantages are
now being realised in residential applications.
It has been used in major residential projects
in Glasgow, Manchester, Cardiff, Portsmouth,
Bristol and London. Recent examples of
residential building projects are illustrated in
Figures 1.1 and 1.2.
Figure 1.4
Slimdek installation on site.
Figure 1.5
Typical column-free space achieved using
Slimdek.
Slimdek can be combined with other

components, such as rectangular hollow
sections (RHS) for columns and edge beams,
light steel infill walls and separating walls that
are directly supported by the composite floor,
as well as roof-top penthouses and mansard
roofs using light steel framing.
This brochure focuses on the practical

application of Slimdek in a mixed-use
residential and commercial building in an
urban area. This building type allows us to
examine a variety of design and detailing
issues. It is a six-storey building, with car
parking below ground and retail outlets at
ground-floor level. The same floor grid is
used for the car park and apartments, which
removes the need for a transfer structure.
Two plan forms are illustrated, to show
the versatility that exists with Slimdek
construction.
Figure 1.6
Slimdek used in a major renovation project
in Covent Garden, London.
Technical aspects of Slimdek

Slimdek comprises a composite slab, formed on deep decking, which
is supported on the bottom flange of Asymmetric Slimflor Beams.
Slimdek comprises a composite slab, formed
on ComFlor 225 deep decking (designated
CF225 for clarity in some diagrams), which
is supported on the bottom flange of
Asymmetric Slimflor Beams (ASB) see Figure
1.3. The typical span capabilities of ASB beams
and deep composite slabs in Slimdek are set
out in Table 2.1.
Asymmetric Slimflor Beams
The Asymmetric Slimflor Beam (ASB) is a
hot-rolled section in which the degree of
asymmetry between the widths of the top and
bottom flanges is approximately 60%. The top
flange has a raised rib pattern rolled into it to
provide composite action with the concrete
encasement, without the aid of a mechanical
shear connector.
Slimdek supported by ASBs.
Table 2.2 is defined either by 35mm cover to

the ASB or 70mm topping to the decking (this
topping depth does not reflect any acoustic
requirement). A view through an ASB beam
and the composite slab is shown in Figure 1.3.
A range of 10 ASB beams is manufactured

with the properties given in Table 2.2. Fireengineered ASB beams (designated as
ASB(FE)) achieve 60 minutes fire resistance
without any additional fire protection,

whereas ASB beams achieve 30 minutes fire
resistance, increasing to 120 minutes when
additional protection is applied to the soffit.
For construction the minimum slab depth in
Table 2.1 Typical span capabilities of
Table 2.2 Dimensions of ASB beams and minimum slab depths.
Width ofASB
Flange
Thickness Minimum
beams in
Slimdek.
Top Beam
Bottom
Web
Designation
mm
mm
mm
Slab
Flange
Depthspacing
Beam
Span Beam
(m)
mm
mm(m)
Designation
Mass
Depth
Width of flange
Top
Bottom
kg/m
mm
mm
Thickness
Web
Minimum
Flange
Slab
Depth
mm
mm
mm
mm
of40
60 mins 40
203 Fire Resistance
313
280
ASB
(FE)
100
183
293
20
406.0
280
ASB
(FE)
136
195
305
32
297.5
340
300 ASB (FE) 249
249
342
203
313
40
40
340
340 6.0
300 ASB 196
195
342
183
293
20
40
340
325 6.0
300 ASB (FE) 185
185
320
195
305
32
29
325
179 300 ASB

289(FE) 153 16
190 300 ASB
300(FE) 185 27
327.5
249.0
325 7.5*
300 ASB 155
155
326
179
289
16
32
325
153
310
190
300
27
24
320
229.0
320 6.0
300 9.0*
300 ASB (FE) 153
190 300 ASB

300(FE) 249 25
280 ASB (FE) 136
136
288
190
300
25
22
300
178 Fire Resistance

288
of13
30 mins**26
300
280 ASB 124
124
296
178
288
13
26
300
176 280 ASB

28674
184 280 ASB
294105
11
300 6.0
105
288
176
286
11
22
300
19
227.0
167.5
280 ASB 105

280 ASB (FE) 100
100
276
184
294
19
16
295
175 280 ASB

285124
10
147.5
295 7.5*
74
272
175
285
10
14
295
295 6.0
300 ASB 155
9.0
6.0
300 ASB 196
9.0
9.0*
280 ASB 74
Notes: ASB (FE) are fire engineeed sections
* Propped slab during construction

** Additional fire protection required for R60
Slimdek residential pattern book Technical aspects of Slimdek
Deep decking
Deep steel decking (ComFlor 225) spans
between the bottom flange of the ASB beams
and supports the wet concrete during
construction. The embossments formed in the
decking achieve excellent composite action
with the concrete, assisted by bar
reinforcement. Light mesh reinforcement is
provided in the concrete topping for crack
control purposes.
A cross section of ComFlor 225 is shown in
Figure 2.1. Each decking element is 1.25mm
thick and 600mm wide and has special
attachment points for service and ceiling
hangers. The ComFlor 225 decking is
provided with end diaphragms and cut-outs
to allow placement and retention of the
concrete around the ASB beams, as illustrated
in Figure 2.2.
A cross-section through the composite slab in
Figure 2.3 shows the positioning of the bar
reinforcement. A minimum concrete cover of
80mm over the decking ensures fire resistance
and acoustic insulation, although it may be
necessary to increase this cover depending on
the size of the ASB selected (see Table 2.2). The
typical slab depth for residential applications is
300mm to 330mm, which creates a floor depth
of approximately 400mm when combined
with acoustic insulating layers and a
suspended ceiling. The typical span
capabilities of deep composite slabs using
ComFlor 225 decking are presented in Table
2.3. Temporary propping is not generally
required for spans up to 6m. Spans may be
increased to 9m if two lines of temporary
props are used during construction. Services
can be passed through openings in the ASB
beams and between the ribs of the slabs.
600
400
240
30
100
8
30
Horizontal
ribs
Service hanger
(typical detail)
37 15 35
Vertical
embossments
195
30
35
33
30
100
40
Figure 2.1 Cross-section through ComFlor225 deep decking showing service attachments.
50
Deck cut-out
15
Slab
topping
Cover
to top
of beam
225
End diaphragm
50 nominal bearing
size (diameter, mm) for Span of slab (m)

Figure 2.2 Detailing of ComFlor 225 decking at ASBBar
beams.
Mesh reinforcementBar size (diameter, mm) for Span of slab (m)
Slab depth (mm)

5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
300
16
16
16
20
20
25
32
N.A.
320
16
16
20
20
20
25
32
32
25
16, 20, 25 or
32
32 diameter32
16
340
Propping
Axis
50
20
20
20
Main reinforcement
No propping
generally
25
Single line props required
Double line props required
Figure
through
composite
slab.slab.
Blue2.3
areaCross-section
shows propping
requirements
for each
N.A. = not generally applicable because natural frequency of slab is less than 5Hz.
Table 2.3 Reinforcement requirements (bar diameter) in deep composite

slabs for 60 minutes fire resistance.
Bar size (diameter, mm) for Span of slab (m)
Slab depth (mm)

5.5
6.0
6.5
7.0
7.5
8.0
8.5
9.0
300
16
16
16
20
20
25
32
N.A.
320
16
16
20
20
20
25
32
32
340
16
20
20
20
25
25
32
32
Propping
No propping
generally
Single line props required
Blue area shows propping requirements for each slab.

N.A. = not generally applicable because natural frequency of slab is less than 5Hz.
Double line props required
ASB
beam
Openings in the slab
Openings next to columns should be detailed

to avoid the ASB and tie members. For these
cases, the close proximity of the openings
to the ASB does not affect the composite
strength to the same degree as when
openings occur in the span. As a consequence,
some relaxation of the dimensions given
in Figure 2.4 is possible. The recommended
minimum distance from a grid line to the
centre-line of a 150mm opening is 225mm,
or 200mm for a smaller opening. It is also
possible to accommodate a minor notch in
the bottom flange of the ASB near the end
connection to provide an opening for a service
pipe, but this should be detailed in order to
allow for fabrication before delivery to site. A
detail showing the provision of a service pipe
close to an ASB near a column is presented
in Figure 2.5.
beam span/
16*500
Opening
Opening may be positioned between the ribs

of the decking without affecting the loadbearing capacity of the slab. The maximum
width of these openings is 400mm. Wider
openings may cut through one or more ribs,
in which case it is necessary to reinforce the
slab to distribute the forces to the adjacent
ribs. A standard edge trim is pre-fixed as a box
around the opening.
The maximum recommended size of
opening is 1000mm x 2000mm before
additional trimmer beams are required.
Details of permitted openings and additional
reinforcement around the openings are
presented in Figure 2.4.
T12 bar x
1500 long
beam span/16
for composite
beam design
300
Minimum A142
mesh throughout
1000
Additional top
reinforcement
Additional
bottom
reinforcement
to adjacent ribs
(by engineer)
1000
B
400
Opening
A
2000
Centre-line
of ribs
beam span/16
for composite
beam design
B
ASB
beam
Curtailed
bar
Transverse
bar
Temporary Edge trim Temporary

fixed as 'box'
prop
prop
End
diaphragm
Transverse
bar
Temporary Edge trim Temporary

prop
prop
fixed as 'box'
Section A - A
Section B - B
Figure 2.4 Detailing of openings in the slab in Slimdek.
Service pipe
(max. 150 dia.)
Column (UKC)
Mesh
reinforcement
CF225
decking
A
A
Setting out level
ASB
Tie beam
Welded
stiffener
225 min.
Service
pipe
Connecting
bolts
225 min.
Welded stiffener
Tie beam
Section A - A : Plan view
Figure 2.5 Provision of a service pipe close to an ASB in a Slimdek floor near to a column.
10 mm dia. additional
10 mm dia. additional
L-bars at 300 centres
L-bars at 300 centres
200
55
200
55
150
150
30
If the configuration of windows and cladding

allow then a downstand beam can be used
as an edge beam. However, where this is
not possible then two alternative forms of
edge beam are recommended ASB or RHS
(Rectangular Hollow Sections).
1000
1000
30
Edge beams
50
50
ASB beams may be designed in two alternative

configurations:
The advantage of the second option is that

any eccentricities in the column connection
are reduced. However, the disadvantage is that
the projecting flange of the ASB has to be cut
away (depending on the cladding system), and
additional insulation is required to reduce
cold bridging.
End diaphragm
End diaphragm
A142 mesh
A142 mesh
Figure 2.6 Encased ASB details at edge beam.
20
L-bar (10 )
20
L-bar (10 )
bolt hole at 300 centres
bolt hole at 300 centres
30
2. ASB partially encased in concrete, as

illustrated in Figure 2.7. In this case, no
composite action is developed and the fire
resistance is reduced to 30 minutes, unless
additional protection is applied. The edge of
the slab may be detailed at 100mm from the
centre-line of the beam (actual distance is half
the flange width or 95mm). To anchor the slab,
an L-bar is placed in holes pre-drilled in the
ASB. The edge trim allows for a thin concrete
topping.
Edge
Edge
trim
trim
30
1. ASB encased in concrete for fire resistance

and effective composite action, as illustrated
in Figure 2.6. In this case, the edge of the
slab is detailed at 200mm from the centre-line
of the beam to allow for fixing of the edge
trim, and placement of the concrete and L-bar
reinforcement.
Mineral
Mineral
wool
wool
infill
infill
End diaphragm
End diaphragm
ASB cut away by 55 (if necessary)
ASB cut away by 55 (if necessary)
Figure 2.7 Partially encased ASB details at edge beam.
A142 mesh
A142 mesh
Rectangular Hollow Sections (RHS) may be

used as either composite or non-composite
edge beams. Non-composite beams are
illustrated in Figure 2.8. RHS edge beams
provide an attractive option because of
their ease of detailing at the faade line.
Furthermore, their high torsional stiffness
facilitates eccentric connections, for example,
of cantilever balconies. When the edge beam
is used only as a cladding support, torsional
stiffness is still required because of the
eccentric load from the cladding.
For composite construction, shear connectors
may be welded to the top flange of the RHS to
increase its spanning capabilities by composite
action. However, the slab depth needs to
be taken as 85mm above the RHS section,
which makes the 300mm RHS impractical in
composite construction (see Table 2.4). The
sizing of the RHS sections generally depends
on the orientation of the slab and the cladding
load. For scheme design purposes, the RHS
sizes given in Table 2.5 may be used.
Rigid insulation in
external cavity
Light steel stud wall

with 2 layers of gypsum board
Optional additional
insulation (to reduce
U value)
Separating strip
Proprietary
battened
raft floor
Acoustic sealant
Cavity
Halfen or similar
stainless steel
brickwork support
Cavity barrier to
floor/wall junction
15 min.
plasterboard
resilient strip
External brickwork
tied to inner stud wall
Deep composite
metal deck floor
Trapezoidal
profile
12.5 plasterboard
Resilient bars
timber battens,
or metal frame
ceiling
Acoustic sealant
Deflection head
Figure 2.8 Non-composite RHS edge beam supporting brickwork.
Table 2.4 Section dimensions of RHS Slimflor edge beams.

Designation
of RHS
200 x 150
(240 x 15 plate)
250 x 150
(240 x 15 plate)
300 x 200
(290 x 15 plate)
Thickness
(mm)
Mass *
(kg/m)
Depth
(mm)
Minimum Slab
Depth (mm)+
Non-composite
Composite
8.0
70
215
295
295
10.0
79
215
295
295
12.5
91
215
295
295
8.0
76
265
295
335
10.0
87
265
295
335
12.5
100
265
295
335
8.0
94
315
300
N.A.
10.0
100
315
300
N.A.
12.5
126
315
300
N.A.
* including 15 mm plate
+ Slab depth applies to R60 fire resistance
Table 2.5 Approximate section sizes of RHS edge beams supporting brickwork.
Beam span (m)
< 6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
Non-composite
200 x 150 x 8
200 x 150 12.5 or

250 x 150 x 10
300 x 200 x 10
N.A.
Composite
200 x 150 x 8
200 x 150 x 10
200 x 150 x 12.5
200 x 150 x 12.5
Data for 6m span slab onto RHS
Tie members
Tie members are required to provide
robustness by tying columns at each floor.
Generally, tie members are in the form of
inverted Tees. Smaller UKB or RHS sections
with a welded plate are often used where the
tie beam supports other local loads. Figure
2.9 illustrates a typical Tee section; this allows
for sufficient placement of a Z-section where
the deck layout is not in multiples of 600mm.
The depth of the Tee is taken as not less than
span/40 in order to avoid visible sag.
The Tee section does not participate in
resisting loads applied to the slab, so
reinforcement is placed in the ribs adjacent
to the Tee. This does not generally require fire
protection, where it is partially encased in the
slab. The Tee may be attached by an end plate
to the column web or to a stiffener located
between the column flanges. This same
stiffener may act as a compression stiffener in
a moment-resisting connection to the major
axis of the column.
Decking cut to suit

setting-out requirement
Mesh reinforcement
Reinforcement
bar
600
ASB bottom flange
Z section
Tee section
cut from
UKC or UKB
Figure 2.9 Inverted Tee section as a tie member.
ASB end plate

Perimeter UKC
ASB
internal
beam
Connections
Slimdek has been developed primarily as
a flooring system for braced steel-framed
buildings. Typically, the beams and slabs
are analysed as simply supported elements.
Continuity, which is inherent within the
system, is only partially used for the
serviceability criteria. It is possible to use the
ASB beam as part of a sway frame, provided
extended end plate connections are used.
In this case, columns must be analysed for
combined bending and compression.
Beam-to-column connections with ASB or
RHS beams should generally be made by full
or extended end plates in order to ensure
adequate shear and torsional resistance due
to out-of-balance loads (primarily during
construction). For UKC section columns, beamto-column connections are generally made
to the column flange. Where connections are
made to the column web, it may be necessary
to weld a plate between the tips of the column
10
ASB edge beam

ASB edge beam
Figure 2.10 External UKC section column connection to ASB edge beam.
flanges to avoid cutting back the ASB section.

A typical external UKC column connection
with an ASB edge beam is shown in Figure
2.10, and in Figures 3.15 and 3.16.
For RHS columns, connections can be made
using Flowdrill or Hollo-bolt connections.
Hollo-bolts require the formation of a hole
of 1.7 x bolt diameter. As a result of this, the
maximum diameter is generally 20mm to
allow for edge distances and gaps. A typical
external RHS column connection with a RHS
Slimflor edge beam is shown in Figure 2.11.
At RHS columns, it is often difficult to attach

ASBs on adjacent sides. This may be achieved
by using alternate extended and flush end
plates, as illustrated in Figure 2.12.
This approach is only applicable for columns
with a minimum width of 200mm. In other
cases, welded T-stubs may be used to attach
the beams.
Perimeter RHS
column (or UKC
with plates welded
across flange tips
for edge beam
connections)
Hollo-bolts
RHS Slimflor
edge beam
with 15 thick
flange plate
Internal
ASB
beam
Extended
end plate
Figure 2.11 External RHS column connection to a RHS Slimflor edge beam.
Flowdrill or
Hollo-bolts
15 end plate
Flowdrill or
Hollo-bolts
Flange
cut away
A
200 RHS
column
a) Side view of ASB beam
200 RHS
column
b) Cross-section A - A
Figure 2.12 End plate connections to RHS columns.
Columns
Universal Column (UKC) sections are
recommended for internal columns because of
their ease of connection. Rectangular Hollow
Section (RHS) columns can be used for fire
resistance or for architectural reasons. For
example, RHS columns can be contained in
the separating or faade walls, as illustrated in
Figure 2.13.
2 x 12.5 plasterboard
Vertical channel
(to attach wall ties)
Non-loadbearing
light steel stud
RHS column
50 cavity
Resilient mineral wool
separating RHS and
light steel section
Insulation board
Figure 2.13 RHS column incorporated in faade wall (plan section).
11
Discontinuous columns
Slimdek in an unbraced structure
Columns can also be designed as storey-high

elements and attached to the flanges of the
ASB, as illustrated in Figure 2.14. This unusual
configuration is possible in medium-rise
buildings because the modest compression
forces can be transferred through the thick
web of the ASB to the concrete encasement.
In these cases, moment continuity can be
developed in the ASB to optimise
its performance. For more heavily loaded
columns, vertical stiffeners would be required
in the web of the ASB. When adopting this
approach, particular care and attention must
be paid to the design and detailing, especially
to ensure frame stability and resistance to
progressive collapse (through horizontal and
vertical tying, or by key element design).
Vertical bracing can be eliminated in a

structure with Slimdek floors by designing the
connections between the ASBs and the
columns as moment-resisting. Where UKC
columns are used, these connections should
be made to the column flanges. Extended end
plates increase the effective depth of the
connection and increase its moment capacity.
A typical extended end plate connection is
shown in Figure 2.15. For detailing purposes,
dimension A should be taken as 44mm for
ASB280 and 62mm for ASB300.
RHS columns may be used, but the moment
capacity of beam end connections are
generally less effective than for UKC sections,
except for the thicker wall sections.
200
120
50
ASB
15 end
plate
40
tf
A
150 SHS
column
The design of wind-moment frames is a

special case where the connections are
treated as pinned under vertical load and
moment-resisting under wind loading. As a
simple rule, the maximum number of storeys
permitted in a wind-moment frame should
not exceed the number of columns in the
direction in which the wind forces act (up to a
maximum of six storeys). Therefore, for wind
acting on the front face of a building with four
columns across the width, the maximum
height is four storeys.
For a rectangular plan building with wind
acting on the short length, there are
potentially more columns to resist the wind
loads along the building, and the maximum
height recommended is increased to six
storeys, provided that the columns are
orientated so that their stiffer direction is
along the building length. In this second
orientation, vertical bracing can be eliminated
in the faades, leading to large fenestrations
and freedom of space planning.
150 SHS
column
A
RHS tie
The moment capacity of typical extended end

plate connections is summarised in Table 2.6
(moment capacities for specific ASB weights
may be obtained from the Slimdek Manual).
These moment capacities are relatively
insensitive to the ASB section size, as bending
of the end plate controls their design.
A
75
a) Side view of ASB beam
d
75
RHS tie
150 SHS
column
50
10
tf
300
Figure 2.15 Extended end plate connection

to an ASB beam.
ASB
150 SHS
column
b) Cross-section A - A
Table 2.6 Moment capacities (kNm) of extended end plate connections

Column size
203 UKC
Figure 2.14 ASB beams continuous over storey-high

RHS columns in medium-rise buildings.
254 UKC
kg/m
ASB280
ASB300
x 46
81
85
x 52
86
90
x 60
91
95
x 71
92
97
x 73
92
97
x 89
92
97
Data: 15 end plate in S355 steel and M20 bolts
12
Fire resistance
Acoustic insulation
The fire resistance of the ASBs is achieved by

partial encasement in the composite slab.
Generally, 60 minutes fire resistance can be
achieved by ASB sections, increasing up to 120
minutes if board materials, a suspended
ceiling or intumescent coatings, protect them.
Separating floors in Slimdek are easily

capable of providing the acoustic insulation
(both airborne and impact) required to meet
the new Part E (2003) Building Regulations.
When combined with the prescribed floor and
ceiling treatments the floor has been able to
achieve Robust Detail (RD) status (E-FS-1). RD
status means that post-completion testing of
the floor is not required. A typical cross section
through a beam and slab showing the various
layers is shown in Figure 2.16. Table 2.8
illustrates the excellent performance in robust
detail in-situ tests compared to the
requirements given in Part E of the Building
Regulations.
The fire resistance of the deep composite slab

is achieved by bar reinforcement of the
minimum sizes shown in Table 2.7. The axis
distance defines the distance from the centreline of the reinforcing bar to the soffit of the
decking (see Figure 2.3). Mesh reinforcement
is placed in the topping at a minimum top
cover of 15mm. The reinforcement detailing
requirements are illustrated in Figure 2.3.
Masonry or double-leaf light steel separating

walls can be used in conjunction with the
Slimdek floor. Doubleleaf walls are generally
recommended because of the ease and speed
of construction and the elimination of wet
trades on site. Typically, this type of wall
comprises two leafs of studs (each 50 to 70mm
deep) separated by a layer of mineral wool.
The outer faces of the studs are fixed to double
layers of plasterboard, to give an overall
thickness of around 250mm. Care should be
taken to ensure an adequate cavity width, and
adequate densities for the materials used.
Specialist manufacturers have produced a
number of proprietary wall and detail
solutions.
18 thick tongued and grooved

chipboard walking surface (or similar)
Concrete floor slab with

ComFlor225 deep decking
280 ASB 100
Proprietary batten
with integral foam strip
Single skin 12.5 thick

plasterboard suspended ceiling
Proprietary
resilient bars
Figure 2.16 Cross-section through ASB beam showing acoustic insulating layers.
Table 2.7 Detailing requirements for deep composite slabs.

Parameter
Fire resistance (mins)

60 or less
90
120
Min. slab depth
295 mm
305 mm
320 mm
Min. bar diameter
16 mm
20 mm
25 mm
Axis distance to bar
70 mm
90 mm
120 mm
A142
A193
A252
Min mesh size in topping
Column size
203 UC
ASB280
ASB300
x 46 kg/m
81
85
x 52 kg/m
86
90
x 60 kg/m
91
95
13
x 71 kg/m
92
97
254 UC
x 73 kg/m
92
97
Details of the attachment of a separating wall

to an ASB beam are illustrated in Figure 2.18.
A deflection head allows for relative
movement between the ASB and the
separating wall. Note that board present at
the top of the wall is needed for fire as well as
acoustic purposes.
One of the most crucial features with this type
of wall is the interface between the wall head
and the soffit of the slab, particularly when the
deck ribs do not run parallel to the wall. The
attachment of a light steel separating wall to
the soffit of a composite slab with ComFlor
225 decking is illustrated in Figure 2.19.
Profiled mineral wool inserts are required to
prevent both sound and fire passing through
the voids in the deck. Board beneath these
inserts also serves both fire and acoustic
purposes. When this detail is properly achieved
the wall can be expected to pass
Part E requirement.
More information on expected acoustic
performance and typical construction details
can be found in the accompanying SCI
Publication P336 Acoustic Detailing for
Multi-Storey Residential Buildings.
Table 2.8 Acoustic performance of Slimdek.

Acoustic Test Data (dB)
Airborne sound reduction
DnT,w + Ctr
Impact sound
,
L nT,w
Part E
>
_ 45
<
_ 62
Robust Detail
>
_ 47
<
_ 57
(Range)
50-64
24-46
(Mean)
56
38
Slimdek Performance (E-FS-1)
Platform floor
Separating strip
Acoustic sealant
Proprietary
battened
raft floor
Separating strip
Acoustic sealant
Deep composite
steel decking
12.5 plasterboard
Acoustic sealant
1 layer of 15 plasterboard
or other fire-stopping
material laid flat between ASB
and light steel channel
12.5 plasterboard
ceiling on proprietary
metal frame ceiling
Resilient bars or
timber battens
Light steel frame

separating wall
Deflection head
Figure 2.18 Acoustic detail of ASB beam and light steel separating wall.
Platform floor
Separating strip
Acoustic sealant
Separating strip
Acoustic sealant
Proprietary
battened
raft floor
Pack with
mineral wool
Deep composite
steel decking
2 layers of 19 mm
gypsum board
12.5 mm plasterboard
on proprietry metal frame
Additional mineral wool in

ceiling void around junction
Acoustic
sealant
Light steel frame
separating wall
Figure 2.19 Acoustic detail of separating wall transverse to composite slab.
14
Attachment of cladding to edge beams

Cladding attachments depend on the type
of cladding used and the type of edge beam.
For encased ASB beams, the centre-line of the
ASB is detailed at 200mm from the edge of the
slab (see Figure 2.6).
Rigid
Rigid
insulation
insulation
in in
external
external
cavity
cavity
More detail on cladding systems and their

attachments is given in Figures 2.20 to 2.23.
For details on cladding attachments to RHS
edge beams, see Figure 2.8.
Light
Light
steel
steel
stud
stud
wall
wall
with
with
2 layers
2 layers
of of
gypsum
gypsum
board
board
Breather
Breather
paper
paper
Separating
Separating
strip
strip
Cavity
Cavity
Acoustic
Acoustic
sealant
sealant
Cladding
Cladding
railrail
onon
angle
angle
brackets
brackets
Proprietary
Proprietary
battened
battened
raftraft
floor
floor
Halfen
Halfen
or or
similar
similar
stainless
stainless
steel
steel
brickwork
brickwork
support
support
External
External
brickwork
brickwork
tied
tied
to to
inner
inner
stud
stud
wall
wall
Proprietary
Proprietarybattened
battened
raftraft
floor
floor
Cladding
Cladding
sheet
sheet
Cavity
Cavity
barrier
barrier
to to
floor/wall
floor/wall
junction
junction
Optional
Optional
additional
additional
insulation
insulation
(to(to
reduce
reduce
U value)
U value)
Sheating
Sheating
board
board
Resilient
Resilient
bars,
bars,
timber
timber
battens
battens
or or
metal
metal
frame
frame
ceiling
ceiling
Deep
Deep
composite
composite
metal
metal
deck
deck
floor
floor
1515
min.
min.
plasterboard
plasterboard
resilient
resilient
strip
strip
Deflection
Deflection
head
head
Deep
Deep
composite
composite
metal
metal
deck
deck
floor
floor
Resilient
Resilient
bars,
bars,
timber
timber
battens
battens
or or
metal
metal
frame
frame
ceiling
ceiling
12.5
12.5
plasterboard
plasterboard
1515
min.
min.
plasterboard
plasterboard
resilient
resilient
strip
strip
12.5
12.5
plasterboard
plasterboard
Acoustic
Acoustic
sealant
sealant
Acoustic
Acoustic
sealant
sealant
Deflection
Deflection
head
head
Figure 2.20 Detailing of brickwork support by ASB beams.
Rigid
Rigid
insulation
insulation
material
material
Platform
Platform
floor
floor
Slimdek
Slimdek
floor
floor
Polymer
Polymer
based
based
render
render
Figure 2.22 Rain-screen cladding attachment in Slimdek.
Breather
Breather
paper
paper
(with
(with
optional
optional
sheathing
sheathing
board
board
behind)
behind)
Rigid
Rigid
insulation
insulation
Optional
Optional
additional
additional
insulation
insulation
Separating
Separating
strip
strip
Acoustic
Acoustic
sealant
sealant
Proprietary
Proprietary
battened
battened
raftraft
floor
floor
Clay
Clay
tiletile
cladding
cladding
system
system
Fire
Fire
break
break
1515
drained
drained
cavity
cavity
Fixing
Fixing
railrail
onon
packers
packers
Light
Light
steel
steel
frame
frame
non-loadbearing
non-loadbearing
stud
stud
wall
wall
Sheathing
Sheathing
board
board
Figure 2.21 Insulated render cladding attachment to ASB beams.
Drained
Drained
1515
cavity
cavity
Deep
Deep
composite
composite
Resilient
bars,
bars,
metal
metal
deck
deck
floor
floor Resilient
timber
timber
battens
battens
12.5
12.5
plasterboard
plasterboard
or
or
metal
metal
frame
frame
Acoustic
Acoustic
sealant
sealant
ceiling
ceiling
1515
min.
min.
plasterboard
plasterboard
Deflection
Deflection
head
head
Non-loadbearing
Non-loadbearing
light
light
steel
steel
frame
frame
stud
stud
wall
wall
Figure 2.23 Brick-tile cladding attachment in Slimdek.
15
Service integration

Openings in the slab for pipes and service

risers.
Openings in the web of the ASB for

horizontal service distribution in the floor
zone.
Trays embedded in the slab for horizontal

distribution of electrics or small diameter
pipes in the surface of the slab.
Large openings can be formed between the

ribs of the decking and through openings
in the ASB beams (subject to effective fire
compartmentation). Electrical trays should be
positioned to align with the ribs of the
decking so that they observe fire resistance
and acoustic insulation requirements
(see Figure 2.24).
300 max.
Opening in slab
Horizontal
service tray
Mesh
150 max.
T12 bar
50 max.
80 min.
60 min.
Opening in ASB
160 max.
320 max.
Figure 2.24 Service openings and electrical trays in Slimdek.
16
ASB bottom flange
The application of Slimdek

This section examines a typical mixed-use residential
building in steel using Slimdek construction.
Penthouse
Flat
Central
Corridor
Flat
Flat
Central
Corridor
Flat
Flat
Central
Corridor
Flat
Flat
Central
Corridor
Flat
Flat
Central
Corridor
Flat
Our example building is a six-storey structure

with a roof-top penthouse, illustrated in Figure
3.1. The building design could be extended to
ten-storeys without significant modifications
to the structure. The interior of the building
may be configured with apartments on
either side of a central corridor, referred to
as the deep plan form, or with apartments
configured across the full width of the building
around an access core, referred to as the
shallow plan form. See Figures 3.5 and 3.6.
The building is be adapted for mixed use,
making provision for retail uses at ground floor
(by increasing the floor-to-floor height) and for
car parking at basement level. The length of
the building is not defined, as the plan forms
are repeatable.
The flexible use of space provided by Slimdek
is illustrated in Figure 3.2.
Retail
Figure 3.2 Flexible space using Slimdek.

Car Park
Figure 3.1 Deep plan form cross-section through building.
The building considered has three distinct

levels:
Below-ground car-parking.
Retail or office level at first floor.
Residential floors above.
The structural grid adopted is dictated by the
car park level, to avoid the use of an expensive
transfer structure. This is based on a threecar bay (7.5m wide) along the faade, and
columns at 4.8m, 6.7m and 5.0m respectively
across the building (deep plan) or 3.9m, 7.2m
and 4.8m (shallow plan) to allow for sufficient
vehicular access.
17
Slimdek residential pattern book The application of Slimdek
Building form
The steel-framed apartment building has
the following characteristics:
Light steel walls

Light steel walls are used for:
external walls to create a rapid dry envelope;
compartment or separating walls between
apartments;
internal walls within apartments.
No limit on building height

The building is six storeys high (plus penthouse and
car park levels). The ground floor can be adapted
for retail use. There is no limit on building height
when using Slimdek, but four to ten storeys
is the sensible range for this type of residential
construction. Penthouse apartments are located at
roof level.
Acoustic insulation
Utility servicing
Prefabricated modules
Excellent acoustic insulation is achieved by the

Slimdek floor with its resilient layers.
Servicing is rationalised by vertical risers in the

core and horizontal routes through the floor slab.
Bathrooms are assumed to be prefabricated

modules set into the slab to avoid mis-alignment
of the floors.
Minimal foundation costs

Foundations are located directly below the
columns. The lightweight steel construction
minimises foundation costs.
18
A repeatable floor plan area

A repeatable floor plan area (for either plan form)
of approximately 20m x 16m is accessed from a
single braced core. Spans of 4.8m to 7.5m achieve
a sensible layout of apartments and rooms, which
may be reconfigured independently of the beam
lines. This allows a range of apartments with floor
areas from 60m2 to 120m2 to be created.
Structural grids
Optimum structural grids (i.e. column layout)
differ greatly between applications:
Car parks grids are normally based on 5m
(two-car spaces) or 7.5m (three-car spaces)
as in Figure 3.3.
Residential buildings grids are often based
on multiples of 600mm (4.2m being efficient
for studios).
Commercial buildings use grids based on
multiples of 1500mm (6m, 7.5m and 9m
being common column spacings).
From this it is apparent that, for a mixed-use
building, the column grids will not align
unless either the arrangement of car parking
space or residential accommodation is
modified. Alternatively, a steel or concrete
transfer structure may be designed to transfer
loads from the super-structure to the columns
of the car park substructure. In this case,
it is important that the superstructure is
sufficiently light so that the transfer
structure is not made deeper increasing
foundation costs.
7.5m
5.4m
7.5m
4.8m
6.7m
Minimal floor depth
Faade materials and finish
Using Slimdek, the floor depth (including a

suspended ceiling and battened floor) is typically
400mm.
External brickwork cladding with a light steel stud

inner skin is assumed for the steelwork designs,
although a variety of faade materials may be used.
(Ground supported brickwork is not practical above
four storeys.)
5.0 m
Figure 3.3 Structural grid as dictated by

car park level.
19
Plan form and room layouts
Deep plan form
Shallow plan form
Two plan forms are considered, which are

presented in the following illustrations:
The deep plan form has the following features:
The shallow plan form has the following

features:
Columns are located at 7.5m and 5.4m along

the faade.
Columns are located at 5.0m, 6.7m and 4.8m
across the plan form of the building.
A 2.1m-wide corridor is provided along the
building.
Columns are generally located in the
300mm-wide separating walls between
apartments.
An alternative lift location may be
introduced (see Figure 3.10).
The ratio of habitable:gross floor area is
about 85% per residential floor.
Apartments of approximately 50m2 and
65m2 floor area are provided, which are
each suitable for two and four people
respectively.
A total of 14 car parking spaces is provided
(including two disabled spaces) for the five
residential and penthouse levels. The car
parking lies fully within the building depth.
The penthouse level is accessed via the
stairs and provides two 68m2 apartments,
each suitable for four people.
A retail area of 880m2 is provided.

1. A deep plan form with apartments on either

side of a central corridor.
2. A shallow plan with apartments across the
full depth of the building.
The building is extendable horizontally by
repeating the shallow plan form, although
with the deep plan form it is possible to serve
three units with only two stairs or lift areas (see
Figure 3.4).
Figure 3.4 Repeatable floor plan with three units sharing two lift/stair areas.
20
Columns are located at 7.2m and 6.3m along

the faade.
Columns are located at 3.9m, 7.2m and 4.8m
across the plan form.
Columns are all located in the separating
walls between apartments.
Three apartments are accessed directly from
each stair/lift area on each residential floor.
The ratio of habitable:gross floor area is
about 85% per residential floor.
Apartments of approximately 50 and 75m2
floor area are provided, which are suitable
for two and four people respectively.
A total of 13 car parking spaces are provided
(including two disabled or wide spaces) for
the five residential and penthouse levels.
The car parking projects 3.9m to the rear of
the building.
A retail area of 640m2 is provided.
The penthouse level is accessed via the
stairs and provides two 73m2 apartments,
each suitable for four people.

1 BED FLAT
1 BED FLAT
Kitchen/
dining/living
Bedroom
Bedroom
Bedroom
Bedroom
Kitchen/
dining/living
Kitchen/
dining/living
Kitchen/
dining/living
Bedroom
2 BED FLAT
Bedroom
2 BED FLAT
Figure 3.5 Deep plan form Layout of apartments.
2 BED FLAT
Bedroom
Kitchen/
dining/living
2 BED FLAT
Bedroom
Bedroom
Kitchen/
dining/living
Bedroom
Bedroom
Kitchen/
dining/living
1 BED FLAT
Figure 3.6 Shallow plan form Layout of apartments.
21
Figure 3.7 Deep plan form car parking level.
Retail Unit
Figure 3.8 Deep plan form layout of retail level.
22
Retail Unit
Bedroom
Bedroom
Kitchen/
Dining/Living
Kitchen/
Dining/Living
Bedroom
2 BED FLAT
Bedroom
2 BED FLAT
Figure 3.9 Deep plan form penthouse level.
2 BED FLAT
1 BED FLAT
Bedroom
Bedroom
Kitchen/
dining/living
Bedroom
Kitchen/
dining/living
Bedroom
Bedroom
Kitchen/
dining/living
Kitchen/
dining/living
1 BED FLAT
2 BED FLAT
Figure 3.10 Deep plan form layout of apartments for alternative lift location.
23
Floor layout
The structural layout of the floor in both plan
forms comprises 280 ASB beams spanning up
to 7.5m, and a deep composite slab spanning
up to 7.5m between the beams (spans in
excess of 6m require temporary propping in
normal-weight concrete). The slab depth is
nominally 300mm. Shallow decking may be
supported off the bottom flanges to create a
shallow slab in the core area, providing an
additional zone for servicing within the floor.
Structural options
The various structural layouts of the building
are presented in Figures 3.11 to 3.15. In a
braced frame, longitudinal bracing is provided
at suitable locations in the faade, depending
on fenestration positions and sizes. Bracing
locations can be difficult to design in highly
glazed faades.
The advantage of a wind-moment frame
design is that vertical bracing can be omitted
in the longitudinal direction of the building,
which allows full-height glazing to be used
throughout. Alternatively, vertical bracing has
to be located between columns in separating
walls, in the faade, or around the core.
The disadvantage of the wind-moment frame
option is that it is not generally appropriate for
buildings of more than six storeys, and
columns are often heavier than in a bracedframe design. Moment continuity is achieved
by using extended end plates welded to the
ASB or RHS beams.
24
Tie members (generally in the form of Tees) are

provided parallel to the decking, in the
absence of the ASB beams. At the perimeter of
the buildings, ASB beams or RHS sections with
a welded plate may be used. The centre-line of
the ASB beams is offset by 200mm from the
edge of the slab to allow for access of the edge
trim (see Figure 2.6). The connection is detailed
as in Figure 3.16. Alternative details not
requiring this eccentricity, but requiring
additional fire protection to the exposed ASB,
are presented in Figures 2.7 and 3.17. The
equivalent detail of an RHS edge beam to a
RHS column is not eccentric, as shown in
Figure 3.18. For this reason, RHS edge beams
are preferred.
At internal columns using smaller RHS sections,
the ASB will project outside the column, in
which case bolted connections may be made
to plates welded to the RHS, as shown in
Figure 3.19.
The columns are detailed to be located within
a 300mm separating wall, which consists of
two 100mm C-sections with a 40mm gap, and
two layers of fire-resisting plasterboard. The
maximum column width is therefore 200mm
(i.e. 203 UKC or 200 x 200 RHS or 300 x 200
RHS). If the column size is increased to 254
UKC, an intumescent coating should be used
to provide adequate fire resistance. Where
columns align with partitions, exposed RHS
columns may be used, which are fire protected
by intumescent coating or filled with concrete.
An example of the use of RHS columns located
in a light steel separating wall is illustrated in
Figure 3.20.
280 ASB 74
20
280 ASB 100

or 254 UKC 89 + plate
4800
46
KC 355
3U S
280 ASB 74
5000
165 x 152T
@20 kg/m S275
52
KC 355
3U S
280 ASB 100
46
KC 355
3U S
46
KC 355
3U S
46
KC 355
3U S
165 x 152T
@20 kg/m S275
2200
20
280 ASB 74
20
20
20
165 x 152T
@20 kg/m S275
71
KC 355
3U S
71
KC 355
3U S
86
KC 355
3U S
280 ASB 100

CF225
20
20
20
280 ASB 100
280 ASB 74
280 ASB 74
P
6700
280 ASB 74
with anchored re-bars
CF51
280 ASB 74 or
203 UKC 46 + plate
254 x 146 UKB31

S275
280 ASB 74
280 ASB 74
280 ASB 100
52
KC 355
3U S
152x89 I
20
254 x 146 UKB31

S275
71
165 x 152T
@20 kg/m S275
46
CF51
KC
3U
20 355
S
Void
300 deep
NWC slab
on CF225
decking
Lift
152x89 I
CF51
280 ASB 100

KC
3U
20 355
S
280 ASB 100
71
KC 355
3U S
86
KC 355
3U S
20
20
165 x 152T
@20 kg/m S275
280 ASB 74
Stair
46
KC 355
3U S
46
KC 355
3U S
46
KC 355
3U S
20
280 ASB 100

7500
280 ASB 74 or
203 UKC 46 + plate
5400
20
7500
20
7500
P = Decking propped at construction stage
Figure 3.11
Structural layout for deep plan building ASB edge beams and UKC columns.
4800
280 ASB 74
280 ASB 74
or 254 UKC89 + plate
2200
280 ASB 74
280 ASB 100

6700
4800
254 x 146 UKB31

S275
152x89 I
CF51
280 ASB 100
280 ASB 100
280 ASB 74
280 ASB 100
280 ASB 74
280 ASB 74
46
KC 355
3U S
20
280 ASB 74
71
280 ASB 74
165 x 152 T
@20 kg/m S275
52
KC 355
3U S
20
165 x 152 T
@20 kg/m S275
280 ASB 74
52
KC 355
3U S
20
CF225
46
KC 355
3U S
20
165 x 152 T
@20 kg/m S275
46
KC 355
3U S
20
46
KC 355
3U S
20
46
KC 355
3U S
20
280 ASB 74
280 ASB 74
KC
3U
20 355
S
71
KC 355
3U S
20
86
KC 355
3U S
20
165 x 152 T
@20 kg/m S275
254 x 146 UKB31

S275
71
Void
CF51
CF51
280 ASB 74
Lift
KC
3U
20 355
S
300 deep
NWC slab
on CF225
decking
280 ASB 74 or
203 UKC 46 + plate
Stair
71
KC 355
3U S
20
86
KC 355
3U S
20
165 x 152 T
@20 kg/m S275
7500
46
KC 355
3U S
20
46
KC 355
3U S
20
46
KC 355
3U S
20
280 ASB 74
5400
280 ASB 74
7500
7500
= Decking propped at construction stage
Figure 3.12
Structural layout for deep plan building ASB edge beams and UKC columns - propped.
25
7500
5400
7500
20
0x
250 x 150 x 6.3 RHS

+plate S355
4800
6700
2200
165 x 152T
@20 kg/m S275
0x
20
300 x 200 x 8.0 RHS

+ plate S355
S
RH 5
.0 S35
S
RH 55
8.0 S3
10
165 x 152T
@20 kg/m S275
0x
20
0x
15
S
RH 55
8.0 S3
S
RH 55
8.0 S3
S
RH 5
.0 S35
10
280 ASB 100
5000
CF51
280 ASB 74
CF51
280 ASB 74
280 ASB 74
0x
20
CF225
0x
20
280 ASB 74
280 ASB 74
S
RH 5
.0 S35
0x
25
0x
15
0x
15
250 x 150 x 8.0 RHS

+ plate S355
Figure 3.13 Structural layout for deep plan building RHS edge beams and
RHS columns as a wind moment frame option.
26
10
S
RH 5
.0 S35
10
0x
25
0x
25
300 x 200 x 8.0 RHS

+ plate S355
280 ASB 74
250 x 150 x 6.3 RHS

+plate S355
254 x 146 UKB31

S275
150 x 90 I
CF51
RH
165 x 152T
@20 kg/m S275
0.0
0x
S
RH 5
.5 S35
12
0x
20
20
0x
280 ASB 100
S
RH 5
.0 S35
10
x1
0x
30
0x
30
20
165 x 152T
@20 kg/m S275
0x
20
280 ASB 100

0
20
0x
30 355
S
0x
280 ASB 74
S
RH 5
.0 S35
10
152 x 89 I
20
RH
0x
20
S
RH 5
.5 S35
12
0x
20
8.0
150 x 90 I
Void
300 deep
NWC slab
on CF225
decking
Lift
0x
0x
0x
20
280 ASB 100
300 x 200 x 8.0 RHS

+ plate S355
15
0x
25 355
S
Stair
30
0x
20
165 x 152T
@20 kg/m S275
250 x 150 x 8.0 RHS

+ plate S355
S
RH 5
.0 S35
S
RH 55
8.0 S3
S
RH 55
8.0 S3
10
0x
0x
15
15
20
0x
0x
0x
25
25
300 x 200 x 8.0 RHS

+ plate S355
250 x 150 x 6.3 RHS

+plate S355
7500
2000
254 x 146 UKB31

S275
203x133 UKB25
S275
4800
3900
1900
7200
280 ASB 100
4800
280 ASB 74 or
254 UKC73 + plate
280 ASB 74
280 ASB 74
1000
203x133 UKB25
S275
254 x 146 UKB31

S275
280 ASB 100
280 ASB 136

280 ASB 74
46
KC 355
3U S
20
46
KC 355
3U S
20
46
KC 355
3U S
20
46
KC 355
3U S
20
280 ASB 74
1200
165 x 152T
@20 kg/m S275
52
KC 355
3U S
20
86
KC 355
3U S
20
6300
46
KC 355
3U S
20
46
280 ASB 74
280 ASB 74
30
280 ASB 74
86
KC 355
3U S
20
86
KC 355
3U S
20
165 x 152T
@20 kg/m S275
KC
3U
20 355
S
280 ASB 74
280 ASB 74
Riser
300 deep
slab on
CF225
decking
KC
2U
15 355
S
254 x 146 UKB31

S275
Lift
Stair
46
KC 355
3U S
20
86
KC 355
3U S
20
280 ASB 74
2100
280 ASB 100

or 254 UKC + plate
2300
30
KC 355
2U S
15
2700
280 ASB 74
1200
7200
6300
Figure 3.14
Structural layout for shallow plan building ASB edge beams and UKC columns.
15
0x
15
2700
2100
0x
0x
20
10
0x
20
0x
10
S
RH 5
.0 S35
250 x 150 x 10.0 RHS

+ plate
4800
20
RH
280 ASB 74
.5
S
RH 55
8.0 S3
4800
12
0x
1200
280 ASB 74
0x
15
S
RH 55
8.0 S3
S
RH 55
8.0 S3
250 x 150 x 10.0 RHS

+ plate
300 x 200 x 6.3 RHS

+ plate
S
RH 5
.0 S35
20
0x
30 355
S
0x
0x
0x
15
15
280 ASB 74
3900
0x
280 ASB 74
6300
1900
1000
20
280 ASB 74
25
0x
0x
25
25
250 x 150 x 10.0 RHS

+ plate
7200
280 ASB 100
S
RH 5
.5 S35
S
RH 5
.5 S35
12
12
0x
0x
280 ASB 74
2300
RH
20
20
300 x 200 x 12.5 RHS

+ plate
S275
2000
254 x 146 UKB31

S275
203 x 133 UKB25

S275
S
RH 5
.0 S35
203 x 133 UKB25

S275
10
.0
280 ASB 100
0x
x8
280 ASB 74
0x
0x
30
20
280 ASB 136
20
RH
0x
.3
20
x6
0
15
0x
25 355
S
250 x 150 x 10.0 RHS

+ plate
280 ASB 74
Riser
300 deep
NWC slab
on CF225
decking
0
15
0x
15 355
S
S
RH 55
8.0 S3
S
RH 5
.0 S35
254 x 146 UKB31
S
RH 55
6.3 S3
10
0x
0x
15
15
0x
0x
25
25
250 x 150 x 10.0 RHS

+ plate
254 x 146 UKB31

S275 Lift
Stair
1200
7200
6300
Figure 3.15
Structural layout for shallow plan building RHS edge beams and RHS columns
acting as wind moment frame.
27
280 ASB 136

320 x 180
x 12thk plate
203 UKC 86
Column
120
80
120
4 No. M 20
bolts
200
300 x 200 x 12 thk
ASB end plate
4 No. M20
g8.8 bolts
80
120
300 x 300
x 15 thk plate
280 ASB 74
edge beam
120
Figure 3.16
ASB connection to edge column (showing eccentric detail).
280 ASB 136
320 x 200
x 12thk plate
203 UKC 86
Column
140
80
120
4 No. M 20
bolts
300 x 200 x 12 thk

ASB end plate
4 No. M20
g8.8 bolts
80
120
280 ASB 74
edge beam
31.5
Figure 3.17
28
120
ASB connection to edge column (no eccentricity).
320 x 200
x 12thk plate
280 ASB 136
250 x 150 x 10 thk

RHS column
120
80
120
4 No. M 20
Hollo-bolts
M20 Hollo-bolts
in 33 O
/ holes
50
40
280 ASB 136

250 x 150 x 6.3 thk
RHS Slimflor beam
and 15 mm thk plate
170 x 430
x 12 thk plate
10
70
100
(min.)
Figure 3.18
RHS edge beam connection to RHS column.
200
50
50
Facade line
50
300
200
Flowdrill
bolt holes
(20 mm dia.)
150
360
200
300
200
(a) Column on centre-line of edge beam
ASB
Facade line
100
80
20 mm
dia. bolt
300
50
(c) Column along facade line
Facade line
Facade line
ASB
12
Tie beam
cut from
457 x 191 UKB
12
50
100
Seating plate
welded between
end plates
SHS column
50
100
Seating plate
welded between
end plates
(c) Plan on column in (a)
Figure 3.19
Tie beam
cut from
457 x 191 UKB
(d) Plan on column in (b)
ASB bolted connections to RHS column.
29
A typical detail of a light steel separating wall

at a RHS column is illustrated in Figure 3.20.
The wall thickness is 300mm when using a
200 x 200 RHS column. The wall thickness will
increase if larger columns are used.
Material usage
The typical steel usage for a six-storey building
(relative to the gross floor area) is:
Mineral wool insulation

12 mm fire
resisting board
19 mm plank
30 mm thick
dense mineral
wool board
100
200 x 200
SHS column
38
Beams 32-38kg/m2
Columns 7-10kg/m2
Bracing, secondary beams 1-3kg/m2
300
The precise values for the various structural

options are presented in Table 3.1. A steel
weight of 40-45kg/m2 may be used for scheme
design using Slimdek, increasing to 50kg/m2
for more complex building shapes.
The structural arrangement can be adapted to
any sensible plan form.
It is apparent that the weight increase in the
steel structure is negligible for this six-storey
building when designing using the wind
moment principle. However, the connections
may be more complex.
The self-weight of the 300mm-deep composite
slab is 350kg/m2 in normal weight concrete,
which requires propping during construction
for spans in excess of 6m. However, the
self-weight is reduced to 280kg/m2 when
lightweight concrete is used, which does not
require propping for spans of up to 6.3m.
30
100
Figure 3.20 Detail of separating wall at RHS column.
Table 3.1 Summary of steel weights kg/m2 for various structural options.
Building
Options
Shallow
Plan
Form
Deep
Plan
Form
Beams
ASB
Edge
Beams
Columns
ASB
UKC
Bracing
Structural weights (kg/m2)

Bracing
Total
kg/m2
Beams
Columns
Braced
33
41
35
43
ASB
RHS
RHS
Wind
moment
frame
ASB
ASB
UKC
Braced slab span

longitudunal
33
42
ASB
ASB
UKC
Braced slab span

transverse
39
48
ASB
ASB
UKC
Wind
moment
frame
39
47
ASB
RHS
RHS
Wind
moment
frame
38
47
Steel balconies and parapets

Balconies and terraces are important additions to modern urban living,
which often require interesting architectural solutions.
In conventional concrete construction, the slab
is continued outside the building envelope to
form a balcony or other projection. However,
this is no longer the preferred solution
because of the need to prevent cold bridging
through the slab, to meet the new Part L
Building Regulations. It is now necessary to
provide a thermal break in the slab, or to
insulate it externally.
Types of balcony
Modern balconies are usually prefabricated
steel units, which are attached to the internal
structure by brackets or through posts, so that
thermal bridging effects can be minimised.
The three generic balcony systems are

detailed below:
1. Stacked ground-supported modules, which
may be installed as a group by lifting into
place. The columns extend to ground level.
2. Cantilever balconies, achieved by either:
- Moment connections to brackets attached
to torsionally stiff edge beams.
- Moment connections to wind-posts
connected between adjacent floors.
In the first case, no vertical load is transferred

to the structure or faade of the building, but
the modules are attached to the structure for
horizontal restraint. In the second case, the size
of the balcony is limited in order to reduce the
moments that are transferred to the internal
structure. In the third case, the ties can be
relatively unobtrusive but vertical ties will
require a projecting structure such as a roof
truss, to carry the loads on all the balconies.
3. Tied balconies achieved by either:

- Ties back to wind-posts or to the floor
above.
- Vertical ties to a supporting structure
located at roof level.
Figure 4.1 Steel balconies attached to curved edge beam in Slimdek at Harlequin Court, London (Goddard Manton Architects).
31
Slimdek residential pattern book Steel balconies and parapets
Balcony attachments in Slimdek

In Slimdek, RHS edge beams are torsionally
very stiff and are recommended for
cantilever attachments of balconies, where
brackets are welded to them. To minimise
cold bridging, a single bracket at each side
of the balcony should be used.
Wind-posts may be bolted to the top and
bottom of ASB edge beams or to fin plates
welded to RHS edge beams. They are
designed to resist moments developed by
the cantilever balcony and can be relatively
large. Again, RHS sections may be
preferred. The attachment of balconies to a
curved faade in Slimdek is illustrated in
Figure 4.1.
Details of various forms of attachment of

balconies to RHS and ASB edge beams are
illustrated in Figure 4.2 and Figure 4.3. They
are designed to minimise cold bridging.
The support of a tied steel balcony to ASB
edge beams is illustrated in Figure 4.4. The
fin plate welded to the ASB provides a direct
attachment both for the balcony and for
the tie to the balcony below, and minimises
cold bridging. Torsional effects are resisted
by the continuity effect of the slab, when
the deck ribs are orientated as in this figure.
When the deck ribs are orientated parallel
to the ASB, and it is merely acting as a
cladding support, torsional effects should
be taken into consideration in the design of
the beam.
Facade line
50
The same principles may be followed for

other types of balconies, such as where RHS
posts are introduced to which the balconies
are attached. In this case, fins are welded
to the post rather than to the beams to
minimise cold bridging. A cantilever
attachment may be made using steel
ferrules to the sides of RHS edge beams, as
in Figure 4.5.
Cut in
edge trim
200
Slab level
Bolted connection
a) Bracket connection to ASB
b) Longitudinal view of bracket
Figure 4.2 Bracket attachment to ASB edge beam.
Facade line
a) Pre-welded cantilevers
Figure 4.3 Cantilever or fin attachments to RHS edge beams.
32
Facade line
b) Bracket or fin attachment
Figure 4.4 Detail of attachment of tied balcony in Slimdek.
Figure 4.5 Cantilever balcony attachment in Slimdek.
33
Slimdek residential pattern book Steel balconies and parapets
4.3 Parapets and balustrades

Parapets and balustrades often pose
particular technical issues because of the
need to resist lateral forces and hence
torsional effects on the edge beam, and
also to avoid cold bridging through the
slab.
Two examples are illustrated.
Figure 4.6 shows a steel balustrade directly

connected to a steel channel section, which
is attached by a welded fin plate to a fin
plate connected to the ASB. This detail
ensures continuity of the insulation in the
warm roof and in the cladding. Because of
the relatively weak torsional stiffness of the
channel section, it is recommended that the
fin plates are spaced at not more than 2m
along the beam.
Figure 4.7 shows a parapet wall directly

connected by a steel angle or channel to
the top flange of the ASB. Bolts can be
pre-attached to the top flange to receive
stub columns (normally RHS) at, say, 1200
mm centres. Light steel infills may be used
between these stub columns. The external
brickwork is held in place by wall ties, and
the top bricks by an exposed angle.
Colourcoat steel coping

Galvanised
steel balustrade
Angle at top of posts
Single ply membrane

bonded to metal flashing
18 mm ply or blu-clad or
similar board faced with
vapour permeable membrane
Walkway tile
Steel posts @ 1200 centres
Insulation
Screed laid to falls
Insulation
Aluminium
flashing
Angle attached to top of

beam by pre-fixed bolts
Steel channel
section exposed
visually
Facing brick/
masonry
external leaf
Colourcoat cladding to
external face of parapet
Single ply membrane

(or simply roofing
membrane)
on insulation on
screed to falls
Steel fin plate welded

to beam to provide
support to channel section
(max. 2 m centres)
Insulation (passing both
sides of fin plate)
2 layers plasterboard on
light steel framing
Figure 4.6 Detail of balustrade attachment in Slimdek.
34
Figure 4.7 Detail of parapet wall attachment in Slimdek.
References
Support for the

construction industry
from Tata Steel
Sources of information
Guidance on the design and use of structural

sections and plates
Building Regulations 2003 Approved Document E:

Resistance to the passage of sound.
The Stationery Office, 2003.
Slimdek Manual.
www.tatasteelconstruction.com
Steel in multi-storey residential buildings (P332).
The Steel Construction Institute, 2004.
Acoustic Detailing for Multi-Storey Residential Buildings. (P336).
The Steel Construction Institute, 2004
Design of Asymmetric Slimflor Beams using Deep Composite
Decking (P175).
The Steel Construction Institute,1997.
Design of RHS Slimflor Edge Beams (P169).
Case studies on residential buildings using steel (P328).
List of contributors
Peter Lusby-Taylor
Prof. Mark Lawson
Prof. Ray Ogden
Dr. Stephen Hicks
Dr. Jim Rackham
- HTA Architects
- The Steel Construction Institute
- Oxford Brookes University
Tata Steel provides free advice to the construction industry

covering all aspects of the design, specification and use of its range of
construction products.
Tata Steel manufactures structural sections and plates for building
and civil engineering applications. Advice is provided by our team
of qualified engineers with extensive experience in the design and
construction of buildings and bridges.
Specialist advice in fire engineering, durability and sustainability is also
available. Our regional network of engineers covers the whole of the
UK and Ireland and is supported by a dedicated design team based at
our manufacturing centre in Scunthorpe.
General Enquiries on other products and systems manufactured by
Tata Steel will be routed to our Construction Centre who will direct you
to the appropriate source of market and product expertise.
Tata Steel
Construction Services & Development
PO Box 1
Brigg Road
Scunthorpe
North Lincolnshire
DN16 1BP
Construction hotline +44 (0) 1724 405060
Email: construction@tatasteel.com
Website: www.tatasteelconstruction.com
35
www.tatasteeleurope.com
While care has been taken to ensure that
the information contained in this brochure
is accurate, neither Tata Steel Europe Limited
nor its subsidiaries accept responsibility or
liability for errors or information which is
found to be misleading.
Copyright 2012
Tata Steel Europe Limited
References to British Standards are in

respect of the current versions and extracts
are quoted by permission of the British
Standards Institute from whom copies of the
full standard may be obtained.
Tata Steel
Construction Services & Development
PO Box 1
Brigg Road
Scunthorpe
North Lincolnshire
DN16 1BP
Construction hotline +44 (0) 1724 405060
E: construction@tatasteel.com
www.tatasteelconstruction.com
Tata Steel Europe is registered in England under number 05957565 with registered office at 30 Millbank, London SW1P 4WY
English Language version
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Document title

For multi-storey residential buildings

Technical aspects of Slimdek

Openings in the slab

Slimdek in an unbraced structure

Attachment of cladding to edge beams

The application of Slimdek

Plan form and room layouts

Steel balconies and parapets

Figure 1.1 6 storey apartment block at Portishead Marina.

Balcony attachments in Slimdek

Parapets and balustrades

Slimdek is a shallow depth steel floor system that

Slimdek floor system

Slimdek plan form and room layouts. Page 17.

Figure 1.2 4 and 6 storey apartment buildings at Penarth Marina, Cardiff.

Slimdek residential pattern book Introduction to Slimdek

Figure 1.3 Components of Slimdek

The key features of the system are:

Slimdek has been widely employed in the

Slimdek can be combined with other

This brochure focuses on the practical

Technical aspects of Slimdek

Slimdek supported by ASBs.

Table 2.2 is defined either by 35mm cover to

A range of 10 ASB beams is manufactured

without any additional fire protection,

Table 2.1 Typical span capabilities of

Table 2.2 Dimensions of ASB beams and minimum slab depths.

300 ASB (FE) 249

300 ASB 196

300 ASB (FE) 185

179 300 ASB

300 ASB 155

300 ASB (FE) 153

190 300 ASB

280 ASB (FE) 136

178 Fire Resistance

280 ASB 124

176 280 ASB

280 ASB 105

175 280 ASB

300 ASB 155

300 ASB 196

Notes: ASB (FE) are fire engineeed sections

* Propped slab during construction

Slimdek residential pattern book Technical aspects of Slimdek

size (diameter, mm) for Span of slab (m)

Slab depth (mm)

Single line props required

Double line props required

Table 2.3 Reinforcement requirements (bar diameter) in deep composite

Slab depth (mm)

Single line props required

Blue area shows propping requirements for each slab.

Double line props required

Openings in the slab

Openings next to columns should be detailed

Opening may be positioned between the ribs

Temporary Edge trim Temporary

Temporary Edge trim Temporary

Figure 2.4 Detailing of openings in the slab in Slimdek.

Section A - A : Plan view