Slab proposal for one and two story housing with a lightweight constructive system: Static vertical load evaluation and finite elements modeling

Abstract

As  an  alternative  slab  system  for  lightweight  housing  construction,  a  composite  slab  was  developed  based  on  the combined work of existing materials and lightweight elements, achieving a good static load behavior. In this system  cold  formed  steel  joists  were  used  linked  to  ferrocement  slab  through  shear  connectors.  Initially,  two  system assemblies were tested to flexural load in order to determinate ultimate loads and deflection caused by service loads. A computational model was produced using the finite element method with the Ansys Ins. program to calibrate the experimental tests. It was used to simulate the flexural tests made on the studied specimens; a static three-dimensional nonlinear analysis was elaborated in accordance to the materials properties used in the specimen, the support conditions and the applied load. Then this model was adjusted in accordance to the test ́s results, identifying the parameters that influence the static behavior of the system which will be useful to predict the behavior to flexion of this type of slabs for different geometric configurations.