Types of Steel Deck used in Green Building Construction

If you were in the construction industry and would like to build a large building structure, then you must have heard the word Metal Deck. And with major heavy documents on the internet, you must have been confused about what it is and how it can be used in construction to make it more cost-effective and to increase the life cycle of the building. Well, this blog will help you break down a few forms and types of steel deck material that will suit your needs.

What is Steel Deck?

Steel Deck is a cold formed sheet of corrugated steel supported by joists or beams of steel. It is used for supporting a roof’s concrete or insulating membrane. It was developed to provide the roof and floor systems with a structurally efficient product. The design and manufacturing optimize the steel ‘s properties to produce a high strength-to-weight ratio that decreases material handling and erection costs and retains durability. Bansal Metal decks have established over 10 years of satisfactory performance.

Even after being a structural component and with its uniform quality these metal decks can provide an attractive appearance, especially when using the properly defined shop and field-applied coatings. Steel deck is also an integral component of several fire-rated assemblies licensed.

There is a broad range of metal deck products available in the market today, but it is divided broadly into two categories: roof deck and composite floor deck. The metal deck is an element of the structural panel which acts as a floor or roof surface. The deck is roll-shaped from sheet steel of solid consistency and is designed to stretch over joist or purlins. Variations in a deck like thickness, shape, and depth can be used to fulfill a number of loading conditions and ranges. The supporting structure is fastened to allow it to act as a diaphragm and to provide the lateral bracing for the framework.

Types of Steel Deck Sheets:

Types of Metal Deck Assemblies:

Four types of steel decking are commonly installed in the non-residential steel construction industry throughout the world. These are roof deck, deck form, composite deck, and deck specialty.

#1 – Roof Deck:

The steel roof deck is the primary part of the framework used in almost all flat roofs. The deck is a structural panel that extends over roof joist or purlins to provide a flat surface where the weatherproof roofing can be applied. For most roofing materials, such as built-up roofing, membrane roofs, or insulated sheet steel roof assemblies, steel deck is the point of convergence. The roof deck has also been used in more rare sloping or curvy structures.

A steel roof deck is more than just a roof, a foundation upon which the roofing system depends. The design-engineering purpose is to support the necessary loads structurally as well as the designer-specified roofing membrane system while maintaining the building owner’s and appointed architect’s architectural goals the cost control interests can be calculated.

#2 – Form Deck:

Steel form deck is used as a framework for holding poured concrete. The structure is a permanent steel foundation for the slabs of the cured concrete floor and needs no cost of removal of the material. This types of steel deck is quick, easy and affordable to install, unlike composite deck. However, the form deck does not add to any strength of the concrete slab.

Deck form steel structures are available in different depths. All are widely used as an affordable way in floor and roof construction to protect concrete slabs during building. This different form deck helps eliminate the need for expensive temporary shoring. However, the spacing of structural members directly affects related cost consideration – the deeper the decking higher the cost, the wider the spacing again higher the cost of the structural members.

#3 – Composite Floor Deck:

When the steel floor deck was first installed, it was mainly used as a fixed, or “stay-in-place” modified version of Traditional Roof Deck Profiles for a reinforced concrete poured into place slab. There were some benefits over conventional removable form-work in cost and shorter construction time for this kind of concrete form-work. However, there were some situations in which the deck had no concrete cover and was the sole load-carrying element.

The term for these deck forms is floor deck or non-composite deck. The Deck was the positive moment support in the reinforced concrete slab by interlocking the steel sheet and the concrete slab. Additionally, the deck even acted as the concrete formwork.  The resulting combined component was now recognized as a composite slab and the steel plate are known as a composite. The simple steel floor deck in place of the more powerful composite deck is no longer manufactured in any substantial quantity.

#4 – Specialty Deck:

Specialty decks include a broad variety of styles, levels, depths and combinations of decks. These styles of decks were designed to provide owners and architects with a larger pallet with more choices with decorative, architectural roofing and floor construction. It is the best way to give your building a modern look. 

But not all manufacturers of decks bear such profiles and others are specialists in this line of items. Contact the nearest metal deck manufacturer or supplier, as it is better to test whether they are holding the type you want. If you are looking for a metal deck also contact Bansal as they provide a wide variety of specialty decks and can customize according to your need.

Also Read: Why Does A Metal Building Cost Less In The Long Run?

Types of Metal Decking Material:

#1 – Steel Deck:

The steel decking can provide additional stability to a structural frame when used as flooring. To maximize strength and support the roofing materials, a narrower rib pattern must be created when used as roof decking. Steel decking is a cost-effective, durable and simple to install alternative for builders. It offers high quality as cold-rolled steel material, with little maintenance. Carbon decking that is exposed to the elements is usually galvanized to prevent corrosion. The broad variety of available steel gauges and coatings ensures that stainless steel decking can easily meet code specifications.

#2 – Acoustical Metal Deck:

The acoustical metal deck is made from rolled steel, which has been moulded into ribs. The compartments are then lined with acoustic batting, offering varying degrees of absorption of sound. Acoustic decking is validated and given a Noise Reduction Coefficient rating. The NRC is the estimate of the amount of noise energy that is absorbed by the decking surface and is distributed over frequencies that are typically present. The rating may be used by the user to ensure that the chosen material offers the degree of sound absorption required. This form of decking is suitable for use in large installations where sound control is a problem and is also used in the construction of domed sports arenas because it can be curved.

#3 – Aluminum Deck:

Advances in aluminum alloy technologies allow for more extensive use of aluminum decking than in the past. Using aluminum can reduce costs of construction down and allow a wider variety in the design aesthetic of decking. Like steel decking, however, which functions as its own support, decking with aluminum needs to include external support structures.

Also Read: Pre Engineered Buildings – Know More About PEBs Structure

Metal Deck Material Selection:

All metal deck items have one common characteristic: they are made from the metal coating, a sheet of metal, and is fabricated in a high quality controlled. Each metal sheet element (metalcore and coatings) is important to the finished product’s lifespan. There are a variety of metal properties and coatings available that offer options while choosing the material to be used. Selecting coatings to match anticipated environmental conditions is necessary.

A broad variety of paint systems and colours are available to suit all requirements including commercial or automobiles industry, and more prestigious architectural applications, as well as aggressive automotive or marine environments. .For specifics  metal deck and colours, please contact the metal deck manufacturer near you.

Advantages of Metal Deck:

Metal decking can be used in a wide range of industrial and commercial projects. This includes the decking of steel roof and floor, aluminium floor sheet, and acoustic metal decking. Metal decking usually has a ribbed or corrugated profile which is produced by a method called roll forming. Large sheets of metals are pulled off rolls and led through rolling dies which build the profile of the ribbed. Metal decking is used for flooring and roofing as well as for the construction of concrete shapes. Metal decking is mounted and can also be welded using screws or pneumatically driven frames.

#1 – Versatility:

Bansal manufactures steel deck materials in a variety of depths (38 to 76 mm, (1-1/2 to 3 in.) and various rib spacing. For modulating sound, the roof deck may also be supplied as an acoustic deck with perforations in the web components. These meet most structural requirements, steel deck materials are available in a range of thicknesses. This comprehensive range of options makes the steel deck relevant to a wide variety of structural designs and projects.

#2 – High Strength to Weight Ratio:

Metal strength is used for maximum performance in steel deck design and production, resulting in items with a high resistance-to-weight ratio. Therefore, the costs of production, installation, and structural construction can be lower than most other systems.

Also Read: Green Industrial Buildings For A Better Tomorrow

#3 – Aesthetics:

While a steel deck is primarily a structural feature, when left exposed to the building’s interior, it is visually attractive. The steel deck is easy to clean, durable and esthetically appealing with the properly defined pre-finished coating.

#4 – All-Weather Construction:

In most weather conditions, the steel deck may be erected, removing the expensive delays that could occur with other roof systems. 

#5 – Uniform Quality:

Bansal manufacturers produce a deck that conforms to the specific industry requirements by engineering and continuously optimized manufacturing techniques.

Here are a range of well-proven ways of optimizing steel decking structural efficiency. Maximizing the deck capacity and defining the deck gauge are basic, hand-in-hand strategies. Wide-range deck design and careful perimeter deck design are of particular importance for multi-story construction projects.

Bansal Roofing Products Limited involves many structural engineers and other design practitioners who are seeking a better way to create safe and effective designs for cold-formed steel commercial and residential structures. At BRPL we work together to develop and improve industry practices and design processes, create and issue technical bulletins, and include design expertise. For more info please visit our website.