Technical Notes

Fixing
The minimum bearing requirements for the decking are 50mm on steelwork and 75mm on masonry or concrete. Fixing to steelwork shall be shot fired nails (HILTI DAK or similar approved). Fixing to masonry shall be Drill & Hammer Anchors STET, or Hilti X-Ski shot fired nails. Decking must be fixed at 300mm centres at each end and at 600mm centres over intermediate supports, or closest multiples of trough centres Edge trim is to be fixed at 750 c/c with a minimum bearing of 50mm. Restraint straps are fixed at a maximum 750 c/c for slabs up to 200mm deep. For thicker slabs refer to SMD Technical Department. Side stitching for R51,TR60 and TR80 deck is to be provided at 1.000m c/c from mid span using self tapping screws. Slots may be cut in decking to allow beam encashment. The maximum size of slots should be 100mm long with width not removing any part of the decking rib. To avoid possible localised overloading of the slab, fixings should not be locally grouped. As a general guide it is recommended that fixings be on a nominal 600mm grid. Design advice for closer groupings should be sought from our Technical Department as this depends on slab depths, loadings etc.

Service Holes
When it is necessary to form service holes in a composite slab, SMD recommend the following general rules. For openings at right angles to the deck span: 1. Up to 250mm: Openings such as these require no special treatment. Prior to placing of concrete the opening is boxed out. When the slab has cured the deck is cut, using a non-percussive tool. 2. Greater than 250mm but less than 700mm: Additional reinforcement is required around the opening, SMD recommend the design be generally in accordance with BS110. The forming of the hole is as item 1. Items 1 and 2 relate to holes in isolation and not to a series of holes transverse to the direction of span which would need to be considered as a single overall hole dimension. In these cases the metal decking should only be cut after the slab has cured. 3. Greater than 700mm: Structural trimming steelwork designed by others and supplied by the steelwork fabricator, will be required. These are guidelines only and particular requirements should be checked by the consulting engineer. SMDs responsibility excludes the design of any additional framing or slab reinforcement for holes or openings.
Threaded drop rod by others

Service Fixings R51

Wedge-nut

Trimming
Decking around columns will be achieved by trimming the deck into the web and taping to minimise concrete loss. Where there are no incoming beams, an angle bracket should be provided on the relevant column face by the steel work fabricator, to support the free end of the decking. Consideration should also be given to providing support where columns penetrate the decking, reducing its stiffness during construction conditions and the quantity of reinforcement it contributes to the composite condition.

TR60/TR80

Wedge-nut

Threaded drop rod by others

Vapour Release
Where an impervious surface membrane is detailed, perforations in the decking can be provided at the production stage to enhance the free passage of water vapour.

SMD profiles offer the opportunity of utilising soffit fixings for services, ceilings etc. to suit drop rod thread sizes of 6mm, 8mm and 10mm for loads up to 2.0kN.

17