Flat Plate

The flat plate is a two-way reinforced concrete framing system utilizing a slab of uniform thickness, the simplest of structural shapes.

Flat Plate System Introduction

A flat plate is a one- or two-way system usually supported directly on columns or load bearing walls. It is one of the most common forms of construction of floors in buildings. The principal feature of the flat plate floor is a uniform or near-uniform thickness with a flat soffit which requires only simple formwork and is easy to construct.

The floor allows great flexibility for locating horizontal services above a suspended ceiling or in a bulkhead. The economical span of a flat plate for low to medium loads is usually limited by the need to control long-term deflection and may need to be sensibly pre-cambered (not overdone) or prestressed.

An economical span for a reinforced flat plate is of the order of 6 to 8 m and for prestressed flat plates is in the range of 8 to 12 m. The span ‘L’ of a reinforced concrete flat-plate is approximately D x 28 for simply supported, D x 30 for an end span of a continuous system, to D x 32 for internal continuous spans.

The economical span of a flat plate can be extended by prestressing to approximately D x 30, D x 37 and D x 40 respectively, where D is the depth of slab.

Advantages of System:

1. Simple formwork and suitable for direct fix or sprayed ceiling
2. No beams—simplifying under-floor services
3. Minimum structural depth and reduced floor-to floor height.

Disadvantages of System:

1. Medium spans
2. Limited lateral load capacity as part of a moment frame
3. May need shear heads or shear reinforcement at the columns or larger columns for shear
4. Long-term deflection may be controlling factor
5. May not be suitable for supporting brittle (masonry) partitions
6. May not be suitable for heavy loads.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Polished Concrete Floors

Generally speaking, the disadvantages of polished concrete floors are very few. They involve things like discoloration, stains that are deeply embedded in the concrete, or imprints made when the concrete slab was initially poured. These disadvantages do not occur after a concrete floor has been polished and sealed, though. They are all pre-existing conditions from having a concrete slab that has not been sealed or maintained properly throughout the years.

All of these sorts of blemishes should be identified by your contractor prior to the start of your project. A flooring contractor with a keen eye and experience in the trade will be able to adequately manage his customers’ expectations prior to commencing a project, and let you know exactly what to expect from your floor.

Polished concrete has, over the last decade or so, become one of the most popular flooring solutions available in today’s marketplace due to its affordability, ease of maintenance, efficiency, cleanliness, and ability to aesthetically fit into both industrial and posh environments.

As opposed to most other flooring options available, polished concrete floors come with a myriad of benefits that are unique to its own installation. Here is our list of advantages polished concrete flooring solutions provide to our customers:

Affordable

Polished Concrete floors are more economical than their hardwood, tile, marble or stone alternatives. Typically, the cost of polishing a concrete floor will match up to or be less than the cost of purchasing the materials for a tile or hardwood flooring installation.

Bottom-Line

Polished Concrete floors save facilities a ton of money in maintenance costs. While other flooring solutions require stripping, waxing and refinishing, a polished concrete floor requires no maintenance after it has been installed and remains intact permanently.

Longevity

As long as your concrete slab remains in place, so will your polished concrete floor. There is no potential for flooring failure, delimitation or lifting or breaking. Other sorts of flooring systems, for example, suffer by comparison. There will be no need for touch-up work or repair, no matter how long you keep your polished concrete floor.

Invulnerable to Moisture Damage and Mold

Unlike other flooring options, polished concrete is immune to moisture damage and mold, making it a great choice for families with allergy vulnerability or asthmatics.

Versatility

Polished concrete allows business owners and homeowners an unlimited set of options as to color and design. Polished concrete floors can be used in indoor applications as well as outdoor applications and can be stained and dyed with an unlimited variety of colors and designs.

Simple Care

The only care and maintenance that is required for a polished concrete floor is to swab it once a week with a neutral-based cleaner and water. That’s it.

Environmentally Friendly

There are no dangerous or harmful chemicals involved in the installation of polished concrete flooring systems. They are totally safe for you, your employees, customers and children. These flooring systems resist against mustiness, allergens and fungus.

Design

The stains and dyes available for polished concrete floors are limitless. You can choose different colors and different aggregates to incorporate into your concrete flooring system to achieve whatever aesthetic you want. Additionally, there are no grout-lines since these floors are completely seamless. The seamless attributes of these flooring systems open up and free any space of clutter and offer your clients and guest a more welcoming environment.

At Blackrock Industrial, we specialize in the installation of Polished Concrete floors and Decorative Concrete Overlayments and are known as one of the most reputable concrete flooring contractors in Florida. We take pride in our work and also in our ability to offer the most competitive pricing in this arena due to the fact we do not subcontract any of our work and own all of our machines and tooling.

Give us a call or Submit an Inquiry on our website to schedule a site visit with one of our installation specialists in order to receive an exact quotation for your concrete flooring project.

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