Unit 15. Floors 2.
(textbook)
BASIC CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES
Concrete floors
Concrete floors are common in both single story buildings and high-rises. There are several different methods of arranging the structural slabs and support. It is important to be familiar with all types.
A standard beam-and-slab floor has concrete slabs supported by concrete beams. Beyond this, designs become more complex. A one-waysolid slab floor has load-bearing steel running in the direction of the span. However, a two-way solid slab floor has load-bearing steel running in two directions. These are supported by concrete columns. Concrete drop panels are located in between the columns and the floor. A similar floor without drop panels is called a two-way flat plate slab floor. These are well-suited for above grade floors. Last, a one-way joist slab has a series of horizontal beams that contain reinforcing steel. These may be located at construction joints.
There are additional ways to reinforce a concrete floor. Running tendons through concrete, and then tightening and anchoring them after curing creates a strong post-tensioned floor. Also, a cross-braced floor, with diagonally intersecting supports, has increased lateral stability.
1. Before you read the passage, talk about these questions.
1. What are some structural supports for concrete floors?
2. What is another name for a skyscraper?
Reading
2 Read the textbook entry about concrete floors. Then, mark the statements as true (T) or false (F).
1 ___ Load-bearing steel runs in the direction of the span in a one-way solid slab floor.
2 ___ Drop panels are located in between concrete columns and a concrete floor.
3 ___ Cross-braced floors are post-tensioned for added strength.
Vocabulary
3. Match the words (1-9) with the definitions (A-I).
1 ___ two-way solid slab
2 ___ one-way solid slab
3 ___ construction joint
4 ___ one-way joist slab
5 ___ two-way flat plate slab
6 ___ span
7 ___ drop panel
8 ___ post-tensioned
9 ___ cross-braced
A a concrete surface where the laying of concrete was stopped and later continued
B concrete with tension added to it so that it can reach over a longer distance
C a structural slab with load-bearing steel running in the direction of the span and steel that controls cracking running perpendicular to the span
D the extent of a structure between supports
E a structural system that has a series of horizontal concrete beams containing reinforcing steel
F a thickened section of a concrete floor located over a supporting concrete column
G reinforced by diagonally intersecting supports
H a structural slab that has load-bearing steel running in two directions
I a structural slab similar to a two-way solid slab except that it does not have drop panels
4. Read the sentence pairs. Choose where the words best fit the blanks.
1. concrete floor / lateral stability
A. This building is cross-braced for increased ___ .
B. The ___ of this building is reinforced by steel beams.
2. high-rise / above grade
A. This ___ building is over forty stories tall.
B. The contractor is installing a floor ___ rather than underground.
3. tendon / beam-and-slab
A. A strong ___ has been added to this concrete to give it tension.
B. This ___ floor is a very common design.
5. Listen and read the textbook entry about concrete floors again. What are two ways to reinforce a concrete floor?
Listening
6. Listen to a conversation between a contractor and an employee. Choose the correct answers.
1. What is the conversation mainly about?
A. the concrete floor for a new project
B. the need for a stronger concrete floor
C. why a concrete floor is cracking
D. how to install drop panels from concrete floors
2. What is the benefit of a two-way flat plate slab floor?
A. It saves space.
B. It is less expensive.
C. It is faster to install.
D. It is stronger than other floors.
7. Listen again and complete the conversation.
Contractor: We're installing a concrete floor for the new 1 ___ ___ - ___ on Grant Avenue.
Employee: 2 ___ ___! It sounds like a big project.
Contractor: It is. I wanted to tell you about the 3 ___ ___ ___ we'll be putting in.
Employee: I see. What's so special about it?
Contractor: It's called a two-way 4 ___ ___ ___ floor.
Employee: Hmm, I don't know 5 ___ ___ ___ exactly.
Contractor: Well, it's supported by 6 ___ ___ . But you don't have to put drop panels between the columns and the floor.
Employee: That's interesting. Sounds like that could save some space in a high-rise.
Speaking
8 With a partner, act out the roles below based on Task 7. Then, switch roles.
USE LANGUAGE SUCH AS:
Let's talk a little about ...
It sounds like ...
It's a ...
Student A: You are a contractor. Talk to Student B about:
• a new concrete floor project
• what kind of concrete floor is being used
•how the floor is supported
Student B: You are an employee. Talk to Student A about a new concrete floor project.
Writing
9. Use the textbook entry and the conversation from Task 8 to fill out the new project plan.
New Concrete Floor Project
Location: __________________________________________________________________
Type of floor: _______________________________________________________________
Support: ___________________________________________________________________
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