RECTOR braced floors
RECTOR ceilings consist of prestressed concrete floor beams and infills in the form of concrete blocks or wood-like panels.
The system is supplemented by buttress reinforcement, welded steel mesh mats and monolithic concrete poured on site. The height of the ceiling (depending on the span and loads) ranges from 16 cm to 34 cm, while the axial spacing of beams in the system is 59 or 60 cm. The thickness of the over concrete is min. 4 cm and max. 10 cm. Depending on the system used, the weight of the ceiling is already from 175 kg/m2 to more than 450 kg/m2. Minimum concrete consumption starts at 48 l/m2. The demand for steel is about 3-4 kg/m2, which affects the low cost of construction. These systems can be used at any level of the building: basement or garage, attic, terrace, roof slope up to 45 degrees.
RECTOR alloy systems
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ADVANTAGES OF RECTOR PRESTRESSED FLOORS
Concrete prestressing technology has been strongly developed since the 1960s. Prefabricated floors, thanks to their simple and quick installation, work well on both smaller and larger construction sites. Among the main advantages resulting from the use of strong prestressed beams are:
- Ceilings with spans of up to 9.8 m in wall light,
- High load-bearing capacity,
- Ceiling heights as low as 16 cm,
- No cracking during use,
- Reduction in the number of assembly supports,
- Possible support-free installation up to 5.9 m,
- No separation ribs,
- Manual and quick installation.
SINGLE-FAMILY BUILDINGS
Simple, proven and manual installation is undoubtedly the biggest advantage for contractors and the lack of separating ribs and fewer mounting supports is a big advantage. Contractors who usually specialize in wall masonry are able to install the ceiling without much trouble, as it does not require having numerous formwork and supports.
Increasingly, the possibility of long-span ceilings is being used, reducing the number of structural walls. In the case of single-family houses, for example, it is possible to make only structural walls along the contour of the building on which the ceiling will rest. The interior of the building can then be freely arranged and partition walls can be moved.
Prestressing technology has also allowed the introduction of lightweight PLX composite lintels with a height of only 7 cm (length up to 300 cm). It is enough to install them and continue masonry work. The installation of PPR prestressed lintels, which protrude from the ceiling by only 7 cm and are up to 500 cm long, is also similar. Once the prefabricated stringers are in place, we place the ceiling beams on them without the need for formwork and reinforcement as is the case with traditional stringers.
RECTOR alloy systems
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HIDING INSTALLATIONS IN THE THICKNESS OF THE CEILING
Numerous installations that, even in single-family housing due to the popularization of mechanical ventilation, appear underfoot and require encapsulation can, with proper routing, be mostly hidden in the thickness of the ceiling. Depending on the height of the panel, there is an inter-beam space of about 25 cm wide and 7 to 14 cm high.
RECTOR alloy systems
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MULTIFAMILY BUILDINGS
Investors pay special attention to the absence of scratches and cracks in plastered ceilings even after many years of use. The designed ceilings meet acoustic requirements, and the use of lowered zones makes it easier to connect prefabricated elements with reinforced concrete elements cast on site or, for example, prefabricated balconies with thermal insulation connectors installed.
RECTOR alloy systems
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PUBLIC BUILDINGS
Due to the high load-bearing capacity of Rector floors and fire resistance up to REI240, the system can be successfully used in hospital buildings, education or office buildings. The possibility of using up to 5 prestressed beams in the rib allows to carry heavy loads. Prefabricated beams are produced for stock. In the case of custom production, the waiting time does not exceed 14 days.
RECTOR alloy systems
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BUILDING IN THE HALL
RECTOR ceilings, due to their lightweight and small-sized elements (prestressed beam and concrete block), can be installed in spaces that are difficult to access. In the case of existing warehouses, logistics halls or rebuilt buildings, the assembly of prefabricated elements is usually done by hand. The beam weighs only 15-20 kg/mb and the concrete block weighs 12-20 kg/unit. The high strength of the prestressed beam makes it possible to achieve floor spans of up to 9.8 meters. Fire resistance of the ceilings, supported by tests, reaches even REI240 in the version with gypsum plaster or REI120 in the version without plaster.
RECTOR alloy systems
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REPLACING CEILINGS IN A HISTORIC BUILDING
The fine-dimensional prefabricated elements also work well in old buildings requiring ceiling replacement. The light weight of the individual components of the system facilitates installation, which, due to the frequent inability to use a crane due to the limitations of the mass of the existing building, is most often done by hand. These are the same ceilings that are used in new construction, only the method of installation differs. The beams are rested in carved sockets and the rim is supported on the ceiling. The Rectolight system is very popular among contractors specializing in historic buildings . The lightness of the panels makes them easy to bring, store and install. One full shipment of Rectolight panels is equivalent to up to 20 shipments with concrete blocks.
RECTOR alloy systems
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CEILING WITH A SLOPE
The ability to lay the Rector floor even at a 45-degree angle allows for convenient construction of sloped ceilings. The building structure already obtains the target slope angle, which makes it easier to install subsequent insulation layers. Ceilings are made in the Rectobeton system, which can be plastered underneath, or Rectolight, to which a suspended ceiling can be installed. In the case of sloping roofs in single-family houses, this is not a popular solution, but making a heavy ceiling gives the user many advantages. Such an attic can be 100% plastered, there is no need for drywall and heavy elements can be mounted to the ceiling.In addition, the high thermal accumulation of the partition makes the attic rooms cool down more slowly in winter, and in summer, when the temperature outside is high, the interior does not heat up as quickly.
RECTOR alloy systems
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VENTILATED SPACE
Theceiling over ventilated space is a modern alternative to typical floors on the ground for use in single and multi-family housing. This solution makes it possible to significantly speed up construction work, while ensuring the construction of a healthy and functional floor in the building. The advantages of ventilated spaces over a standard floor on the ground include, first of all:
- the possibility of application regardless of the type, bearing capacity and slope of the substrate,
- no need to backfill the foundation with embankment,
- installation independent of weather conditions (frozen ground, mud),
- better protection against the effects of moisture,
- better protection against the effects of gases of natural origin (e.g. radon) resulting from the lack of direct contact between the structure and the ground (adequate ventilation of the ventilated space is necessary),
- less risk of damage to floors associated with, among other things, uneven settlement of the ground under the floor.
RECTOR alloy systems
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The construction of the ceiling over the ventilated space itself does not differ from the construction of ceilings over floors,
therefore, the same assumptions and calculation methods should be used in design. Ceilings over ventilated space require the use of an appropriate ventilation system, necessary, among other things, for the removal of moisture and radon-type gases. Ventilation should be implemented in the form of openings located in at least two different foundation walls, protected by a grille that allows adjustment of the air flow and prevents the entry of insects.
For more information, visit the company 'sRECTOR Polska Sp. z o.o. page on thePdA portal.
