CASE STUDY: STRUCTURAL FLOOR SYSTEMS

Photos courtesy of New Millennium Building Systems

Project: Headington Hall Athletic Dormitory
Location: University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
Architect: Studio Architecture P.C
Contractor: Flintco

This state-of-the-art multi-use facility provides apartments that house 380 students along with retail space and a movie theater. A composite steel and concrete floor system was used to accommodate the multiple needs of the unique spaces throughout the six-floor structure. The long span nature of the floor system gave the design team the open structure it desired. It allowed for more flexibility in the placement of apartment walls since there was more flexibility in the location of the columns. It also reduced the overall floor-to-floor heights without beams and girders extending down below the floor slab.

The construction process and schedule were also enhanced by using this system. The steel portion was panelized at grade ahead of time, increasing both the speed and safety of construction. The panels were then attached to the structural steel frame with pins and secured into place. Once appropriate reinforcing steel was set in place, then 5 inches of concrete was poured on top of the deck and into the fully recessed composite beam sections. This process was carried out across the 230,000 square feet of floor space spread over the six stories of the building with very favorable results. The fully fire-rated floor system has plenty of strength and durability to provide level, long-lasting floors for the life of the building. The airborne acoustics are improved by the density of the system, which can be enhanced with flooring underlayment for structure-borne acoustical treatment. Finally, the flatness and quality of the concrete floor system help the finish flooring perform over the long term, as expected.