Trade Journals for the Concrete Industry

Hollowcore slabs may offer advantageous features and performance criteria in addition to the characteristic reduced weight and the higher concrete density created by prestressing the steel wire strands. Since hollowcore slabs are precast concrete elements, there is always an inter- face at the site between concrete surfaces cast at different times. Therefore, the adhesion of the newly cast concrete, the friction created by forces normal to the interface, and the dowel action are factors that must be evaluated for each member. With this in mind, this article discusses the advantages of exposed wires in hollowcore slab production.