News » On The Bubble - RSI’s use of voided slabs for the Miami Art Museum

Voided slabs can save money on a project but there are other important reasons to consider using them.

Voided slabs eliminate concrete where it isn’t needed and the subsequent weight reduction makes longer spans possible—up to 55 feet between columns without beams. As a result, some long-span structural steel floors can be converted to voided-slab floors.

The reduced weight of the floor slab using voided slabs allows a reduction in concrete and steel in floors, columns, and footings, saving money and reducing the total building weight, allowing lighter foundations.

Some voided-slab systems can reduce construction time, especially precast systems or those placed on flat-plate forming systems.

Flat-plate construction eliminates beams and drops, resulting in reduced floor-to-floor heights.

Projects specifying reduced floor vibration can benefit from voided-slab systems over metal deck floors.

Voided slabs are beneficial in seismic design, since the reduced dead weight of floors results in lower seismic forces applied to structures.

Voided slabs can take advantage of post-tensioned reinforcement benefits to provide a thin slab with greater span.

Voided slabs increase sustainability by saving materials and all materials are recyclable.

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