What is the role of the metal deck in the composite floor slab

Before answering this question, we must first understand the definitions of composite floor slab and non-composite floor slab.

Definition of composite floor slab

The metal floor deck is combined with cast-in-place concrete (after reaching strength), the metal deck acts as a permanent template for pouring concrete during the construction phase, and fully or partly acts as the tensile reinforcement at the bottom of the slab during the normal use phase. The slab of this design is called composite floor slab.

The metal floor deck only acts as a permanent template for pouring concrete during the construction phase, and completely withdraws from the work during the normal use phase. The slab of this design is called non-composite floor slab.

The role of the metal floor deck

Therefore, from the above definition, it is not difficult to see that the role of the metal deck in the composite floor slab mainly has two aspects:

1. Serve as a permanent formwork for pouring concrete during the construction phase;

2. During the normal use stage, all or part of it plays the role of tension reinforcement at the bottom of the slab