Guidance and Industry News
How far can metal deck span?
SMD Technical Director, Jamie Turner, explains how far metal floor deck can span and what affects the maximum spans. Watch…
Posted: 16/03/20
Which deck product should I use?
Choosing the correct decking profile for your project, whether you’re in the market for floor or roof decking, can be…
Posted: 28/02/20
Soffit Fixings, aka Wedge Nuts
The soffit of any composite slab is, of course, formed by the deck profile itself. This makes it ideally suited…
Posted: 10/12/19
Where the voids have no trimmers (apologies to U2)
Large openings in a composite concrete slab are traditionally framed by trimming steels, which not only provide bearing for the…
Posted: 21/10/19
Site Preparation: Metal Decking Activities
Over the past 30+ years, we’ve seen a lot of changes to site conditions to improve logistics and more importantly,…
Posted: 20/09/19
Acoustic Performance
We have had a number of enquiries recently regarding the acoustic performance of decked floor slabs, particularly in residential buildings,…
Posted: 13/09/19
Fixing Tool & Stud Welding Gun Access Restrictions
Consideration of the installation process at the planning & design stages can minimise site issues & delays which could impact…
Posted: 15/07/19
Elements® Debugged!
You can now download or update to the recently published version 2.3 of our free design software, Elements®. With minor…
Posted: 01/07/19
Don’t lose your bearings, rely on our support!
When designing any building, whether it be a steel frame, masonry, timber or concrete construction, it’s important to consider the…
Posted: 10/06/19
Site Preparation: Shear Stud Welding
Before starting the shear stud welding process, there are several factors that should be taken into account to make sure…
Posted: 01/04/19
The White Book – Floor Deck Specification
Floor Deck Design Guide and Tables This ‘White Book’ has been developed as a quick reference tool to be used…
Posted: 21/11/18
Elements® Mobile App
We have developed a unique new mobile phone app for architects, designers and engineers. Our ‘SMD Elements® Span Check’ initiative…
Posted: 21/11/18
Slab surface flatness vs slab surface finish
When it comes to pouring concrete onto metal decking, there is a lack of understanding of the difference between slab…
Posted: 15/10/18
We’re ready for launch
We’re celebrating the launch of the new R51+ as well as our brand-new mobile app, Elements® Span Check. With…
Posted: 11/10/18
Thermal mass, dispelling the myth
The fabric of a building can absorb and store heat generated by solar gain, equipment use and human activities; this…
Posted: 05/09/18
What is mesh reinforcement for?
It may be obvious to some of us, but for others who might be new to the industry, might not…
Posted: 15/08/18
TGN, what is it?
Our TGN Online has been running since March 2017, but, what is it? Find out why the TGN is so…
Posted: 15/08/18
Shear studs and composite decking
The increased performance of composite beams, in stiffness and bending resistance, allows the construction of longer spans and shallower floors…
Posted: 11/06/18
Deflection of composite steel deck slabs
Deflection is defined as; the degree to which a structural element is displaced under load. All elements deflect so it…
Posted: 21/05/18
Fixings to install floor deck
Installing floor deck to the supporting structure will typically be carried out using low velocity powder (‘shot-firing’) or gas-actuated cartridge…
Posted: 24/04/18
Elements® Floor Deck Tutorial
Elements® Version 2.1, released in March 2018. Floor Deck Design and Calculation Tutorial This tutorial takes you on a step-by-step process…
Posted: 05/04/18
Slab surface finishes & tolerances on metal decking
Expected tolerances It is important to understand the various surface finishes that can be achieved using metal decking, as these…
Posted: 28/03/18
Temporary Construction Loads on Composite Slabs
MEWP access and slab design Contractor’s regularly require access to the slab, with MEWPs or other work platforms before the…
Posted: 28/03/18
Openings in Structural Roof Decks
Rules and design considerations Openings are often required to be formed through structural roof decks. Here are some basic rules…
Posted: 28/03/18
Pouring Composite Slabs
Deflections and loadings When pouring a composite slab on metal decking, the process in which it is created will cause…
Posted: 28/03/18
Composite Slab Cantilevers
Safety over performance Maximum slab cantilevers are not entirely based on the performance of the deck or slab. The figures…
Posted: 28/03/18
Forming service holes in composite slabs
Openings Openings and service holes are regularly required through composite slabs to allow services to pass from floor to floor. A summary…
Posted: 27/03/18
Composite Slab Fire Design
Requirements There is much confusion regarding the Fire design of composite slabs, specifically relating to span conditions and reinforcement requirements….
Posted: 27/03/18
Elements® Version 2.0
The latest version of Elements® is available with an additional feature allowing calculations to be created for SMD roof deck profiles. With…
Posted: 27/03/18
Durability
Considerations One important factor to consider when designing a composite floor using steel deck, is the environment the deck will be…
Posted: 27/03/18
The White Book – Three steps to specification
Floor Deck Design Guide and Tables This ‘White Book’ has been developed as a quick reference tool to be used…
Posted: 13/11/17
TGN Online launched
The increasingly successful TGN Manual is now available in a Wiki-style area of the SMD website. This format allows the user to…
Posted: 31/03/17
In its Element!
Following the launch of the rebranded version of SMD Elements 1.2, March saw the highest monthly number of downloads and…
Posted: 10/06/16
