Replacement of a Reinforced Concrete Slab with a Lightweight COBIAX System”

Abstract

This study consists of a detailed analysis of the voided slabs, taking into account the impact that these slabs have on the weight of the structure, their impact on the environment where it is built, the cost of construction and the time that these slabs seek to be implemented in our country. The large-span concrete slab system with internal spherical void former Cobiax has been used in Europe for more than ten years. They are biaxial reinforced concrete slab systems with internal spherical void former grids. This article discusses three issues related to Cobiax flat panel systems: their shear strength, total weight of the structure and their economic value in the context of Albania. Since the shear resistance of the COBIAX slab requires the "loss" (or reduction) of the aggregate interlocking, it will affect the design requirements of the reinforced concrete design code. To make it more distinct how the building changes when reinforced concrete slabs are replaced with voided slabs a four-story building with reinforced concrete slabs 18 cm thick will be taken as a case study and a comparison of the load in foundation will be made.