concreting on top of RSJ

[simplyme]

Hi

We want to make a floor on top of some RSJ, the span of each RSJ is about 1.200mm, I want to concrete over the beams to make a floor, with mesh in of course.
Do I need to treat the steel with anything?

Can I simply make a wooden shutter to flush fit with the top of the RSJ lay my re-bar and concrete a 6" slab on top.
or
should I or could I make a shutter around my RSJs and concrete the lot.
The RSJ's are 6"x4" there'll be a small wall on the outer beam we'll use hollow blocks there, apart from that people will only walk on the floor.

Regards

SM

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Is the RSJ suitable for extra load that it will be carrying?
I assume the RSJ was calculated for it's existing use, not the addition of 6 inch of concrete slab and block work.

 

[Blagard]

Well I don't know what your purpose is for out there in Ghana, but I can say that you don't have to treat the steel in any special way.

However, if the location means corrosion due to it getting wet will occur, getting at least a steel primer on it first will help. Better still a full paint system.

 

[simplyme]

They were used for an overhead gantry operation, all i wan to do is floor it and use the space.
it's about 2.5 m wide with gaps between of 1.2m 3 of these gaps.

Sm

 

[^woody^]

You don't need to treat the steel unless it is exposed to regular damp. But as a minimum consider a coat of paint or primer

You can encase the steel, but the concrete will need sufficient cover to prevent it cracking - and probably some mesh in it as well

Your steel reinforcement in the concrete may need to be adequate to prevent shear of the slab next to the beam - so it may not be just a case of throwing some mesh into it. But it depends on what is going on with the rest of the slab - it may well be OK for just that short span

 

[simplyme]

We don't have any regulations like the UK.
but for piece of mind I'd like to know if they would be ok for the job.
sm

 

[simplyme]

THanks woody.

We'll use some 14\16 mm rebar, on 2" spacers. 6x6 mesh
SM