Calculus and design of concrete slabs for agroindustrial activity

Abstract

Slabs and especially industrial floors are construction elements whose design and execution usually depend on the experience of the engineer and the building firm. In the construction industry, as in the rest of the industrial fields, work of a specialized nature requiring a high level of quality is becoming the norm. In accordance with these new requirements we have tried to establish the bases of a calculus procedure that provides the design engineer with an efficient tool that allows for the design of agroindustrial ground slabs with adequate security guarantees and correct behaviour. Existing design procedures for the sort of concrete pavements that, because of their structural importance, have been properly studied, such as concrete pavements used in airports, highways and roads, have been extrapolated and adapted to industrial slabs design. A Finite Element Method has been selected as a structural calculus tool. ANSYS v.5.2 software has been used. Loads considered and applied on the model have been chosen and taken from within fruit storage and distribution warehouses. Most important and common from them are those due to electric forklift trucks. The analytical study carried out carne to conclusions and design considerations. A graphical design abacus have been obtained.