Commercial

Concrete bene ts

As well as providing the structural frame, concrete can be used to improve the overall
performance of a commercial building, including:

Clear spans

Reducing the number of columns to increase open plan areas and increase exibility for re-use
is often important in commercial buildings. Prestressing the concrete is a tried and tested
method that can deliver these longer spans. Information on prestressed concrete can be found
in the Post-tensioned (PT) slabs section and the publication Post-tensioned Concrete Floors.

Services coordination and installation

Mechanical and electrical services are an expensive and programme-critical element in

construction, with signi cant maintenance and replacement issues. The so t of a concrete at
slab provides a zone for services distribution free of any downstand beams. This reduces design
team coordination e ort and risk of errors. It allows exibility in design and adaptability in use. A
at so t permits maximum o site fabrication of services, higher-quality work and quicker
installation. M&E contractors quote an additional cost of horizontal services distribution below a
pro led so t with downstand beams of up to 15 per cent.

Openings in the slab for service risers can be accommodated simply during design, and formed
during casting, or cut later to suit. For the longest spans, band beams, which are wide shallow
beams, provide large areas uninterrupted by secondary beams and the freedom to route ducts
under the shallow main beams.

Thermal mass

A concrete structure has a high thermal mass. Exposed so ts allow fabric energy storage (FES),
regulating temperature swings. This can reduce initial plant costs and ongoing operational costs,
while converting plant space to usable space. With the outlook of increasingly hot summers, it
makes sense to choose a material that reduces the requirement for energy intensive, high
maintenance air-conditioning. More information on thermal mass can be found in the
Publications Library.

Adaptability

Markets and working practices are constantly changing, therefore it makes sense to consider a
material that can accommodate changing needs or be adapted with minimum e ort. A concrete
frame can easily be adapted to other uses. Holes can be cut through slabs and walls relatively
simply, while there are methods to strengthen the frame if required.

Partitions

Sealing and re stopping at partition heads is simplest with at so ts. Signi cant savings of up
to 10 per cent of the partitions package can be made compared to the equivalent dry lining
package abutting a pro led so t with downstands. This can represent up to four per cent of the
frame cost, and a signi cant reduction in programme length.

Concrete solutions

Concrete o ers a whole range of options for meeting the requirements of a particular project.
The options outlined below are the most popular for commercial buildings. More information on
concrete frame solutions can be found in the concrete frames section and the publication
Economic Concrete Frame Elements.

Flat slab

Flat slabs are slabs that are supported directly on columns without any beams. They are highly
versatile elements widely used in construction, providing minimum depth, fast construction and
allowing exible column grids.

Post-tensioned at slab

Post-tensioning is a method of prestressing that o ers the thinnest slab type, as concrete is
worked to its strengths, mostly being kept in compression. Longer spans can be achieved due to
prestress, which can be used to control de ections. Further information on post-tensioning can
be found in the publication Post-tensioned Concrete Floors.

Hybrid concrete construction

Hybrid concrete construction (HCC) makes use of precast and in-situ concrete together,
combining the bene ts of both to give a robust, durable construction which is fast on site, with
an excellent nish. There are many di erent forms of HCC but a popular option for commercial
buildings is to use hollowcore units, which are prestressed to maximise the oor span.

Post-tensioned band beams

For very long span situations (greater than 12m) a post-tensioned band beam o ers are
economic solution. Band beams are shallow, wide beams that minimise the overall structural
depth. The pre-stressing maximises the performance of the concrete and controls de ection.

Concrete proof

An independent cost study for o ce buildings has been carried out by a team comprising Allies
and Morrison, Arup, Davis Langdon and Mace. Six short-span structural options, 9.0 x 7.5m grid,
and two long span options, 15.0 x 9.0m grid, were fully priced, with the costings based on
detailed plans and structural solutions. The study found that a at slab was the most economic
solution and that as well as comparing the cost of the structural frame, the bene ts discussed
above should be included in the cost comparison because they can reduce costs for other
elements of the building. For more information on the study visit the Publications Library to
download the O ce Cost Study publication, or the more detailed Cost Model Study -
Commercial Buildings.