Systemic improvements to structural steel decking

Steel decking should serve its main functions without detracting from the efficiency of the other components or of the final assemblage. With this objective in mind, examples of major systemic improvements that have recently been made concerning the use of structural steel decking in building construction are described, viz.: ultra-long-spanning formwork designed to minimise the overall depth of the slab; voiding of the concrete to considerably lessen the overall slab weight and allow the internal passage of building services; improved construction techniques including rapid reinforcement placement techniques and multi-panel modularisation for rapid erection; and novel new components that significantly increase the shear strength and ductility of welded stud shear connectors when the decking is used in a composite steel-frame building.