Client: Erison Pty Ltd
Product(s) used: Tecbeam Joist / TECslab floor system
Architect: Rogers Architects
Engineer: Ross Greer
Project Statement:
Tecslab is a lightweight, durable alternative to wet-poured concrete flooring combining TECBEAM I-beam joists with CSR Hebel SoundFloor Aerated Concrete floor panels. TECslab floors can provide acoustic, vibration and thermal insulation comfort levels similar to suspended reinforced concrete floors. As the installation of SoundFloor panels is a “dry” process, it can be done by the Carpentry team, at a significantly lower cost of construction compared to wet-poured concrete slabs.
Acoustic performance is exemplary: When used in the first floor of a two storey home, with a single layer of ceiling plaster below, depending on the type of floor covering, an Rw of 54 to 56 can be expected. When used in the construction of floors in multi-level apartments, offices and public buildings, where two or three layers of fire-resistant ceiling plaster is installed under the floors, an Rw of 58 to 62 can be expected, depending on the type of floor and covering used.
TECslab provides excellent insulation between floors. When used in the first floor of a two storey residential home, with a single layer of ceiling plaster below and with R1.5 roof batts installed, and R-value of 3.23 can be expected. When used in the construction of floors in multi-level apartments, offices and public buildings, where two or three layers of fire-resistant ceiling plaster and R1.5 roof batts installed under the floors, an R-valu8e of between 2.82 and 3.46 can be expected (CSR thermal Data).
Multi Level Apartments at 350 Mont Albert Road, Mont Albert provide a useful case study. This three level, sixteen apartment project was originaly designed as a steelwork and concrete suspended slab construction. As developer Jack Haber from Erison Pty Ltd says "I saved time and achieved net construction cost savings of eight to ten thousand dollars per unit for the eight upper level units, compared to the original all-concrete designs without compromising the floor’s performance.
By susbstituting the TECslab system for the floor and QT Panel lightweight external cladding in place of all masonry construction, concrete and steelwork were eliminated entirely on the upper two floors. A combination of TECBEAM joists and LVL beams was used to support the upper two levels.
