FLOORS AND FLOORING MATERIALS.pptx

Flooring materials and their properties

1. FLOORS AND FLOORING MATERIALS 1210900048 DEEPAK PRADHAN

2. INTRODUCTION A F loor is the bottom surface of a room or vehicle. Flooring is the general term for a permanent covering of a floor . It is also the surface that goes through the most wear and tear, and that's why choosing the right material is of utmost importance. A variety of materials are used to construct the floor. It is very important to choose an appropriate and reliable material to create an attractive floor for your home. Functional Requirements of Floors in Building Construction Strength and stability Resistance to weather and ground moisture Durability and free from maintenance Fire resistance Resistance to passage of heat Resistance to passage of sound

3. Strength a nd Stability Floor strength depends on the properties of material such as timber, reinforce concrete, and steel that are employed to construct the structure of the floor. The strength of floor structure should be adequate to carry dead load of the floor, finishes, fixtures, partitions, services and expected imposed loads of occupants. ( Design loads for building can be found in both Minimum design loads for buildings and other structures (ASCE/SEI 7-10) and BS 6399: Part 1 ) I n addition to other codes. Reinforced concrete floor, which might be used for providing strength and fire resistance , will be suitable for cases where we have long spans and large imposed loads . With regard to stability of floors , the stiffness of floor should be enough to make the floor stay stable and level under its self weight and expected dead and live loads. The deflection of the floor must be adequately restricted and kept small to prevent cracking of rigid finishing. Finally, Basement and solid ground floors stability are based on properties of concrete under them. For small domestic building concrete without reinforcement might be enough but for large loads like heavy equipment or machinery reinforced concrete slab is needed. Additionally, suspension reinforced concrete slabs are necessary on shrinkable soil against soil differential contraction of expansion, specifically in situations where deep rooted trees are close to the site.

4. Resistance of Floors to Weather and Ground Moisture Building ground floor specifically heated building is likely to encourage rising the moisture below the ground and make the floor wet slightly which feels cold and dissatisfying. Therefore, more heating may be required to create desired comfortable condition. There are various factors which affect the moisture penetration level from the ground to the floor includes the nature of subsoil, water table, and whether the site is horizontal or sloping. There is small amount of moisture penetration into the ground if the base is gravel or coarse grain sand because water table level is below the surface during the whole year; in this case, concrete slab is suitable solution to resist moisture penetration . However, on a clay base, an appreciable amount of moisture will penetrate from the ground to the floor because water table is near to the surface. The latter can be tackled by concrete slab plus water-tight membrane which can be place under, on, or in the slab.

5. Durability of Floors and Free from Maintenance Generally, water tight ground floors on solid base and suspended floors secured by walls and roof must be durable for the life of the structure and require slight maintenance, repair or improvement. The durability and free from maintenance of floors are rely on the nature of materials applied and the wear they are exposed to. Fire Resistance of Floors Floors should withstand fire for enough period during which the occupant can get out of the building. ACI 216.1-7 (Code Requirements for Determining Fire Resistance of Concrete and Masonry Construction Assemblies) determines rating of fire resistance that begin from an hour to 4 hours which based on the types of aggregate and the thickness of concrete cover. Lastly, reinforced concrete floors combat fire for longer period compare with timber floors. Resistance to Passage of Heat Floors have to withstand heat release in situation that there are large air temperature differences on both opposite sides of the floor. Ground floor can be constructed in a way that prevents heat transfer from the floor to the ground or from ground to the floor by applying hardcore and a damp-proof membrane. The damp-proof membrane, which can be placed on, under, or sandwiched in the concrete under the floor, will avoid floor damping and cold feeling. This will lead to decline heat that is necessary to make comfortable condition and decrease transfer of heat. If under floor heating is employed, it is fundamental to apply a layer of heat insulation around the edge and below the floor slab to reduce heat transfer to the ground.

6. Resistance to Passage of Sound It is considerably significant that upper floors, which separate dwellings, work as barrier and prevent transmission of sound. Reinforced concrete floor work better in preventing transmission of airborne sound compare to low mass timber floor. That is why reinforced concrete floor can be effectively used to separate residents. Moreover, lightweight insulating material or dense material can be used for filling the spaces between timber joists to enhance sound resistance of timber floors. It is worth mentioning that using reinforced concrete floor with reasonable increase in cost will be more effective compare to timber floors which requires extra cost to reduce sound transmission by filling spaces between joists. However, if the floor of existing buildings is timber then, filling joists of the timber with lightweight or dense material is the only solution to enhance sound insulation. Impact sounds can be decline considerably and effectively by applying floor covering, for example, carpet or a resilient sheet under the surface of the floor. The resilient layer will diminish the sound of footstep in either a reinforced concrete floor or a timber floor. Furthermore, the sound mitigation used for the timber and reinforced concrete floors do not tackle airborne sound which will be reflected and might amplify to a level that is not tolerable. The sound absorption of ceiling could be improved by choosing an absorbent acoustic tile or panel finishes. Read More: Live Loads for Different Buildings Floors and Structures

7. Type of Flooring Mud Floor: Earthen Flooring also commonly known as Adobe flooring is made up of dirt, raw earth or other unworked ground materials. In modern times, it is usually constructed with mixture of sand, clay and finely chopped straw. Mud flooring is commonly constructed in villages where by using stabilizers the properties of the soil are enhanced by manipulating its composition by adding suitable stabilizers. The tensile and shear strength of the soil is increased and shrinkage is reduced. Suitability: These floors are not prepared in commercial or professional buildings but only in residential buildings in rural areas where the cheapest and easiest option is selected. The mud flooring is easy to maintain, remains warm in winter and cold in summer and hence it is most suitable for places where the temperature is extreme during these seasons

8. Brick F looring Brick flooring is one of the types of floors whose topping is of brick. These are easy to construct and repair but the surface resulting from these is not smooth and is rough, hence, easily absorbs and retains moisture which may cause dampness in the building. Method of Construction of Brick Floor: For constructing a brick floor, the top surface of earth or murram filling is properly consolidated. Over this compacted earth, a layer of clean sand about 10 cm thick is evenly spread. Then a layer of lime concrete (1:4:8) or lean cement concrete (1:4:16) is laid, compacted and cured. Over this base concrete well soaked bricks are laid in cement mortar (1:4) in any suitable bond. In case pointing is to be done, the minimum thickness of joints should not exceed 2 mm and and the mortar in joints is struck off with a trowel. When the pointing is to be done, the minimum thickness of joints is kept 6mm and the pointing may be done. Suitability: The floors are suitable for stores, godowns etc .

9. Tile F loor The floor whose topping is of tiles is called tile floor. The tiles used may be of any desired quality, color, shape or thickness. Method of construction of Tile Floor: For constructing a tile floor, the base course is prepared in the same manner as in case of brick flooring.Over the base course thus prepared, a thin layer of lime or cement mortar is spread with the help of screed battens. Then the screeds are properly leveled and fixed at the correct height. When the surface mortar has hardened sufficiently, the specified tiles are laid on a 6 mm thick bed of wet cement mortar.(1:5). The surplus mortar which comes out of the joints is cleaned off. After 3 days, the joints are well rubbed a carborundum stone so as to smoothen the surface, specially the edges. Suitability: These floor are used for paving courtyard of buildings. Glazed tiles floors are used in modern buildings where a high class building is desired.

10. Flagstone floor: The floors whose topping consists of stone slabs is called flagstone floor. The stone slabs used here may not be of the same size but should not be more than 75 cm length and not less than 35 cm in width and 3.8 cm in thickness. Method of construction of Flagstone Floor: Flagstone Floor For constructing a flagstone floor, the same method is applied as in case of tile floor. The slabs are soaked well in water at least one hour before laying. They should be evenly and firmly bedded in mortar. The thickness of joints should not exceed 4mm and they should be struck off with a trowel while laying. Suitability: These type of flooring are suitable in go-downs, motor sheds, stores, pavements etc.

11. Cement concrete floor: The types of floors whose topping consists of cement concrete is called cement concrete floor or conglomerate floor. These floors consists of 2.5 cm to 5cm thick concrete layer laid over 10 cm thick base concrete and 10 cm thick clean sand over ground whose compaction and consolidation is done. These floors are commonly used these days. Following are the advantages of concrete floors: They are hard & Durable. Provide a smooth & non absorbent surface. They are more fire resistant. They provide more sanitary surface as they can be cleaned & washed easily. They are economical as they require negligible maintenance cost. They can be finished with a pleasing appearance. Types of cement concrete floors: Non-Monolithic or bonded floor finish floor. Monolithic floor finish floor.

12. Granolithic Flooring Granolithic flooring is same as cement concrete flooring, except that the finishing layer. This layer is done with a granolithic finish which is cement concrete made of a specially chosen aggregate. The granolithic finish makes the floor hard, abrasion-resistant, and durable. The granolithic concrete layer thickness should not be less than 13 mm. It is necessary to obtain the coarse aggregate from hard fine granite, basalt, limestone or quartzite. A mix 1:1:2 is appropriate for the granolithic finish when the granolithic topping thickness is between 13 mm and 40 mm. The finish should be laid in one layer and monolithic with the base. It should be laid in two layers if the thickness exceeds 40 mm. The top layer is placed when the bottom layer remains in a plastic state. It is preferred if crushed aggregate is used to get granolithic finish. Sometimes, granulated aggregate is used as coarse aggregate.

13. Method of Granolithic Flooring Construction For the construction of granolithic flooring, first of all, the base concrete, which is 2.5 cm thick cement concrete over 10 to 15 cm of lean cement or lime concrete, is laid and consolidated before laying the topping. It is necessary to finish the top surface of this base in such a way as to create the required bond between the base course and the topping. Granolithic concrete is prepared in a proportion of 1:1:2 by mixing cement, fine aggregate and specially chosen aggregate, and laying the topping layer over the prepared base. Granolithic topping surface is allowed to be set for 7 days and the surface may then be rubbed to obtain a good surface. The surface is kept wet while it is being rubbed.