1. Design of ribbed-sheet composite floors

1.1 Steel-frame building floors

The main structural function of the floor, consisting of the beams and slabs, as well as the lower (false ceiling) and upper coverings (insulation, screed, floor covering), is to support the vertical forces applied to it and transmit them to the supports (the columns). An important secondary structural function is that played by floors in the transmission of horizontal forces: they conduct wind and earthquake forces to the vertical bracing or central core, and thus act as horizontal bracing for the building's load-bearing structure.

Their protective function is to protect against noise (soundproofing), fire (fireproofing), heat or temperature differences (thermal insulation) and humidity (waterproofing, vapour barrier). The floor...