Logistics and distribution can be a complex business with every possible function analysed, visualised and ultimately optimised to minimise time, resources and improve efficiencies – business success demands it.

Freeplan-Floor-Slab

Logistics consultants, developers and operators of a new distribution warehouse facility are constantly looking at how to improve performance and efficiencies; where better place to start than the floor slab.

The floor slab in a distribution warehouse is, put simply, the foundation that many other components rely on to operate effectively e.g. racking systems, mechanical handling equipment and flow of incoming/outgoing goods. A floor slab that restricts efficient operations on a day to day basis or requires intensive ongoing maintenance will significantly impact on the business activities and profit capabilities of the operation.

Twintec advocates value engineering on construction projects as an integrated and detailed planning process that considers techniques and materials that could provide better performance and better value over the life of the project. Design concepts, materials and methods of construction should be carefully considered by all parties without compromising functionality and operational requirements of the client.

Advantages of a ‘jointless’ floor slab

Joints are the greatest cause of problems in a modern warehouse and therefore significant savings can be made on floor and MHE equipment maintenance by reducing the number of joints across the warehouse facility. ‘Jointless’ steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) floor slabs contain no sawn induced joints. Only metal armoured joints with heavy duty load transfer systems are installed at the perimeter of each day’s pour.

The advantages of a ‘jointless’ SFRC floor slab compared to a traditionally reinforced concrete floor slab with sawn induced joints for the warehouse operator are well documented:

• Significantly reduced floor slab joint maintenance costs as fewer joints across the whole floor

A ‘jointless’ floor slab that contains only metal armoured joints will demonstrate a  substantial reduction in long term maintenance costs when compared to a traditionally reinforced floor slab with sawn-cut joints every 6 metres. Joints should be sealed annually as part of the maintenance regime of the warehouse.

• Fewer joints leads to greater operational efficiencies

Hard wheeled MHE that constantly traffics over sawn-induced joints will result in the breakdown of that joint as there is nothing to protect the arris from the constant impact of the wheels. The inability of the forklift to operate at optimum speed has a direct impact on productivity, it is not uncommon for end users to report having to reduce speed by up to 50% due to breakdown of sawn-induced joints.

• Substantially improved MHE operator comfort

Jarring and bouncing over unarmoured construction joints is a potential health and safety concern and puts the operator at increased risk of lower back discomfort. A key feature of a ‘jointless’ slab is that it contains up to 75% fewer joints than the traditional mesh alternative floor slab and all the remaining joints are metal armoured to facilitate smoother load transfer. The combination of a reduction in joints and smoother transition across floor slab panels results in significantly improved operator comfort.

• Lower MHE maintenance due to less joints trafficked daily

The shaking, jarring and constant thumping over sawn-induced joints every 6 metres will have an impact over time on the electronic components of the MHE and may require the regular replacement of expensive parts and downtime whilst repairs are carried out. With a ‘jointless’ slab you will only have metal armoured construction joints every 40 to 50 metres and as often as possible positioned away from areas of traffic. Warehouse operators will have to replace MHE wheels less frequently the fewer joints there are in the floor slab, offering a substantial cost saving over time.

• Sustainability credentials, including reduced slab thickness

The combination of optimal fibre designs as well as environmentally friendly reinforcing can greatly improve the construction CO2 footprint of new logistics buildings. A ‘jointless’ SFRC floor slab will be thinner than the traditional mesh alternative given identical loading and operational criteria and therefore use less concrete.

Twintec remains at the forefront of fibre reinforcement technology not only in the ongoing development of fibre integration and dispersion technologies but in the research and development of new forms of fibre reinforcement including up to 50% re-used steel fibres.

‘Jointless’ SFRC flooring specialists

The Twintec Group is the global market leader in ‘jointless’ steel fibre reinforced concrete (SFRC) industrial floor slabs. The company derives its name from the twin technologies of concrete and steel fibres and, as a specialist flooring contractor, designs and builds in excess of 6 million m2 worldwide each year.

The company’s vision is to be the specialist contractor of choice by providing a superior product which optimises floor performance and minimises maintenance problems.

Twintec

www.twintec.co.uk

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