Echo Prestress
Structure - prestressed concrete floor slabs A note to SPECXpert users
To clear up some confusion in the industry of the two Echo Flooring systems let's
explain the difference:
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Echo Prestress manufactures four slab depths, is prestressed
and suitable for long span applications 5-10 m. Our speciality being industrial and commercial buildings as well as long span
townhouses.
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Echo Floors manufactures one slab depth and is a reinforced
slab suitable for shorter spans up to 5.0 m. All panels over 4.5 m spans need propping.
They specialise in domestic applications and short span townhouses.
The branding of the two companies is very important to you the
specifier, enabling you to choose the most economical and suitable solution for your
project.
Echo Prestress is a system of prestressed
slip-formed hollow core concrete floor panels used for multi-storey buildings, produced to
high standards of quality and technology set up by over 50 years of research and development at
Echo. The Echo Prestress factory is designed to manufacture 60 000 m² of precast hollow
core floors per month, using the latest production techniques to reduce costs and improve
plant efficiency, thereby offering clients the advantage of a good price and a quality
product.
Structure
Standard depths: 120, 150, 170, 200 and 250 mm. Standard width: 1 200 mm. Non-standard widths
available in 100 mm increments.
Suggested bearings: On brickwork: 100 mm
On steel and concrete: 75 mm Weight advantage: 70% of solid slabs of similar depths.
Design parameters
No propping is required. Only a levelling screed is required over the slab. Cantilevers
are possible by incorporating reinforcing into the hollow cores which is grouted in the
factory during the casting process. Soffits are smooth, only requiring a textured paint or
Tyrolean finish.
Applications
Suitable for most types of multi-storey buildings and suspended ground floors in areas of
clay heave especially as no propping is required. Ideal for long span applications,
particularly schools, offices, commercial, industrial, garages, multi-storey carparks,
sports/ recreational, townhouses, flats and hospitals. A combination of slab thicknesses
can provide weather steps of 30, 50 and 80 mm with no extra screeding.
Alternative Applications
Alternative applications
like retaining walls, security walls, reservoir roofs and attenuation tank
roofs are possible with prestressed hollow-core slabs.
Installation
Installation is done by means of a mobile truck-mounted or tower crane, depending on site
conditions. Up to 500 m² can be erected in one day, enabling the contractor to proceed
with the balance of the structure without being delayed by props and wet concrete.
Grouting is done by in-house teams; once grouted the floor becomes a monolithic slab.
Cut-outs for service ducts and around columns are done in the factory prior to delivery. A
360º rotating diamond saw enables panels to be cut at any angle.
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