Freyssinet is an acknowledged leader in specialized civil engineering and introduced post-tensioned concrete building floor slabs to the UK in the early 1980’s. Since that time we have championed this technology and contributed to its acceptance as a standard technology and consequent exponential increase in utilisation in the last decade.
We offer a full service from conception through detailed design and site installation utilising our in-house design team and experienced site managers and operatives.
Post-tensioning provides a great many advantages, including: • Increasing spans and load carrying capacity; • Reducing slab thickness; • Eliminating beam downstands; • Reducing self weight, quantities of materials and loads on foundations; • Considerably reducing and simplifying passive reinforcement; • Reducing the number of expansion joints and columns; • Better punching shear characteristics; • Outstanding behaviour in seismic zones; • Increased cracking resistance; • Increased waterproofing due to concrete compression; • Reduced excavation in basements; • Deflection control; • Removal of the formwork within 3 days; • Environmental benefits, less concrete, less steel, fewer lorry journeys. The environmental credentials of post-tensioned construction are one of the major selling points when the client’s team are trying to determine the construction material. Typically, post-tensioned slabs save about 25% of the slab depth and hence 25% of the concrete volume, when compared to the Reinforced Concrete (RC) equivalent. The steel content (reinforcement and post-tensioned combined) is often reduced by 65%.
Vinci Construction recently appointed Freyssinet to design post-tensioned floor slabs for UPP at Byron House student accommodation in Nottingham. Freyssinet were involved with Vinci’s bid from tender stage, which contributed to them winning the contract. Frame contractor David Ashley Construction then contracted Freyssinet to complete installation works. Freyssinet also assisted Vinci, and frame contractor Getjar, with their bid to construct the mixed use Mosaic development in Cambridge. Freyssinet’s early involvement and assistance with value engineering helped to give Vinci an edge. Construction of the superstructure will commence in July 2012. A further post-tensioned floor slab contract recently awarded to Freyssinet is the Eldon Theatre at Portsmouth University. Again, Freyssinet’s input at tender stage assisted the Main Contractor Morgan Sindall in securing the project. Morgan Sindall then recommended Freyssinet to frame contractor Stephenson Construction and superstructure construction is due to start in mid June 2012. Freyssinet are close to completing post-tensioned floor slab works on site at St Peters School in Stoke on Trent for frame contractor Metropolitan Developer.