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SLIMDEK Development History
Slimflor - Launched Late 1991
`Slimflor' beam launched by British Steel in 1991: refined the `Top Hat
Beam' concept, allowing long span PC units to be carried by steel members
within the depth of the floor, leaving service runs unobstructed.
It also provides significant levels of fire resistance without any applied
protection.
Fast Track Slimflor - Launched 1993
Fast Track Slimflor developed by British Steel and PMF, now part of British Steel Profiles, replacing pre-cast units with a deep profiled composite metal deck.
Further research proved this system retained all the existing benefits, such as speed of construction, and had many additional advantages, such as providing a safe working
platform and space for horizontal services within the slab depth.
Slimdek - Research & Development 1993-97
R&D programme commenced in July 1993, part-funded by the DTI Link Initiative.
The project was designed to explore the production and application of innovative rolled steel shapes for use in the construction industry with the aim of improving structural efficiency and reducing costs.
British Steel was the project leader and major partner, working with The Steel Construction Institute, the University of Sheffield and the University of Cambridge.
The roles of the partners were:
Following assessment of the ability to roll the proposed sections, the trial beams were rolled successfully on the first attempt.
Investment - 1994-96
The total R&$38;D budget was £1.2 million, of which the DTI contributed 50 per
cent under their LINK Enhanced Engineering Materials programme.
British Steel Strip Products, has introduced an improved deck profile SD225, which has a greater load carrying capacity, a longer span range and improved ceiling fixing and service integration capabilities when compared to the current CF210 system.