Lightweight floor structures

'Our steel plate concrete floors tackle common issues in renovation projects'

From Vught in the province of Brabant to Lake Ontario in North America, REPPEL BV supplies steel plate concrete floors for renovation, transformation and new construction projects. Choosing the right floor construction is of paramount importance to the success of such projects. The expertise and substantive knowledge REPPEL has accumulated in its 90-year existence is reflected in its innovative products that lead to lightweight and economical solutions. Sales and Marketing Manager Reginald van Dooremalen: "The properties of the LEWIS® Dovetail Sheets® and HODY® Trapezoidal Sheets make them ideal for use in renovation projects."

He continues: "With our range of LEWIS® and HODY® slabs, you can construct slender, lightweight concrete floors, reducing the added weight to an existing steel structure or foundation. Another advantage is that these slabs can be laid by hand. So you don't need a construction crane all the time. In addition, they are handy and stackable. With one logistical movement, large quantities can be transported to the project to be hoisted inside at once. Thanks to their limited width, they can even pass through a window of an existing building, where you can then install storey floors, close staircases or construct voids. By the way, for outdoor applications or situations where a higher corrosion class applies, we supply sheets with Magnelis ZM310 corrosion protection."

Lower environmental impact

The LEWIS® Dovetail Sheets® and HODY® 60 Trapezoidal Sheets were recently listed in the National Environmental Database with a Category 1 environmental statement. This is in keeping with REPPEL's commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainable construction (DUBO). With steel plate concrete floors, you have a low consumption of steel and concrete and that has a positive effect on the environment.

Farmer's Tower Antwerp

REPPEL has just made the final delivery of HODY® 60 Trapezium sheets for the renovation of the monumental Boerentoren tower in Antwerp. A special project, as this 1931 tower was Europe's first skyscraper. "The tower is 95 meters high and all floors were removed due to asbestos. Then 12,000 m2 of new floors had to be built. However, as is often the case with renovation projects, there were limiting factors that prevented the use of traditional techniques. For example, this tower has no significant elevator and even the largest window opening is smaller than that of a single-family home. In addition, many traditional solutions proved too heavy, too labor-intensive or not suitable because of too limited building height. The only solution was the use of a steel plate concrete floor."

Quality engineering

When asked how the Boerentoren contractor came to REPPEL, Van Dooremalen replied, "We are a party that has built up a lot of reputation over the years, particularly as a result of our working method. We are not sec a manufacturer, but deliver added value by providing comprehensive advice. From design to assembly, we are a contact for architects, structural engineers and steel construction companies. Of great value is also the fact that we not only supply the floors, but also provide the customer with a static calculation, as well as the necessary reinforcement and assembly drawings."