To achieve a licence to present data as ‘SCI Assessed’, a formal process is followed. The following sections identify what information is required, and the work to be undertaken by the SCI.
The following sections cover the performance of fibre-reinforced composite slabs in the normal and fire conditions.
Performance at elevated temperature
Information required (decking manufacturer):
- A report (hard copy) of the fire test. The fire test shall have been carried out by a NAMAS accredited (or similarly accredited) testing facility.
- Strength properties of the metal decking, if available – typically copies of the coil certificate or coupon tests. Such information will allow strength properties above nominal strength to be beneficiallay allowed for.
- Compressive strength properties (hard copy report) of the fibre reinforced concrete. The testing shall have been carried out by an organisation independent to the decking manufacturer
- Tensile strength properties (hard copy report) of the fibre reinforced concrete.
Development of thermal and mechanical model used in the preparation of span/load tables
Development process (SCI):
- Review information provided by decking manufacturer.
- Calibrate SCI’s generic modelling software (‘BFire’) with the test results to produce a product-specific software model of the composite slab.
- Produce product-specific safe span tables
- Produce an SCI technical report
Administrative issues (SCI):
- The SCI report will be stored electronically in the corporate archive. A hard copy will be retained in store by the SCI library. The reports received from the decking manufacturer will be scanned and the electronic files stored with the hard copy report.
- The product-specific software will be referenced and stored in the ‘sourcesafe’ archive.
Performance at normal temperature
Shear Tests
Information required (decking manufacturer):
- Test report (hard copy) – test pieces in accordance with Hoffbeck et al. Minimum of 9 specimens comprising of either: -
- 3 at proposed dosage of fibres
3 at a dosage less than proposed
3 at a dosage more than proposed
C30 Concrete
- 3 at proposed dosage of fibres C30 concrete
3 at proposed dosage of fibres C35 concrete
3 at proposed dosage of fibres C40 concrete
To include measured cube and/or cylinder strengths.
To include nominal or measured geometry.
Development process (SCI):
- Review information provided by the decking manufacturer.
- SCI will develop a semi-empirical mechanical model based on the performance of the test specimens.
- SCI will derive design values in accordance with BS EN 1990.
- SCI will prepare a technical report.
Administrative issues (SCI):
- The SCI report will be stored electronically in the corporate archive. A hard copy will be retained in store by the SCI library. The reports received from the decking manufacturer will be scanned and the electronic files stored with the hard copy report.
Push tests
Information required (decking manufacturer):
- Test report (hard copy) of push out tests. Minimum of 12 specimens per deck profile comprising of: -
3 with single studs and conventional reinforcement.
3 with pairs of studs and conventional reinforcement.
3 with single studs and fibre reinforcement.
3 with pairs of studs and fibre reinforcement.
To include measured cube and/or cylinder strengths.
To include measured strength of stud material.
To include nominal or measured geometry.
Development process (SCI):
- Review information provided by the decking manufacturer.
- SCI will prepare design values in accordance with BS EN 1990.
- SCI will prepare a technical report.
Administrative issues (SCI):
- The SCI report will be stored electronically in the corporate archive. A hard copy will be retained in store by the SCI library. The reports received from the decking manufacturer will be scanned and the electronic files stored with the hard copy report.
Both the SCI reports and data stored will be considered confidential and not used for any other means without prior agreement with the client.