Deep profiled sheets of galvanized structural steel that span between the beams of a steel-framed building. Roof deck carries insulation and waterproofing; composite floor deck acts as permanent formwork for a concrete slab and, through embossments that key into the concrete, as its bottom reinforcement. Steel deck lets floors be built quickly without props or formwork.
Also called
Steel deck
Metal deck
Floor deck
Composite deck
Composite floor deck
Roof deck
Decking sheet
Steel decking
AR
ألواح الأسقف والأرضيات المعدنية (الديك)
ZH
楼承板和屋面压型钢板
DE
Stahltrapezprofile für Dach und Verbunddecken
FR
Bacs acier pour toitures et planchers collaborants
ES
Chapa colaborante y chapa para cubiertas (steel deck)
IT
Lamiere grecate per coperture e solai collaboranti
TR
Çatı ve kompozit döşeme trapez sacı (steel deck)
RU
Стальной профилированный настил для кровли и перекрытий
Main formsComposite floor deck (trapezoidal and re-entrant), roof deck, non-composite form deck, cellular deck
Typical sizesBase thickness about 0.7–1.5 mm (0.75–1.2 mm common); rib depth 38–80 mm, cover width 600–1,000 mm; lengths to order
Main standardsEN 1994-1-1, EN 1993-1-3, ANSI/SDI SD-2022; steel to EN 10346 or ASTM A653
Typical usesComposite floors in steel-framed offices, car parks, malls, warehouses and high-rises; roof decks
Overview
A composite floor is made by laying the steel deck across the steel beams, fixing it with shear studs welded through the deck to the beam flanges, placing mesh or bars on top and pouring concrete. While the concrete is wet the deck carries it; once hardened, the deck acts as tension reinforcement through embossments or a re-entrant (dovetail) profile that lock it into the slab, and the studs make the beam and slab act together. The result is a light, fast floor with less concrete than a traditional slab and no formwork to strip.
Roof deck is similar profiled sheet without the concrete, spanning between purlins or beams and carrying rigid insulation and a membrane. Non-composite form deck is used simply as permanent formwork.
Deck is roll-formed from galvanized structural steel, typically S280GD or S350GD to EN 10346 with Z275 coating, or ASTM A653 structural grades. Design follows Eurocode 4 (EN 1994-1-1) and EN 1993-1-3, or in American practice the Steel Deck Institute's ANSI/SDI SD-2022 standard. Load-span tables, fire resistance (which depends on slab depth and reinforcement) and the need for temporary props during the pour come from the deck manufacturer.
Composite deck floors are widely used in the GCC for steel-framed commercial buildings, car parks, malls and industrial mezzanines. Deck is roll-formed in the region by steel building and cladding companies, using imported or locally galvanized coil.
Forms & sizes
Trapezoidal composite deck
Open ribs 46–80 mm deep with embossments; efficient spans for floors
Re-entrant (dovetail) deck
Shallower ribs narrowing at the top; flat soffit, easy hangers for services
Roof deck
Trapezoidal profiles 38–100 mm deep for insulated roofs
Accessories
Edge trims, closures, shear studs, deck fixings and temporary props
Steel Mills - Agents & Traders · Tube Manufacturer · Stockist - Distributor · Dubai
