Applications

U-Boot is used in all applications that require a structural plate together with the need to use less concrete and therefore for a lighter structure. U-Boot is the ideal solution for creating slabs with a large span and/or great load-bearing capacity: it is particularly suited for structures that require considerable open spaces, such as executive, commercial and industrial buildings as well as public, civil and residential structures.

It makes it more possible to distribute irregularly the pillars, as beams do not need to be created. In the case of yards that are difficult to access or restructuring work, U-Boot, due to its stackability, modularity, lightness and manoeuvrability, can be used to make horizontal structures without the help of handling and hoisting equipment. With U-Boot also foundation rafters can be created with a larger thickness but a with a reduced amount of concrete.



Among the various foundation types, rafts are one of the most well known. They are used above all in ground conditions with little bearing capacity, or with poor quality soil, large thicknesses must be used which increases the construction cost.

Thanks to the use of U-Boot Beton lightened rafts can be created with the same performance but at a considerably lower cost.

Once embeded in the concrete casting, U-Boot Beton forms the structure just like two full slabs, with a variable thickness, connected by a perpendicular beam gridwork to form a bidirectional static honeycomb plate. For this concrete bed, the distribution of weights due to hight inertia is rationalised in order to permit maximum stiffness and lightness for the structure with a minimum amount of concrete, which makes it possible to eliminate, where possible, the foundation piles.

Installation

Laying The U-BOOT Modules


Step 1.

The entire surface of the slab to be cast on site is shuttered with wood deckings (or similar systems), then the lower reinforced concrete bars are positioned in two mutually perpendicular directions according to the design and the lattice for the upper reinforced concrete is arranged.

Step 2.

The U-Boot Beton modules are positioned using the lateral spacers joints to place them at the desired centre distance that will determine the beam width. Thanks to the conical elevated foot, the U-Boot Beton modules will be lifted from the surface, making it possible for the lower slab to be formed. If double or triple elements are used, these elements must first be assembled, which will be supplied on distinct pallets in the yard.

Step 3.

The casting of the reinfored concrete is completed by placing above the U-Boot Beton modules the upper bars in the two directions as well as the reinforcement for shear and punching where necessary, according to the design.

Step 4.

The concrete casting must be performed in two phases to prevent the floatation of the modules: an initial layer will be cast to fill a thickness equal to the height of the elevating foot. Casting will continue for this first portion of the slab until the concrete starts to set and become semi fluid.

Step 5.

Once suitably set, the casting can be restarted from the starting point, completely burying the U-Boot Beton. The casting is then levelled and smoothed in a traditional manner.

Step 6.

Once the structure has hardened, the formwork can be removed. The surface is smooth in correspondence of the soffit.

Videos

Formworks for lightened structures in reinforced concrete cast on site.

Laying procedure of two-way voided slab using U- Boot Beton.