When engineering meets elegance

When engineering meets elegance

A few weeks ago we talked about post-tensioned slabs, a construction technique that Blues Simon Group uses in some of its projects to, among other advantages, achieve very open floors, with large spans between the pillars. Well, this is not the only technique we use for this purpose, as the use of lightened slabs with the Unidome XS system also helps to ensure that our buildings exude the elegance of a refined design, which has become our hallmark.

In certain types of buildings, the use of flat slabs – formed with concrete – has become common practice. These are elements that are supported on the columns -without any other intermediate actor or by means of abacuses-, transmitting the loads directly to them, thus eliminating the need to install beams.

This has been possible thanks to advances in the engineering world and the study of biaxial loads, i.e. when the load causes simultaneous bending with respect to both main axes, as occurs, for example, in corner columns. The thickness of these elements is usually at least two thirds that of the slab, never less than 10 centimetres if the slab has an abacus or 13 centimetres if it does not.

Unidome’s technology

Blues Simon Group relies on the technology of Unidome, a benchmark in the world of construction, which combines the art of engineering and understanding of force flows with the sustainable effort to use a minimum of material to manufacture safe structures. In this way, it fits in with our philosophy of sustainability and respect for the environment.

The process couldn’t be quicker or easier. Broadly speaking, Unidome concrete formers for slabs consist of two halves, available in different sizes. Before the concrete is poured, these formers are assembled into linear elements of the required length using two simple reinforcing bars.

The result is slabs with a reinforced concrete floor slab in which up to 30% of the concrete in the tensioned areas is replaced, with a consequent benefit in terms of cost and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions that are required for the production of cement. Not only that, but it is possible to reduce the slab edges by 5-10% compared to solid slabs.

Towards intelligent construction

The advantages of using this technique, which in areas with many seismic movements is not very recommendable, are multiple. In addition to achieving large, open spaces, it is very important to highlight that flat slabs lightened with Unidome XS products have nothing to envy in terms of their structural behaviour, with sufficient capacity to withstand axial forces. All this while reducing costs and, not least, the carbon footprint of the building by using less concrete and significantly reducing material transport.

Blues Simon Group combines this construction technique with that of post-tensioned slabs, as demonstrated by the project described in previous articles, or the Altea Hills project, already completed in the heart of the Sierra de Altea.it is not only a matter of betting on innovative and sustainable construction products and processes, but also of bringing intelligence to residential construction, so that while speeding up the construction process and saving costs, all specifications are met and our safety and quality standards are guaranteed.