CONCRETE STRUCTURES

The advantages of concrete are:

• It is more cost-effective than other materials.
• It is fire- and water-resistant.
• It is the only economical material available for footings, floor slabs, basement walls, pillars, and similar constructions.

CONCRETE STRUCTURE FOR INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT (PIT)

BUILDING OF RIGID CONCRETE FRAMES

LATTICE JOISTS FOR REINFORCED CONCRETE SLABS

This system uses polystyrene inserts between the lattice joists to make the construction lighter.  Although initially it was conceived for the housing sector, in practice it has been applied in almost all types of construction.

Advantages are:

• It does not require formwork.
• It reduces 70% of the execution time.
• It can be assembled manually.
• It eliminates the cost of heavy equipment.
• It doesn’t require specialized hand labor.
• It can be built off-site.

REINFORCED CONCRETE BLOCK WALLS

This system constructs load-bearing walls using hollow concrete blocks reinforced with steel rebar. The blocks are filled partially or completely with concrete, depending on the pressure to which they are subjected.

Advantages:

• This is the most economical and most used material for housing and commercial buildings in Mexico.
• It is a rigid system with very low horizontal displacement, thus reducing damage during an earthquake

COMPOSITE COLUMNS

Composite columns of steel and concrete combine materials to increase strength and reduce structural area in tall buildings with limited areas.

Advantages:

• Using steel means greater loads can be supported without increasing the external dimensions.
• Concrete is intrinsically fire-resistant.

SLIM FLOOR CONSTRUCTION

Slim Floor construction integrates the main steel beams into the floor.

Advantages:

• The system reduces the need for structural frames.
• Larger areas are possible at lower cost.
• Limited floor thickness saves space.
• Decreased weight makes it possible to add extra stories to a building.
• Efficient use of materials saves money and time.
• Construction is fire-resistant.

PRESTRESSED AND POST-TENSIONED CONCRETE

These are techniques for reinforcing concrete. Steel cables are positioned inside plastic ducts or sleeves and attached to the outer edges of the forms. Prestressing means the steel is stressed (pulled or tensioned) before the concrete has to support the service loads.

• Pre-tensioned–the steel is pulled before the concrete is poured. 
• Post-tensioned–the steel is pulled after the concrete is poured

Advantages:

• Bearing capacity is increased.
• Deformities are reduced.
• The system makes more efficient use of materials.
• Construction is faster.

WAFFLE SLAB

A waffle slab is a two-way joist slab made of reinforced concrete  with concrete ribs running in two directions on its underside. Because of its rigidity, it is recommended for buildings that require minimal vibration.