Future Trends in Concrete and Steel Decking
13th September 2024 Concrete and steel decking are the foundations of construction, meaning they play a critical role in the modern-day building sector. But, they are ever-changing due to trends and how these shape the products and services.
At the LGW Group, we ensure we move with the times, keeping an eye on incoming trends and how they impact our services across the South and Wales.
In this blog, we take a look at a few emerging trends and their impact on the industry.
Trend #1: sustainable and eco-friendly solutions
Over the past few years, there has been a global movement towards sustainability and eco-friendly practices. The construction industry has not been missed, as builders and those employing them search for sustainable materials.
Not only has consumer demand increased, but regulations have changed, pointing the industry to meet more sustainable standards.
Green concrete innovations have been developing, with people turning to:
- Recycled aggregate - using recycled materials in place of primary aggregates.
- Low-carbon concrete and geopolymer concrete - switching traditional cement for alternative ingredients.
Additionally, recycled steel and innovations within the steel manufacturing processes are reducing the impact of steel decking in the construction industry.
Trend #2: prefabricated and modular decking systems
A shift in decking solutions is showing people are opting for prefabricated or modular decking systems.
A prefabricated decking is manufactured off-site and transported ready for use when needed. This offers faster installation and space savings as those installing the decking don't need space on-site to create the structures. This also means that two parts of the project can be completed at the same time, as the steel decking can be produced while the construction team work on-site preparing it for the installation.
Modular decking is a subset of prefabricated decking and consists of standardised units or modules that can be assembled and arranged on-site. This decking solutions offer flexibility as it allows the users to interchange the structure to suit their needs.
Modular decking is also quick to install and can reduce construction time by as much as 20-50%. They can also improve safety on site as tasks such as cutting, welding and heavy lifting are reduced.
Both prefabricated and modular decking reduce the carbon footprint of the construction process as they reduce the need for on-site machinery.
Trend #3: smart decking and digital integration
Technology is rapidly penetrating the construction industry, and digital tools, the Internet of Things (IoT), and more advanced materials improve efficiency, safety and sustainability.
Smart concrete decking makes use of advanced materials and embedded technologies to create a structure that is self-healing, can monitor structural health and thermally regulate itself.
At the same time, steel decking can now have embedded sensors that offer real-time monitoring of structural performances and environmental conditions. This progression helps optimise maintenance schedules as it shows when maintenance is needed before a problem occurs, enhances safety as maintenance is regular and extends the durability of the structure.
Trend #4: lightweight and high-performance decking materials
There is a growing need for lightweight but durable materials in the construction industry.
Innovations include:
Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) - a concrete material that has exceptional strength, durability and resistance to degradation. It uses a mix of fine powders such as silica fume and fine sand with high-strength steel fibres to enhance its compressive strength.
Fibre-reinforced concrete - another type of concrete gaining popularity that uses fibres of steel, glass or synthetic materials within the concrete mix to enhance its mechanical properties. The fibres improve strength and impact resistance, so it is less prone to cracking.
Composite steel decking systems - these combine steel with other materials, such as concrete or fibre-reinforced polymers, to create a high-strength, lightweight decking.
Light gauge steel decking - this decking involves using thin, cold-formed steel sheets that are designed for quick installation and high strength. These are lightweight and easy to handle yet provide a strong base for concrete to be poured on or other flooring materials.
These innovative materials and solutions are opening new doors for the construction industry while also saving money on structural foundations and improving seismic performance.
Expert services from LGW Group
As a group, we offer a range of construction services across the South of England and Wales.
We are proud of our offerings and work hard to keep up with trends and ensure our knowledge extends beyond what we offer.
Some of the above innovations aren't available through us yet. However, we have noticed across all the trends a theme of sustainability and environmentally-friendly practices. With this in mind, we have adapted our ready-mix concrete, concrete block and steel decking services to reflect this demand.
Discover how we have adjusted our services to meet the following trends by calling us on 0117 958 2090 or completing our online contact form to request a callback from our experts.