FAST FLOOR PHASE 4

Behavior of Modular Steel Plate Floor Assemblies (Phase 4)

This grant is for Phase 4 of the FastFloor project. This research continues investigation of a new, modular steel floor framing and diaphragm system for commercial building structures with broad applicability, including high seismic zones. The proposed system has key benefits of increasing the speed of construction, including eliminating the pouring of a concrete deck. This type of system is key to achieving the goals of the AISC Need for Speed initiative to reduce the time from conception to occupancy for steel building structures.

Phase 4: January 2026-June 2027

Task 1: Industry Advisory Panel: The project team will continue to interact with the Industry Advisory Panel (IAP), including practitioners, fabricators, and erectors, to seek comprehensive advice, including the results to date. The project team will also continue to interact with the funding team and their designates, from Pankow, MKA, and AISC.

Task 2: Fire Protection: The investigators will conduct analyses and experiments related to fire protection using various possible solutions. Design recommendations will be provided. This work will be led by Prof. Amit Varma at Purdue University. Appendix 1 includes a detailed proposal from Purdue University for this phase of the work.

Task 3: Modular Floor System Prototype: The project team will continue working together with the Industry Advisory Panel to finalize and document the FastFloor prototype, fabrication, transportation, erection, construction sequence, local buckling, connection detailing, fire protection, acoustics, and all other relevant behavior.

Task 4: Non-structural: Vibration and Acoustic Performance: The results from computational simulations of vibrations will be finalized. Planned vibration and acoustic testing has been completed.

Task 5: Gravity Strength Assessment: Data reduction and computational simulations of gravity strength will continue in Phase 4 to inform recommended design provisions related to local buckling, connector spacing, and assessment of gravity strength and stiffness.

Task 6: Diaphragm Strength Assessment: Single fastener and subassemblage shear test data from Phase 3 will be used to calibrate computational models. Those computational models will be used to analyze full diaphragm behavior and develop diaphragm design approaches. These tests and analyses will be completed in this phase and the results documented and will form the benchmark basis for design recommendations.

Task 7: Design Recommendations: Design recommendations will be documented based on the experimental and computational simulations. All design recommendations will be made in the context of AISC Specifications and supporting documentation along with ASCE 7 where appropriate.

Task 8: Technology Transfer Plan: Technology transfer will continue through written publications and conference presentations.

Task 9: Final Report: A final report will be produced to summarize the research and findings of Phase 4 and the major papers and reports from the project will be initiated for publication. It is anticipated that work on publications and presentations will also extend beyond Phase 4. All team members will meet weekly and provide advice on overall project, as well as assist or lead in preparation of papers, presentations, and technology transfer.

• Grant Details

  Project

  Behavior of Modular Steel Plate Floor Assemblies (Phase 4)

  Category

  Steel

  Subcategory

  FastFloor

  Grant #

  26-1

  Award Amount

  $547,500

  Grant Period

  1 January 2026 - 30 June 2027

  Grant Status

  Active

  Principal Investigators

  Jerome F. Hajjar, Ph.D., P.E. (Northeastern University); Benjamin W. Schafer, Ph.D., P.E. (Johns Hopkins University); Matthew Eatherton, Ph.D., P.E., S.E. (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University); Onur Avci, Ph.D., P.E. (West Virginia University); and W. Samuel Easterling, Ph.D., P.E. (Iowa State University).

  Industry Champions

  Ron Klemencic and Josh Mouras, Magnusson Klemencic Associates; Chris Raebel and Devin Huber, AISC; Cori Amadon and Daryll Bridges, J.F. Stearns; Jeffrey Diguette, Clark Construction; Chad Fox, Ruby + Associates; Brad Fletcher, Atlas Tube; Tony Giansanti and Bill Perry, Tate, Inc.; Tim Hanenburg, Cives Steel; Bob Hazelton, Herrick Steel; Will Jacobs, SDL; Larry Kruth, Kruth Engineering; Dave McCrary, Barton Malow; Ron Meng, Banker Steel; Kim Olson, NUCOR; Jim Perry, Cerami & Associates; Pedro Sifre, SGH; Todd Weaver, Metals Fabrication; Corey Wilson, Pliteq; Joseph C Windover, Sherwin-Williams; David Wright, Schuff Steel; Duff Zimmerman, Cooper Steel

  CPF Allies

  American Institute of Steel Construction, MKA Foundation, Nucor, Schuff Steel, Herrick Corporation, Cives Steel Company, Atlas Tube, Metals Fabrication Company

• Resources / Downloads

  In Development