VOIDED SLAB

METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
Construction of Green Line BRTS from KESC Power House Chowrangi,
Surjani to Muncipal Park, Saddar Karachi. Construction of Board Office
Interchange Contract Package # KAR/BRTS/GL/03 was awarded to Agha
Construction Company in February 2016. Letter of acceptance issued
March 05, 2016 as per condition of contract. Contract agreement was
signed on March 05, 2016. Detailed drawing issued May 19, 2016.
GENERAL
Voided slab are characterized by presences of voids within the slab their
function being to reduce the volume of concrete and thereby self-weight
of the structure. The voids are generally cylindrically shaped and
constructed using hollow thin walled steel/any appropriate material light
weight section placed within the slab.
Void formers are subjected to large buoyancy forces when the concrete is
cast, therefore these forces must be resisted by straps tied to the bearers
below the formwork. It is also essential that the arrangement be properly
designed and that the formers be sufficiently rigid, sealed and tied down
before casting the concrete to avoid any intrusion of concrete within the
formers.

VOIDED SLAB DECK UNDER CONSTRUCTION

VOIDED SLAB DECK UNDER CONSTRUCTION PLACEMENT OF PRESTRESSING TENDONS

PLANT AND EQUIPMENTS
Concrete Pump
Transit Mixer
Vibrators
Vibrator Shafts
Crane 20 MT
Lighting Tower
Concrete Trowel
Wooden Float
3m Straight Edge
MATERIAL

Reinforcement
Voids steel/any appropriate material
Formwork
Folding Pipes
Joints

METHODOLOGY
Survey Work
Setting out of voided slab will be done jointly by Contractor and
Consultants Surveyors as per provided drawing, No. EA-889-P4F1-S-4001,
revision 1. Before placing the reinforcement all the lines and levels
finalized and will finally checked by Consultants Surveyors and then allow
to start the placing of steel. Lines and levels of voids and pre-stressing will
be marked on formwork surface by permanent markers. Profile of the

bridge will be maintained as provided drawing No. EA-889-GL-H-3000,

revision 1 from Grid # 1 to Grid # 13 and No. EA-889-GL-H-3002,
revision 1 from Grid # 7A to Grid # 17.
Formwork
The heaviest load on forms usually occurs when the concrete is
being placed. As well as the weight of the concrete itself, (i.e. dead load),
allowance for the concreting gang and their gear must be considered, (i.e.
live load). Depositing wet concrete in heaps creates uneven pressure on
the formwork. It is important to evenly place the concrete in layers,
distributing loads equally on the formwork. The pressure is reduced as the
semiliquid concrete hardens and becomes self-supporting. Formwork
construction must be able to withstand the loads imposed.
It is essential that the formwork arrangement be properly designed
and that the formers be sufficiently rigid, sealed and tied down before
casting the concrete
Drainage holes at the low points in all void formers will be provided
as per requirement of drawing No. EA-889-P4F1-S-4010, revision 1,
Reinforcement Placement
Placement of Reinforcement will be done as per approved bar
bending schedules and provided structure drawing No. EA-889-P4F1-S4019, revision 1, No. EA-889-P4F1-S-4020, revision 1, No. EA-889-P4F1S-4025, revision 1. High strength concrete spacer blocks will be used to
provide the required cover to the reinforcement as per general notes of
the contract drawing No. EA-889-P4F1-S-4002, revision 1. Deck Slab and
Post-tensioned girder clear cover is 40 mm. All the reinforcement will be
tested before placing and get it approved from the Consultants.
Voids/Former Placement
Placement of voids/formers will be done as per approved by the
Consultant of which as shown in drawing, whereas formers will be made
from 3mm thick ply of 600 mm diameter, having weight 2.5 Kg/ft.
Drainage holes will be provided at the low points in all void formers, as
shown in drawing.
Concreting
The concrete Class D1 placement will be done by using Concrete
pump. Alternate arrangement will be available in case of breakdown of
concrete pump i.e. Crane and bucket. Crane capacity of 20 MT will be
available as standby arrangement along with the concrete bucket of
capacity of 1 Cum. To pour the concrete. Following are the stages of
Voided Slab from Grid # 1 to Grid # 17.
Sequence of Construction/Construction Stages
From grid No. 1 to 4 Construction Stage #1.
From grid No. 4 to 7 Construction Stage #2.

From
From
From
From

grid
grid
grid
grid

No.
No.
No.
No.

7 to 10 Construction Stage #3.

10 to 13 Construction Stage #4.
7A to 15 Construction Stage #5.
15 to 17 Construction Stage #6

After placing the reinforcement, voids and pre-stressing strands

pouring of concrete will start from lower point of voided slab i.e. abutment
at Grid # 1.
Concrete will be placed and compacted in layers rather than full
depth in order to reduce buoyancy forces and to avoid deflection and
settlement of the formwork and falsework.
Survey team will available during complete concreting operation to
monitor Level control, surface finish etc.
Pre-stressing Tendon Placement
Post-tensioning will be done by a recognized company M/s.
Stronghold under the direct supervision of his qualified Engineer, after
attaining the desired strength of class D1 concrete.
Method of Curing
Water ponding method will be used for curing the top surface of
voided slab.