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Checkered Plate On Metal Deck in Penthouse Floor

Eng_Struct

Structural
Sep 23, 2022
57
Hi Group,

The client wants to use a metal deck with checkered plate in a penthouse floor. Note that the metal deck is the primiary structural element supporting the selfweight of the floor and and other live loads - the checkered plate on top will be only 1/4" thick plate with epoxy finish to provide a floor surface - the checkered plate is not intended to span the between main framing members.

My question is regarding attaching the checker plate to metal deck or framing to prevent it from move/sliding on the metal deck. I don't think I can weld the plate to the metal deck (metal deck is only 18 guauge) as the welding will burn the deck. I am thinking of specifying self-drilling screws from checkered palte into metal deck. I wonder if anyone on the group has done this before? Any concerns with using self-drilling screws? Should I be considered specifing screws that will go down the steel framing instead of just connecting to the metal deck?

Looking for cost effective and efficient solution advice.

Regads!
 
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It is standard practice for me and firms I work for to specify screws to hold down checker plate. Though we pre drill the plate and then drill and tap the streel member below on site. This is far faster than welding, especially if the drill and tap is done with a single drill/tap bit. We used M8 screws.

Regarding self tapping screws. It isn't clear to me they'll attain sufficient grip in the 18 gauge sheet after going through 1/4" plate to provide tension to hold the checker plate down. Self tapping screws from a thick material into a thin material don't behave in the same manner as thin to thick. I'd be predrilling the 1/4" plate.
 
I do not know if locally available at your zone ,but , i will suggest aluminium pop rivets . It will be cost effective and efficient . Moreover , effective for limiting the galvanic corrosion .
 
Sounds like it will be very loud. How about polyurethane adhesive?
I like the rivet idea as well. As was mentioned, any self drilling screw would require pre-driliing of the thicker plate.
 
Stainless steel self drilling screws are often SS 410 and will rust. This will look badly as well as not doing their job. If you drill holes, you can find SS self tapping screws that are austenitic SS and are much less apt to rust. Neither will hold well in the 18 gauge substrate, perhaps look for tri-fold rivets?
 
Elco/Dewalt Bi-Flex are 300 series stainless steel, plus have a separate hardened tip, to provide better protection against hydrogen embrittlement / HSCC issue. And do come in an undercut head.
 

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