U Panels

U Panels are prestressed concrete elements that have a constant cross section.

They are manufactured using high tensile strength prestressed strands, wires or single wire which are embedded within the element.

The production of these elements is achieved using our Slipformer machine that casts elements continuously on a long production bed without the need of any formwork.

U Panels were developed to surpass the height and weight limits of traditional precast floors. It is the result of detailed market analysis to drive forward technical solutions and the implementation of advanced engineering being applied to Nordimpianti’s casting machines.

Field Applications

The TopFLOOR and TopBRIDGE series floor elements are suitable for use in any structure where it is necessary to cover large spans with self supporting beams.

The product finds its natural applications in the field of infrastructure (such as roofs, rockfall guards, underpasses and bridges) although it can also be effectively used for industrial and commercial structures.

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The possibility to use them in many areas of construction such as residential, commercial, industrial and infrastructure and agricultural sectors
Large production volumes with uniform cross sections even with different cable reinforcement configurations. Once the concrete elements have been produced they can be removed from the casting beds after just 6-8 hours when used with heated casting beds
Large production volumes with uniform cross sections even with different cable reinforcement configurations
Using these elements floors can be quickly and easily constructed because the element itself works as a formwork. With only 3-4 workers it is possible to install more than 500-600 m² of floor per day
Using these elements floors can be quickly and easily constructed because the element itself works as a formwork
Easy to install
The lower surface of the element is smooth having been produced on a steel casting bed. Generally this surface can be left as seen or can be simply painted. In residential applications only a final smoothing is required thus greatly reducing costs
The concrete elements are semi self-supporting requiring only minimal support during installation
Through the choice of the different thicknesses of the lower part of the element, floors can be produced with a high fire resistances
By eliminating some in-fill blocks it is possible to obtain resistant ribs in an orthogonal direction to the floor and fill the section to create solid ends to increase the shear strength
Excellent rigidity during the loading, unloading, lifting and installation. When compared to other non prestressed elements of the same height these products offer more rigidity and less deformation under load and consequently are less likely to suffer surface cracking
Assured quality by using specific equipment for the manufacture of the concrete elements combined with a high end quality control system
The ability to change the dimensions of the panels and the prestressed steel wire configuration according to the element technical specifications required. It is a simple and quick operation to change the necessary parts of the forming insert of the casting machine to vary the height and the thickness of the concrete elements
The use of high tensile strength prestressed strands, wires or single wire means that the prestressed elements have smaller cross sections using concrete more efficiently and thus achieving elements of a high quality. Smaller cross sections mean lighter panels reducing the cost of transport and allowing easy handling both on-site and in the production plant
The produced elements have high load resistances thanks to a low water/cement ratio of concrete from 0.32 to 0.38. In fact to produce the same profiles using traditional methods would require higher water/cement ratios and need expensive formworks.
Elements with high resistance to carbonation due to the low cement/water ratio and the high compaction level giving the finished slab high impermeability combined with high mechanical resistance.
Trouble-free element handling
Inverted T beams are normally chosen for use with load bearing wall structures, since putting the lintel in the walls does not affect the load bearing capacity of the vertical structure
Inverted I beams are normally chosen for use with load bearing wall structures, since putting the lintel in the walls does not affect the load bearing capacity of the vertical structure
In the agricultural sector, the high rigidity can help the post stand up to the tough working environment of automatic harvesting equipment. Furthermore, with the use of good quality aggregates combined with excellent concrete compaction prestressed posts limit plant disease and are very resistant to the outdoor environment over a long period of time
Prestressed lintels are normally chosen for use with load bearing wall structures, since putting the lintel in the walls does not affect the load bearing capacity of the vertical structure
Able to cover large spans and be self supporting during construction
Embedded steel reinforcement provides shear resistance and the ability to link with existing reinforcement before being cast on site, essential for bridge decks and general infrastructure
Ability to add additional reinforcement for increased anchorage during on site casting
The possibility to use lightweight Polystyrene (EPS) inserts to achieve a floor with the minimum of weight
High load capability due to concrete with a low water/cement ratio able to be compliant with even the toughest infrastructure requirements

Top Floor

Top Floor N / Top Floor S

The lower part of the slab and the vertical ribs are vibrated in one operation by NORDIMPIANTI’s Slipformer Machine. Within of the lower part and the ribs there are the pre-stressed wires and steel mesh for the vertical and horizontal load distribution.

The N series is characterized by a U profile and by the concrete topping being cast at the construction site. Steel mesh protrudes from the top of the element in order to have a good key with the cast topping.

Polystyrene (EPS) blocks can be put within the U of the element and the on-site topping can have steel mesh to help withstand the loading.The product in this version is very light making it very economic to handle and transport. The thickness of the lower part of the element can be adjusted if an increase in loading or fire resistance is required.

N version TopFLOOR elements come in standard heights of 53, 63, 73, 83, 93 mm. Every element is completed at the construction site with a concrete topping.

The S series has a box profile with the concrete topping cast directly at the element production site. After steel mesh is placed over the Polystyrene (EPS) the concrete topping is cast with another special slipformer machine.

This floor can be completed with either a concrete topping cast at the construction site or casting concrete between the sides of the element. This last solution gives side continuity from one slab and another.
The thickness of the concrete topping as well as the lower part of the element can be adjusted depending on customer’s needs.

S version TopFLOOR elements come in standard heights of 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 mm but they can also be customized.

Element Dimension Top Floor

Top Floor N

53/120

63/120

73/120

83/120

93/120

Height (cm)

Weight (Kg/m²)

5.08

5.63

6.18

6.7275

7.2775

Area (Kg/m²)

2032

2252

2472

2691

2911

Top Floor S

53/120

63/120

73/120

83/120

93/120

Height (cm)

100

Weight (Kg/m²)

7.005

7.555

8.1025

8.6525

9.2025

Area (Kg/m²)

2802

3022

3241

3461

3681

CAN BE ADAPTED ACCORDING TO CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS

Top Bridge

Top Bridge N / Top Bridge S

The Top Bridge series is characterized by having substantially larger sections able to accommodate a greater quantity of reinforcement to comply with category 1 Bridge regulations.

Otherwise the manufacture is the same as that for TopFLOOR.

Elements Dimension Top Bridge

Top Bridge N

60/120

70/120

80/120

90/120

100/120

Height (cm)

100

Weight (Kg/m²)

6.895

7.445

7.9925

8.5425

9.0925

Area (Kg/m²)

2758

2978

3197

3417

3637

Top Bridge S

60/120

70/120

80/120

90/120

100/120

Height (cm)

100

Weight (Kg/m²)

8.44

8.99

9.53

10.08

10.63

Area (Kg/m²)

3374

3594

3818

4033

4523

CAN BE ADAPTED ACCORDING TO CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS

Characteristics

Industrial Roof Coverings

EN Inverted Double T-Beams and Slabs Brochure.pdf

ES Inverted Double T-Beams and Slabs Brochure.pdf

PO Inverted Double T-Beams and Slabs Brochure.pdf

CH Inverted Double T-Beams and Slabs Brochure.pdf

U Panels

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Field Applications

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Top Floor

Element Dimension Top Floor

Top Bridge

Elements Dimension Top Bridge

Characteristics

Height/Span chart of 1st and 2nd category bridge regulations with an element lower part of at least 20 cm and element centres at 120 cm.

Gallery

U Panels

U Panels

U Panels

U Panels

Slipformer machine for U Panel casting

Slipformer machine for U Panel casting

U Panel lifting and transport

U Panel lifting and transport

U Panel with protruding steel reinforcement

U Panel with protruding steel reinforcem

U Panel with protruding steel reinforcement

U Panel with protruding steel reinforcem

Bridge construction with U panels

Bridge construction with U panels

Bridge construction with U panels

Bridge construction with U panels

Bridge construction with U panels

Bridge construction with U panels

Bridge construction with U panels

Bridge construction with U panels

Bridge construction with U panels

Bridge construction with U panels

Bridge construction with U panels

Bridge construction with U panels

U panel transport

U panel transport

Bridge construction with U panels

Bridge construction with U panels

Bridge construction with U panels

Bridge construction with U panels

U panel trasport

U panel trasport

Bridge construction with U panels

Bridge construction with U panels

Bridge construction with U panels

Bridge construction with U panels