Two webinars on FastFloor R were recently completed for engineering audiences. The webinars investigated the structural performance of a novel, nonproprietary composite steel floor system designed for rapid assembly in residential and similar applications – FastFloor R. Research on FastFloor R has been made possible by the financial support of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), the Steel Deck Institute, and in-kind support from United States Gypsum, Simpson Gumpertz & Hager, Inc. and others. Development of the floor is part of the AISC Need for Speed Initiative.
The primary version of the system comprises two opposing 3-inch-deep, 18-gauge steel decks forming a closed cell, topped with a cementitious panel and optional non-structural finishes. A series of full-scale tests were conducted—spanning bare to fully finished assemblies—under both vibration and four-point bending to evaluate dynamic and flexural behavior. Floor vibration testing was performed at each construction stage using multiple accelerometers, and preliminary results indicate clear pathways to achieving successful vibration performance. Results show that the cementitious panel significantly enhances stiffness and strength of the assembly. Observed local buckling in the steel deck prior to failure highlights the importance of composite action, and ongoing efforts aim to refine end details and explore alternative configurations for broader application.
The webinar discussed the findings and initial design ideas for the development of this new floor system.
CFSEI hosted a webinar for FastFloor R on August 28, 2025
link to CFSEI’s webinar
AISC during their Flash Steel Conference hosted a talk on FastFloor R on September 16, 2025
link to Flash Steel Conference
The AISC Learning Portal will provide recordings in the future for AISC members.
Both webinars were delivered by Ben Schafer of Johns Hopkins University.