A hollow core floor is precast, pretensioned concrete slabs with voids. The concept of reducing the weight of concrete slabs by creating voids in the centre of the cross-section dates to the beginning of the previous century.
Precast, pretensioned concrete slabs are widely used in construction due to its time- and cost-effectiveness. The slabs require lower cement content, lower water to binder ratios and less steel compared to conventional concrete slabs, resulting in a lighter structure (less weight on foundations) and a smaller footprint. Precast concrete elements are fabricated in factories under well-controlled environmental conditions, producing a high-quality concrete slab with optimal material use.
