Enhancement of deflection serviceability performance of metal web joist timber floors using strongbacks

This paper presents the study on the serviceability performance of the floors constructed with metal web joists with focus on the deflection at floor centre under 1 kN point load. The studied parameters included spacing of joists, type, size, number and location of strongback, and ceiling. The test results indicate that joist spacing, strongback bracings and ceiling significantly influenced the maximum displacement of metal web joist floors. The decrease in joist spacing, the increase in number and size of strongback bracings, and the use of ceiling all largely reduced the maximum displacement of the floors. On average, the calculated displacements based on the design equations in the UK National Annex to Eurocode 5 are close to those measured.