Approximately 180,000 square feet of Ecospan Composite Floor System from Charlotte, N.C.-based Vulcraft/Verco Group, a division of Nucor Corp., was used for the Newark, Del.-based University of Delaware’s 252,000-square-foot East Residence Hall Buildings A and B. The Ecospan floor system was selected for this project for its ability to put a large amount of mechanical, electrical and plumbing equipment through its open web joist.
The composite floor system was produced at Vulcraft’s plant in Florence, S.C. Ecospan is constructed with 99 percent recycled steel materials for joists and more than 70 percent recycled steel decking.
The use of lightweight 14-inch shallow joist spanning 27 to 30 feet allowed for a lower building height, a decrease in footings and wall material, and, therefore, an overall cost savings for the project.
Erik Seiffert, business development manager at Vulcraft, says his company was excited to work with the university on the residence halls, which provide 767 beds for first-year students. “We were able to erect the Ecospan in less than six months providing a quicker construction phase,” he says.
Ecospan combines Vulcraft joists and decking with the Shearflex HD Screw, which creates a lighter-weight flooring solution that utilizes larger spans between joists. This results in space saving because a shallower joist is used and cost saving in terms of steel tonnage.
Vulcraft/Verco Group, a division of Nucor Corp., www.vulcraft.com
