Steel deck with cementitious panel attached to the top
 

WEBINAR ON NOVEL COMPOSITE STEEL FLOOR SYSTEM - FASTFLOOR R 

August 28, 2025 | 3:00 p.m. Eastern

Presenter: Benjamin W. Schafer, Ph.D., P.E.
Johns Hopkins University

This webinar investigates the structural performance of a novel, nonproprietary composite steel floor system designed for rapid assembly in residential and similar applications.

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.

This webinar will discuss these findings and initial design ideas for the development of this new floor system.

Webinar Materials

On the day before the webinar, participants will have access to electronic versions of the following:
  • Presenter’s notes
  • Evaluation Form
  • Attendance Form

Who Should Attend?

This webinar is for engineers, architects, building officials and contractors.

Register Today

Format

Earn 1.5 PDHsWeb-based seminar using "Go To Meeting" technology.

Duration

 1+ hour of lecture, followed by discussion and questions. (1.5 hours total).

Cost

Registration Type Member Price Non-Member Price
Individual Registration (1 Participant Only) $50.00 $75.00
Site Registration (More than 1 Participants) $125.00 $200.00
Student Members Free N/A


Presenter

Benjamin W. Schafer, Ph.D., P.E.Benjamin W. Schafer, Ph.D., P.E.
Johns Hopkins University

Benjamin Schafer, Ph.D., P.E., F. SEI is the Hackerman Professor of Civil and Systems Engineering and the Director of the Ralph O’Connor Sustainable Energy Institute at Johns Hopkins University. He is an active volunteer and leader on multiple national committees related to the engineering and design of steel building structures. He has won multiple awards for his research, teaching, and speaking and currently resides in Washington D.C. with his wife and son.