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| New poured self-leveling underlayment  The Industrial Products Division of United States Gypsum Company has introduced a new addition to its family of poured, self-leveling cement underlayments called Levelrock Brand CSD, Corrugated Steel Deck, Floor Underlayment. Designed for use in buildings with light-gauge steel frame construction, the product is the poured underlayment that can be applied over metal framing systems or corrugated steel decks. The underlayment utilizes a proprietary gypsum-based concrete formulation that not only offers high, from 3,500 to 4,000 psi, compressive strengths, but is up to 55 percent lighter than 3-inch concrete. It may be applied at much lower thicknesses than poured-in-place concrete.The typical Levelrock CSD underlayment weighs only 12.8 psf and has an average pour thickness of just 1-9/16 inch. When applied 1 inch above the top of a standard 9/16-inch steel deck flute or 1-9/16 inches from the bottom of the flute, the total structural dead load weight is significantly lower than when conventional 3-inch poured concrete is used. The strength of the lighter-weight Levelrock CSD system allows more floors to be added without requiring additional steel or reinforced concrete structural support. Moreover, eliminating the need for higher-priced steel framing materials not only reduces material costs, but the additional floor space increases rentable/sellable square footage on the same building footprint. The product also dries faster than poured concrete, which has a typical curing time of 28 days. Under normal conditions, the underlayment will set within two to three hours, which allows light trade traffic to resume the following day. This time savings can reduce labor costs and facilitate scheduling advantages. Levelrock CSD underlayment installs quickly and easily. A licensed structural engineer should evaluate building loads and the framing system to determine whether a corrugated steel deck flooring system is appropriate. If so, the product is then applied by a USG-authorized Levelrock applicator. In addition, the Levelrock CSD system is non-combustible and UL rated by Underwriters Laboratories. A sound mat may easily be added so that the system meets International Building Code criteria for sound control - Codes 50 STC and 50 IIC. The Industrial Products Division of United States Gypsum Company is a producer and marketer of a wide range of industrial products used in manufacturing, tooling, plastics, coatings, construction, agriculture, Pharmaceuticals, food processing, statuary, ceramics, road repair and other applications. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Construction News :: home page |