Precast Concrete Double Tee Slabs Manufacturer UAE: Sizes, Types & DM Approval — A Complete Guide is the ultimate resource for understanding both the sizes and types of precast concrete double tee slabs, as well as knowing their DM approval.
Have you ever been into a multi-level parking garage in Dubai and wondered, “This is a very open place?,” you were most likely standing on double tee slabs. These structural workhorses support whole floors without a forest of columns below them. In the UAE, where construction is fast, of high quality, and subject to strict regulatory standards, double tee slabs are quickly becoming the preferred choice of developers and structural engineers.
From their purpose to how they work, sizes and types available and using them in the UAE, to the process of getting Dubai Municipality (DM) approval when manufacturing precast concrete.
Explain What Double Tee Slabs Are Precast Concrete Double Tee Slabs Manufacturer UAE
Double tee (also double-T beam) is a load-bearing structure, like two T-beams joined together side by side. An excellent connection is developed between the flange (the horizontal part) and the two webs (the vertical parts), which allows for high load carrying capacity with long spans.
Imagine the letter “π” cut in half. Under a broad flat deck, two downwards facing stems lie. Simple looking but very effective under load.
Double tees are precast made which enables a significant reduction in construction time. The extraordinary strength to weight ratio of the slab comes from the prestressing process – tensioning high strength steel strands before the concrete is poured in place.
A Brief History Worth Knowing
The development of the double tee can be traced back to two independent developments, one from Leap Associates, a Florida firm founded by Harry Edwards, and the other from Prestressed Concrete of Colorado.
Harry Edwards and Paul Zia developed a 4′ wide prestressed double tee section in 1951. In 1952, non-prestressed double tees were built in Miami and in 1953, prestressed double tees were built.
In the following two decades or so, spans increased in a rapid manner. This began at 20–25 feet but quickly grew to 50 feet and more. Today, double tees are used in many industrial applications and are more than 80 feet long — quite a growth spurt for a concrete product that’s more than 70 years old.
Standard Sizes of Double Tee Slabs PSU
The size is important when you are ordering precast products for a job. Let’s take a look at the standard sizes:
The typical sizes of double tees are up to 15 feet (4.6 m) for flange width, up to 5 feet (1.5 m) for web depth, and up to 80 feet (24 m) or more for span length.
The widths available are typically 8, 10 and 12 feet, with depths of 12, 16, 24, 32 and 48 inches.
Double tees are normally between 18 inches (460 mm) and approximately 36 inches (915 mm) deep. The stems are generally 6 inches (150 mm) wide at the top and 4 inches (100 mm) wide at the bottom.
Custom configurations are always available in larger projects. Standard widths are 8, 9, 10 and 12 feet and stem depth will not exceed 42 inches, and custom-designed units can be built to fit unique job specifications.
Metric equivalents are used in project drawings in the context of the UAE. Your precast manufacturer will convert these to millimetres during the process of shop drawings.
Types of Double Tee Slabs
The double tee slabs are not all equal. The right type will depend on your loading requirements, finish and structural design.
Standard Double Tee (Non-Topped)
Base unit, with structural topping added to site after installation. It is not uncommon to find topping concrete that has been connected to the flange for additional composite action in parking structures.
Pre-Topped Double Tee
These have the topping already put on at the factory prior to delivery. The double tee units are either pre-topped or field topped. Pre-topped units are already set up for efficient use on the job site.
Lightweight Double Tee
Light weight aggregate concrete to minimize overall dead load. It is suitable for projects where foundation loads are to be considered or weight reduction in seismic applications is an issue.
Wide-Flange Double Tee
An extended flange width option, which can be used when a larger span per joint and less joints is required for roof applications.
Inverted Double Tee
Less common, but adopted in certain types of bridge and elevated structure constructions (where geometry is appropriate to the structural scheme).
The Applications of Double Tee Slabs in UAE
The rapid growth of Dubai’s skyline and the development of Abu Dhabi’s industrial complexes has generated a steady demand for efficient, large span precast flooring in the UAE. This is where double tee slabs come in handy:
Economical and reliable, double tees are a favorite among parking structure designers and are a great option for other structures where the span is limited to 75 feet or less, whether used on the floor or roof.
The double tees are mainly used as floor and roof components of any structure such as parking structures, office and industrial buildings.
The UAE in particular, the major application areas are:
- Multi-level car parks in commercial and mixed-use buildings
- Large-span industrial warehouses and logistics centres
- Airport infrastructure and cargo areas
- Sports halls and indoor arenas
- Retail podium structures with open floor plates
Precast double tees have been used on parking structures in the UAE, including in Abu Dhabi where the precast systems are assessed for structure and ease of erection on an underground and elevated structures.
Precast Double Tee Slabs Offer Several Benefits
So why is it that engineers prescribe double tees instead of the usual cast in place slabs? Several good reasons.
The fastest is the most noticeable. Double tees can be set up in a matter of hours for a fast installation in one day. When there’s a strict schedule that has to be met and penalties for late work that exist, it really makes a huge difference.
Another important factor is structural efficiency. Precast concrete parking structures are attractive to owners and developers because of their low cost, rapid construction and quality of the product.
Fire resistant as part of the design. Double tees are supplied with a minimum 2-hour rating, which is the minimum code rating for buildings without further fireproofing.
Easy integration with other precast components. Double tees are suitable to be used with other precast elements like wall panels, columns and beams to create a complete precast application.
They’re also economical, as they’re low maintenance throughout the building’s life cycle, while steel frames can corrode in the UAE’s coastal climate, which is high in salts.
Dubai Municipality (DM) Approval for Precast Concrete Manufacturers
This is where it gets super UAE specific, and super important if you’re buying precast concrete products in Dubai.
Dubai Municipality has issued Administrative Decision No. (316) of 2012 for the control of Ready Mix Concrete Plants, Precast Concrete Factories and Central Batching Units (CBUs) to ensure compliance of approved regulations and specifications with regards to product quality by the manufacturers.
This is not a choice. All precast concrete factories should be issued with a Certificate of Conformity by Dubai Central Laboratory-Dubai Municipality Certificate and Quality Control of Products Section (DCLD-CQPS) as per Dubai Municipality Regulations and Requirements. DCLD-CQPS has prepared and published the Dubai Municipality Technical Guide TG-02, which outlines the requirements for precast concrete factories operations.
In simple terms, if a precast manufacturer in Dubai is not a registered precast manufacturer under the DM, then the precast products manufactured by them cannot be used on any regulated construction projects in Dubai.
The building system must be approved, in addition to the manufacturer certification. It’s a duty of all contractors and consultants to make sure that the building systems used in their projects are approved by Dubai Municipality. Applications for approval of building systems can be submitted electronically via Dubai Building Permits System (Dubai BPS). MEP Middle East
When hiring for Dubai projects, always request your supplier’s current DM conformity certificate and check with Dubai Central Laboratory to confirm. If this information is not provided by a reputable manufacturer, don’t buy it.
When Searching for a Precast Double Tee Slab Manufacturer in UAE, Consider the Following Factors
The UAE precast industry is well developed and has well-established precast firms across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. When you’re considering a manufacturer, keep these essentials in mind.
1. DM Approval and Valid Certification
As per above mentioned, it is a legal requirement for Dubai projects and is a quality assurance as a signal across all emirates.
2. Production Capacity and Pretensioning Bed Length
The length of pretensioning beds in most cases is approximately 200 to 500 feet, and each manufacturer’s bed size dictates the maximum length of a bed that they can manufacture. Wikipedia
3. Quality Control and Mix Design
The marine environment in UAE requires concrete to be resistant to sulphate and chloride. Ensure your supplier is using the correct admixtures and has lab test reports showing the durability of concrete.
4. Delivery Capability
Specialist transport will be required for large precast units. Ensure the manufacturer is able to deliver to your site – including access requirements.
5. Technical Support and Shop Drawings
A good precast supplier will not only supply the product but collaborate with your structural engineer to ensure the details of connection, camber allowances, and erection sequences are all taken into account.
The best precast manufacturers in UAE have cutting-edge manufacturing plants and a team of field experts that work hard to design, innovate and drive improvements through time efficiencies and cost savings, without jeopardizing the quality of the finished product.
Installation and Connection Details
For an experienced precast contractor, the installation of a double tee is simple, but the structural connections are important.
Units are on precast beams or cast-in-place ledges at either end. Normally, the connections between the adjacent double tees are made with embedded weld plates and steel connectors, which are welded by certified welders on site, and welded flange to flange.
A recent trend in floor systems for parking structures is to use precast double tee beams, connected flange to flange with connectors embedded in the flange to create an integral multi-beam floor.
The installation is completed with the grouting of joints and, if indicated, the application of a structural topping. The topping concrete is positioned on the precast flange to provide composite action of the structural system and to enhance the load capacity of the precast flange.
Cost Considerations in the UAE Market
Precast double tee slabs are a cost competitive solution, especially for the overall construction schedule. Because of their factory production, fewer defects, less rework and predictable delivery schedules are achieved.
The pricing for the UAE varies according to the size of the units, the grade of the concrete, the need for prestressing, and the logistics involved.
To get a quote exactly where you need it for accurate cost planning, contact a manufacturer directly who is approved by DM. Without that context the price you find online is really a guess — and construction budgets aren’t a game for guesswork.
Final Thoughts on Precast Concrete Double Tee Slabs Manufacturer UAE
Precast concrete double tee floor slabs are one of the world’s best-tested structural floor systems, having been around for more than 70 years.
Their ability to span long distances, require minimal time for installation, and fit seamlessly with DM approval systems makes them a practical and reliable option for parking garages, warehouses, and large-scale commercial structures in the UAE.
When specifying or procuring a double tee slab in UAE, the most crucial steps are:
- Ensure that you work with a manufacturer that has been approved by the Dubai Municipality.
- Check the manufacturer’s certificate.
- Obtain appropriate shop drawings reviewed by the licensed structural engineer.
- Have the building system approved by Dubai BPS if within Dubai Municipality jurisdiction.
You will be rewarded with the “π”-shaped slab supporting the next project.
