From the ARE 5.0 Ballast Practice Problems:
"A building is being planned for the storage of industrial equipment and machinery. What is the most appropriate reinforced concrete slab system for this building?"
A. Flat slab on columns
B. Flat slab on columns equipped with shearheads
C. Flat slab on beams on all four sides
D. Pan joist concrete deck system
In typical Ballast fashion, I don't see the 'best' option listed under my 4 choices (which I would think was a 2-way or waffle slab), so, going with the best available options I would pick B or maybe C. But Ballast says D is correct because 'a pan joist system is the strongest system of the options listed.' Really? I'm questioning the accuracy of this statement. We see composite metal decks used a lot in multifamily housing construction (at least in the Pacific NW), because it's lighter and more efficient, but is this truly the best solution for an industrial application?
Thoughts?