Structural frame for a building and method of constructing the same

A method for constructing a structural frame for a building, the method including:

• providing a plurality of precast columns;
• positioning the columns so as to define a perimeter of the structural frame;
• providing a plurality of precast concrete floor slabs, including a first floor slab and a second floor slab adjacent the first floor slab and spaced from the first floor slab to define an elongated space therebetween, each floor slab having opposite first and second sides and opposite third and fourth sides defining four corners therebetween, each floor slab further having first and second corner indents located in two adjacent corners, each corner indent being sized and shaped to receive one of a first and second column of said plurality of columns, the first and second corner indents extending inwardly from the first side towards the second side to define an elongated edge beam therebetween, the elongated edge beam having a length corresponding to the first distance between the first and second columns, the elongated edge beam being disposed between the first and second columns such that the first and second columns are received in the first and second corner indents and that the elongated edge beam abuts the first and second columns;
• positioning the slabs horizontally adjacent each other to define a floor of the structural frame such that the elongated edge beams extend between two adjacent ones of the columns;
• providing at least one tendon assembly extending within the elongated space between the adjacent columns;
• tensioning the at least one tendon assembly to thereby compress the elongated edge beams between the adjacent columns.

A structural frame for a building, the structural frame comprising:

• a plurality of rectangular columns including a first column and a second column adapted to be disposed adjacent the first column such that the first and second columns are spaced from each other by a first distance;
• a first precast concrete floor slab and a second precast concrete floor slab, the second floor slab being adjacent the first floor slab and spaced from the first floor slab to define an elongated space therebetween, each floor slab having opposite first and second sides and opposite third and fourth sides defining four corners therebetween, each floor slab further having first and second corner indents located in two adjacent corners, each corner indent being sized and shaped to receive one of the first and second columns, the first and second corner indents extending inwardly from the first side towards the second side to define a first elongated edge beam therebetween, the first elongated edge beam having a length corresponding to the first distance between the first and second columns, the first elongated edge beam being disposed between the first and second columns such that the first and second columns are received in the first and second corner indents and that the first elongated edge beam abuts the first and second columns;
• and
• a first tendon assembly adapted to extend within the elongated space between the first and second columns, the first tendon assembly being adapted to be tensioned to thereby compress the first elongated edge beam between the first and second columns.