Stud rail systems and methods for use in reinforced concrete structures

A method of reinforcing a concrete structure comprising a column portion and a slab portion, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a form;
• providing a plurality of rail portions;
• providing a plurality of cross portions;
• forming a plurality of sets of support openings in each of the plurality of the cross portions;
• providing a plurality of pin projections on each of the plurality of rail portions;
• providing a plurality of support assemblies;
• providing a plurality of support projections;
• supporting each support projection by one of the plurality of support assemblies;
• forming at least one stud rail assembly by arranging each of the plurality of support projections within one of the support openings of each set of support openings such that the rail portions are rotatably connected to the cross portions at a plurality of axis points to allow the stud rail assembly to be reconfigured between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration;
• before and during pouring of concrete to form the slab portion, arranging the at least one stud rail assembly such that the at least one stud rail assembly is supported at a desired location and orientation relative to the column portion;
• and
• arranging concrete on the form around the stud rail system in the desired location and orientation to form the slab portion such that at least the cross portions, the pin projections, the support projections, and the support openings of each stud rail assembly are outside an area above the column portion.

A reinforced concrete structure comprising:

• a column portion;
• a slab portion;
• a stud system comprising a plurality of stud rail assemblies, where each of the plurality of stud rail assemblies comprises
• a plurality of rail portions,
• a plurality of cross portions, where a plurality of sets of support openings are formed in each of the plurality of the cross portions,
• a plurality of pin projections each supported by one of the plurality of rail portions,
• a plurality of support assemblies,
• a plurality of support projections, where each of the support assemblies supports one of the plurality of support projections;
• wherein
• each of the support projections extends through one of the support openings in each set of support openings such that the rail portions are rotatably connected to the cross portions at a plurality of axis points to allow the stud rail assembly to be reconfigured between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration;
• before and during pouring of concrete to form the slab portion, the stud system is arranged to support the plurality of stud rail assemblies at desired locations and orientations relative to the column portion;
• and
• when supported at the desired locations and orientations during pouring of the concrete slab portion, the plurality of stud rail assemblies is arranged within the slab portion such that at least the cross portions, the pin projections, the support projections, and the support openings of each stud rail assembly are outside an area above the column portion.