Apparatus and method for composite concrete and steel floor construction

A composite steel and concrete floor construction comprising:

• a concrete slab;
• at least two primary support members, wherein at least one of said primary support members comprises an upper chord and a lower chord, and wherein said upper chord comprises a substantially cross-shaped cross section about a longitudinal axis of said upper chord of said at least one primary support member;
• a plurality of individual laterally placed, parallel disposed secondary support members supported by said at least two primary support members, wherein each of said plurality of secondary support members comprises an upper chord and a lower chord, and wherein each of said upper chords comprises a substantially cross-shaped cross section about a longitudinal axis of said upper chords of said plurality of secondary support members;
• at least one connection point connecting said at least one primary support member to at least one of said secondary support members, said at least one connection point comprising a shear transfer connection and functioning as a shear transfer mechanism to enhance the composite nature of said composite steel and floor system;
• an intermediate web member joining said upper chord and said lower chord, said intermediate web member comprising a plurality of tension and compression members triangulating a space between said upper chord and said lower chord;
• and
• a reinforcing mesh at least partially supported upon said upper chords of said plurality of secondary support members and hanging generally in a catenary shape therebetween and being fully embedded in said slab.

A method comprising the steps of:

• supporting a plurality of secondary support members between a plurality of primary support members, each of said plurality of primary support members comprising:
• an upper chord, wherein each of said upper chords comprises a substantially cross-shaped cross section about a longitudinal axis of each of said upper chords;
• a lower chord;
• an intermediate web member joining said upper chord and said lower chord, said intermediate web member comprising a plurality of tension and compression members triangulating a space between said upper chord and said lower chord;
• each of said plurality of secondary support members comprising:
• an upper chord, wherein each of said upper chords comprises a substantially cross-shaped cross section about a longitudinal axis of each of said upper chords;
• a lower chord;
• an intermediate web member joining said upper chord and said lower chord, said intermediate web member comprising a plurality of tension and compression members triangulating a space between said upper chord and said lower chord;
• placing a support platform between at least two of said secondary support members;
• and
• pouring a concrete slab over said support platform, thereby embedding at least a portion of each of said upper chords of said plurality of secondary support members in said concrete slab.