Precast concrete modular building panel

Abstract

A precast modular panel suitable for forming at least a portion of a wall or other part of a building, and associated methods of constructing said panel, the panel comprising lightweight, high strength, water resistant concrete achieved by a unique combination of lightweight aggregates and structural additives, said concrete therefore exhibiting high structural strength and high insulative properties. In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, the panel comprises a layer of lightweight high strength concrete possessing high insulative properties combined with a layer of lightweight concrete particularly selected to enhance the composite insulative properties of the panel. The panel may be constructed with a minimum of labor and with maximum utilization of available forms and the like and may carry provisions for its ready connection with other similar panels, and with other building structures. The panel comprises also electrical outlets and passages therethrough, so that such passages need not be installed in the building walls after construction. The lightweight aggregates comprise scoria to impart strength to the concrete, in cooperation with especially selected pumice to provide water resistance and high insulative properties, along with chopped fiberglass to enhance the structural strength, so that the lightweight concrete possesses strengths fully comparable to those of many concretes for structural uses. The insulative properties of the lightweight concrete contract very favorable to those of other lightweight concretes, and with conventional structural concrete. The panel may be so constructed as to require no subsequent decorative finishing.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.