Pre-cast concrete decking for load supporting structures
OwnerAftab A. Muftiinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Pre-cast concrete panels for use as deck components in a load supporting structure are constructed of non-metallic fibre reinforced concrete. Integral, transverse tension members are located externally adjacent the lower support surfaces of the panels and connected to the panels at their outer ends. The tension members carry compression forces applied to the panels by supporting an arching action, thereby avoiding the need to provide steel reinforcement across the entire interior of the concrete. This, in turn, reduces the risks of panel failure due to the corrosion of reinforcement steel located within the body of the concrete panel.
Claims7
A pre-cast concrete panel intended for use in load supporting structures, said panel comprising:
- (1) a concrete body defining two opposed, outer, lower edge portions for said panel that lie in a common bottom plane of the concrete body, said concrete body being impregnated with non-metallic, non-corrodible reinforcing fibres;
- (2) a lower surface to said concrete body that is intermediate the opposed outer, lower edge portions of said concrete body;
- and
- (3) a spaced tension member spanning the width of said concrete body adjacent said lower surface, said tension member:
- (a) having anchoring means carried by and extending transversely from said tension member at the outer ends of said tension member, said anchor means being embedded within the concrete body of said panel at said outer lower edge portions;
- and
- (b) having an intervening length extending between said outer ends that is not embedded within the concrete body of said panel;
- and
- (c) being positioned at or above said common bottom plane of the concrete body,
- whereby upon application of a vertical load to said panel, the tension member resists such loading by carrying tensile forces which support an arching action within the concrete body of the panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.