Precast concrete slab system and method therefor

A prefabricated concrete slab system comprising:

• a plurality of prefabricated rectangular concrete slabs interlocking in a matrix arrangement such that said plurality of slabs includes internal slabs bounded on all sides by other slabs, and external slabs each having at least one free edge;
• said internal slabs each having a plurality of reinforcing elements extending longitudinally and transversely therethrough, a first end of at least said longitudinally extending or said transversely extending reinforcing elements projecting beyond a first side edge of the respective slab to form spaced male connectors, and an opposite end of said reinforcing elements being connected to a corresponding plurality of female socket fixtures spaced along a second opposing side edge of the respective slab, said female socket fixtures being open on a top surface of said slab such that male connectors along a side edge of a first adjacent slab are received in said corresponding plurality of female socket fixtures through said socket fixture openings, while said male connectors of said respective slab are received in a further plurality of female socket fixtures spaced along a side edge of a second adjacent slab;
• said external slabs each having a second plurality of reinforcing elements extending longitudinally and transversely therethrough, said second plurality of reinforcing elements having at least one end configured as either spaced male connectors or female socket fixtures along an interfacing slab edge so as to fit cooperatively with adjacent internal slabs and/or adjacent external slabs;
• and
• solidified filler in said female socket fixtures rigidly fixing said male connectors in said female socket fixtures and providing continuous reinforcement between said reinforcing elements of adjacent slabs forming said matrix arrangement.

A method for assembling a prefabricated concrete slab system which comprises the steps of:

• positioning a first prefabricated rectangular concrete slab on a roadbed, said first slab having a plurality of female socket fixtures spaced along one or more side edges which socket fixtures are connected to reinforcing elements extending longitudinally and transversely through said first slab and are open on a top surface of said first slab;
• positioning at least a second prefabricated rectangular concrete slab, said second slab having a plurality of reinforcing elements extending longitudinally and transversely therethrough and projecting beyond one or more side edges of said second slab to form spaced male connectors, such that said male connectors along one side edge of said second slab are received in corresponding female socket fixtures along one side edge of said first slab through said socket fixture openings;
• and
• filling each of said female socket fixtures having said male connectors received therein with a binder material which, when solidified, fixes said male connectors within said female socket fixtures and provides continuous reinforcement between said reinforcing elements of said first and second slabs.