# US 8,739,496 B2 · Structure and construction method using a transparent or translucent member > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,739,496 B2 - Document ID: US8739496B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/785,444 - Filed: 2013-03-05 - Published: 2014-05-01 - Granted: 2014-06-03 - Earliest claimed: 2012-10-26 - Applicants: David Brodowski - Inventors: David Brodowski - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8739496B2 ## CPC - E04B 5/38: with slab-shaped form units acting simultaneously as reinforcement; Form slabs with reinforcements extending laterally outside the element {(beams placed against one another and acting as permanent forms E04B5/23)} - E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001}) ## Abstract A construction method is disclosed. The method includes providing a bottom support between a plurality of structural members and using the bottom support to support a structural material in a plastic state. The method also includes using the bottom support to support the structural material as it hardens from a plastic state into a hardened state. The structural material remains attached to the bottom support after the structural material hardens. The bottom support is transparent or translucent. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A construction method, comprising: providing a bottom support between a plurality of structural members; using the bottom support to support a structural material in a plastic state; and using the bottom support to support the structural material as the structural material hardens from a plastic state into a hardened state; wherein the structural material remains in contact with the bottom support after the structural material hardens, the structural material and the bottom support forming a structural assembly; wherein the bottom support is transparent or translucent; wherein the plurality of structural members transfers load from the structural assembly to additional structural elements; wherein the structural material in the plastic state is concrete in a plastic state; wherein the structural material in the hardened state is structural reinforced concrete; and wherein the plurality of structural members are bridge superstructure structural members. ### Claim 2 A construction method, comprising: providing a form member between a plurality of structural members; providing a supporting member between the plurality of structural members, the supporting member being supported by the structural members; supporting the form member with the supporting member; and providing a structural material in a plastic state on the form member; wherein the form member is transparent or translucent; wherein a lower surface of the form member is in bearing contact with an upper surface of the supporting member; wherein the structural material in the plastic state is concrete in a plastic state; and removing the supporting member after the structural material hardens, and re-using the supporting member to support another form member at another location. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The construction method of claim 2, wherein the supporting member is a removable form that is transparent or translucent. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The construction method of claim 3, further including providing additional removable forms that are stacked beneath the form member and the supporting member that is a removable form. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The construction method of claim 2, wherein the form member is a corrugated form, and the supporting member is a removable corrugated metal form that is nested with the form member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The construction method of claim 2, wherein: the form member is one of a substantially flat member or a corrugated member; and the form member is transparent plastic. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The construction method of claim 2, wherein: a lower surface of the form member is in bearing contact with an upper surface of the supporting member; the supporting member is one of a reinforcing bar, a prefabricated structural shape, and a plate; and the supporting member is made from one or more of steel, wood, and composite material. ### Claim 8 A construction method, comprising: providing a stay-in-place form between a plurality of structural members; providing a supporting member between the plurality of structural members, the supporting member being supported by the plurality of structural members; supporting the stay-in-place form with the supporting member, wherein the stay-in-place form is in contact with the supporting member; providing uncured concrete in a plastic state on the stay-in-place form; and removing the supporting member after the concrete cures; wherein the stay-in-place form is transparent or translucent; and wherein the plurality of structural members transfers load from the supporting member to additional structural elements or directly to the ground; wherein providing the supporting member includes providing a supporting member including two elements and a coupler coupling the two elements; and wherein removing the supporting member includes displacing a first end of at least one of the two elements of the supporting member into the coupler so that a second end of the at least one of the two elements displaces away from the structural member supporting the at least one element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The construction method of claim 8, wherein: displacing the at least one of the two elements of the supporting member into the coupler includes doweling a threaded end portion of the at least one of the two elements of the supporting member into a threaded aperture of the coupler. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The construction method of claim 8, further including re-using the supporting member to support another stay-in-place form at another location. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The construction method of claim 8, wherein removing the supporting member includes saw-cutting the supporting member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The construction method of claim 8, wherein providing the stay-in-place form between the plurality of structural members includes attaching the stay-in-place form to a plurality of intermediate structural members, at least one of the plurality of intermediate structural members being attached to each structural member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The construction method of claim 12, wherein attaching the stay-in-place form to the plurality of intermediate structural members includes epoxying the stay-in-place form to the plurality of intermediate structural members. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The construction method of claim 12, wherein attaching the stay-in-place form to the plurality of intermediate structural members includes fastening an end portion of the stay-in-place form to at least one of the intermediate structural members via an alignment pin.