# US 8,782,993 B2 · Structural unit comprising a truss and fibrous cementitious slab building element connected together > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,782,993 B2 - Document ID: US8782993B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/515,772 - Filed: 2010-12-13 - Published: 2012-10-04 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2009-12-14 - Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Applicants: Derek Trent Lawley - Inventors: Derek Trent Lawley - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8782993B2 ## CPC - E04C 3/29: built-up from parts of different material, {i.e. composite structures} - E04B 1/043: {Connections specially adapted therefor} - E04B 1/483: {Shear dowels to be embedded in concrete} - E04B 5/04: with beams {or slabs} of concrete or other stone-like material, e.g. asbestos cement (E04B5/08, E04B5/14 take precedence) - E04B 5/06: {with beams} placed against one another {optionally with pointing-mortar} - E04B 5/10: with metal beams or girders, e.g. with steel lattice girders (E04B5/14 takes precedence) - E04B 5/12: with wooden beams (E04B5/14 takes precedence) - E04B 5/16: Load-carrying floor structures wholly or partly cast or similarly formed in situ (E04B5/43 - E04B5/48 take precedence; floors merely characterised by the prefabricated elements E04C) - E04C 2/044: {of concrete (E04C2/049 takes precedence)} - E04C 3/291: {with apertured web} - E04C 3/293: the materials being steel and concrete (concrete with internal reinforcements or tensioning members E04C3/20) - E04C 3/294: of concrete combined with a girder-like structure extending laterally outside the element (light weight girders used as reinforcement E04C5/065; as part of a floor structure E04B5/23) - E04C 5/0645: {Shear reinforcements, e.g. shearheads for floor slabs} - E04B 2005/237: {Separate connecting elements} - E04C: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS; BUILDING MATERIALS (for bridges E01D; specially designed for insulation or other protection E04B; elements used as building aids E04G; for mining E21; for tunnels E21D; structural elements with broader range of application than for building engineering F16, particularly F16S) - 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 The present invention relates to improvements to building construction. Particularly, the present invention relates to a structural unit for the use in building construction of floors, roofs and walls of a building. There is provided a structural unit for a building comprising: at least one truss; at least one fibrous cementitious building element; and at least one connection member configured to connect the at least one truss to the at least one fibrous cementitious building element, wherein, the connection member is integral with the building element and accessible for connection of the at least one truss to the building element. Also claimed is a method of constructing the structural unit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A structural unit for a building comprising: at least one truss; at least one fibrous cementitious building element; and at least one connection member configured to connect the at least one truss to the at least one fibrous cementitious building element, wherein, the connection member is integral with the building element and accessible for connection of the at least one truss to the building element, the connection member is in the form of a plate(s), the plate(s) is fixed to a top chord of the truss, the plate(s) is configured so that the plate(s) stands proud of the top chord of the truss, and the plate(s) is configured so that it does not protrude through the surface of the fibrous cementitious building element when connected to the truss after pouring and setting of cementitious material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A structural unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fibrous cementitious building element is manufactured out of Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A structural unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nail plate(s) is a toothed metal shear plate(s). ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A structural unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection member is integrally formed within a steel fabricated truss. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A structural unit as claimed in claim 4, wherein the integrally formed connection member is extruded or formed from the steel fabricated truss. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A structural unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fibrous cementitous building element includes at least one keying rebate recess or lineal recessed slot which is formed in the building element during the casting process. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A structural unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the recess is positioned along at least one edge of the building element where corresponding structural flooring units join. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) A structural unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein a total volume taken up by the building element is spatially separate from a total volume taken up by the at least one truss. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A structural unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fibrous cementitious building element includes at least one key hole cavity which is formed in the building element during casting of the cementitious building element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A structural unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the key hole cavity receives a secondary connection member and grout. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A structural unit as claimed in claim 10, wherein the secondary connection member is a foot anchor or headed stud. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A structural unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cementitious building element is pre-cambered during the casting of the cementitious building element. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A structural unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portions of the connection member integral with the building element are in the form of a planar structure extending into the building element. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A structural unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portions of the connection member integral with the building element have boundaries that extend in one or more directions of extensions all respectively generally lying in the same plane. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A structural unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portions of the connection member integral with the building element are in the form of a rectangular structure extending into the building element. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A structural unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portions of the connection member integral with the building element extend into the building element in a linear manner without a component orthogonal thereto. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A structural unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the portions of the connection member integral with the building element extend into the building element in a linear manner without a component orthogonal or oblique thereto. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A structural unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the truss is not integral with the building element. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A structural unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the truss is a timber truss. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A structural unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the truss is a metal truss. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) A structural unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the truss includes a plurality of elongate components including respective outer cross-sections lying on respective planes normal to respective longitudinal axes of the respective elongate components respectively having heights that are greater than thickness of the building element. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) A structural unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection member is in the form of nail plate(s) having a plurality of teeth.