Abstract: A joist suitable for use in a composite concrete floor is disclosed. The joist comprises a top chord, a bottom chord; and a vertically extending intermediate web having a top end secured to the top chord and a bottom end secured to the bottom chord. The top chord comprises a pair of longitudinally continuous symmetrical chord members facing each other and embracing the top end of the web. Each of the chord members includes a vertical portion secured to the top end of the web and a slanting upper extension extending above and away from the top end of the web, thereby providing a shear connecting portion and a flared opening, between the two facing chord members, giving access to the web and improving access of a welding tool to the area between the symmetrical portion of the top chord and the web member that must be joined together.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a framing system for a composite concrete floor, the framing system comprising horizontally extending primary framing members supporting secondary framing members across the primary framing members. Each of the secondary framing members has two opposite ends provided with a shear shoe fixed to the primary framing members by means of a structural joint sufficient to provide a shear connection between the concrete floor and the primary framing members. Thanks to these shear shoes, the framing system of the invention has an increased resistance to horizontal shear forces as compared to prior art concrete floor systems.

Abstract: A structural post is disclosed for use in a van of the type comprising an outer shell with vertical sidewalls and an interior wall surface comprising a plurality of liner panels. The structural post, used with other like structural posts, is for removably mounting the liner panels in front of the sidewalls. The structural post comprising a rear face securable to one of said vertical sidewalls, a front face for facing the interior of the van, and two longitudinally extending channels facing sidewise in opposite direction for accommodating a side edge of a liner panel. Each of the two channels has a splayed cross-section with a front wall generally parallel to the front face and a slanted rear wall facing the front wall whereby each side edge of a liner panel is insertable in either one of the two channels with the liner panel extending in bias with respect to the structural post.

Abstract: The composite steel/concrete column comprises a longitudinally extending H-shaped steel assembly having a pair parallel flange plates and a web plate interconnecting the flange plates and defining two opposite channel-shaped spaces. A plurality of spaced-apart transversal tie bars are disposed along the steel assembly on each side of the web plate for interconnecting the flange plates. A mass of concrete is filling the channel-shaped spaces. The column steel concrete column is characterized in that the ratio of the cross-sectional surface area of the steel assembly with respect to the total surface area of the composite steel/concrete column is less than 9%, preferably 2% to 5%. The column is principally to be utilized in structural steel high-rise buildings which have the advantage of shop prefabrication resulting in rapid on site construction.