Abstract: A novel building construction is described for exterior building walls. The construction comprises an interior frame formed of a plurality of laterally spaced studs or beams, a layer of rigid insulation adjacent to the exterior side of this steel frame, exterior building cladding adjacent the exterior side of the rigid insulation and a plurality of low conductivity connectors, e.g. insulating plastic connectors or thin metal strips having an insulating plastic foam coating, extending through the layer of rigid insulation and connecting together the exterior cladding and the interior steel studs or beams. Vertical channels are formed adjacent both the inside and outside faces of the insulation layer to remove moisture. This provides the required structural strength with a minimum of thermal conductivity from the warm side to the cold side of the building envelope, while providing exterior drain channels and interior moisture removing channels.

Abstract: A novel building construction is described for exterior building walls. The construction comprises an interior frame formed of a plurality of laterally spaced studs or beams, a layer of rigid insulation adjacent to the exterior side of this steel frame, exterior building cladding adjacent the exterior side of the rigid insulation and a plurality of non-thermal conducting plastic connectors extending through the layer of rigid insulation and connecting together the exterior cladding and the interior steel studs or beams. Vertical channels are formed adjacent both the inside and outside faces of the insulation layer to remove moisture. This provides the required structural strength with a minimum of thermal conductivity from the warm side to the cold side of the building envelope, while providing exterior drain channels and interior moisture removing channels.

Abstract: A novel building construction is described for exterior building walls. The construction comprises an interior frame formed of a plurality of laterally spaced studs or beams, a layer of rigid insulation adjacent to the exterior side of this steel frame, exterior building cladding adjacent the exterior side of the rigid insulation and a plurality of low conductivity connectors, e.g. insulating plastic connectors or thin metal strips having an insulating plastic foam coating, extending through the layer of rigid insulation and connecting together the exterior cladding and the interior steel studs or beams. Vertical channels are formed adjacent both the inside and outside faces of the insulation layer to remove moisture. This provides the required structural strength with a minimum of thermal conductivity from the warm side to the cold side of the building envelope, while providing exterior drain channels and interior moisture removing channels.

Abstract: A composite metal-concrete column or beam is described for use in building construction. It comprises (a) a pair of channel members fabricated of galvanized steel sheet, each channel member having a central web portion and first and second flanges substantially perpendicular to the web portion, the free edges of the flanges forming narrow lips substantially perpendicular to the flanges and the web portion having openings through which wet concrete may freely pass, the channel members being positioned in back-to-back spaced relationship with the flanges projecting outwardly, (b) panel members extending across between the flanges of each the channel member and held within the narrow lips and (c) concrete filling the space between the panel members and extending through and around the web portions, whereby the cured concrete and channel members form a strong, composite structure.

Abstract: A panel is described for use as a building component. It comprises: (a) a plurality of C-shaped sheet steel channel beams each having a central web and an inner and outer edge flange, said inner flanges having cuts therein at longitudinally spaced locations to form upwardly projecting lugs and said beam members being parallel to each other and laterally spaced from each other; (b) formwork panel members resting on the outer faces of the inner flanges and extending between the beams, said formwork panel members being held against said flanges by parts of said projecting lugs being bent around the edges thereof, with the remaining lug portions projecting outwardly between adjacent formwork panels and (c) a thin shell reinforced cementitious panel formed on said formwork panels with said remaining projecting lug portions being embedded in the cementitious material, thereby forming a reinforced building component.

Abstract: A building panel is described which can be used for either walls or floors. It comprises a thin shell unit of reinforced, monolithic cementitious material having a large, planar outer face and an inner face interconnected by parallel end edges and parallel side edges. A plurality of stud members are partially embedded in the inner face of the cementitious shell, these stud members being parallel to each other, laterally spaced from each other and being fabricated of about 15 to 25 gauge galvanized steel sheet. This steel sheet material is shaped to provide a web portion with one longitudinal edge of the web being shaped to lock the stud within the concrete shell and the longitudinal edge of the web remote from the concrete shell comprising an L-shaped flange defining the outer surface of the stud member to which a finished panel may be attached. Channel-shaped metal beam members connect the ends of the studs.

Abstract: A novel composite floor system is described, together with a specific metallic reinforcing and support section for use in the floor system. The system comprises a concrete slab and a metallic reinforcing and support section mechanically embedded in the slab. The support section comprises an elongated unitary strip having a substantially flat central web portion containing a plurality of spaced holes, a pair of substantially flat leg portions extending away from the sides of said web and an edge flange extending outwardly from the outer end of each leg portion, with at least the leg portions and the edge flanges being embedded in the concrete with the web adjacent the face of the slab. Support bolts are mounted within the web portion holes and extend outwardly from the slab. These bolts can be used to support a formwork for the pouring of the concrete slab.

Abstract: A novel metallic reinforcing strip as described for use in cementitious construction elements. The reinforcing strip in one form comprises an elongated unitary strip having a substantially flat central web portion, with the side edges of the web merging by way of rounded corners of small radius into flange portions extending away from the central web. At least the free longitudinal edges of the flanges are inclined inwardly and these longitudinal flange edges have longitudinally spaced rounded depressions of small radius pressed downwardly therein. These depressions cause associated deformation of the flanges less than the full depth of the flanges, leaving substantially undeformed longitudinal portions of the flanges adjacent the central web and outwardly bowed portions of the flange edges between the rounded depressions. These contours provide a double curvature providing maximum membrane resistance within the reinforcing strip with minimum bending or flexing stresses.