Honeycomb-structured hollow-block concrete floor

Abstract

The invention relates to a hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab made from concrete having reinforcements and conical hollow bodies (1) the cross-section of which is essentially round, oval or more than quadrilateral, wherein hollow bodies (1) are arranged between an upper and a lower reinforcement layer (15, 16) at least in sections essentially in the most compact configuration possible, wherein the areas between the upper and the lower reinforcement layers (15, 16) may be provided without hollow bodies (1). The object of the invention is to provide an improvement over conventional hollow body concrete floors. This object is solved in that spacers (8, 9) are arranged between upper reinforcement layer (15) and hollow bodies (1) on the one hand and between lower reinforcement layer (16) and hollow bodies (1) on the other hand, and that vertical reinforcements (17) are inserted in at least some of the interstitial spaces formed in each case by three adjacent hollow bodies (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab made from concrete having reinforcements and conical hollow bodies the cross-section of which is essentially round, oval or more than quadrilateral, wherein hollow bodies are arranged between an upper and a lower reinforcement layer at least in sections essentially in the most compact configuration possible, wherein the areas between the upper and the lower reinforcement layers may be provided without hollow bodies.

[0002] The use of hollow bodies to make a concrete ribbed floor is known from AT 249964. The hollow bodies described in that that document are essentially quadrilateral hollow bodies having an upwardly tapering cross-section. The hollow bodies are disposed on a lower formwork floor with the aid of spacers and arranged adjacently in rows. Spacing between the hollow bodies is assured by spacers that are inserted afterwards between the hollow bodies arranged in rows. The hollow bodies described can only be used to produce hollow body concrete floors or hollow body concrete slabs that have an oriented bearing structure. Depending on the application, it is possible in this manner to construct floors having parallel ribs or intersecting ribs. It is therefore only possible to produce floors having a bearing structure that is oriented on one or two axes. Consequently, it is practically impossible to create floors that do not have an essentially rectangular surface with the structure described. A further drawback of the method of floor construction of the prior art consists in that the hollow bodies with the spacers are supported on the lower formwork. If the formwork is removed after the concrete has hardened the spacers are visible from below. Unsightly corrosion marks result therefrom. In the floor constructions described in the Austrian document, the concrete ribs created thereby must be reinforced with a reinforcing steel mesh. This operation is long and labour-intensive.

[0003] An improved version of hollow body floors is described in EP 0980936. This document discloses a method for securing hollow bodies having round or hexagonal cross-section in reinforcing cages. The hollow bodies are disposed with the reinforcing cages in a type of honeycomb arrangement on a lower reinforcing layer. The honeycomb arrangement represents the most compact packing arrangement for hexagonal hollow bodies. Hollow bodies are not used in the vicinity of the buttresses. Here, only reinforcing cages without hollow bodies are installed in the hollow body floor to preserve the honeycomb arrangement. A second reinforcing layer is then applied on top of the reinforcing cages. The tensile stresses in the floor are borne by the almost vertical faces of the reinforcing cage construction. Because of its triaxial bearing structure, this floor construction makes it possible to build floors having any surface area The disadvantage in this case is the relatively complicated reinforcing cage arrangement.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to facilitate the construction hollow body concrete floors and hollow body concrete slabs.

[0005] This object is solved by the fact that spacers are provided both between the upper reinforcing layer and the hollow bodies, and between the lower reinforcing layer and the hollow bodies, and that vertical reinforcements are disposed in at least some of the interstitial spaces created by three respectively adjacent hollow bodies. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab produced by this method has a number of critical advantages. Firstly, the need for reinforcing cages is eliminated. The spacing between the upper and the lower reinforcing layers is assured by very simply manufactured upper and lower spacing members. The hollow body concrete floor described needs no reinforcement in the form of horizontally aligned concrete ribs. This means that labour-intensive weaving of reinforcement rods may be omitted. The use of less concrete leads to a corresponding reduction in the cost and weight of the construction. The reduction in weight is maximised by arranging the hollow bodies so that they are packed together as closely as possible. The tensile and shearing stresses are absorbed by vertical reinforcements that are disposed in certain interstitial spaces formed by three respectively adjacent hollow bodies. The vertical reinforcements may be simply implanted in the spaces from above. The hollow body concrete floor described may occupy any surface area. This is because the packing of the hollow bodies in the densest possible arrangement means that the bearing structure has no orientation. Their conical conformation enables the hollow bodies to be stacked, so that they can be transported and stored inexpensively. This in turn means that the hollow bodies may be fabricated with very thin walls. The spacers between the upper reinforcing layer and the hollow bodies on one side, and between the lower reinforcing layer and the hollow bodies on the other side, ensure that the reinforcing layer may be positioned highly accurately. The reinforcing layer on top of the upper spacers further serves as a work surface, since it will support foot traffic. It is highly advantageous that the hollow bodies may be placed contiguously without levelling.

[0006] In areas where the floor must be of solid construction, plastic or concrete steel rings having the same dimensions as the hollow bodies are installed instead of the hollow bodies, so that adjacent arrangement may continue in these areas also without difficulty. However, reinforcing cages are required in these areas to support foot traffic and to preserve the function of the spacers. The areas are then completely filled with concrete to create a solid concrete section.

[0007] In one advantageous configuration of the invention, the hollow bodies and the upper and/or lower spacers are a single unit. This reduces the labour effort at the construction site considerably, since the upper and lower spacers do not need to be laid separately between the reinforcing layers and the hollow bodies. The upper and/or lower spacers may be produced, for example, together with the hollow bodies in a single pouring. The stacking capability of the conical hollow bodies.

[0008] In a further advantageous improvement, the upper and/or lower spacers are conformed annularly. The annular upper and/or lower spacers may be attached, for example, either to the top or the base of the hollow bodies. When conical hollow bodies are used, the upper and/or lower spacers are well adapted to this shape. The annular conformation provides for better loading of the hollow bodies. The top wall of the hollow body is thus not subjected to bending stress.

[0009] A particularly advantageous improvement of the invention provides that the upper and/or lower spacers are made from component parts. Since the spacers can be clipped onto the hollow bodies, the thickness of the layer of concrete above and/or below the hollow bodies may be varied according to the selected size of the spacers, so that it is not necessary to use hollow bodies of different dimensions.

[0010] It is particularly advantageous if means are provided for attaching the upper and/or lower spacers and/or component parts. This enables the upper and/or lower spacers to be produced independently of the hollow bodies. As a consequence, normal commercially available hollow bodies may be used as receptacles. The upper and/or lower spacers just have to be attached to the receptacles on site. It is conceivable that the upper and/or lower spacers may simply be placed on the hollow bodies.

[0011] A particularly advantageous configuration of the invention provides for the attachment of the upper and/or lower spacers and/or component parts to the hollow body by means of a clip mechanism. For this purpose, openings are furnished in regular intervals around the circumference of the hollow bodies, into which the lateral spacers may be clipped.

[0012] The clip mechanism provide for secure attachment and adequate stability. It is advantageous if vertical reinforcement is provided in the form of double-headed anchors. These are inserted in at least some of the interstitial spaces created by at least three adjacent hollow bodies. The double-headed anchors have proven to be effective as vertical reinforcement rods. They serve to absorb the tensile and shearing stresses. It is particularly advantageous if the double-headed anchors are attached to three respectively adjacent hollow bodies with a three-point bearing.

[0013] It is particularly advantageous if hollow bodies having varying average diameters are provided in the hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab. Smaller hollow bodies make for smaller bearing distances. Thus if hollow bodies having a smaller diameter are used, relatively high floor loads may be borne without the need to make the concrete slab thicker above and/or below the hollow bodies.

[0014] It is advantageously provided that the hollow bodies are made from plastic. This reduces the weight of the hollow body concrete floor considerably. Moreover, production costs are low, since plastic hollow bodies may be mass-produced. If hollow bodies made from plastic are used, it is possible to use not only conventional concrete receptacles as the hollow bodies, onto which receptacles the upper and/or lower spacers and/or lateral spacers are placed, but also hollow bodies made from plastic, on which the upper and/or lower and/or lateral spacers are conformed directly.

[0015] The provision of lateral spacers represents an advantage. The provision of lateral spacers allows the hollow bodies to be arranged without levelling If the size of the lateral spacers is varied, the spaces between the hollow bodies may be adjusted to the requirements of the application.

[0016] If the lateral spacers constitute a single unit with the hollow body, a significant amount of work at the construction site is eliminated. The hollow bodies with lateral spacers are unloaded from the truck onto the lower reinforcement layers, and then arranged without levelling.

[0017] It is advantageous if the spacers may be assembled from separate components. The amount of space required for storage is reduced and transportation facilitated thereby.

[0018] In one configuration of the invention, means for attaching the lateral spacers to the hollow bodies are provided. The lateral spacers may be produced independently of the hollow bodies, so that normally available receptacles may be used as the hollow bodies. The hollow bodies are attached to the hollow bodies at the construction site.

[0019] The lateral spacers are attached more easily to the hollow bodies if, in accordance with a preferred improvement of the invention the lateral spacers may be secured to the hollow body by means of a clip mechanism, the lateral spacers are only inserted into holes located in the circumference of the hollow bodies.

[0020] In an advantageous arrangement, the lateral spacers are assembled from separate components. This has benefits for storage, since less storage space is required.

[0021] It is particularly practical if the lateral spacers and/or the upper and/or lower spacers are furnished with apertures distributed over the circumference. These serve to allow the concrete to flow through. The apertures ensure secure implantation of the hollow bodies in the hollow body concrete floor because the concrete fills the apertures.

[0022] An improvement of the invention provides that at least some hollow bodies are furnished with at least two lateral apertures to allow gases to flow in and escape, and that at least two apertures each of different hollow bodies are connected by pipes. This provisional step during construction enables the hollow bodies located in the hollow body concrete floor to be used as a heating or air conditioning system after the concrete has been laid. For example, a fan may be used to force air through the hollow bodies that are connected to one another by a network of pipes. It is preferable to avoid the arrangement of complicated heating or air conditioning systems under the floor pavement.

[0023] It is advantageous if at least some pipes are furnished with butterfly valves. These butterfly valves may be used to regulate the flow of air. This means that directed regulation of the individual cavities is with cold or warm air is possible.

[0024] An embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawing.

[0025] In the drawing:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of a hollow body having lateral spacers and lower spacers;

[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective representation of the hollow body with clippable lateral spaces as well as upper and lower spacers;

[0028] FIG. 3 is an representation of the clip mechanism;

[0029] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a hollow body in the adhesive arrangement between concrete and reinforcement;

[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a double-headed anchor;

[0031] FIG. 6 is a representation of a hollow body and reinforcement arrangement;

[0032] FIG. 7 is a representation of hollow bodies interconnected with pipes.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a hollow body 1 under no load, top wall 2 of which is furnished with ventilation holes 3. Upper spacers 8 are attached to the top face of hollow body 1, lower spacers 9 that are attached to the underside are not visible in FIG. 1. Upper spacers 8 and lower spacers 9 serve to maintain the separation between hollow body 1 and reinforcement layers (not shown). Lateral spacers 5 are attached to the hollow body. Lateral spacers 5 are annular in shape, as are upper spacers 8. Apertures 6 are furnished along the entire circumference of lateral spacers 5 and upper and lower spacers 8, 9. Apertures 6 of upper spacers 8 are located in a concentric cylindrical surface 20. Apertures 6 of lateral spacers 5 are located in a radial annular surface 21. Apertures 6 allow the concrete to flow through. Apertures 6 enable hollow bodies 1 to be incorporated in the concrete significantly more effectively because the concrete flows through apertures 6. Hollow body 1 consists of a conically conformed receptacle made from plastic. This allows hollow bodies 1 to be stacked inside one another.

[0034] FIG. 2 also shows hollow body 1. It differs from FIG. 1 in that lateral spacers 5 and upper spacers 8 and lower spacers 9 may be clipped onto hollow body 1. Lateral spacer 7 is also assembled from four component parts, which must be clipped on individually. A similar method of assembling separate components is also conceivable for upper spacers 8 and lower spacers 9. Upper spacers 8 and lower spacers 9 are attached to the hollow body from above and below respectively, in this embodiment, both spacers 8 and 9 and shown as single-piece units.

[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates the principle of a possible clip mechanism 11. Holes 10 are bored in hollow body 1. Upper spacers 8 and lover spacers 9 are inserted into these holes 10 using a clip mechanism 11. Clip mechanism 11 consists of a pin 12, on whose end 13 distal to lateral spacer 7 or lower spacer 9 is attached an elastic wedge 14, which collapses against pin 12 while the clip mechanism is being inserted in hole 10, and expands again when the mechanism is fully inserted, whereby upper and lower as well as lateral spacers are secured.

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a hollow body in the adhesive arrangement between concrete and reinforcement. The necessary distance between adjacent hollow bodies is maintained by lateral spacer 7. The hollows bodies are packed as tightly as possible. Upper spacers 8 and lower spacers 9 maintain the distance between upper reinforcement layer 15 and lower reinforcement layer 16. In known hollow body concrete floors, the hollow body would have had to be suspended in wire cages. A further innovation consists in the lateral spacers do not need to be inserted between the hollow bodies subsequently, which would not allow the hollow bodies to be arranged without levelling. Lateral spacers 7 and spacer 8, 9 are either attached to hollow bodies 1 before they are arranged, or already form an integral part of the unit. This is an exclusive method for saving a great deal of time in arranging the hollow bodies. At the same time, a major fraction of the concrete and steel is eliminated, thereby reducing the weight and the thickness of the floor.

[0037] FIG. 5 shows a double-headed anchor 17. This is inserted between adjacent hollow bodies in areas requiring reinforcement against tensile and shearing stresses. Double-headed anchor 17 absorbs the tensile and shearing stresses, whereas the concrete absorbs the compressive stresses.

[0038] FIG. 6 shows a hollow body and reinforcement arrangement. Hollow bodies 1 with lateral spacers 7 are arranged in the most compact configuration possible. Hollow bodies 1 are situated between two reinforcement layers, the distance from which is maintained by upper and lower spacers 8, 9. The upper reinforcement also serves as a work surface. Double-headed anchors 17 are inserted between adjacent hollow bodies 1 in areas requiring reinforcement against tensile and shearing stresses. These are located in the interstitial spaces created by the most tightest possible packing arrangement. In areas 18 where the floor must consist of solid concrete reinforcing cages 19 having the same dimensions as hollow bodies 1 are implemented. The bearing force of the floor shown here is not oriented. This means that, floors of any surface shape may be constructed very easily. Before, it was necessary to reinforce the individual ribs of hollow body concrete floors with horizontal reinforcing means. To this end, reinforcing rods had to be woven together. According to the present invention, this can be dispensed with entirely. This represents a considerable reduction in concrete used. The floor is easier to construct and thus also considerably less expensive. The double-headed anchors serve to absorb the tensile and shearing stresses that arise and are inserted from above in the interstitial spaces between the hollow bodies.

[0039] FIG. 7 shows hollow bodies 1 having lateral apertures 22. These lateral apertures 22 are connected by means of pipes 23. Certain pipes are furnished with butterfly valves. In this way, air may be pumped through the hollow bodies in the completed floor that are connected by the pipes. Thus, the floor provides air conditioning and heating. A complicated piping system is not required.

[0040] key to Drawings

[0041] 01 Hollow body

[0042] 02 Top face

[0043] 03 Ventilation holes

[0044] 04 Bottom face

[0045] 05 Lateral spacers

[0046] 06 Apertures

[0047] 07 Lateral spacers

[0048] 08 Upper spacers

[0049] 09 Lower spacers

[0050] 10 Boreholes

[0051] 11 Clip mechanism

[0052] 12 Pin

[0053] 13 End

[0054] 14 Elastic wedge

[0055] 15 Upper reinforcement layer

[0056] 16 Lower reinforcement layer

[0057] 17 Double-headed anchor

[0058] 18 Solid concrete floor area

[0059] 19 Reinforcement cages

[0060] 20 Concentric surface

[0061] 21 Radial surface

[0062] 22 Lateral apertures

[0063] 23 Pipes

Claims

1. A hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab made from concrete having reinforcements and conical hollow bodies the cross-section of which is essentially round, oval or more than quadrilateral, wherein hollow bodies are arranged between an upper and a lower reinforcement layer at least in sections essentially in the most compact configuration possible, wherein areas between upper and lower reinforcement layer may be provided without hollow bodies, characterised in that spacers (8, 9) are arranged between upper reinforcement layer (15) and hollow bodies (1) on the one hand and between lower reinforcement layer (16) and hollow bodies (1) on the other hand, and that vertical reinforcements (17) are inserted in at least some of the interstitial spaces formed by three adjacent hollow bodies (1).

2. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according to claim 1, characterised in that hollow bodies (1) and upper and/or lower spacers (8, 9) are a single unit.

3. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according to either of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the upper and/or lower spacers (8, 9) are annular.

4. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the upper and/or lower spacers (8, 9) may be assembled from separate components.

5. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that means (11) are provided for attaching the upper and/or lower spacers (8, 9) and/or the separate components.

6. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the upper and/or lower spacers (8, 9) and/or the separate components are secured to hollow body (1) by means of a clip mechanism (11).

7. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that double-headed anchors (17) are provided as vertical reinforcement.

8. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that hollow bodies (1) having varying average diameters are provided in the hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab.

9. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that hollow bodies (1) are made from plastic.

10. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that lateral spacers (5, 7) are provided.

11. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according to claim 10, characterised in that lateral spacers (5, 7) and hollow bodies (1) are a single unit.

12. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according to either of claims 10 or 11, characterised in that lateral spacers (5, 7) may be assembled from separate components.

13. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according to any of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that means (11) are provided for attaching the lateral spacers (5, 7) to hollow body (1).

14. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according to any of claims 10 to 13, characterised in that the lateral spacers (5, 7) are secured to hollow body (1) by means of a clip mechanism (11).

15. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according to any of claims 10 to 14, characterised in that lateral spacers (5, 7) are assembled from separate components.

16. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according to any of claims 10 to 15, characterised in that lateral spacers (5, 7) and/or the upper and/or lower spacers (8, 9) are furnished with apertures (6) distributed about their entire circumference.

17. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according to any of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that at least some hollow bodies (1) are furnished with at least two lateral apertures (22) to allow gases to flow in and escape, and that at least two apertures each of different hollow bodies (1) are interconnected by pipes 23).

18. The hollow body concrete floor or hollow body concrete slab according to any of claims 1 to 17, characterised in that at least some pipes are furnished with butterfly valves.