Abstract: A punching tool for attaching adjacent steel deck panels along a side-lapped seam positions first and second jaws on one side of the seam, and positions third, fourth and fifth jaws on the other side. An actuator compresses the two sets of jaws; blades on the ends of such jaws shear the seam to create two louvers extending in one direction separated by a third louver extending in the other direction. The first jaw blade passes between the third and fourth jaw blades, and the second jaw blade passes between the fourth and fifth jaw blades. The blades are tapered to prevent binding upon release. The blades may include semi-cylindrical punching portions, and can be formed as detachable inserts coupled to the jaws, as by dovetail joints. The jaws may be made of a metal having a hardness rating less than that of the detachable blade inserts.

Abstract: A punching tool for forming an attachment in a side-lapped seam of steel decking includes four cutting jaws each having a cutting edge. Two jaws are positioned against one side of the seam, and two jaws are positioned on the opposite side of the seam. An actuator selectively pivots the cutting edges of opposing jaws generally toward each other to a closed position, driving the cutting edges of a first pair of jaws partially past each other for cutting a first slot through the seam, and driving the cutting edges of a second pair of jaws partially past each other for cutting a second slot through the seam.

Abstract: A punching tool for forming an attachment in a side-lapped seam of steel decking includes four cutting jaws each having a cutting edge. Two jaws are positioned against one side of the seam, and two jaws are positioned on the opposite side of the seam. An actuator selectively pivots the cutting edges of opposing jaws generally toward each other to a closed position, driving the cutting edges of a first pair of jaws partially past each other for cutting a first slot through the seam, and driving the cutting edges of a second pair of jaws partially past each other for cutting a second slot through the seam. Also disclosed are a method for forming such an attachment, as well as the attachment structure which results therefrom.

Abstract: A diaphragm for use in a building structure includes a fluted deck supported by horizontal support beams and includes a contoured shear resisting member disposed internally from an end of the fluted deck for stiffening the fluted deck against horizontal shear loads imposed upon the diaphragm. The bottom flutes of the fluted deck overlie at least one horizontal support beam with which the shear resisting member is associated. Both the shear resisting member and the associated support beam extend perpendicular to the flutes within the fluted deck. The shear resisting member includes a substantially planar horizontal flange which spans a number of the top flutes of the fluted deck, and a first series of welds secures the upper flange of the shear resisting member to the underlying top flutes. A series of spaced tabs extend downwardly from a side edge of the upper flanged, each spaced tab lying within a trough of the fluted deck.

Abstract: The bottom flutes of a fluted deck or diaphragm of a building are fixedly attached to a horizontal load bearing member supported by vertical load resisting members. A load translation member precludes relative movement between the top flutes en masse and the bottom flutes en masse. By precluding relative movement of the top and bottom flutes, the shear loads imposed upon the diaphragm by earthquakes and/or high winds are translated throught the load translation member and the load bearing member to the vertical load resisting members.

Abstract: The bottom flutes of a fluted deck or diaphragm of a building are fixedly attached to a horizontal load bearing member supported by vertical load resisting members. A load translation member precludes relative movement between the top flutes en masse and the bottom flutes en masse. By precluding relative movement of the top and bottom flutes, the shear loads imposed upon the diaphragm by earthquakes and/or high winds are translated through the load translation member and the load bearing member to the vertical load resisting members.

Abstract: The bottom flutes of a fluted deck or diaphragm of a building are fixedly attached to a horizontal load bearing member supported by vertical load resisting members. A load translation member, fixedly secured to the top flutes of the diaphragm and to the horizontal load bearing member, precludes relative movement between the top flutes en masse and the bottom flutes en masse. By precluding relative movement of the top and bottom flutes, the shear loads imposed upon the diaphragm by earthquakes and/or high winds are translated through the load translation member and the load bearing member to the vertical load resisting members.

Abstract: A fluted deck for use in the building industry includes a plurality of vents disposed within the webs interconnecting top and bottom flutes. Since the webs are proportionally stronger than the top and bottom flutes, the vents do not reduce the inherent strength of the deck. The vents are inwardly oriented louvers longitudinally aligned with the troughs developed in the deck. When concrete fill is poured upon the deck and particularly when the concrete fill is covered by non-porous insulating material, the vents promote and insure more uniform and more complete curing than unvented deck. The inwardly directed louvers form recesses or depressions within the concrete fill to physically interlock the deck with the concrete fill and form a high strength unitary diaphragm for buildings.