Abstract: A rough-in box used during the construction of buildings having poured concrete flooring, such as multi-story high-rise buildings. The rough-in box may be used to retain an opening in the floor through which plumbing and mechanical components may be installed after concrete has been poured around the device and hardens into a slab. The present invention also relates to a method comprising the steps of assembling the side walls of a box, placing a lid made of a material stronger than that of the side wails and capable of supporting a weight of 2,000 pounds, placing the box over a hole on the floor, and pouring concrete to form a floor around the box. The box will remain in place providing an accessible penetration through the flooring with space for plumbing connections and a flush surface with the floor over which pallet jacks and workers may travel without obstruction.

Abstract: A support for installing facing materials such as ceramic tiles on a substrate such as floors, walls and ceilings wherein the support plate has a plurality of spaced apart recesses in the plate material, with the recesses being open at the top surface and have solid sidewalls and a base, and a plurality of slots in the non-recessed portions of the plate material extending through the top surface and bottom surface, the slots joining one or more adjacent recesses. The support plate of the invention is used for tile installations between the substrate and such tile. Thin-set mortar that is used to secure the tile to the support plate flows into the recesses and into the slots forming a continuous bond between the mortar and the adjacent slots providing for a strong bond between the support plate, mortar and the tiles.

Abstract: A deck block adapted to be interconnected with other deck blocks to form an insulating deck for casting concrete. The deck block comprising a foam panel at least one hole extending into the panel from the one end toward an opposing end such that the hole has an open end and a closed end. At least one protrusion extends from the panel and the protrusion is matingly receivable in at least a portion of a hole of a like panel to interconnect the panels in an end-to-end relationship. The panel has a vertical groove extending from a bottom surface and intersecting the opening of the panel to provide a fluid flow channel from the opening to the bottom surface of the panel when the like panels are interconnected. The protrusion has a horizontal groove extending along a lower end thereof from a distal end of the protrusion to a proximal end thereof so as to intersect the vertical groove.

Abstract: A multi-piece interconnected body for use in at least structural support and/or in creating internal cavities for an improved strength-to-weight ratio in a variety of structures is nestable prior to its assembly and use. When assembled, the device preferably forms a generally spherical and hollow body, with (1) one or more ribs or similar structural support network associated with and/or integrally formed in the body; (2) at least one latch mechanism to help hold the pieces in a desired assembled relationship with each other; and (3) a hinge or other interconnecting element that facilitates nesting and/or stacking of a plurality of the bodies with each other prior to assembly, association of the multiple parts of each body with each other prior to assembly, and ready repositioning of those parts into a desired assembled position.

Abstract: A method for the production of a building construction with the aid of permanent formwork, comprising the steps of: placing formwork on a support, wherein the formwork includes a profiled formwork form with raised parts and lowered parts; applying a curable concrete mix on top of the formwork; curing the concrete mix; and placing reinforcement in at least one of the lowered parts of the formwork form, such that a reinforced beam is formed in said at least one lowered part of the formwork form. Such formwork is relatively lightweight and can provide certain physical building characteristics such as fire retardancy, thermal insulation and optionally acoustic insulation.

Abstract: Multiple layers of polymer foam form structural concrete into a desired planar shape that retains a foam panel when flat or upright. The polymer foam has a planar shape and an exterior surface with multiple channels into the panel. The channels are generally wider at the bottom and narrower towards the top, preferably a trapezoidal shape. In use, the panel is placed flat within a forming frame, exterior surface upwards. Then concrete is poured upon the exterior surface and into the channels. The trapezoidal shape of the channel prevents removal of the panel from the concrete. The concrete panel can then be used flat or upright as specified for a construction project.

Abstract: Construction element for forming a reinforced concrete slab (2), consisting of the combination of at least a hardened concrete layer (3), at least a number of reinforcement elements (4) and elements (5) extending at least partially from the concrete layer (3) and defining cavities (6), whereby these elements (5) are designed to be covered with concrete (7) at a later stage characterised in that the above-mentioned elements (5) defining the cavities (6) consist of elements (5) which can be mutually nested as such.

Abstract: The invention relates to a steel-concrete hollow bodied slab or ceiling comprising concrete webs, which are arranged in between hollow bodies, and a reinforcing layer on top of the hollow bodies and a reinforcing layer underneath the hollow bodies, wherein a hollow body is embodied as a peripherally closed container which is devoid of any ascending force and which is open towards the bottom, whereby ventilation holes are provided in the covering wall thereof and the container comprises spacers. The aim of the invention is to obtain a low-cost hollow bodied slab/ceiling exhibiting good load-bearing behavior and an increased ability to discharge transversal forces according to local requirements. According to the invention, the concrete in at least one concrete web consists of high-tensile fibers and/or at least one steel strut, preferably a double wall anchor, and/or the hollow body which is devoid of ascendant forces has a conical or truncated pyramidal periphery whose uppermost end forms a dome-shaped arch.

Abstract: A structural member includes side walls, a top wall connecting a top region of the side walls, a bottom wall connecting side wall bottoms and extending beyond the side walls to form wings each having one portion of a connector for connecting members to one another, a span connected to the side walls, and truss configurations each connected to the span and the bottom wall and respectively to one side wall. Side walls, top wall, and span define an upper interior chamber and span, truss configurations, and bottom wall define a lower interior chamber. Each truss configuration has a vertical wall and two intermediate walls. An assembly of members interlock with one another in series by connecting a first portion of the connector with a second portion of another member. These interlocked members form a structure for receiving concrete as a base for a ribbed concrete slab.

Abstract: A slab bolster upper for supporting rebar in a reinforced concrete structure while the concrete is poured and thereafter cures, is of molded plastic construction and is formed with horizontal and vertical voids that facilitate concrete placement and break up potential shear planes. Opposite ends of each unit are provided with complementary buckles to interconnect with like units to form a continuous support of desired length.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a trench drain includes an elongated trench form, first and second spaced apart frame rails, a support member and a first and second fastener. The trench form includes at least one folding member folded along predetermined lines. The support member is affixed to the first and second frame rails to maintain the first and second rails in a fixed position relative to each other. The support member includes first and second fastener bearing surfaces spaced above respective uppermost surfaces of transverse portions of the first and second frame rails. The first and second fastener bear against fastener bearing surfaces of the support member and releasably engage the first and second frame rail. A joint support member may be included to align adjacent trench drain assemblies.

Abstract: The structural framing system comprises a steel beam that supports flooring components interconnected through the addition of a solidifying material such as poured concrete. A structural framing system is created by anchoring steel beams to vertical columns, spanning floor sections between the steel beams, pouring concrete into the interior of the beams and contacting the flooring components, and then forming a rigid joint between the steel beam, floor sections and columns through the addition of a bonding layer.

Abstract: A process for constructing a wall, floor or ceiling in situ. The process includes the steps of erecting a substantially rigid frame (10) and attaching fiber reinforced cementitious sheets (50) to the front and rear faces of the frame to form a void (60) therebetween. This void (60) is then filled with a lightweight aggregate concrete slurry and allowed to cure. The sheets are adapted to absorb sufficient moisture from the lightweight aggregate slurry to provide natural adherence of the concrete slurry to the sheets without substantially losing their structural integrity during setting and curing of the concrete slurry.

Abstract: A prefabricated concrete panel for building floors in civil or industrial structures, comprising a concrete body with a reinforcement provided with portions which protrude from one of the larger faces of the body of the panel which constitutes extrados of a floor and are designed to be embedded in the casting of the topping of the floor. At least one first shaped sheet is provided inside the body of the panel, is made of thermally insulating material, is interposed between the two larger faces of the panel body and forms, between the two larger faces of the panel body, a ventilation chamber which is composed of a plurality of mutually connected cells.

Abstract: A composite building system includes open webbed joists with lower flanges aligned parallel to one another and spaced at a distance to create longitudinal block accepting channels. The channels are sized to accept standard masonry blocks. Masonry blocks and compressible spacers of a height less than the height of the masonry blocks are alternately laid in the longitudinal channels such that rows of blocks are aligned transversely across the channels thereby creating a grid-like pattern of blocks separated transversely by the joists and longitudinally by the spacers. Transverse grooves are created above the spacers and between adjacent blocks in each channel. Longitudinal troughs are created between adjacent blocks across each channel. Wire reinforcement is laid in the transverse grooves and grout is poured to fill the transverse grooves and the longitudinal troughs to form an integral steel reinforced concrete structure having a substantially planar top surface.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a concrete deck form panel includes the initial step of cutting an insert within the panel, which may be removed by sliding the insert longitudinally from the panel. A pair of structural members are attached to the longitudinal sides of the insert, and then the insert is returned to the original position within the panel. A series of panels are connected to form a floor for supporting concrete, thereby forming a concrete deck system. In a second embodiment of the invention each form panel is formed by attaching a pair of structural members to longitudinal sides of a central body and then attaching L-shaped members to the structural members. A top plate is mounted to the top of the L-shaped members and the central body to form the integrated form panel.

Abstract: A composite floor structure comprises a mortar layer set by a mineral agent and a carrier plate adjoining the lower surface of the mortar layer. The carrier plate has upwardly projecting structural members extending into the mortar. The dimensions of the mortar coating over the structural members are so low that the structures created in the mortar by the structural members represent weak areas. When stresses arise in the mortar layer, joint face assemblies connecting weak areas are formed to reduce stress in a uniform manner. By forming different joint face assemblies, a joint face structure is produced, wherein to reduce stress, the stress causing the mortar to fracture only results in a low level of longitudinal change in each individual joint face. Consequently, each individual joint face only takes the form of a microcrack.

Abstract: An insulated concrete slab assembly for use over expansive soils. A slab is cast in place by pouring concrete into preshaped insulating forms. The forms remain permanently in place and provide insulation to reduce heat transfer through the slab. The shape of the forms provides strengthening ribs on the slab. The ribs act as beams which allow the slab to bridge or cantilever over expansive soil between foundation walls. The forms are supported during construction by support members or legs which later prevent damage to the slab by eliminating or limiting the forces which can be applied to the slab by expanding soil.

Abstract: A form void for providing a space between a poured concrete structure and an underlying expansive soil is formed of three sheets of corrugated paper for shipping in a flat "knock-down" configuration and is erected at the construction site simply by inserting one panel into a groove between two other panels. The upper surface is comprised of three panel thicknesses, and the outer support panels are reinforced by a pair of internal support panels. The cross-sectional shape may be trapezoidal, rectangular, symmetric or non-symmetric, or have a sloped top.

Abstract: An element for use in making a reinforced concrete structure of substantially planar shape. The element includes a) at least a lower reinforcing mesh consisting of mutually crossing reinforcing rods (1, 2) rigidly secured to each other, and b) a number of spaced filler bodies (3) of substantially identical shape and size cooperating with the lower mesh (1, 2) so as to locate them in a regular pattern corresponding to the pattern of the lower mesh. These filler bodies (3) interengage (14) with the lower mesh (1, 2) so as to form a rigid body, with the spaced filler bodies cooperating with the reinforcing mesh to provide cavities in the finished structure. The filler bodies (3) include flanges (8) cooperating with each other to form a lower shuttering. Preferably also, an upper reinforcing mesh (1a, 2a) is used, further increasing the rigidity of the element.

Abstract: A two-part collapsible form void for providing a space between a poured concrete structure and an underlying expansive soil is formed of a foldable outer section and a foldable inner section which, when erected, is longitudinally slidable into the erected outer section. The form void may be shipped in the separated and collapsed state, reducing shipping volume by up to 85 percent, and is easily erected by hand at the job site.

Abstract: A composite building system includes a special joist having a lower flange in one embodiment and a special ladder reinforcement in another embodiment, a plurality of special masonry blocks defining a longitudinal trough, the blocks having mutually co-planar upper surfaces and at least one stepped upper edge, the stepped upper edges of the plurality of blocks running substantially transverse the trough in a grid-like pattern, a network of wire lateral reinforcement disposed in at least some of the stepped edges; and a flowable or fluid grout filling the stepped edges and the trough and, when cured, binding the joist or ladder reinforcement and the plurality of blocks to form an integral steel reinforced concrete structure having a substantially planar surface.

Abstract: A heat releasable bracket, for supporting a ceiling panel under normal conditions, and for releasing the ceiling panel when exposed to elevated temperatures caused by a nearby fire or the like, includes a first bracket part which includes a mounting portion for securing the first bracket portion to a support structure such as a beam, column, wall, etc.; a second bracket part which is adapted to be secured to the first bracket part and provide a support for the ceiling panel; and a heat releasable link which normally joins the first and second bracket parts together, but which releases the second bracket part from the first bracket part when exposed to elevated temperatures, which in turn allows the ceiling panel to drop away from the position at which it is normally supported. The heat releasable bracket can form part of an effective and relatively inexpensive ceiling panel support system comprised of at least one heat releasable bracket and at least one other bracket which is not heat releasable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for erecting building structures is presented. A plurality of wall panels are interconnected with each other in an array by column connectors interposed therebetween. Wall caps are then placed upon top surface portions of the wall panels and column connectors. Floor panels are then joined to the wall caps, with the floor panel forms having cavities to form headers over supporting wall panels and purlins between supporting wall panels. Rebar is placed into selected wall panels, purlins, and headers. Concrete is then deposited into selected ones of the wall panels and over the floor forms, filling the purlin and header cavities. Subsequently, a new array of wall panels and column connectors is erected on top of the poured concrete and the process is repeated to erect subsequent stories of the building.

Abstract: A composite building system includes a joist having a lower flange, a plurality of masonry blocks supported on opposite sides of the joist by the flange and defining a longitudinal trough in which the joist is disposed, the blocks having mutually co-planar upper surfaces and at least one stepped upper edge, the stepped upper edges of the plurality of blocks running substantially transverse the trough in a grid-like pattern, a network of wire lateral reinforcement disposed in at least some of the stepped edges; and a flowable grout filling the stepped edges and the trough and, when cured, binding the joist and the plurality of blocks to form an integral structure having a substantially planar upper surface.

Abstract: A two-layer cavity floor construction comprising a base layer of profile element panels with a plurality of passage-forming spacer elements and a surface layer which combine to provide a minimal overall height with particularly good noise and footstep insulation. The base layer is formed from a noise-insulating material preferably based on polyurethane bound in a polyurethane foam.

Abstract: A building foundation form work arrangement in which a plurality of boxes 1 are located on a supporting level surface and are kept apart to leave channels 4 between the boxes 1, and spacers 22 engaging respective sides of each of the corners of the boxes 1 so as to hold these in position against substantial lateral dislodgement forces when concrete is poured into the channels 4.

Abstract: A method of forming a foundation having intersecting beams and floor portions, comprises leveling the ground on which the foundation is to be located. A plurality of inverted hollow members are positioned in rows. The hollow members are separated by spacers. Lower reinforcing rods are positioned on the spacers and between the hollow members. A reinforcing mesh is laid over the hollow members, and concrete is poured into the channels between and over the hollow members so as to envelope the reinforcing rods and the mesh.

Abstract: The floor is composed of parallel spaced beams (11) having flanges (12) and blocks (13) of polystyrene foam which are laid on the flanges to bridge the gaps between the beams. Boards (26) are laid on the polystyrene blocks, and are supported by the blocks, which form load-bearing members of the floor. The blocks may have flanged portions (14) extending over the beams, so as to provide heat insulation.

Abstract: A cavity floor is formed by placing on a structural floor bottom a flexible floor mold which has leg forming portions arranged in an array with generally planar portions extending between and surrounding the leg forming portions. A flowable substance is applied over the mold, which subsequently hardens to form an upper floor having a plurality of legs defined by the leg forming portions, with a cavity region therebetween. The planar portions of the flexible floor mold permit adjacent leg forming portions each separately to contact the floor bottom under the weight of the applied flowable substance, even if the floor bottom is uneven.

Abstract: Ceiling block construction comprising cast concrete bottom parts with planar walls and upwardly opening depressions for the selective reception of depending projections integrally formed with foam plastic top parts, providing an interlocking structure. A single top part can be of a size so as to overlay multiple bottom parts with depending projections engaged within the depressions of each of the multiple bottom parts.

Abstract: A ceramic material firing furnace, wherein heat is supplied through perforated plates provided on the furnace crown and furnace channel slabs. The plates have an upper face and lower face interconnected by ribs, and are supported by silicon carbide beams.

Abstract: A system for forming concrete structural elements including a plurality of runners forming a spaced array; a plurality of supports extending upwardly from and connecting intersecting runners; and a plurality of coffer plates secured in position over the supports by a plurality of anchor nuts capable of interacting with the concrete poured to form the structural element. The coffer plates initially act as a mold for the structural element being formed. Thereafter, the array of runners and supports are used to suspend finishing components (plumbing lines, electrical conduit, electrical wiring and fixtures, ceilings, non-load-bearing walls, etc.) from the structural element without requiring alteration of the concrete forming the structural element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improvements in the construction of roofs, floors, and more specifically, to a structure permitting the pouring of reinforced concrete without the need of other frames or centering. This becomes possible by using a beam with hollows (structure type) having the capacity for supporting without deflecting the weight of elements which make up the slab thereby enabling the beam to be self-supporting. A counter brace helps support the filler elements and the reinforced concrete.

Abstract: A masonry block comprises pairs of spaced opposed side walls and spaced opposed web walls forming a cavity therebetween. An insulative plate of thermally insulative material is disposed within the cavity. The insulative plate extends across the cavity from one to another of the web walls. The side walls each include a portion spaced from the insulative plate so as to define an air cell therebetween extending from one to another of the web walls. The side walls each further include another portion projecting into engagement with the plate to form an air barrier extending across the air cell from one to another of the web walls. Upon forming a wall with such insulated blocks, the air cells are sealed-off from one another to limit convection within the wall.