Engineered wall system

Abstract

There is provided an engineered wall system which comprises at least one monolithic precast concrete foundation wall panel having top, bottom and opposing side edges. Each of the panels comprises a plurality of integral ribs, evenly spaced along a length of the panel between the side edges. The ribs are vertically oriented and project inwardly when the panel is in position as part of a building wall and a first and second outermost rib form each of the opposing side edges. There is a plurality of sleeve apertures located in the top edges and axially aligned in the opposing side edges and ribs and alignment means on the first and second outermost ribs to align adjacent ones of the panels. Attachment means on the first and second outermost ribs to secure together the aligned adjacent panels is also provided, as well as installation support pads attachable to the panels.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An engineered wall system comprising: 
 at least one monolithic precast concrete wall panel having top, bottom and opposing side edges, each of said panels comprising a plurality of integral ribs, evenly spaced along a length of said panel between said side edges, said ribs being vertically oriented and projected inwardly when said panel is in position as part of a building wall, a first and second outermost rib forming each of said opposing side edges;    a plurality of sleeve apertures located in said top edges and axially aligned in said opposing side edges and said ribs;    alignment means on said first and second outermost ribs to align adjacent ones of said panels;    attachment means on said first and second outermost ribs to secure together said aligned adjacent panels; and    installation support pads attachable to said panels.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a reinforcing wire mesh within said concrete.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising metal reinforcing bars within said ribs.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said top, bottom and side edges are bevelled.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein an outermost surface of said ribs is bevelled.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said top, bottom and side edges and an outermost face of said ribs further comprise steel studs fixed thereto.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  further comprising a joining layer to join adjacent steel studs on said ribs, so as to form a skin on said outermost face of said rib and a joining layer between said steel studs on said top and bottom edges.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said joining layer is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of asphenite, drywall and plywood.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising wood strips affixed to said top, bottom and side edges.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said alignment means comprises a tongue and groove configuration on an outer surface of said side edges, from top to bottom of said side edges, constructed such that the tongue and groove configuration of one side edge of one panel cooperatively mates with the tongue and groove configuration of one side edge of an adjacent panel.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said attachment means comprises a through bolt passing through mating sleeves on said adjacent panels.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said sleeve apertures are configured on two foot centers.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a series of footings cast in place below said panels and between said pads, when said panels are in place to form a foundation wall.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  further comprising an anchor bolt in said installation pads to secure said panel to said pads.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  comprising two pads per panel when said panels are in place to form a foundation wall.  
     
     
         16 . The panel of  claim 1  further comprising an exterior veneer chosen from the group consisting of buffed finish, imprinted design or exposed aggregate.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising insulation and waterproofing means on exterior and interior surfaces at locations where said adjacent panels are joined together.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said panels may be provided with cutouts for support beams or windows.  
     
     
         19 . A method of constructing a foundation wall comprising the steps of: 
 clearing and leveling an area of ground on which the foundation is to be supported;    affixing at least two installation support pads to a plurality of monolithic precast concrete foundation wall panels;    placing said panels in position on said cleared and leveled area to form the foundation wall;    aligning adjacent of said panels and affixing all of said adjacent panels together;    leveling said installation pads;    pouring a concrete footing between said installation pads; and    backfilling around the foundation wall, so that the foundation wall is then ready to accept service cables, wires, plumbing therethrough, insulation, a top plate to support a floor thereabove and so that a concrete floor can then be poured around a bottom of the foundation wall.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the step of placing a form between said installation pads for said concrete pour.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein each of said panels includes a plurality of integral ribs, evenly spaced along a length of said panel between said side edges, said ribs being vertically oriented and projected inwardlywhen said panel is in position as part of a foundation wall, to accept insulation therebetween, after said wall has been formed.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said individual of said panels may include a beam pocket or a window cutout.  
     
     
         23 . An engineered wall system comprising: 
 at least one monolithic precast concrete wall panel having top, bottom and opposing side edges, each of said panels comprising a plurality of integral ribs, evenly spaced along a length of said panel between said side edges, said ribs being vertically oriented and projected inwardly when said panel is in position as part of a building wall, a first and second outermost rib forming each of said opposing side edges, said top, bottom and side edges and an outermost face of said ribs further comprising steel studs fixed thereto;    a joining layer to join adjacent steel studs on said ribs, so as to form a skin on said outermost face of said rib and a joining layer between said steel studs on said top and bottom edges.    a plurality of sleeve apertures located in said top edges and axially aligned in said opposing side edges and said ribs;    alignment means on said first and second outermost ribs to align adjacent ones of said panels, said alignment means comprising a tongue and groove configuration on an outer surface of said side edges, from top to bottom of said side edges, constructed such that the tongue and groove configuration of one side edge of one panel cooperatively mates with the tongue and groove configuration of one side edge of an adjacent panel;    attachment means on said first and second outermost ribs to secure together said aligned adjacent panels;    at least two installation support pads per panel and attachable to said panels by means of an anchor bolt within each of said pads to secure said pads to said panel;    a series of footings cast in place below said panels and between said pads, when said panels are in place to form the wall.