Building/flooring panel

Abstract

A building panel has a reinforcing mesh embedded in a concrete slab formed by pressing. The reinforcing mesh is formed of wire rods each of which has at least one flat face. The rods are welded together with the flat faces of the rods abutting one another so that contact between the wire rods occurs over an area. Wire mesh of this kind has considerably enhanced weld shear strength. The panels are formed by pressing so that the concrete mix becomes dense and generally homogeneous. The high structural strength of such panels makes them ideal for use in constructing block and beam foundations and for use in walls, ceilings and flooring.

1 . A building panel having a reinforcing mesh formed of wire rods welded together, the wire rods each having at least one flat face and the rods being welded together with the flat faces of the rods abutting one another, so that contact between the wire rods occurs over an area, the reinforcing mesh being embedded in a concrete slab formed by pressing.  
     
     
         2 . A panel according to  claim 1  in which at least one face of concrete slab is formed with a decorative finish or coating.  
     
     
         3 . A panel according to  claim 1  in which the concrete mix of which the slab is formed includes particles of a range of sizes so that the resulting slab is dense and generally homogeneous.  
     
     
         4 . A panel according to  claim 3  in which the particles range from 10 mm diameter to Fines.  
     
     
         5 . A floor comprising at least one panel in accordance with any of  claims 1  to  4  and means for supporting the said panel at the edges and/or corners thereof.  
     
     
         6 . A floor according to  claim 5  in which the means for supporting the panel includes at least one pre-cast concrete beam.  
     
     
         7 . A wall comprising at least one panel according to any of  claims 1  to  4 .  
     
     
         8 . A ceiling comprising at least one panel according to any of  claims 1  to  4 .  
     
     
         9 . A method of forming a building panel comprising embedding a reinforcing mesh formed of wire rods welded together, the wire rods each having at least one flat face and the rods being welded together with the flat faces of the rods abutting one another, so that contact between the wire rods occurs over an area, in concrete and forming the concrete and reinforcing mesh into a slab by pressing.  
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9  further comprising forming a decorative finish or coating on at least one face of the slab.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 9  or  10  in which the concrete mix of which the slab is formed includes particles of a range of sizes so that the resulting slab is dense and generally homogeneous.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11  in which the particles range from 10 mm diameter to Fines.