Deck structure

Abstract

A modular structure for suspended floors or roofs which includes a pair of beams 4 supporting a floor slab 5 a /5 b which is preferably manufactured at ground level and then lifted into position as a modular unit 1 . The beams 4 are preferably made of steel and the floor 5 a /5 b is preferably made of concrete, which may be precast units or may be concrete poured onto profiled steel decking. In either case, the beams 4 and slab 5 a /5 b are structurally designed to act compositely.

1 . A modular deck section for a building comprises a bed section and at least one support section, which at least one support section support is operable to the bed section.  
   
   
       2 . A modular deck section as claimed in  claim 1 ,which incorporates at least two support sections, located at or close to opposite edges of the bed section.  
   
   
       3 . A deck section as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the support sections are located on a lower face of the bed section.  
   
   
       4 . A deck section as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the support sections are inward of outer edges of the bed section, to leave an overhang along each of said outer edges.  
   
   
       5 . A deck section as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the support sections are beams, which are substantially straight along an edge of the bed section.  
   
   
       6 . A deck section as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the bed section and support sections act compositely to support their own weight and/or an applied load.  
   
   
       7 . A deck section as claimed in  claim 6 , in which the composite action is achieved by allowing setting of the bed section before loading of the modular deck section.  
   
   
       8 . A deck section as claimed in  claim 1 , which is adapted to be secured to at least one other modular deck section to form a deck assembly.  
   
   
       9 . A deck section as claimed in  claim 1 , which is also/alternatively a wall section.  
   
   
       10 . A deck assembly comprising a plurality of modular deck sections as claimed in claims  1 .  
   
   
       11 . A method of construction comprises forming a plurality of modular deck sections each comprising a bed section and at least one support section; securing the modular deck sections together to form a deck assembly, said modular deck sections being secured to support beams; and securing said support beams to support columns.  
   
   
       12 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , in which the modular deck sections are formed off-site, prior to transportation to a construction site.  
   
   
       13 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , in which the modular deck sections are partially formed off-site to include the support sections and a base portion of the bed section.  
   
   
       14 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , in which a concrete section is applied to the base portion after erection of a structure formed by the modular deck sections, support beams and support columns.  
   
   
       15 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , in which the support sections of the deck sections are located inwards of edges of the bed section, allowing a cantilever effect for the structure, when the deck sections are supported by the support sections.  
   
   
       16 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , in which the support beams are arranged in pairs, one either side of their respective support columns.  
   
   
       17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , in which one support beam of said pair has an end of at least one deck section secured thereto.  
   
   
       18 . A method as claimed in  claim 17 , in which another of said pair of support beams has at least an end of at least one other deck section secured thereto.  
   
   
       19 . A method of forming a modular deck section comprises: 
 forming at least one support section and a base portion of the bed section into a base deck section.    
   
   
       20 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , in which the base deck section comprises at least two support sections.  
   
   
       21 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , which includes supporting the support sections and optionally the base section whilst forming a body portion of the bed section.  
   
   
       22 . A method as claimed in  claim 19 , in which the support sections are supported to give a camber to the support sections, by elastic deformation of the support sections.  
   
   
       23 . A method of calculating values of the size, spacing and/or other features of the deck sections formed according to the method  claim 19  and/or elements thereof.  
   
   
       24 . A computer program is operable to perform the method of  claim 23 .  
   
   
       25 . A recordable medium bearing a computer program according to  claim 24.