Composite floor systems and apparatus for supporting a concrete floor

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting a concrete floor and a composite floor system constructed therewith comprises form panels supported between a plurality of joists, the joists including a shear connector at least partially embedded in the concrete slab of the floor system. Each of the joists may be formed of a double channel structural member, including a top chord to which the shear connector is secured, a bottom chord and a reinforced web.

1 . An apparatus for supporting a concrete floor comprising:
 a plurality of joist assemblies, each joist assembly having a top and a bottom and comprising a first frame member having a first top flange, a first web portion and a first bottom flange, a second frame member having a second top flange, a second web portion and a second bottom flange, the second frame member arranged such that the second web portion contiguously contacts the first web portion;   a plurality of continuous shear connectors, each shear connector having a vertical portion with a bottom secured to the top of one of the plurality of joist assemblies, the vertical portion having a length and a top with an arcuate end; and   a plurality of panels, each panel supported between a pair of adjacent joist assemblies of the plurality of joist assemblies.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the web portions of each of the first and second frame members of each of the joist assembly include a support mechanism for supporting one of the panels between a pair of adjacent joist assemblies of the plurality of joist assemblies. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the support mechanism comprises an angle component extending outwardly from the web portions of each of the first and second frame members. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the support mechanism further comprises a set of clips and tabs formed within the web portions of each of the first and second frame members, each tab vertically aligned with one of the clips for supporting the angle component. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second web portions of each of the first and second frame members further include a plurality of openings formed for accommodating building utilities. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the joist assemblies and the shear connectors are constructed of steel. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the panel is constructed of a foam material. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for supporting a concrete floor comprising:
 a least one pair of joist assemblies, each joist assembly having a top chord, a bottom chord and a web portion therebetween;   a least one pair of continuous shear connectors, each shear connector having a bottom secured to the top chord of the joist assembly, a top having an arcuate shape and a vertical portion extending therebetween, the vertical portion including a plurality of openings formed therein; and   at least one panel supported between adjacent joist assemblies.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the web portion of each joist assembly comprises a plurality of apertures formed therein. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the web portion of each joist assembly has first and second surfaces and wherein each of the first and second surfaces includes a support mechanism, wherein the support mechanisms on adjacent joist assemblies are configured to support the at least one panel therebetween. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein each joist assembly comprises a first frame member having a first top flange, a first web portion and a first bottom flange, a second frame member having a second top flange, a second web portion and a second bottom flange, the second frame member arranged such that the second web portion contiguously contacts the first web portion. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the bottom of each shear connector comprises a plurality of horizontal attachment portions, at least one of the horizontal attachment portions configured to secure to the first top flange of the first frame member and at least one other of the horizontal attachment portions configured to secure to the second top flange of the second frame member. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the joist assemblies and the shear connectors are constructed of steel and the panel is constructed of at least one layer of foam material. 
     
     
         14 . A method of supporting a concrete floor comprising:
 providing a pair of adjacent joist assemblies, each joist assembly having a top chord, a bottom chord and a web portion therebetween;   providing each joist assembly with a continuous shear connector having an arcuate top portion adapted to be embedded in the concrete floor, a vertically extending middle portion including a plurality of apertures formed therein and a bottom portion;   securing the bottom portion of the continuous shear connector to the top chord of each joist assembly; and   permanently securing a panel between the adjacent joist assemblies.   
     
     
         15 . A composite floor comprising:
 two or more joist assemblies;   one or more shear connectors secured to one or more of the joist assemblies, each shear connector having a bottom portion, a vertically extending middle portion including a plurality of apertures formed therein, an a top portion having an arcuate shape;   one or more panels supported between the joist assemblies, wherein the panels are permanently secured between the joist assemblies;   a concrete layer poured over the panels to a height above the shear connector such that middle portion and top portion of shear connector are embedded in the concrete layer when the concrete layer cures.   
     
     
         16 . A shear connector adapted for securing to a joist and embedding in a concrete layer poured over panels connected to a plurality of joists to form a composite floor, the shear connector comprising:
 a bottom portion secured to the joist;   a top portion having an arcuate shape, the top portion adapted to be embedded in the concrete layer; and   a middle portion extending between the bottom portion and the top portion, the middle portion including a plurality of openings formed therein and adapted to be embedded in the concrete layer.