Method of concrete building construction and adjustable brace system therefor

Abstract

A method of constructing a concrete structure and an adjustable brace system therefor includes a plurality of adjustable brace assemblies capable of providing structural support for construction of a floor structure above and for an uncured concrete wall in the concrete forms. The adjustable brace system comprises an elongated first support, an elongated second support, and a cap. The first and second supports have dimensions to allow the first support to slidably engage at least a portion the second support. A plurality of apertures are positioned in the first and second supports to enable the apertures in the first support to align with the apertures in the second support, and fasteners are secured through aligned apertures to provide for adjustability of the adjustable brace system. The cap is capable of supporting a steel truss in position for a floor structure above.

1 . A method of constructing a concrete structure, the method comprising the steps of:
 attaching a plurality of adjustable brace system to a concrete form with each adjustable brace system being adjustable by having an elongated first support and an elongated second support,   assembling the first support and second support of each adjustable brace system where the first support and the second support are dimensioned to allow the first support to slidably engage at least a portion of the second support, the first and second supports each comprising a plurality of apertures located to allow the apertures in the first support to align with apertures in the second support and being adapted to accept one or more fasteners to secure the first support and second support together to form the adjustable brace system of an adjustable length, and   positioning a cap on end portions of the first support, the cap being capable of supporting a floor structure above the concrete form.   
     
     
         2 . The method of constructing a concrete structure as claimed in  claim 1 , where the elongated first support telescopes into a portion of the elongated second support. 
     
     
         3 . The method of constructing a concrete structure as claimed in  claim 1 , where the elongated second support telescopes into a portion of the elongated first support. 
     
     
         4 . The method of constructing a concrete structure as claimed in  claim 1 , where the first support and the second support each are assembled with a web, a first flange attached to a first edge of the web and a second flange attached to a second edge of the web, and the plurality of apertures being located in the flanges of the first and second supports. 
     
     
         5 . The method of constructing a concrete structure as claimed in  claim 1 , where the cap of the adjustable brace system has an upper portion capable of supporting a truss for a floor structure. 
     
     
         6 . The method of constructing a concrete structure as claimed in  claim 1  where the cap of the adjustable brace system has a lower portion assembled with a reinforcing member extending from the first flange of lower portion to the second flange of the lower portion. 
     
     
         7 . The method of constructing a concrete structure as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising the additional step of positioning an L-shaped steel cover over the concrete forms. 
     
     
         8 . The method of constructing a concrete structure as claimed in  claim 5  comprising the additional step of positioning trusses supported on the caps of the assembled adjustable brace system and decking over the trusses to form a subfloor. 
     
     
         9 . The method of constructing a concrete structure as claimed in  claim 8  comprising the additional step of sequentially placing concrete in the concrete form and above the decking. 
     
     
         10 . The method of constructing a concrete structure as claimed in  claim 4 , where the cap is assembled with an upper portion capable of supporting in a truss seat the upper chord of truss and a nesting portion capable of permitting the end web of the truss to be assembled in position for a floor structure. 
     
     
         11 . An adjustable brace system for constructing a concrete structure comprising:
 a first elongated support and a second elongated support dimensioned to allow the first support to slidably engage at least a portion of the second support,   the first support and the second support each comprising a plurality of apertures located to enable apertures in the first support to align with apertures in the second support and to accept a fastener to secure the first support and second support together to form an adjustable brace of an adjustable length, and   a cap attached adjacent an end portion of the first support and capable of supporting a truss assembled in position for a floor structure.   
     
     
         12 . The adjustable brace system for constructing a concrete structure as claimed in  claim 11  where the first support and second supports are telescoping. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable brace system for constructing a concrete structure as claimed in  claim 12  where the first support and the second support each are comprised of a web, a first flange attached to a first edge of the web and a second flange attached to a second edge of the web, the plurality of apertures being located in the first and second flanges of the first and second supports. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable brace system for constructing a concrete structure as claimed in  claim 13  where the cap comprises an upper portion capable of supporting an upper chord of a steel truss and a nesting position capable of permitting a web portion of the truss to be positioned in assembly of a truss in a floor structure. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable brace system for constructing a concrete structure as claimed in  claim 13  where the cap comprises a lower portion capable of engaging an end portion of the first support. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable brace system for constructing a concrete structure as claimed in  claim 15  where the lower portion of the cap comprises a web, a first flange attached to a first edge of the web and a second flange attached to a second edge of the web. 
     
     
         17 . The adjustable brace system for constructing a concrete structure as claimed in  claim 16 , the lower portion of the cap additionally comprising at least one reinforcing member extending from the first flange of the lower portion to the second flange of the lower portion. 
     
     
         18 . The adjustable brace system for constructing a concrete structure as claimed in  claim 14 , where the cap comprises a lower portion capable of engaging an end portion of the first support, and a stop positioned between the upper portion and the lower portion dimensioned greater than the cross sectional dimension of the first support. 
     
     
         19 . The adjustable brace system for constructing a concrete structure as claimed in  claim 13 , where the first support and the second support have a plurality of apertures in the web of the first support and in the web of the second support adapted to engage fasteners to secure the adjustable brace to a concrete form. 
     
     
         20 . The adjustable brace system for constructing a concrete structure as claimed in  claim 11 , where the adjustable brace system is adjustable in increments of less than 6 inches. 
     
     
         21 . The adjustable brace system for constructing a concrete structure as claimed in  claim 11 , additionally comprising an anchor unit capable of anchoring an adjustable brace to a foundation.