Structural element and methods of use thereof

Abstract

A pre-formed structural concrete element for use in the formation of a composite concrete floor of a building or the like, the element comprising: a generally planar base portion having opposing faces; a series of generally parallel spaced apart formations extending from one said faces of the base portion each defining along with an adjacent formation a void space therebetween and wherein the formations terminate in a plateau and have at least a narrow portion and a wide portion between the plateau and the one said faces of the base portion.

1 - 51 . (canceled) 
   
   
       52 . A pre cast structural element for use in the construction of a composite floor and beam slab construction, the structural element comprising:
 a base having an underside surface and an upper surface,   at least two spaced apart formations extending from the upper surface at a web junction and each including a plateau and a wall defining, in conjunction with an opposing wall of an adjacent formation, a recess, the walls disposed at an angle other than normal to the upper surface of the base of the structural element;   wherein the plateau width dimension of each said formations as viewed in cross section is greater than a width dimension of a corresponding web junction of each said formations.   
   
   
       53 . A structural floor system comprising a composite slab supported by a plurality of support columns; the composite slab comprising;
 at least one generally elongated pre cast structural element comprising;   a base and an upper surface, at least two spaced apart formations extending from the upper surface at a web junction and including a plateau and side walls each defining, with an opposing side wall of an adjacent formation, a recess; wherein the plateau width dimension of each said formations as viewed in cross section is at least seventy percent greater than a width dimension of a corresponding web junction of each said formations; and wherein the composite concrete slab, also comprises an overlay layer which abuts said plateau of each said formations, the composite supported directly or indirectly by said columns.   
   
   
       54 . A suspended composite floor assembly including an array of pre cast structural elements disposed in a first orientation and an array of pre cast structural elements disposed in a second orientation; each structural element comprising:
 a base having an underside surface and an upper surface,   at least two spaced apart formations extending from the upper surface and each including a plateau and side walls each defining, with an opposing side wall of an adjacent formation, a recess, wherein the plateau width dimension as viewed in cross section of each said formations is at least seventy percent greater than a width dimension of a corresponding web junction of each said formations;   the side walls disposed at an angle to the opposing upper surface of the base of the element’ the floor assembly further comprising an overlay layer engaging the plateau of the formations.   
   
   
       55 . A generally elongated pre cast structural element for use in the construction of a composite floor and beam slab construction, the structural element comprising;
 a base and an upper surface,   at least one formation extending from the upper surface and including a plateau and side walls each defining, with an opposing side wall of an adjacent formation, a recess; the side walls disposed for at least part of their length at an angle other than normal to the to the upper surface wherein a plateau width dimension as viewed in cross section of each said formations is at least twenty percent greater than a width dimension of a corresponding web junction of each said formations.   
   
   
       56 . A structural element according to  claim 52  wherein each recess is defined by a base and walls. 
   
   
       57 . A structural element according to  claim 56  wherein each formation is spaced apart from an adjacent formation. 
   
   
       58 . A structural element according to  claim 57  wherein the formations form longitudinal ribs along the length of the element. 
   
   
       59 . A structural element according to  claim 58  wherein each recess has a wide portion at the upper surface of the base and a narrow portion adjacent the plateau of the formations. 
   
   
       60 . A structural element according to  claim 59  wherein each formation has a narrow portion near the upper surface of the base and a wide portion adjacent the plateau of the formation. 
   
   
       61 . A structural element according to  claim 60  wherein each formation includes a portion between the plateau and the upper surface of the base having a gradual increase in width as the formation extends away from the base. 
   
   
       62 . A structural element according to  claim 61  wherein a tapered region extends at least part way from the plateau of each formation towards the junction between the formation and the upper surface of the base. 
   
   
       63 . A structural element according to  claim 62  wherein, the taper extends the full distance from the plateau to the upper surface of the element. 
   
   
       64 . A structural element according to  claim 62  wherein the taper is terminated short of the plateau. 
   
   
       65 . A structural element according to  claim 62  wherein the formations include a shoulder adjacent the plateau which receives a cover over the recess thereby maintaining a void space in the element between adjacent formations. 
   
   
       66 . A structural element according to  claim 63  wherein each formation has a generally dovetail geometry with a narrow portion at the web junction between the upper surface of the element and the formation tapering out to a wide portion at the plateau. 
   
   
       67 . A structural element according to  claim 66  wherein walls of the formations are planar but inclined at an angle other than 90 degrees to the upper surface of the element. 
   
   
       68 . A structural element according to  claim 67  wherein, the voids are be filled with material selected from polystyrene, cement or concrete. 
   
   
       69 . A structural element according to  claim 67  wherein the voids are left empty. 
   
   
       70 . A pre-formed structural concrete element for use in the formation of a composite concrete floor of a building or the like, the element comprising:
 a generally planar base portion having an upper face and an underside face;   a series of generally parallel spaced apart formations extending from the upper face of the base each defining along with an adjacent formation a void space therebetween and wherein the formations terminate in a plateau and have at least a narrow portion and a wide portion between the plateau and the one said faces of the base portion; and wherein the plateau width dimension as viewed in cross section of each said formations is at least twenty percent greater than a width dimension of a corresponding web junction of each said formations.   
   
   
       71 . A pre-formed element according to  claim 70  wherein the formations are longitudinal spaced apart ribs extending the length of the element. 
   
   
       72 . A pre-formed element according to  claim 71  wherein the ribs include an outward taper from an upper face of the base portion to the plateau 
   
   
       73 . A pre-formed element according to  claim 72  wherein the upper portion of the ribs is generally thicker than the lower portion of the ribs. 
   
   
       74 . A pre-formed structural element according to  claim 73  wherein longitudinal formations at edges of the element are asymmetrical 
   
   
       75 . A pre-formed structural element according to  claim 74  wherein the formations intermediate the edge formations are symmetrical 
   
   
       76 . A pre-formed structural element according to  claim 75  wherein an outer edge face of longitudinal formations have a shoulder whose geometry transmits shear forces between abutting elements 
   
   
       77 . A pre-formed structural element according to  claim 76  wherein the element is tapered towards one end and relative to a longitudinal axis of the element. 
   
   
       78 . A composite structural floor comprising;
 at least one pre cast structural element having   a base having an underside surface and an opposing upper surface,   at least two spaced apart formations extending from the upper surface and each including a plateau and side walls each defining, with an opposing side wall of an adjacent formation, a recess, the side walls disposed at an angle other than normal to the upper surface of the base of the element; wherein the plateau width dimension as viewed in cross section of each said formations is at least twenty percent greater than a width dimension of a corresponding web junction of each said formations; and wherein an overlay layer which engages the at least one element via the formations.