Concrete beam assembly

Abstract

A concrete beam assembly has a concrete beam with two vertical webs spaced apart from one another that extend along the length of the beam. A horizontal first flange extends between the first edges of the webs, so that the webs and first flange define a channel extending along the length of the beam. Horizontal second and third flanges extend laterally outward in opposing directions from the second edges of the webs. A flat flooring structure is supported by the upper surfaces of the beam.

1 . A concrete beam assembly comprising:
 a concrete beam having:   (a) at least two vertical webs spaced apart from one another extending along the length of the beam, said webs having first and second edges;   (b) a horizontal first flange extending between the first edges of the webs, whereby the webs and the first flange define a channel extending along the length of the beam, and   (c) horizontal second and third flanges extending laterally outward in opposing directions from the second edges of the webs, whereby said flanges define upper and lower surfaces of the beam; and   a flat flooring structure supported by the upper surfaces of the beam.   
     
     
         2 . The concrete beam assembly of  claim 1  further comprising reinforcing strands extending through the lower portion of the concrete beam. 
     
     
         3 . The concrete beam assembly of  claim 1  wherein the flooring structure comprises:
 an insert covering the channel; and   a concrete topping layer over the insert and the upper surface of the concrete beam.   
     
     
         4 . The concrete beam assembly of  claim 1  wherein the flooring structure further comprises an insert having a planar upper surface extending between the upper edges of the webs to create a flat upper surface for flooring. 
     
     
         5 . The concrete beam assembly of  claim 1  wherein the flooring structure comprises:
 a grid of risers supported on the upper surface of the concrete beam; and   a grid of floor panels supported on the risers.   
     
     
         6 . A concrete beam assembly comprising:
 a concrete beam having:   (a) at least two vertical webs spaced apart from one another extending along the length of the beam, said webs having upper and lower edges;   (b) a horizontal lower flange extending between the lower edges of the webs, whereby the webs and the first flange define a channel extending along the length of the beam; and   (c) horizontal upper flanges extending laterally outward in opposing directions from the upper edges of the webs, whereby said flanges define upper and lower surfaces of the beam; and   a flat flooring structure supported by the upper surfaces of the beam.   
     
     
         7 . The concrete beam assembly of  claim 6  wherein the flooring structure further comprises an insert having a planar upper surface extending between the upper edges of the webs to create a flat upper surface for flooring. 
     
     
         8 . The concrete beam assembly of  claim 6  wherein the flooring structure comprises:
 an insert covering the channel; and   a concrete topping layer over the insert and the upper surface of the concrete beam.   
     
     
         9 . The concrete beam assembly of  claim 6  wherein the flooring structure comprises:
 a grid of risers supported on the upper surface of the concrete beam; and   a grid of floor panels supported on the risers.   
     
     
         10 . The concrete beam assembly of  claim 6  further comprising reinforcing strands extending through the lower portion of the concrete beam. 
     
     
         11 . The concrete beam assembly of  claim 6  further comprising reinforcing strands extending along the lower flange. 
     
     
         12 . A concrete beam assembly comprising:
 a concrete beam having:   (a) at least two vertical webs spaced apart from one another extending along the length of the beam, said webs having upper and lower edges;   (b) a horizontal upper flange extending between the upper edges of the webs, whereby the webs and the first flange define a channel extending along the length of the beam; and   (c) horizontal lower flanges extending laterally outward in opposing directions from the lower edges of the webs, whereby said flanges define upper and lower surfaces of the beam; and   a flat flooring structure supported by the upper surfaces of the beam.   
     
     
         13 . The concrete beam assembly of  claim 12  wherein the flooring structure comprises:
 a grid of risers supported on the upper surface of the concrete beam; and   a grid of floor panels supported on the risers.   
     
     
         14 . The concrete beam assembly of  claim 12  further comprising reinforcing strands extending along the lower flanges.