System for Anchoring Precast Concrete Wall Columns to Foundations

Abstract

A wall structure system may utilize precast concrete columns and panels. Each concrete column may be secured to an in-situ concrete footing by a threaded anchor bolt imbedded in the footing. The column may be positioned onto the footing so that the exposed threaded rod extends through a cylindrical opening in the bottom of the column. A washer and threaded nut may be installed on the threaded rod and secured through an access port in the side of the concrete column. Wall panels may be installed by sliding them into vertical slots in the columns, thereby concealing locations of the access ports.

1 . A system comprising:
 at least one precast concrete panel and at least a first precast concrete column and a second precast concrete column;   each of said columns supported on a spaced-apart in-situ concrete footing;   wherein said at least first precast concrete column and said at least second precast concrete column being of like construction and like configuration characteristics will hereby be referred to as said column when such characteristics are being disclosed;   said column having a vertically extending elongated slot on at least one side wall of said column;   said slot extending from bottom surface of said column to top surface of said column;   said slot greater than or equal to thickness of portion of said panel received by said column;   said column attached to said footing by column attachment means;   said column attachment means including tension means, said tension means connected to said column and to said footing;   wherein first said column and second said columns are positioned on adjacent said footings, such that said slot in each said column is positioned directly towards, opposite in direction; and substantially coplanar to said slot in opposite column;   wherein a lower surface of said column may be compressed against an upper surface of said footing;   whereby said column is fixedly fastened to said footing by said column attachment means;   whereby said panel is positioned such that said panel is interposed between said columns, opposing vertical edges of first and second opposite ends suitably engaging said vertical slots of adjacent said columns.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 said column attachment means including a vertically extending anchor rod;   lower end of said vertically extending anchor rod partially encased in said in-situ concrete footing;   said vertically extending anchor rod having external threading at distal end.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 said column attachment means including said column having a vertically-oriented hole at bottom surface of each column; said hole located substantially on vertical axis of concrete column;   said vertically-oriented hole extending inward to form vertical passageway;   said vertical passageway terminating at intersection of horizontally-oriented access port in said column;   said horizontally-oriented access port in said column disposed between bottom surface of said column and top surface of said column;   said column attachment means including said column positioned on said footing so that said steel anchor bar penetrates said hole and extends through said passageway such that threaded distal end of said steel anchor bar protrudes to position above bottom horizontal surface of said horizontally-oriented access port.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 at least one nut having internal threading operatively engaging threading on said vertically extending anchor rod;   a lower surface of said nut engaging a column surface parallel to bottom horizontal surface of said horizontally-oriented access port;   said nut being adjustable, whereby to cause tensioning of said vertically extending anchor rod, between said footing and said distal end.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 at least one washer including hole at center;   said at least one washer positioned over said distal end of said vertically extending anchor rod;   said at least one washer positioned between said nut and said column surface;   by which said column is fixedly fastened against said footing by turning said at least one nut, in order to tighten said at least one nut against said at least one washer, thereby causing tensioning to occur between said at least one washer and said footing.