Hollow-core floor slabs

Abstract

The instant invention pertains to various hollow-core slabs used, for example, in various construction applications. The slabs usually include a body with upper and lower shelves joined by two or more substantially vertical ribs and cavities extending longitudinally through the slab body. Two or more reinforcements extending longitudinally through the respective upper and lower shelves of the slab body may be present along with two or more reinforcements extending laterally between the upper and lower longitudinal reinforcements.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hollow-core slab comprising:
 a slab body comprising upper and lower shelves joined by two or more substantially vertical ribs;   cavities extending longitudinally through the slab body;   two or more reinforcements extending longitudinally through the respective upper and lower shelves of the slab body; and   two or more reinforcements extending laterally between the upper and lower longitudinal reinforcements and wherein said reinforcements are selected from coils, elongated wire, cord loops, and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The slab of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral reinforcements comprise coils wound around the upper and lower longitudinal reinforcements. 
     
     
         3 . The slab of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral reinforcements comprise substantially vertically elongated wire or cord loops wound around the upper and lower longitudinal reinforcements. 
     
     
         4 . The slab of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal reinforcements are substantially coplanar with the substantially vertical ribs in the slab. 
     
     
         5 . The slab of  claim 1 , wherein the lateral reinforcements comprise either a constant or variable pitch along the longitudinal reinforcements. 
     
     
         6 . The slab of  claim 1 , further comprising substantially vertical rods, installed between the upper and lower longitudinal reinforcements, wherein the rods fix the distance between the upper and lower longitudinal reinforcements. 
     
     
         7 . The slab of  claim 6 , wherein the substantially vertical rods are substantially coplanar with the substantially vertical ribs in the slab. 
     
     
         8 . The slab of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more tie wires for securing lateral reinforcements at one or more locations where said lateral reinforcements intersect with said longitudinal reinforcements. 
     
     
         9 . The slab of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more stirrups for securing lateral reinforcements at one or more locations where said lateral reinforcements intersect with said longitudinal reinforcements. 
     
     
         10 . The slab of  claim 1 , wherein lateral reinforcement loops are twisted at one or more locations where said lateral reinforcements intersect with said longitudinal reinforcements. 
     
     
         11 . The slab of  claim 1 , wherein lateral reinforcements are located proximate ends of the slab body. 
     
     
         12 . The slab of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal reinforcements are pre-stressed. 
     
     
         13 . A hollow-core slab comprising:
 a slab body comprising upper and lower shelves joined by two or more substantially vertical ribs;   cavities extending longitudinally through the slab body;   two or more reinforcements extending longitudinally through the respective upper and lower shelves of the slab body; and   one or more reinforcements comprising wire or cord coils wound along lengths of the upper and lower longitudinal reinforcements and extending laterally between the upper and lower longitudinal reinforcements.   
     
     
         14 . The slab of  claim 13 , wherein the wire or cord coils are configured having either a constant or variable pitch along lengths of the longitudinal reinforcements. 
     
     
         15 . The slab of  claim 13 , further comprising substantially vertical rods, installed between the upper and lower longitudinal reinforcements, which fix the distance between the upper and lower longitudinal reinforcements. 
     
     
         16 . The slab of  claim 15 , wherein the substantially vertical rods are substantially coplanar with the substantially vertical ribs in the slab. 
     
     
         17 . A hollow-core slab comprising:
 a slab body comprising upper and lower shelves joined by two or more substantially vertical ribs;   cavities extending longitudinally through the slab body;   two or more reinforcements extending longitudinally through the respective upper and lower shelves of the slab body; and   one or more reinforcements comprising substantially vertically elongated wire or cord loops along lengths of the upper and lower longitudinal reinforcements and extending laterally between the upper and lower longitudinal reinforcements.   
     
     
         18 . The slab of  claim 17 , wherein the substantially vertically elongated wire or cord loops comprise either a constant or variable pitch along lengths of the longitudinal reinforcements. 
     
     
         19 . The slab of  claim 17 , further comprising substantially vertical rods, installed between the upper and lower longitudinal reinforcements, which rods fix the distance between the upper and lower longitudinal reinforcements. 
     
     
         20 . The slab of  claim 19 , wherein the substantially vertical rods are substantially coplanar with the substantially vertical ribs in the slab.