Post-tension concrete leave out splicing system and method

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods for constructing post-tensioned concrete slabs in a new floor construction that has a reduced gap distance between the slabs. The devices, systems, and methods can improve project construction time by reducing the time delay in accessing the floor underneath the slabs due to safety and/or weather conditions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A concrete construction including a first post-tensioned concrete slab and a second post-tensioned concrete slab, said first post-tensioned concrete slab and said second post-tensioned concrete slab having respective upper surfaces that are generally aligned, said first post-tensioned concrete slab including a first rebar installed therein, said second post-tensioned concrete slab including a second rebar installed therein, said first post-tensioned concrete slab and second post-tensioned concrete slab being separated by a gap so that the concrete material of said first post-tensioned concrete slab is not in contact with the concrete material of said second post-tensioned concrete slab, said concrete construction comprising:
 a splice device positioned in the gap for connecting to an end portion of the first rebar and to an end portion of the second rebar,   said splice device includes a first cavity that contains said end portion of the first rebar, and a second cavity that contains said end portion of the second rebar, and a body having a hole, wherein said hole receives a bolt which penetrates through said hole from an outside of said body into said first cavity and engages a portion of the first rebar inside said first cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The concrete construction according to  claim 1 , wherein said body includes a second hole that receives a second bolt which penetrates through said second hole from said outside of said body into said second cavity and engages a portion of the second rebar inside said second cavity. 
     
     
         3 . The concrete construction according to  claim 1 , wherein said gap has a longer dimension for one side-to-side and a shorter dimension for another side-to-side, said shorter dimension being twelve (12) inches or less. 
     
     
         4 . The concrete construction according to  claim 1 , wherein said splice device splices together the first rebar and the second rebar so that said first rebar and the second rebar are generally parallel with each other. 
     
     
         5 . The concrete construction according to  claim 1 , wherein said splice device splices together the first rebar and the second rebar so that said first rebar and the second rebar are generally inline. 
     
     
         6 . The concrete construction according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a strip of non-shrink material being in the gap, wherein said strip has a compressive strength that is greater than or equal to the compressive strength of the concrete material of said first post-tensioned concrete slab and/or the concrete material of said first post-tensioned concrete slab.   
     
     
         7 . The concrete construction according to  claim 6 , wherein the strip of non-shrink material completely surrounds the splice device. 
     
     
         8 . A concrete construction including a first post-tensioned concrete slab and a second post-tensioned concrete slab, said first post-tensioned concrete slab and said second post-tensioned concrete slab having respective upper surfaces that are generally aligned, said first post-tensioned concrete slab including a first rebar installed therein, said second post-tensioned concrete slab including a second rebar installed therein, said first post-tensioned concrete slab and second post-tensioned concrete slab being separated by a gap so that the concrete material of said first post-tensioned concrete slab is not in contact with the concrete material of said second post-tensioned concrete slab, said concrete construction comprising:
 a splice device positioned in the gap connecting an end portion of the first rebar and an end portion of the second rebar; and   a strip of non-shrink material being in the gap and completely surrounding said splice device, wherein said strip has a compressive strength that is greater than or equal to the compressive strength of the concrete material of said first and second post-tensioned concrete slabs,   wherein said splice device includes a body defining a first cavity and a second cavity, said first cavity being separated from said second cavity, said first cavity contains said end portion of the first rebar, and said second cavity contains said end portion of the second rebar, said splice device further includes a first hole that receives a first bolt which penetrates through said first hole from an outside of said body into said first cavity and engages a portion of the first rebar inside said first cavity, and a second hole that receives a second bolt which penetrates through said second hole from said outside of said body into said second cavity and engages a portion of the second rebar inside said second cavity.   
     
     
         9 . The concrete construction according to  claim 8 , wherein said strip has a longer dimension for one side-to-side and a shorter dimension for another side-to-side, said shorter dimension being three feet or less. 
     
     
         10 . A method for making a concrete construction including a first post-tensioned concrete slab and a second post-tensioned concrete slab, comprising:
 forming said first post-tensioned concrete slab, wherein said first post-tensioned concrete slab includes a first rebar installed therein;   either prior to or after a second post-tensioned concrete slab has been created, securely connecting a splice device to an end portion of the first rebar;   before the second post-tensioned concrete slab has been created, positioning an end portion of a second rebar inside the splice device but not securely connected thereto;   creating said second post-tensioned concrete slab so that said second rebar is installed therein, wherein said first post-tensioned concrete slab and second post-tensioned concrete slab are separated by a gap so that the concrete material of said first post-tensioned concrete slab is not in contact with the concrete material of said second post-tensioned concrete slab, and said end portion of said second rebar is allowed to move with respect to the splice device during the creating of said second post-tensioned concrete slab; and   securely connecting said splice device to said end portion of said second rebar.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein said gap is formed so that said gap has a longer dimension for one side-to-side and a shorter dimension for another side-to-side, said shorter dimension being three feet or less. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 forming a strip of material in said gap with a non-shrink material, wherein said strip has a compressive strength that is greater than or equal to the compressive strength of the concrete material of said first post-tensioned concrete slab and/or the concrete material of said first post-tensioned concrete slab.