Modular composite action panel and structural systems using same

Abstract

A prefabricated modular composite structural panel comprising a composite structural floor system. The structural panel comprises timber panels rigidly connected to steel stiffening elements aligned in the direction of span between supporting elements. By assembling multiple prefabricated panels in a modular array and adding concrete, a composite concrete floor system can be created which is adaptable to any building geometry. The timber panel acts in composite with the steel stiffening elements to function as formwork in the temporary condition with minimal or no shoring. In the permanent condition, the steel stiffening element is used to reinforce the concrete slab, and the timber panel can act in composite with the concrete slab to meet strength and serviceability requirements where permitted by code. Methods for connecting steel to timber components as well as methods for connecting panels to supporting beams are also disclosed. The structural panels can also be oriented vertically and tied together as required to create formwork for other building elements such as walls, columns, braces, and beams.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composite action panel comprising:
 steel stiffening elements aligned parallel to each other and each extending along a span direction; and   a timber panel secured to the steel stiffening members via structural connectors, wherein,   the steel stiffening members function as a first chord and a web element of the and the timber panel functions as a second chord of the composite action panel, and   the steel stiffening members and the timber panel achieve composite action and truss behavior.   
     
     
         2 . The composite action panel of  claim 1 , wherein the structural connectors are positioned at discrete locations along the steel stiffening members. 
     
     
         3 . The composite action panel of  claim 1 , wherein the structural connectors secure the steel stiffening elements and the timber panel continuously along the span direction. 
     
     
         4 . The composite action panel of  claim 1 , wherein the steel stiffening members and the timber panel are connected together by means of connector structures comprising metal plates to which the steel stiffening elements are welded or bolted, and fastener elements selected from the group consisting of mechanical fasteners, nails, spiked plates, and adhesive. 
     
     
         5 . The composite panel of  claim 1 , wherein the timber panel is selected from the group consisting of cross-laminated timber (CLT), nail-laminated timber (NLT), dowel-laminated timber (DLT), and glue-laminated timber (GLT). 
     
     
         6 . The composite panel of  claim 1 , wherein the steel stiffening element are either three-dimensional or planar rebar trusses. 
     
     
         7 . The composite action panel of  claim 1 , wherein each steel stiffening member comprises a three-dimensional rebar truss comprising (a) a deformed rebar as the top chord, two continuous bars bent to form two web diagonals and secured to the deformed rebar, and two bottom bars, each attached to a respective base of the web diagonals, the web diagonal bars being bent in a galloping fashion. 
     
     
         8 . The composite action panel of  claim 1 , wherein each steel stiffening member comprises a planar truss comprising (a) a top bar, (b) one continuous web diagonal bent in a galloping fashion, and (c) one bottom bar attached to the base of the web diagonal. 
     
     
         9 . The composite action panel of  claim 1 , wherein the steel stiffening elements comprise perforated metal plates or prefabricated steel shapes. 
     
     
         10 . The composite action panel of  claim 1 , wherein the composite action panel is prefabricated. 
     
     
         11 . The composite action panel of  claim 1 , wherein the steel stiffening elements extend in both the span direction and another direction traversing the span direction. 
     
     
         12 . A structural element, comprising:
 a composite action panel according to  claim 1 ; and   concrete in which the steel stiffening elements are embedded.   
     
     
         13 . The structural element of  claim 12 , wherein the structural element is part of a roof system, a floor system, a wall, a column, a brace, or a beam. 
     
     
         14 . The structural element of  claim 13 , wherein the structural element is part of a roof system or a floor system. 
     
     
         15 . A composite monolithic system, comprising:
 a plurality of composite action panels according to  claim 1 ;   splice reinforcements between adjoining composite action panels; and   concrete embedding the steel stiffening elements.   
     
     
         16 . The composite monolithic system of  claim 15 , wherein the composite monolithic system is a floor system or a roof system. 
     
     
         17 . The composite monolithic system of  claim 16 , further comprising a support framework for the floor system or the roof system, the support framework being selected from the group consisting of steel beams, precast concrete beams, a cast-in place concrete beams, or timber beams. 
     
     
         18 . The composite monolithic system of  claim 17 , wherein the composite panels are either simple spans between the supporting framework or continue across a top of the supporting framework with openings for the concrete slab to achieve composite action with the support framework. 
     
     
         19 . The composite monolithic system of  claim 17 , wherein the timber panel can be designed to contribute to the strength and/or serviceability of the structural floor in the permanent condition, with the panel and concrete thickness selected based on desired participation from the timber panel, and additional shear connectors added for desired level of composite action. 
     
     
         20 . The composite monolithic system of  claim 17 , wherein void forms may be attached to the top of the timber panels to reduce the amount of concrete within the slab. 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 prefabricating a composite action panel according to  claim 1 ;   transporting the composite action panel to an installation site;   supporting the panel in a desired orientation; and   embedding the steel reinforcement elements in a concrete slab.