Composite floor construction

Abstract

A composite floor comprises a plurality of spaced apart beams, at least one prefabricated panel being situated between and supported by adjacent spaced apart beams. A layer of concrete may be cast in-situ, the layer of concrete overlying the at least one prefabricated panel and at least a part of each of the beams supporting the at least one panel.

1 . A composite floor comprising a plurality of spaced apart beams, at least one prefabricated panel situated between and supported by adjacent spaced apart beams, wherein prefabricated panel has an upper surface a lower surface, side surfaces and end surfaces, the panel comprising two spaced apart elongate side members of a first material and a main panel body of a second material therebetween, the second material being concrete, wherein the upper surface the panel is substantially planar and wherein the lower surface includes at least one rib formed in the second material and extending from one side member to the other, and wherein at least one attachment member is fixed to each of the side members and extends into the main panel body. 
     
     
         2 . A composite floor comprising a plurality of spaced apart beams according to  claim 1 , and a layer of concrete cast in-situ, the layer of concrete overlying the at least one prefabricated panel and at least a part of each of the beams supporting the at least one panel. 
     
     
         3 . A composite floor according to  claim 1 , wherein the spaced apart beams are formed of metal. 
     
     
         4 . A composite floor according to  claim 1 , wherein the spaced apart beams are I-beams. 
     
     
         5 . A composite floor according to  claim 1 , wherein each beam includes at least one panel support. 
     
     
         6 . A composite floor according to  claim 5 , wherein at least one panel support is provided to each side of the beam. 
     
     
         7 . A composite floor according to  claim 5 , wherein the panel support comprises a continuous plate fixed to the beam. 
     
     
         8 . A composite floor according to  claim 7 , wherein the continuous plate is attached to the underside of a lower part of the beam and extends to one of: one side of the beam and both sides of the beam. 
     
     
         9 . A composite floor according to  claim 8 , wherein separate continuous plates are attached the underside of the lower part of the beam at respective sides of said lower part, each continuous plate extending beyond the edge of the said part to which the respective continuous plate is attached. 
     
     
         10 . A composite floor according to  claim 8 , wherein the spaced apart beams are I-beams and wherein each continuous plate is attached to a lower flange of the I beam and extends outwardly of at least one edge of said flange, the part of the continuous plate extending outwardly of the edge of the said flange thereby providing panel mounting region. 
     
     
         11 . A composite floor according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one reinforcing element extends through at least one opening in at least one of the plurality of beams, the at least one reinforcing element being embedded in the layer of concrete. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A composite floor according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one reinforcing element extending through a beam extends beyond the face of at least one prefabricated panel supported by said beam to one of: one side of the said beam, and each side of the said beam. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A prefabricated panel having an upper surface a lower surface, side surfaces and end surfaces, the panel comprising two spaced apart elongate side members of a first material and a main panel body of a second material therebetween, the second material being concrete, wherein the upper surface the panel is substantially planar and wherein the lower surface includes at least one rib formed in the second material and extending from one side member to the other, and wherein at least one attachment member is fixed to each of the side members and extends into the main panel body. 
     
     
         16 . A prefabricated panel according to  claim 15 , wherein at least one attachment member is selected from the group comprising a stud and a rod. 
     
     
         17 . A prefabricated panel according to  claim 16 , wherein the rod extends from one side member to the other and is attached to both said side members. 
     
     
         18 . A prefabricated panel according to  claim 16 , wherein in the longitudinal direction of the panel a rod is situated next to a stud. 
     
     
         19 . A prefabricated panel according to  claim 15 , wherein the side members are formed of metal. 
     
     
         20 . A prefabricated panel according to  claim 15 , wherein the side members are formed such that the concrete extends into the side members. 
     
     
         21 . A prefabricated panel according to  claims 15 , wherein the main panel body panel comprises elongate edge regions, the at least one rib extending between the edge regions, wherein each elongate edge region abuts a respective one of the elongate side members. 
     
     
         22 . A prefabricated panel according to  claims 15 , wherein the prefabricated panel includes a plurality of reinforcing members, the reinforcement members being encapsulated by the concrete. 
     
     
         23 . A prefabricated panel according to  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of reinforcement members includes a plurality of different types of reinforcement members, the different types of reinforcement member selected from the group comprising: an open stirrup; a closed stirrup; reinforcement mesh; and reinforcement bars. 
     
     
         24 . A prefabricated panel according to  claim 23 , the panel comprising a plurality of closed stirrups spaced apart from one another are arranged within the edge regions of the panel, and wherein at least one reinforcement bar connects the closed stirrups together. 
     
     
         25 .- 34 . (canceled)