Methods of forming connections between concrete articles

Abstract

Methods of forming connections between concrete articles and articles and constructions formed therefrom.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of forming a connection between concrete articles, the method comprising:
 affixing one or more first fasteners to a first concrete article;   affixing one or more second fasteners to a second concrete article; and   forming one or more concrete patches around the one or more first fasteners and the one or more second fasteners and spanning between the first concrete article and the second concrete article, thereby forming a connection that substantially prevents movement of the first concrete article relative to the second concrete article.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising affixing one or more connecting elements between the one or more first fasteners and the one or more second fasteners before forming the one or more concrete patches; and
 wherein the one or more concrete patches are formed around the one or more first fasteners, the one or more second fasteners, and the one or more connecting elements.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein, under load, the one or more connecting elements confer tensile strength to the connection and the one or more concrete patches confer compressive strength to the connection; and
 wherein the one or more connecting elements enable flexing of the connection under load.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein, together, the one or more connecting elements and the one or more concrete patches minimize rotation of the first concrete article and/or the second concrete article about the connection, and wherein the connection is a substantially moment-resisting connection. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying a bonding agent to the first concrete article and/or the second concrete article before forming the one or more concrete patches. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the bonding agent is acrylic-based, epoxy-based, latex-based, water-based, cementitious-based, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein forming each of the one or more concrete patches comprises:
 providing a wet concrete mixture around the one or more first fasteners and the one or more second fasteners and spanning between the first concrete article and the second concrete article; and   curing the wet concrete mixture.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first concrete article and the second concrete article have a same or different composition; and
 wherein each of the one or more concrete patches independently have a same or different composition as the first concrete article and/or the second concrete article.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first concrete article and the second concrete article are coplanar and spaced apart, and wherein the connection spans a coplanar space between the first concrete article and the second concrete article; and
 wherein the first concrete article and the second concrete are spaced apart by from about 1.5 inches to about 6 feet.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first concrete article and the second concrete article are immediately adjacent and/or positioned at an angle, and wherein the connection spans diagonally between the first concrete article and the second concrete article; and
 wherein, when the first concrete article and the second concrete article are positioned at an angle, said angle is from about 5° to about 175°.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein a distance between the one or more first fasteners and the one or more second fasteners is from about 0.5 inches to about 4 feet. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first concrete article and/or the second concrete article comprises a nailable concrete composition comprising a cement in an amount of about 25 wt % to about 70 wt %, a rubber in an amount of about 15 wt % to about 35 wt %, and fine aggregates in an amount of about 10 wt % to about 35 wt % based on a total mass of dry material. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the rubber is virgin and/or recycled and has a particle size no greater than about 0.5 inches and comprises natural rubber, natural polyisoprene, synthetic polyisoprene, styrene-butadiene rubber, butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, halogenated butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, hydrogenated nitrile rubber ethylene propylene diene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, chloroprene, polychloroprene, neoprene, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, fluoroelastomers, perfluloroelasomers, polyether block amides, polysulfide rubber, ethylene-vinyl acetate, chlorusulfonated polyethylene, epichlorhydrin rubber, inorganic rubber, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the nailable concrete composition further comprises water in an amount of about 20 wt % to about 40 wt % based on the water-to-cement ratio. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first concrete article and/or the second concrete article is precast; or wherein the first concrete article and/or the second concrete article is cast in situ. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more first fasteners and the one or more second fasteners each independently comprise one or more nails, screws, studs, bolts, or a combination thereof; and
 wherein the one or more first fasteners are driven into the first concrete article and/or the one or more second fasteners are driven into the second concrete article.   
     
     
         17 . A method of forming a connection between concrete articles, the method comprising:
 affixing one or more first fasteners to a first concrete article;   affixing one or more second fasteners to a second concrete article; and   affixing one or more connecting elements between the one or more first fasteners and the one or more second fasteners, thereby connecting the first concrete article to the second concrete article;   wherein the first concrete article and/or the second concrete article comprises a nailable concrete composition comprising a cement in an amount of about 25 wt % to about 70 wt %, a rubber in an amount of about 15 wt % to about 35 wt %, and fine aggregates in an amount of about 10 wt % to about 35 wt % based on a total mass of dry material.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising forming one or more concrete patches around the one or more connecting elements and spanning between the first concrete article and the second concrete article. 
     
     
         19 . A method of forming a connection between concrete articles, the method comprising:
 affixing one or more first fasteners to a first concrete article;   affixing one or more second fasteners to a second concrete article;   affixing one or more connecting elements between the one or more first fasteners and the one or more second fasteners, thereby connecting the first concrete article to the second concrete article; and   forming one or more concrete patches around the one or more connecting elements and spanning between the first concrete article and the second concrete article;   wherein the first concrete article and/or the second concrete article comprises a nailable concrete composition comprising a cement in an amount of about 25 wt % to about 70 wt % and a rubber in an amount of about 15 wt % to about 35 wt %.   
     
     
         20 . An article formed by the method of  claim 1 .