Composite concrete steel column having a fully- embedded x-shape steel section

Abstract

A composite concrete-steel column includes a concrete matrix and a steel beam embedded within the concrete matrix. The steel beam includes a plurality of legs that extend distally away from a common proximal portion such that the steel beam has an X-shaped cross-section. The distal ends of the legs of the steel beam are located closer to the corners of the composite concrete-steel column than to the midpoint of any side of the composite concrete-steel column. The steel beam can be constructed as a unitary component, by joining together two partially overlapping L-shaped beams, or by joining together four L-shaped beams.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composite concrete-steel column comprising:
 a concrete matrix; and   a steel beam fully encased within the concrete matrix, wherein the steel beam has an X-shaped cross-section.   
     
     
         2 . The composite concrete-steel column of  claim 1 , wherein the composite concrete-steel column has a rectangular cross-section with four corners. 
     
     
         3 . The composite concrete-steel column of  claim 2 , wherein the steel beam includes four legs that each extend toward a corresponding one of the four corners of the composite concrete-steel column. 
     
     
         4 . The composite concrete-steel column of  claim 1 , wherein the four legs are formed as unitary parts of the steel beam. 
     
     
         5 . The composite concrete-steel column of  claim 1 , wherein the four legs are fused together to form the steel beam. 
     
     
         6 . The composite concrete-steel column of  claim 3 , wherein the steel beam comprises a pair of L-shaped beams that each include first and second flanges. 
     
     
         7 . The composite concrete-steel column of  claim 6 , wherein the L-shaped beams are joined together such that the second flanges of each of the pair of L-shaped beams overlap. 
     
     
         8 . The composite concrete-steel column of  claim 7 , wherein the second flanges of each of the pair of L-shaped beams overlap by between about 5% and 60% of the length of the second flanges. 
     
     
         9 . The composite concrete-steel column of  claim 8 , wherein the second flanges of each of the pair of L-shaped beams overlap by between about 10% and 30% of the length of the second flanges. 
     
     
         10 . The composite concrete-steel column of  claim 9 , wherein the second flanges of each of the pair of L-shaped beams overlap by about 20% of the length of the second flanges. 
     
     
         11 . The composite concrete-steel column of  claim 3 , wherein the steel beam comprises four L-shaped beams that each include first and second flanges that are connected together to form the legs of the steel beam. 
     
     
         12 . The composite concrete-steel column of  claim 11 , wherein the four L-shaped beams are joined together such that the first flange of one L-shaped beam is connected to the second flanges of the adjacent L-shaped beams. 
     
     
         13 . The composite concrete-steel column of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second flanges of each of the four L-shaped beams have approximately the same width. 
     
     
         14 . The composite concrete-steel column of  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the legs does not include plates or flanges secured to a distal end of the leg. 
     
     
         15 . The composite concrete-steel column of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of reinforcing bars oriented in longitudinal alignment with the steel beam. 
     
     
         16 . The fully encased composite concrete steel column of  claim 1 , wherein the X-type structural steel beam is absent a leg which extends from a longitudinal edge portion thereof. 
     
     
         17 . A method for constructing a composite concrete-steel column comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a beam with an X-shaped cross-section with four legs;   obtaining a form that matches an outer perimeter of the composite concrete-steel column, wherein the form includes at least four corners;   placing the beam into the form such that the beam is centered within the form;   orienting the beam such that each of the four legs of the beam are directed towards a different one of the at least four corners of the form; and   pouring concrete into the form around the beam to create a concrete matrix around the beam.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of obtaining a beam with an X-shaped cross-section with four legs further comprises:
 obtaining two L-shaped beams that each include first and second flanges connected to one another in a substantially orthogonal relationship; and   connecting the two L-shaped beams together such that the second flanges of each L-shaped beam partially overlap with one another and the first flanges of each L-shaped beams extend away from one another.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of obtaining a beam with an X-shaped cross-section with four legs further comprises:
 obtaining four L-shaped beams that each include first and second flanges, wherein the first and second flanges of each L-shaped beam are approximately the same width; and   connecting the L-shaped beams together such that the first flange of a first L-shaped beam is connected to the second flange of a second L-shaped beam that is adjacent to the first L-shaped beam.   
     
     
         20 . A composite concrete-steel column comprising:
 a concrete matrix that has a cross-section with a plurality of corners; and   a steel beam encased within the concrete matrix, wherein the steel beam includes a plurality of legs and wherein each of the plurality of legs extends distally away from a common proximal portion toward a corresponding one of the plurality of corners of the concrete matrix.