Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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~WO 96/06242 PCT/US95/10512
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ERECIING
BUILDlNG STRUCIURES
TECHNICAL FIEI,D
The invention herein resides in the art of building structures such as
storage buildings and bridges and, more particularly, to such structures which
employ forms for the fabrication of such buildings and bridges from concrete in
situ. More particularly, the invention relates to such a building structure which
may be easily assembled with a minim~l assortment of duplicative building
components and wherein forms used to pour concrete or other construction media
form an integral part of the final building Specifically, the invention relates to an
apparatus and technique by which a plurality of panel and column assemblies are
interconnected and subsequently filled with concrete and wherein the panel skinsare allowed to remain upon final cure of the concrete and inc~ tio~, such panel
skins providing the fi~ished surface of portions of the erected structure. The
invention also provides forms assembled at one location and transported across
supporting cables to an opposite location until the forms extend between the twolocations, wherein the forrns are subsequently filled with concrete or the like.
BACKGROUND ART
It has previously been known to erect bulldings on-site by means of custom
fabrication. However, such techniques have been found to be time consuming
and costly. Such custom building techniques and apparatus have given way to
prefabrication which, in general, has required the fabrication off-site of
prefabricated wall and floor panels which are subsequently interconnected on-site
to erect the structural framework and the like. While the techniques and
apparatus employed in these prefabrication practices have generally reduced the
time and cost incident to the erection of a building, further improvements in such
reduction are desired. Additionally, such known techniques and apparatus have
30 generally not taught that the panel members employed for forming the
prefabricated subassemblies may remain as finished surfaces of the final assembly.
i ~` 21 7451 8
WO 96/06242 PCT/US95/10512
Additionally, there is a significant need for cont~inment and storage
facilities for receiving and m~int~ining hazardous waste - - that material deemed
harmful to the e"vilo,""ent and its inhabitants. Such cont~inment structures arenecessary to prevent such waste from entering either the atmosphere above or the5 surrounding earth below. In that regard, such structures must be air and liquid
tight, preventing such undesired escape. No known structure is given to ease of
construction while providing an environmentally sound cont~inment structure.
Indeed, such a structure may be attained, as the invention will disclose, through
the fabrication of a concrete structure in which the forms used for practicing the
10 construction technique remain as an integral part of the finished structure.
There is also a need in the art for an apparatus and technique by which
a bridge may be caused to span between two locations, and wherein the activity
of bridge construction is primarily undertaken at those locations, and not in the
space between them. There is additionally a need in the art for an apparatus and15 method for bridge construction which allows for the use of pre-made forms of a
standard interlocking nature which may be quickly joined together and suspended
from cables between two distant locations to provide a completed form to receiveconcrete and the like,
The prior art has been substantially devoid of techniques and apparatus by
20 which structural forms may be erected on-site and subsequently filled with
concrete or other setting material for development of the structure substantially
totally on-site.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
In light of the foregoing, it is a first aspect of the invention to provide a
method and apparatus for erecting building structures in which a plurality of
building panels may be interconnected on-site and subsequently filled with
5 concrete or the like in-situ.
Another aspect of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for
erecting building structures in which the structural panels includes skins w~ich
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WO 96/06242 PCT/US95/10512
confine the concrete during pour, and which also serve as the finished surfaces of
the building.
Yet another aspect of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus
for erecting building structures which accommodates a continuous pour of
concrete on-site.
Still an additional aspect of the invention is the provision of a method and
apparatus for erecting building structures in which a minimnm of panel and
column assemblies are required for effecting any of a wide variety of building
structures.
It is yet another aspect of the invention to provide a method and apparatus
for erecting building structures which is easily implemented with state of the art
materials and m~mlf~cturing procedures.
It is another aspect of the invention to provide a cont~inment structure
which is easy to construct.
Still a further aspect of the invention is the provision of a cont~inment
structure which is constructed of reinforced concrete.
An additional aspect of the invention is the provision of a co~-t~i"".ent
structure which is air and liquid tight to cont~in hazardous wastes and precludetheir escape to the ellvilonment.
Still a further aspect of the invention is the provision of a cont~inment
structure in which concrete is contained by forming pieces which remain in tact
when the construction is completed.
Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a cont~inment structure
in which the forming pieces are fused together, to further achieve an air and
water tight structure.
Yet another aspect of the invention is the provision of a cont~inm~nt
structure which provides for lead shielding for receipt and maintenance of
radioactive waste.
It is still another aspect of the invention to provide a method and
apparatus for bridge construction for forming concrete structures which may serve
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as the under structure and support of highway bridge decks.
Another aspect of the invention is the provision of a method and apparatus
for bridge construction in which light weight permanent forms and light weight
ten~ion cables are employed as the basic construction components.
Yet a further aspect of the invention is the provision of a method and
apparatus for bridge construction which avoid the usual necessity of scaffoldingto support removable forms and a base upon which they may be erected.
Yet another aspect of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus
for bridge construction which allows for erection of a bridge without interrupting
the flow of traffic or nature below the structure, and which promotes a minim~l
amount of ecological interruption.
An additional aspect of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus
for bridge construction which is simplistic to employ and which attains a bridgestructure of remarkable integrity.
The foregoing and other aspects of the invention which will become
apparent as the detailed description proceeds are achieved by a building structure,
comprising: a first plurality of wall panels; a second plurality of column
connectors interposed between and among selected ones of said wall panels and
interconnecting said selected ones of said wall panels; a third plurality of wall
caps extending over top surfaces of said wall panels and column connectors; and
a fourth plurality of floor form assemblies received by and extending from said
wall caps.
Other aspects of the invention are attained by a method for erecting a
building, comprising: (a) interconnecting a plurality of wall panels to each other
through a plurality of column connectors; (b) placing wall caps upon top surfaceportions of said interconnected wall panels and column connectors; (c) connecting
floor panel forms to said wall caps, said floor panel forms having cavities for
forming headers over supporting wall panels and purlins between said supporting
wall panels; (d) filling selected ones of said wall panels with concrete, filling said
purlin and header cavities with said concrete, and covering a top surface of said
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WO 96/06242 ~ PCT/US95110512
floor panel forms to a predetermined Ievel with concrete, thereby defining a first
story of the bnil~ling; and (e) repeating steps (a-d) to define each desired
subsequent floor.
Yet other aspects of the invention which will become apparent as the
5 detailed description proceeds are achieved by a building structure, comprising: an
irmer wall formed of a first plurality of panels joined together along lateral edges
thereof by ffrst column connectors, said inner wall forming a closure; an outer
wall formed of a second plurality of panels joined together along lateral edges
thereof by second column connectors, said outer wall forming a closure about said
10 inner wall; and means interposed between said inner and outer walls for defining
a rigid structure therebetween.
Additional aspects of the invention which will become apparent herein are
achieved by a method for erecting a building structure, comprising:
interconnecting a first plurality of panels to each other along lateral edges thereof
15 by intercormecting such panels with first column connectors to form a ffrst layer
of a first closure; interconnecting a second plurality of panels to each other along
lateral edges thereof by interconnecting such panels with first column connectors
to form a second layer of said first closure, said panels of said second layer being
positioned atop said panels of said first layer and said column connectors of said
20 second layer being positioned atop said colllmn connectors of said first layer; and
bonding said first column connectors to said lateral edges of associated panels.Still other aspects of the invention which will become apparent as the
detailed description proceeds are achieved by an apparatus for bridge
col~ll.lction, comprising: a bottom form having ffrst locking means at opposite
25 lateral edges thereof for eng~ging a laterally adjacent bottom form, and having
second locking means at longit~lflin~l edges thereof for eng~ging a longitll(lin~lly
adjacent bottom form; a support rod laterally LI~ve~sillg and eng~ging said bottom
form; and a plurality of cables extending longitllflin~lly of said bottom form,
eng~ging said support rod and suspending said bottom form.
Other aspects of the invention which will become apparent herein are
21 7451~
WO 96/06242 PCT/US95/10512
attained by a method of constructing a bridge, comprising: stringing a plurality of
cables between first and second locations; suspending a first bottom form from
said cables at said first location; transporting said first bottom form across said
cables from said first location toward said second location; suspending a second5 bottom form from said cables at said first location; and transporting said second
bottom form across said cables from said first location towards said second
location and into interengagement with said first said bottom form.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
For a complete underst~ntling of the objects, techniques, and structure of
the invention reference should be made to the following detailed description andaccompanying drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a standard column connector according
to the invention in a square configuration;
Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of a standard column connector according
to the invention in a rect~n~ r configuration;
Fig. 3 is an cross sectional view of a typical panel spacer employed by the
invention in a "X" configuration;
Fig. 4 is cross sectional view of a typical panel spacer employer by the
20 invention in a "Y" configuration;
Fig. 4A is a front elevational view of the spacer of Fig. 4, showing the
rebar receiving slots therein;
Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of a wall panel assembly according to the
invention;
Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of a floor panel assembly according to the
invention;
Fig. 7 is cross sectional view of a first typical embodiment of an ~ligning
wall cap employed by the invention;
Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a typical ~ligning
30 wall cap according to the invention;
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~WO 96/06242 PCT/US95/10512
Fig: 9 is a cross sectional view of a floor and wall section in accordance
with the invention;
Fig. 10 is cross sectional view of a floor and purlin section according to
the invention;
Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view of a floor and in~ ted curtain wall section
made in accordance with the invention;
Fig. 12 is an illustrative perspective view of the intersection of a structural
wall and exterior curtain wall according to the invention;
Fig. 13 is an illustrative view of the structure of Fig. 12 with the wall caps
10 installed;
Fig. 14 is an illustrative view of the structure of Fig. 13 with rebar installed;
Fig. 15 is an illustrative view of the structure of Fig. 14 with certain floor
forms installed;
Fig. 16 is an illustrative view of the structure of Fig. 15 with additional
floor forms installed;
Fig. 17 is an illustrative view of the structure of Fig. 16 with ~ligning sill
caps installed;
Fig. 18 is an illustrative view of the structure of Fig. 17 with concrete
installed within the forms;
Fig. 19 is an illustrative view of the structure of Fig. 18 showing the upper
wall form in place;
Fig. 20 is a cross sectional view of an intersection of a roof and ceiling
panel with a wall column connector in accordance with the invention;
Fig. 21 is a cross sectional view of a panel used in accordance with the
invention;
Fig. 22 is a cross sectional view of an outer ring column connector
according to the invention;
Fig. 23 is a cross sectional view of an inner ring column connector as
employed in the invention;
Fig. 24 is a top plan view of a panel joint gasket used in accordance ~vith
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WO 96/06242 PCT/US95/10512
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the invention;
Fig. 25 iS a top plan view of a joint gasket used in association with an outer
ring column connector in accordance with the invention;
Fig. 26 iS a top plan view of a gasket employed with an inner ring column
5 connector according to the invention;
Fig. 27 iS an illustrative cross sectional view of a pair of panels atop each
other with a gasket interposed therebetween;
Fig. 28 iS an exploded view of a pair of panels with a gasket interposed
therebetween;
Fig. 29 is a top plan view of an assembled cylindrical structure made in
accordance with the invention employing the construction elements presented in
Figs. 21-28;
Fig. 30 is a top plan view in partial section, illustrating a portion of a
circular building structure showing the implementation of the panels and
connectors with rebar placed reinforcement of the resnlting concrete structures;Fig. 31 is an isometric view of a portion of an assembled circular structure
made in accordance with the invention;
Fig. 32 iS a cross sectional view of a panel according to the invention
having foamed material l~min~ted to one external face;
Fig. 33 is a cross sectional view of a panel according to the invention
having a foamed material l~min~ted to the interior of each end;
Fig. 34 is a cross sectional view of an outer ring column connector
according to the invention having a foamed material l~min~ted to one external
face;
Fig. 35 iS a cross sectional view of an inner ring column connector
according to the invention having a foamed material l~min~3ted to one external
face;
Fig. 36 iS a top plan view in partial section, showing the lltili7~tion of the
elements of Figs. 32-35 in a building structure;
~W096/06242 2 1 745 ~ 8 PCTIUS95/10512
Fig. 37 is an end view of a standard bottom form according to the
invention and in~ln-ling optional cored tubing therein;
Fig. 38 is an isometric view of a standard bottom form according to the
invention and as shown in Fig. 37;
Fig. 39 is an end view of a standard form joiner used in accordance with
the invention and shown in rectangular configuration;
Fig. 40 is an isometric view of the form joiner of Fig. 39;
Fig. 41 is an end view of an edge form employed by the invention;
Fig. 42 is an isometric view of the standard edge form of the invention as
shown in Fig. 41;
Fig. 43 is an end view of a standard section joiner used in accordance with
the invention;
Fig. 44 is a isometric view of the standard section joiner shown in Fig. 43;
Fig. 45 is a cross sectional view of a lateral bar positioning cap employed
in accordance with the invention;
Fig. 46 is an isometric view of the lateral bar positioning cap of Fig. 45;
and
Fig. 47 is an isometric view of the forms and joiners as set forth in Figs.
37-46 to establish a bridge deck form segment in accordance with the invention.
Bl~ST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT ~IE INVENTION
For an underst~ntling of the invention, an appreciation of the various
components employed in the fabrication of a building made in accordance with
the invention should first be attained. Accordingly, reference is now made to
certain of the drawings in which various of the building components are
illustrated. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that those elements
and features shown in the drawings are illustrative only in that numerous and
- various modifications and/or changes may be employed to fit particular needs.
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly Fig. 1, it can be seen
30 that a column connector in accordance with the invention is desi~n~ted generally
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WO 96/06242 PCT/US95/10512
- 10 -
by the numeral 10. As with most of the panel and column members of the
invention, the column connector 10 is preferably constructed of a synthetic
material such as polyvinylchloride (PVC) or other suitable reinforced polymeric
material. It will be appreciated that the column connector 10 is an elongated
5 member, shown in cross section only in Fig. 1. As illustrated, the column
connector 10 has a square cross section, consisting of equal side plates 12. A
plurality of channel member 14a-14h extend laterally along the corners of the
intersections of the side plates 12. Depending upon the position in the buildingstructure at which the column connector 10 is to be employed, certain ch~nnel
members 14a-14h may be removed, either in situ, or during the process of
fabricating the column connectors themselves. To minimi7e the number of molds
required for m~king the various colllmn connectors 10, a standard column
connector such as shown in Fig. 1 may be m~nllf~ct~lre and the undesired channelmembers 14a-14h simply be removed prior to inst~ tion. Of course, various
column connectors 10 may be molded, if desired, having only the desired channel
members 14a-14h. Presently, it is contemplated that selected ones of the channelmembers 14a-14h may be removed during the m~nllf~ctllring process of the die
face, while in a heated state and prior to entry into the sizer. However, any ofvarious techniques may be employed.
As the description proceeds, it will be appreciated that a column connector
used at an end may necessarily only require ch~nnel members 14a and 14b. A
straight column connector may require only channel members 14c, 14b, 14g, and
14h. A corner colnmn connector may be formed and/or modified to include
channel members 14a, 14b, 14c, 14g, and 14h. In accordance with another
embodiment, channel member 14a-14d, 14g; and 14h may be employed for
implementation at a T intersection.
As shown in cross section in Fig. 2, column connectors 16 may also be
provided in rectangular cross section, the same again having four interconnecting
side plates with a~ro~iate channel members as just discussed with respect to the30 square column connector 10. Of course, the physical size and configuration of the
w ~ r ; ~ ~ ~ 2 1 7 ~ 5 1 8
0 96/06242 PCT/US95/10512
column connectors 10-16 will be determined by the size of the wall panels
employed in the structure as will be apparent hereinafter.
With reference now to Figs.3 and 4, an appreciation of the spacer member
employed between the skins of the floor and wall panel of the invention can be
5 seen. Fig. 3 presents a cross sectional view of a panel skin spacer 18 in an "X"
cQnfi~lration, while Fig. 4 presents a panel skin spacer 20 of a linear nature,
referred to as a "Y" configuration. As illustrated in the drawings, each of the
spacers 18, 20 is provided with a locking member 22 at each of the ends thereof.The locking members 22 are typically V-shaped and adapted for receipt by
10 locking receptacles in the panel skins as will be discussed below. Those skilled
in the art will appreciate that the spacers 18, 20 comprise elongated members,
being shown only in cross section in Figs. 3 and 4. In a preferred embodiment ofthe invention, the panel skin spacers may be provided with slots for receiving and
supporting concrete poured therebetween. As illustrated in Fig. 4~, the spacer
20 may be characterized by a plurality of inverted teardrop shaped slots 23
therein for receiving rebar. With several such spacers 20 in ~lignment between
a pair of panel skins, rebar may be passed through selected ones of aligned slots
23 prior to the entry of concrete into the cavity between the skins. The tear drop
shape of the slots 23 assures that the rebar will seat itself within the slots.
A wall panel assembly 24 made in accordance with the invention is shown
in cross section in Fig. 5. As illustrated, the panel assembly 24 comprises a pair
of spaced apart panel skins 26, again made of synthetic material such a PVC or
the like. Each of the ends of the panel skins 26 is provided with channel-shapedconnectors 28 çxten(ling along the edges thereo The interior of each of the skins
26 is provided with a plurality of generally triangular shaped locking receptacles
30 which are adapted to slidingly receive the locking member 22 at the ends of
the spacer members 18,20. Accordingly interengagement of the locking members
22 and locking receptacles 30 secure the spacers 18, 20 to the panel skins 26,
m~in~ining the skins 26 in fixed spaced apart relationship to each other, thereby
defining the panel assembly 24. As will become apparent below, an appropriate
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W096/06242 PCT~US95/10512
- 12-
filler 32 such as concrete or the like is typically placed between the panel skins
28 in situ to provide the structural integrity desired.
In Fig. 6, a cross sectional view of a floor panel assembly made in
accordance with the invention is also shown and ~lesign~ted by the numeral 34.
S The floor form assembly 34 comprises spaced-apart panel skins 26 within
interconnecting spacers 18,20, as shown. The cormectors 28 at one end of each
of the panels 26 of Fig. 6 iS shown to be interconnected with a purlin form 36.
As illustrated, sliding engagement of the channel connectors 28 allows for the
interengagement of the purlin form 36 with the floor panel assembly 34. Where
10 required, purlin stiffeners 38 may also be slid into place along the sides of the
side plates of the purlin form 36 and m~int~ined in such position by means of
retainers 40. A rebar clip 42 may also be provided as shown.
It will be appreciated that the wall panel 24 must necess~rily receive caps
at areas of interface with other panel members or the like. While the specific
15 designs and configurations of such wall caps may vary to suit intended purposes
and needs, representative wall caps according to the invention are shown in Figs.
7 and 8. In ~ig. 7, an ~ligning wall cap 44 in~ les a top plate 46, top ribs 48,and side channel members 50. The ~ligning wall cap 58 shown in Fig. 8 incl~ es
a top plate 46, extending top rib 48, a side channel member 50, a lower side plate
20 52, an upper side plate 54, and a rebar clip 56. Implementation of the wall caps
44, 58 will be shown in subsequent drawings and described further herein.
Similarly, various modifications to such wall caps and the presence of other
configurations thereof will further become apparent.
To appreciate the implementation of wall panels 24 and floor panels 34 in
25 a structural environment, reference should be made to Fig. 9. As illustrated here,
a wall and floor section is designated generally by the numeral 60. Here, a wallpanel 24 having an ~ligning wall cap 44 at the top thereof receives a pair of floor
panels 34. During the concrete filling operation, a concrete header 62 is formedin the area between the floor panels 34 and above the wall panel 24. Similarly,
30 at that time a concrete slab 64 iS poured over a reinforcing wire mesh 66 as
~096/06242 ~ ; 2 1 7 ~ 5 1 8 PCTrUS95/10512
- 13 -
shown.
With reference now to Fig. 10, it can be seen that a floor section at a
purlin made in accordance with the invention is ~lesign~ted generally by the
numeral 68. Again, a plurality of floor panels 34 are interconnected with a
S common purlin form 36 by interengagement with appropriate connector channels
28. A rebar trough 70 iS interconnected with the rebar clip 42 and receives a
piece of rebar 72 for purposes of providing structural integrity and interconnection
of the concrete 74 with adjoining purlin members. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that the rebar trough 70 may be configured to extend to any desired
10 height above the rebar clip 42 such that the rebar 72 iS positioned to provide the
most structural integrity.
Fig. 11 presents a floor section at an exterior insulated curtain wall and
design~tes the same by the numeral 76. Here, insulation 78 such as foam or the
like is provided in the wall panels 24. The lower wall panel 24 receives an
15 ~ligning wall cap 58 which matingly engages with an ~ligning wall cap 80 for the
top wall panel 24. As illustrated, the ~ ning wall cap 80 provides for retainingand establishing the height of a concrete floor slab 64 having a reinforcing mesh
66 therein. Also as shown, a concrete header 82 iS defined between the ~ligning
wall caps 58, 80 and the spacer 18. Rebar 72 may also be provided for customary
20 purposes.
With an appreciation of the basic structural elements and features of the
invention, the actual construction technique of a building in accordance with the
invention may now be appreciated with reference to the rem~ining drawings. As
shown in Fig. 12, structural walls and exterior curtain walls may be formed by the
a~lop,iate interconnection of wall panels 24 and column connectors 10, 16.
A~plo~liate incnl~tion 78 fills certain desired ones of the panels 24. Additionally,
and where desired, partial insulation panels may be inserted into certain of thesupport columns 10 as desired. The resultant intersection of the structural walland exterior curtain wall is design~ted generally by the numeral 84 in Fig. 12.
With reference now to Fig. 13, it can be seen that the structure of Fig. 12
WO 96/06242 ~ 2 ¦ 7 4 5 1 8 PCT/US95/10512
- 14 -
has been modified by the addition of ~ligning wall caps 44, 58 as shown. The
resultant structure, designated by the numeral 86, demonstrates an adaptability
to receive floor panels and the like as will be discussed below. It will here beappreciated that openings 88 are provided in the wall caps 58 to co~ n~ te
5 with the column connectors 10, while openings 90 are provided in the wall caps44, 58 to communicate with the column connector 16. Additionally, openings 92
are provided in the wall caps 44 to communicate with the interior of the wall
panels 24. It will be appreciated that the openings 88, 90, 92 are provided to
allow for passage of rebar, concrete, and the like from one wall area to the next
10 vertically adjacent wall area.
As illustrated in Fig. 14 by the numeral 94, the structure of claim 13 is
shown with the rebar 72 in place, the same extending from the colllmn connectors10, 16 through the associated openings 88, 90 in the sill caps 44, 58.
In Fig. 15, and decign~ted by the numeral 96, the structure 94 of Fig. 14
15 is shown as being modified by the ~tt~chment of floor panel forms 34 with a
purlin form 36 interconnecting the same. As illustrated, the floor panel forms 34
interconnect at the side edge portions of the wall caps 44, 58. Additional floorpanels 34 and purlin forms 36 are applied to the structure which is now
design~ted by the numeral 98 in Fig. 16. Here, rebar 72 is also shown as
20 extending through the purlin forms and along the wall caps for purposes of
providing structural integrity and interconnection between the various structural
elements.
The number 100 serves to decign~te the structure 98 with an additional
ning wall cap 80 applied to the assembly thereof and interconnecting with the
25 wall cap 58 and floor panels 34. As illustrated, rebar 72 further extends through
the openings 88, 90 to further provide for interconnection of the resultant
concrete columns and headers when concrete is introduced into the various
passages and cavities defined by the structure 100.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that with the various wall panels 24,
30 floor panels 34, purlins 36, ~ligning sill and wall caps 44, 58, 80, rebar 72, and the
....t . _. ~, rJj
--WO 96/06242 ^ ` ' ` 2 1 7 4 5 ~ 8 PCT/US95/10512
- 15 -
like all in place as illustrated in Fig. 17, concrete may be introduced into selected
areas in a continuous pour operation to effectuate the resultant structure
illustratively shown in Fig. 18 and designated by the numeral 102. Here, concrete
purlins 74 with reinforcing rebar 72 are supported by headers 82 supported over
5 the colllmnc 10, 16. The skins of certain of the various panels are removed in the
illustration of Fig. 18 for purposes of illustrating the presence of the concrete
structural features. However, it will appreciated that the panel skins will typically
remain in place and provide the finished surface for the resultant structure,
obviating the need for actually "finiching" the concrete surfaces. In the preferred
10 embodiment, the top surface of the slab 64 is exposed and, accordingly, is
necessarily finished during the erecting process.
As illustrated in Fig. 19 by the numeral 104, additional wall panels 24 and
connector columns 10, 16 are provided in interconnection with the wall caps and
the like of the lower wall and floor ~ccemhlies as shown. It will be appreciated15 that the extension of the rebar 72 and the column connectors 10, 16 provides for
structural continllity of the column connectors from one floor to the next, assuring
for an integral structure from floor-to-floor and wall-to-wall.
With attention now to Fig. 20, it will be appreciated that any building
structure must be capped by a roof or other appropriate top surface to protect the
20 same from the elements. As shown in Fig. 20, and decign~ted by the numeral
105, there is presented the interconnection of an appropriate roof system with awall structure. Here, a colllmn connector 70 has an inner panel of incul~tion
foam 78 and an outer structural element of poured concrete 106. A threaded
connector 108 is secured in the concrete 106 and extends therefrom through an
25 ~ iate sloping wall cap 112, the same being of tri~n~ r cross section and
providing the slope angle for the roof assembly. The roof assembly comprises a
roof panel 110 connected to a ceiling panel 114, the latter having appropriate
inclll~tion 78 therein above the occupied space of the resultant building. It will
be appreciated that the roof panel 110 and the ceiling panel 114 are constructed30 in a fashion similar to the wall panels and floor panels discussed above, having
WO 96/06242 ~ e _ 2 ~ 7 4 5 1 ~3 PCT/US95/10512
~ 16 ~
strengthening and reinforcing spacers as also earlier discussed. The ceiling panel
114 is secured to the sloping wall cap 112 by means of a nut 118 threadedly
secured to the threaded anchor 108. A beveled washer 116, having a sloping
surface corresponding to that of the sloping wall cap 112, is interposed betweenS the nut 118 and an interior surface of a skin of the ceiling panel 114, as shown.
To complete the structure of the ceiling and roof panels assembly 105, an
a~ropliate endcap 120 is provided over the end of the ceiling panel 114 and
adapted to securingly receive a gutter assembly 122.
It should now be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the instant
10 invention provides an apparatus and technique for assembling a building structure
in situ by the placement of a plurality of interconnected floor, wall, ceiling, and
roof panels and subsequently filling selected portions of such panels with concrete
and/or ins~ tion. The panels themselves are typically formed by interconnected
skins with spacers, such skins having exposed exterior surfaces which serve as the
15 finished surfaces of the resultant structure. For example, the skins of the wall
panels serve as the wall surfaces themselves, while the exposed lower skins of the
floor panels serve as the sealing surface of the room or area below. The exterior
skin surface may serve as the exterior surfaces of the building itself, where such
walls are exterior walls. In that regard, the skin surfaces may be textured or
20 architecturally treated as desired.
FIRST ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
For an appreciation of the structure and technique of the first alternative
embodiment of the invention, attention should first be made to the construction
25 elements employed in achieving the final building structure. To this end,
reference is first made to Fig. 21, wherein a panel according to the invention is
~lesign~ted generally by the numeral 210. It will be appreciated that the panel
210 is an elongated member and may be constructed of various sizes. In the
preferred embodiment of the invention, the panel 210 is molded or extruded of
30 a suitable synthetic material such as poly vinyl chloride (PVC) or other non-
~O 96/06~42 2 1 7 4 5 1 8 PCT I S9511051~
- 17-
corrosive and non-deteriorating material. The panel 210 comprises a pair of
opposed parallel face plates 212 interconnected at their ends by end webs 214.
Internal webs 216 extend across the span between the face plates 212 and are
interconnected orthogonally thereto. Accordingly, a plurality of elongated cavities
S 218 of rect~ r or square cross section are defined between the various webs
214, 216.
A channel connector 220 is formed at each of the corners of the panel 210
at the intersection of the face plates 212 and the end web 214. Provided at eachchannel connector 220 and at opposite ends of each of the end webs 214 is a
10 thermal conductor 222 which in the preferred embodiment comprises a copper
wire, heating element, or other suitable member which generates heat in responseto electrical current passing therethrough. It will be appreciated that each of the
conductors 222 extends the entire length of the panel 210 and is exposed, as
shown, at each of the opposite ends thereof.
A column connector 224 is shown in Fig. 22 and should be understood as
also being an elongated member, typically having a length equal to the length ofthe panels 210. Column connector 224 is also preferably fabricated of the same
material as the panel 210 and comprises four side plates 226 defining a cavity æs,
as shown. While the side plates 226 are shown as being of equal size to provide
a cavity 228 of square cross section, it will be appreciated that any generally
rectangular configuration is suitable. An L-shaped connector leg 230 a-d extendsfrom each of the corners of the column connector 224, with the connectors being
turrled inwardly toward each other in pairs as shown in Fig. 22, defining a channel
thereby. Also extending from a pair of opposite corners of the column connector
224 are L-shaped connector legs 230 e-f, also being turned inwardly toward each
other, as shown. Each of the L-shaped connector legs 230 a-d is provided with
an electrical conductor or heater element 232, similar in nature to the element
222 of the panel 210 discussed above. Again, the conductors 232 extend the
entire length of the L-shaped connector legs 230 a-d.
It will be appreciated that the L-shaped connector legs 230 a-d of the
WO 96/06242 . 2 1 7 4 ~; 1 8 PCT/US95/10512
. . ..
- 18 -
column connector 224 are of an elongated ~shaped nature. As will be
appreciated below, this configuration is provided to allow the column connectors224 to serve as outer ring connectors in an ultimate dual-walled cylindrical
structure of circular cross section. In like manner, and as shown in Fig. 23,
5 column connectors 234 are provided to interconnect the various panels 210 in the
inner wall structure of the dual-walled building to be discussed below. Here, each
cohlmn connector 234 is formed by a plurality of side plates 236, again defininga cavity 228. As presented above, the side plates 226 may be of identical size and
configuration to provide the cavity 228 of square cross section, but any generally
10 rect~n~ r cross section will suffice. L-shaped connector legs 238 a-d extend
from opposite corners of the column connector 234 and are turned inwardly as
shown. In similar fashion, ~shaped connector legs 238 e-f are also provided
extending along the side of one of the face plates 236. It will again be
appreciated that the column connector 224, adapted for interconnecting panels
15 210 in the inner ring of a dual wall configuration, have the same length as the
panels 210. Finally, electrical connectors 240 are provided in the ends of each of
the ~shaped connector legs 238 a-d and are of the same nature as the conc~l-ctors
222, 232 discussed above.
As mentioned above and as will become apparent below, the column
20 connectors 224 serve to interconnect panels 210 in an outer wall while the column
connectors 224 serve to connect panels 210 in an inner wall of a dual walled
structure. In the event that the structure is of square or rect~n~ r configuration,
the legs 230 a-d will typically be identical to the legs 238 a-d. However, if the
reslllt~nt building is to be of circular cross section such as a silo or the like, the
25 legs 230a, 230b and 238a, 238b will typically be longer than the corresponding legs
230c, 230d and 238c, 238d. Speciffcally, the colurnn connector 234 of Fig. 23 isshown in that configuration. The column connector 224 of Fig. 22 is shown with
legs 230 a-d all of the same length, as would be expected in a building structure
of flat or linear walls. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
30 disparity in length bet veen the pairs of legs on the column connectors 224, 234
~ t ' . ~.
--WO 96/06242 - : ` 2 1 7 4 5 1 8 PCT/US95110~12
- 19 -
will be dependent upon the radius of curvature of the resultant cylindrical
building.
With reference now to Fig. 24, it will be noted that a gasket 242 is
provided for interposition between vertically stacked panels 210. In the preferred
5 embodiment of the invention, the gasket 242 is formed of rubber, vinyl, or other
suitable polymeric material which is substantially impervious to deterioration,
shrinkage, or the like. The gasket 242 is provided with ribs 244 which extend
both above and below the plane of the gasket and are provided to m~tin~ly
engage over the top surfaces of the corresponding elements of the panel 210. In
10 other words, ribs 244 would pass above and below on either side of the inner
webs 216, outer web 214, and face plates 212 of the panel 210, as will be
appreciated below. Again, a conductive member such a wire, or an a~rop~iate
heating element 246 is provided at each of the corners of the gasket 242, as
shown. The conductors 246 are adapted to electrically interconnect with the
15 conductors 222 of the panels 210.
Fig. 25 illustrates a gasket 248 adapted for use with the column connector
224. Again, the gasket 248 is made of an a~ro~liate elastomeric material and
incllldes a rib 250 extending above and below the plane of the gasket to be
m~tin~ly received within the cavity 228 along side the inner surfaces of the side
20 plates 226. Conductors 252 are also provided for m~king electrically conductive
engagement with the conductors 232.
A gasket 254 adapted for use with the column connector 234 is shown in
Fig. 26. Again, the gasket is of an a~ro~liate elastomeric material and inchldesa rib 256 extending above and below the plane of the gasket. The rib 256 is
25 adapted for receipt within the cavity 228 defined by the side plates 226 and to
engage along the side thereof. As with the gasket 248, electrical conductors 258are provided to conductingly engage with the conductors 240.
- The implementation of a gasket 242 interposed between a pair of stacked
panels 210 is illustrated in cross section by the numeral 260 in Fig. 27 and is
30 further shown in assembly view in Fig. 28. It should be readily appreciated that
2~74518
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the gasket 242 nests upon the bottom one of the panels 210 and nestingly receives
the lower edge of the top panel 210. Accordingly, an airtight and water tight
engagement is achieved between the vertically stacked panels 210, as would also
be achieved between the vertically stacked colurnn connectors 224, 234 when
S employing associated gaskets 248, 254.
With reference now to Fig. 29, it can be seen that the circular cross section
s of a cylindrical building frame made in accordance with the invention is
design~ted by the numeral 262. It will be appreciated that the building frame 262
comprises a plurality of stacked and interconnected panels 210 and outer and
10 inner column connectors 224, 234. As shown in Fig. 29, the building frame 262is a dual walled structure formed of a plurality of intercormected panels 210,
joined together on the inner wall by the inner panel connectors 234, and at the
outer wall by the outer column connectors 224. As further illustrated, sectors of
six interconnected panels 210 are defined between cross panels- 264, 266. It will
15 be appreciated that each of the cross panels 264, 266 also comprises a stacked
arrangement of the panels 210. As will readily be appreciated, the panels 210
forming the inner wall section are c~nnected together by means of the column
connectors 234, while the panels 210 forming the outer wall section are
interconnected by the column connectors 224. At the points where the cross
20 panels 264, 266 are positioned, a panel 210 is interconnected between the L-
shaped connector legs 230e and 230f of the outer column connector 224, and the
~shaped connector legs 238e and 238f of the inner wall column connector 234.
It should further be appreciated that the building frame 262 is thus defined by a
plurality of column cavities 268 defined between the cross panels 264, 266 and
25 arcuate cavities 270 also similarly defined. The colllmn cavities 268 have a width
of one panel 210, while the arcuate cavities 270 have a width of six such panels.
It should further be appreciated from reference to Fig. 29 that a cylindrical
housing 262 can be fabricated using a plurality of interconnected rect~n~ r or
square building panels 210 and column connectors 224, 234. Curvature is
30 obtained by control of the disparity in length of the L-shaped connector legs 230a-
~WO 96/06242 ~ r f` 2 ~ 7 4 5 ~ 8 PCT/US95/10512
- 21 -
230d of the outer column connector 224, and the similar legs 238a-238d of the
inner column connectors 234.
With reference now to Fig. 30, it can be seen that a section of the inner
and outer walls of the building frame 262 is desi~n~ted generally by the numeral272. Here, the positioning of the outer wall column connectors 224 with respect
to the inner wall column connectors 234 is shown. Additionally, positioning of the
cross members 264, 266, which simply comprise stacked panels 210, can also be
seen. Of particular importance to the concept of the invention, it will be notedthat rebar 274 is positioned vertically in the column connectors 224, 234 at thecross members 264, 266. Additionally, it will be appreciated that rebar 276 may
be vertically positioned within the cavity defined between the cross members 264,
266 as illustrated. Finally, rebar 278 may be arcuately extended horizontally inthe region between the inner and outer walls of the building frame 262 as shown.Finally, the various cavities defined by the inner and outer walls are filled with
an appropriate hard-setting material such as concrete. First, the cavities 218 of
the panels 210 and the cavities 228 of the column connectors 224, 234 forming the
inner and outer walls are filled with concrete, thereby establishing rigid concentric
cylindrical forms for the larger central cavities 268, 270, which are subsequently
poured. For added strength of the forrns, the cavities 218 of the panels 210
forming the cross members 264, 266 may be filled with concrete at the time of
pouring those of the inner and outer walls. However, pouring of the cross
members 264, 266 may be delayed until pouring of the cavities 268, 270. It will,of course, be appreciated that the entire building structure 262 will typically set
upon an a~lo~liate pad or the like with certain of the rebar 274, 276 extending
therefrom.
With reference now to Fig. 31, it can be seen that a section of a building
structure 262 is desi~n~ted generally by the numeral 280. Here, the positioning
of the rebar 278 arcuately between the wall sections is clearly shown, as is theextension of the vertically positioned rebar 274, 276.
It should further be appreciated that the joints between the panels 210 and
W096/06242 1 2 1 7 4 5 1 8 PCT/US9S/10512 ~
the column connectors 224, 234 can be fused and integrally bonded by an
a~prop-iate means such as heating the material of the channel connectors and
colurnn connectors. For this purpose, the forming elements of the structure, such
as the panels 210 and connectors 224, 234 are fabricated of an applopliate fusible
5 material such as a synthetic on the order of PVC or the like. By passing current
through the various conductors 222, 232, 240, 246, 252, and 258, the temperatureof the material surrounding the conductors may be raised to such a point as to
begin to melt or flow. When the current is terminated, the temperature of the
conductor decreases to ambient, allowing the synthetic material to reset in a fused
10 or bonded condition. Of course, other fusing or bonding techniques may be
employed, such as the use of light, vibration, or other means to generate the
necessary heat to achieve the thermal bond. The bonding or fusing operation
causes the entirety of the forms 210, 224, 234 to become an integral shell
providing, in combination with the gaskets 242, 248, 254 a dual walled airtight and
15 water tight structure. Indeed, four concentric sealed integral cylindrical barriers
are thereby forrned. Completion of that structure is then achieved by the pouring
of concrete in a~prop-iate cavities as discussed above.
It is further contemplated as a portion of the invention that the
horizontally oriented gaskets 242 interposed between the panels 210 of the outer20 walls of the structure 262 be vertically spaced from or mi~:~ligned with the
corresponding gaskets 242 of the inner wall thereof. This precludes horizontal
joints from being aligned between the walls of the structure. Such mi~lignment
may be easily achieved by simply interposing panels of different lengths or heights
in selected rows of such panels in either the inner or outer wall structure.
It is also contemplated as a portion of the instant invention that a suitable
housing or structure may be developed to receive radioactive waste. In this
regard, it is desired that an appropriate lead shielding be present about the entire
perimeter of the containment structure. In this regard, reference is now made tothe structure shown in Figs. 32-36. In Fig. 32, a wall panel 282 is shown as
30 comprising the previously referenced wall panel 210 having an ap~ro~liate layer
~096/062'12 i ~ 2 1 7 4 5 1 8 PCT/USg5/10512
of foam 284 l~min~ted to an outer one of the face plates 212. As will be
appreciated herein, each of various forming and construction elements is provided
with such a foam layer, which foam may be any a~ro~liate close cell foam.
With reference to Fig. 33, it can be seen that a panel 286 consists of the
previously described panel 210 having a foam layer 288 l~min~ted on an inner
surface of each of the end webs 214 thereof. In like manner, Fig. 34 illustratesan outer ring colurnn connector 290 having a foam layer 292 l~min~ted to an
outer surface thereof, while Fig. 35 illustrates an inner ring column connector 294
having a foam layer 296 l~min~ted to an outer surface thereof. It will be
appreciated that the column connector 290 is simply the column connector 224
with a foam layer l~min~ted thereto, while the colurnn connector 294 is simply acolumn connector 234 with a foam layer 296 l~min~ted thereto.
The elements 224, 234, 282, 286, 290 and 294 may be employed in the
manner described earlier herein to construct a cylindrical cont~inment housing
such as that shown in Fig. 29. The exact positioning of the various building
elements is illustrated in Fig. 36. As illustrated, panels 286 are employed to form
the cross members between the inner and outer walls, mating with standard outer
and inner column connectors 224, 234, as illustrated. The panels 282 forming theinner wall are joined together with the inner column connectors 294, while the
panels 282 forming the outer wall are joined together with the column connectors290. The section 298 shown in Fig. 36 is, of course, repeated throughout the
entire structure to achieve the desired cylindrical housing. Rebar is similarly
employed as discussed earlier herein and the cavity between the inner and outer
walls is filled with concrete.
It will now be appreciated that a cylindrical concrete wall has been
developed with a foam barrier interposed between the inner and outer wall shells.
It is then contemplated that the foam layers are removed, either mechanically orchemically as by pouring an appropriate acid upon the foam, thus leaving a void
between the concrete cylinder and the cylinder housing formed by the panels 282
and colllmn connectors 290, 294, 224, 234. The void may then be filled with lead
W096/06242 ~ ' 2 1 7~5 1 8 PCT/US95/10512 ~
- 24 -
as by pouring the lead into the cavity to provide a double wall thickness of lead
on either side of the concrete cylinder. By presenting lead also in the bottom of
the building structure and providing the structure with a lead cap, a cont~inment
housing having a lead barrier about the entirety thereof is thus defined. Such a5 structure is suitable for receiving and retaining radioactive material and waste.
SECQ~ ALTER~ATIVE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
In order to fully appreciate the structure and technique of the second
alternative embodiment of the invention, it is preferable to first gain an
10 underst~n(ling of the component parts employed in m~nllf~ct~lring a bridge deck
forrn segment. Referring first to Figs. 37 and 38, it can be seen that a bottom
form employed in accordance with the invention is de~ign~ted generally by the
numeral 310. It will be appreciated that the bottom form 310 and the other formsreferenced herein are preferably m~n~lf~ctllred of an apl,ro~liate synthetic
15 material such as polyvinylchloride (PVC). The bottom form 310 includes a planar
base 312 having channel members 314 established and defined along lateral side
edges thereo As illustrated, each of the channel members 314 has an inwardly
extending top ledge 328. A truncated pyramidal cover 316 rises up and extends
over a central portion of the planar base 312, defining an elongated trapezoidal20 cavity 318 therewith.
A pair of walls 320 extends upwardly from the base 312 and are typically
perpendicular thereto. The walls 320 are positioned on either side of the cover
316, as shown. Accoldillg to one embodiment of the invention, tubular conduits
322 are received by and extend lon~it~l~lin~lly along the walls, there being two25 such conduits 322 in each of the walls in the embodiment shown. As illustrated,
the conduits 322 are preferably positioned in the upper half of the walls 320.
Also provided in each of the walls 320 are a pair of teardrop slots 324 positioned
near the longit~ltlin~l ends of the wall 320. The larger radiused end of the slots
324 is downward, while the smaller radiused end is upward in true teardrop
30 configuration.
WO 96/06242 ~ .; . 2 1 7 4~ ~ 8 PCT/IJS95/10512
;'
- 25 -
It will also be noted that the base 312 is characterized by a plurality of
slots 326 along opposite lateral edges thereof. The slots 326 are uniformly spaced
from the associated edge, as illustrated. In the preferred embodiment of the
invention, the slots 326 pass completely through the base 312. It will also be
S appreciated that the bottom form 310 may be of any of various sizes. While theparticular embodiment shown in the drawing demonstrates the lateral dimension
to be greater than the longitudinal one, such need not be the case. Indeed, the
forms 310 may be configured in any of various sizes to fit particular needs.
Referring now to Figs.39 and 40, it can be seen that a form joiner member
10 according to the invention is deci~n~ted by the numeral 330. Again, this member
is preferably of PVC or other suitable m~teri~l The joiner member 330 includes
a pair of square ch~nnelc 332 sharing a common center wall 334. Of course, the
specific geometric configuration of the rh~nnel member may be varied. A "I`"
channel 336 is configured at a bottom of the common wall 334 and is opened at
15 the base of the juncture of the square cavities 332, as shown. The "~' channel
336 is configured and adapted to receive abutted channel members 314 with the
top ledges 328 forming the top of the "1`". It will be readily appreciated that the
form joiner members 330 may be employed to fixedly secure laterally adjacent
bottom forms 310, with the ch~nnel 336 m~tingly receiving abutted pairs of
20 channel members 314.
With reference now to Figs. 41 and 42, it can be seen that an edge form
in accordance with the invention is decign~ted by the numeral 340 and comprises
an orthogonally connected wall 342 and base 344. A channel 346 is defined at an
outer edge of the base 344 opposite the wall 342 and is provided with the same
25 height as the channel 314 and being configured such as to m~tingly engage a
charmel 314. A slanted wall 348 extends upwardly from a top corner edge of the
channel 346 to the wall 342 and forming a cavity therewith, as shown. Also
extending longitudinally along the wall 342 above the slanted wall 348 is a
channel 350 adapted for receiving a support rod cap in a manner to be discussed
30 below.
W096/06242 ~- 2 1 7 4 5 1 ~ PCTrUS95/10512 ~
- 26 -
With reference now to Figs. 43 and 44, it can be seen that a section joiner
according to the invention is design~ted by the numeral 352. Here, a center wall354 extends upwardly and orthogonally from the center of a base member 356.
A plurality of deflectable tabs 358 extend from opposite sides of the center wall
5 354 and are positioned above the base 356 as shown. In the preferred
embodiment of the invention, the spacing between the tabs 358 and the base 356
are substantially equal to or slightly greater than the thickness of the base 312 of
the bottom form 310. A plurality of protrusions or barbs 360 extend dowllwardly
from the deflectable tabs 358 and toward the base 356. The spacing of the barbs
10 360 from the vertical wall 354 iS substantially equal to or slightly less than the
spacing of the slots 326 from their respective edges of the base 312 in the bottom
form 310.
Referring now to Figs. 45 and 46, it can be seen that a cap 362 according
to the invention comprises a head 364 having a tubular body member 366
15 extending therefrom. The diameter of the head 364 iS substantially equal to, but
slightly less than the opening between the flanges of the channel 350 to be
received and securedly engaged therein.
With reference now to Fig. 47, the implementation of the various elements
just described in devising a bridge deck form segment 370 can be seen. As shown,20 a bottom form 310 has an edge form 340 connected along one side thereof as bymeans of interengagement of channel members 346,314. Similarly, a trailing
edge of the base 312 of the bottom form 310 iS m~tingly connected with a sectionjoiner 352 as by interengagment of the barbs 360 with aligned slots 326.
Typically, the channel member 314 on the side of the form 310 opposite that
25 receiving the edge form 340 would receive either an edge form 340 or be m~tingly
engaged to another channel member 314 of another bottom form 310 as by means
of a form joiner member 330. With that configuration of forms so made, they are
positioned beneath a plurality of permanent support cables 374 which extend
between first and second locations which define the terminal points of the bridge
30 to be constructed. Caps 362 are slid into the channel 350 and the bridge deck
--W096/06242 - 2 1 745 ~ 8 PCT/USg5/10512
- 27 -
form segment 370 is then lifted such that the teardrop holes 324 are above the
permanent cables 374. At this time, a support rod 372 such as rebar or the like
is slid through the openings 324 and into receiving engagement with the cap 362.Of course, a plurality of such bars are typically so positioned.
The segment 370 is then lowered upon the permanent cables 374 and
supported thereon by means of the support bars 372. The segment 370 is then
pulled from the first location to the second location and a subsequent identicalsegment 370 is then constructed at the first location and the process is repeated,
with the second such form segment 370 eng~ging the previous segment 370 as by
interlocking engagement of the section joiner 352 of the first such segment withthe slots 326 of the second. This process repeats until the entire span between
the first and second locations is populated with interconnected segments 370
m~int~ined upon the permanent cables 374. Those skilled in the art will readily
appreciate that a large plurality of such cables 374 will typically be employed for
15 purpose of suspending the bridge deck assembly.
With all of the forms segments in place, the forms may begin to be filled
with concrete to the level of the top edge of the vertical wall 342 of the edge
forms 340 on either lateral side of the bridge assembly. Sections of the bridge
may be poured and cured independently of each other, or the entire bridge
20 structure may be poured ~imlllt~neously. It will be appreciated that the
trapezoidal cavity 318 remains devoid of concrete, as do the cavities at the
sidewall defined by the sloping wall 348 interconnecting the channel 346 and thevertical wall 342. These cavities are blocked and sealed by the center wall 354
of the section joiner 352, as best shown in Fig. 47. Additionally, the suspension
cable 374 and the support rods 372 serve as rebar in the deck assembly. It will
further be noted that the forms 310, 340 may be left in place after the curing
operation and may form a finished outer surface of the bridge structure since the
same are preferably made of PVC or other environmentally stable synthetic
material.
The conduits 322 remain open and are contemplated for the passage of
2~74518
WO 96/06242 ~ ' PCT/US95/10512
.. . .
- 28 -
heated fluid or the like to prevent water from freezing upon the bridge at low
ambient temperatures. Of course, the conduits 322 are optional for that purpose
and may be elimin~ted if that feature is not desired.
It is presently contemplated that intermediate support structures may be
S employed in accordance with the invention for bridges of substantial span. The method of construction would, however, remain substantially the same.
Thus it can be seen that the objects of the invention have been satisfied
by the structures presented above. While in accordance with the patent statutes
only the best mode and preferred embodiments of the invention have been
10 presented and described in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not
limited thereto or thereby. Accordingly, for a appreciation of the true scope and
breadth of the invention, reference should be made to the following claims.
