Abstract:
A concrete forming apparatus having an inside form panel and an outside form panel spaced opposite from the inside form panel to create a gap into which plastic concrete will be placed and cured. A sheet of rigid insulation of a reduced height less than the height of the form panels is placed in the gap. A plurality of tie sleeves are pre-inserted through the insulation at regular intervals. A plurality of form ties are releasably connected to at least one of the form panels and extended through the tie sleeve to support the reduced height sheet of insulation at the desired vertical position. The tie sleeve strengthens the insulation in the area of the form tie and prevents damage to the insulation and prevents vertical movement of the insulation during placement and curing of the plastic concrete.
Abstract:
A method for forming integrally insulated concrete sandwich walls or wall components is disclosed. The walls are fabricated by casting the walls vertically and pumping the concrete from the bottom of the form or from sides near the base. Walls fabricated thus can be used in commercial, industrial, residential, and agricultural buildings. These walls can be cast on-site or in a manufacturing plant.
Abstract:
A load transfer device is provided to connect concrete elements including, but not limited to, sandwich and double wall panel wythes, roof, floor, balcony and canopy members, and pavement. The device may be used to connect and transfer loads between the components of sandwich and double wall panels. The device includes two load transfer members positioned at an angle with respect to one another. Additionally provided are a retention housing for retaining one or more load transfer members at their angled positions and a depth locating means for retaining one or more load transfer members at their proper depth. Also provided are sandwich wall panels and double wall panels employing the load transfer device and methods for manufacturing sandwich wall panels and double wall panels employing the disclosed load transfer device.
Abstract:
A concrete forming apparatus having an inside form panel and an outside form panel spaced opposite from the inside form panel to create a gap into which plastic concrete will be placed and cured. A sheet of rigid insulation of a reduced height less than the height of the form panels is placed in the gap. A plurality of tie sleeves are pre-inserted through the insulation at regular intervals. A plurality of form ties are releasably connected to at least one of the form panels and extended through the tie sleeve to support the reduced height sheet of insulation at the desired vertical position. The tie sleeve strengthens the insulation in the area of the form tie and prevents damage to the insulation and prevents vertical movement of the insulation during placement and curing of the plastic concrete.
Abstract:
By using a thermal insulation foam/film laminate wherein each major planar surface of a foam panel has a facer film bonded thereto that meets certain performance criteria rather than a foam panel by itself, composite walls that have a foam panel sandwiched between concrete layers can be made with fewer steps.
Abstract:
An insulated wall includes first and second spaced apart layers of concrete having a layer of insulating material sandwiched therebetween. Extending through the insulative layer are a plurality of spike connectors having their opposite ends protruding into the two concrete layers and having their central portions extending through the insulating material. On of the opposite ends of the spike connectors is pointed so as to permit it to be punched through the insulative layer. The opposite ends of the spikes each include a holding surface facing at least partially toward the central insulative layer and holding the concrete layers against movement away from the insulative layer. C-shaped connectors may also be used in a similar fashion with hook ends hooked over elongated cables extending within the two concrete layers so as to tie them together.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method is provided for producing composite reinforcement elements having high tensile strength and anchoring points for retaining the elements in concrete or masonry. The apparatus includes a creel station having a plurality of fibers, and a placement station for arranging the fibers into a multi-fiber roving. The roving is passed through a resin bath for coating the roving with a corrosion resistant material. The coated roving is heated so as to partially cure the coating material. The roving is then continuously pulled through a rotary die station which imparts a desired shape or profile to the composite element. The element is also heated in the rotary die station so as to complete the curing process.
Abstract:
A form tie for use in constructing building components and structures, including but not limited to concrete walls, concrete sandwich walls, and concrete foundations is disclosed. The form tie includes a central body portion and two end portions. The two end portions each include a taper that decreases in width inwardly toward the center of the form tie. Also disclosed is a clamp device for releasably securing the form tie to a form assembly. The clamp device includes a tapered passageway that grips a taper of the end portions of the disclosed form tie. Also disclosed is a form assembly including a first form wall, second form wall, and at least one form tie and clamp device of the present invention.
Abstract:
Precast insulated concrete wall panels are made by pouring a first concrete layer into a form. An insulation layer is then supported above the first concrete layer so as to create a space therebetween. The second concrete layer is then poured on top of the insulation layer before the first concrete layer has cured. Connectors are anchored in the first and second concrete layers so as to tie the layers together. After the first and second concrete layers have cured, the wall panels can be lifted, transported, and assembled into a wall structure. An intermediate layer of concrete can be poured into the air gap of the wall panels such that the panels define the form for the intermediate concrete layer and become an integral part of the wall structure. The wall structure may extend below or above grade and may be multi-tiered. The edges of the wall panels are contoured so as to interlockingly matingly engage when assembled into the wall structure. Notches may be provided in the upper edge of the wall panels so as to receive floor or roof joists.
Abstract:
An improved concrete wall structure is provided with an insulation layer sandwiched between concrete layers. The insulation layer includes a vapor film on at least one side. An extruded channel member is fit onto the edge of a sheet of insulation and has a vapor film fit into a longitudinal groove extending along the channel member. The vapor films on the channel members of adjacent wall panels cooperate to bridge the gap between adjacent panels and thereby provide a vapor seal in the space between the adjacent panels.