Abstract The slab module disclosed herein consists of a precast prestressed slab section which may have solid or a hollow core. The slab module has a longitudinal male inserting edge which when installed mates with a complimentary-shaped female receiving edge on a similar slab module. However, the dimensions of the female edge are slightly greater than the corresponding male edges. The bottom surface of both male and female members are inclined at an angle to the plane of a side of the slab module so that the inserted module will move upward in translation as well as move toward the module into which its edge is being inserted. When the top or bottom surface (as desired) of the inserting module is at the same plane as the corresponding surface of the inserted module, a positioning spacer may be inserted to limit further movement and to maintain the relative position of the modules. The spacers may be in the form of plates which will vary in thickness. The joints between slab modules will be grouted after the slab modules are assembled. The modules will be drawn together by tendons. After assembly and adjustment of the slab modules, the tendons are post-tensioned and permanently anchored. The finished deck will appear and function as a smooth, continuous slab.
A plurality of load bearing slab modules, said slab modules being precast, reinforced and/or prestressed, concrete, said slab modules each having a male inserting edge adapted to be inserted into a complimentary shaped female receiving edge of a similar slab, said slab modules each having a female receiving edge having slightly greater dimensions than said male inserting edge, the bottom surface of both said inserting edge and said receiving edge being inclined to the plane of the top surface of said slab module so that when said slab module is installed with a similar slab module to make a deck, said slab modules will move into a common plane, laterally extending holes disposed through said slab modules, and tendons extending through said holes and having means on their ends adapted to force said slab modules toward each other whereby the top surface of said slab modules are disposed in a common plane, and means comprising shims of selected sizes inserted between said slab modules to limit the movement of any particular slab whereby the top surface of said slabs may be brought into a common plane, said slab modules being held from further movement toward each other by said shims.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A plurality of load bearing slab modules, said slab modules being precast, reinforced and/or prestressed, concrete, said slab modules each having a male inserting edge adapted to be inserted into a complimentary shaped female receiving edge of a similar slab, said slab modules each having a female receiving edge having slightly greater dimensions than said male inserting edge, the bottom surface of both said inserting edge and said receiving edge being inclined to the plane of the top surface of said slab module so that when said slab module is installed with a similar slab module to make a deck, said slab modules will move into a common plane, laterally extending holes disposed through said slab modules, and tendons extending through said holes and having means on their ends adapted to force said slab modules toward each other whereby the top surface of said slab modules are disposed in a common plane, and means comprising shims of selected sizes inserted between said slab modules to limit the movement of any particular slab whereby the top surface of said slabs may be brought into a common plane, said slab modules being held from further movement toward each other by said shims.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
124 words
A facing plate disposed between the slab modules recited in claim 1 wherein said facing plates are generally symmetrical having an intermediate part and a first and a second end attached to said intermediate part, said first end of said facing plate being adapted to be disposed in the space between said edges of said slab modules, said intermediate part of said facing plates being adapted to rest on said inclined portion of said edge, and said second end of said facing plates being disposed between a relatively flat male end of a said edge of one said slab module and a relatively flat surface of said female edge, whereby the incline of the bracket reduces friction between said slab modules with each other.