Composite concrete slab and steel joist construction

Claim 1

In a composite open-web steel joist and concrete slab construction, the combination comprising: at least one open-web joist member having a zig-zag bent metal webbing member, and secured top and bottom chords; said zig-zag bent rod webbing member having a substantially uniformly spaced series of upper extending apex portions with respect to the said top chord to which it is affixed forming a plurality of shear members extending upwardly from said chord at said portions; a corrugated solid sheet metal formwork member having a substantially flat top and bottom portions received in seating engagement upon said joist top chord and having a plurality of apertures therein for the through passage of said upwardly extending shear members; said top chord being displaced somewhat downwardly from the upper ends of said apex portions of said bent rod web and being secured to said webbing members and acting in combination with said apex portions as shear members in said composite steel joist and concrete slab construction; a rod affixed to the apices of said shear members and extending along the longitudinal axis of said joists; and a wire mesh draped over one or more of said rods prior to pouring concrete such that said wire mesh is near the top of the concrete when poured over said joists and is near the bottom of said slab midway between any two of said joists such that said wire mesh serves to reinforce the concrete when poured; and wedge means securing said apex portions with respect to said corrugated metal formwork member; said wedge means comprising an angular bent piece of sheet metal including an upwardly extending leg having tapered edge portions supported by said bottom leg portion defining a substantially triangular shaped cross-section wedge means; a poured concrete slab upon said formwork members and encasing said shear members, said rod, and said mesh.