GB2576624A

GB2576624A - Universal concrete slab edge assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2576624A
Application number: GB1910162.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Blackwood Benjamin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-07-12
Filing date: 2019-07-16
Publication date: 2020-02-26
Anticipated expiration: 2039-07-16
Also published as: GB2576624B; GB201811485D0; GB201910162D0; GB2575498A

Abstract

The connector system for a slab 3 edge allows connecting various items such as a balcony or brickwork. The system comprises a number of reinforcement bars embedded in a concrete slab and extending outside the slab, and welded to a continuous plate which is a strip of steel 2. The plate is spaced from the edge of the slab and the space in between includes a fire and smoke stopping insulation 4. A cavity fire barrier 7 is also attached to the plate. A number of bolt fixings extend from the front of the plates, these may be extensions from the bars and pass through the plate. A brick shelf angle may be bolted to the connection system.

Description

UNIVERSAL CONCRETE SLAB EDGE ASSEMBLY

The present specification relates to universal concrete slab edge assembly, that is, an assembly to the perimeter of the concrete structural floor level of a building which provides a thermal break and bolt-fixing points for a plurality of facade fixtures such as balcony stub connectors balconies, brick support shelfs and cladding bracketry in order to facilitate the fitment of cantilevered meta-framed balconies, brickwork and other cladding such as composite or aluminium panelling.

The edge of the concrete slab forming the floor levels of buildings is typically used to locate various attachments such as balcony brackets, brick support shelfs and other brackets.

The construction of concrete floor levels often includes steel re-enforcement and post-tensioned tendons, any fixture to the concrete slab edge must be coordinated with the re-enforcement and tendons. However, modern buildings often include a complex assembly of different facade materials, such as cantilevered metal-frame balconies, brickwork and facade panelling such as “rainscreen” panelling. Each of these facade materials has an accompanying fixing system to be attached to the concrete slab edge. The outcome of this is that there must be a complex co-ordination process to avoid clashes prior to construction. It is often problematic to obtain and then over lay sufficient details of the balconies and facade to avoid clashes due to the time taken and the complexity of the varied systems which are supplied by a range of different i

specialist suppliers, each with their own details and requirements upon the structure.

A further challenge created by the number of facade treatments is that each material (balconies, brickwork, panelling and the like) has different type of bracketry. This presents a challenge to ensure the brackets do not clash, and secondarily to ensure that the cavity fire barrier remains continuous throughout the bracketry.

WO2013122478 (MYKLEBUST BJOERN) and FR2468701 (LAUZIER RENE) shows a cantilever system for fixing balconies, but does not provide any features for providing continuity of the cavity fire barrier or for supporting other facade systems. IE20050465 (ANCON LTD) and GB2305194A (ANCON CLARK LTD) show a support system for structures, but does not give any consideration for balconies, thermal break or for continuity of the cavity fire barrier.

The object of the present invention is to provide connection system for attachments to buildings that provides a universal connection detail comprising threaded fixings, to which cantilevered balconies, brickwork support shelving, rainscreen panelling and other facade treatments can be bolted, whilst providing a thermal break to all systems which are in turn fitted to it. This universal fitment thus provides flexibility in positioning of these different facade systems such that the positions can be adjusted in order to co-ordinate these systems to avoid clashes. In addition, a key advantage of the system being applied throughout the perimeter of the structure is that a consistent interface for the cavity fire barrier is provided in order to enable a continuous cavity fire barrier.

According to the present invention, there is provided a concrete slab edge system according to claim 1.

References to the terms forward and front, are used herein to designate the frame of reference of an observer facing the edge of the concrete structure from outside the building, and references to the terms rear and rearwards are to be similarly interpreted.

Figure 1 Shows a section through the concrete slab edge system in use with a balcony stub connector.

Figure 2 Shows a section through the concrete slab edge system in use with a brick shelf.

Figure 3 Shows a section through the concrete slab edge system.

Figure 4 Shows an isometric view of the concrete slab edge system.

Figure 5 Shows an isometric view of the concrete slab edge system incorporating the concrete slab.

Figure 6 Shows an isometric view of the concrete slab edge system incorporating the concrete slab with balcony stubs fitted.

Figure 7 Shows an isometric view of the concrete slab edge system incorporating the concrete slab with balcony stubs fitted and adjacent brick shelf fitted.

Figure 8 Shows an isometric view of the concrete slab edge system incorporating the concrete slab with balcony stubs fitted and adjacent brick shelf fitted and spikes fitted.

Figure 9 Shows an isometric view of the concrete slab edge system incorporating the concrete slab with balcony stubs fitted and adjacent brick shelf fitted and cavity fire barrier fitted.

Figure 10 Shows an isometric view of the concrete slab edge system incorporating the concrete slab with balcony stubs fitted and adjacent brick shelf fitted and cavity fire barrier fitted and bricks installed to the brick shelf.

Figure 11 Shows an isometric view of the concrete slab edge system incorporating the concrete slab with balcony stubs fitted and adjacent brick shelf fitted and cavity fire barrier fitted and bricks installed to the brick shelf and balcony installed to the balcony stubs.

Referring to figures 1, 2 and 3; a concrete slab 3 has longitudinal reenforcement rods 1 running through it in a conventional manner. The concrete slab edge system consists of a plate 2 made from stainless steel placed along the edge of the slab 3 in a spaced relationship. The re-enforcement rods 1 penetrate holes in plate 2, the re-enforcement rods are in turn welded to the plate. The re-enforcement rods 1 feature a threaded portion 1.1 at their front ends. Referring also to figures 4 and 5, a layer of insulation 4 occupies the volume between the plate 2 and the edge of the concrete slab 3 (not visible in figure 4 for clarity). The insulation 4 is made from mineral or glass fibre, and includes an aluminium layer parallel to the plate. The insulation 4 is bonded to plate 2 with adhesive, perhaps acrylic adhesive with intumescent performance. The insulation 4 provides at least 120 minutes of fire resistance in the zone between the plate 2 and the slab 3, such that the insulation provides at least 120 minutes of fire and smoke resistance between levels in the building. The concrete slab 3 is usually the structural floor of the building which forms part of the structure, the floor of each level of the building and the separating structure between levels. The concrete slab thickness and design will be determined by the needs of the particular project, but may include a number of designs including pre-cast, re-enforced or post-tensioned design.

In use, as shown in figures 1 and 2, the re-enforcement rods 1 are cast into the concrete slab 3 during casting of the slab 3.

Figure 1 shows the configuration which involves the fixing of balcony stub 5. The stub 5 is designed per project to suit the depth of the cavity which occurs on the respective project. Usually the balcony stub 5 is welded from mild steel parts to form two plates 5.1, 5.2 spaced by a flange 5.3. Referring also to figure 6, the plates 5.1, 5.2 features holes which allow the stub 5 to be bolted to the re-enforcement rods via the threaded portion 1.1 to provide a solid connection to the plate 2 by means of a matching nut and washer 6 tightened and re-tightened to the appropriate torque. A proprietary cavity fire barrier 7 with fire protection performance of at least 60 minutes, made from ceramic or glass fibre, is tightly fitted to the balcony stub flange 5.3. The proprietary cavity fire barrier 7, is held in place by stainless steel spikes 7.1 which project from the edge of the concrete slab 3. The spikes 7.1 are bolted to the threaded portions 1.1 of the re-enforced rods 1. The balcony stub 5 includes usually four further holes or slots on the plate 5.2 in order to later attach a balcony 10.

Figure 2 shows a further configuration where, instead of a balcony location, this configuration shown in figure 2 shows the re-enforcement rods 1, plate 2, concrete slab 3, and insulation 4 in identical configuration to the balcony configuration shown in figure 1.

The configuration shown in figure 2 includes an L-section brick support shelf 8, made from stainless steel, having a vertical plate and horizontal ledge, the vertical plate being bolted against the concrete slab 3 using the threaded portion 1.1 of the re-enforcement rods 1 by means of nuts and washers which are tightened and re-torqued to the appropriate torque. The cavity barrier 7 is also fitted to this configuration by means of supporting spikes 7.1 shown in figure 8. The cavity barrier 7 in this configuration is also tightly fitted to the plate 2, but in this configuration may include an intumescent coating to the front face adjacent an air gap between the cavity barrier 7 and the brick 9. The brick 9 is stacked to the horizontal ledge of the brick shelf 8. The brick shelf 8 may include water drainage holes in some applications.

Referring to figure 7, the stubs 5 described in relation to figure 1, and the brick shelf 8 described in relation to figure 2, may both be disposed along the same edge of a concrete slab, both stubs 5 and brick shelf 8 being attached to a single plate 2 that extends along the edge of the length of the concrete slab 3.

Referring to figure 9, as well as the plate 2, the insulation 4 and cavity fire barrier 7 are continuous across both configurations. As shown in figure 9, the insulation may be cut or formed so that the thickness varies along its length. Referring to figure 10, this allows the bricks 9 to be position as desired and to include an air cavity between the inside surface of the bricks and the fire barrier 7.

Referring to figure 10, a balcony can be fitted to the stubs in a conventional fashion.

An alternative embodiment of the system (not shown) involves the fitment of a proprietary rain screen cladding bracketry system being fitted to 1.1 in lieu of the brick shelf 8, and rain screen panelling, perhaps made from aluminium, ceramic, concrete, glass or composite, being fitted in lieu of the brick 9.

In some embodiments (not shown) a smoke barrier can be added as needed to the insulation 4 and the cavity barrier 7. The smoke barrier usually involving a self-adhesive aluminium tape bonded to the top of the insulation 4 or a cavity barrier 7.

It will be seen that this system yields the key benefits that the precise location of the transition between the two configurations, and other configurations, does not need to be determined until a late stage of design; and that the cavity fire barrier 7 is continuous, which is critical to its performance. It will be seen that several different configurations can be distributed along a concrete edge and accommodated by this system.

The system primarily comprises standardised components of re-enforced rods 1 (having threaded ends 1.1 which will extend beyond the concrete slab) plate and insulation layer 4, which may be factory assembled in lengths of perhaps metres. Then the system is installed by positioning the assembled product of figure 4 while the concrete slab 3 is poured and allowed to set. The position and dimensions of the concrete slab are designed in the conventional manner.

Then a standardised design approach is used to tailor the design of the stubs 5, fire barrier 7 and brick shelf 8 to suit the particular requirements of the project. The nut and washer 6 and steel spike 7.1 are proprietary accessories, but may be increased in size for this application. The fire barrier 7 and the insulation layer 4 are typically proprietary materials, and further are often the same material having both heat insulating and fire insulating properties; the dimensions will be determined by the circumstances of the particular design. In particular, the fixing holes of the components may have to be enlarged. The brickwork 9, cantilever balcony 10 or other cladding system are designed by others to suit the particular project in the conventional manner. It will be realised that other fixing components can be fitted to the plate 2 in a similar manner to stub 5 and brick support shelf 8.

The primary advantage of the system is that it enables continuity of the structural supports, to which a range of secondary supports can be fitted. In practice this gives a number of desirable outcomes:

Refinement of the design of the interface of the balcony and cladding types can be done, without impacting the design of the primary supports. Thus avoiding “post-fix” primary supports, which are both costly and hazardous to install.

The primary supports are continuous, regardless of facade treatment.

This avoids junctions which can compromise fire integrity and cause design clashes.

Abutments between dissimilar materials to form the fire break are eliminated.

The cavity fire barrier is continuous.

The simpler construction process reduces the risk of workmanship defects.

Claims

1. A universal concrete slab edge fixing connection system for securing a plurality of fixtures to the building facade such as cantilevered balconies, brickwork and cladding to a concrete slab, consisting of

A plurality of re-enforcement bars embedded in the concrete slab, each re-enforcement bar protruding from the concrete and terminating welded to a steel plate a continuous plate comprising a planar strip of steel, which is rigidly fixed to the free ends of the re-enforcement bars to space the plate from the edge of the concrete slab fire and smoke stopping insulation material located between the plate and the edge of the concrete slab.

cavity fire barrier which is fitted to the plate threaded bolt fixings to the front of the plate.

2. A connection system according to claim 1 wherein the plate includes apertures, and the free ends of the re-enforcement bars engage with the apertures and the plate is in-tum affixed to the re-enforcement bars via fillet welds.

3. A connection system according to claim 2 wherein there are threaded boltfixings protruding from the plate, to which a plurality of attachments may be fitted.

4. A connection system according to either claim 2 or 3 wherein the plate and re-enforcement bars are welded together.

5. A connection system according to either previous claim wherein a cantilevered metal-framed balcony is be bolted to any point along the system.

6. A connection system according to either previous claim wherein a brick shelf angle is be bolted to any point along the system.

7. A connection system according to either previous claim wherein a cladding support bracketry can be bolted to any point along the system.

8. A connection system according to claim 2 wherein the re-enforcement bars extend through the insulation and plate and are threaded on the protruding portions to the front of the plate in order to provide the fixing points.

9. A connection system according to any previous claim wherein a cavity fire barrier is fitted abutting the plate.

10. A connection system according to any previous claim wherein a smoke impermeable layer or layers is included to bridge between the plate and the concrete slab.

11. A connection system according to any previous claim wherein there is included an intumescent material to the plate.