EA011532B1 - Floor system with steel joists having openings with edge formations - Google Patents

Abstract

A steel joist member for use in supporting floor structures giving great strength and convenience and improved acoustical performance having a web defining side edges and an axis, a flange on at least one side edge, openings through said web at spaced intervals there along, having rounded ends and parallel linear sides, portions of said web displaced from said opening remaining attached integrally to the web by bend lines formed on the linear sides of the openings along axes parallel to the web axis, and forming reinforcing channels alongside the opposite sides of the opening. Also disclosed is a composite joist member made up of two such members joined together back to back with their openings in registration creating an H shape or an I shape. Also disclosed is a rim member for supporting the composite joists to form a floor structure. Also disclosed is a method of making such a floor joist member. Also disclosed is a floor panel system wherein floor panels can be prefabricated in a factory and transported to a construction site ready for installation in a building.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the construction of interfloor ceilings equipped with steel floor beams and flanges on which the beams rest, while the beams and flange are made with holes and provided with stiffening edges made around the holes. In particular, the holes in the beams are made with linear reinforcing channels along the opposite sides of the holes, which are made with bends at the corresponding first and second angles with respect to the plane of the beam.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For the installation of structures of interfloor ceilings, various types of steel floor beams were proposed. Typically, such beams are used to replace wooden beams. Metal beams equipped with strong walls were used, however, they created obstacles in the space between the floor and the ceiling below it. Such floor beams were usually created with a Shaped profile, i.e. there was a central wall, while the opposite side edges of the wall were made in the form of end flanges. In some cases, the beam was bent in several places in order to give it greater strength and use a metal profile having a smaller thickness. Unfortunately, such metal floor beams prevented the installation of engineering equipment such as plumbing, electricity, heating and ventilation systems. It was proposed to fabricate metal floor beams with holes, usually mainly triangular or trapezoidal holes, while, as before, the two edges were made with bends. These holes were positioned so as to ensure the formation of compressed braces running across the floor beams. Due to this, it was supposed to increase strength, while reducing weight and removing obstacles between the floor and ceiling. However, the holes made in the metal beams of the ceiling and having a specific mainly triangular and trapezoidal shape did not allow the installation of engineering equipment, in many cases it was impossible to pass large diameter pipelines through them. The builders also could not cut any of the squeezed braces in order to expand the holes for the installation of engineering equipment, as this could lead to a significant decrease in the strength of the floor beams. Another problem arose when cutting said floor beams into sections of a certain length. The holes were arranged in pairs, with one triangular hole pointing in one direction, while the other hole in the opposite direction. When cutting such floor beams into sections of a certain length, it was required that all of the holes of a certain orientation in all adjacent beams in the interfloor overlap be on the same line. This was required in order to simplify the laying of engineering systems through floor beams. However, in view of the periodically changing orientation of the holes, compliance with this requirement led to the fact that in many cases it was necessary to cut off the end parts of the floor beams equal in length to the space occupied by the two holes.

Another factor is that concrete is widely used to fill slabs of concrete floors. Typically, the slab simply rested on top of the floor beams. It was recently revealed that when parts of metal floor beams are partially embedded in concrete, they provide significantly higher strength of the plates with their smaller thickness.

Weight reduction is possible based on the use of the present invention, which provides for the creation of evenly spaced symmetrical, mainly oval-shaped holes, while the end parts of the holes are formed by the radius of the semicircle. Moreover, the use of the present invention provides the formation of holes through which you can pass pipelines having a diameter equal to the distance across the hole of the wall. Strong adjacent wall sections remain between adjacent openings and they form braces extending transversely from one to the other edge of the wall. This eliminates the use of compressed braces characteristic of known beams. This also means that an increase in the size of pipelines that can be passed through the holes is provided. In addition, the shape of the hole is symmetrical and the same, which ensures alignment of the floor beams in pairs with the rear sides and the creation of combined floor beams, while maintaining the full size of the holes made in the floor beams for passing engineering systems of buildings through them.

Summary of the invention

To achieve the above and other objectives, the invention provides for the creation of steel floor beams for use in floor structures, while the steel floor beam is provided with a wall forming side edges, an axis and an edge flange at least on one side wall edge, with identical symmetrical holes passing through the specified wall and located at an equal distance from each other along its length, of a given size and profile with rounded ends and linear sides, parallel GOVERNMENTAL each other, wherein said wall portion is offset from said opening which is connected with the wall as an integral part of the wall along opposite sides of linear openings, the first bend formed in each side portion, a second bend formed in each side portion is

- 1 011532 parallel to the specified first bend and located at a distance from it, while the first and second bends are made along axes parallel to the axis of the wall. The present invention further provides for the creation of steel floor beams in accordance with the above description, including recesses made in the wall and spaced at equal distances from each other, and holes made in the recesses, in order to increase strength and partially reduce thermal conductivity.

The invention further provides for the creation of a steel floor beam in accordance with the above description, in which the holes have a shape forming opposite linear side edges and arcuate end edges, while the side parts of the wall are made integrally with the specified linear side edges, and continuous flanging of the edges is made around the holes.

The invention also provides for the creation of an element of combined floor beams made of two steel floor beams, as described above, connected by the back side to each other in order to form a combined beam. Due to the symmetry and the same size of the shape of the holes in this embodiment, the combined floor beams can be made by placing two beams with the back side to each other while aligning their holes with each other. Such combined floor beams have high strength, while ensuring the laying of engineering equipment.

The present invention also provides a flange for attachment to the structure around the floor and the supports on said flange to provide support for the opposite ends of each steel floor beam.

The flange may also include mounting tabs for attaching to each steel beam of the ceiling.

The flange may also include embedded parts and, in addition, the end support elements of the beams.

The invention further provides a method of manufacturing a steel floor beam with a wall and side edges, flanging edges along at least one side edge and holes passing through the wall, the method comprising the steps of forming holes having opposite linear parallel sides and arcuate ends in the wall located at an equal distance along its length, the attachment of the side sections of metal to the wall along each of the opposite linear sides, the formation of flanges wok edges along at least one side edge of the wall and forming side portions of the plane of the wall by bending each side portion along the first folding line and then along a second fold line situated at a distance from the first bend lines and parallel thereto.

The invention also provides for the creation of a method of manufacturing the design of floor beams using the flanges and steel beams described above.

Various novelty features characterizing the invention are set forth in more detail in the claims appended hereto and forming part of it. A more complete understanding of the essence of the invention, its advantages and specific objectives based on its application can be achieved from the detailed description, which is carried out with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate and describe preferred embodiments of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a floor structure design illustrating one embodiment of the present invention having combined floor beams formed by two steel elements of floor beams in which the openings have opposite linear sides and semicircular, or arcuate ends and channels made on opposite linear sides of the openings ;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of one element of the floor beam along line 2-2 of FIG. one;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of one element of the floor beam along line 3-3 of FIG. one;

FIG. 4 is a vertical side view of part of one element of the floor beam in FIG. 1 with elements shown in section;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of one element of the floor beam along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the flange of the embodiment of FIG. one;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of one element of the floor beam along line 7-7 of FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a sectional view of one element of the floor beam along line 8-8 of FIG. 6; FIG. 9 is a sectional view of one element of the floor beam along line 9-9 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a floor structure using elements of floor beams illustrating another embodiment of the invention in which the flange is changed with respect to FIG. one;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a floor structure illustrating another embodiment of the invention for creating a floor support from prefabricated panels, usually made of plywood, with combined elements of beams, modified

- 2 011532 to remove the edges of the seal;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a floor structure illustrating another embodiment of the invention for creating a support for a panel floor, usually made of plywood, with a flange modified with respect to FIG. eleven;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an additional embodiment of a floor structure using elements of combined beams, illustrating another embodiment of the invention, in which the flanges rest on the edge of the wall frame formed by racks of thin-walled profiles;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a floor structure using individual beam elements, illustrating another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a floor structure using combined beam elements, illustrating another embodiment of a flange in which the width of the flange is reduced compared to the width in FIG. one;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating an additional embodiment of a steel floor beam that can be used in combination with another system; and FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG. sixteen.

Description of a specific embodiment of the invention

As mentioned above, the invention provides for the construction of a floor or roof covering using sheet metal beams having improved acoustic characteristics in order to reduce sound permeability between floors. The invention also provides for the creation of floor beams made of sheet metal, suitable for reinforcing reinforced concrete floor slabs or roofs.

The invention also provides for the creation of combined I-beam elements of floor beams formed by connecting the two sections of beams with the back side, and a method for manufacturing such beam elements, as well as a method for creating a floor. For the purpose of description, the term "floor" is used to describe the horizontal structure used in construction, which can either function as a floor to create support for people and objects inside the structure, or as a roof enclosing the structure. When used as a roof, this design usually has a slope, while when used as a floor, it is horizontal. The invention is equally applicable to perform two functions.

In FIG. 1, the invention is illustrated in the form of a floor (10). Usually the interfloor overlap (10) is made of elements (12) of combined beams made of sheet metal and flanges (14). Typically, the flanges (14) rest on the upper edge of the wall (not shown) or the base, or on a different structure. Elements (12) of the floor beams overlap the span surrounded by the flanges (14), and the ends of the elements (12) of the floor beams rest on the flanges (14).

As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the elements (12) of the combined beams are composite and are made of two identical beams (20), combined with each other on the back side.

As a result of this, the element of the combined beams forms an I-beam element. Each beam (20) is made of sheet metal, in this case, steel. Each beam (20) has a wall (22), which is basically flat, and flanging edges (24) along the lower lateral edge of the wall (22). Flanging edges (24) is made by bending the wall at right angles. On the flanging of the edge (24), a protrusion (26) is made at a right angle.

The holes (28) are made in the wall (22) by punching part of the sheet metal and by displacing, but not removing other parts of the sheet metal, as will become apparent below.

In the present embodiment, the openings (28) are made substantially oval in shape, elongated along the length of the floor beam (20). The holes are the same and symmetrical for the reason that will be described below. Each hole (28) has opposite ends (30) located along the central axis of the wall (22) and has a semicircular or arched profile.

Between the ends (30) along the opposite sides of the hole (28) are made with elongated linear parallel sides indicated by position (32). Elongated transverse ribs (34) can be made, if necessary, at the ends of the beams of overlap (Fig. 2 and 3) in order to provide increased rigidity at the ends of the beams, for the following reasons.

Flanging of the edges (36), formed at right angles with respect to the wall (22), acts along the circumference of the hole (28). Along the two linear sides (32) of the hole, stiffening protrusions (38) are made, extending from the flanging of the edges (36) and constituting a single whole with it. The stiffness protrusions (38) are made of parts of the wall (22), which was partially knocked out and displaced, but which remained connected as a part of the flanging of the edges (24), along the linear sides of the hole (28). The stiffness protrusions (38) are made in the form of a bend (40) at a right angle parallel to the plane of the wall (22), but

- 3 011532 located at a distance from it.

Due to this, two stiffness protrusions (38) form a reinforcement in the form of short channels extending from the flanging of the edge (36) along two linear sides (32) of the hole (28). As a consequence, the stiffness protrusions (38) provide increased rigidity of the beam (20) along the length of two linear sides (32) of the hole (28).

This feature allows the formation of holes (28) with a relatively large diameter, which ensures the passage of a pipe (not shown) through the hole (28), and the diameter of the pipe is limited only by the transverse dimensions of the hole located along the wall (22). This is a significant improvement over beams having a triangular shape. Along the upper side of the wall (22), a connecting flange (42) is made, the purpose of which will be described below.

It should be noted that the shape and location of the holes (28) form the racks (44), running transversely along the wall (22). Such racks reduce the spread of sound across the beam. In the beams (20), recesses (46) are additionally made at the opposite ends of each strut (44), in the area where the strut expands to form a wall (22). In such recesses (46), holes (48) are punched in the center, which in this case are round, although they can have any other shape. The holes (48) allow you to remove the metal, as a result of which a barrier is provided that impedes the propagation of sound along the beam and increases its acoustic characteristics. The specified embodiment of the beam has exceptional advantages. The beam has high strength due to the preservation of a significant amount of metal displaced by cutting holes (28). A significant part of such a metal is not removed, but stored, and it is bent outward in order to form stiffness protrusions (38) in the form of a channel forming both sides of the hole (28).

In FIG. 1-6 illustrates another feature of a beam (20) for embedment into a concrete slab.

The connecting flanges (42) are made with embedded flanges (50), which are bent from the wall plane approximately at an angle of 45 °. The angle of inclination may vary depending on the application.

The embedded flanges (50) are bent outward and are made with a series of holes or slots (52) to ensure the flow of cement through them.

Along the embedded flanges (50), a reverse protrusion (54) is made for embedding in concrete. Thus, the present embodiment provides greater strength of the beam, while creating reinforcement of concrete slabs or floor panels. Partially embedded embedded flanges (50) provide maximum traction between beams and concrete.

The specified beam allows to reduce the thickness of the sheet metal. It is envisaged that a reduction in thickness of at least one order and possibly two orders of magnitude can be achieved by creating the appropriate support for a concrete slab or floor panel.

This will reduce the cost of floor slabs or panels.

In FIG. 11, another shape of the beam (100) is illustrated having features that provide an acceptable support for flooring made from other panel materials such as plywood and the like.

The beam (100) has a wall (102) and identical flanging edges (104) and (106) along the other side wall. The lower and upper flanges of the edges (104) and (106) are identical and bent at right angles to the plane of the wall. Performed as a whole, the edge protrusions (108) depart from the flanging of the edges (104) and (106) parallel to the plane of the wall. The ribs (110) are made, as before, across the beams (100). The holes (112) are made, as before, in the wall (102), while they are elongated and oval in shape, as shown in the example embodiment of the invention in FIG. one.

The flanges or flanges (114) are made, as before, around the holes. The linear lateral edges (116) and (118) of the hole (112) are reinforced with stiffening protrusions (120) of sheet metal extending from the wall (102) and constituting a whole with it, thereby preserving most of the metal displaced by forming the hole (112 ) and used more to improve the beam, and not to sort it as waste.

The stiffness protrusions (120) are curved and form rectangular channels running along each linear side of the hole (112) in order to provide higher strength. A greater amount of metal is stored on the beam, which allows both to increase its strength and reduce its thickness. The recesses (122) with holes (124), which may have a round or other shape, are made in the wall, as described above, in order to reduce heat loss.

In practice, two such beams (20) or (100) are arranged side by side, as shown in FIG. 1 and 9, the back to each other. They can be bonded to each other if necessary, for example, by spot welding or using another method (not shown) to create a combined beam. The manufacture of beams (20) or (100) can be performed by initially forming holes (112) and flanges (114) on an acceptable press. This press may be a punch press for continuously moving material, but it is most appropriate to use a rotary press equipped with

- 4 011532 two support rollers with rotational dies and dies on the support rollers, in which two support rollers are rotated, bringing the dies together and spreading them as sheet metal moves between them.

After punching and forming holes, as well as forming flanging edges around the holes and making recesses, followed by punching holes in the recesses, the semi-finished sheet metal is then passed through a number of racks of roller dies, which are essentially known and do not need to be described.

Roller dies on die racks gradually form flanging edges (24) or (104, 106) and stiffness protrusions (38) or (120) on both sides of the holes. Cutting the beams into sections along the length can be performed before the rotary press, when the strips of sheet metal are flat and untreated. Due to this, each section of sheet metal passing through various processes of punching, bending and profiling is already cut to the exact length required for the final beam.

It is also possible to cut the beams to the required length after passing the roller dies, depending on the design of the equipment.

It should be remembered that when cutting into measured lengths, it is necessary to leave end sections at each end of each beam that do not contain holes in order to support them in place in the final structure of the floor, while all holes in each beam should be aligned with each other along the construction. In the case of beams (20) and (100), this procedure is greatly simplified due to the fact that the holes (28) and (112) are identical and symmetrical and are separated by transverse ribs. This form of beams simplifies their cutting into measured lengths. When placing two beams with the rear side to each other and when aligning the holes with each other, it should be obvious to those skilled in the art that this greatly simplifies the installation and routing of engineering equipment through the holes.

For the purpose of assembling the combined beams (12) and creating interfloor overlap, the beams are provided with a flange (14), as shown in more detail in FIG. 6-9.

The flange (14) has a wall (130) and an upper flange (132) running at right angles.

Flange (132) is designed for laying on top of a wall or base.

The flange (132) may have a vertical flanged wall (134) (Fig. 11) or a flanged wall (136) (Fig. 10) bent downward, turned down to fix it on an external wall panel.

The support flange (138) extends at a right angle along the lower edge in the wall (130) to provide support for the ends of the combined beams (12).

To fix the beams in position from the wall (130), the tabs (140) protrude and are located in parallel at a certain distance from each other above the support flange (138). The tabs (140) shown in the embodiment are located in the same plane as the flange (132). Due to this, the upper horizontal surfaces of the connecting flanges (42) of the beams (12) lie in the same plane with the flange (132). In the case of an embodiment, the invention in FIG. 1 embedded edges (flanges 50) of the beams are located above such a plane, and this was done in order to ensure the pouring of a concrete slab of the interfloor overlap protruding beyond the flanges (132) of the flange (14). When connecting the beams (12) with the tabs (140), a short part of the embedment flange is removed at the ends of the beams (12).

This allows the connecting flanges (42) to enter under the tabs (140) and attach them to them using fasteners. Fasteners are also used to fix the flanging of the edges (24) to the support flange (138) of the flange (14). In the case of a cast concrete floor, the flange (132) of the flange (14) is performed with the hinges (142) protruding beyond the plane of the flange. Cast concrete will flow around such loops (142), so that the flange (14) will retain its position.

In the case of panel flooring, for example, from plywood, the flange (132) of the flange (14) is flat without any hinges (Fig. 12). This ensures horizontal laying of the panel floor on the upper flanges (106) of the beams (100) and then horizontal laying on the flanges (132) of the flange (14).

Since in this case the upper flange (106) is flat, it fits under the tabs (140) without the need to remove any part.

Specialists in the art should understand that in many cases there can only be two such flanges (14) located parallel and at a distance on opposite walls to support the beams (12) that span the span. In order to provide additional rigidity, if necessary, stops (144) can be made in the wall (130). These stops are placed at a distance from each other with the aim of engagement on each end of the opposite sides of the combined beams.

The walls (130), as well as the beams, are also made mainly with oval holes (146), while the flanging of the edges (148) and protrusions (15) are made around them. Vertical ribs (152) are made in the wall (130) to give additional rigidity.

In this case, individual beams (20) or (100) (Figs. 1 and 6) along the extreme edges of the floor can be laid on the upper part of the walls.

In other cases, the number of flanges (14) may be four or more, depending on

- 5 011532 area, overlap between floors.

There may be a need for intermediate flanges (14) protruding above the floor, relying on any suitable device, to cover the span of a larger coating area in a space that has a specific configuration in plan.

Beams and flanges can be assembled in accordance with the described method. The assembly of beams and beams, as well as in some cases, pouring concrete is preferable to be carried out at an enterprise located outside the construction site. Interfloor overlapping can be assembled in sections. After delivery to the object, sections of the floor or panels can be raised and installed in place, as well as fixed together in order to create a complete floor in the building. Various exemplary embodiments are proposed with changes depending on the purpose. Thus, in FIG. 10 is a perspective view of yet another example of a floor construction using combined beams illustrating another embodiment of the invention in which the flange is changed in FIG. 1. In this case, the flanged wall (136) is shown turned down.

In FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a floor construction illustrating yet another embodiment of the invention to provide support for a panel floor, typically made of plywood, the combined beams being modified to exclude embedded edges from the structure. In this case, the combined beams are similar to the beams in FIG. 1, but the embedded edges are removed and replaced by a flange similar to the flanging of the edge (24). This provides horizontal laying of plywood and other panels on the combined beam. The flange is also modified to exclude embedded loops from the design and create a flat upper surface.

In FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a floor structure illustrating another embodiment of the invention for providing a support for a panel floor, typically made of plywood, with a flange modified with respect to FIG. 11. In this case, the flanged wall (136) is shown turned down.

In FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a floor structure using combined beam elements, illustrating another embodiment of the invention, in which the flanges rest on a channel (158) with flanges of a wall frame (160) formed by struts of thin-walled profiles (162). The panels are made of plywood or similar material and, therefore, the combined beams are not provided with embedded edges.

The plywood panel rests on the upper channel (158) of the wall frame. The wall frame is also made of racks of thin-walled profiles, which differ from the profiles of combined beams.

In FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a floor structure using individual beam elements. In this case, the beam elements have the same characteristics as the beam elements (20) in FIG. 1, but they are used individually and are not attached to the back of each other.

In FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a floor structure using combined beam elements, illustrating another embodiment of a flange in which the width of the flange (164) is reduced compared to the width in FIG. 1. In this case, it is possible to reduce the width of the flange flange. This is possible due to the fact that the edge already rests on the plate channel of the wall frame.

The flange is similar to the flange in FIG. one.

In FIG. 16 and 17, under (170), a steel member of a modified beam is illustrated. The beam element (170) has a wall (172) in which identical oval openings (174) that are basically identical are passed through it. Flanging edges (176) are made around holes (174). The stiffness protrusions (178) are made along opposite linear lateral edges without holes (174).

U-shaped elements (180) are made along the wall. Parallel linear flanging of the edges (182) are made along opposite edges of the wall and lie in planes parallel to each other and located at a distance from each other. The free ends of the flanging edges (182) are bent inward, forming folds (184). The folds (184) engage with the stiffeners (178) (FIG. 17). Due to this, a generally triangular form of reinforcement is formed along the beam element (170) at certain intervals. Between the holes (174), recesses are provided with central holes (186) in order to reduce heat transfer. Additional reinforcing ribs (188) can be made in other areas along the wall.

Illustrated in FIG. 16 and 17, the beam element (170) can be used in many cases to replace the double beam elements (12).

The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrative only. The invention should not be construed as being limited by any characteristic features described in the description, but covering all changes without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the attached claims.

Claims (6)

CLAIM 1. Element of a steel ceiling beam (12) with low weight and high acoustic characteristics for use in the construction of a floor slab, and having a wall (22) forming the side edges, the axis and flanging of the edge (24) on at least one side edge , while the element of the steel beam is characterized by holes (28), passing through the specified wall and located at an equal distance from each other along its length, while these holes have, in the main, an elongated symmetrical shape with rounded and the ends and opposite linear sides (32); however, the flanging edges (36) are located around each of the holes, mostly at right angles to them; two parallel walls of stiffness (38) located at a distance from each other, protruding from each of the holes and forming a single whole with the wall due to flanging of the edges along the corresponding two opposite linear sides of the holes; bending (40) in each ridge stiffness, bent parallel to the wall, but offset from it, thereby giving the stiffness ledges the shape of two parallel channels in cross section running along opposite linear sides of the holes to reinforce the beam on both sides of the holes in the section holes. 2. The steel beam element (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall (22) is made with recesses (46) equally spaced from each other, and the holes (48) are made in recesses to reduce sound propagation through the beam . 3. The steel beam element (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the holes (28) form between themselves transverse struts (44) extending along the wall (22), and the holes (28) are made in the wall (22) at opposite ends of each strut (44). 4. The steel beam element (12) according to claim 3, characterized in that the embedded flange (50) is made on the flanging of the edges (24) on one side of the wall (22), thereby ensuring embedment into the concrete panel. 5. The steel beam element (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the two elements of the beams are located back sides to each other, with their respective flanging edges (24) moving away from each other, and their holes (28) are aligned with friend, forming a combined element beams. 6. Steel beam according to claim 4, characterized in that the inset flange (50) is made with holes (52) for the flow of concrete through them, and the mounting strip (54) is made along the angled flange for partial embedding into concrete.