EP1434920B1 - Thermal-break device for concrete floor, and floor equipped therewith - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the field of building construction and more particularly relates to a thermal interruption device for a floor with concrete beams.

It applies here to concrete floors that include a concrete slab formwork on a structure with joists and interjoists, which is supported on the walls of a building.

Such concrete floors are used primarily in the construction of single-family houses whose walls include interior thermal insulation. The construction of such a floor first requires the establishment of reinforced or prestressed concrete beams which are arranged parallel to each other and with a given spacing, so that their respective ends rest on opposite walls of the building. Then, we set up interjoists, also called hourdis, which consist of interlayers, for example concrete or other material, which are arranged horizontally to come to rest on the beams. This produces a structure on which is poured the concrete slab, linked on its periphery with the walls of the building at the level of chaining.

These floors have the disadvantage of creating a thermal bridge with the walls that support it, resulting in high heat losses. As a result, the building can hardly meet the increasingly stringent standards required by current regulations.

One solution to this problem would be to place thermal insulation on the outside of the walls. But such a solution is not satisfactory because it is incompatible with the current constructive solutions of insulating the walls from the inside.

There are also known solutions for reducing thermal bridges between a solid concrete slab and the walls that support it. One of them is to interpose between the slab and the wall a continuous insulation element incorporating mechanical connections capable of ensuring the transfer of loads. Another solution is to interpose an insulation device interrupted in places to allow the support of the floor on these untreated areas. These solutions are either complex to implement or non-transposable to floors concrete beam floors of the type defined above.

There is also another solution which consists in connecting a solid concrete slab to insulating walls of large thickness, by providing vertical insulation, inserted abutting slab in the thickness of the wall. (see BE 1012476 ).

Again, this solution is complex to implement, requires insulating walls of significant thickness, and is, in any case, incompatible with concrete beam floors of the type defined above.

There is therefore a real need to find a solution to achieve thermal interruption in concrete floors of the type defined above.

The invention precisely provides a solution to this problem.

It proposes for this purpose a thermal interruption device which comprises a set of insulating elements adapted to be each implanted in the thickness of the floor, before pouring concrete, between the floor and the walls, substantially to the right of these walls, to reduce the thermal bridges between the floor and the adjacent walls.

These insulating elements thus interrupt the connection between the concrete floor and the walls that support it, except in regions where the beams are supported on the walls of the building.

As a result, limited junctions exist between the ends of the beams and the walls (called transverse walls) that support them.

On the other hand, the connections are practically eliminated between the concrete floor and the other walls (called longitudinal walls) which extend in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the beams.

It will be understood that the device of the invention makes it possible to substantially dissociate the concrete floor from the supporting walls that support it, and in particular that it makes it possible to dissociate the floor from the chaining which is incorporated in the wall, during the construction, and especially during the formwork of the concrete slab.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the insulating elements comprise longitudinal insulating elements intended to be each implanted between the floor and a longitudinal wall parallel to a beam, bearing on this longitudinal wall and on this beam, as well as transverse insulating elements intended to be implanted each between the floor and a transverse wall, perpendicular to the beams, supported on two adjacent beams.

Insulation elements of two types are thus produced, which can also be called longitudinal and transverse breakers, intended respectively for a longitudinal implantation and a transverse implantation, with respect to to the direction defined by the beams.

Advantageously, each of the longitudinal insulating elements comprises a core delimited by an internal face adapted to be turned towards a beam, by an outer face suitable for being placed on the side of a longitudinal wall, by an upper face and by a lower face.

In such a longitudinal element, the inner face advantageously comprises inner bearing flanges formed projecting and adapted to bear against a beam, while the outer face comprises outer bearing flanges formed protruding and fit to come each. resting on a longitudinal wall. These edges have among other functions to improve the seat of the insulating element and prevent it from tilting when pouring concrete.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner bearing flanges are spaced in the longitudinal direction and are adapted to bear on the top of a beam heel, being located at a given distance from the face. bottom of the longitudinal insulating element which substantially corresponds to the height of said beam heel.

In this preferred embodiment, the outer bearing flanges are spaced in the longitudinal direction and are adapted to bear on the top of a longitudinal wall in construction, being substantially at the bottom face of the beam.

The core of the longitudinal insulating element advantageously has a cross section of substantially rectangular or trapezoidal shape, whose thickness at the upper face is less than or equal to the thickness at the lower face.

On its underside, or underside, the longitudinal insulating element advantageously has a dovetail profile intended to allow, in the case of concrete interjoists, the coating of a plaster ceiling.

The longitudinal insulating elements are further delimited each by two opposite end faces having means of interlocking complementary shape for the mechanical interlocking of these longitudinal insulating elements.

This makes it possible to arrange the longitudinal insulating elements after the others to achieve a thermal break between the floor and a longitudinal wall. This does not prevent that, in the case of a floor of great scope, or in the case of construction to meet severe seismic standards, it can locally interrupt this insulation to create a localized connection between the floor and the aforementioned longitudinal wall.

The transverse insulating elements advantageously comprise a core delimited by an inner face adapted to be turned towards an interjoists resting on two adjacent beams, by an outer face adapted to be placed on the side of a transverse wall, by an upper face, by a lower face, and by two lateral faces shaped to form clean support edges to rest on the two adjacent beams.

Thus, these transverse elements allow for an interruption between the floor and the transverse walls, except in regions where the ends of the beams bear on these transverse walls.

Advantageously, the two lateral faces of a transverse insulating element are shaped to bear on two heels respectively belonging to the two adjacent beams.

In one embodiment of the invention, the core of each transverse insulating element is provided with an extension extending perpendicularly to the inner face over a given depth in the axial direction of the beams and capable of being covered at least partly by interjoists.

This extension ensures continuity between the interjoists and the transverse insulating element. This embodiment is particularly suitable for composite interjoists.

In another embodiment of the invention, the core of each transverse insulating element is provided with an extension extending perpendicular to the inner face over a given depth in the axial direction of the beams and which is adapted to be able to be cut to provide an adjustment of its depth.

This makes it possible to adjust the extension to the vacuum at the end of the span and thus ensure continuity between the interjoists and the transverse insulating element. This other embodiment is particularly suitable for concrete interjoists.

It will be understood that the structure of such a transverse insulating element will have to conform to that of interjoists with which it must cooperate. There are, in fact, on the market different types of interjoists, for example concrete, composite material, expanded polystyrene.

In particular, it can be provided that the transverse insulating element comprises a groove at the junction of the inner face and the extension to receive an end lip of a interjoists.

In such a transverse element, the core advantageously has a substantially constant thickness, outside the region of the extension.

The aforementioned insulating elements, whether longitudinal or transverse, may be made with a chosen height adapted to the thickness of the floor to be manufactured.

They are made of an insulating plastic material, in particular expanded polystyrene.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a concrete floor, of the type comprising a concrete slab formed on a joists structure and interjoists supported on the walls of a building, which floor is provided at the periphery with a device of thermal interruption as previously defined.

• la Figure 1 est une vue en perspective partielle d'un plancher en cours de construction, muni d'un dispositif d'interruption thermique selon l'invention ;
• la Figure 2 est une vue en coupe partielle du plancher, après coulée de la dalle en béton, au niveau d'un mur longitudinal ;
• la Figure 3A est une vue en coupe analogue à celle de la Figure 2, prise au niveau d'un mur transversal, pour un premier élément isolant transversal ;
• la figure 3B est une vue en coupe analogue à celle de la Figure 2, prise au niveau d'un mur transversal, pour une deuxième élément isolant transversal ;
• la Figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'un élément isolant longitudinal, vu à partir de sa face intérieure ;
• la Figure 5 est une autre vue en perspective de l'élément longitudinal de la Figure 4, vu à partir de sa face extérieure;
• la Figure 6 est une vue en perspective montrant trois éléments isolants longitudinaux de hauteurs différentes ;
• la Figure 7 est une vue en perspective d'un élément isolant transversal ;
• la Figure 8 est une vue en perspective montrant le colisage de deux éléments isolants conformes à la Figure 7 ;
• la Figure 9 est une vue en perspective d'un autre élément isolant transversal ; et
• la Figure 10 est une vue en perspective montrant le colisage de deux éléments isolants conformes à la Figure 9.

In the description which follows, made only by way of example, reference is made to the appended drawings, in which:

• the Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a floor under construction, provided with a thermal interruption device according to the invention;
• the Figure 2 is a partial sectional view of the floor, after casting of the concrete slab, at a longitudinal wall;
• the Figure 3A is a sectional view similar to that of the Figure 2 , taken at a transverse wall, for a first transverse insulating element;
• the figure 3B is a sectional view similar to that of the Figure 2 , taken at a transverse wall, for a second transverse insulating element;
• the Figure 4 is a perspective view of a longitudinal insulating element, seen from its inner face;
• the Figure 5 is another perspective view of the longitudinal element of the Figure 4 , seen from its outer face;
• the Figure 6 is a perspective view showing three longitudinal insulating elements of different heights;
• the Figure 7 is a perspective view of a transverse insulating element;
• the Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the packing of two insulating elements in accordance with the Figure 7 ;
• the Figure 9 is a perspective view of another transverse insulating element; and
• the Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the packing of two insulating elements in accordance with the Figure 9 .

We first refer to the Figure 1 which shows a floor 10 under construction, supported by the walls of a building which is distinguished one of the longitudinal walls 12 and one of the transverse walls 14 made, in the example, from concrete blocks. These walls are part of a building, including a dwelling house.

The floor 10 comprises a formwork structure formed by a series of beams 16 of reinforced or prestressed concrete which are arranged parallel to each other and to the longitudinal walls 12 with a defined spacing. These beams have a chosen length adapted to the distance between the two transverse walls and come to rest by their respective ends on these transverse walls 14. Between the beams, are arranged interjoists 18 which, in the example, are made of concrete, although other materials are possible.

As we see better on the Figure 2 , the beams 16 have a characteristic profile T-shaped inverted. This profile is constituted by a generally vertical core 20 extended by two heels 22. It is seen on the Figure 2 that the interjoists 18 is limited by an upper face 24, a lower face 26 and that it has two support ribs 28 which rest on the respective heels of two adjacent beams. On the formwork structure thus defined by the beams and interjoists, there is then a reinforcement network 30, then a concrete compression slab 32 is cast. In the traditional construction, this concrete slab covers, at least in part, the respective upper faces 34 of the longitudinal walls, as well as the upper faces 36 of the transverse walls, a chaining 37, generally formed of four longitudinal reinforcements, being provided at the periphery of the floor and on the upper faces 34 and 36 above.

It will be understood that, under these conditions, a floor 10 thus obtained in a traditional manner is in mechanical and thermal continuity with the walls 12 and 14, which creates thermal bridges and, consequently, significant heat losses.

As we see on the Figure 2 , the longitudinal wall 12 receives on its inner face 38 an insulating panel 40. Similarly, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 , the transverse wall 14 receives on its inner face 42 an insulating panel 44. However, the presence of these insulations from the inside does not prevent thermal losses due to the connection between the floor and the walls.

To solve this drawback, the invention provides a thermal interruption device, also called "thermal breaker", which comprises a set of insulating elements adapted to be each implanted in the thickness of the floor 10, before formwork of the concrete, between the floor and the walls, and substantially to the right of these walls. These insulating elements comprise, on the one hand, longitudinal insulating elements 46 ( Figures 1 and 2 ) and transverse insulating elements 48 ( Figures 1 , 3A and 3B ). The longitudinal elements 46 are each intended to be located between the floor and a longitudinal wall 12, while the transverse elements 48 are intended to be implanted each between the floor and a transverse wall 14.

We now refer more particularly to Figures 2 , 4 and 5 to describe a longitudinal member 46 according to the invention. This longitudinal element 46 comprises a core 50 delimited by an inner face 52 adapted to be turned towards a beam 20 (FIG. Figure 2 ), by an outer face 54 adapted to be turned on the side of a longitudinal wall 12, by an upper face 56 and by a lower face 58.

As we see on the Figure 2 , the inner face 52 of the longitudinal member 46 is shifted to the side of the slab. In contrast, the outer face 54 is generally flat and is intended to come in alignment with the inner face 38 of the longitudinal wall 12. This outer face 54 comprises a longitudinal stop 55 which is intended to seal along the wall longitudinal 12 and the alignment of the longitudinal member 46 to the inner face of the wall 12. This stop 55 thus fell back below the arase of the wall.

The core has in cross section a substantially rectangular or substantially trapezoidal shape. The thickness of the core at the upper face 56 must be less than or equal to its thickness at the lower face 58. As can be seen in FIG. Figure 2 , the overall thickness of the core is adapted to the thickness of the insulating panels 40, so as to form a continuity with the latter, the longitudinal member 46 being made of an insulating material, for example expanded polystyrene. In the exemplary embodiment, the inner face 52 flares from the upper face 56 to the lower face 58 to improve the seating of the longitudinal insulating member 46. The upper face 56 and the lower face 58 are generally flat and parallel to each other. They jointly delimit the height H of the element, this height being adapted to the thickness of the floor to be made.

The lower face 58 of the longitudinal insulating element 46 has on its underside 58 a dovetail profile 59 ( Figure 4 ) which makes it possible to carry out a plaster coating, in the case of the use of concrete interjoists.

The inner face 52 comprises inner bearing flanges 60 formed protruding and each adapted to bear on a heel 22 of beams, as seen on the Figure 2 . Furthermore, the outer face 54 of the same element comprises outer bearing edges 62 formed protruding and each adapted to bear on the top of a longitudinal wall 12 under construction, as also seen on the Figure 2 . As we see on the Figure 4 , the inner bearing flanges are spaced in the longitudinal direction and they comprise a lower face 64 which is offset, in the vertical direction, relative to the lower face 58 of the element 46 to bear on the top of a beam heel. At the same time, a lower portion 66 of the inner face 52 abuts against a substantially vertical lateral face of the beam heel, thereby positioning the insulating element in a position parallel to the beam 16 ( Figure 2 ).

The lower face 64 of the support flange 60 is located at a given distance from the lower face 58 of the insulating element, which corresponds substantially to the height of the beam heel.

As we see on the Figure 5 , the outer bearing flanges 62 are spaced in the longitudinal direction and are adapted to bear on the top (upper face 34) of a longitudinal wall 12.

In the example shown, the longitudinal element 46 has four inner bearing flanges 60 and four flanges external bearing 62, the position of these flanges being mutually offset. Indeed, as we see on the Figure 5 recessed indentations 68 are formed on the side of the outer face 54, offset from the outer bearing edges 62, to accommodate the inner bearing flanges 60 of an adjacent element (not shown), which makes it possible to reduce the bulk during the packing. For this purpose a reservation 63 is provided above each of the inner bearing flanges 60 ( Figure 4 ) to allow a head-to-tail package of two longitudinal members 46, the flanges 60 of an element that fits into the reservations 63 of another element, and vice versa.

Each longitudinal element 46 is further delimited by two end faces 70 and 72 ( Figures 4 and 5 ) having interlocking means, respectively 74 and 76, of complementary shape to allow the end-to-end insertion of several longitudinal elements 46 along the same beam 16 and thus provide a continuous thermal interruption between the floor 10 and the corresponding longitudinal wall 12. The longitudinal element 46 can be made with different dimensions. It may have, for example, a thickness E1 (at the level of the upper face) of the order of 8 cm, a thickness E2 (at the level of the lower face) of the order of 13 cm and a variable height H, for example 16, 17, 20 cm. The Figure 6 shows three similar longitudinal elements which simply differ from one another by the value of their height, the elements having decreasing heights from the left to the right. The length L of such an element (considered between the two end faces) may, for example, be 1220 mm to treat a wall length of 1200 mm.

It will be understood that a continuous thermal interruption is thus achieved over the entire length of the floor in the longitudinal direction, between a longitudinal wall and a beam.

In special cases (large slabs, standards seismic), it is possible to provide mechanical anchors located between the floor and the longitudinal wall. These anchors can be easily made by cutting a longitudinal element, in a suitable place, to allow the passage of concrete and, if necessary, connecting reinforcement.

We now refer to the Figure 7 which shows a transverse insulating element 48 according to the invention. This transversal element, which we also see on the Figure 3 , comprises a core 78 delimited by an inner face 80, substantially vertical, adapted to be turned on the side of a interjoists 18 resting on two adjacent beams 16 and, furthermore, by an opposite outer face 82, substantially vertical, suitable for being placed on the side of a transverse wall 14 ( Figure 3 ). The insulating element is further delimited by an upper face 84, a lower face 86 and two opposite lateral faces 88 and 90 shaped to respectively define bearing flanges 92 and 94.

These bearing flanges 92 and 94 are formed protruding from the respective faces 88 and 90 and are intended to bear against the respective heels 22 of two adjacent beams 16. As can be seen in FIG. Figure 3 , the outer face 82 is substantially in alignment with the inner face 42 of the wall 14. The core 78 has a thickness E3 which corresponds substantially to the thickness of an insulating panel 44. The core 78 is provided with an extension 96 extending perpendicularly to the inner face 80 over a given depth P in the axial direction of the beams. This extension 96 has an upper face 98 adapted to form a support interjoists. In addition, the respective support flanges 92 and 94 of the core continue at the extension. In this way, the extension serves as a support interjoists providing continuity between the interjoists and the transverse element 48. Note that a rabbet 100 is provided at the junction of the inner face 80 and the extension 94 for receive an end lip (not shown) of a between you. The transverse insulating element 48 of Figures 7 and 8 is particularly suitable for composite interjoists.

This ensures continuity between the interjoists and the transverse element. The height H of the transverse element, as delimited between the upper face 84 and the lower face 86, corresponds substantially to the height of the floor to be produced and is substantially equal to the height H of the aforementioned longitudinal elements.

The transverse element 48 has a longitudinal stop 87 arranged on the lower face 86 to seal along the wall and ensure the alignment of the transverse element 48 with the inner face of the wall.

As can be seen on the Figure 8 , the particular configuration of the transverse element 48 allows a packing of two elements two by two and the connection between two pairs thus assembled. On the inner face 80 of each element 48 are provided two pins 93 and two adjacent reservations 95 ( Figure 7 ) which allows an interlocking of the pins of an element in the reservations of another element, and vice versa, facilitates the maintenance of the element by torque during the packing, as shown in FIG. Figure 8 .

Moreover, each transverse element 48 comprises cavities 97 ( Figures 7 and 8 ) to reduce the weight of material and allow a connection between parts, especially in the case of composite interjoists. On the outer face 82 are formed two projections 99 ( Figure 8 ) intended to come to fit each in a cell 97 during the packing.

Since the bearing flanges 92 and 94 extend projecting from the corresponding lateral faces 88 and 90, this makes it possible to disengage a free zone above a beam and between two neighboring elements 48. This free zone allows the slab concrete to come to ensure a connection with the corresponding chaining disposed on the top of the transverse wall 14 under construction.

The Figures 9 and 10 are views similar to Figures 7 and 8 for another longitudinal element 48 which is particularly suitable for concrete interjoists. The same reference numerals designate identical or similar elements. The extension may be cut to the desired depth to fit the remaining void at the end of the span. It should be noted that the longitudinal element 48 of Figure 9 and 10 is free of bleeding, but its underside has a dovetail profile to allow plaster coating.

To achieve a floor with a thermal interruption device according to the invention, it proceeds in the traditional way by placing beams, as shown on the Figure 1 . Then, the longitudinal insulating elements 46 are placed in end-to-end relationship along the longitudinal walls 12. Likewise, the transverse elements 48 are arranged along the transverse walls 14, as shown in FIGS. Figures 2 and 3 . It should be noted that the longitudinal elements 46 have a stability due to the presence of their bearing flanges 60 and 62. The transverse elements 48 also have a stability due to the existence of their respective extensions 94.

These extensions 94 are either covered, at least in part, by interjoists 18 (embodiment of the Figures 7 and 8 ), intersected to the desired length to fit closely to an adjacent interjoists (embodiment of Figures 9 and 10 ).

Elements of the planar type 102 are furthermore placed at the level of the outer face of the walls 12 and 14, as shown in FIGS. Figures 1 , 2, 3A and 3B . Once these elements are put in place, the concrete is cast in the traditional manner by arranging to also have concrete outside these elements, that is to say, to coat the chaining 37, both at the longitudinal walls and transverse walls. Thus, after pouring concrete, a floor is made which is completely separated from the longitudinal walls and is separated from them by a thermal break. Similarly, a thermal break exists between this floor and the transverse walls, except in the region of the beams 16. In these conditions, the importance of thermal bridges is minimized, while allowing a floor of satisfactory mechanical strength.

It is understood that, in certain special cases, point-to-point connection points may be provided between the floor and the longitudinal walls, provided that openings are provided in at least one of the longitudinal elements. Such an opening can be easily made by cutting into the thickness of the core of a longitudinal member.

The invention is capable of numerous variants, particularly as to the shapes and dimensions of the longitudinal and transverse insulating elements.

The invention finds particular application to the construction of floors for individual houses.

Claims (14)

1. A thermal break device for a concrete floor, this floor including a poured concrete slab on a structure including floor beams and structural floor units cooperating with longitudinal walls (12) and transverse walls (14) of a building, including insulating members (46, 48) each adapted to be implanted in the thickness of the floor (10) before pouring the concrete, characterized in that the insulating members include longitudinal insulating members (46) each adapted to be implanted between the floor (10) and a longitudinal wall (12) parallel to a floor beam (16) in line with this wall, with support means on this longitudinal wall and on this floor beam, and transverse insulating members (48) each adapted to be implanted between the floor (10) and a transverse wall (14), perpendicular to the floor beams (16) in line with this wall, with support means on two adjacent floor beams (16).
2. Thermal break device according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the longitudinal insulating members (46) includes a core (50) delimited by an inner face (52) adapted to face toward the side of a floor beam (16) including projecting inner supporting edges (60) each adapted to be supported on a floor beam (16), by an outer face (54) adapted to be placed beside a longitudinal wall (12) including projecting inner supporting edges (62) each adapted to be supported on a longitudinal wall (12), and by a top face (56) and a bottom face (58).
3. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the inner supporting edges (60) are spaced in the longitudinal direction and are adapted to be supported on the top of a heel (22) of a floor beam (16), being located at a given distance from the bottom face (58) of the longitudinal insulating member which substantially corresponds to the height of said floor beam heel.
4. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the outer supporting edges (62) are spaced in the longitudinal direction and are adapted to be supported on the top of a longitudinal wall (12) under construction, being substantially level with the bottom face (58) of the floor beam (16).
5. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the core (50) has a substantially rectangular or trapezoidal cross section the thickness (E1) of which at the level of the top face (56) is less than or equal to the thickness (E2) at the level of the bottom face (58).
6. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the longitudinal insulating members (46) each have a dovetail profile (59) on its bottom face (58).
7. Device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the longitudinal insulating members (46) are each further defined by two opposite end faces (70, 72) having nesting means (74, 76) of complementary shape to allow mechanical nesting of these longitudinal insulating members.
8. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that each transverse insulating member (48) includes a core (78) delimited by an inner face (80) adapted to face toward a structural floor unit (18) supported on two adjacent floor beams (16) via an outer face (82) adapted to be placed beside a transverse wall (14), a top face (84), a bottom face (86) and two lateral faces (88, 90) shaped to form supporting edges (92, 94) adapted to rest on the two adjacent floor beams (16).
9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the core (78) of each transverse insulating member is provided with an extension (96) perpendicular to the inner face (80) to a given depth (P) in the axial direction of the floor beams (20) and which is adapted to be at least partly covered by a structural floor unit (18).
10. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the core (78) of each transverse insulating member is provided with an extension (96) perpendicular to the inner face (80) and which can be cut to adjust its depth.
11. Device according to Claim 9, characterized in that a groove (100) for receiving an end lip of a structural floor unit (18) is provided at the junction of the inner face (80) and the extension (96).
12. Device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the core (78) has a substantially constant thickness, apart from in the region of the extension (96).
13. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is made of an insulating material, in particular expanded polystyrene.
14. Concrete floor of the type including a poured concrete slab (32) on a structure including floor beams (16) and structural floor units (18) supported on walls (12,14) of a building, characterized in that it is provided at the periphery with a thermal break device (46, 48) according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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