GB2378470A

GB2378470A - Reinforced concrete systems

Info

Publication number: GB2378470A
Application number: GB0119518A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Raymond Paul Dunn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-08-10
Filing date: 2001-08-10
Publication date: 2003-02-12
Also published as: GB0119518D0

Abstract

A cast in situ or pre-cast reinforced concrete paving/roadway system for paving driveways, walkways, patios, plazas, industrial floors and the like is manufactured from premixed concrete, and applied to the area in which it is required in the form of a pre-cast or cast slab, or a decking system or flooring system for use in all areas aforesaid but particularly in variable and high load areas, being a supporting structure constructed of non-metallic fibre and metallic fibre reinforced concrete, with further reinforcement being provided by a steel mesh reinforcement sandwiched within the premixed concrete. A hardener is also supplied and protruding metal fibres are removed.

Description

WCD Reinforced Concrete Systems DESCRIPTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a cast or pre-cast premixed concrete system for paving or re-paving dnveways, walkways, patios, plazas, industrial floors and the like. The paving concrete is blended with special additives to enhance hardness and durability and is provided in a selected colour and is sized and shaped to provide concrete which has a high PSI rating.

It is well known that domestic and commercial installations of dnveways and patios and the like, known as pattern imprinted concrete, fails relatively quickly and does not remain durable. Additionally, concrete is known to shrink during the drying or curing process and expand during cold weather conditions, and the use of metallic and non-metallic fibres reduces the shrinkage and reduces the requirement of crack enducement joints, which most customers find unsightly. It is also known that metallic reinforcement fibres protrude through the concrete surface and fail to settle down thus causing the installer great problems in removing the same. The combination of the use of WCD Diamond Top Hardner and a magnetic float subsequently, allow metallic reinforcement fibres which remain protruding subsequent to installation of the system, to be removed or to settle in a flat position so that the finished concrete installation is hard, durable, strong, and attractive whatever shape or size the installation is.

The previously mentioned disadvantages are overcome by the present invention by the method described and provide for a system of concrete whereby the slab or pre-cast concrete panel enjoy substantial axial strength and abrasive resistance which avoids breaking while preserving its decorative appearance and has the strength to reduce the requirements of crack enducement joints.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, a paving system is provided including a blend of metallic and non-metallic fibres, a reinforced steel mesh within the concrete pre-mixture, water, and WCD Diamond Top Colour Hardner in quantity of 7.5 Kilo Grams per square metre. The blend is provided in a mixture to the specification greater than 4 parts of fibre reinforcement strands and 6 parts of metallic reinforcement strands per 1000 parts of concrete pre-mixture, topped by 7.5 kilo grams of WCD Diamond Top Hardner.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The pre-cast or cast concrete structure specifically discloses that by use of non-metallic and metallic reinforced fibres, admixed within pre-mixed concrete, with a heavy adding of WCD Diamond Top Hardner to quantity, provides a strong, durable and long lasting concrete drive, path or other such installation, which requires fewer expansion joints and provides for strength at and including the edges of the installation.

Therefore an object of the present invention is to provide a system for the provision of pre-cast or cast concrete decks, panels or slabs within which the panels, cast slab or pre-cast slabs are of considerable strength and In addition are largely free of expansion or crack enducement joints.

The slab, cast in situ slab or panel comprises concrete impregnated with non-metallic and metallic fibres and reinforced steel mesh placed within the slab, pre-cast slab or panel, throughout the length and width of the said panel, slab or pre-cast slab upon which is added WCD Diamond Top Hardner in quantities of 7.5 Kilo Grams per square metre so as to ensure that fibrous metallic and non-metallic strands do not protrude over the surface of the slab, pre-cast slab or panel. A magnetic float is used over the surface of the slab, cast or panel to remove any metallic fibrous reinforcement strips which remain.

The foregoing summarizes the principal features of the invention and some of its optional aspects. The invention may be further understood by the description of the preferred embodiments.

C'Í rt) The non-metallic fibres are preferably made of aramidj ? r polypropylene, or other equivalent material, distributed within the concrete with greater than 4 parts by volume of fibre to 1000 parts by volume of concrete. The fibres preferably have a diameter of not more than 0.05 mm and a length of not more

than 40 mm. The concrete preferably has a compressive strength of not less than 30 MPA. The metallic fibres used in quantities greater than 6 parts in volume per 1000 parts per volume of concrete and should be steel, ribbed and approximately 4 inches in length CONCLUSION The foregoing has constituted a description of specific embodiments showing how the invention may be applied and put into use. These embodiments are only exemplary. The invention in its broadest, and more specific aspects, is further described and defined in the claims which now follow.

These claims, and the language used therein, are to be understood In terms of the variants of the invention which have been described. They are not to be restricted to such variants, but are to be read as covering the full scope of the invention as is implicit within the invention and the disclosure that has been provided herein.

Claims

CLAIMS The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property are claimed as follows :- 1. A method for making a concrete paving system comprising a blend of non-metallic fibre and metallic strengthening fibres suspended within the premixed concrete together with a sandwiched steel reinforcing mesh which is placed within the premixed concrete upon all of which WCD Diamond Top Hardner is placed in a specific quantity, thus allowing the metallic reinforcement to settle so as not to protrude over the surface of the premixed concrete slab and a subsequent system for the removal of remaining metallic reinforcing strips or fibres which remain protruding.
2. The metallic reinforcing stands and non-metallic fibres allow the concrete to dry (cure) without undue shrinkage or expansion which occurs in cold weather conditions, thus reducing the incidence of cracks and unsightly gaps.
3. As a consequence of item 2 above (reduced shrinkage and/or expansion) has a further beneficial effect upon concrete insofar as it reduces the requirement for crack enducement joints, being saw type cuts within a slab of concrete which enduce cracks within the said saw cut rather than across the body of the concrete slab and/or within critical locations (being load bearing points within the installation.
4. The foregoing allows the concrete to provide a high level of durability and strength, whereby upon application of a vertical or horizontal load to said slab or panel, the concrete slab resists such loading by carrying tensile forces which support an arching action within the concrete body of the panel or slab.
5. As reinforced steel mesh discontinues approximately 50mm from the edge of the laid concrete, the metallic and non-metallic fibres provide and creates a strengthened concrete system which does not deteriorate at or about the edges of the laid slab, thereby providing strength throughout the laid system.
6. The foregoing system prevents the concrete slab or pre-cast slab from giving (moving) under load or otherwise suffering under load.
7 A pre-cast or cast in situ concrete slab wherein the said metallic and non-metallic fibres are distributed within the concrete in proportions greater than 10 parts per volume of fibrous material to 1000 parts per volume of concrete, the 10 parts of fibrous material being in proportions of 6 parts metallic and 4 parts fibre, such being variable dependent upon the load and weight requirements of the laid floor.
8. The application in quantity of WCD Diamond Top Hardner provides for an extremely hard and durable surface upon which patterns are imprinted.

These claims, and the language used therein, are to be understood in terms of the variants of the invention which have been described. They are not to be restricted to such variants, but are to be read as covering the full scope of the invention as is implicit within the invention and the disclosure that has been provided herein.