HOLLOW-CORE SLAB BEARER

Abstract: The invention relates to a hollow-core slab bearer for bearing an end of a hollow-core slab which borders on an opening. The bearer comprises: a profile (1) with an L-shaped cross-section, the profile having a first and a second end (2, 3), and the hollow-core slab end which borders on the opening being placeable into the profile (1) with an L-shaped cross-section; a first end portion (4) at the first end (2) of the profile (1) with an L-shaped cross-section; and a second end portion (5) at the second end (3) of the profile (1) with an L-shaped cross-section. The hollow-core slab bearer further comprises a first support member (6) which allows the hollow-core slab bearer to be mounted onto a first hollow-core slab or structure adjacent to the hollow-core slab which borders on the opening, and a second support member (7) which allows the hollow-core slab to be mounted to a second hollow-core slab or structure adjacent to the hollow-core slab which borders on the opening. Between the first and the second end portion (4, 5) is arranged a reinforcement (8) which binds the first end portion (4) and the second end portion (5) together.

Description: HOLLOW-CORE SLAB BEARER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a hollow-core slab bearer for bearing an end of a hollow-core slab, which end borders on an opening or similar structural discontinuity, the hollow-core slab bearer comprising: a profile with an L-shaped cross-section, the profile having a first end and a second end, and the hollow-core slab end which borders on the opening or similar structural discontinuity being placeable into the profile with an L-shaped cross- section; a first end portion at the first end of the profile with an L-shaped cross- section, and a second end portion at the second end of the profile with an L- shaped cross-section; a first support member which allows the hollow-core slap bearer to be mounted onto a first hollow-core slab or structure adjacent to the hollow-core slab which borders on the opening or similar structural discontinuity; and a second support member which allows the hollow-core slab bearer to be mounted onto a second hollow-core slab or structure adjacent to the hollow-core slab which borders on the opening or similar structural discontinuity, the second hollow-core slab or structure being on the other side of the hollow-core slab which borders on the opening or similar structural discontinuity, when seen from the first hollow-core slab. A hollow-core slab bearer according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from Finnish model register certificate 19550. Since the structures must be flame resistant as well, the known hollow-core slab bearer is painted with flame-resistant paint before it is mounted at the building site. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a hollow-core slab bearer with enhanced flame resistance. The objects of the invention are achieved with a hollow-core slab bearer of the invention, characterized in that between the first end portion and the second end portion is a reinforcement which binds the first end portion and the second end portion together. The preferred embodiments of the hollow-core slab bearer of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims. The reinforcement between the first end portion and the second end portion is meant to support the hollow-core slab bearer in case of fire. Since the reinforcement is built, i.e. cast, inside the hollow-core slab during the construction works, it is at the same time protected against fire and can therefore very well function as a support for the hollow-core slab bearer in case of fire. LIST OF DRAWINGS In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawing which illustrates the structure of a hollow-core slab bearer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The Figure shows a hollow-core slab bearer of the invention for supporting an end of a hollow-core slab (not shown) which end borders on an opening (not shown) or similar structural discontinuity. The hollow-core slab bearer comprises a profile 1 with an L-shaped cross-section, the profile having a first end 2 and a second end 3, the hollow- core slab end which borders on the opening or similar structural discontinuity being placeable into the profile 1 with an L-shaped cross-section. The length of the profile 1 with an L-shaped cross-section is preferably selected to substantially correspond to the width of the hollow-core slab. The profile 1 with an L-shaped cross-section is preferably made of an originally uniform L-shaped profile blank; another alternative would be to use for example two flat steel blanks welded together. The Figure shows an L- shaped profile 1 with a substantially right-angled cross-section, but the parts of the profile 1 with an L-shaped cross-section can be at another angle as well. Furthermore, the hollow-core slab bearer comprises a first end portion 4 at the first end 2 of the profile 1 with an L-shaped cross-section and a second end portion 5 at the second end 3 of the profile 1 with an L-shaped cross-section. The hollow-core slab bearer also comprises a first support member 6 that allows the bearer to be mounted, i.e. supported, onto a first hollow-core slab or structure adjacent to the slab defined by the opening or similar structural discontinuity, and a second support member 7 that allows the hollow-core slab bearer to be mounted, i.e. supported, onto a second hollow- core slab or structure adjacent to the slab bordering on the opening or similar structural discontinuity, the second hollow-core slab or structure being on the other side of the slab bordering on the opening or similar structural discontinuity, when seen from the first hollow-core slab. Between the first end portion 4 and the second end portion 5 is provided a reinforcement 8 which binds the first end portion 4 and the second end portion 5 together. The reinforcement 8 is preferably made of at least one ribbed bar. The reinforcement 8 can be welded, for example, to the first end portion 4 and the second end portion 5. In the hollow-core slab bearer of the Figure the first end portion 4 and the second end portion 5 comprise support structures 9. The support structures 9 are meant to support the first end portion 4 and the second end portion 5 in case of fire, for example. In the Figure the support structures 9 are made of pieces of ribbed bar welded to the first end portion 4 and to the second end portion 5 such that on each side of the first end portion 4 and the second end portion 5 there is one piece of ribbed bar. The first end portion 4 and the second end portion 5 are preferably welded to the profile 1 with an L-shaped cross-section. The first support member 6 is preferably seamlessly joined to the first end portion 4 and the second support member 7 is preferably seamlessly joined to the second end portion 5. In the hollow-core slab bearer shown in the Figure, the first support member 6 and the first end portion 4 are made of one piece with an L-shaped cross-section and the second support member 7 and the second end portion 5 are made of one piece with an L-shaped cross-section. The hollow-core slab bearer is preferably painted with a flame- resistant paint. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that as technology advances, the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are therefore not restricted to the examples described above, but can vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A hollow-core slab bearer for bearing an end of a hollow-core slab, which end borders on an opening or similar structural discontinuity, the hollow-core slab bearer comprising a profile (1) with an L-shaped cross-section, the profile having a first end (2) and a second end (3), the hollow-core slab end which borders on the opening or similar structural discontinuity being placeable into the profile (1) with an L-shaped cross-section; a first end portion (4) at the first end (2) of the profile (1) with an L- shaped cross-section, and a second end portion (5) at the second end (3) of the profile (1) with an L-shaped cross-section; a first support member (6) which allows the hollow-core slab bearer to be mounted onto a first hollow-core slab or structure adjacent to the hollow- core slab which borders on the opening or similar structural discontinuity; and a second support member (7) which allows the hollow-core slab bearer to be mounted onto a second hollow-core slab or structure adjacent to the hollow-core slab which borders on the opening or similar structural discontinuity, the second hollow-core slab or structure being on the other side of the hollow-core slab which borders on the opening or similar structural discontinuity, when seen from the first hollow-core slab, characterized in that between the first end portion (4) and the second end portion (5) is provided a reinforcement (8) which binds the first end portion (4) and the second end portion (5) together. 2. A hollow-core slab bearer according to claim 1, characterized in that the reinforcement (8) is made of at least one ribbed bar. 3. A hollow-core slab bearer according to claim 1, characterized in that the first end portion (4) and the second end portion (5) comprise support structures (9). 4. A hollow-core slab bearer according to claim 1, characterized in that the first end portion (4) and the second end portion (5) are welded to the profile (1) with an L-shaped cross-section. 5. A hollow-core slab bearer according to claim 1, characterized in that the first support member (6) is seamlessly joined to the first end portion (4) and the second support member (7) is seamlessly joined to the second end portion (5).

Inventors: TUOMINEN KARI, TUOMINEN, KARI
Applicants: TERAESPEIKKO OY, TUOMINEN KARI, TUOMINEN, KARI
Application year: 2000
Main classification: E04C3
IPC codes: E04B5, E04C3