Abstract:
A concrete slab system with self supported insulation and method of making same which comprises a poured-in-place concrete slab with an insulation board held by metal or plastic C channels. The insulation is held in place on both sides by C channels. The C channels are in turn embedded into the concrete slab and as a result, the insulation is attached to the slab itself. The embedded C channels serve not only to support the insulation board but also as concrete form-work, therefore, allowing a variety of ceiling options on the under-side of the panels, while providing support for the reinforcing steel on the upper side of said panels. This system may be used for either an inclined or flat slab design, roofs or intermediate floor applications.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a construction method or system of making an insulated inclined or fat concrete slab system. This entails a process which methodically combines a poured-in-place concrete slab with insulation board in such a manner that said insulation remains self-supported by “C” channels of metal or plastic which are integrated onto the concrete slab itself. Besides providing insulating and sound proof properties, said board serves as a concrete forming system that eliminates the need for a wood or steel form. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The most commonly used residential and commercial floor and roof systems in the United States today rely primarily upon the use of wood trusses with plywood decking. This common practice is not only an environmental problem, but a fire hazard and possibly one of the least reliable construction methods for safety concerns in areas susceptible to hurricanes and tornados. 
   The use of concrete slabs is a most viable alternative, yet many concrete slabs systems leave a lot to be desired. 
   Concrete slabs are used in many countries, around the world due to the lack of wood or because it becomes an inexpensive way to build. In most of these countries the use of insulation is not required or mandated by city, state, or county codes. In the United States though, insulation is required in most areas. When used in conjunction with some types of pre-fabricated or poured concrete slabs, rigid or tapered insulation is primarily used on top of the concrete slab. Attempts have been made to integrate the insulation to the concrete slabs. The present invention addresses not only the integration between the insulation and the concrete by the use of the “C” channels, but the insulation becomes the form itself to which the concrete is poured over; thus, eliminating the use of plywood or steel forms to hold the concrete. 
   The prior methods have only been applied with the use of lightweight concrete or pre-cast panels. One such design can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,962,841 which discloses an insulated decking structure and method. This method uses custom made inverted metal “Y” shaped purlins and sub-purlins which serve as structural beams; also known as a composite system. However other designs variations to U.S. Pat. No. 3,962,841 include U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,678 and No. 4,090,336. Yet they do not offer a solution for attaching different styles and types of ceilings. 
   Moreover, all the existing systems do not offer a formwork advantage while providing insulating and sound proofing properties. This is the basis and main concept under the present invention. 
   In addition, many of the limited types of concrete slab systems marketed today tend to address commercial needs and are very expensive. Most offer a very limited aesthetic option and limit the consumer by not providing a viable economical alternative. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, several advantages of the present invention are: 
   a. It provides a poured-in-place concrete slab system with self-supported insulation by means of embedded “C” channels made of metal or plastic, without the use of the traditional means of form-work. In other words, the insulation board substitutes any type of wood or metal form, while providing insulating and sound proofing properties to the slab structure. 
   b. It provides an environmentally safe slab alternative composed primarily of concrete in lieu of wood trusses and plywood decking. 
   c. It provides a fire resistant slab system due to the nature of the concrete itself. “C” channels composed of metal or plastic, which hold the insulation board, are embedded in the concrete and therefore acquire fire resistant qualities as well. 
   d. It provides a concrete slab system which, when used in conjunction with masonry walls or concrete walls, can serve as a protective shell, able to withstand hurricane and tornado wind gusts of great intensity. 
   e. It provides a poured-in-place concrete slab system wherein a variety of ceilings and roof coverings can be applied. 
   f. It provides a poured-in place concrete slab easy to build, with accessible materials; not custom made, and without the need for skilled labor. 
   g. It provides a form system which eliminates the need for the use of rebar chairs for the bottom reinforcing steel. 
   h. It provides a concrete stab system primarily for residential use but which is also applicable for commercial use as well, 
   i. It provides an economical concrete slab alternative. 
   j. It provides an insulated stay-in-place forming system easy to build without the need of form-work dismantling. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of an 8′×8′ sectional of the Concrete Slab System with Self-Supported Insulation. 
       FIG. 1-A  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a section of the Concrete Slab System with Self-Supported Insulation. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view taken in the direction of line AA of  FIG. 1-A . 
       FIG. 3  is a longitudinal section view taken in the direction of line. BB of  FIG. 1-A . 
       FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view taken in the direction of line AA of FIG.  1 -A the view illustrates how a plaster ceiling is attached to the system. 
       FIG. 5  is a longitudinal section view taken in the direction of line BB of  FIG. 1-A  the view illustrates how a plaster ceiling is attached to the system. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view taken in the direction of line AA of  FIG. 1-A  the view illustrates how a drywall ceiling is attached to the system. 
       FIG. 7  is a longitudinal section view taken in the direction of line BB of  FIG. 1-A  the view illustrates how a drywall ceiling is attached to the system. 
       FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view taken in the direction of line AA of  FIG. 1-A  the view illustrates how a plaster ceiling held by metal studs or joists is attached to the system. 
       FIG. 9  is a longitudinal cross section view taken in the direction of line BB of  FIG. 1-A  the view illustrates how a plaster ceiling held by metal studs or joists is attached to the system. 
       FIG. 10  is a cross sectional view taken in the direction of line AA of  FIG. 1-A  the view illustrates how a drywall ceiling held by metal studs or joists is attached to the system. 
       FIG. 11  is a longitudinal cross section view taken in the direction of line BB of  FIG. 1-A  the view illustrates how a drywall ceiling held by metal studs/joists is attached to the system. 
       FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view taken in the direction of line AA of  FIG. 1-A  the view illustrates how a dropped plaster ceiling held by a metal stud frame is attached to the system. 
       FIG. 13  is a longitudinal section view taken in the direction of line BB of  FIG. 1-A  the view illustrates how a dropped plaster ceiling held by a metal stud frame is attached to the system. 
       FIG. 14  is a cross sectional view taken in the direction of line AA of  FIG. 1-A  the view illustrates how a dropped drywall ceiling held by a metal stud frame is attached to the system. 
       FIG. 15  is a longitudinal section view taken in the direction of line BB of  FIG. 1-A  the view illustrates how a dropped drywall ceiling held by a metal stud frame is attached to the system. 
       FIG. 16  is a cross sectional view taken in the direction of line AA of  FIG. 1-A  the view illustrates how a dropped plaster ceiling held by a steel hanger wire is attached to the system. 
       FIG. 17  is a longitudinal section view taken in the direction of line BB of  FIG. 1-A  the view illustrates how a dropped plaster ceiling held by a steel hanger wire is attached to the system. 
       FIG. 18  is a cross sectional view taken in the direction of line AA of  FIG. 1-A  the view illustrates how a dropped drywall ceiling held by a steel hanger wire is attached to the system. 
       FIG. 19  is a longitudinal section view taken in the direction of line BB of  FIG. 1-A  the view illustrates how a dropped drywall ceiling held by a steel hanger wire is attached to the system. 
       FIG. 20  is a cross sectional view taken in the direction of tine AA  FIG. 1-A  the view illustrates how a dropped acoustical ceiling held by a steel hanger wire is attached to the system. 
       FIG. 21  is a longitudinal section view taken in the direction of line BB of  FIG. 1-A  the view illustrates how a dropped acoustical ceiling held by a steel hanger wire is attached to the system. 
       FIG. 22  is a cross sectional view taken in the direction of line AA of  FIG. 1-A  the view illustrates how a roof tile is applied to the system. 
       FIG. 23  is a longitudinal section view taken in the direction of line BB of  FIG. 1-A  the view illustrates how a roof tile is applied to the system. 
       FIG. 24  is a cross sectional view taken in the direction of line AA of  FIG. 1-A  the view illustrates how shingle is applied to the system. 
       FIG. 25  is a longitudinal section view taken in the direction of line BB of  FIG. 1-A  the view illustrates how shingle is applied to the system. 
       FIG. 26  is a cross sectional view of a concrete roof overhang with a poured-in-place decorative concrete fascia. 
       FIG. 27  is a cross sectional view of a concrete roof overhang with a pressure treated wood fascia applied to the system. 
       FIG. 28  is a cross sectional view of a sanitary-vent roof connection. 
       FIG. 29  is a sectional perspective view of a piece of  FIG. 1-A . 
       FIG. 30  is a plan view of  FIG. 29 . 
       FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of line C-C of  FIG. 29 . 
       FIG. 32  is a side view of  FIG. 29 . 
       FIG. 33  is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of line B-B of  FIG. 1-A  with an applied stamped finish on the roof system. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1-A , the concrete slab system with self-supported insulation is composed of two “C” shaped metal or plastic studs herein called C channels  1 , placed parallel with respect to each other. The longitudinal face of the insulation board  2  is placed against the web in the inner part of the “C” channels, while resting on the bottom flange of the C channel  1 . Said insulation board  2  has the following characteristics: the type of insulation board  2  shall be any rigid insulation capable of resisting moisture, the load of the concrete  6 , and live loads during the concrete  6  pouring process without losing its insulating properties. The thickness will vary according to applicable or required “R” values. The length, width, and thickness, varies according to the manufacturers. 
   The distance between the top surface of the insulation board  2  and the top flange of the metal or plastic “C” channel, shall always comply with the American Concrete Institute requirements regarding the minimum concrete  6  cover for steel slab reinforcement  5 . Said steel reinforcement  5  will be resting on top of the top flange of the “C” channel. The size of the metal or plastic “C” channel will also vary according to the thickness of the insulation board  2 . Galvanized metal stack-ups  3  having a depth greater than the thickness of the insulation board  2  may be manually inserted into the insulation board  2 , and pressure washers may be pressed down unto the protruding part of the stack-ups. 
   Assembly Procedure 
     FIGS. 1 ,  1 -A,  2  and  3  refers to the panel assembly of the preferred embodiment and the paneled formwork for inclined or flat slabs that will be described as follows: 
   1. Step one, place the bottom flange of the “C” channel  1  on top and perpendicular to the shoring beams or stringers, which are temporary support structures. 
   2. Step two, place the insulation board  2  inside the inner web of the “C” channel  1  while resting on the bottom flange of said C channel. 
   3. Step three, place the second “C” channel  1  on the opposite side of insulation board  2 , in the same fashion as described on step two. 
   4. Continue and repeat steps 1 through 3 until the desired area is covered. 
   5. Then place reinforcing steel  5  over the top flange of the “C” channel  1 . 
   6. Finally, pour concrete  6  over paneled form-work. 
   Note: No type of load shall be applied to the roof top until after the twenty-eighth day at which time the concrete  6  has gained the necessary strength to support the designed load. 
   Once the assembly procedure is complete, the following ceiling options may be used. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate the roofing system with a plaster ceiling attached underneath. This option can be used when no electrical conduits or air conditioning ducts run through the area where the plaster ceiling will be applied. A metal lath or fiberglass mesh reinforcement  7  is to be attached to the metal C channels  1  and the insulation  2  according to manufacturer&#39;s specifications. Two coats of ⅝″ plaster  8  are then applied according to desired textured finish. 
     FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate the roofing system with a drywall ceiling  10  attached underneath. Hi-hat metal furrings  9  are attached to the metal C channels  1 . The furrings  9  are to be spaced at a distance of 16″ on-center. One layer of ⅝″ and/or ½″ drywall  10  shall be applied below the furrings  9 . This ceiling option may be used when certain types of electrical wiring and/or surface mounted lighting fixtures are used. 
     FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate the roofing system with metal studs  11  running perpendicular to the two side-by-side metal C channels  1 . These will be spaced at a distance of 16″ on-center. Attached to the metal studs  11  there shall be an expanded metal lath  7  with two coats of ⅝″ plaster  8  applied according to desired textured finish. This option may be used when electrical conduits and/or recessed lighting is used in the area where the plaster ceiling will be applied. 
     FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate the roofing system with metal studs  11  running perpendicular to the two side-by-side metal C channels  1 . These will be spaced at a distance of 16″ on-center. Below the metal studs  11 , one layer of ⅝″ or ½″ drywall  10  shall be applied. This option may be used when electrical conduits and/or recessed lighting is used in the area where the plaster  8  ceiling will be applied. 
     FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate the roofing system with a dropped plaster  8  ceiling. Two sets of metal runner tracks  12  are to be attached to the C channels  1  and metal studs  13 . The upper metal runner tracks  12  shall be attached to the C channels  1  in a in a lengthwise and parallel manner. The studs  13  shall be attached perpendicular to the tracks  12  at a distance of 16″ minimum and 24″ maximum. The lower metal runner tracks  12  shall be attached face-up to the bottom of the metal studs  13 . Hi-hat furrings  9  shall be attached to the lower tracks  12  with galvanized steel wires  14 . Said furrings  9  are to be placed transversely with relation to the tracks  12 . An expanded metal lath  7  shall be attached to the hi-hat furrings  9 . Two coats of ⅝″ plaster  8  shall be applied according to desired texture. This option may be used when AC ducts need to be run throughout the ceiling. 
     FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate the roofing system with a dropped drywall  10  ceiling. Two sets of metal runner tracks  12  are to be attached to the metal C channels  1  and metal studs  13 . The upper metal runner tracks  12  shall be attached to the metal C channels  1  in a lengthwise and parallel manner. The studs  13  shall be attached perpendicular to the metal runner tracks  12  at a distance of 16″ minimum and 24″ maximum. The lower metal runner tracks  12  shall be attached face-up toward the bottom of the metal studs  13 . Hi-hat furrings  9  shall be attached to the lowertracks  12  with galvanized steel wires  14 . Said furrings  9  are to be placed transversely with relation to the tracks  12 . The dry wall ceiling  10  shall be attached to the hi-hat furrings  9 . This option can also be used when AC ducts need to be run throughout the ceiling. 
     FIGS. 16 and 17  illustrate the roofing system with a dropped plaster  8  ceiling hung by 20 gage galvanized steel wires  15 . Galvanized metal straps  17  shall be placed between the metal C channels  1  at a distance of 48″ each maximum. Said metal straps  17  will be bent on the lower ends between the form and the insulation  2 . The upper ends will also be bent facing the insulation  2 . Once the concrete  6  is poured, the metal straps  17  shall be embedded in the concrete  6 . Once the form is removed, the lower ends of the metal straps  17  shall be aligned perpendicular to the insulation  2 . A 20 gage hanger wire  15  shall be attached through the holes at the lower end of the metal straps  17 . Underneath the wire  15  a 2″ cold roller channel  16  shall be attached parallel to the metal studs. Hi-hat furrings  9  are to be placed perpendicular to the roller channel  16  at a distance of 16″ minimum and 24″ maximum on-center. The furrings  9  shall be attached to the roller channels  16  with wire  14  or clips. An expanded metal lath  7  shall be attached to the hi-hat furrings  9 . Two coats of ⅝″ plaster  8  shall be applied according to desired texture. This option may be used when AC ducts or pipes need to be run throughout the ceiling or when the design specifies a low flat ceiling. 
     FIGS. 18 and 19  illustrate the roofing system with a dropped drywall  10  ceiling hung by galvanized steel wires  15 . Galvanized metal straps  17  shall be placed between the metal C channels at a distance of 48″ each maximum. Said metal straps  17  will be bent on the lower ends between the form and the insulation  2 . The upper ends will also be bent facing the insulation  2 . Once the concrete  6  is poured, the metal straps  17  shall be embedded in the concrete  6 . Once the form is removed, the lower ends of the metal straps  17  shall be aligned perpendicular to the insulation  2 . A 20 gage hanger wire  15  shall be attached through the holes at the lower end of the metal straps  17 . Underneath the wire  15  a 2″ cold roller channel  16  shall be attached parallel to the metal C channels  1 . Hi-hat furrings  9  are to be placed perpendicular to the roller channel  16  at a distance of 16″ minimum and 24″ maximum on-center. The furrings  9  shall be attached to the roller channels  16  with wire  14  or clips. The drywall  10  ceiling shall be attached to the hi-hat furrings  9 . This option may be used when AC ducts need to be run throughout the ceiling and/or when the design specifies a low flat ceiling. 
     FIGS. 20 and 21  illustrate the roofing system with an acoustical tile ceiling hung by galvanized steel wires  15 . Galvanized metal straps  17  shall be placed between the metal C channels  1  at a distance of 48″ each maximum. Said metal straps  17  shall be bent at the lower ends between the form and the insulation  2 . The upper ends will also be bent facing the insulation  2 . Once the concrete  6  is poured, the metal straps  17  shall be embedded in the concrete  6 . Once the form is removed, the lower ends of the metal straps  17  shall be aligned perpendicular to the insulation. A 20 gage hanger wire  15  shall be attached through the holes at the lower end of the metal straps  17 . A main metal runner  18  shall be placed underneath the wires  15  parallel to the metal C channels  1 . A T-Grid System  20  shall be placed perpendicular to the runner  18 . Acoustical tiles  19  shall be placed on top of the T-Grid System  20 . This option may be used for commercial purposes when running AC ducts, pipes, and wires through the ceiling. 
   The following roof covering options may be applied to said roofing system. 
     FIGS. 22 and 23  illustrate the roofing system with cement or clay roof tile covering  23 . After a one inch layer of mortar  21  has been applied to level the surface, then the sealer  22  is applied. The suggested water-proof sealer  22  for this system is THOROSEAL made by Thoro Systems Products. Two coats of said sealer  22  are to be applied in combination with ACRYL  60  (a product of Thoro Systems Products) after the first seven days when the concrete  6  is curing. After the twenty-eighth day, after the concrete  6  has completely cured, the tile  23  will be ready to be set on top of the prepared roof surface. 
     FIGS. 24 and 25  illustrate the roofing system with a shingle  25  roof covering. After a one inch layer of mortar  21  has been applied to level the surface, then a 43# felt  24  shall be hot mopped on the leveled concrete  6  surface. Then the shingle  25  shall be glued on to the surface. 
     FIG. 26  illustrates the roofing system with a concrete overhang. This option may be used when the design specifies an overhang. Once the block walls and columns  26  are erected a roof beam  27  shall be placed on top. When the plywood or steel form is being placed, the concrete overhang shall be formed. The concrete fascia  28  shall then be formed or molded according to desired shape or design. A rebar  5 A shall be placed along the roof beam  27  and hooked on to the concrete  6  slab for continuity of the structure. The size and distance shall be determined by engineering calculations (vary). 
   Ideally the beams  27 , roof slab  6 , and overhang shall be poured in place simultaneously. Otherwise, the beams  27  should be poured in place first leaving the specified rebars  5 A partially exposed. Therefore, when the slab and the overhang are later formed, the rebars  5 A are hooked to the roof slab and attached to the other rebars  5  forming a cold joint. In this manner continuity of the structure is maintained. 
     FIG. 27  illustrates the roofing system with a concrete overhang and a wood fascia. A simple concrete overhang is preferred because it does not involve the use of wood. Once the block walls and columns  26  are erected a roof beam  27  shall be placed on top. When the plywood or steel form is being placed, the concrete overhang shall be formed. Pressure treated wood  30  shall be placed at the end portion of the overhang form. Concrete nails  29  shall be inserted into the wood with pressure washers  4  at the tip in order to adhere properly to the concrete  6 . The nails  29  may be inserted at a distance of 16 inches. Once the plywood or metal form is removed, the wood fascia shall remain embedded in the concrete  6 . A nailer  31  shall be attached to the end of the wood fascia. A 3 inch continuous metal flashing  32  shall be attached to the nailer  31  on top of the mortar bed. The wood fascia  33  will vary according to architectural specifications. 
     FIG. 28  illustrates the roofing system with a sanitary-vent roof connection. When the form is being placed a circular hole shall be made according to plumbing specs. A female pvc pipe  37  shall be tightly inserted into the hole at a minimum of 6 inches below the form and at a minimum of 6 inches above the mortar layer  21 . Once the concrete  6  is poured and cured, and the first coat of sealer  22  has been applied, the area around the pvc pipe  37  shall be caulked. A lead sleeve  35  shall be attached to the top of the pvc pipe  37  in such a manner that the sleeve  35  extends downward to serve as a flashing. The downward extended portion of the sleeve  35  shall be caulked  34 . A pvc male connection  36  shall be attached to the female pipe  37  and lead sleeve  35 . A second coat of water proofing sealer  22  shall then be applied to the concrete roof surface. 
     FIG. 29  is a sectional perspective view of a piece of  FIG. 1-A . Shown is an insulation board  2  surrounded by two C channels  1 . Lying on top of the uppermost C channel  1  flange is steel reinforcement  5 . A layer of concrete  7  is poured on top of the insulation board  2  and embedded within the concrete  7  is the steel reinforcement  5 . These elements are also shown in  FIGS. 30-32 .  FIG. 30  is a plan view of  FIG. 29 .  FIG. 30  shows the insulation board  2  and two C channels  1 .  FIG. 31  is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of line C-C of  FIG. 29 .  FIG. 31  shows the gap between the insulation board  2  and the top flange of the C channel  1 , which is filled with concrete  6  when the concrete  6  is poured onto the form.  FIG. 32  is a side view of  FIG. 29 .  FIG. 32  shows the insulation bard  2  within the C channels  1 . 
     FIG. 33  illustrates the roof system with an alternate stamping option. The stamping is applied immediately after the concrete  6  has been poured to avoid separate curing processes. Such stamping is done through the use of a form liner that simulates various existing roof finishes such as roof tile, shingles, Bermuda, metal, or wood shakes  38 . Coloring for the desired applications is specified within the mix used. A clear sealer could be applied over the cured stamped finish for further weatherproofing. 
   The concrete slab system with self-supported insulation  2  is an alternative which provides an innovative way of assembling the form-work with insulation board  2  and at the same time, offers a variety of ceiling options and roof coverings, without sacrificing the aesthetic aspect of the architectural design nor the structural design. Thus, speeding up the erection of the shoring equipment and reducing the construction calendar. This is accomplished through the innovation of combining the use of metal or plastic C channels and insulation boards  2  which are in turn embedded into the concrete  6  itself. 
   One of the most important functions of this system is to provide a safe and secure structural system which primarily meets the needs of residential homes. It is a slab alternative which can be utilized in hurricane and tornado susceptible areas. This system, when used in a structural roof (inclined or flat slab), provides a safe and secure structural shell.