High strength composite wall panel system

Abstract

The present invention is directed to improved composite action walls having an insulation wythe sandwiched between structural wythes. The structural wythes provide the load-bearing function and prevent the collapse of the wall under high wind loads. The structural wythes demonstrate composite action existing between the structural wythes such that an improved, stronger and less expensive wall may be constructed. The present invention is also directed to an insulation wythe, which is useful in the composite action wall of the present invention, having grooves formed therein such that the material of the structural wythes flow into the groove to form a mechanical bond between the structural wythes and the insulation wythe. The walls of the present invention are simple to manufacture and provide a verifiable and consistent composite action between about 50% to about 100% composite action.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to the field of concrete wall structures and, more specifically, to the field of high composite action wall structures. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In the area of building and construction, concrete wall panels have been fabricated and then coated or layered with insulation having relatively low strength to provide a well-insulated wall structure having high strength. Typically, a structural wall is built and insulation is applied when finishing the wall. The insulation inhibits the flow of thermal energy through the wall. [0003] A commonly used measurement of the thermal insulating qualities of a material is the mathematical coefficient “R”, which is a measure of the thermal resistance of a material. The coefficient R is equal to the thickness divided by the thermal coefficient “K”. A high R value provides a high degree of high thermal resistance or insulating ability. [0004] C...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The present invention is directed to improved composite action walls having an insulation wythe sandwiched between structural wythes. The structural wythes provide the load-bearing function and prevent the collapse of the wall under high wind loads. The structural wythes demonstrate composite action existing between the structural wythes such that an improved, stronger and less expensive wall may be constructed. The present invention is also directed to an insulation wythe, which is useful in the composite action wall of the present invention, having grooves formed therein such that the material of the structural wythes flow into the groove to form a mechanical bond between the structural wythes and the insulation wythe.

[0011] The walls of the present invention are simple to manufacture and provide a verifiable and consistent composite action between about 50% to about 100% composite action, preferably at least about 60% composite action, more preferably at least about 70% composite action, more especially preferably at least about 80% composite action, and most preferably at least about 90% composite action. The degree of composite action and the strength of the wall is improved by the structure of a composite action tie between first and second structural wythes and an insulation wythe therebetween

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, concrete has the drawback of offering a poor K value and thus provides little thermal insulation.

Polystyrene and fiberglass provide a high R value but offer little or no structural strength.

The R-value of insulated two wythe walls is limited due to the structural bridging between the outer and inner wall.

The plastic tie is used in the construction industry, but is relatively expensive and difficult to manufacture and does not provide adequate composite action.

Existing connectors, however, have thus far proven inadequate for providing composite walls with the desired composite action.

The fascia wythe is typically not used to bear a load separated from the structural wythe because of insufficient composite action existing between the facia wythe and the structural wythe.

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