A concrete element structure, an arrangement for connecting concrete elements and a method for assembling a concrete element structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a concrete element structure (1) comprising a first connector element (7) connecting to a first concrete element (2) and a second connector element (8) connecting to a second concrete element (4). In order to provide a structure that may be disassembled and reused, the concrete element structure (1) further comprises a connector rod (10) extending between the first connector element (7) and the second connector element (8), at least one end section (11) of the connector rod (10) having a thread (12). Each of the end sections (11) of the connector rod (10) is provided with a shoulder, at least one of the shoulders being provided in the form of a nut engaging the thread (12) of the at least one end section (11) for tightening the nut against an anchor plate (13) provided for each of the first (7) and the second connector element (8). The structure also comprises at least one of a projection (26) and a depression (9) at each of the first (3) and the second side surface (5) forming a contact with a grout layer (6) extending in a space (29) between the first (3) and the second side surface (5).

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a concrete element structure as defined in the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0002] The invention also relates to an arrangement for connecting concrete elements as defined in the preamble of independent claim 5.

[0003] The invention further relates to a method for assembling a concrete element structure as defined in the preamble of independent claim 7.Background of the invention

[0004] In relation to concrete element construction of building walls, concrete elements are typically positioned side by side and connected to each other using varying setups of connector joints. Said connector joints typically comprise a connector member couple, the connector members of each couple secured to opposing surfaces of adjacent concrete elements during element casting. After tightening of the joint, exposed parts of the connector members are typically embedded into the final construction by grouting. After the casting of the concrete elements, the connector members form an integral, non-removable part of the element.

[0005] In known connector setups, one of the connector members secured to the concrete element at each connector joint typically extends to the other connector member between the adjacent concrete elements. The connector joint may then be tightened at the location of the receiving connector member by utilizing conventional mechanical connectors between the connector members. In these setups, only the section of the permanently secured connector member extending between the adjacent concrete elements is exposed to the outside of the elements. As dismounting of the finalized concrete element construction may only be done by cutting the connecting elements extending between the adjacent elements, the connector member of the arrangement as described will be permanently destroyed, eliminating any possibility to reuse the original connector joint.Brief description of the invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to solve the abovementioned drawback and to provide a solution for a concrete element construction enabling dismounting and full reuse of the construction elements. This object is achieved with a concrete element structure according to independent claim 1, an arrangement for connecting a first concrete element to a second concrete element according to independent claim 6 and a method for assembling a concrete element structure according to claim 10.

[0007] By arranging a connector rod to extend between a first connector element connecting to a first concrete element and a second connector element connecting to a second concrete element and by providing a shoulder to each end section of the connector rod, at least one of the shoulders being provided in the form of a nut engaging a thread of the corresponding end section, a construction is achieved in which the connection between the concrete elements may be re-established after dismounting of the finalized construction by only replacing the connector rod. For improving the capacity of the joint interface to withstand shear forces, the construction also comprises at least one of a projection and a depression at each of the concrete elements forming a contact with a grout layer extending in the space 29 between the elements.

[0008] Preferred embodiments of the concrete element structure are defined in the dependent claims 2 to 4.

[0009] Preferred embodiment of the arrangement for connecting a first concrete element to a second concrete element is correspondingly defined in the dependent claim 6.

[0010] Preferred embodiment of the method for assembling a concrete element structure is defined in the dependent claim 8.List of figures

[0011] In the following the present invention will be described in more detail by way of example and with reference to the attached drawings, in which Figure 1 illustrates a cross-cut section of a first embodiment of a concrete element structure and of an arrangement for connecting a first concrete element to a second concrete element, Figure 2 illustrates a detail of the cross-cut section of Figure 1, Figure 3 illustrates a detail of a cross-cut section according to a second embodiment of the concrete element structure and of the arrangement for connecting the first concrete element to the second concrete element, and Figure 4 illustrates a cross-cut section of a fourth embodiment of a concrete element structure and of an arrangement for connecting a first concrete element to a second concrete element before final assembly of the arrangement. Detailed description of the invention

[0012] Figure 1 illustrates schematically a cross-cut section along a longitudinal middle plane of a connector element 7, 8 according to a first embodiment of a concrete element structure 1 and an arrangement 23 for connecting a first concrete element 2 to a second concrete element 4. The illustration of Figure 1 is only meant for indicating the structural elements and their mutual positioning in the assembled structure, without aiming to accurately present e.g. the relative dimensions of the individual components.

[0013] As illustrated in the example of Figure 1, the concrete element structure 1 comprises the first concrete element 2 with a first side surface 3 and the second concrete element 4 with an opposite second side surface 5 arranged to a distance from the first side surface 3. A grout layer 6 forming a structural unit of the structure is provided to extend in a space 29 between the first 3 and the second side surface 5, in other words so that the gap between the first 3 and the second side surface 5 is filled by the grout layer 6. The grout layer 6, which may comprise e.g. cement-based mortar, forms a firm connection with both the first 3 and the second side surface 5.

[0014] As illustrated in the example of Figure 1, the concrete element structure 1 also comprises a first connector element 7 connecting to the first side surface 3 and a second connector element 8 connecting to the second side surface 5 of the concrete elements. Each of the first 7 and the second connector element 8 comprises a base plate 16 having a through hole 17 between its first surface 18 and an opposite second surface 19, and at least one anchoring rod 20 extending from the base plate 16 at a side of the second surface 19. In other words, the anchoring rod 20 extends to the inside of the corresponding concrete elements 2, 4, and the connection between each connector element 7, 8 and the corresponding concrete element 2, 4 may be established e.g. at the stage of casting of the concrete elements such that the anchoring rods 20 become embedded within the concrete structure. In the example of Figure 1, each of the connector elements 7, 8 comprises four anchoring rods 20 extending from two opposite side surfaces of each base plate 16, each pair of two anchoring rods 20 being provided as part of a U-loop opening to the direction away from the base plate 16. In this arrangement, the U-loops may be connected to the opposite side surfaces of each base plate 16 by e.g. welding. Different configurations of the anchoring rods 20 are also possible, wherein they may be provided as e.g. straight or curved rods fixedly or detachably connecting to the base plate 16. In arrangements in which a detachable connection is used, the anchoring rods 20 may be provided with e.g. a thread, such that they threadedly engage the base plate 16, the base plate having a corresponding counter-threaded bore or hole. In the assembled concrete element structure 1, the first surface 18 of the first 7 and the second connector element 8 face towards each other.

[0015] To better illustrate the structure of the connector elements 7, 8, Figure 2 illustrates a detail of the cross-cut section of Figure 1 where the second connector element 8 is illustrated in more detail. As seen in the example of Figures 1 and 2, the concrete element structure 1 further comprises a connector rod 10 extending between the first connector element 7 and the second connector element 8, the connector rod 10 having two opposite end sections 11. More precisely, the through hole 17 of each base plate 16 is arranged to receive the connector rod 10 through the base plate 16, such that the end sections 11 extend to the side of the second surface 19 at each of the base plates 16. As best seen in the example of Figure 2, the structure also comprises an anchor plate 13 for each of the first 7 and the second connector element 8 having a first face 14 and an opposite second face 15, and the connector rod 10 extends through each of the anchor plates 13 between the first face 14 and the second face 15. In more detail, each anchor plate 13 has a through hole 24 between the first face 14 and the second face 15 receiving one of the end sections 11 through the anchor plate 13. In the illustrated assembly state, the first face 14 of each anchor plate 13 is arranged to contact the second surface 19 of the corresponding base plate 16, said first face 14 and the second surface 19 being parallel and forming a contact interface.

[0016] As best seen in the example of Figure 2, each of the end sections 11 of the connector rod 10 is provided with a shoulder 21 arranged to contact the second face 15 of the corresponding anchor plate 13. In the example of Figures 1 and 2, wherein both end sections 11 of the connector rod 10 have a thread 12, the shoulder 21 at each end section 11 is provided in the form of a nut 22 engaging the corresponding thread 12 for tightening the nut 22 against the anchor plate 13. In other words, the nut 22 engaging the thread 12 may be tightened by rotation to a desired level of tightness, thereby pulling the anchor plates 13 and the connector elements 7, 8 at the opposite ends of the connector rod 10 towards each other to tension the connection between the first 2 and the second concrete element 4. In this state, the connector elements and the connector rod 10 are subjected predominantly to tensional forces, but also shear forces may be present. In some embodiments of the structure, only one of the end sections 11 may be provided with the thread 12 and the corresponding nut 22, while the shoulder 21 provided to the end section 11 opposite to the threaded end section 11 may be provided in the form of e.g. a flange fixedly connecting to the connector rod 10. In this case, the connector rod 10 may comprise e.g. a bolt with a wider head portion providing the shoulder 21.

[0017] As illustrated in the example of Figure 1, the concrete element structure 1 further comprises at least one of a projection 26 and a depression 9 forming a contact with the grout layer 6 at each of the first 3 and the second side surface 5 adjacent to the first 7 respectively the second connector element 8. In more detail, in said example a plurality of said projections 26 and depressions 9 is provided to two sides of the connector rod 10 at each of the first 3 and the second side surface 5. Said projections 26 and depressions 9, which in this example are provided directly to the surface structure of the first 3 and the second side surface 5, provide a structure capable of transferring shear forces occurring at the interface area between the first 2 and the second concrete element 4, the shear forces being communicated through the grout layer 6. Alternatively, the projections 26 and depressions 9 may be provided to a texture plate 27 provided to each of the first 2 and the second concrete element 4, as illustrated in the example of Figure 4, said texture plates 27 contacting the first 3 respectively the second side surface 5. In this arrangement, the texture plates 27 may form a permanent part of the construction, or they may be detachably connected to the first 2 respectively the second concrete element 4. The projections 26 and depressions 9 as described may be provided with varying cross-sectional configurations, such that they form e.g. an abrupt pattern, a wave pattern or a zig-zag pattern on the first 3 and the second side surface 5, or on the texture plates 27. In these arrangements, each peak of the pattern forms one of said projections 26, and correspondingly, each trough forms one of said depressions 9.

[0018] In the embodiment according to Figure 1, where the projections 26 and depressions 9 are provided directly to the surface structure of the first 3 and the second side surface 5, the texture plates 27 or similar texture elements may be provided to a formwork of a concrete cast of the first 2 and the second concrete element 4, such that the texture plates 27 or similar texture elements form a mold surface for providing the projected and / or depressed shapes to the first 3 and the second side surface 5 during the casting. In this arrangement, the texture plates 27 or similar texture elements may be removed from the construction before the final assembly.

[0019] As illustrated in Figure 1, corresponding projected and depressed formations are formed also to the grout layer 6 conforming to the shape of the projections 26 and depressions 9 of the first 3 and the second side surface 5, and thereby an interlocking shape between the concrete elements and the grout layer 6 is formed at their contact interface. The number, shape and positioning of the projections 26 and depressions 9 may vary in different embodiments of the structure. Preferably, distance between the at least one provided projection 26 or depression 9 and the connector elements 7, 8 is less than 100 centimeters.

[0020] Figure 3 illustrates a detail of a cross-cut section according to a second embodiment of the concrete element structure 1, where the second connector element 8 is illustrated in more detail in a way corresponding to Figure 2. As the embodiment of Figure 3 shares most of the structural features of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, only the differences between said embodiments are discussed here.

[0021] In the examples of Figures 1 to 3, the first surface 18 of each of the first 7 and the second connector element 8 connects seamlessly to the first 3 respectively the second side surface 5 of the concrete elements. In other words, each first surface 18 in these examples is arranged to be coplanar with the first 3 respectively the second side surface 5 and forms an integrated part of it. In the example of Figure 3, the projections 26 and depressions 9 are provided to the first surface 18 of each of the first 7 and the second connector element 8, and not provided directly to the surface structure of the first 3 and the second side surface 5. In this arrangement, the projections 26 and depressions 9 do not need to be provided to the construction as a separate entity. In some embodiments, they may be provided to the first surface 18 of the first 7 and the second connector element 8 as well as to the first 3 and the second side surface 5.

[0022] In the assembly state of the arrangement 23, as illustrated in Figure 1, the arrangement comprises the first 7 and the second connector element 8 for connecting to the first 3 respectively the second side surface 5, the connector rod 10 extending between the first 7 and the second connector element 8, and an anchor plate 13 for each of the first 7 and the second connector element 8. In said assembly state, the first surface 18 of the first 7 and the second connector element 8 face towards each other, the first face 14 of each anchor plate 13 is arranged to contact the second surface 19 of the corresponding base plate 16 and each of the end sections 11 of the connector rod 10 is provided with a shoulder 21 arranged to contact the second face 15 of the corresponding anchor plate 13. As described above, in some embodiments of the arrangement 23, each end section 11 of the connector rod 10 may be provided with the thread 12 such that in the assembly state the shoulder 21 at each of the end sections 11 is provided in the form of a nut 22 engaging the thread for tightening the nut 22 against the corresponding anchor plate 13. In other embodiments, only one of the end sections 11 may be provided with the thread 12 and the corresponding nut 22, while the shoulder 21 at the opposite end section 11 may be provided in the form of e.g. a flange fixedly connecting to the connector rod 10. Before the assembly, some or all of said components may be provided in a detached state and arranged to the structure in a suitable order.

[0023] Figure 4 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the concrete element structure 1 and of the arrangement 23 before final assembly of the arrangement 23, wherein the connector rod 10 and the anchor plates 13 are not yet provided to the construction. As the embodiment of Figure 4 shares most of the structural features of the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2, only the differences between said embodiments are discussed here. In the example of Figure 4, the arrangement 23 comprises the texture plate 27 for each of the first 2 and the second concrete element 4 for providing the projections 26 and the depressions 9 to each of the first 3 and the second side surface 5. In the embodiments where the texture plates 27 are not included in the assembly state of the arrangement 23, the projections 26 and the depressions 9 are favorably provided directly to the concrete elements during the stage of concrete casting. Alternatively, in some configurations the projections 26 and the depressions 9 may be provided e.g. by material removal after the casting of the concrete elements.

[0024] The concrete element structure 1 according to the above description may be assembled through a method comprising a step of securing the first connector element 7 to the first side surface 3 of the first concrete element 2 and securing the second connector element 8 to the second side surface 5 of the second concrete element 4. Said securing may be done e.g. at the stage of casting of the concrete elements such that the first 7 and the second connector element 8 become partially embedded into to the concrete structure. However, also other means of securing may be used, e.g. additional bolts may be added to the construction for securing the connector elements. In some variations, at the stage of concrete casting only the anchoring rods 20 of the connector elements may be provided to the concrete elements 2, 4, and the base plate 16 in these cases may be connected to the anchoring rods 20 at each of the connector elements 7, 8 at a later stage of the assembly process. In the final assembly state, the second side surface 5 of the second concrete element 4 is arranged to be opposite to the first side surface 3 of the first concrete element 2.

[0025] In order to provide an access point to the construction elements arranged on the side of the second surfaces 19 at each of the connector elements at the final assembly stage, namely the anchor plates 13, the end sections 11 of the connector rod 10 and the shoulders 21, the method also comprises a step of providing a recess 25 to each of the first 3 and the second side surface 5 at the first 7 respectively the second connector element 8. In praxis, the recesses 25 may be provided by removably providing a mold piece 28 for each of the first 2 and the second concrete element 4 to contact the first 7 respectively the second connector element 8, as illustrated in Figure 4. In this case, the mold pieces 28 are preferably provided at the stage of casting of the concrete elements, such that they inhibit the flow of concrete to the intended recess area 25, thereby defining the shape and location of each recess. After the concrete casting, the mold pieces 28 may be removed, and the remaining cavity 25 at each concrete element is favorably filled with insulation material or grout after the final assembly of the arrangement 23. The mold pieces 28 may comprise e.g. blocks manufactured of Styrofoam or other sufficiently rigid and self-supporting material. Alternatively, in some embodiments each of the connector elements 7, 8 may be provided with a fixed or removable wall structure defining the recess 25, wherein said wall structure inhibits the flow of concrete to the intended recess area 25 during concrete casting. In some implementations of the method, the recesses 25 may also be provided without any mold pieces 28 by removing excess concrete from the concrete elements 2, 4 after the casting.

[0026] Each recess 25 forms a contact with the second surface 19 of the corresponding base plate 16, and preferably, each recess 25 also opens to a surface of each concrete element 2, 4 extending perpendicularly to the first 3 respectively the second side surface 5.

[0027] After the recess 25 has been provided to each concrete element 2, 4, the method of assembling comprises a step of arranging the anchor plate 13 to the recess 25 of each of the first 3 and the second side surface 5 to contact the first 7 respectively the second connector element 8. Then, the connector rod 10 is arranged to extend through each of the first 7 and the second connector element 8 and through each of the anchor plates 13, and the shoulder 21 is arranged to each end section 11 of the connector rod 10 to contact one of the anchor plates 13. After this, at least one of the shoulders 21 is tightened against the corresponding anchor plate 13. Correspondingly, in embodiments where both end sections 11 of the connector rod 10 have a thread 12 and the shoulder 21 at each end section 11 is provided in the form of a nut 22 engaging the corresponding thread 12, both of the shoulders 21 may be tightened.

[0028] The method of assembling also comprises a step of providing said at least one of a projection 26 and a depression 9 to each of the first 3 and the second side surface 5 adjacent to the first 2 respectively the second connector element 4. In the embodiment of Figure 1, correspondingly a plurality of projections 26 and depressions 9 is provided. In the embodiments of the arrangement for connecting the concrete elements where the texture plates 27 are included, the step of providing the projections 26 and depressions 9 comprises providing the texture plate 27 for each of the first 2 and the second concrete element 4 to contact the first 3 respectively the second side surface 5. This may be done e.g. at the stage of casting of the concrete elements, such that a tight contact interface is formed between the texture plates 27 and the concrete elements 2, 4, or the texture plates 27 may be connected to the concrete elements 2, 4 after the casting by e.g. bolts or screws. In the embodiments where the projections 26 and depressions 9 are provided directly to the concrete elements, the texture plates 27 or similar texture elements may be provided to the formwork of the concrete cast of the first 2 and the second concrete element 4, such that the texture plates 27 or similar texture elements form a mold surface for providing the projected and / or depressed shapes to the first 3 and the second side surface 5 during the casting.

[0029] After providing said at least one of a projection 26 and a depression 9, the grout layer 6 is provided in the space 29 between the first 3 and the second side surface 5. In this state, the projections 26 and depressions 9 provide an interface with the grout layer 6 for enhanced transfer of shear forces between the first 2 and second concrete element 4.

[0030] If the finalized concrete element structure 1 is to be disassembled due to e.g. decommissioning and subsequent demolition of the building comprising the element structure, this may be done by cutting through the space 29 between the first 3 and the second side surface 5 of the concrete elements, simultaneously cutting the connector rod 10. Then, the assembly process may be repeated by only removing and replacing the remaining grout or other filling material used for covering the elements of the connecting arrangement 23 exposed to the outside of the concrete elements, as well as replacing the connector rod 10.

[0031] It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that as technology advanced, the basic idea of the invention can be implemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are therefore not restricted to the above examples, but they may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A concrete element structure (1), comprising: a first concrete element (2) with a first side surface (3), a second concrete element (4) with an opposite second side surface (5) arranged to a distance from the first side surface (3), a grout layer (6) extending in a space (29) between the first (3) and the second side surface (5), a first connector element (7) connecting to the first side surface (3), a second connector element (8) connecting to the second side surface (5), at least one of a projection (26) and a depression (9) forming a contact with the grout layer (6) at each of the first (3) and the second side surface (5) adjacent to the first (7) respectively the second connector element (8), a connector rod (10) extending between the first connector element (7) and the second connector element (8), at least one end section (11) of the connector rod (10) having a thread (12), and an anchor plate (13) for each of the first (7) and the second connector element (8) having a first face (14) and an opposite second face (15), wherein each of the first (7) and the second connector element (8) comprises: a base plate (16) having a through hole (17) between its first surface (18) and an opposite second surface (19) receiving the connector rod (10) through the base plate (16), the first surface (18) of the first (7) and the second connector element (8) facing towards each other and connecting seamlessly to the first side surface (3) of the first concrete element (2) respectively the second side surface (5) of the second concrete element (4), and at least one anchoring rod (20) extending from the base plate (16) at a side of the second surface (19), wherein the connector rod (10) extends through each of the anchor plates (13) between its first face (14) and the second face (15), the first face (14) of each anchor plate (13) is arranged to contact the second surface (19) of the corresponding base plate (16), and each of the end sections (11) of the connector rod (10) is provided with a shoulder (21) arranged to contact the second face (15) of the corresponding anchor plate (13), wherein at least one of the shoulders (21) is provided in the form of a nut (22) engaging the thread (12) of the at least one end section (11) of the connector rod (10) for tightening the nut (22) against the anchor plate (13), characterized in that the at least one of a projection (26) and a depression (9) is provided to the first surface (18) of each of the first (7) and the second connector element (8).

2. The concrete element structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each end section (11) of the connector rod (10) is provided with the thread (12), and the shoulder (21) at each of the end sections (11) is provided in the form of a nut (22) engaging the thread (12) for tightening the nut (22) against the corresponding anchor plate (13).

3. The concrete element structure (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the concrete element structure (1) comprises said at least one of a projection (26) and a depression (9) forming a contact with the grout layer (6) at each of the first (3) and the second side surface (5) on two sides of the connector rod (10).

4. The concrete element structure (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the concrete element structure (1) comprises a plurality of said projections (26) and depressions (9) forming a contact with the grout layer (6) at each of the first (3) and the second side surface (5).

5. An arrangement (23) for connecting a first concrete element (2) to a second concrete element (4), the arrangement (23) comprising: a first connector element (7) for connecting to a first side surface (3) of a first concrete element (2), a second connector element (8) for connecting to a second side surface (5) of a second concrete element (4), at least one of a projection (26) and a depression (9) for each of the first (2) and the second concrete element (4) for connecting to the first (3) respectively the second side surface (5), a connector rod (10) extending between the first connector element (7) and the second connector element (8) in an assembly state of the arrangement (23), at least one end section (11) of the connector rod (10) having a thread (12), and an anchor plate (13) for each of the first (7) and the second connector element (8) having a through hole (24) between its first face (14) and an opposite second face (15) for receiving one end section (11) of the connector rod (10) through the anchor plate (13) in the assembly state of the arrangement (23), wherein each of the first (7) and the second connector element (8) comprises: a base plate (16) having a through hole (17) between its first surface (18) and an opposite second surface (19) for receiving the connector rod (10) through the base plate (16) in the assembly state of the arrangement (23), the first surface (18) of the first (7) and the second connector element (8) facing towards each other and connecting seamlessly to the first side surface (3) of the first concrete element (2) respectively the second side surface (5) of the second concrete element (4) in the assembly state of the arrangement (23), and at least one anchoring rod (20) extending from the base plate (16) at a side of the second surface (19), wherein in the assembly state of the arrangement (23), the first face (14) of each anchor plate (13) is arranged to contact the second surface (19) of the corresponding base plate (16), and in the assembly state of the arrangement (23), each of the end sections (11) of the connector rod (10) is provided with a shoulder (21) arranged to contact the second face (15) of the corresponding anchor plate (13), wherein at least one of the shoulders (21) is provided in the form of a nut (22) engaging the thread (12) of the at least one end section (11) of the connector rod (10) for tightening the nut (22) against the anchor plate (13), characterized in that the at least one of a projection (26) and a depression (9) is provided to the first surface (18) of each of the first (7) and the second connector element (8).

6. The arrangement (23) according to claim 5, characterized in that each end section (11) of the connector rod (10) is provided with the thread (12), and in the assembly state of the arrangement (23), the shoulder (21) at each of the end sections (11) is provided in the form of a nut (22) engaging the thread (12) for tightening the nut (22) against the corresponding anchor plate (13).

7. A method for assembling a concrete element structure (1) of claim 1, characterized in comprising the steps of: securing a first connector element (7) to a first side surface (3) of a first concrete element (2) such that a first surface (18) of the first connector element (7) connects seamlessly to the first side surface (3), the first surface (18) of the first connector element (7) being provided with at least one of a projection (26) and a depression (9), and securing a second connector element (8) to a second side surface (5) of a second concrete element (4) opposite to the first side surface (3) such that a first surface (18) of the second connector element (8) connects seamlessly to the second side surface (5), the first surface (18) of the second connector element (8) being provided with at least one of a projection (26) and a depression (9), providing a recess (25) to each of the first (3) and the second side surface (5) at the first (7) respectively the second connector element (8), arranging an anchor plate (13) to the recess (25) of each of the first (3) and the second side surface (5) to contact the first (7) respectively the second connector element (8), arranging a connector rod (10) to extend through each of the first (7) and the second connector element (8) and through each of the anchor plates (13), arranging a shoulder (21) to each end section (11) of the connector rod (10) to contact one of the anchor plates (13), tightening at least one of the shoulders (21) against the corresponding anchor plate (13), and providing a grout layer (6) in a space (29) between the first (3) and the second side surface (5).

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that the providing a recess (25) to each of the first (3) and the second side surface (5) comprises removably providing a mold piece (28) for each of the first (2) and the second concrete element (4) to contact the first (7) respectively the second connector element (8).

Images