H-shaped prefab concrete element for constructing storage facilities

Abstract

The present invention relates to a prefab concrete element for constructing side walls for storage facilities, comprising a horizontal floor slab, two side walls extending upwards from the floor slab, and a coupling beam, wherein the floor slab extends sideways over the entire length of the side walls in a transverse direction, wherein the coupling beam connects the two side walls to each other, wherein the coupling beam forms a walkway between the side walls and is arranged at such a distance from the top of the two side walls that the side walls form a railing, wherein the two side walls extend parallel and transverse to the floor slab, wherein the two side walls and the coupling beam form an H and wherein the prefab element has a ratio of a distance from side wall to side wall to a height of the prefab element that is at most 0.50. The invention also relates to a use of the prefab element for constructing a bunker silo.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a prefab concrete element for constructing side walls for storage facilities. The invention also relates to a use for constructing a bunker silo.PRIOR ART

[0002] Such a prefab concrete element is known, among other things, from BE1020691 (BE '691). BE '691 describes a prefabricated concrete element with a horizontally extending floor slab and two side wall sections extending upwards and towards each other from the floor slab. The floor slab always extends laterally over the range in which the side wall sections are connected to the floor slab. The side wall sections are connected to each other by a coupling beam. The coupling beam is mounted under the top of the side wall sections and forms a horizontal walkway. The top of the side wall sections forms a railing on both sides of the horizontal walkway.

[0003] This known prefab element has the following disadvantages. Because the side wall sections converge towards each other, the side wall sections have a wide base at the bottom. This means that the side wall sections are far apart at the bottom near the floor slab. As a result, there is less storage space at the bottom of the storage facility than at the top. This is also disadvantageous for unloading a storage facility because scraping along a side wall of the storage facility with a shovel, such as one from a wheel loader, is not possible. The converging side wall sections are additionally disadvantageous at a constant base width because this limits a total height of the prefab element. After all, the walkway must remain accessible. The width of the base cannot simply be increased because this would prevent the prefab element from being loaded onto a truck trailer. The limited height of the prefab element restricts the storage space in the storage facility. Due to the wide base and the converging side walls, the prefab element has a large concrete volume and therefore a significant weight. It is practically necessary to execute the prefab element in two parts.

[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least some of the above problems or drawbacks.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In a first aspect, the current invention relates to a prefab concrete element according to claim 1.

[0006] Due to the fact that the two side walls extend perpendicular to the floor slab, a distance between the two side walls at the top of the two side walls is as large as at the level of the floor slab. As a result, in a storage area formed using the prefab concrete elements, there is the same amount of storage space over an entire height of the prefab concrete element. Additionally advantageous is, for example, that a wheel loader can scrape up to the side wall of the storage facility, which simplifies loading and unloading in the storage facility. Another advantage is that the prefab concrete element can be easily manufactured in different heights. This does not affect the walkway, but it is thus possible to construct a storage facility with a greater height and therefore a larger total storage space. Because the two side walls extend perpendicular to the floor slab, the prefab concrete element has a limited concrete volume and, consequently, a limited weight, which is advantageous for transport. Particularly advantageous is that the prefab concrete element, due to the ratio of the distance from side wall to side wall to the height of at most 0.50, has a height that is at least twice the distance from side wall to side wall. As a result, with the same distance from side wall to side wall at the level of the floor slab of the prefab concrete element, a storage facility with a greater height and therefore a larger storage space can be constructed than in comparison with a prefab concrete element according to the prior art.

[0007] Preferred embodiments of the device are presented in claims 2 to 14.

[0008] In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a use according to claim 15.

[0009] This use results in a bunker silo that can be constructed easily and quickly using the prefab concrete element, and that results in maximum storage space for an available ground surface area. Bunker silos are very often constructed on farms, where the available space in a yard is limited. Additionally advantageous is that a wheel loader can be used to efficiently scrape the bunker silo empty up to its side walls.DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0010] Figure 1 shows a side view of an H-shaped concrete element according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an H-shaped concrete element according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in the description of the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonly understood by a person skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. For a better understanding of the description of the invention, the following terms are explained explicitly.

[0012] In this document, "a" and "the" refer to both the singular and the plural, unless the context presupposes otherwise. For example, "a segment" means one or more segments.

[0013] The terms "comprise," "comprising," "consist of," "consisting of," "provided with," "include," "including," "contain," "containing," are synonyms and are inclusive or open terms that indicate the presence of what follows, and which do not exclude or prevent the presence of other components, characteristics, elements, members, steps, as known from or disclosed in the prior art.

[0014] Quoting numerical ranges by endpoints includes all integers, fractions and / or real numbers between the endpoints, these endpoints included.

[0015] In the context of this document, concrete cover refers to a minimum distance from the outer side of a concrete structure, such as a prefab concrete element, to the nearest reinforcement steel.

[0016] In the context of this document, a monolithic element refers to a concrete element that is cast in one piece or that is cast together in a structurally sound manner, for example, through the use of continuous reinforcement.

[0017] In a first aspect, the invention concerns a prefab concrete element for constructing side walls of storage facilities.

[0018] The prefab concrete element comprises a horizontally extending floor slab, two side walls extending upwards from the floor slab, and a coupling beam.

[0019] The side walls extend in a longitudinal direction. The floor slab extends laterally over a full length of the side walls in a transverse direction. The floor slab extends laterally away from the two side walls. The transverse direction and the longitudinal direction are parallel to the floor slab. The transverse direction and the longitudinal direction are perpendicular to each other. The length of the side walls is measured in the specified longitudinal direction. The side walls preferably have an equal height, with the height measured along a height direction, perpendicular to the floor slab, and consequently perpendicular to the longitudinal and transverse directions, and from a bottom side of the floor slab. The floor slab is preferably a single slab that also connects the two side walls.

[0020] The coupling beam connects the two side walls to each other below a top of the side walls. The top of the side walls is an end of the side walls that is located furthest from the floor slab. The coupling beam is preferably a concrete coupling beam. The coupling beam is a separately cast concrete element that is attached to the side walls. Alternatively, the side walls and the coupling beam are comprised in a single concrete element. The coupling beam is designed as a horizontal plane, forming a walkway between the side walls. The coupling beam is mounted at such a distance from the top of the two side walls that the side walls form a railing. This is advantageous because a person can safely inspect a storage facility from the walkway formed by the coupling beam. The person does not need to walk on goods in the storage facility and also does not risk falling into the storage facility.

[0021] According to an embodiment, the prefab concrete element comprises reinforcement. Preferably, the two side walls comprise reinforcement such as a reinforcing mesh or reinforcing bars. This is advantageous for absorbing tensile forces in the concrete of the prefab concrete element. Preferably, the floor slab comprises reinforcement such as a reinforcement mesh or reinforcement bars. Preferably, the coupling beam comprises reinforcement, such as a reinforcement mesh or reinforcement bars. More preferably, the two side walls, the floor slab, and the coupling beam comprise reinforcement, wherein the reinforcement of the side walls, the floor slab, and the coupling beam are interconnected. This is advantageous for transferring tensile forces in the concrete of the prefab concrete element between the two side walls, the floor slab, and the coupling beam.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the two side walls extend transversely to the floor slab. This means that an angle between the floor slab and each of the two side walls is at least 88° and at most 92°. Preferably, the angle between the floor slab and each of the two side walls is at least 89° and at most 91°. More preferably, the angle between the floor slab and each of the two side walls is 90°. The two side walls are parallel. This specifically means that the two side walls, after the placement of the prefab concrete element, form the vertical side walls of a storage facility. The two side walls and the coupling beam form an H. The lying leg of the H is the coupling beam of the prefab concrete element.

[0023] The prefab concrete element has a ratio of a distance from side wall to side wall to a height of the prefab concrete element that is at most 0.50. The distance from side wall to side wall is measured from an exterior side of the prefab concrete element according to the transverse direction. The height of the prefab concrete element is measured in the height direction from a bottom side of the floor slab to the top of a side wall. Preferably, the ratio of the distance from side wall to side wall to the height of the prefab concrete element is at most 0.48, more preferably at most 0.46, even more preferably at most 0.44, even more preferably at most 0.42, and most preferably at most 0.40.

[0024] Due to the fact that the two side walls extend perpendicular to the floor slab, a distance between the two side walls at the top of the two side walls is as large as at the level of the floor slab. As a result, in a storage area formed using the prefab concrete elements, there is the same amount of storage space over an entire height of the prefab concrete element. Additionally advantageous is, for example, that a wheel loader can scrape up to the side wall of the storage facility, which simplifies loading and unloading in the storage facility. Another advantage is that the prefab concrete element can be easily manufactured in different heights. This does not affect a width of the walkway because the two side walls are parallel, and for the same reason does not affect the distance between the side walls at the level of the floor slab. It is therefore possible to construct a storage facility with a greater height and thus a larger total storage space on the same surface area. Because the two side walls extend perpendicular to the floor slab, the prefab concrete element has a limited concrete volume and, consequently, a limited weight, which is advantageous for transport. Particularly advantageous is that the prefab concrete element, due to the ratio of the distance from side wall to side wall to the height of the prefab concrete element of at most 0.50, has a height that is at least twice the distance from side wall to side wall. As a result, with the same distance from side wall to side wall at the level of the floor slab of the prefab concrete element, a storage facility with a greater height and therefore a larger storage space can be constructed than in comparison with a prefab concrete element according to the prior art.

[0025] According to a preferred embodiment, the prefab concrete element is a monolithic element. Preferably, the prefab concrete element is cast in one go, for example, by pouring concrete into a mold. In the event that the prefab concrete element comprises reinforcement, as in a previously described embodiment, the reinforcement is placed in the mold before casting. A monolithic element is advantageous because the prefab concrete element can be cast in a single step and later, when constructing a side wall of a storage facility, the prefab concrete element can be placed in a single step. This embodiment is possible because a prefab concrete element, according to the first aspect, has a limited concrete volume and consequently a limited weight, allowing the prefab concrete element to be placed and transported as a monolithic element on a truck trailer.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the prefab concrete element has a length-to-height ratio that is at most 0.85. The length of the prefab concrete element is measured in the longitudinal direction from a first end of a side wall to an opposite second end of the side wall. The height of the prefab concrete element is measured in the height direction from a bottom side of the floor slab to the top of a side wall. The prefab concrete element preferably has a greatest possible height for a largest possible storage space on the same surface area. From a greater height, the prefab concrete element will have too much weight for transport on a truck, making it necessary to limit the length of the prefab concrete element to reduce the weight. The prefab concrete element preferably has a greatest possible length so that as few prefab elements as possible are needed to construct a side wall of a storage facility. Once again, it will be necessary to limit the height of the prefab concrete element from a certain length onwards in order to reduce the weight of the prefab concrete element. A length-height ratio of at most 0.85 is advantageous for a prefab concrete element with maximum dimensions in length and height and with an acceptable weight.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, the prefab concrete element has a length-to-height ratio of at least 0.31, preferably at least 0.33, more preferably at least 0.32, even more preferably at least 0.35, and most preferably at least 0.37. A length-to-height ratio of at least 0.31 ensures that the prefab concrete element always has sufficient length to quickly construct side walls of a storage facility.

[0028] According to an embodiment, the prefab concrete element has a width-to-height ratio of at least 0.65, preferably at least 0.70, more preferably at least 0.75, and even more preferably at least 0.80. This is advantageous because the floor slab is now sufficiently wide to prevent the prefab concrete element from tilting laterally when goods are stacked against the prefab concrete element in the storage facility.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the walkway formed by the coupling beam is at least 1.0 m below the top of the two side walls. Preferably, the coupling beam is located at least 1.1 m below the top of the side walls, more preferably at least 1.2 m. This is advantageous because the railing formed by the two side walls thereby automatically has a safety-required height of 1.0 m.

[0030] According to a further embodiment, the walkway formed by the coupling beam is at most 1.3 meters below the top of the two side walls. This is advantageous as otherwise the railing becomes too high and hinders easy inspection of the storage facility. This is additionally advantageous because this results in the section of the side wall above the coupling beam having a maximum length of 1.3 m, as a result of which goods in the storage facility only exert a limited torque on the mentioned section of the side walls. As a result, a thickness of 12 cm of concrete for the mentioned section of the side walls is sufficient to prevent this section from cracking off the prefab concrete element due to torque effects.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, the prefab concrete element has a concrete cover of at least 25 mm. Preferably, the prefab concrete element has a concrete cover of at least 26 mm, more preferably at least 27 mm, even more preferably at least 28 mm, even more preferably at least 29 mm, and most preferably at least 30 mm.

[0032] This embodiment, in combination with a previously described embodiment wherein the prefab concrete element comprises a reinforcement, is particularly advantageous for constructing side walls for storage facilities that can contain corrosive substances. This is, for example, the case with a bunker silo on a farm in which, for example, manure or corn can be stored, from which liquids can seep that act on the concrete. Due to a concrete cover of at least 25 mm, the prefab concrete element has a layer of concrete that can serve as a sacrificial layer to protect the reinforcement against oxidation. This increases the lifespan of the prefab concrete element.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the floor slab, the two side walls, and the coupling beam delimit a beam-shaped volume. The beam-shaped volume is open at ends according to the longitudinal direction. This simplifies the manufacturing of the prefab concrete element by pouring concrete into a mold and reduces the total weight of the prefab concrete element. The prefab concrete element within the beam-shaped volume comprises a concrete reinforcement volume in corners formed by the floor slab and the two side walls. Preferably, the prefab concrete element within the beam-shaped volume comprises a concrete reinforcement volume in corners formed by the coupling beam and the two side walls. The concrete reinforcement volumes extend along the entire length of the side walls. The concrete reinforcement volumes in the corners formed by the floor slab and the two side walls are bounded by the floor slab, a side wall, and an inclined wall. The concrete reinforcement volumes in the corners formed by the coupling beam and the two side walls are bounded by the coupling beam, a side wall, and an inclined wall. The concrete reinforcement volume is a triangular prism. Concrete is very good at withstanding compressive forces, but not at withstanding tensile forces. The concrete reinforcement volumes are advantageous for locally increasing a concrete thickness of the prefab concrete element, thereby obtaining a larger lever arm in the mentioned corners. This is additionally advantageous for locally optimizing a quantity of reinforcement.

[0034] The beam-shaped volume with the concrete reinforcement volumes in the corners formed by the floor slab and the two side walls, and optionally in the corners formed by the coupling beam and the two side walls, ensures a very sturdy structure, making it possible to have a prefab concrete element with side walls standing perpendicular to the floor slab and with a height of more than 4 meters, which is suitable for withstanding high loads by storing goods against a side wall of a storage facility.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the prefab concrete element comprises, in corners formed by the floor slab and a side wall and outside a volume bounded by the floor slab, the two side walls and the coupling beam, a concrete reinforcement volume. The volume delimited by the floor slab, the two side walls, and the coupling beam corresponds to the previously described beam-shaped volume, wherein the beam-shaped volume may or may not comprise concrete reinforcement volumes, as in the previously described embodiment. The concrete reinforcement volumes outside the beam-shaped volume extend over the entire length of the side walls. The concrete reinforcement volumes are bounded by the floor slab, a side wall, and an inclined wall. The concrete reinforcement volume is a triangular prism. The concrete reinforcement volumes are advantageous for locally increasing a concrete thickness of the prefab concrete element, thereby obtaining a larger lever arm in the mentioned corners. This is additionally advantageous for locally optimizing a quantity of reinforcement.

[0036] This embodiment is particularly advantageous in combination with a previously described embodiment in which the prefab concrete element comprises a concrete reinforcement element in corners of the beam-shaped volume. This creates a very robust structure.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, the two side walls, the floor slab, and the coupling beam comprise a reinforcement mesh. The prefab concrete element comprises concrete reinforcement volumes, as in previously described embodiments. Concrete reinforcement volumes within the beam-shaped volume in corners formed by the floor slab and the two side walls comprise a reinforcement mesh. Preferably, each concrete reinforcement volume comprises a reinforcement mesh. The reinforcement mesh of a concrete reinforcement volume is substantially parallel to the inclined wall. The reinforcement mesh of a concrete reinforcement volume in corners formed by the floor slab and the two side walls penetrates through the reinforcement mesh in both the floor slab and a side wall. The reinforcement mesh of an optional concrete reinforcement volume in corners formed by the coupling beam and the two side walls penetrates through the reinforcement mesh in both the coupling beam and a side wall. Preferably, ends of the reinforcement mesh in the concrete reinforcement volume are bent in a direction away from the corner in which the concrete reinforcement volume is placed. An end of the reinforcement mesh in the concrete reinforcement volume is located within the floor slab, one of the two side walls, or the coupling beam. It is clear that with concrete reinforcement volumes in corners formed by a side wall and the floor slab, an end of the reinforcement mesh lies either within the said side wall or within the floor slab. It will also be apparent that a first end lies within the said side wall and a second end within the floor slab. It is clear that with concrete reinforcement volumes in corners formed by a side wall and the coupling beam, an end of the reinforcement mesh lies either within the said side wall or within the coupling beam. It will also be apparent that a first end lies within the said side wall and a second end within the coupling beam. The reinforcing mesh in the concrete reinforcement volume extends over at least 80% of the length of the concrete reinforcement volume, preferably at least 85% and more preferably at least 90%. The length of the concrete reinforcement volume is measured along the longitudinal direction. The reinforcing mesh is a grid of bars. The bars have a diameter of at least 6 mm, preferably at least 8 mm, more preferably at least 9 mm and even more preferably at least 10 mm.

[0038] This embodiment is particularly advantageous for reinforcing the aforementioned corners in the event that a moment causes the aforementioned corners to stretch. The reinforcement mesh will absorb the forces responsible for the elongation, thereby preventing the concrete in the aforementioned corners from cracking during elongation.

[0039] Bending of the ends of the reinforcement mesh in the concrete reinforcement volume is advantageous for a good connection of the reinforcement mesh in the concrete reinforcement volume with reinforcement meshes in the rest of the prefab concrete element, thereby better distributing forces.

[0040] According to a preferred embodiment, each concrete reinforcement volume has a height of at least 30 cm and a width of at least 2 cm. The concrete reinforcement volume is as in previously described embodiments. The height of the concrete reinforcement volumes is measured according to the height direction. The width of the concrete reinforcement volumes is measured according to the transverse direction. A concrete reinforcement volume with such dimensions is sufficiently large to reinforce the prefab concrete element in the corners. The width of the concrete reinforcement volume is preferably at most 6 cm, more preferably at most 5 cm. This is advantageous in causing as little inconvenience as possible, for example, to a wheel loader.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment, the prefab concrete element has a maximum length of 2.5 m. This is particularly advantageous because the prefab concrete element can be placed transversely on a trailer if the prefab concrete element has a floor slab with a width greater than 2.5 m.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment, lifting anchors are provided at at least one end of the prefab concrete element along the longitudinal direction. Each lifting anchor is positioned between at least two reinforcement bars. The at least two extend parallel in the floor slab, the coupling beam, or a side wall. The at least two reinforcement bars are woven around the lifting anchor at the level of the lifting anchor. Preferably, the prefab concrete element comprises two lifting anchors in the floor slab and two lifting anchors in the coupling beam.

[0043] This embodiment is advantageous for lifting the prefab concrete element, particularly when the prefab concrete element is laid on a side. Weaving the at least two reinforcement bars is advantageous to prevent the lifting anchors from being pulled out of the prefab concrete element. This is particularly advantageous if the prefab concrete element is hoisted only at lifting anchors near a top of the prefab concrete element to tilt the prefab concrete element from a lying to a standing position.

[0044] According to an embodiment, lifting anchors are placed in the walkway formed by the coupling beam. More preferably, these lifting anchors in the walkway are also placed between at least two reinforcement bars, as previously described for the lifting anchors at the ends of the prefab concrete element. These lifting anchors are advantageous for lifting the prefab concrete element in a standing position.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment, a ratio of a distance from side wall to side wall to the width of the prefab concrete element is at most 0.50, preferably at most 0.45, and more preferably at most 0.43. The distance from side wall to side wall is measured from an exterior side of the prefab concrete element according to the transverse direction. This embodiment is advantageous because the floor slab always extends sufficiently far sideways to prevent the prefab concrete element from tipping over in case of load on a side wall of a storage facility.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, the two side walls have a minimum thickness of 12 cm, the floor slab a minimum thickness of 16 cm, and the coupling beam a minimum thickness of 18 cm.

[0047] Preferably, the floor slab has a minimum thickness of 17 cm, more preferably a minimum thickness of 18 cm.

[0048] Preferably, the coupling beam has a minimum thickness of 19 cm, more preferably a minimum thickness of 20 cm.

[0049] The two side walls preferably have a maximum thickness of 23 cm.

[0050] The floor slab preferably has a maximum thickness of 20 cm.

[0051] The coupling beam preferably has a maximum thickness of 21 cm.

[0052] This embodiment is advantageous for obtaining a strong prefab concrete element with a minimal weight.

[0053] According to a preferred embodiment, the prefab concrete element comprises a groove at a first end of the side walls in the longitudinal direction. The groove extends in the height direction over an entire height of the prefab concrete element.

[0054] The prefab concrete element comprises at an opposite second end of the side walls along the longitudinal direction an identical groove or a complementary protrusion. The groove at the said first end is configured to receive the protrusion. The groove is advantageous for sealing a joint between two adjacent prefab concrete elements by placing a sealing element in the groove, such as a sealing rubber, or by incorporating the complementary protrusion into the groove. For example, this prevents liquids from seeping out of a storage facility.

[0055] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a use of a prefab concrete element according to the first aspect for constructing a bunker silo.

[0056] This use results in a bunker silo that can be constructed easily and quickly using the prefab concrete element, and that results in maximum storage space for an available ground surface area. Bunker silos are very often constructed on farms, where the available space in a yard is limited. Additionally advantageous is that a wheel loader can be used to efficiently scrape the bunker silo empty up to its side walls.

[0057] In what follows, the invention is described by way of non-limiting figures illustrating the invention, and which are not intended to and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0058] Figure 1 shows a side view of an H-shaped concrete element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] The prefab concrete element (1) is a monolithic element. The prefab concrete element (1) comprises a horizontally extending floor slab (2), two side walls (3) extending upwards perpendicular to the floor slab (2), and a coupling beam (4). The side walls (3) extend in a longitudinal direction (19). The longitudinal direction (19) is not shown in Figure 1, but it is perpendicular to the plane formed by the side view. The longitudinal direction (19) is indicated in Figure 2. The two side walls (3) and the coupling beam (4) form an H. The floor slab (2) extends over a full length of the side walls (3) in a transverse direction (7). The floor slab (2) extends in a direction away from the side walls (3). The coupling beam (4) connects the two side walls (3) to each other below a top of the side walls (3). The coupling beam (3) is designed as a horizontal plane, forming a walkway (5) between the side walls (3). In this embodiment the walkway (5) is located at a distance (18) of 1 m from the top of the side walls (3). The side walls (3) thus form a railing (6). The prefab concrete element (1) has a width (16) measured in the transverse direction (7) from a first end of the floor slab (2) to an opposite end of 295 cm. The prefab concrete element (1) has a height (17) measured in a height direction (8) from a bottom side of the floor slab (2) to the top of the side walls (3) of 423 cm. The height direction (8) is perpendicular to the bottom side of the floor slab (2). The prefab concrete element (1) has a width-height ratio that is 0.70 in this embodiment. The floor slab (2), the two side walls (3), and the coupling beam (4) delimit a beam-shaped volume (9). The beam-shaped volume (9) is open at ends along the longitudinal direction (19). In the beam-shaped volume (9), concrete reinforcement volumes (10) are located in corners formed by the floor slab (2) and the two side walls (3), and in corners formed by the coupling beam (4) and the two side walls (3). Outside the beam-shaped volume (9), there are also concrete reinforcement volumes (11) in corners formed by the floor slab (2) and the two side walls (3). The concrete reinforcement volumes (10, 11) extend over the entire length of the side walls (3). The concrete reinforcement volumes (10) at the bottom of the beam-shaped volume (9) are bounded by the floor slab (2), a side wall (3), and an inclined wall. The concrete reinforcement volumes (10) at the top of the beam-shaped volume (9) are bounded by the coupling beam (4), a side wall (3), and an inclined wall. The concrete reinforcement volumes (10) have a width of 5 cm and a height of 40 cm. The concrete reinforcement volumes (11) outside the beam-shaped volume (9) are bounded by the floor slab (2), a side wall (3), and an inclined wall. The concrete reinforcement volumes (11) have a width of 2.5 cm and a height of 40 cm. At a first end in the longitudinal direction (19) of the side walls (3), there is a groove (12) which extends in the height direction (8) over the full height (17) of the prefab concrete element (1). At an opposite second end of the side walls (3), not visible in Figure 1, an identical groove (12) or a complementary protrusion is present. The groove (12) is advantageous for sealing a joint between two adjacent prefab concrete elements (1) by placing a sealing element in the groove (12), such as a sealing rubber, or by incorporating the complementary protrusion into the groove (12). At ends of the prefab concrete element (1) along the longitudinal direction (19), lifting anchors (13) are provided. Each lifting anchor (13) is placed between two reinforcement bars (14). The two reinforcement bars (14) around the lifting anchors (13) in the floor slab (2) extend parallel in the floor slab (2). The two reinforcement bars (14) around the lifting anchors (13) in the coupling beam (4) extend parallel in the coupling beam (4) and are folded over at an end, after which the two reinforcement bars (14) extend parallel and in opposite directions in the side walls (3). The two reinforcement bars (14) are woven around the lifting anchor (13) at the level of a lifting anchor (13). The prefab concrete element (1) has a distance (15) from side wall (3) to side wall (3) of 124 cm. The distance (15) is measured from an exterior side of the prefab concrete element (1). The prefab concrete element has a ratio of the distance (15) from side wall (3) to side wall (3) to the height (17) of the prefab concrete element (1) of 0.29. The prefab concrete element has a ratio of the distance (15) from side wall (3) to side wall (3) to the width (16) of the prefab concrete element (1) of 0.42. In this embodiment, the side walls (3) have a minimum thickness of 12 cm, the floor slab has a minimum thickness of 18 cm, and the coupling beam has a minimum thickness of 20 cm. In this embodiment, the prefab concrete element (1) has a concrete cover of at least 30 mm.

[0060] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an H-shaped concrete element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] The prefab concrete element (1) corresponds to the embodiment depicted in Figure 1. The prefab concrete element (1) has a length (20) measured along the longitudinal direction (19) from a first end of a side wall (3) to a second opposite end of the side wall (3) of 250 cm. The prefab concrete element (1) has a length-to-width ratio of 0.85.

[0062] It will be apparent that for the H-shaped concrete element in Figure 1 and Figure 2, the given height, length, and width are illustrative and that other dimensions are possible within the current invention.

[0063] The reference numbers in the figures refer to: 1. Prefab concrete element 2. Floor slab 3. Side wall 4. Coupling beam 5. Walkway 6. Railing 7. Width direction 8. Height direction 9. Beam-shaped volume 10. Concrete reinforcement volume in a beam-shaped volume 11. Concrete reinforcement volume outside beam-shaped volume 12. Groove 13. Lifting anchor 14. Reinforcement bar 15. Distance from side wall to side wall 16. Width of prefab concrete element 17. Height of prefab concrete element 18. Distance from the top of the side wall to the walkway 19. Longitudinal direction 20. Length of prefab concrete element

Claims

1. Prefab concrete element for constructing side walls for storage facilities, comprising a horizontally extending floor slab, two side walls extending upward from the floor slab, and a coupling beam, wherein the side walls extend in a longitudinal direction, wherein the floor slab extends laterally in a transverse direction over the entire length of the side walls, wherein the coupling beam under a top of the side walls connects the two side walls to each other, wherein the coupling beam is configured as a horizontal plane that forms a walkway between the side walls and is arranged at such a distance from the top of the two side walls that the side walls form a railing, wherein the prefab concrete element has a ratio of the distance from side wall to side wall to the height of the prefab concrete element that is at most 0.50.

2. Prefab concrete element according to Claim 1, characterized in that the prefab concrete element is a monolithic element.

3. Prefab concrete element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the prefab concrete element has a length-to-height ratio that is at most 0.85.

4. Prefab concrete element according to any one of the preceding claims 1-3, characterized in that the walkway formed by the coupling beam lies at least 1.0 m below the top of the two side walls.

5. Prefab concrete element according to any of the preceding claims 1-4, characterized in that the prefab concrete element has a concrete cover of at least 25 mm.

6. Prefab concrete element according to any of the preceding claims 1-5, characterized in that the floor slab, the two side walls, and the coupling beam delimit a beam-shaped volume, wherein the beam-shaped volume is open at ends along the longitudinal direction, and wherein the prefab concrete element comprises a concrete reinforcement volume in the beam-shaped volume at the corners formed by the floor slab and the two side walls, wherein the concrete reinforcement volumes extend over the entire length of the side walls, and wherein the concrete reinforcement volumes are bounded by the floor slab, a side wall, and an inclined wall.

7. Prefab concrete element according to any of the preceding claims 6, characterized in that the two side walls, the floor slab, and the coupling beam comprise a reinforcement mesh, wherein a concrete reinforcement volume within the beam-shaped volume in corners formed by the floor slab and the two side walls comprises a reinforcement mesh, wherein the reinforcement mesh is substantially parallel to the inclined wall, wherein the reinforcement mesh of the concrete reinforcement volume penetrates through the reinforcement mesh in both the floor slab and a side wall, and wherein an end of the reinforcement mesh in the concrete reinforcement volume in corners formed by the floor slab and the two side walls lies within the floor slab or within one of the two side walls.

8. Prefab concrete element according to any of the preceding claims 1-7, characterized in that the prefab concrete element, in corners formed by the floor slab and a side wall and located outside a volume bounded by the floor slab, the two side walls, and the coupling beam, comprises a concrete reinforcement volume, wherein the concrete reinforcement volumes extend over the entire length of the side walls, and wherein the concrete reinforcement volumes are bounded by the floor slab, a side wall, and an inclined wall.

9. Prefab concrete element according to any of the preceding claims 6-8, characterized in that a concrete reinforcement volume has a height of at least 30 cm and a width of at least 2 cm.

10. Prefab concrete element according to any of the preceding claims 1-9, characterized in that the prefab concrete element has a maximum length of 2.5 m.

11. Prefab concrete element according to any of the preceding claims 1-10, characterized in that at least one end of the prefab concrete element has lifting anchors arranged along its longitudinal direction, wherein each lifting anchor is placed between at least two reinforcement bars, wherein the at least two reinforcement bars extend parallel in the floor slab, the coupling beam, or a side wall, and wherein the at least two reinforcement bars are woven around the lifting anchor at the level of a lifting anchor.

12. Prefab concrete element according to any of the preceding claims 1-11, characterized in that a ratio of a distance from side wall to side wall to the width of the prefab concrete element is at most 0.50, wherein the distance from side wall to side wall is measured from an outside of the prefab concrete element and in the transverse direction.

13. Prefab concrete element according to any of the preceding claims 1-12, characterized in that the two side walls have a minimum thickness of 12 cm, the floor slab has a minimum thickness of 16 cm, and the coupling beam has a minimum thickness of 18 cm.

14. Prefab concrete element according to any of the preceding claims 1-13, characterized in that the prefab concrete element at a first end of the side walls in the longitudinal direction has a groove, wherein the groove extends in a height direction over the full height of the prefab concrete element, wherein the prefab concrete element at an opposite second end of the side walls comprises an identical groove or a complementary protrusion along the longitudinal direction.

15. Use of a prefab concrete element according to any of claims 1-14 for constructing a bunker silo.

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