J-Shaped Floor Anchor for Lightweight Concrete-Wood Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Corrugated steel decks used in concrete floors add significant weight to the structure due to the thickness required to support poured concrete, necessitating a more efficient connection method to reduce weight and enhance load resistance.
Innovation Solution
An anchor system comprising a J-shaped metal component that attaches to a cellulosic layer (e.g., wooden sub-floor) and embeds into the concrete layer, forming a receiving space for concrete flow, thereby securing the concrete layer to the cellulosic layer and enhancing load resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a corrugated steel deck is used to support poured concrete, then the floor can support the concrete load, but the structural weight increases significantly due to the required thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The floor structure is segmented into distinct functional layers: a thin cellulosic subfloor for structural support, an anchor layer for connection, and a concrete topping for surface functionality. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently, eliminating the need for a thick steel deck while maintaining load support capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite construction combining cellulosic material (wood or wood-based panels) with concrete, connected through metal anchors. This composite approach leverages the high strength-to-weight ratio of cellulosic materials for the subfloor and the compressive strength of concrete for the topping, achieving load support with significantly reduced weight compared to solid steel decking.
2Strength
If the cellulosic layer is placed close to the concrete layer, then the connection is more direct, but concrete flow is restricted during pouring
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor design incorporates a vertical dimension with its leg extending downward from the cellulosic layer. This vertical positioning creates horizontal spacing between the anchor and the concrete layer, allowing concrete to flow freely during pouring while the anchor's embedded portions in both cellulosic and concrete layers maintain strong connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor acts as an intermediary element positioned between the cellulosic subfloor and the concrete topping. By locating the anchor vertically between these layers rather than horizontally adjacent to them, the design mediates between the conflicting requirements of direct connection and concrete flow, enabling both objectives to be achieved simultaneously.
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An anchor for connecting a concrete layer of a floor to a cellulosic layer of the floor, the cellulosic layer comprising a plurality of cellulosic members joined together in a side-by-side arrangement, the anchor including a first portion to extend between two adjacent cellulosic members of the cellulosic layer into the concrete layer of the floor. The first portion includes attachment structure to attach the first portion to one of the two adjacent cellulosic members of the cellulosic layer to attach the anchor to the cellulosic layer. An upper edge margin of the first portion is disposed within the concrete layer when the first portion is attached to the cellulosic layer. A second portion extends from the upper edge margin in a first direction that is transverse to the first portion. The second portion is spaced apart from the cellulosic layer and embedded within the concrete layer of the floor to attach the anchor to the concrete layer.