Reinforced slab made of cement conglomerate, method for the manufacture thereof and associated reinforcing structure

Abstract

A method of manufacturing an article in the form of a reinforced slab, which has upper and lower surface that are flat and parallel, includes the step of providing granulate of a predefined grain site, binder; preparing a cement mixture; distributing the mixture in a tray-like mold; deaeration by intense vacuum; vacuum vibrocompaction; hardening and setting; and extraction.

1 . Method for manufacturing an article in the form of a reinforced slab ( 40 ), with an upper and a lower main surface ( 41 ,  43 ) which are flat and parallel to one another, comprising the following steps: 
 a) provision of a granulate of predefined grain size;    b) provision of a cement binder composed of water and cement;    c) preparation of a cement mixture by mixing said granulate with said cement binder;    d) distribution of the cement mixture inside a tray-like mould ( 10 ) having a flat bottom ( 12 ) and peripheral edge ( 14 ) so as to form a layer of mixture;    e) deaeration of the layer of mixture by means of a very intense vacuum;    f) vacuum vibrocompaction of the deaerated layer of mixture (by means of application of a vibratory movement;    g) hardening and setting of the mixture;    h) extraction; from the mould ( 10 ), of the end product obtained, characterized in that, before or during the above mentioned distribution step (d) a substantially flat reinforcing structure is positioned inside said tray-like mould ( 10 ) at a given distance from the neutral axis of the associated cross-section, the said reinforcing structure consisting of a sheet ( 20 ) of a material with a high tensile strength and provided with a plurality of holes ( 22 ) and furthermore characterized in that during the step f) of vacuum vibrocompaction a part of the mixture previously poured into the mould ( 10 ) flows through said holes ( 22 ) and fills entirely the existing zone between the bottom ( 12 ) of the mould ( 10 ) and the sheet ( 20 ).    
   
   
       2 . Method according to  claim 1 , characterized in that said sheet ( 20 ) has a perimetral edge ( 36 ) which is not greater, and preferably smaller, by a predetermined amount, than the peripheral edge ( 14 ) of the mould ( 10 ) and is provided with lateral projections ( 21 ) for centering with respect to said peripheral edge ( 14 ) of the mould ( 10 ).