Structural decking system

Abstract

A main decking panel for a structural decking system that includes a plurality of the main decking panels is disclosed. The main decking panel includes a base component that includes a central pan ( 7 ) and lap joints ( 9 ) on each side of the pan to enable adjacent main decking panels to be positioned side by side in overlapping relationship. The main decking panel also includes a strengthening component in the form of an inverted channel member secured to the base component. The channel member includes two oppoesd side walls ( 11 ) formed from web components and a top ( 13 ) formed from a chord component. The web and top chord components are manufactured as separate components and thereafter assembled together to form the channel member.

1 . A main decking panel for a structural decking system that includes a plurality of the main decking panels, with the main decking panel including: 
 (a) a base component that includes a central pan and lap joints on each side of the pan to enable adjacent main decking panels to be positioned side by side in overlapping relationship; and    (b) a strengthening component in the form of an inverted channel member secured to the base component, with the channel member including two opposed side walls formed from web components and a top formed from a chord component, and with the web and top chord components being manufactured as separate components and thereafter assembled together to form the channel member.    
   
   
       2 . The main decking panel defined in  claim 1  wherein the central pan includes at least one longitudinal stiffener.  
   
   
       3 . The main decking panel defined in  claim 2  wherein the web components are secured to the base component at locations between the longitudinal stiffener or stiffeners and the lap joints.  
   
   
       4 . The main decking panel defined in  claim 3  wherein the web components butt against the longitudinal stiffener or stiffeners and/or the lap joints.  
   
   
       5 . The main decking panel defined in  claim 1  wherein the lap joints are formed so that a successive decking panel can be positioned in side by side overlapping relationship with another decking panel by pressing the lap joint of the successive decking panel downwardly over the lap joint of the other decking panel.  
   
   
       6 . The main decking panel defined in  claim 1  wherein the strengthening component is secured to the base component at a plurality of discrete connection locations along the length of the channel member.  
   
   
       7 . The main decking panel defined in  claim 6  wherein the strengthening component is secured to the base component at the plurality of discrete connection locations by deformed sections of the components at the locations that interlock the components together.  
   
   
       8 . The main decking panel defined in  claim 7  wherein the deformed sections are button shaped.  
   
   
       9 . The main decking panel defined in  claim 7  wherein the deformed sections are formed by holding the components together and pressing the deformed sections, such as buttons, from one side of the components.  
   
   
       10 . The main decking panel defined in  claim 1  wherein the web components and the top chord components are assembled together by securing the components together at a plurality of discrete connection locations along the lengths of the components.  
   
   
       11 . The main decking panel defined in  claim 10  wherein the web components and the top chord components are secured together at the plurality of discrete connection locations by deformed sections of the components at the locations that interlock the components together.  
   
   
       12 . The main decking panel defined in  claim 11  wherein the deformed sections are button shaped.  
   
   
       13 . The main decking panel defined in  claim 10  wherein the deformed sections are formed by holding the components together and pressing the deformed sections from one side of the components.  
   
   
       14 . The main decking panel defined in  claim 1  wherein the web components include flanges and the web and top chord components are secured together at the flanges.  
   
   
       15 . The main decking panel defined in  claim 1  wherein the top chord component includes one or more than one longitudinal stiffener.  
   
   
       16 . The main decking panel defined in  claim 15  wherein the stiffener or stiffeners extend along the length of the top chord component.  
   
   
       17 . The main decking panel defined in  claim 1  wherein the top chord component includes down-turned sides.  
   
   
       18 . The main decking panel defined in  claim 1  wherein the web components include corrugations.  
   
   
       19 . The main decking panel defined in  claim 18  wherein the corrugations are vertical corrugations.  
   
   
       20 . The main decking panel defined in  claim 1  wherein web components include openings to allow concrete to flow into the channel member.  
   
   
       21 . A structural decking system formed from a plurality of the main decking panel defined in  claim 1  positioned side by side with the lap joints in overlapping relationship.  
   
   
       22 . The structural decking system defined in  claim 21  includes one or more than one infill decking panel that is positioned between two main decking panels, with the infill decking panel including lap joints on each side of the pan that are in overlapping relationship with the lap joints of adjacent main decking panels.  
   
   
       23 . A composite slab that includes the structural decking system defined in  claim 21  and a layer of hardened concrete on the structural decking system.