Panel construction

Abstract

A panel comprising one or more decking members is arranged such that a settable material can be supported thereon to form a composite panel. The panel further comprises one or more elongate strengthening elements, each element being arranged to connect to the one or more decking members in a manner such that the one or more elements increase panel strength.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A composite panel when used in tilt up wall construction, the panel comprising a deck formed of one or more decking members, a settable material cast on the deck, and one or more elongate strengthening elements embedded in the settable material, with each element being connected to the one or more decking members, the panel being tilted up to an in use configuration where the panel is at least part of a wall and the deck of the composite panel is in a generally vertical orientation, wherein the one or more strengthening elements contribute to the strength and stiffness of the panel both in tilting up of the panel and in place as a wall. 
     
     
         32 . A panel as claimed in  claim 31  wherein the deck comprises two or more adjacent decking members connected together at one or more respective joints wherein each of the one or more strengthening elements is connected at or adjacent to the one or more respective joints. 
     
     
         33 . A panel as claimed in  claim 32  wherein the two or more adjacent decking members are connected together in a side-by-side relationship to define one or more respective elongate joints in the panel. 
     
     
         34 . A panel as claimed in  claim 32  wherein each of the one or more strengthening elements extends:
 (i) transversely across to connect two or more of the decking members; or 
 (ii) along the joint of to connect two adjacent decking members; or 
 (iii) at orientations between the transverse (i) and lengthwise (ii) to connect two or more of the decking members. 
 
     
     
         35 . A panel as claimed in  claim 32  wherein each of the one or more decking members comprises an elongate channel formed from sheet metal. 
     
     
         36 . A panel as claimed in  claim 35  wherein the flanges of adjacent channels abut to define a given joint in the decking. 
     
     
         37 . A panel as claimed in  claim 36  wherein each strengthening element is connected to a flange of a given channel at a lip that laterally extends from the flange, whereby the strengthening element faces the lip when connected thereto. 
     
     
         38 . A panel as claimed in  claim 37  wherein the lip of one channel's flange overlies the lip of an adjacent channel's flange, whereby the strengthening element is simultaneously connected to the adjacent lips. 
     
     
         39 . A panel as claimed in  claim 36  wherein a flange of one channel is adapted to nest in an adjacent flange of an adjacent channel. 
     
     
         40 . A panel as claimed in  claim 36  wherein each strengthening element is connected to a flange of a given channel via one or more fasteners. 
     
     
         41 . A panel as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the one or more strengthening elements reinforce the settable material. 
     
     
         42 . A panel as claimed in  claim 31  wherein each strengthening element is formed from sheet metal and is provided with a structural profile. 
     
     
         43 . A panel as claimed in  claim 42  wherein each strengthening element is formed to define a U-shaped channel. 
     
     
         44 . A panel as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein each strengthening element is of metal and is of flat strip. 
     
     
         45 . A panel as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the strengthening element has a channel-shaped profile that is further adapted to facilitate lifting of the panel. 
     
     
         46 . A panel as claimed in  claim 31 , further comprising one or more lifting connectors mountingly received on the strengthening element. 
     
     
         47 . A panel as claimed in  claim 31  wherein each strengthening element comprises a plurality of apertures and/or discrete deformations therealong. 
     
     
         48 . A method of constructing a wall comprising:
 providing a panel comprising a deck member, a settable material cast on the deck, and one or more elongate strengthening elements embedded in the settable material, each element being connected to the one or more decking members; and   tilting up the panel to an orientation where the decking member is generally vertical to form at least part of the wall, whereby the one or more strengthening elements contribute to the strength and stiffness of the panel both in tilting up of the panel and in place as a wall.   
     
     
         49 . The method according to  claim 48  further comprising tilting up the panel to a generally vertical orientation by lifting the panel on one or more lifting lugs attached to one or more strengthening elements.