Shuttering for Concrete Slab

Abstract

A method of laying concrete slabs comprising: providing shuttering having a regular wave shape along a side of a first slab to be cast at which side a second slab will subsequently be cast; casting the first slab; removing the regular-wave-shape shuttering; casting a second slab, whereby the slabs have inter-digitated protrusions of the regular wave shape along their adjoining sides.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method of laying concrete slabs comprising:
 providing shuttering having a regular wave shape, when viewed from above and throughout the full depth of a slab to be lain, along a side of a first slab to be lain by casting at which side a second slab will subsequently be cast;   casting the first slab;   removing the regular-wave-shape shuttering;   casting a second slab,   
       whereby the slabs have inter-digitated protrusions of the regular wave shape to the full depth of the slab along their adjoining sides imparted by the shuttering. 
     
     
         16 . A method of laying concrete slabs according to  claim 15 , whereby the regular wave shape of the shuttering has straight portions. 
     
     
         17 . A method of laying concrete slabs according to  claim 16 , wherein the regular wave shape has portions which are one of a triangular shape, a trapezium shape or a square shape. 
     
     
         18 . A method of laying concrete slabs according to  claim 16 , wherein the regular wave shape has rounded corners. 
     
     
         19 . A method of laying concrete slabs according to  claim 15 , wherein the regular wave shape is tapered in its peak to peak extent with depth through the slabs. 
     
     
         20 . A method of laying concrete slabs according to  claim 15 , wherein the shuttering is provided with dowels, the dowels extending from one slab, across the gap to the next slab. 
     
     
         21 . A method of laying concrete slabs according to  claim 20 , wherein:
 a. the shuttering is provided with housings;   b. prior to casting the first slab, dowels are installed in the housings; and   c. on removal of the shuttering from the first slab, the shuttering is drawn horizontally away from the wave shaped slab face.   
     
     
         22 . A method of laying concrete slabs according to  claim 20 , wherein:
 a. the shuttering is provided with projections;   b. prior to casting the first slab, plastic sleeves are fitted to the projections;   c. after casting the first slab and on removal of the shuttering, the plastic sleeves remain in place in the first slab;   d. after removal of the shuttering from the first slab and prior to casting the second slab, dowels are installed in the plastic sleeves, a portion of the dowels protruding from the plastic sleeves; and   e. on casting the second slab, the second slab is cast around the portions of the dowels protruding from the first slab.   
     
     
         23 . A method of laying concrete slabs according to  claim 22 , wherein the sleeve carrying projections are removable from the shuttering, such that one of either of the shuttering or the projections may be removed from the first slab prior to removal of other one. 
     
     
         24 . A method of laying concrete slabs according to  claim 15  wherein the shuttering is provided with at least one corner abutment. 
     
     
         25 . A method of laying concrete slabs according to  claim 24 , wherein corner abutments are provided between ends of two or more shuttering lengths, which are to intersect to form corners of the slabs to be cast. 
     
     
         26 . A method of laying concrete slabs according to  claim 24 , wherein prior to casting the second slab, the corner abutment is removed. 
     
     
         27 . A method of laying concrete slabs according to  claim 24 , wherein after the casting of the second slab the corner abutment is removed. 
     
     
         28 . Concrete slab shuttering for use in the method of  claim 15 , the shuttering having a full-slab-depth, regular wave shape along its length.