Method and System for Pouring Consecutive Separating Sections of Concrete Structures

Abstract

A device and method tor pouring consecutive concrete sections. The inventive device and method preferably include a barrier used to separate adjacent concrete slabs. This barrier is preferably erected in such a way that it allows a construction crew to continuously pour concrete in successive sections of a concrete structure, which prior to the current invention, could not be poured continuously. Previously, concrete sections were poured in an alternating fashion in order to create an expansion joint between each section of concrete which also acts to break the bond between each concrete section. However, the current inventive method and device allows the crew to pour adjacent concrete sections while still creating a joint between each concrete section. Each concrete section barrier preferably includes an upright surface and a keyway which acts to create a mortis and tenon joint.

Having described our invention, we claim: 
     
         1 . A method for pouring consecutive concrete sections using concrete comprising the steps of:
 a. providing at least three concrete section barriers, each of said at least three concrete section barriers having:
 i. a surface, 
 ii. a length, 
 iii. a keyway having a mortise and a tenon; 
   b. providing at least two form walls:   c. fixing said at least two form walls in a position to form a channel;   d. inserting said at least three concrete section barriers such that said at least three concrete section barriers are capable of separating said channel into at least two gaps;   e. maintaining said at least three concrete section barriers in an upright position; and   f. pouring said concrete in said at least two gaps consecutively and continuously.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of allowing said concrete to adhere to said keyway at said mortise and said tenon, thereby creating a mortise and tenon joint after said concrete sets. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least three concrete section barriers are comprised of molded plastic. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least three concrete section barriers are comprised of ceramic. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least three concrete section barriers are comprised of a composite material. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least three concrete section harriers are comprised of coated steel or any other rigid material. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said step of fixing said at least two form walls further comprises positioning said at least two form walls such that said at least two form walls conform to said length of said at least three concrete section barriers. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least three concrete section barriers each include at least one dowel sleeve. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of:
 a. providing at least one dowel, and   b. inserting said at least one dowel into said at least one dowel sleeve.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said at least one dowel sleeve is an extruded cylinder and includes a dowel sleeve opening. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising allowing said concrete to adhere to said at least one dowel in a first gap and said at least one dowel sleeve in a second gap, such that said concrete in said first gap and said concrete in said second gap are not fixed together. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one dowel is capable of translating within said at least one dowel sleeve upon said concrete expanding. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one dowel is capable of translating within said at least one dowel sleeve upon said concrete contracting. 
     
     
         14 . A method for pouring consecutive concrete sections using concrete comprising the steps of:
 a. providing at least three concrete section barriers, each of said at least three concrete section barriers having:
 i. a surface, 
 ii. a length, 
 iii. a keyway having a mortise and a tenon; 
   b. providing at least two form walls;   c. arranging said at least two form walls and said at least three concrete section barriers such that said at least two form walls form a channel that said at least three concrete section barriers separate into at least two gaps;   d. maintaining said at least three concrete section barriers in an upright position; and   e. pouring said concrete in said at least two gaps consecutively and continuously.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of allowing said concrete to adhere to said keyway at said mortise and said tenon, thereby creating a mortise and tenon joint after said concrete sets. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said at least three concrete section barriers are comprised of molded plastic. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said at least two form walls conform to said length of said at least three concrete section barriers. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said step of maintaining said at least three concrete section barriers includes attaching said at least three concrete section barriers to said at least two form walls using at least three chamfer strips. 
     
     
         19 . A method for pouring consecutive concrete slabs using concrete comprising:
 a. providing at least three concrete section barriers, each having:
 i. a surface, 
 ii. a length, 
 iii. a keyway having a mortise and a tenon; 
   b. providing at least two form walls;   c. arranging said at least two form walls and said at least three concrete section barriers to create at least two gaps;   d. maintaining said at least three concrete section barriers in an upright position; and   e. pouring said concrete in said at least two gaps prior to allowing said concrete to set.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said step of maintaining said plurality of concrete section barriers in an upright position further comprises providing a plurality of chamfers attached to said plurality of concrete section barriers and said at least two form walls.