Method and arrangement for interconnecting horizontal precast structures

Abstract

A connection assembly mechanism includes a first member that is flush mounted with a lateral surface of a first structure. The first member has opposing first and second surfaces. The connection assembly mechanism further includes a plurality of connectors having opposing first and second ends. Each first end is coupled to the first surface of the first member. Each second end extends from the first surface of the first member and embeds within the first structure. The connection assembly mechanism further includes a second member that extends from the second surface of the first member and has opposing top and bottom surfaces. The top surface supports a second structure, thereby coupling the first and second structures.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A connection assembly mechanism comprising:
 a first member configured for flush mounting with a lateral surface of a first structure, the first member having opposing first and second surfaces;   a plurality of connectors having opposing first and second ends, each first end coupled to the first surface of the first member, each second end extending from the first surface of the first member, wherein each second end is configured for embedding within the first structure; and   a second member extending from the second surface of the first member and having opposing top and bottom surfaces, wherein the top surface is configured to support a second structure, thereby coupling the first and second structures.   
     
     
         2 . The connection assembly mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of connectors includes an aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The connection assembly mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of connectors comprises at least partially overlapping segments of first and second connector elements. 
     
     
         4 . The connection assembly mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein a first segment of each of the plurality of connectors has a rounded corner, a second segment of each of the plurality of connectors is U-shaped, or both. 
     
     
         5 . The connection assembly mechanism of  claim 3 , wherein the overlapping segments of the first and the second connector elements are inverted with respect to each other, and wherein each of the plurality of connectors is embedded within the first structure during casting. 
     
     
         6 . The connection assembly mechanism according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of support members coupled to the bottom surface of the second member and the second surface of the first member, wherein the plurality of support members is configured for supporting the second member. 
     
     
         7 . The connection assembly mechanism according to  claim 6 , wherein a bottom surface of the second structure is coupled to the top surface of the second member along the lateral surface of the first structure in accordance with a lateral orientation. 
     
     
         8 . The connection assembly mechanism according to  claim 6 , wherein a bottom surface of the second structure is coupled to the top surface of the second member along the lateral surface of the first structure in accordance with a transverse orientation. 
     
     
         9 . The connection assembly mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein the first structure corresponds to a beam structure. 
     
     
         10 . The connection assembly mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein the second structure corresponds to a slab structure. 
     
     
         11 . The connection assembly mechanism according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the first structure and the second structure corresponds to a precast concrete structure that extends in a horizontal direction. 
     
     
         12 . A connection method, comprising:
 flush-mounting a first member with a lateral surface of a first structure, the first member having opposing first and second surfaces,
 wherein a plurality of connectors has opposing first and second ends, each first end is coupled to the first surface of the first member, and each second end extends from the first surface of the first member, 
 wherein each second end is configured for embedding within the first structure, and 
 wherein a second member extends from the second surface of the first member and has opposing top and bottom surfaces, wherein the top surface is configured to support a second structure, thereby coupling the first and second structures; 
   coupling the first structure and the second structure based on a support provided by the top surface of the second member to the second structure; and   applying a screed on top surfaces of the first structure and the second structure together.   
     
     
         13 . The connection method according to  claim 12 , further comprising determining a quantity, a type, and a size of a connection assembly mechanism for coupling the first structure with one or more second structures based on a first plurality of parameters associated with the connection assembly mechanism and a second plurality of parameters associated with at least one of the first structure and the second structure. 
     
     
         14 . The connection method according to  claim 13 , wherein the first plurality of parameters includes material specifications of the connection assembly mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . The connection method according to  claim 14 , wherein the material specifications of the connection assembly mechanism correspond to at least tensile strength and hardness of the connection assembly mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The connection method according to  claim 13 , wherein the second plurality of parameters includes at least one of a location, an orientation, a weight, and an installation level of at least one of the first structure and the second structure. 
     
     
         17 . The connection method according to  claim 12 , further comprising coupling a plurality of support members to the bottom surface of the second member and the second surface of the first member, wherein the plurality of support members is configured for supporting the second member. 
     
     
         18 . The connection method according to  claim 12 , further comprising coupling a bottom surface of the second structure to the top surface of the second member along the lateral surface of the first structure in accordance with a lateral orientation. 
     
     
         19 . The connection method according to  claim 12 , further comprising coupling a bottom surface of the second structure to the top surface of the second member along the lateral surface of the first structure in accordance with a transverse orientation. 
     
     
         20 . The connection method according to  claim 12 , wherein a bottom surface of the second structure is coupled to the top surface of the second member at a construction site.