Composite Truss

Abstract

A composite truss includes a pair of spaced apart concrete panels and a plurality of substantially vertical members spanning between the pair of spaced apart concrete panels, a first end portion of each vertical member embedded in one of the pair, and a second end portion of each vertical member embedded in an opposite one of the pair. The truss also includes a diagonal member spanning between the first end of a first vertical member and the second end of a second vertical member linearly adjacent to the first vertical member and non-structurally engaging the first end portion of the first vertical member and the second end portion of the second vertical member during an assembly of the truss. The diagonal member also includes a first development length portion embedded in the first concrete panel and a second development length portion embedded in the second concrete panel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the invention believed to be novel are specifically set forth in the appended claims. The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a composite truss.

FIG. 2 is a transparent perspective view of the composite truss of FIG. 1 showing a framing structure of the truss.

FIG. 3 is a partial cutaway portion of the composite truss of FIG. 1 showing details of vertical and diagonal members of the framing structure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a diagonal member of the framing structure of the composite truss.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a vertical member of the framing structure of the composite truss.

Claims

1. A composite truss comprising: a pair of spaced apart concrete panels;a plurality of substantially vertical members spanning between the pair of spaced apart concrete panels, a first end portion of each vertical member embedded in one of the pair, and a second end portion of each vertical member embedded in an opposite one of the pair; anda diagonal member spanning between the first end of a first vertical member and the second end of a second vertical member linearly adjacent to the first vertical member and non-structurally engaging the first end portion of the first vertical member and the second end portion of the second vertical member during an assembly of the truss, the diagonal member comprising a first development length portion embedded in one of the pair of concrete panels, and a second development length portion embedded in an opposite one of the pair.

2. The composite truss of claim 1, wherein the vertical members comprise formed metal members.

3. The composite truss of claim 2, wherein the formed metal members comprise at least one of an L cross section, a T cross section, an I cross section, a box cross section, and a circular cross section.

4. The composite truss of claim 1, wherein the first and second end portions of the vertical members comprise respective non-structural engagement mechanisms for engaging respective portions of the diagonal member.

5. The composite truss of claim 4, wherein the non-structural engagement mechanism comprises geometry for providing a frictional fit between the engagement mechanism and the portion of the diagonal member.

6. The composite truss of claim 5, wherein the geometry comprises a slot sized to receive a rebar cross section therein with a frictional fit.

7. The composite truss of claim 1, wherein the vertical member further comprises a spacer attached to at least one end portion of the vertical member for spacing the end portion of the vertical member away from a bottom of a form used to cast a concrete panel.

8. The composite truss of claim 1, wherein the diagonal member comprises a rebar.

9. The composite truss of claim 8, wherein the diagonal member comprises: a first end portion embedded in one of the pair, anda second end portion embedded in an opposite one of the pair.

10. The composite truss of claim 9, wherein the end portions comprise about a 90 degree bend.

11. The composite truss of claim 1, further comprising at least one concrete end bearing beam transversely disposed at an ends of the truss.

12. A non-structurally attached frame for a composite truss including a pair of spaced apart concrete panels, the frame comprising: a plurality of substantially vertical members spanning between the pair of spaced apart concrete panels, a first end portion of each vertical member for embedding in one of the pair, and a second end portion of each vertical member for embedding in an opposite one of the pair; anda diagonal member spanning between the first end of a first vertical member and the second end of a second vertical member linearly adjacent to the first vertical member and non-structurally engaging the first end portion of the first vertical member and the second end portion of the second vertical member during an assembly of the truss, the diagonal member comprising a first development length portion for embedding in one of the pair of concrete panels, and a second development length portion for embedding in an opposite one of the pair.

13. The frame of claim 12, wherein the vertical members comprise formed metal members.

14. The frame of claim 13, wherein the formed metal members comprise at least one of an L cross section, a T cross section, an I cross section, a box cross section, and a circular cross section.

15. The frame of claim 12, wherein the first and second end portions of the vertical members comprise respective non-structural engagement mechanisms for engaging respective portions of the diagonal member.

16. The frame of claim 15, wherein the non-structural engagement mechanism comprises geometry for providing a frictional fit between the engagement mechanism and the portion of the diagonal member.

17. The frame of claim 16, wherein the geometry comprises a slot sized to receive a rebar cross section therein with a frictional fit.

18. The frame of claim 12, wherein the diagonal member comprises a rebar.

19. The frame of claim 18, wherein the diagonal member comprises: a first end portion for embedding in the upper panel, anda second end portion for embedding in the lower panel.

20. The frame of claim 19, wherein the end portions comprise about a 90 degree bend.