CONCRETE SLAB CONSTRUCTION HAVING A JOINING ELEMENT MADE OF CONCRETE FOR JOINING CONCRETE SLABS TOGETHER, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A CONCRETE SLAB CONSTRUCTION

Abstract

The present invention relates to a concrete slab construction (14) comprising at least one concrete slab (2, 2′) and at least one joining element (1) made of concrete for joining concrete slabs (2, 2′) and for fastening in or on a concrete slab (2, 2′). The joining element (1) has a joining body with an upper section and a lower section, and a cross-section of the joining body has at least one notch or bulge between the upper section and the lower section on one side, and in particular also on the other side. The concrete slab (2, 2′) has, along its lateral circumference and/or in a recess (15) between the top side and bottom side, at least one similarly shaped bulge (20, 20′) or notch corresponding to the joining element (1). In a gap between the recess (15) in the concrete slab (2, 2′) or between the two concrete slabs (2, 2′) and the joining element (1) there is a filling material. In addition, a method for producing a concrete slab construction with the help of a joining element, a method for producing a joining element, a method for producing a concrete slab for the concrete slab construction, and a use of the joining element and the concrete slab construction are proposed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a concrete slab construction with a joining element for joining or connecting concrete slabs. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a concrete slab construction with the help of a joining element, a method for producing a joining element and a method for producing a concrete slab for the concrete slab construction. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the joining element as well as of the concrete slab construction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the construction industry, classic reinforced concrete construction is still very widespread. Typical reinforced concrete components include components subject to bending stress, such as ceilings, beams or floor slabs. In particular, massive, large-volume components such as bridge pillars or retaining walls are usually made of reinforced concrete, as concrete is a relatively inexpensive material.

The disadvantage is that such solid components have a high dead weight, and that a lot of carbon dioxide is released to produce cement for the required large quantities of concrete (approx. 590 kg CO₂ per 1000 kg of cement), which is considered problematic in view of the current climate protection discussion. For this reason, there is an increasing attempt to use thin and thus lighter concrete slabs as construction elements instead of large-volume components, which require significantly less concrete and thus cement for production. These concrete slabs are often realized as FRC slabs (where FRC is the abbreviation for “fiber reinforced concrete”), especially as CPC slabs (where CPC is the abbreviation for “carbon prestressed concrete”), which are particularly resilient and load-bearing. This also has the advantage that the concrete slabs can be produced in a factory under optimal conditions as prefabricated components (semi-finished products) in the desired sizes and then only have to be assembled or assembled later on the construction site. On the other hand, the complete construction of massive reinforced concrete constructions at the construction site does not always run smoothly due to a certain dependence on the prevailing weather conditions. Frost, intense heat or heavy precipitation can affect the setting process of the concrete and thus have an impact on the quality of the reinforced concrete construction, so it is essential to take weather conditions into account during its production.

There is therefore a need for means for the simple and fast construction of resilient and load-bearing constructions, as well as for suitable manufacturing processes for these means, which in particular require fewer resources and have less impact on the environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide means which make it possible to construct resilient and load-bearing constructions from concrete slabs in a simple and fast way. For this purpose, a joining element is proposed for connecting or joining concrete slabs and/or for fastening in or to a concrete slab.

It is an object of the present invention to propose a concrete slab construction comprising at least one concrete slab and at least one joining element. Various alternatives of such concrete slab constructions are given in claims 1 to 3.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to specify a method for producing a concrete slab construction by inserting a joining element into a concrete slab or between two concrete slabs. Such a manufacturing process is proposed in claims 26 and 28.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to propose uses of the joining element as well as of the concrete slab construction. Such uses are listed in claims 39 and 40.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to specify a method for producing a joining element as well as a concrete slab for a concrete slab construction. Such manufacturing processes are proposed in claims 41 and 44.

Specific embodiments of the various aspects of the present invention are specified in the dependent claims.

As part of a concrete construction according to the invention, a joining element made of concrete, in particular FRC or CPC, is proposed for connecting or joining concrete slabs and/or for fastening in or on a concrete slab. The joining element has a joining body with an upper section or a top side and a lower section or a bottom side, whereby a cross-section (or profile) of the joining body between the upper and the lower section has at least one notch or bulge between the upper and the lower section on one side (left, right, front or rear) and, in particular, also on another, especially opposite side (right, left, rear or front) (each). In particular, the notch or bulge has two wedge-shaped flanks or surfaces tapering to a (optionally rounded, not necessarily pointed) tip, in particular flat flanks/surfaces, whereby the two flanks/surfaces form or enclose an obtuse or acute angle φ. For example, the cross-section of the joining body is hourglass-shaped. In particular, the joining body is hourglass-shaped (i.e. rotationally symmetrical between the top and bottom), with the top and bottom of the joining element being round or oval, for example. An hourglass-shaped cross-section is one that starts wide, slims down to a taper, and then becomes wider again. An hourglass-shaped body has a characteristic “necking” or “constriction” in the middle and has a mirror-symmetrical cross-section with respect to its (vertical) longitudinal axis. Hourglass-shaped bodies are often rotationally symmetrical around the (vertical) longitudinal axis. A bicone with opposing tips is an example of an hourglass-shaped body.

There may be one or more notches or bulges on one or more sides of the joining element—in the case of a cuboid joining element, e.g. on a left, right, front and/or rear side, especially on opposite sides such as on the left and right sides and/or on the front and rear sides. In particular, a joining element can only have notches or only bulges. In a concrete slab construction, for example, joining elements that only have notches or those that only have bulges can be used. Alternatively, in a concrete slab construction, for example, both joining elements that only have notches and those that only have bulges can be used.

In the following, further embodiments of the joining element for use in the concrete slab construction according to the invention are given.

In an embodiment of the joining element which may be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, the notch or bulge on one side and the notch or bulge on the other (opposite) side are (substantially) uniform. In particular, the cross-section is mirror-symmetric or point-symmetric.

In another embodiment of the joining element, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, the notch or bulge has an upper flank and a lower flank, the upper flank and the lower flank being (essentially) the same length or different length. In particular, the length ratio from the shorter (/upper) flank to the longer (/lower) flank is in a range from 1:16 to 1:1 or from 1:8 to 1:1 or from 1:4 to 1:1. For example, the angle α between the top side and the shorter, upper flank is in a range from >0° to 89°, especially from 10° to 89°, and especially from 30° to 86°. For example, the angle β between the bottom side and the longer, lower flank is in a range from 45° to 89°, especially from 60° to 89°, and especially from 70° to 86°. The length ratio between the upper and lower flanks and the angle α between the upper and upper flanks as well as the angle β between the bottom side and the lower flank are chosen in such a way that a force is transmitted from the concrete slab in the concrete slab or from the concrete slabs between which the joining element is arranged to the joining element (and vice versa from the joining element to the concrete slab(s)) in a desired direction or the flow of force through the joining element takes place in a desired way. In many practical cases, the short flank is only a few millimeters long, e.g. around 4 mm long.

In another embodiment of the joining element, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, the height of the joining element between the top and the bottom is in a range from 2 cm to 10 cm, and/or a width of the joining element between the left side and the right side (at the widest point) is in a range from 2 cm to 10 cm.

In another embodiment of the joining element, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, a length of the joining element (perpendicular to the cross-section/in the direction of the longest expansion of the joining element) is in a range from 5 cm to 20 m, in particular up to 1 m, further in particular up to 50 cm.

In another embodiment of the joining element, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, a ratio of the diameter of an opening of the notch or an outlet of the bulge to the height of the joining body is in a range from 1:1 (i.e. 100%/complete opening) to 0.5:1 (i.e. 50% opening).

In another embodiment of the joining element, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, the joining body has an extension on the upper side and/or the bottom side, whereby the extension is designed in particular as a coupling element for coupling with another component.

In a further embodiment of the joining element, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, a further joining body is arranged on the extension. In particular, the further joining body and the extension together are designed in one piece.

In another embodiment of the joining element, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, the joining body has at least one further notch or at least one further bulge on at least one side between the top and the bottom side. In this case, further notches or further bulges can be added to the existing notches. The same applies to existing bulges, to which further bulges or further notches can be added. For example, the joining element may have a notch and a bulge on the same side.

In another embodiment of the joining element, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, the joining element has a reinforcement, e.g. a reinforcement made of steel. In particular, the reinforcement includes fibers such as carbon, glass, stone, natural or plastic fibers (e.g. aramid fibers). In particular, the reinforcement essentially extends between the top and bottom (in particular to absorb tensile forces essentially perpendicular to the top and bottom). In particular, the individual fibers run in one piece continuously between the top and bottom of the joining element. Alternatively, the individual fibers do not run continuously, i.e. the individual fibers are shorter than the height of the joining element, in which case several cross-linked/intertwined individual fibers run together continuously between the top and bottom. Thus, the joining element can be, for example, a “Fiber Reinforced Concrete” (FRC) or a “Carbon Prestressed Concrete” (CPC) component. Additional reinforcement can extend in a longitudinal direction of the joining element (from front to back), essentially parallel to the top and bottom.

The following concrete slab construction according to the invention comprises at least one concrete slab, in particular at least one “Fiber Reinforced Concrete” (FRC) or “Carbon Prestressed Concrete” (CPC) slab, and at least one joining element (according to one of the above embodiments) made of concrete, in particular FRC or CPC, for joining concrete slabs and/or for fastening to a concrete slab as an intermediate product. There is at least one bulge or notch along a lateral circumference of the concrete slab between a top and a bottom side of the concrete slab, the bulge or notch having in particular two wedge-shaped flanks or surfaces tapering to a (optionally rounded, not necessarily pointed) tip, in particular flat flanks/surfaces, and the joining element being arranged on the lateral circumference of the concrete slab, wherein the notch or bulge on one side of the joining element is (essentially) opposite to the bulge or notch of the concrete slab, and wherein there is a filling material in a gap between the concrete slab and the joining element, the filling material being mortar or an adhesive, for example. In particular, the concrete slab has a reinforcement, e.g. a steel reinforcement. The reinforcement can include fibers, such as carbon, glass, stone, natural or plastic fibers (e.g. aramid fibers). In particular, the reinforcement is essentially parallel to the top and bottom side of the concrete slab. In particular, the reinforcement is essentially perpendicular to the left and right sides of the joining element. The reinforcement is used in particular to absorb tensile forces essentially in the plane of the concrete slab (i.e. parallel to the top and bottom of the concrete slab). In particular, the reinforcement in the concrete slab is (essentially) perpendicular to a possible reinforcement in the joining element. The concrete slab may have additional reinforcement, which is roughly perpendicular to the reinforcement mentioned above, with both essentially aligned parallel to the top and bottom of the concrete slab (->lattice-like reinforcement).

The following concrete slab construction according to the invention comprises at least one concrete slab, in particular at least one “Fiber Reinforced Concrete” (FRC) or “Carbon Prestressed Concrete” (CPC) slab, and at least one joining element (according to one of the above embodiments) made of concrete, in particular FRC or CPC, for joining concrete slabs and/or for fastening in a concrete slab. The concrete slab has at least one recess, wherein a cross-section of the recess between a top and a bottom of the concrete slab has at least one bulge or notch on one side (left, right, front or rear) and, in particular, also on another, in particular opposite (right, left, rear or front) side (each), wherein the bulge or notch in particular has two wedge-shaped flanks or surfaces tapering to a (optionally rounded, not necessarily pointed) tip, in particular flat flanks/surfaces, and wherein the joining element is arranged in the recess with the respective notch or bulge of the joining element and the respective bulge or notch of the recess (essentially) opposite to each other, and wherein there is a filler or filling material in a gap between the recess and the joining element, where the filler or the filling material, for example, is at least one fitting piece, such as a wedge, or (grouting) mortar, (coarse) sand or an adhesive. In particular, the filling material forms a permanent connection between the concrete slab and the joining element, which is mainly subjected to pressure. Depending on the filling material, the connection is non-releasable or releasable (e.g. when using sand). In particular, the concrete slab has a reinforcement, e.g. a steel reinforcement. The reinforcement can include fibers, such as carbon, glass, stone, natural or plastic fibers (e.g. aramid fibers). In particular, the reinforcement is essentially parallel to the top and bottom of the concrete slab. In particular, the reinforcement is essentially perpendicular to the left and right sides of the joining element. The reinforcement is used in particular to absorb tensile forces essentially in the plane of the concrete slab (i.e. parallel to the top and bottom of the concrete slab). In particular, the reinforcement in the concrete slab is (essentially) perpendicular to a possible reinforcement in the joining element. The concrete slab may have additional reinforcement, which is roughly perpendicular to the reinforcement mentioned above, with both essentially aligned parallel to the top and bottom of the concrete slab (->lattice-like reinforcement).

According to an alternative according to the invention, the concrete slab construction comprises at least two concrete slabs, in particular at least two FRC or CPC slabs, and at least one joining element (according to one of the above embodiments) made of concrete, in particular FRC or CPC, for joining concrete slabs and/or for fastening to a concrete slab, wherein along a lateral circumference of the concrete slabs between a top and a bottom side there is at least one bulge or notch on each of the concrete slabs, wherein the bulge or notch in particular has two wedge-shaped flanks or surfaces tapering to a (optionally rounded, not necessarily pointed) tip, in particular flat flanks/surfaces, and wherein the joining element is arranged between the two concrete slabs in a recess, and wherein the respective notch or bulge of the joining element and the respective bulge or notch of the concrete slabs are arranged (essentially) opposite to each other, and wherein there is a filler or filling material in a gap between the concrete slabs and the joining element, wherein the filler or filling material is, for example, at least one fitting piece, such as a wedge, or (grouting) mortar, (coarse) sand or an adhesive. In particular, the filling material forms a permanent connection between the concrete slabs and the joining element. Depending on the filling material, the connection is non-releasable or releasable (e.g. when using sand). In particular, the concrete slabs have a reinforcement, e.g. a steel reinforcement. The reinforcement can include fibers, such as carbon, glass, stone, natural or plastic fibers (aramid fibers). In particular, the reinforcement is essentially parallel to the top and bottom of the concrete slabs. In particular, the reinforcement is essentially perpendicular to the left and right sides of the joining element. In particular, the reinforcement in the two concrete slabs is essentially aligned. The reinforcement is used in particular to absorb tensile forces essentially in the plane of the concrete slab (i.e. parallel to the top and bottom of the concrete slab). In particular, the reinforcement in the concrete slabs is perpendicular to a possible reinforcement in the joining element. The concrete slabs may have additional reinforcement, which is roughly perpendicular to the reinforcement mentioned above, with both essentially aligned parallel to the top and bottom of the concrete slab (->lattice-like reinforcement).

As indicated above, notches and bulges between the joining element and the concrete slab are roughly opposite each other, but do not touch each other or only slightly (cf. FIG. 10c), where the lower flanks of the notches of the joining element and the lower flanks of the bulges of the two concrete slabs touch each other only slightly to seal the space between them towards the bottom. Consequently, the opposing notches and bulges alone do not form a positive fit. The form and force fit required for the concrete slab construction is only achieved by the filling material that is inserted into the space between the slabs and hardened. It should also be noted that for the assembly of the concrete slab construction, the recess in the concrete slab must be large enough to allow the joining element to be inserted into the recess without the notches and bulges on the joining element and the recess hindering this.

In an embodiment of the concrete slab construction according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, the recess is at least as wide as the width of the joining element or joining body.

In a further embodiment of the concrete slab construction according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, the recess runs continuously through the (respective) concrete slab or the recess only partially runs into the (respective) concrete slab and thus forms a blind hole.

In a further embodiment of the concrete slab construction according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, the two flanks of the notch or bulge of the joining element and the two flanks of the bulge or notch in or on the concrete slab are (essentially) opposed, with one flank of the bulge or notch in or at the concrete slab emanating from an upper side of the concrete slab and the other flank emanating from a lower side of the concrete slab, these two flanks of the bulge or notch forming or enclosing an obtuse or acute angle φ′. This angle φ′ is equal to, or usually only approximately equal to, the angle φ between the two flanks of the opposite notch or bulge of the joining element. In particular, the angular difference φ′−φ is in the range of +/−20°, especially +/−10° and only +/−5°, respectively. This angular difference can be deliberately selected to influence the force transmission between the joining element and the concrete slab(s).

In a further embodiment of the concrete slab construction according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, the joining element is an integral part of a concrete slab, in particular at an edge/lateral circumference of the concrete slab formed in one piece with the concrete slab.

In a further embodiment of the concrete slab construction according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, the at least one notch or bulge, in particular the two flanks, is/are located at least partially, in particular completely, within, in particular between the top and the bottom, of the concrete slab(s).

In a further embodiment of the concrete slab construction according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, a connecting element, in particular a slab, stripe or hourglass-shaped connecting element, is arranged on or in the top and/or the bottom side of the concrete slab(s), in particular (at least partially or completely) across the joining element. The connecting element is connected to the concrete slab or to the two concrete slabs, for example screwed, dowelled or glued, whereby the connecting element is particularly suitable for absorbing tensile forces (in the longitudinal direction). The connecting element can be made of metal, a fiber composite, or an FRC or CPC element. In particular, the connecting element can be laminated to the concrete slab or the two concrete slabs. Alternatively, the connecting element can be recessed and/or concreted into the concrete slab(s) or mortared with the concrete slab(s).

In a further embodiment of the concrete slab construction according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, several joining elements are arranged along a straight line at intervals, in particular at regular intervals, in (or on) the concrete slab or between the concrete slabs.

In a further embodiment of the concrete slab construction according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, several joining elements are arranged along a serpentine line or a zigzag line at intervals, in particular at regular intervals, in (or on) the concrete slab or between the concrete slabs, wherein the serpentine line is composed in particular of curved sections and the zigzag line is composed in particular of straight sections.

In a further embodiment of the concrete slab construction according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, the joining elements are alternately arranged essentially orthogonally with respect to each other with respect to their longest extension.

In a further embodiment of the concrete slab construction according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, joining bodies both with and without extension are arranged in the concrete slab or between the concrete slabs, in particular in a regular pattern, in particular joining bodies with and without extension are arranged alternatingly.

In a further embodiment of the concrete slab construction according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, the joining element is located between two spaced apart stacked concrete slabs (i.e. parallel horizontally on top of each other or vertically next to each other), whereby the two concrete slabs are connected to each other by means of the joining element, in particular connected to or supported on each other.

In a further embodiment of the concrete slab construction according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, the two spaced concrete slabs are staggered against each other (in the direction of their greatest extent).

In a further embodiment of the concrete slab construction according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, some, in particular a majority (>50%), of the recesses do not run completely continuously through the concrete slab or through the concrete slabs (i.e. only partially into the concrete slab), and that some, in particular a minority (<50%) of the recesses run completely continuously through the concrete slab or slabs, in particular with at least one non-continuous recess between each of two continuous recesses.

In a further embodiment of the concrete slab construction according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, the concrete slab construction is a concrete slab element or a concrete slab comprising several concrete slab elements or a bridge element or a concrete bridge comprising several bridge elements.

In all of the above-mentioned embodiments of a concrete slab construction according to the invention, the joining element preferably has only notches and the counterpart on one side or in a recess of the concrete slab only bulges, because this results in a better transmission of force from the joining element to the concrete slab. If, on the other hand, the joining element has only bulges and the counterpart on or in the concrete slab has only notches, a crack may form in the concrete slab from the top of the notch under heavy loads. Preferably, the joining element has notches on two opposite sides. Accordingly, the recess in the concrete slab has bulges on two opposite sides. Preferably, the two flanks of the notch and bulges enclose an obtuse angle, with the angle being particularly in a range between 90° and 130°.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for producing/manufacturing a concrete slab construction according to the invention is proposed as an intermediate product. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps:

• • providing at least one joining element (according to one of the above embodiments);
  • providing at least one concrete slab, in particular at least one FRC or CPC slab, with at least one bulge or notch along the lateral perimeter of the concrete slab between one top and one bottom of the concrete slab, the bulge or notch in particular having two wedge-shaped flanks or surfaces tapering to a (optionally rounded, not necessarily pointed) tip, in particular flat flanks/surfaces;
  • arranging the joining element on the lateral circumference of the concrete slab, with the notch or bulge on one side of the joining element (essentially) opposite the bulge or notch of the concrete slab;
  • filling a gap between the concrete slab and the joining element with a filling material, where the filling material is, for example, mortar or an adhesive.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for producing/manufacturing a concrete slab construction according to the invention is proposed. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps:

• • providing at least one joining element (according to one of the above embodiments);
  • providing at least one concrete slab, in particular at least one FRC or CPC slab, wherein the concrete slab has at least one recess, with a cross-section of the recess between a top and a bottom side of the concrete slab having at least one bulge or notch on one (left/right/front/rear) side and optionally on another (opposite right/left/rear/front) side, wherein the bulge or notch in particular has two wedge-shaped flanks or surfaces tapering to a (optionally rounded, not necessarily pointed) tip, in particular flat flanks/surfaces, whereby the recess runs in particular continuously through the concrete slab or only partially runs into the concrete slab;
  • arranging of the joining element in the recess so that the respective notch or bulge of the joining element and the respective bulge or notch of the recess are (essentially) opposite each other;
  • filling a space/gap between the recess and the joining element with a filler or filling material, where the filler or filling material is, for example, at least one fitting piece, such as a wedge, mortar, sand or adhesive.

In particular, the filling material should form a permanent connection between the concrete slab and the joining element. Depending on the filling material, the connection is non-releasable or releasable (e.g. when using sand). In particular, the filling material should be pressure-resistant (when it has hardened), because it mainly take on compressive forces (i.e. it should not be able to be compressed in the space between them under pressure in such a way that the filling material gives way too much and it shifts or its shape or volume changes significantly—because the filling material should transmit or transfer the pressure forces to the concrete slab(s) connected to the joining element).

In an embodiment of the method according to the invention, the joining element is arranged in the recess by inserting the joining element into the recess in the direction (essentially perpendicular) to a top or a bottom side of the concrete slab or by pushing the joining element into the recess at a lateral circumference of the concrete slab in the direction parallel to the top or bottom of the concrete slab.

According to an alternative variant of the invention, the method for producing/manufacturing a concrete slab construction according to the invention comprises the following steps:

• • providing at least one joining element (according to one of the above embodiments);
  • providing at least two concrete slabs, in particular at least two FRC or CPC slabs, with at least one bulge or at least one notch along each side of the concrete slabs between the top and the bottom of the concrete slabs, the bulge or notch having two wedge-shaped flanks or surfaces tapering to a (optionally rounded, not necessarily pointed) tip, in particular flat flanks/surfaces;
  • placing the joining element between the two concrete slabs in a recess so that the respective notch or bulge of the joining element and the respective bulge or notch of the concrete slabs are (essentially) opposite each other;
  • filling a gap between the concrete slabs and the joining element with a filler or filling material, where the filler or filling material is, for example, at least one fitting piece, such as a wedge, mortar, sand or adhesive.

In particular, the filling material should form a permanent connection between the concrete slab and the joining element. Depending on the filling material, the connection is non-releasable or releasable (e.g. when using sand). In particular, the filling material should be pressure-resistant (when it has hardened), because it mainly absorbs pressure forces.

In an embodiment of the method according to the invention, the arrangement of the joining element between the two concrete slabs is carried out by the following steps:

• • arranging the two concrete slabs on one level;
  • inserting the joining element into the recess between the two concrete slabs;
  • merging the two concrete slabs in a parallel direction to the plane until there is a distance of 1 cm to 5 cm between the respective bulge or notch of the concrete slabs and the respective notch or bulge of the joining element.

Alternatively, the joining element is arranged between the two concrete slabs by the following steps:

• • arranging the two concrete slabs on a plane at a distance less than the widest dimension of the joining body or joining element from the left to the right side;
  • inserting the joining element into the recess between the respective bulge or notch of the two concrete slabs in one direction parallel to the top or bottom of the two concrete slabs.

The adhesion between the joining element and the concrete slabs can be improved by roughening the contact surfaces between the concrete slabs and the joining element, e.g. by sandblasting.

In an embodiment of the method according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, when filling the space between the two concrete slabs and the joining element, a filler or a quantity of filling material is introduced into the space in such a way that inaccuracies in the shape and/or dimensions of the concrete slabs and the joining elements, in particular the notches and bulges as well as their arrangement, i.e. deviations from their target shape or size, are (as far as possible) compensated. This means that the components are manufactured with large tolerances, i.e. with very ample play on “undersize”, whereby the clearance fit is then filled by the filling material, such as mortar.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, the method comprises the following further step:

• • fastening a connecting element, in particular a plate, strip or hourglass-shaped connecting element, to or in the top and/or bottom side of the concrete slab(s), in particular above the joining element (1), for example by means of one or more fasteners, such as screws, or by means of an adhesive.

The connecting element can be made of metal or a fiber composite. In particular, the connecting element can be laminated to the concrete slab or the two concrete slabs. Alternatively, the connecting element can be concreted into the concrete slab(s) or mortared with the concrete slab(s).

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, several joining elements are arranged along a straight line at intervals, in particular at regular intervals, in (or on) the concrete slab or between the concrete slabs.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, several joining elements are arranged along a serpentine line or a zigzag line at intervals, in particular at regular intervals, in (or on) the concrete slab or between the concrete slabs, wherein the serpentine line is composed in particular of curved sections and the zigzag line is composed in particular of straight sections.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, the joining elements are arranged alternately essentially orthogonally with respect to their longest extension to each other.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, joining elements both with and without extension are arranged in the concrete slab or between the concrete slabs, in particular in a regular pattern. In particular, joining elements with and without extension are arranged alternatingly in the concrete slab or between the concrete slabs.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, at least one joining element is placed between two concrete slabs stacked (on top of each other or next to each other) and connected to at least one of the concrete slabs so that the concrete slabs are connected to each other or supported on each other.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, unless this is contradictory, the two space apart concrete slabs are staggered against each other (in the direction of their greatest extent).

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, which can be combined with any of the embodiments already mentioned and yet to be mentioned, some, in particular a majority, of the recesses do not run completely through the concrete slab or slabs, and some, in particular a minority, of the recesses run completely continuously through the concrete slab or concrete slabs, in particular at least one non-continuous recess must be placed between each of two continuous recesses.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a use of the joining element in which the upper flank and the lower flank are of different lengths is specified. It is then proposed to use the joining element to absorb forces on the joining element and to transfer forces to the concrete slab(s) connected to the joining element, with the shorter of the two flanks mainly used to absorb and transmit compressive forces and the longer of the two flanks mainly used to absorb and transmit tensile forces.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a use of the concrete slab construction according to the invention is specified. It is proposed to use the concrete slab construction according to the invention as part of the following constructions:

• • FRC or CPC load-bearing constructions of buildings, such as wall/ceiling connections, roof constructions, wall constructions, (suspended) ceilings, stairs, wall/wall connections in building cores also for earthquake bracing, basement floors in the ground, hollow columns, entire wall systems, self-supporting balconies, tower constructions, staircases, folding constructions;
  • entire simple buildings, such as municipal utility buildings, vehicle shelters, electrical distribution houses, container shelters, platform roofs, tram and bus shelters;
  • a concrete surface or bridge for roads, railways, pedestrians and cyclists, pipelines, aqueducts;
  • civil engineering constructions such as retaining walls, ramp constructions, shelters;
  • load-bearing components such as bending beams in T, H and U shapes or box girders;
  • supporting constructions in shipbuilding.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for producing/manufacturing a joining element is proposed. The method according to the invention comprises the following steps:

• • providing a concrete slab, especially an FRC or CPC slab, with a top and a bottom and with a longitudinal extension and a width extension;
  • milling notches in the top and opposite on the bottom side of the concrete slab in the direction of width expansion, especially at regular intervals;
  • cutting, in particular sawing, of the concrete slab between or in the notches, in particular between adjacent notches or between several adjacent notches, further in particular at the beginning and/or end of the notches, in the direction of the width expansion and in the direction of the longitudinal expansion, in order to obtain a large number of individual joining elements.

Alternatively, the method according to the invention comprises the following steps:

• • providing a concrete cylinder with a cylindrical axis, in particular an FRC or CPC cylinder, in particular with a round, oval/elliptical or polygon/polygonal (i.e. prism-shaped cylinder) cross-section;
  • milling notches in a part of the circumference of the concrete cylinder and in an opposite part of the concrete cylinder or in the total circumference of the concrete cylinder, in particular perpendicular to the cylinder axis, in particular at regular intervals;
  • cutting, in particular sawing, of the concrete cylinder between or in the notches, in particular between adjacent notches or between several adjacent notches, further in particular at the beginning and/or end of the notches, perpendicular to the cylinder axis (in slices) in order to obtain a large number of individual joining elements.

In an embodiment according to the invention, the method further comprises at least one of the following steps:

• • surface treating the individual joining elements, in particular by means of sand or water blasting, roughing or coating, in particular for roughening the surface of the individual joining elements;
  • inserting reinforcement into the concrete slab or concrete cylinder during the production of the concrete slab or cylinder in the direction of the linear expansion or cylinder axis;
  • face milling of a part of the concrete cylinder, especially before milling notches;
  • forming different notches as part of the milling of notches, e.g. by using differently shaped milling heads to form different parts of the joining elements, such as notches, bulges, and extensions;
  • grinding or turning of the individual joining elements, especially for further shaping.

Furthermore, a method for producing/manufacturing a joining element is proposed with the step:

• • cutting out several joining elements (1) from a concrete slab, in particular an FRC or CPC slab,by means of a high-pressure water jet and/or a milling cutter and/or a jigsaw, circular saw and/or a punching tool, in particular by means of a CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) machine.

Finally, a method for producing/manufacturing a concrete slab for a concrete slab construction is proposed, with at least one of the two steps:

• • cutting out a joining element (1) from the concrete slab, especially an FRC or CPC slab;
  • cutting out the recess from the concrete slab, especially an FRC or CPC slab,by means of a high-pressure water jet and/or a milling cutter and/or a jigsaw, circular saw and/or a punching tool, in particular by means of a CNC (Computerized Numerical Control) machine.

It should be explicitly noted that combinations of the above embodiments are possible, which in turn lead to more specific embodiments of the present invention.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below by means of figures. It show:

FIG. 1a) a schematic cross-section of a first embodiment of a joining element for invention;

FIG. 1b) a schematic cross-section by a second embodiment of a Joining element for invention;

FIG. 1c) a schematic cross-section of a third embodiment of a joining element for invention;

FIG. 1d) a schematic cross-section of a fourth embodiment of a joining element for invention;

FIG. 1e) a schematic cross-section of a fifth embodiment of a joining element for invention;

FIG. 1f) a schematic cross-section of a sixth embodiment of a joining element for invention;

FIG. 2a) a schematic cross-section of a seventh embodiment of a joining element for invention;

FIG. 2b) a schematic cross-section of an eighth embodiment of a joining element for invention;

FIG. 3a) a schematic cross-section of a ninth embodiment of a joining element for the invention with an extension on the joining element according to FIG. 1b);

FIG. 3b) a schematic cross-section of a tenth embodiment of a joining element for the invention with an extension to the joining element according to FIG. 1d);

FIG. 4a) a schematic cross-section of an eleventh embodiment of a joining element for the invention with an extension between two joining elements according to FIG. 1b);

FIG. 4b) a schematic cross-section of a twelfth embodiment of a joining element for the invention with an extension between two joining elements according to FIG. 1d);

FIG. 5a) a schematic cross-section of a thirteenth embodiment of a joining element for the invention with two notches on each side;

FIG. 5b) a schematic cross-section of a fourteenth embodiment of a joining element for the invention with two bulges on each side;

FIG. 6a) a schematic perspective view of the second embodiment of a joining element for the invention from FIG. 1b);

FIG. 6b) a schematic perspective view of the fourth embodiment of a joining element for the invention from FIG. 1d);

FIG. 6c) a schematic perspective view of the eighth embodiment of a joining element for the invention from FIG. 2b);

FIG. 6d) a schematic perspective view of the seventh embodiment of a joining element for the invention from FIG. 2a);

FIG. 7a) a schematic cross-section of a first embodiment of an invention concrete slab construction;

FIG. 7b) a schematic cross-section by a second embodiment of an invention concrete slab construction;

FIG. 7c) a schematic cross-section of a third embodiment of an invention concrete slab construction;

FIG. 8a) a schematic cross-section of a fourth embodiment of an invention concrete slab construction;

FIG. 8b) a schematic cross-section of an alternative fourth embodiment of an invention concrete slab construction;

FIG. 8c) a schematic cross-section of a fifth embodiment of an invention concrete slab construction;

FIG. 9a) a schematic top view of a sixth embodiment of an inventive concrete slab construction;

FIG. 9b) a schematic top view of a seventh embodiment of an inventive concrete slab construction;

FIG. 9c) a schematic top view of an eighth embodiment of an inventive concrete slab construction;

FIG. 9d) a schematic top view of a ninth embodiment of an invention concrete slab construction;

FIG. 9e) a schematic top view of a tenth embodiment of an invention concrete slab construction;

FIG. 9′a) a schematic cross-sectional image along the route A-A′ in FIG. 9′b) of an alternative sixth embodiment of an invention concrete slab construction;

FIG. 9′b) a schematic cross-sectional diagram along the route B-B′ in FIG. 9′a) of the embodiment as in FIG. 9′a);

FIG. 9′c) a schematic cross-sectional diagram along the route C-C′ in FIG. 9′b) of the embodiment as in FIG. 9′a);

FIG. 10a) a schematic cross-section of an eleventh embodiment of an invention concrete slab construction;

FIG. 10b) a schematic cross-section of a twelfth embodiment of an invention concrete slab construction;

FIG. 10c) a schematic cross-section of a thirteenth embodiment of an invention concrete slab construction;

FIG. 10d) a schematic cross-section of a fourteenth embodiment of an invention concrete slab construction;

FIG. 11a) a schematic perspective view of a fifteenth embodiment of an invention concrete slab construction;

FIG. 11b) a schematic perspective view of a sixteenth embodiment of an inventive concrete slab construction;

FIG. 11c) a schematic perspective view of an alternative fifteenth embodiment of an inventive concrete slab construction;

FIG. 11d) a schematic perspective view of another alternative fifteenth embodiment of an inventive concrete slab construction;

FIG. 11e) a schematic perspective view of an alternative sixteenth embodiment of an inventive concrete slab construction;

FIG. 11f) a schematic perspective view of another alternative sixteenth embodiment of an inventive concrete slab construction; and

FIG. 12a-g) schematic cross-sections by a seventeenth to twenty-third embodiment of an invention concrete slab construction.

In the figures, the same reference signs stand for the same elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows various examples of joining elements 1 in cross-section, which can be used for a concrete slab construction according to the invention. Joining elements 1 are made of concrete, in particular with a reinforcement 13. Joining elements 1 are then designed, for example, as FRC or, in particular, as CPC components.

FIG. 1a) shows in profile a first embodiment of a joining element 1 with a joining body 3, which has a notch 8, 8′ on the left side 6 and on the right side 7. Basically, the notch 8′ on the right side 7 is optional—this is indicated by the dotted line on the right side 7 (as shown in the other FIGS. 1b-1f) & 2-6). The two notches 8, 8′ each have an upper flank 11 and a lower flank 11′, which converge to a tip 10 in a wedge shape and form an obtuse angle φ. The profile or cross-section of the joining element 1, which in this case consists only of the joining body 3, is mirror-symmetrical with regard to both the vertical central axis and the horizontal central axis. This means that the cross-section is point-symmetrical, as all four flanks are of the same length. In the direction of the vertical central axis between the upper side 4 and the lower side 5, a reinforcement 13 is inserted in the joining element 1. In particular, the reinforcement 13 ensures that the joining element 1 can absorb tensile forces, which essentially act perpendicular to the top and bottom of the joining element 1. Through the two notches 8, 8′, such vertical external forces act with a horizontal force component on the concrete slab in which the joining element 1 is inserted, or the concrete slabs which the joining element 1 joins together (cf. FIG. 7 ff.). In this case, vertical external forces are directed in the direction of the horizontal central axis (resulting in a compression effect of the notches on the concrete slab(s)).

FIG. 1b) shows in profile a second, slightly modified embodiment of a joining element 1 from FIG. 1a), in which the upper flank 11 is somewhat shorter than the lower flank 11′, whereby the angle φ is smaller. The cross-section of joining element 1 remains mirror-symmetrical with respect to the vertical central axis, but is no longer mirror-symmetrical with respect to the horizontal central axis (and thus no longer point-symmetrical). By changing the length of the flanks 11, 11′, the angle φ can be adjusted in such a way that the flow of force through joining element 1 runs in the desired way in the event of an external load on the joining element 1.

FIG. 1c) shows in profile a third embodiment of a joining element 1, which has a bulge 9, 9′ instead of notches on the left side 6 and right side 7. This shaping of the joining element 1 directs vertical external forces towards the top and bottom of the concrete slab or slabs into which the joining element 1 is inserted or joined.

FIG. 1d) shows in profile a fourth, slightly modified embodiment of a joining element 1 from FIG. 1c), in which the upper flank 11 is somewhat shorter than the lower flank 11′, which makes the angle φ smaller. This leads to a change in the flow of force through joining element 1 under external load.

FIG. 1e) shows a fifth embodiment of a joining element 1 in profile, which has a notch 8 on the left side 6 instead of two notches or bulges and a bulge 9′ on the right side 7. All flanks 11, 11′ of the notch 8 and the bulge 9′ are the same length here. This shaping of the joining element 1 directs vertical external forces on the left side 6 in the direction of the horizontal central axis and on the right side 7 in the direction of the top and bottom of the concrete slab or slabs in which the joining element 1 is inserted or which joins the joining element 1.

FIG. 1f) shows in profile a sixth, slightly modified embodiment of a joining element 1 from FIG. 1e), in which the upper flank 11 is somewhat shorter than the lower flank 11′, whereby the angle φ becomes smaller. This leads to a change in the flow of force through joining element 1 under external load.

The joining elements according to FIG. 1 can be made, for example, from a concrete slab, especially an FRC or CPC slab, by milling notches into the top and opposite on the bottom side of the concrete slab and then cutting the concrete slab into individual joining elements (as indicated above).

FIG. 2a) shows a seventh, slightly modified embodiment of a joining element 1 from FIG. 1a), in which the cross-section of joining element 1 is hourglass-shaped, and thus has no pointed edges on the top side 4 and the bottom side 5. The flanks 11, 11′ of the two notches 8, 8′ are all the same length here. For example, this joining element 1 can be rotationally symmetrical around the vertical central axis and thus an hourglass-shaped body (cf. FIG. 6d)).

FIG. 2b) shows in profile an eighth, slightly modified embodiment of a joining element 1 from FIG. 2a), in which the upper flank 11 is somewhat shorter than the lower flank 11′, whereby the angle φ becomes smaller. This leads to a change in the flow of force through joining element 1 under external load.

FIG. 3a) shows a ninth embodiment of a joining element 1 in which an extension 12 is added to the upper side 4 of the joining element 3 (according to FIG. 1b)). The joining body 3 and the extension 12 are one-piece (i.e. they consist of one piece or are integrally shaped) and together form the joining element 1 as a unit. Alternatively, the extension 12 can also be attached to the bottom side 5 of the joining body 3. Extension 12 as a coupling element can be used for coupling with another building element, e.g. for hanging concrete slabs into/between which the joining element is inserted. However, it can also be used as a support for supporting concrete slabs in/between which the joining element is inserted. The joining body 3 can take any shape, e.g. according to FIG. 1 or 2. Thus, FIG. 3b) shows a tenth embodiment of a joining element 1 in which an extension 12′ is added to the bottom side 5 of the joining body 3 (according to FIG. 1d)). It is also possible that both on the top side 4 of the joining body 3 and on the bottom side 5 an extension 12, 12′ is attached, as is the case in FIGS. 8b) & 8c) as an example. The length of the two extensions 12, 12′ can be different.

FIG. 4a) shows an eleventh embodiment of a joining element 1 in which an extension 12 is inserted between two identical joining bodies 3, 3′ (according to FIG. 1b)). To the joining element 1 with extension 12 according to FIG. 3a) another joining body 3′ was added integrally to the free end of the extension 12. The joining body 3 can take any shape, e.g. according to FIG. 1 or 2. Thus, FIG. 4b) shows in profile a twelfth embodiment of a joining element 1, in which the joining bodies 3, 3′ are integrally joined together by the extension 12 according to FIG. 1d). There may also be differently shaped joining bodies 3, 3′ at the two ends of the joining element 1.

FIG. 5a) shows in profile a thirteenth embodiment of a joining element 1, in which the joining body 3 has a further notch 8″, 8′″ between the upper side 4 and the bottom side 5 on the left side 6 and the right side 7. FIG. 5b) shows in profile a fourteenth embodiment of a joining element 1, in which the joining body 3 has two bulges on each side 9, 9″ and 9″, 9′″.

FIG. 6a) shows a perspective view of the second embodiment of a joining element 1 from FIG. 1b) with two notches 8, 8′. Here you can see the dimensions of joining element 1 as an example, in particular how the joining element 1 expands in the longitudinal direction. Typically, the height H of the joining body 3 (between the top side 4 and the bottom side 5) is in a range from 2 cm to 10 cm, the width B of the joining body 3 (between the left side 6 and the right side 7) is in a range from 2 cm to 10 cm, and the length L of the joining element 1 is in a range from 5 cm to 20 m, rather up to 1 m, most likely up to 50 cm. In any case, they are dimensioned in such a way that they are suitable for joining commercially available concrete slabs, which are often available as semi-finished products. The ratio of the upper, shorter flank 11 to the lower, longer flank 11′ is in a range in a range from 1:16 to 1:1 and the angle φ enclosed by the two n flanks 11, 11′ can be an obtuse angle) (90°≤φ<180°) or an acute angle (0°<φ<90°), for example in a range from 60° to 160°. FIG. 6a) shows an upper extension 12 on the joining body 3, both of which together form the joining element 1 in one piece.

FIG. 6b) shows a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of a joining element of the invention from FIG. 1d) with two projections 9, 9′. FIG. 6b) shows a lower extension 12′ on the joining body 3, both of which together form the joining element 1 in one piece.

FIG. 6c) shows a perspective view of the eighth embodiment of a joining element 1 from FIG. 2b) with two notches 8, 8′ and rounded edges along the top and bottom sides 4, 5.

FIG. 6d) shows a perspective view of the seventh embodiment of a joining element according to the invention from FIG. 2a). This joining element 1 is rotationally symmetrical around the vertical central axis and has an hourglass-shaped body with an all-round notch 8. The upper and lower sides 4, 5 in the illustration of FIG. 6d) appear flat, but the upper and lower edges can also be partially or completely rounded, so that the upper and lower sides 4, 5 are e.g. oval or (semicircle) round.

Any combination of the joining bodies 3, 3′ and extensions 12, 12′ shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 is possible to form joining elements.

The joining elements according to FIGS. 1 to 6c) can be produced, for example, from a concrete slab, in particular an FRC or CPC slab, by milling notches into the top and opposite on the bottom side of the concrete slab and then cutting the concrete slab into individual joining elements (as indicated above). Rotationally symmetrical joining elements, e.g. according to FIG. 6d), can be produced from a concrete cylinder, especially an FRC or CPC cylinder, by milling notches along the concrete cylinder and then “disc-wise” cutting the concrete cylinder into individual joining elements (as indicated above).

FIG. 7a) shows a cross-section of a first embodiment of a concrete slab construction 14 according to the invention consisting of two concrete slabs 2, 2′, which lie in one plane, and a joining element 1 according to the invention, which is arranged between the two concrete slabs 2, 2′. The joining element 1 has a notch 8, 8′ on the left and right side 6, 7. Accordingly, the two concrete slabs 2, 2′ have bulges of 20, 20′ along the (circumferential) side, which are facing the joining element 1. The gap/space 24 between the notches 8, 8′ of the joining element 1 and the bulges 20, 20′ of the two concrete slabs 2, 2′ is filled with a filling material 25 such as (grouting) mortar, (coarse) sand or an adhesive. Alternatively, one or more fitting piece(s) such as wedge(s) can be used as a filler in the gap 24 as form-fitting as possible. The filling material 25 is particularly pressure-resistant, especially if it has hardened in the gap 24. In particular, FRC or CPC slabs are used as concrete slabs, whereby reinforcement 26, e.g. in the form of fibers, especially carbon fibers, is oriented in the plane of the concrete slabs 2, 2′ (horizontally) in the direction of the joining element 1. Reinforcement 13 in joining element 1, on the other hand, is aligned perpendicular to reinforcement 26 in concrete slabs 2, 2′. Above and/or below the joining element 1, an additional (tensile) connecting element 27 (marked with dashes) can be attached to the surface of the concrete slabs 2, 2′. In order to insert the joining element 1 into a recess 15 in a concrete slab 2, the width B′ of the recess must be at least as large as the width B of the joining element 1, so that the joining element 1 can be inserted into recess 15 from above (cf. vertical arrow pointing down in FIG. 7a)) or from below. In the case of two separate concrete slabs 2, 2′, as in the present case, the joining element 1 can be placed between the two concrete slabs 2, 2′ during assembly, which are then pushed together against each other in the direction of joining element 1 until the desired gap 24 is still available for filling with filling material 25 or as far as the geometry of the joining element 1 permits pushing together (pushing the two concrete slabs 2, 2′ in the horizontal direction of the arrow in FIG. 7a). In order to simplify the assembly, for example, the joining element 1 can be attached to the bulge 20, 20′ of one concrete slab 2, 2′, e.g. by means of an adhesive or mortar (cf. FIG. 10d hatched fastening area 28 upper right). Alternatively, the joining element 1 can also be inserted vertically from above or below into the gap 24, as described above.

FIG. 7b) shows a cross-section of a second embodiment of a concrete slab construction 14 according to the invention, in which the two notches 8, 8′ of the joining element 1 are not quite identical due to manufacturing tolerances. Also, the two bulges 20, 20′ of the two concrete slabs 2, 2′ are not identical, and the tip 10 of the bulge of the left concrete slab 2 is not at the same height as the tip 10 of the left notch 8 of joining element 1, also due to inaccuracies in the production of the concrete slab (or joining element). These inaccuracies in the shape and/or dimensions of the concrete slabs 2, 2′ and the joining element 1, in particular the notches 8, 8′ and bulges 20, 20′, as well as their arrangement, i.e. deviations from their nominal shape or size, can be compensated for to a large extent by the filling material 25, such as mortar. This means that the components can be manufactured with large tolerances, i.e. with very ample play on “undersize”, whereby the clearance fit is then filled by the filling material 25.

FIG. 7c) shows a cross-section of a third embodiment of a concrete slab construction 14 according to the invention, in which a joining element 1 with two bulges 9, 9′ is used as an alternative to FIGS. 7a) & 7b), which are opposed to corresponding notches 21, 21′ of the concrete slabs.

It should be expressly pointed out once again that the notches or bulges of the joining element do not have to be identical in shape to the corresponding bulges and notches of the concrete slab(s) and, in particular, these do not have to interlock in a form-fitting manner, but that differences in shape and/or dimensions are accommodated by the filling material in the gap.

FIG. 8a) shows a cross-section of a fourth embodiment of a concrete slab construction 14 according to the invention, in which the recess 15 between the two concrete slabs 2, 2′ does not pass completely from the top to the bottom of the concrete slabs 2, 2′, but forms a blind hole when joined. In particular, this keeps the filling material 25 (e.g. sand) in the space 25 and prevents it from occurring through a lower opening of the space 25. Such a lower opening in the case of a continuous recess 15 could be closed (temporarily or permanently) with a cover (cf. e.g. FIG. 10c)), e.g. also by means of a connecting element 27. Furthermore, in FIG. 8a) an optional (tensile) connecting element 27 is drawn in dashed lines, which is embedded, e.g. mortared, under the joining element 1 in the concrete slabs 2, 2′.

FIG. 8b) shows a cross-section of an alternative fourth embodiment of a concrete slab construction 14 according to the invention, in which a joining element 1 with two notches 8, 8′ is inserted in a recess 15 of a concrete slab 2. The joining element 1 was inserted from above (would also be possible from below) into recess 15 (in the direction of the arrow drawn). For this purpose, the narrowest point (width B′) of the recess 15 must be at least as wide as the width B of the joining element 1, so that it can be completely inserted into the recess 15, where the remaining gap 24 is then filled with filling material 25. In this example, an extension 12 is added to the top 4 of the joining body 3. Alternatively or additionally, an extension 12′ could also be added to the bottom side 5 (indicated by the dotted lines).

FIG. 8c) shows a cross-section of a fifth embodiment of a concrete slab construction 14 according to the invention, in which a joining element 1 with two bulges 9, 9′ is inserted in a recess 15 of a concrete slab 2. The joining element 1 was inserted from above (would also be possible from below) into recess 15 (in the direction of the arrow drawn). For this purpose, the recess 15 must be more ready than the width B of the joining element 1 so that it can be completely inserted into the recess 15, where the remaining gap 24 is then filled with filling material 25. In this example, an extension 12 is added to the top 4 of the joining body 3. Alternatively or additionally, an extension 12′ could also be added to the bottom side 5 (indicated by the dotted lines).

In all the embodiments shown in FIG. 7a)-c) & 8a)-c), the joining elements 1 are perpendicular to or between the concrete slab(s) 2, 2′. However, it is also conceivable that the joining element is (slightly) arranged at an angle in the concrete slab, or that the two concrete slabs are each arranged at a (slightly) inclined to the joining element (whereby the inclination only results from a load or then disappears, for example). The inclination of the joining element can be deliberately selected in order to influence the force transmission between the joining element and the concrete slab(s).

FIG. 9a) shows a top view of a sixth embodiment of a concrete slab construction 14 according to the invention, in which several joining elements 1 are used to join two concrete slabs 2, 2′. In this case, the straight sides of the two concrete slabs 2, 2′ are joined together, with recesses 15 at regular intervals along the sides of the two concrete slabs 2, 2′, in which the joining elements 1 are inserted. Alternatively, a single long joining element can also be inserted into a correspondingly long recess 15 between the two concrete slabs 2, 2′ (marked with dashes).

FIG. 9b) shows a top view of a seventh embodiment of a concrete slab construction 14 according to the invention, in which again several joining elements 1 are used to join two concrete slabs 2, 2′. In order to increase the stability of the concrete slab construction 14 perpendicular to the line along which the two concrete slabs 2, 2′ are joined together, this line is executed as a serpentine line, along which the joining elements 1 are inserted at regular intervals. As a result, the orientation of the joining elements 1 is slightly different, so that tensile and compressive forces can be better distributed on the two concrete slabs 2, 2′ in the slab plane as well as perpendicular to them through the joining elements 1 on the entire concrete slab construction 14. In FIG. 9b), recess 15 extends along the entire serpentine line.

FIG. 9c) shows a top view of an eighth embodiment of a concrete slab construction according to the invention 14, in which the joining elements 1 are inserted at regular intervals instead of along a serpentine line. In this case, for example, small rotationally symmetrical (e.g. hourglass-shaped) joining elements 1 as well as those with a (approximately/essentially) square floor plan are used in the narrow tips of the zigzag line. Alternatively, instead of the four drawn elongated joining elements 1 with a rectangular floor plan, a large number of smaller, e.g. rotationally symmetrical (hourglass-shaped) joining elements 1 could be used (similar to riveting two metal sheets together—see e.g. FIG. 9e)). In FIG. 9c), recess 15 also extends along the entire zigzag line.

FIG. 9d) shows a top view of a ninth embodiment of a concrete slab construction 14 according to the invention, in which the joining elements 1 are again inserted along a zigzag line at regular intervals, wherein the recess 15 does not extend along the entire zigzag line, but there is one recess 15 per section of the zigzag line. In this embodiment, instead of small joining elements 1 (with round/square floor plan), (tensile) connecting element 27, e.g. with an hourglass-shaped floor plan, are embedded in the surface of the two concrete slabs 2, 2′, e.g. mortared, in the narrow tips of the zigzag line (tensile) connecting element 27. It should be noted that these connecting elements 27 are not each arranged over a joining element, but in recesses 15 in the surfaces of the two concrete slabs 2, 2′. The flat hourglass-shaped connecting elements 27 fit into the slightly larger, also hourglass-shaped recesses in the surfaces of the two concrete slabs 2, 2′ and thus form tensile connections between the two concrete slabs 2, 2′ (in the direction of the horizontally located central axes of the connecting elements 27 in FIG. 9d). In the case of horizontal incoming and compressive forces on the concrete slabs 2, 2′, the flanks of the connecting elements 27 are pressed onto the corresponding flanks of the recesses in the concrete slabs 2, 2′, which absorb and transmit the incoming and compressive forces.

FIG. 9e) shows a top view of a tenth embodiment of a concrete slab construction according to the invention 14, in which two concrete slabs 2, 2′ are interlocked, with the interlocking being done by rectangular teeth instead of along a zigzag line. In this concrete slab construction 14, only the horizontally running sides of the concrete slabs 2, 2′ are connected to each other by means of joining elements 1, the vertically running sides of the concrete slabs 2, 2′ only meet each other and are without joining elements 1. In this concrete slab construction 14, different types of joining elements 1 are used as examples: in the top row, a large number of individual hourglass-shaped joining elements 1, each of which is mortared in corresponding individual recesses 15; in the second top row there are also several individual hourglass-shaped joining elements 1, which, however, are mortared in a common recess 15; in the second lowest row, there are several joining elements 1 with a rectangular floor plan, which in turn are mortared in a common recess 15 (alternatively, they could also be mortared in corresponding individual recesses 15); and in the lowest row there is a single long joining element 1 with a rectangular floor plan, which is mortared in an elongated recess 15.

FIG. 9′a) shows in a view from above an alternative sixth embodiment of a concrete slab construction according to the invention 14. The cross-sectional pattern along the section A-A′ in FIG. 9′b) is shown, i.e. the central plane in the individual horizontal concrete slab 2. Concrete slab 2 has three identical recesses 15, which have an elongated rectangular floor plan. In these three recesses 15, three elongated joining elements 1 are inserted to join the concrete slab 2 with the concrete slab 2′ arranged vertically/vertically on it and connected to a filling material 25, such as grout, which is inserted into the spaces between the recesses 15 and the joining elements 1. The three joining elements 1 are an integral part of the concrete slab 2′. They are all arranged at the bottom of the concrete slab 2′, where they are all formed in one piece with the concrete slab 2′. In this example, both the recesses 15 and the joining elements 1 all have bulges or notches on all four inner and outer surfaces (i.e. left and right as well as front and back), whereby there is sufficient space between the respective bulges of recesses 15 to insert the joining elements 1 into the recesses 15 from above, without the notches of the joining elements on the concrete slab 2′ affecting the bulges of the recesses in the concrete slab 2 touch. As mentioned above, the gaps are filled out with filling material 25, like grout, whereby the two concrete slabs 2, 2′ are firmly connected once the filling material 25 has hardened. The area between two adjacent joining elements 1 forms a web 29. It can be advantageous if the rooms 30 between the lower, horizontal concrete slab 2 and the webs 29 in the upper, vertical concrete slab 2′ are open and thus the upper concrete slab 2′ does not rest on the lower concrete slab 2. This ensures, for example, that in the case of long concrete slabs 2, 2′, all joining elements 1 protrude completely into the recesses 15, even with low manufacturing tolerances. In addition, the entire (pressure) load transfer from the upper concrete slab 2′ to the lower concrete slab 2 via the joining elements 1 and the recesses 15. FIG. 9′b) shows the cross-sectional pattern along the line B-B′ in FIG. 9′a), i.e. the central plane of the upper, vertical concrete slab 2′. In addition, FIG. 9′c) shows the cross-sectional pattern along the route C-C′ in FIG. 9′a), i.e. the cross-sectional plane that runs transversely through the middle recess 15 of the horizontal concrete slab 2 (hatched) and the joining element 1 on the vertical concrete slab 2′.

FIG. 10a) shows a cross-section of an eleventh embodiment of a concrete slab construction according to the invention 14, in which a joining element 1 according to FIG. 4a) with two identical joining bodies 3, 3′ with notches (according to FIG. 1b)), which are integrally connected to each other by an extension 12. With this joining element 1, two upper and two lower concrete slabs 2, 2′ are connected to each other and kept at a distance from each other. The vertical arrow pointing downwards indicates that joining element 1 was inserted from above through recess 15 between the two pairs of concrete slabs.

FIG. 10b) shows a cross-section of a twelfth embodiment of a concrete slab construction 14 according to the invention, in which the recesses 15 between the two pairs of concrete slabs do not run continuously through the two adjacent concrete slabs 2, 2′, but form a blind hole. The horizontal arrows to the left and right in FIG. 10b) indicate how the concrete slabs 2, 2′ must be pushed together in order to enclose between them the joining element 1 to form the gaps 24, which are filled with filling material 25.

FIG. 10c) shows a cross-section of a thirteenth embodiment of a concrete slab construction 14 according to the invention, in which there is only one concrete slab 2 at the top and two concrete slabs 2, 2′ at the bottom. Both the lower recess 15 between the lower two pairs of concrete slabs 2, 2′ is continuous as well as the upper recess 15 in the single upper concrete slab 2. The vertical arrow pointing upwards indicates that joining element 1 is guided from below into recess 15 between the two lower concrete slabs 2, 2′ and into recess 15 of the single upper concrete slab 2. The free end of the lower joint 3′ is wider than that of the upper joint 3 and completely closes the lower recess 15, so that when filling the filling material 25 into the gap 24, no filling material 25 can escape downwards. The free end of the lower joining body 3′ therefore serves as a cover for the lower recess 15. This concrete slab construction 14 can be used, for example, when anchoring concrete slabs to a concrete slab (e.g. to form a cavity on the ceiling).

In general, the joining element can alternatively be designed in such a way that it is wider at the bottom than at the top, so that the concrete slab(s) (e.g. after pushing together) are flush with the joining element, so that the filling material can be filled into the gap from above without leaking out at the bottom. The same purpose is also fulfilled if the joining element is the same width at the top and bottom, but the recess in the concrete slabs is designed in such a way that it can surround the joining element flush at the bottom, but there is a gap at the top into which the filling material can be filled.

FIG. 10d) shows a cross-section of a fourteenth embodiment of a concrete slab construction 14 according to the invention, in which, in contrast to the concrete slab construction 14 in FIG. 10c), the joining element 1 is arranged at the top between two concrete slabs 2, 2′. In order to facilitate assembly, the upper joint 3 of the joining element 1 is fixed to the bulge 20′ of the upper right concrete slab 2′, e.g. by means of an adhesive or mortar (cf. hatched fastening area 28).

FIG. 11a) shows a perspective view of a fifteenth embodiment of a concrete slab construction 14 according to the invention with two notches 8, 8′, 8″, 8′″ on the left and right side 6, 7 (and as an example an extension 12′—optionally also an extension 12 marked with dashes above), which is used to connect two concrete slabs 2, 2′ vertically spaced from each other. FIG. 11b) shows a perspective view of a sixteenth embodiment of a joining element 1 according to the invention, in which, in contrast to the joining element 1 in FIG. 12a), the length L is shorter than the width B. This joining element 1 also has an extension 12 as an example—but here at the top (optionally also an extension 12′ marked at the bottom).

FIG. 11c) shows a perspective view of an alternative fifteenth embodiment of a concrete slab construction 14 according to the invention consisting of three concrete slabs 2, 2′, 2″, where the vertical, vertical concrete slab 2″ connects the two horizontally and parallel concrete slabs 2 & 2″. The vertical concrete slab 2′ is arranged longitudinally to the other two concrete slabs 2, 2″ and serves as a joining element between these two, so to speak. In addition, the vertical concrete slab 2′ as an integral part has (long) longitudinal notches on the lower and upper sides (analogous to the notches 8, 8′, 8″, 8′″ in FIG. 11a)). Accordingly, the lower and upper concrete slab 2, 2″ each have a non-completely continuous recess (i.e. a blind hole) on the upper and lower sides of the upper and lower concrete slabs respectively 2, 2″ in the longitudinal direction from the edge of the slab. The recess is filled with a filling material 25 such as grout. FIG. 11d) shows in a perspective view another alternative fifteenth embodiment of a concrete slab construction according to the invention 14, in which, however, compared to the embodiment according to FIG. 11c) the upper concrete slab 2″ is missing and the vertical, vertical concrete slab extends 2″ further upwards and has notches only on the lower side (analogous to the notches 8′', 8′″ in FIG. 11a)), which are integrally formed with the vertical concrete slab 2′. The concrete slab 2′ can basically be regarded as a joining element with an upper extension 12, which corresponds to the part of the concrete slab 2′ protruding upwards from the concrete slab 2. FIGS. 11e) & 11f) show two further examples analogous to those in FIGS. 11c) & 11d), whereby the vertical, vertical concrete slab 2′ is arranged transversely to the lower concrete slab 2″ and to the upper concrete slab 2″. Here, the vertical concrete slab 2′ has (short) notches between the front and back of the concrete slab 2′ as an integral part on the lower (and upper) side (analogous to the notches 8, 8′, 8″, 8′″ in FIG. 11b)). Alternatively, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11c)-11f), there could be 2′ notches in the concrete slab both longitudinally and transversely, which would mean that the joining body would have notches on all four sides.

FIG. 12 shows cross-sections of a seventeenth to twenty-second embodiment of a concrete slab construction according to the invention. In FIG. 12a) three concrete slabs 2, 2′, 2″ are connected to each other by two joining elements 1 in one plane. In FIG. 12b), three concrete slabs 2, 2′, 2″ are also connected to each other by two joining elements 1 in one plane, whereby the joining elements 1 each have a lower extension 12′, on which the concrete slab construction 14 can be supported, e.g. on the ground. In FIG. 12c), three concrete slabs 2, 2′, 2″ are also connected to each other by two joining elements 1 in one plane, whereby the joining elements 1 each have an upper extension 12, with which the concrete slab construction 14 can be mounted, e.g. on a ceiling. FIG. 12d) shows the two concrete slab constructions 14 from FIGS. 12b) & 12c) as they are supported on each other with the extensions 12, 12′, whereby the extensions 12, 12′ can also be used for the mutual anchoring of the two spaced planes of concrete slabs. For example, the upper concrete slabs can serve as a pressure belt with the roadway and the lower concrete slabs as a tension belt of a light concrete bridge. In FIG. 12e), two spaced planes of concrete slabs 2, 2′ are connected to each other with two joining elements 1, whereby the joining elements 1 in turn each have a lower extension 12′, with which the concrete slab constructions 14 can be supported, e.g. on the ground. The left-hand joining element 1 is inserted into the two left-hand concrete slabs 1 and serves as a spacer and support for the two left-hand concrete slabs. FIG. 12f) shows two spaced planes of concrete slabs connected to each other by two joining elements 1, each of which has an upper extension 12, with which the concrete slab construction 14 can be anchored, e.g. in a ceiling. As can be seen, the right lower concrete slab is offset 2′ from the left upper concrete slab 2. FIG. 12g) shows a horizontal basic construction connected to a vertical concrete slab 2″, similar to FIG. 9′a)-9′c). The basic construction consists of two horizontal concrete slabs 2, 2′, which are connected to each other by the middle joining element 1 on the vertical concrete slab 2″. The two horizontal concrete slabs 2, 2′ are also connected to the vertical concrete slab 2″ by means of the two outer joining elements 1 on the left and right. In this way, long load-bearing constructions such as bridges can be realized, where the basic construction that carries the actual load consists of several (or many) horizontal concrete slabs connected by a single (or few) vertical concrete slabs. The recesses in the horizontal concrete slabs can be partially or completely continuous (as shown in FIG. 12g) either directly at the edge or slightly away from the edge) in the horizontal concrete slabs.

The concrete slab constructions shown can in turn serve as building blocks for entire concrete buildings. For this purpose, the different concrete slab constructions according to the invention can be combined with each other, so that the resulting concrete construction is also a concrete slab construction according to the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

• • 1 joining element
  • 2, 2′, 2″ concrete slab
  • 3 joining body
  • 3′ further joining body
  • 4 upper section/top side of the joining body
  • 5 lower section/bottom side of the joining body
  • 6 one side of the joining body (e.g. left, right, front, back; longitudinal, transverse)
  • 7 other/opposite side of the joining body (e.g. right, left, back, front; transverse, longitudinal)
  • 8, 8′ notch of the joining body (left/right)
  • 8″, 8′″ further notch of the joining body (left/right)
  • 9, 9′ bulge of the joining body (left/right)
  • 9″, 9′″ further bulge of the joining body (left/right)
  • 10 tip of the notch/bulge of the joining body
  • 11, 11′ flank of the notch/bulge of the joining body (upper/lower)
  • 12, 12′ extension (upper/lower) on the joining body
  • 13 reinforcement of the joining element
  • 14 concrete slab construction
  • 15 recess in the concrete slab/between the two concrete slabs
  • 16 top side of the concrete slab
  • 17 bottom side of the concrete slab
  • 18 left side of the recess
  • 19 right side of the recess
  • 20, 20′ bulge in the recess/on the concrete slab (left/right)
  • 21, 21′ notch in the recess/on the concrete slab (left/right)
  • 22 tip of bulge/notch in recess/concrete slab
  • 23, 23′ flank of the bulge/notch in the recess/on the concrete slab (upper/lower)
  • 24 gap/space between the recess/concrete slabs and the joining element
  • 25 filling material in the gap
  • 26 reinforcement of the concrete slab
  • 27 connecting element (across the joining element)
  • 28 fastening area
  • 29 bridge
  • 30 free space at the bridge (->bridge does not sit up/abut)
  • B width of the joining body
  • B′ width of the duct in/between the concrete slab(s) (for inserting the joining element)
  • D diameter of an opening of the notch or an outlet of the bulge
  • H height of the joining body
  • L length of the joining element
  • α angle between the top and the upper (shorter) flank of the notch/bulge of the joining body
  • β angle between the bottom side and the lower (longer) flank of the notch/bulge of the joining body
  • φ angle between the two flanks of the notch/bulge of the joining body
  • φ′ angle between the two flanks of the bulge/notch in or on the concrete slab (in the recess or at the edge/outer perimeter)

Claims

1. A concrete slab construction (14) comprising: at least one concrete slab (2); andat least one joining element (1) made of concrete for joining concrete slabs (2, 2′) and/or for fastening to a concrete slab (2),wherein the joining element (1) has a joining body (3) with an upper section (4) and a lower section (5), and a cross-section of the joining body (3) between the upper section (4) and the lower section (5) on one side (6) and on the opposite side (7) each has at least one notch (8, 8′) or bulge (9, 9′), wherein the notch (8, 8′) or bulge (9, 9′) has two tapering or wedge-shaped flanks (11, 11′), wherein the two flanks (11, 11′) form an obtuse or acute angle (φ) and wherein there is at least one bulge (20) or notch (21) along a lateral circumference of the concrete slab (2) between an top side (16) and a bottom side (17) of the concrete slab (2), wherein the bulge (20) or notch (21) has two tapering or wedge-shaped flanks (22), and the joining element (1) is arranged on the lateral circumference of the concrete slab (2), wherein the notch (8, 8′) or bulge (9, 9′) on one side of the joining element (1) and the bulge (20) or notch (21) of the concrete slab (2) are opposite each other, and wherein there is a filling material (25) in a gap (24) between the concrete slab (2) and the joining element (1), wherein the filling material (25) is, for example, mortar or an adhesive.

2. A concrete slab construction (14) comprising: at least one concrete slab (2), andat least one joining element (1) made of concrete, for joining concrete slabs (2, 2′) and/or for fastening in a concrete slab (2),wherein the joining element (1) has a joining element (3) with an upper section (4) and a lower section (5), and a cross-section of the joining body (3) between the upper section (4) and the lower section (5) on one side (6), and also on another side (7), has at least one notch (8, 8′) or bulge (9, 9′), wherein the notch (8, 8′) or bulge (9, 9′) in particular has two wedge-shaped flanks (11, 11′) tapering to a tip (10), wherein the two flanks (11, 11′) form an obtuse or acute angle (q) and wherein the concrete slab (2) has at least one recess (15), a cross-section of the recess (15) between an top side (16) and a bottom side (17) of the concrete slab (2) on one side (18), and also on another side (19), has at least one bulge (20, 20′) or notch (21, 21′), wherein the bulge (20, 20′) or notch (21, 21′) has two wedge-shaped flanks (23, 23′), and wherein the joining element (1) is arranged in the recess (15), with the respective notch (8, 8′) or bulge (9, 9′) of the joining element (1) opposing the respective bulge (20, 20′) or notch (21, 21′) of the recess (15), and wherein there is a filler or filling material (25) in a gap (24) between the recess (15) and the joining element (1), wherein, the filler or filling material (25) is for example at least one fitting piece, such as a wedge, or mortar, sand or an adhesive.

3. A concrete slab construction (14) comprising: at least two concrete slabs (2, 2′), andat least one joining element (1) made of concrete for joining concrete slabs (2, 2′) and/or for fastening to a concrete slab (2),wherein the joining element (1) has a joining body (3) with an upper section (4) and a lower section (5), and a cross-section of the joining body (3) between the upper section (4) and the lower section (5) on one side (6) and on the opposite side (7) each has at least one notch (8, 8′) or bulge (9, 9′), wherein the notch (8, 8′) or bulge (9, 9′) has two wedge-shaped flanks (11, 11′) tapering to a tip (10), wherein the two flanks (11, 11′) form an obtuse or acute angle (φ) and wherein there is at least one bulge (20, 20′) or notch (21, 21′) along a lateral circumference of the concrete slabs (2, 2′) between a top side (16) and a bottom side (17) of the concrete slabs (2, 2′), wherein the bulge (20, 20′) or notch (21, 21′) has two wedge-shaped flanks (23, 23′), and wherein the joining element (1) is arranged between the two concrete slabs (2, 2′) in a recess (15), wherein the respective notch (8, 8′) or bulge (9, 9′) of the joining element (1) oppose the respective bulge (20, 20′) or notch (21, 21′) of the concrete slabs (2, 2′), and wherein there is a filler or filling material (25) in a gap (24) between the concrete slabs (2, 2′) and the joining element (1), wherein the filler or filling material (25) is for example, at least one fitting piece, such as a wedge, or mortar or sand or an adhesive.

4. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 2, wherein the recess (15) is at least as wide as the width (B) of the joining element (1) or joining body (3).

5. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 2, wherein the recess (15) runs continuously through the concrete slab (2, 2′) or the recess (15) only partially runs into the concrete slab (2, 2′).

6. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 1, wherein the two flanks (11, 11′) of the notch (8, 8′) or bulge (9, 9′) of the joining element (1) and the two flanks (23, 23′) of the bulge (20, 20′) or notch (21, 21′) in or on the concrete slab (2, 2′) are opposite each other, and wherein one flank (23, 23′) of the bulge (20, 20′) or notch (21, 21′) in or on the concrete slab (2, 2′) originates from one upper side of the concrete slab (2, 2′) and the other flank (23′, 23) originates from a lower side of the concrete slab (2, 2′), wherein these two flanks (21, 21′) of the bulge (20, 20′) or notch (21, 21′) form an obtuse or acute angle (φ′).

7. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 1, wherein the joining element (1) is an integral part of a concrete slab (2, 2′) formed at a lateral circumference of the concrete slab (2, 2′) in one piece with the concrete slab (2, 2′).

8. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 1, wherein at least one notch (8, 8′) or bulge (9, 9′) is at least partially located within the top side (16) and the bottom side (17), of the concrete slab(s) (2, 2′).

9. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the joining element (3) between a top side (4) and a bottom side (5) is hourglass-shaped.

10. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 1, wherein the notch (8) or bulge (9) of the joining element (1) on one side (6) and the notch (8′) or bulge (9′) on the opposite side (7) of the joining element (1) are uniform.

11. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 1, wherein the notch (8, 8′) or bulge (9, 9′) of the joining element (1) has an upper flank (11) and a lower flank (11′).

12. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 1, wherein a height (H) of the joining element (3) between the upper section (4) and the lower section (5) or between the top side (4) and the bottom side (5) is in a range from 2 cm to 10 cm, and/or wherein a width (B) of the joining element (3) between one side (6) and the opposite side (7) is in a range from 2 cm to 10 cm.

13. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 1, wherein a length (L) of the joining element (1) lies in a range from 5 cm to 20 m.

14. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 1, wherein the joining element (3) has an extension (12, 12′) at the upper section (4) or at the top side (4) and/or at the lower section (5) or at the bottom side (5), wherein the extension (12, 12′) is formed as a coupling element for coupling with another component.

15. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 14, wherein a further joining body (3′) is arranged at the extension (12, 12′), and the further joining body (3′) and the extension (12, 12′) are formed together in one piece.

16. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 1, wherein the joining element (3) between the upper section (4) or the top side (4) and the lower section (5) or the bottom side (5) on at least one side (6) has at least one further notch (8″, 8″) or at least one further bulge (9″, 9′″).

17. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 1, wherein the joining element (1) has a reinforcement (13), wherein the reinforcement (13) is essentially perpendicular to the top side (4) and bottom side (5).

18. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 2, wherein a connecting element (27) is arranged at or in the top side (16) and/or the bottom side (17) of the concrete slab(s) (2, 2′) wherein the connecting element (27) is connected to the concrete slab (2) or the two concrete slabs (2, 2′), and wherein the connecting element (27) is particularly suitable for absorbing tensile forces.

19. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 2, wherein several joining elements (1) are arranged along a straight line at intervals in the concrete slab (2) or between the concrete slabs (2, 2′).

20. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 2, wherein several joining elements (1) are arranged along a serpentine line or a zigzag line at intervals in the concrete slab (2) or between the concrete slabs (2, 2′), wherein the serpentine line is composed in particular of curved sections and the zigzag line is composed in particular of straight sections.

21. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 19, wherein joining bodies (3) both with and without extension (12, 12′) are arranged in the concrete slab (2) or between the concrete slabs (2, 2′).

22. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 15, wherein the joining element (1) is located between two spaced apart stacked concrete slabs (2, 2′), wherein the two concrete slabs (2, 2′) are connected to each other or supported on each other by means of the joining element (1).

23. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 22, wherein the two stacked concrete slabs (2, 2′) are staggered against each other.

24. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 22, wherein some of the recesses (15) do not run completely continuously through the concrete slab (2) or through the concrete slabs (2, 2′), and that some of the recesses (15) run completely continuously through the concrete slab (2) or the concrete slabs (2, 2′), wherein there is at least one non-continuous recess (15) between two continuous recesses (15).

25. The concrete slab construction (14) according to claim 2, wherein the concrete slab construction (14) is a concrete slab element or a concrete slab comprising several concrete slab elements or a bridge element or a concrete bridge comprising several bridge elements.

26-44. (canceled)