WALL ASSEMBLY FOR BEARING A CONCRETE SLAB AND METHOD FOR ADDING A CONCRETE SLAB TO A BUILDING STRUCTURE

Abstract

A wall assembly for bearing a concrete slab has a wall framework including a bottom plate, a top plate extending parallelly to the bottom plate and vertically spaced-apart from the bottom plate. Vertically extending stud members are spaced-apart from one another along a length of the wall framework and extend between the bottom plate and the top plate. At least one of the top plate and the bottom plate includes vertical translation components, which are aligned with the vertically extending and spaced-apart stud members, and is engageable with the vertically extending stud members through the vertical translation components. The wall framework can facilitate vertical translation of the at least one of the top plate and the bottom plate relative to the vertically extending stud members upon application of a substantial weight on the wall framework. A concrete containment wall assembly is used in combination with a wall framework.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The technical field generally relates to building structures. More particularly, the technical field relates to a wall assembly for bearing a concrete slab, to a concrete containment wall assembly and to a method for adding a concrete slab to a building structure.

BACKGROUND

When adding an additional storey to a traditional multi-storey building structure that includes concrete slab floors, weight-bearing columns made of concrete or steel are first erected, followed by the assembly of a concrete formwork onto the columns. Then, concrete is poured into the concrete formwork in order to cast the slab floor, the slab floor being supported at least in part by the weight-bearing columns. A concrete-based building structure that includes a concrete slab floor supported by weight-bearing columns, typically concrete-based weight-bearing columns, is then obtained.

To peripherally close the building, outer walls can then be added peripherally between two adjacent concrete slab floors, i.e. a lower concrete slab floor and an upper concrete slab floor that are supported by weight-bearing columns extending upwardly from the lower concrete slab floor up to the upper concrete slab floor. Upon casting of the upper concrete slab floor, the weight-bearing columns generally deflect slightly downwardly given the heavy weight of the upper concrete slab floor, thereby modifying the spacing between the adjacent lower and upper concrete slab floors. Thus, the outer walls of the building structure can be added only once the upper concrete slab floor is casted to take into account the downward translation of the upper concrete slab floor. Non-weight bearing walls can then be subsequently added to the building structure following casting of the upper concrete slab floor and downward translation of the weight-bearing columns.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to address the above-mentioned issues.

In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a wall assembly. The wall assembly comprises a wall framework comprising a bottom plate; a top plate extending substantially parallel to the bottom plate and vertically spaced-apart thereof; and a plurality of vertically extending stud members spaced-apart from one another along a length of the framework and extending between the bottom plate and the top plate. At least one of the top plate and the bottom plate comprises a plurality of vertical translation components. At least some of the vertical translation components are aligned with a corresponding one of the vertically extending and spaced-apart studs, each one of the at least one of the top plate and the bottom plate being secured to the corresponding one of the vertically extending stud members through the corresponding one of the vertical translation components to allow a relative vertical translation inbetween upon application of a substantial weight on the wall framework.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a wall assembly for receiving a concrete slab having a thickness. The wall assembly comprises a wall framework having an exterior side and an interior side comprising a bottom plate; a top plate extending substantially parallel to the bottom plate and vertically spaced-apart thereof; a plurality of vertically extending stud members spaced-apart from one another along a length of the wall framework and extending between the bottom plate and the top plate; and a concrete containment wall assembly secured to the wall framework and comprising at least one formwork panel having a concrete containing segment extending above the top plate of the wall framework and being substantially aligned with the exterior side of the wall framework, the at least one formwork panel extending along the length of the wall framework, the concrete containing segment of the concrete containment wall assembly having a height equal or above the thickness of the concrete slab.

In an embodiment, the concrete containment wall assembly further comprises a wall framework securing portion secured to the top plate of the wall framework.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a concrete containment wall assembly for use in combination with a wall framework. The concrete containment wall assembly comprises a bottom plate and a plurality of vertically extending stud members spaced-apart from one another along a length of the wall framework and extending upwardly from the bottom plate, the concrete containment wall assembly comprising at least one formwork panel comprising a concrete containing segment; and a wall framework securing portion engageable with one of a top plate of the wall framework and at least some of the plurality of vertically extending stud members and comprising a plurality of vertical translation components along a length thereof, the wall framework securing portion being engageable with the one of the top plate of the framework and the vertically extending stud members through a corresponding one of the vertical translation components to allow a relative vertical translation inbetween upon application of a substantial weight on the wall framework.

In an embodiment, the vertical translation components are aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of vertically extending and spaced-apart stud members.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a method for adding a concrete slab floor to a building structure including an existing floor with a plurality of spaced-apart posts extending upwardly from the existing floor. The method comprises the steps of mounting a plurality of wall frameworks in an adjacent relationship to define at least partially a perimeter of the concrete slab floor, each one of the wall frameworks comprising a bottom plate superposed to the existing floor, a top plate extending substantially parallel to the bottom plate and vertically spaced-apart thereof and a plurality of vertically extending stud members spaced-apart from one another along a length of the wall framework and extending between the bottom plate and the top plate; and a concrete containment wall assembly secured to the wall frameworks and comprising at least one formwork panel having a concrete containing segment extending above the top plate of the respective one of the wall frameworks; superposing a horizontal concrete containment structure to the plurality of wall frameworks and to the plurality of spaced-apart posts, the horizontal concrete containment structure extending substantially parallel to the existing floor, the concrete containment wall assemblies of the wall frameworks and the horizontal concrete containment structure defining together a concrete formwork assembly; and pouring concrete in the concrete formwork assembly.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a wall assembly comprising a wall framework. The wall framework comprises a bottom plate; a top plate extending substantially parallel to the bottom plate and being vertically spaced-apart thereof; a plurality of vertically extending stud members, each having a top end and a bottom end and being spaced-apart from one another along a length of the framework and extending between the bottom plate and the top plate. At least one of the top plate and the bottom plate comprises a plurality of vertical translation components, at least some of the vertical translation components are aligned with a corresponding one of the vertically extending and spaced-apart stud members, the at least one of the top plate and the bottom plate being engageable with the corresponding one of the vertically extending stud members through the corresponding one of the vertical translation components to allow a relative vertical translation inbetween upon application of a substantial weight on the wall framework.

In an embodiment, a vertical spacing is defined between the at least one of the top plate and the bottom plate and the respective one of the top end and the bottom end of the corresponding one of the vertically extending and spaced-apart stud members respectively, the vertical spacing allowing the relative vertical translation of the at least one of the top plate and the bottom plate relative to the corresponding one of the vertically extending stud members.

In an embodiment, the at least one of the top plate and the bottom plate comprises a first sidewall including the vertical translation components and a connection wall extending substantially normal to the first sidewall, the first sidewall being juxtaposed to a lateral side of the vertically extending and spaced-apart stud members and the connection wall being positioned either above the top end or below the bottom end of the vertically extending and spaced-apart stud members respectively, the vertical spacing being defined between the respective one of the top end and the bottom end of the vertically extending and spaced-apart stud members and the connection wall.

In an embodiment, the at least one of the top plate and the bottom plate further comprises a second sidewall, extending substantially parallel to the first sidewall and normal to the connection wall, the first and second sidewalls being spaced-apart from one another to define a U-shaped cavity to receive the respective one of the top end and the bottom end of the vertically extending and spaced-apart stud members therein.

In an embodiment, the plurality of vertical translation components comprises a plurality of vertically extending and elongated through holes defined through the first sidewall.

In an embodiment, the plurality of vertical translation components comprises a plurality of vertically extending and elongated through holes defined through the first and second sidewalls, the elongated through holes defined in the first sidewall being in register with a corresponding one of the elongated through holes defined in the second sidewall.

In an embodiment, the plurality of vertical translation components is at least one of a plurality of vertically extending and elongated through holes, a rail system, and a tongue-and-groove system.

In an embodiment, the plurality of vertical translation components comprises a plurality of vertically extending and elongated through holes.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provide a wall assembly for bearing a concrete slab having a thickness. The wall assembly comprises a wall framework having a lateral axis, a longitudinal axis, an exterior side and an interior side. The wall framework comprises a bottom plate; a top plate extending substantially parallel to the bottom plate and being vertically spaced-apart thereof; a plurality of vertically extending stud members spaced-apart from one another along a length of the wall framework and extending between the bottom plate and the top plate; and a concrete containment wall assembly securable to the wall framework and comprising at least one formwork panel having a concrete containment segment, extending above the top plate of the wall framework, the at least one formwork panel extending along the length of the wall framework, the concrete containing segment of the concrete containment wall assembly having a height equal or above the thickness of the concrete slab.

In an embodiment, the concrete containment segment is substantially aligned with the exterior side of the wall framework.

In an embodiment, the concrete containment wall assembly further comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart downwardly extending flanges abuttable against the exterior side of the wall framework to substantially align the concrete containment wall assembly with the exterior side of the wall framework.

In an embodiment, the at least one formwork panel of the concrete containment wall assembly further comprises a wall framework securing portion engageable with and securable to the wall framework.

In an embodiment, the wall framework securing portion extends inwardly and substantially perpendicularly to the concrete containment segment.

In an embodiment, the wall framework securing portion is superposable to the top plate of the wall framework to secure the formwork panel thereto.

In an embodiment, the concrete containment wall assembly comprises a plurality of concrete containment wall assemblies securable to the wall framework in an adjacent configuration and the wall assembly further comprises at least one formwork panel connector comprising a formwork connecting panel extending substantially parallelly to the concrete containment segments and configured to connect a respective one of the plurality of concrete containment wall assemblies to an adjacent one of the plurality of concrete containment wall assemblies.

In an embodiment, the formwork connecting panel comprises two sections, each one of the two sections is superposable inwardly to a respective one of the concrete containing segment of the adjacent concrete containment wall assemblies and being securable thereto.

In an embodiment, the formwork panel connector comprises an outer strengthener extending along the lateral axis of the wall framework when engaged therewith and between the two sections of the formwork connecting panel.

In an embodiment, the outer strengthener has an outer strengthener height at least substantially equal to the height of the concrete containment segment.

In an embodiment, the outer strengthener height is longer than the height of the concrete containment segment.

In an embodiment, the outer strengthener comprises a segment abutting the exterior side of the wall framework when engaged therewith.

In an embodiment, the formwork panel connector further comprises a baluster support extending along the formwork connecting panel and along the lateral axis of the wall framework when engaged therewith, the baluster support defining a baluster receiving channel.

In an embodiment, the formwork panel connector further comprises at least one inner bracing member protruding inwardly from an inner face of the formwork connecting panel and the at least one inner bracing member comprises at least one fastener-receiving aperture engageable by a mechanical fastener to secure the inner bracing member with a corresponding one of the plurality of vertically extending stud members.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a concrete containment wall assembly for use in combination with a wall framework. The wall framework comprises a bottom plate and a plurality of vertically extending stud members spaced-apart from one another along a length of the wall framework and extending upwardly from the bottom plate. The concrete containment wall assembly comprises at least one formwork panel. The at least one formwork panel comprises a concrete containing segment; and a wall framework securing portion comprising a plurality of vertical translation components along a length thereof and being engageable with one of a top plate of the wall framework and at least some of the plurality of vertically extending stud members through a corresponding one of the vertical translation components to allow a relative vertical translation inbetween upon application of a substantial weight on the wall framework.

In an embodiment, the wall framework comprises a top plate and the wall framework securing portion is securable to the top plate through the plurality of vertical translation components.

In an embodiment, the at least one formwork panel is secured to the wall framework by securing the wall framework securing portion to the at least some of the plurality of vertically extending stud members and through the plurality of vertical translation components.

In an embodiment, the wall framework is top plate free.

In an embodiment, at least some of the plurality of vertical translation components are aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of vertically extending and spaced-apart stud members.

In an embodiment, the wall framework securing portion comprises a first downwardly extending segment extending longitudinally and being juxtaposed to a lateral side of the plurality of vertically extending stud members, the first downwardly extending segment comprising the plurality of vertical translation components.

In an embodiment, the wall framework securing portion further comprises a connection wall, the connection wall being engageable with the one of the top plate and the at least some of the vertically extending and spaced-apart stud members.

In an embodiment, the wall framework securing portion further comprises a second downwardly extending segment extending substantially parallel to the first downwardly extending segment, the first and second downwardly extending segments being spaced-apart from one another to define a U-shaped cavity to receive the one of the top plate and a top end of the at least some of the vertically extending and spaced-apart stud members therein.

In an embodiment, the plurality of vertical translation components is one of a plurality of vertically extending through holes, a rail system and a tongue-and-groove system.

In an embodiment, the plurality of vertical translation components comprises a plurality of vertically extending and elongated through holes.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a method for adding a concrete slab to a building structure including an existing floor with a plurality of spaced-apart posts extending upwardly from the existing floor. The method comprises the steps of mounting a plurality of wall frameworks in an adjacent relationship to define at least partially a perimeter of the concrete slab, each one of the wall frameworks comprising: a bottom plate superposed to the existing floor and a plurality of vertically extending stud members spaced-apart from one another along a length of the wall framework and extending upwardly from the bottom plate; and a concrete containment wall assembly secured to the wall frameworks and comprising at least one formwork panel having a concrete containing segment extending above the respective one of the wall frameworks; superposing a horizontal concrete containment structure to the plurality of wall frameworks and to the plurality of spaced-apart posts, the horizontal concrete containment structure extending substantially parallel to the existing floor, the concrete containment wall assemblies of the wall frameworks and the horizontal concrete containment structure defining together a concrete formwork assembly; and pouring concrete in the concrete formwork assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, enlarged, of a section of an upper portion of a wall assembly in accordance with an embodiment, wherein a top plate of a wall framework includes a plurality of vertical translation components.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a formwork panel of a concrete containment wall assembly in accordance with an embodiment, for use in combination with the wall assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the formwork panel shown in FIG. 2 and a framework panel connector of the concrete containment wall assembly in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of the wall assembly shown in FIG. 1, wherein the wall assembly includes a plurality of the adjacent formwork panels shown in FIG. 2 in an adjacent relationship, and a plurality of the formwork panel connectors shown in FIG. 3, each one of the plurality of formwork panel connectors connecting two adjacent formwork panels together.

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a wall assembly and a concrete containment wall assembly according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing sections of two adjacent formwork panels of the concrete containment wall assembly in an adjacent relationship in accordance with an embodiment, including the formwork panel connector shown in FIG. 3 for connecting the two formwork panels, wherein the formwork panel connector includes a wall framework securing portion engageable with a wall framework.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting a method for adding a concrete slab floor to a building structure in accordance with an embodiment.

It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, there are described various embodiments related to a wall assembly and a concrete containment wall assembly for use in combination with a wall framework. There are also described various embodiments related to a method for adding a concrete slab floor to a building structure. It is to be noted that in the drawings, the same numerical references refer to similar elements.

Although the embodiments of the wall assembly and the concrete containment wall assembly and corresponding parts thereof consist of certain geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these components and geometries are essential and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other suitable components and cooperation thereinbetween, as well as other suitable geometrical configurations, may be used for the wall assembly and the concrete containment wall assembly, as will be briefly explained herein and as can be easily inferred herefrom by a person skilled in the art.

Moreover, it will be appreciated that positional descriptions such as “above”, “below”, “left”, “right”, “inwardly”, “outwardly”, “vertical” and the like should, unless otherwise indicated, be taken in the context of the figures and should not be considered limiting. When referring to a length, for instance in the context of a length of a wall framework, it is to be understood that it refers to a measure along a horizontal axis. When referring to a height, for instance in the context of a height of a concrete containment segment as described herein, it is to be understood that it refers to a measure along a vertical axis. The term “outwardly” is intended to refer to a feature of a wall assembly that extends towards an exterior side of a building structure. The term “inwardly” is intended to refer to a feature of a wall assembly that extends towards an interior side of a building structure.

In general terms, the present disclosure concerns a wall assembly that can be used, for instance, to build a building structure that includes concrete slab floors, and to a concrete containment wall assembly for building the same.

In contrast with traditional multi-storey building structure that includes concrete slab floors, the characteristics of the wall assembly as described herein generally allow to mount a plurality of wall frameworks having predetermined dimensions, for instance pre-fabricated walls, prior to the pouring of concrete to form the concrete slab floor. In the various embodiments of the wall assembly described herein, the wall assembly comprises a wall framework, which in turn includes a bottom plate, a top plate and a plurality of vertically extending stud members extending between the bottom and top plates of the wall framework. The wall assembly can be for instance a pre-fabricated wall assembly. In some implementations, the characteristics of the wall assembly are made possible, amongst others, by the top plate and/or the bottom plate of the wall framework that include(s) a plurality of vertical translation components that can allow a vertical translation of the top plate and/or the bottom plate relative to the plurality of vertically extending stud members when a substantial weight is applied thereon, for instance upon pouring of concrete for forming the concrete slab floor above the wall framework. In other implementations, the concrete containment wall assembly as described herein can be used in cooperation with a wall framework having predetermined dimensions, the concrete containment wall assembly including a portion engageable with the wall framework, such as with the top plate thereof. The portion engageable with the wall framework can include a plurality of vertical translation components and thus can also allow the top plate and/or the bottom plate to vertically translate relative to the plurality of vertically extending stud members upon application of a substantial weight thereof, for instance upon casting of the concrete slab floor thereon.

Having discussed the general context of the wall assembly and the concrete containment wall assembly, optional embodiments will be discussed further hereinbelow. The embodiments according to the following description are given for exemplification purposes only.

In accordance with a first embodiment and referring to FIG. 1, an enlarged portion of a wall assembly 20 according to an embodiment is shown. The wall assembly 20 has an interior side 22 that would be exposed to an interior area of a building once mounted vertically, and an opposite exterior side 21 (shown in FIG. 5) that would be exposed to the outdoors once mounted vertically. In the illustrated embodiment, the wall assembly 20 includes a wall framework 24 having a substantially rectangular shape. It is to be understood that geometrical configurations other than the one illustrated on FIG. 1 are also envisioned. The wall framework 24 can be a conventional wall framework, for instance and without being limitative a wall framework for use in building structures for commercial and industrial buildings. The wall framework 24 can be made of conventional materials such as and without being limitative, metals or alloys, for instance aluminum and steel, or wood.

The wall framework 24 has a longitudinal axis 23, which extends substantially horizontally when the wall framework 24 is mounted substantially vertically, and includes a bottom plate 25, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and a top plate 26, positioned vertically spaced-apart from one another. The bottom plate 25 and the top plate 26 define a bottom edge and an upper edge of the wall framework 24, respectively. It is to be noted that the bottom plate 25 can sometimes be referred to as a sole plate, as it is known in the art. The bottom plate 25 and the top plate 26 can be made for instance of metal, such as aluminum and steel, or any other suitable material such as wood, plywood or suitable plastics. In the embodiment shown, the wall framework 24 also includes a plurality of vertically extending stud members 28 longitudinally spaced-apart from one another along a length of the wall framework 24, the plurality of vertically extending stud members 28 extending between the bottom plate 25 and the top plate 26. It is to be noted that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an enlarged portion of the wall framework is shown and therefore, only an upper portion of one vertically extending stub member 28 is illustrated. However, it is to be understood by a person skilled in the art that the vertically extending stud member 28 extends downwardly down to the bottom plate 25, and the wall framework 24 includes a plurality thereof.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the top plate 26 is substantially U-shaped and includes sidewalls 27 and an upper connection wall 29 defining an interior substantially U-shaped cavity, opened downwardly, in which upper sections 31 of the vertically extending stud members 28 are received. In the embodiment shown, the sidewalls are juxtaposed to a lateral side of the vertically extending stud members 28, and the upper connection wall 29 is positioned above a top end 33 of the vertically extending stud members 28.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the top plate 26 of the wall framework 24 includes a plurality of vertical translation components 30 defined therein. In the embodiment shown, the vertical translation components 30 include a plurality of vertically extending and elongated through holes 39 defined in the sidewalls 27 of the top plate 26. In the embodiment shown, the vertically extending and elongated through holes 39 are oblong in shape but it is appreciated that the shape can vary. In the embodiment shown, the vertically extending and elongated through holes 39 are longitudinally spaced-apart from one another, extend substantially parallel to one another, and are provided along a length of the top plate 26. In an embodiment, the vertically extending and elongated through holes 39 are provided in pairs, with though holes defined in both sidewalls 27 of the top plate 26, with the through holes 39 defined in each one of the sidewalls 27 being in register. In an alternative embodiment, only one of the sidewalls 27, i.e. the sidewall located either on the interior side 22 or the sidewall located on the exterior side 21 of the wall framework 24, can include a row of longitudinally spaced-apart vertically extending and elongated through holes 39.

The vertically extending and elongated through holes 39 are sized and configured to receive a mechanical fastener 32 therein. In the embodiment shown, the mechanical fasteners 32 are screws. In other embodiments, the mechanical fasteners 32 can be for instance and without being limitative a pin, a rivet, a cotter joint, and the like. In the non-limitative embodiment shown, each one of the vertically extending and longitudinally spaced-apart stud members 28 is aligned with two of the vertically extending and elongated through holes 39, such that mechanical fasteners 32 can secure the top plate 26 of the wall framework 24 to a corresponding one of the vertically extending stud members 28 through the corresponding one of the vertical translation components 30. In particular, the mechanical fasteners 32 can secure the top plate 26 of the wall framework 24 to a corresponding one of the vertically extending stud member 28 in a way that allows a vertical translation of the top plate 26 relative to the corresponding one of the vertically extending stud member 28 when a substantial weight is applied onto the wall framework 24, in contrast to a fixed attachment that would not allow such vertical translation. Hence, when no or a low weight is applied onto the wall framework 24, the mechanical fasteners 32 are sufficiently tighten to prevent a vertical translation between the top plate 26 and the vertically extending stud members 28, but are also sufficient loose such that when a substantial weight is applied on the wall framework, a limited vertical translation can occur, i.e. the length of the vertical translation is limited by a length of the vertical translation components 30 along the lateral axis 37.

In some implementations, the top plate 26 of the wall framework 24 can be further secured to the corresponding one of the vertically extending stud member 28 using one or more additional mechanical fastener 35, the additional mechanical fastener(s) 35 being provided to secure the sidewall 27 to the top plate 26. In some implementations, this additional mechanical fastener 35 can contribute to restrict a movement of the top plate 26 relative to the corresponding one of the vertically extending stud member 28, for instance when no or a low weight is applied on the wall framework 24. The movement can be a lateral movement along a lateral axis 37 of the wall framework 24. When the wall framework 24 is mounted substantially vertically, the lateral axis 37 also extends substantially vertically. The additional mechanical fastener 35 is chosen such that above a given critical pressure, the mechanical fastener can break or deform. When the critical pressure is reached, a downward translation of the top plate 26 relative to the corresponding one of the vertically extending stud member 28 can occur. Thus, the fact that the mechanical fastener 35 can break above a given critical pressure can allow the downward translation of the top plate 26 relative to the corresponding one of the vertically extending stud member 28.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the top plate 26 of the wall framework 24, and more particularly the upper connection wall 29, is mounted at a distance from the top end 33 of the vertically extending stud members 28 when assembling the wall framework 24, such that a vertical spacing 34 is defined between an interior side of the upper connection wall 29 and the top end 33 of the vertically extending stud members 28. The space 34 can allow a vertical translation of the wall framework 24 to occur when a substantial weight is applied thereon, i.e. can allow the top plate 26 to translate downwardly along the lateral axis 37 such that the upper connection wall 29 gets closer to the top end 33 of the corresponding vertically extending stud member 28. In an embodiment, the space 34 is sufficient to absorb a downward translation of the top plate 26 upon application of a substantial weight on the wall assembly 20, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

It is appreciated that configurations of the top plate 26 other than the one shown in FIG. 1 are also possible. For instance, in some implementations, there can be a single vertical translation component 30 aligned with the corresponding vertically extending stud member 28, or there can be a plurality of vertical translation components 30 aligned therewith. Moreover, it is also to be understood that the number of vertical translation components 30 provided along the top plate 26 can vary from the embodiment shown. When vertical translation components 30 are provided in between adjacent vertically extending stud members 28, alignment of the vertically extending stud members 28 with the vertical translation components 30 can be facilitated. However, in an alternative embodiment, the vertical translation components 30 located in between adjacent vertically extending stud members 28 may be omitted.

In other implementations, the vertical translation components 30 can be defined in the sidewalls of the bottom plate 25 in a reverse configuration from the one described hereinabove, i.e. in a configuration that mirrors the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. In some implementations, the bottom plate 25 includes a bottom connection wall together with the sidewalls, such that the bottom plate 25 is substantially U-shaped and define an interior cavity, opened upwardly, in which a bottom section 43 of the vertically extending stud members 28 are received. Thus, the vertical spacing 34 is defined between an interior side of the bottom connection wall and a bottom end 47 of the vertically extending stud members 28. Moreover, in other implementations, the vertical translation components 30 can be different from the vertically extending through holes illustrated in FIG. 1 and described hereinabove. The vertical translation components 30 can be, for instance, any feature that allows a vertical translation of the top plate 26 or the bottom plate 25 relative to the vertically extending stud members 28, i.e. a height variation of the wall framework 24. For instance and without being limitative, the vertical translation components can be a rail system or a tongue-and-groove system.

Turning now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a concrete containment wall assembly 36 to build a building structure that includes concrete slab floors according to an embodiment is shown. In an embodiment, the concrete containment wall assembly 36 can be made of metal, such as aluminum or steel, or plywood, or any other materials that have required properties to contain a concrete pour, such as a material that has a sufficient rigidity. The concrete containment wall assembly 36 includes a formwork panel 38 having a concrete containing segment 40. In an embodiment, the concrete containment segment 40 is configured to extend above the top plate 26 of the wall framework 24 and to be substantially aligned with the exterior side 21 of the wall framework 24. In an embodiment, the concrete containment segment 40 has a height sufficient to receive a concrete pour having a given thickness, as will be discussed in more detail hereinbelow. The formwork panel 38 also includes an upper bight 42 located at an upper end 44 of the concrete containment segment 40. In some embodiments, the upper bight 42 can be useful for instance in setting an upper containment limit for the concrete pour and/or to rigidify the formwork panel 38.

In the embodiment shown, the formwork panel 38 includes a wall framework securing portion 46 for securing the formwork panel 38 onto the wall framework 24. In an embodiment, the wall framework securing portion 46 is designed to engage and be secured to the top plate 26 of the wall framework 24. In the embodiment shown, the wall framework securing portion 46 includes fastener through holes 48 defined therein to receive a respective fastener (not shown) and secure the wall framework securing portion 46 to the top plate 26. The wall framework securing portion 46 also includes a plurality of downwardly extending flanges 50 extending downwardly from the wall framework securing portion 46 to facilitate an alignment of the concrete containment wall assembly 36 with the exterior side 21 of the wall framework 24. In the embodiment shown, a plurality of longitudinally extending through holes 52 is also provided in the concrete containment segment 40, the purpose of which will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the concrete containment wall assembly 36 can also include a formwork panel connector 54 configured to extend and engage longitudinally adjacent ones of the formwork panels 38. The formwork panel connector 54 has an interior side 56 exposed to an eventual interior area of a building structure, and an opposite exterior side 58 superposable to an interior side 41 of formwork panels 38, as will be described in more detail below. The formwork panel connector 54 includes a formwork connecting panel 60 extending longitudinally and substantially parallelly relative to the length of the wall framework 24, i.e. along the longitudinal axis 23. In an embodiment, the formwork panel connector 54 can be used to connect two longitudinally adjacent formwork panels 38 together. In some embodiments, the formwork connecting panel 60 includes two sections, and each one of the two sections is superposable inwardly to the concrete containing segment 40 of a respective one of the two longitudinally adjacent formwork panels 38 and are securable thereto. In yet other embodiments, the formwork panel connector 54 can be used to stabilize the concrete containment wall assembly 36 to the wall framework 24 and to provide an additional support for the concrete containment wall assembly 36 and other features of the building structures.

In the embodiment shown, the formwork panel connector 54 includes an outer strengthener 62 and a baluster support 64, the baluster support 64 defining a baluster receiving channel 66 therein. In the embodiment shown, the outer strengthener 62 is positioned substantially in the middle of the connecting panel 60 and is extending outwardly from the exterior side 58 of the connecting panel 60 and along a height thereof, while the baluster support 64 is also positioned substantially in the middle of the connecting panel 60 but is extending inwardly from the connecting panel 60 and along the height thereof. In an embodiment, the outer strengthener 62 can be used for instance to support bricks or a balcony structure, or to support any other structure having a substantial weight. In some implementations, the height of the outer strengthener 62 can be substantially similar to the height of the concrete containment segment 40. In other implementations, the height of the outer strengthener 62 can be longer or shorter than the height of the concrete containment segment 40. In some implementations and as shown in FIG. 5, the outer strengthener 62 can have for instance a L-shape, the L-shape comprising a segment extending downwardly and substantially parallelly to the concrete containment segment 40 and a segment extending downwardly and outwardly, i.e. substantially normal to the concrete containment segment 40. A section of the outer strengthener 62, extending below the concrete containment segment 40, can abut a portion of the exterior side 21 of the wall framework 24. This L-shape configuration of the outer strengthener 62 can allow, for instance, to enhance the structural rigidity of the concrete containment wall assembly 36.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the baluster receiving channel 66 is sized and configured to receive, for instance, a baluster post (not shown) therein in order to allow a baluster to be mounted close to the wall assembly 20. The formwork panel connector 54 also includes an inner bracing member 68, protruding inwardly from an inner face of the formwork connecting panel 60. The inner bracing member 68 includes an upper segment 72, an intermediate segment 74 extending downwardly from the upper section 72 and a wall engaging segment 76 at a lower end 78 thereof. In the embodiment shown, the upper segment 72 of the inner bracing member 68 is secured to the baluster support 64, inwardly thereof.

The wall engaging segment 76 of the inner bracing member 68 includes a plurality of wall engaging segment (or fastener-receiving) apertures 80 defined therein, and is configured to engage the inner bracing member 68 with a corresponding one of the vertically extending stud members 28 to secure the formwork panel connector 54 therewith through mechanical fasteners (not shown) inserted in a corresponding one of the wall engaging segment apertures 80.

In the embodiment shown, the formwork panel connector 54 also includes a plurality of connector through holes 82 to receive a respective mechanical fastener 84 therein, such that the formwork panel connector 54 can be connected to longitudinally adjacent ones of the formwork panels 38.

In the embodiment shown, the formwork panel connector 54 includes inwardly extending concrete reinforcement elements 86 extending inwardly from the interior side 56 of the formwork connecting panel 60. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the inwardly extending concrete reinforcement elements 86 are rods extending substantially normal to the formwork panel connector 54. In some embodiments and as shown in FIG. 5, the inwardly extending concrete reinforcement elements 86 can have different shapes than the one shown in FIG. 3, for instance and without being limitative a cylindrical rod, a L-shape rod or a Z-shape rod. The inwardly extending concrete reinforcement elements 86 can be made of various materials. In some embodiments, the inwardly extending concrete reinforcement elements 86 can be used to contribute to reinforcing the concrete slab (not shown), as it is known in the art.

It is appreciated that the formwork panel connector 54 and/or the formwork panel 38 can include other features not illustrated on the figures such as and without being limitative anchors, parapet(s), parapet support(s), formwork profile connectors, and the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown the wall assembly 20 as described herein, in combination with a plurality of the concrete containment wall assembly 36 also as described herein. The wall assembly 20 comprises the wall framework 24, including the bottom plate 25 and the top plate 26, and a plurality of vertically extending stub members 28 longitudinally spaced-apart from one another, the vertically extending stub members 28 extending from the bottom plate 25 up to the top plate 26 and substantially parallelly to one another. In the illustrated embodiment, each concrete containment wall assembly 36 is superposed to the top plate 26 of the wall framework and includes the formwork panel 38, which in turn includes the concrete containment segment 40. In FIG. 4, a plurality of formwork panel connectors 54 including the formwork connecting panel 60 is shown to connect each pair of adjacent containment wall assemblies 36 together. Referring to FIG. 5, an upper concrete slab 88 and a lower concrete slab floor 90 are shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper concrete slab 88 is shown contained within a containment area defined by a plurality of the concrete containment segment 40 and the wall framework securing portion 46 of the concrete containment wall assembly 36. Concrete reinforcement elements 86 extending inwardly into the upper concrete slab 88 are also shown.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a concrete containment wall assembly 136 including two formwork panels 138 in an adjacent relationship and connected to one another by the formwork panel connector 54 as described hereinabove. In the illustrated embodiment, each one of the formwork panels 138 includes a concrete containment segment 140 having corresponding features of the concrete containment segment 40 described hereinabove, and a wall framework securing portion 146 engageable with a conventional top plate (not shown) of a wall framework or with at least one of the plurality of vertically extending stud members thereof. In an embodiment, the wall framework securing portion 146 is configured to lie on top of the conventional top plate or to define the top plate of the wall framework by engaging the upper sections of the vertically extending stud members. In the embodiment where the wall framework securing portion 146 engages directly the upper sections of the vertically extending stud members, the wall framework securing portion 146 defines the top plate of the wall framework. It is to be noted that the wall framework securing portion 146 can have various shapes. In an embodiment, the wall framework securing portion has a U-shape or a L-shape, the U-shape and the L-shape each including a downwardly extending segment 148 extending into an interior side or an exterior side of the wall framework.

The wall framework securing portion 146 and, more particularly, the downwardly extending segment 148 comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart vertical translation components 130 along a length thereof, and at least some of the vertical translation components 130 are aligned with a corresponding one of the vertically extending and spaced-apart stud members of the wall framework (not shown). This configuration of the wall framework securing portion 146 is similar to the configuration of the top plate 26 of the wall framework 24 that has previously been described hereinabove in reference to FIG. 1, with the difference that instead of the vertical translation components 130 being defined in the top plate 26, the longitudinally spaced-apart vertical translation components 130 are defined in the downwardly extending segment 148 of the wall framework securing portion 146. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the wall framework securing portion 146 is secured to a plurality of vertically extending stud members through a corresponding one of the vertical translation components 130, a configuration that can allow a vertical translation of the concrete containment wall assembly 136 relative to the vertically extending stud members upon application of a substantial weight on the wall framework. As described hereinabove for the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an additional mechanical fastener (not shown) can be provided to secure the wall framework securing portion 146 to one of the vertically extending stud members through the downwardly extending segment 148. This additional mechanical fastener can contribute to restrict a movement of the formwork panel 138 relative to a corresponding one of the vertically extending stud members, for instance when no or a low weight is applied on the wall framework. The movement can be for instance a lateral movement along a lateral axis 137 of the wall framework. Once again, the additional mechanical fastener 35 is chosen such that above a given critical pressure, for instance a pressure that induces a downward translation of the formwork panel 138 relative to the corresponding one of the vertically extending stud member 28, the mechanical fastener can break. Thus, the fact that the mechanical fastener can break above a given critical pressure can allow the downward translation of the formwork panel relative to the corresponding one of the vertically extending stud members 28.

Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. The embodiments of the wall assembly and the concrete containment wall assembly described hereinabove are intended to be exemplary only. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. It is understood that the wall assembly and the concrete containment wall assembly may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a method 200 for adding a concrete slab floor to a building structure that includes an existing floor and a plurality of spaced-apart weight-bearing posts (or columns) extending upwardly from the existing floor, using the wall assembly 20 and the concrete containment wall assembly 36 or the concrete containment wall assembly 136 as described herein. The method 200 includes the following steps.

First, a plurality of wall frameworks 24 is mounted in an adjacent relationship to define at least partially a perimeter of the concrete slab floor 210. Each one of the wall frameworks 24 is in accordance with the embodiments of the wall framework described hereinabove. Hence, each one of the wall frameworks 24 includes a bottom plate 25 superposed to the existing floor, a top plate 26 extending substantially parallel to the bottom plate 25 and vertically spaced-apart thereof, and a plurality of vertically extending stud members 28 spaced-apart from one another along a length of the wall framework 24 and extending between the bottom plate 25 and the top plate 26.

A concrete containment wall assembly 36, 136 as described hereinabove is secured to a respective one of the wall frameworks 24. The concrete containment wall assembly 36, 136 can be secured to a respective one of the wall frameworks 24 either prior to or after mounting the plurality of wall frameworks 24 in an adjacent relationship. The concrete containment wall assembly 36, 136 comprises at least one formwork panel 38, 138 having a concrete containing segment 40, 140 extending above the top plate 26 of the respective one of the wall frameworks 24. The concrete containment segment 40, 140 corresponds to a segment that is configured to contain a pour of concrete laterally, i.e. to form the thickness of the concrete slab floor.

A horizontal concrete containment structure is superposed to the plurality of wall frameworks and to the plurality of spaced-apart posts 230. In an embodiment, the horizontal concrete containment structure extends substantially parallel to the existing floor. In some embodiments, the superposition of the horizontal concrete containment structure to the plurality of spaced-apart posts is performed according to methods known in the art. For instance, the spaced-apart posts can be positioned at a distance of about 15 inches to about 25 inches from each other throughout the area defined by the perimeter of the plurality of wall frameworks. A continuous layer is then added on top of the spaced-apart posts, for instance a continuous layer made of plywood, to form a horizontal surface on which the concrete can be poured. In some embodiments, the continuous layer can include a plurality of plywood planks connected together, for instance with tape, as it is known in the art.

The concrete containment wall assemblies 36, 136 that are secured to the wall frameworks 24 and the horizontal concrete containment structure together define a concrete formwork assembly. The concrete formwork assembly is an assembly that includes at least the continuous layer to contain the pour of concrete horizontally, and the concrete containment segments of each of the concrete wall assemblies to contain the concrete, thereby forming a receptacle having the shape of the corresponding shape of the perimeter formed by the plurality of wall frameworks to receive the concrete therein.

The concrete is then poured in the concrete formwork assembly to form the concrete slab floor 240.

It will be appreciated that the method described herein may be performed in the described order, or in any suitable order. Furthermore, it is appreciated that the steps of the method can be repeated several times to add additional storey(s) to the building structure.

Claims

1. A wall assembly, comprising: a wall framework comprising: a bottom plate;a top plate extending substantially parallel to the bottom plate and being vertically spaced-apart thereof;a plurality of vertically extending stud members, each having a top end and a bottom end and being spaced-apart from one another along a length of the framework and extending between the bottom plate and the top plate;at least one of the top plate and the bottom plate comprising a plurality of vertical translation components, at least some of the vertical translation components being aligned with a corresponding one of the vertically extending and spaced-apart stud members, the at least one of the top plate and the bottom plate being engageable with the corresponding one of the vertically extending stud members through the corresponding one of the vertical translation components to allow a relative vertical translation inbetween upon application of a substantial weight on the wall framework.

2. The wall assembly of claim 1, wherein a vertical spacing is defined between the at least one of the top plate and the bottom plate and the respective one of the top end and the bottom end of the corresponding one of the vertically extending and spaced-apart stud members respectively, the vertical spacing allowing the relative vertical translation of the at least one of the top plate and the bottom plate relative to the corresponding one of the vertically extending stud members.

3. The wall assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one of the top plate and the bottom plate comprises a first sidewall including the vertical translation components and a connection wall extending substantially normal to the first sidewall, the first sidewall being juxtaposed to a lateral side of the vertically extending and spaced-apart stud members and the connection wall being positioned either above the top end or below the bottom end of the vertically extending and spaced-apart stud members respectively, the vertical spacing being defined between the respective one of the top end and the bottom end of the vertically extending and spaced-apart stud members and the connection wall.

4. The wall assembly of claim 3, wherein the at least one of the top plate and the bottom plate further comprises a second sidewall, extending substantially parallel to the first sidewall and normal to the connection wall, the first and second sidewalls being spaced-apart from one another to define a U-shaped cavity to receive the respective one of the top end and the bottom end of the vertically extending and spaced-apart stud members therein.

5. The wall assembly of claim 3, wherein the plurality of vertical translation components comprises a plurality of vertically extending and elongated through holes defined through the first sidewall.

6. The wall assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vertical translation components is at least one of a plurality of vertically extending and elongated through holes, a rail system, and a tongue-and-groove system.

7. A wall assembly for bearing a concrete slab having a thickness, comprising: a wall framework having a lateral axis, a longitudinal axis, an exterior side and an interior side comprising: a bottom plate;a top plate extending substantially parallel to the bottom plate and being vertically spaced-apart thereof;a plurality of vertically extending stud members spaced-apart from one another along a length of the wall framework and extending between the bottom plate and the top plate; anda concrete containment wall assembly securable to the wall framework and comprising at least one formwork panel having a concrete containment segment, extending above the top plate of the wall framework, the at least one formwork panel extending along the length of the wall framework, the concrete containing segment of the concrete containment wall assembly having a height equal or above the thickness of the concrete slab.

8. The wall assembly of claim 7, wherein the concrete containment segment is substantially aligned with the exterior side of the wall framework.

9. The wall assembly of claim 8, wherein the concrete containment wall assembly further comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart downwardly extending flanges abuttable against the exterior side of the wall framework to substantially align the concrete containment wall assembly with the exterior side of the wall framework.

10. The wall assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one formwork panel of the concrete containment wall assembly further comprises a wall framework securing portion engageable with and securable to the wall framework.

11. The wall assembly of claim 10, wherein the wall framework securing portion extends inwardly and substantially perpendicularly to the concrete containment segment, and is superposable to the top plate of the wall framework to secure the formwork panel thereto.

12. The wall assembly of claim 7, wherein the concrete containment wall assembly comprises a plurality of concrete containment wall assemblies securable to the wall framework in an adjacent configuration and the wall assembly further comprises at least one formwork panel connector comprising a formwork connecting panel extending substantially parallelly to the concrete containment segments and configured to connect a respective one of the plurality of concrete containment wall assemblies to an adjacent one of the plurality of concrete containment wall assemblies.

13. The wall assembly of claim 12, wherein the formwork connecting panel comprises two sections, each one of the two sections is superposable inwardly to a respective one of the concrete containing segment of the adjacent concrete containment wall assemblies and being securable thereto.

14. The wall assembly of claim 13, wherein the formwork panel connector comprises an outer strengthener extending along the lateral axis of the wall framework when engaged therewith and between the two sections of the formwork connecting panel, the outer strengthener having an outer strengthener height at least substantially equal to the height of the concrete containment segment and comprising a segment abutting the exterior side of the wall framework when engaged therewith.

15. The wall assembly of claim 12, wherein the formwork panel connector further comprises at least one inner bracing member protruding inwardly from an inner face of the formwork connecting panel and the at least one inner bracing member comprises at least one fastener-receiving aperture engageable by a mechanical fastener to secure the inner bracing member with a corresponding one of the plurality of vertically extending stud members.

16. A concrete containment wall assembly for use in combination with a wall framework, the wall framework comprising a bottom plate and a plurality of vertically extending stud members spaced-apart from one another along a length of the wall framework and extending upwardly from the bottom plate, the concrete containment wall assembly comprising: at least one formwork panel comprising: a concrete containing segment; anda wall framework securing portion comprising a plurality of vertical translation components along a length thereof and being engageable with one of a top plate of the wall framework and at least some of the plurality of vertically extending stud members through a corresponding one of the vertical translation components to allow a relative vertical translation inbetween upon application of a substantial weight on the wall framework.

17. The concrete containment wall assembly of claim 16, wherein the wall framework comprises a top plate and the wall framework securing portion is securable to the top plate through the plurality of vertical translation components.

18. The concrete containment wall assembly of claim 16, wherein the at least one formwork panel is secured to the wall framework by securing the wall framework securing portion to the at least some of the plurality of vertically extending stud members and through the plurality of vertical translation components.

19. The concrete containment wall assembly of claim 18, wherein the wall framework is top plate free.

20. The concrete containment wall assembly of claim 18, wherein at least some of the plurality of vertical translation components are aligned with a corresponding one of the plurality of vertically extending and spaced-apart stud members.

21. The concrete containment wall assembly of claim 18, wherein the wall framework securing portion comprises a first downwardly extending segment extending longitudinally and being juxtaposed to a lateral side of the plurality of vertically extending stud members, the first downwardly extending segment comprising the plurality of vertical translation components.

22. The concrete containment wall assembly of claim 21, wherein the wall framework securing portion further comprises a connection wall, the connection wall being engageable with the one of the top plate and the at least some of the vertically extending and spaced-apart stud members, and a second downwardly extending segment extending substantially parallel to the first downwardly extending segment, the first and second downwardly extending segments being spaced-apart from one another to define a U-shaped cavity to receive the one of the top plate and a top end of the at least some of the vertically extending and spaced-apart stud members therein.

23. A method for adding a concrete slab to a building structure including an existing floor with a plurality of spaced-apart posts extending upwardly from the existing floor using the concrete containment wall assembly according to claim 16, the method comprising the steps of: mounting a plurality of wall frameworks in an adjacent relationship to define at least partially a perimeter of the concrete slab, each one of the wall frameworks comprising: a bottom plate superposed to the existing floor and a plurality of vertically extending stud members spaced-apart from one another along a length of the wall framework and extending upwardly from the bottom plate; andthe concrete containment wall assembly being secured to the wall frameworks with the concrete containing segment of the at least one formwork panel extending above the respective one of the wall frameworks;superposing a horizontal concrete containment structure to the plurality of wall frameworks and to the plurality of spaced-apart posts, the horizontal concrete containment structure extending substantially parallel to the existing floor, the concrete containment wall assemblies of the wall frameworks and the horizontal concrete containment structure defining together a concrete formwork assembly; andpouring concrete in the concrete formwork assembly.