A structural frame for a building, comprising: adjacent first and second columns; at least one precast concrete floor slab having first and second corner indents located in two adjacent corners and a first elongated edge beam defined between the first and second corner indents, the first elongated edge beam being disposed between the first and second columns such that the first and second columns are received in the first and second corner indents and that the first elongated edge beam abuts the first and second columns; and a first tendon assembly extending between the first and second columns and adapted to be tensioned to compress the first elongated edge beam between the first and second columns, the first tendon assembly including at least one left cable and at least one right cable located symmetrically on either sides of a vertical center plane of the first and second columns.

Fabrication of a multi-story building includes fabricating floor plates at or near ground level, and lifting them to a final position on a vertical support core. A method for assembling one of the floor plates assembling a floor plate frame near ground level. Cambers are imparted into framing members based upon expected deflections, and metal decking is installed onto the floor plate frame. A plurality of permanent support points for the floor plate are determined, wherein the floor plate is attachable to the vertical support core at the permanent support points. First pedestals are installed between ground level and the floor plate frame proximal to the permanent support points for the floor plate. Hardenable material is dispersed onto the metal decking of the floor plate frame while the floor plate frame is lifted at the permanent support points.

A module for configuring a weighbridge has a rectangular frame with a pair of parallel side edges and a pair of parallel end edges, which are shorter than the side edges, and a pair of rails, parallel to the side edges and affixed to the end edges. The rails and end edges define an interior of the rectangular frame, arranged to have concrete poured therein. There are also means for increasing the ability of the poured concrete to handle tensile forces, located in the interior. A first of these is a plurality of rebar chair strips for locating and retaining rebars. Each of these has an elongate metal bar with a lower edge and an upper edge, along which a plurality of rebar support sites are provided in spaced-apart relationship.

A module for configuring a weighbridge has a rectangular frame with a pair of parallel side edges and a pair of parallel end edges, which are shorter than the side edges, and a pair of rails, parallel to the side edges and affixed to the end edges. The rails and end edges define an interior of the rectangular frame, arranged to have concrete poured therein. There are also means for increasing the ability of the poured concrete to handle tensile forces, located in the interior. A first of these is a plurality of rebar chair strips for locating and retaining rebars. Each of these has an elongate metal bar with a lower edge and an upper edge, along which a plurality of rebar support sites are provided in spaced-apart relationship.

A structural floor system generally consisting of a grid of intersecting modular trusses, pre-stressed wire strand system and concrete decking. U or C-shaped cold-formed or hot-rolled profiles are used to form the prefabricated modular trusses. Assembling the trusses in two-way creates a grid of intersecting trusses. By running the wire strand from the truss grid, the tension force applies to the floor system. A pre-stressed truss grid accompanying with a reinforced concrete slab above, forms a composite structural floor system which is ideal for floor covering in wide spans in multi-story constructions. A method for assembling such a system is also disclosed.

Fabrication of a multi-story building includes fabricating floor plates at or near ground level, and lifting them to a final position on a vertical support core. A method for assembling one of the floor plates assembling a floor plate frame near ground level. Cambers are imparted into framing members based upon expected deflections, and metal decking is installed onto the floor plate frame. A plurality of permanent support points for the floor plate are determined, wherein the floor plate is attachable to the vertical support core at the permanent support points. First pedestals are installed between ground level and the floor plate frame proximal to the permanent support points for the floor plate. Hardenable material is dispersed onto the metal decking of the floor plate frame while the floor plate frame is lifted at the permanent support points.

A concrete fillable steel joist includes a generally U-shaped member and a top chord. The generally U-shaped member has spaced apart webs and a bottom chord. The top chord is operably attached to the U-shaped member. The top chord has a plurality of spaced apart top chord holes. The U-shaped member and the top chord define a volume that is fillable with concrete when opposed ends of the U-shaped member have joist ends operably attached thereto. The joist ends may be a pair of end plates. Alternatively, the joist ends may be structural members. A concrete fillable steel joist system includes a plurality of spaced apart concrete fillable steel joists, and metal decking. The metal decking is operably attached between the spaced apart steel joists. The concrete fillable steel joist and the metal decking are configured to receive concrete.

A structural frame for a building, comprising: adjacent first and second columns; at least one precast concrete floor slab having first and second corner indents located in two adjacent corners and a first elongated edge beam defined between the first and second corner indents, the first elongated edge beam being disposed between the first and second columns such that the first and second columns are received in the first and second corner indents and that the first elongated edge beam abuts the first and second columns; and a first tendon assembly extending between the first and second columns and adapted to be tensioned to compress the first elongated edge beam between the first and second columns, the first tendon assembly including at least one left cable and at least one right cable located symmetrically on either sides of a vertical center plane of the first and second columns.

A structural frame for a building, comprising: adjacent first and second columns; at least one precast concrete floor slab having first and second corner indents located in two adjacent corners and a first elongated edge beam defined between the first and second corner indents, the first elongated edge beam being disposed between the first and second columns such that the first and second columns are received in the first and second corner indents and that the first elongated edge beam abuts the first and second columns; and a first tendon assembly extending between the first and second columns and adapted to be tensioned to compress the first elongated edge beam between the first and second columns, the first tendon assembly including at least one left cable and at least one right cable located symmetrically on either sides of a vertical center plane of the first and second columns.

A lightweight concrete nailer form preferably includes a semi-tubular member and a plurality of cross members. The semi-tubular member includes a bottom wall, a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a first upper flange and a second upper flange. A height of the first and second sidewalls may also increase over a length of the semi-tubular member to form a tapered semi-tubular member. A plurality of openings are preferably formed through the bottom wall and the first side wall for the flow of lightweight concrete. The cross member preferably includes a bottom flange, an upright member and a top flange. An opening is formed through the upright member for the flow of lightweight concrete. The plurality of cross members fit inside the semi-tubular member. The semi-tubular member may be stacked with a second semi-tubular member. A cover plate may be attached to a top of the semi-tubular member.