System and method for the reinforcement of concrete

• US 20030192272A1
• Filed: 04/15/2002
• Published: 10/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leonid G. Bravinski
• Original Assignee: Leonid G. Bravinski
• Inventors: Bravinski, Leonid G.
• Granted Patent: US 6,898,912 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/309.11
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/8635 with ties attached to the inner faces of the forms E04B2/8611 and E04B2/8623 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2/8647 with ties going through the forms
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 5/168 Spacers connecting parts for reinforcements and spacing the reinforcements from the form
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 5/20 of material other than metal or with only additional metal parts, e.g. concrete or plastics spacers with metal binding wires E04C5/168 takes precedence

Abstract

A system for reinforcing a concrete structural member comprises a panel oriented longitudinally and at least one frame assembly module. The module is formed with several rod members and with a reinforcement member defines a retention cell having a generally vertically oriented opening for receiving a vertical reinforcement member. An additional rod member can be employed in abutment with an interior surface of the panel. The panel body can hold a connector, such as a mushroom shaped connector, which can be used for mounting the module and also be used in conjunction with a bracer to join two panels and their associated modules together. Adjacent abutting panels can have overlapping reinforcement members, which can be inclined or have angled end portions. Each panel can have associated with it a plurality of retention cells arranged, transversely, longitudinally and vertically. The reinforcement system can be used as part of formwork used in constructing a structural member, or used with conventional formwork. The system can be substantially preconstructed away from the construction site and then delivered to the construction site.

Claims

1. A system for reinforcing a concrete structural member comprising:

a) A panel oriented longitudinally;

b) At least one frame assembly module comprising;

first and second spaced, rod members oriented generally transversely, at least one of said first and second rod members extending to said panel and being mounted thereto;

a third rod member oriented generally longitudinally;

said first, second and third rod members being joined together to form said frame assembly module;

c) A longitudinal reinforcement member extending generally longitudinally, crossing said first and second rod members, being spaced from said third rod member, and joined to at least one of said first and second rod members

said frame assembly module and said longitudinal reinforcement member cooperating to define a retention cell having a generally vertically oriented opening for receiving a vertical reinforcement member.

2. A reinforcement system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a fourth rod member oriented generally longitudinally, and wherein said third rod member is spaced apart from said panel, said fourth rod member being positioned in abutment with an interior surface of said panel.

3. A reinforcement system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first, second, third and fourth rod members and said longitudinal reinforcement member are rigidly interconnected to provide a rigid frame structure.

4. A reinforcement system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said third rod member crosses and is joined to both said first and second rod members.

5. A reinforcement system as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a vertical reinforcement member held in said retention cell.

6. A reinforcement system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said panel has a body with at least one connector associated therewith for engaging said at least one transverse rod member of said frame assembly module to mount said frame assembly module and said longitudinal reinforcement member to said panel.

7. A reinforcement system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said connector and said fourth rod member compress a portion of said panel therebetween to provide a stiff connection between said frame assembly module and said panel.

8. A reinforcement system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said panel has a body that contains at least one connector for engaging said one transverse rod member of said frame assembly module, to mount said frame assembly module

9. A reinforcement system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said at least one transverse rod member is received into said body of said panel and connects to said connector.

10. A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said one rod member has an end formed as a machine tap, and an inner cavity in said connector is adapted to receive said end of said one rod member, whereby rotation of said connector draws said end of said at least one rod into said body of the panel as said end taps said inner cavity of said connector to connect said connector to said one rod member.

11. A system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said third rod member is positioned between said panel and said longitudinal reinforcement member.

12. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said other of said first and second rod members is integrally formed with and joined to said third rod member.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said other rod member is formed with a loop portion to integrally connect said other member to said third rod member.

14. A system as claimed in claim 13 wherein said loop portion forms a fourth rod member being positioned in abutment with an interior surface of said panel.

15. A system as claimed in claim 14 wherein said panel has a body with at least one connector associated therewith for engaging said at least one transverse rod member of said frame assembly module to mount said frame assembly module and said longitudinal reinforcement member to said panel member and wherein said connector and said fourth rod member compress a portion of said panel therebetween to provide a stiff connection between said frame assembly module and said panel.

16. A reinforcement system as claimed in claim 2 further comprising:

a plurality of said frame assembly modules, each of said frame assembly modules being spaced longitudinally from one or more other frame assembly modules of said plurality of frame assembly modules; and

said third and fourth rod members of each of said plurality of modules comprising a continuous, common member extending through said plurality of frame assembly modules;

said longitudinal reinforcement member of each said plurality of modules also comprising a continuous, common member extending through said plurality of frame assembly modules to define with said plurality of frame assembly modules a plurality of longitudinally spaced retention cells providing a plurality of vertically oriented openings, each of said vertically oriented openings for receiving a vertically oriented reinforcement member.

17. A system as claimed in claim 16 wherein more than one of said vertically oriented openings receives a generally vertically oriented reinforcement member.

18. A system as claimed in claim 17 wherein each of said longitudinal reinforcement member and said common third and fourth rod members, and said first and second rod members of said plurality of frame assembly modules are rigidly interconnected to provide a rigid frame structure having a plurality of retention cells.

19. A system as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a longitudinally extending indentation in said inner face receiving at least a part of said fourth rod member, said indentation for assisting in supporting and stabilizing said frame assembly module.

20. A reinforcement system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a panel having a body containing at least one connector for engaging said at least one transverse rod member of said frame assembly module, said connector adapted to also engage said panel whereby said connector will resist transversely outward forces and moments exerted against said inner surface of said panel.

21. A reinforcement system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said connector has a blind cylindrical opening accessible from an inner surface of said panel, the shape of said connector being a figure of rotation of a line around a central transverse axis along said cylindrical opening, said shape of said connector comprising four consequently connected figures, a first figure having a shape of a cylinder, a second figure having a shape of a truncated toroid, a third figure having a shape of a truncated cone and said fourth figure having a shape of a cylinder;

said first figure providing a surface preventing displacement of said connector towards said inner surface of said panel.

22. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said connector has an outer surface having a first, hollow generally cylindrical shaped portion with an opening at a first end, for receiving an end of said one transverse rod member, a second truncated cone shaped section longitudinally aligned with said cylindrical section and joined to said first portion at a second end opposite to said first end of said cylindrical portion, and a third toroid shaped portion, longitudinally aligned with said cylindrical section and said cone section, and said third portion joined to said second portion at an end opposite to said end connected to said cylindrical portion, and a cap portion having a longitudinal axis and said cap portion being connected to said toroid section.

23. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said connector is formed with a cap portion and a leg portion, said cap portion being formed as a truncated cone with an inner diameter being less than an outer diameter, said truncated cone for distributing load from the cap of the connector to the panel body.

24. A reinforcement system as claimed in claim 2 wherein said panel member has a bottom face extending generally longitudinally, and said longitudinally oriented third and fourth rod members and said longitudinal reinforcement member are oriented at an angle relative to said bottom face of said panel member.

25. A reinforcement system as claimed in claim 24 wherein said angle is between 0 and approximately 1 degree.

26. A reinforcement system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a connector for engaging said one transverse rod member, said connector being mounted to said panel so said connector can be connected thereto from an inner surface of said panel.

27. A reinforcement system as claimed in claim 26 wherein said panel is made from a screw holding material and said connector is secured at an inner surface of said panel with screws or the like.

28. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said connector has an end that is in abutment with said fourth rod member to assist in properly positioning said frame module assembly.

29. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said panel is made from extruded or expanded polystyrene.

30. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second transverse rod members have cut-out portions formed by welding at the joining locations of said first and second transverse rods to said reinforcement member.

31. A system as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a generally vertically oriented reinforcement member received through said generally vertically oriented opening.

32. A reinforcement system as claimed in claim 2 comprising a first and a second web layer, each said first and second web layers comprising a plurality of said frame assembly modules, each of said frame assembly modules being spaced longitudinally from other said frame assembly modules in each said web layer;

and said third and fourth rod members of each of said plurality of modules being a continuous, common member extending through said plurality of frame assembly modules, each of said first and web second layers having a longitudinal reinforcement member of each said plurality of modules that is a continuous, common member extending through said plurality of frame assembly modules of each said layer, to define with said plurality of frame assembly modules a plurality of longitudinally spaced retention cells providing a plurality of vertically oriented openings, each of said vertically oriented openings for receiving a vertically oriented reinforcement member, and said vertical openings of said first layer being vertically aligned with a vertical opening in said second layer.

33. A system as claimed in claim 32 wherein said web layers are oriented generally horizontal and generally parallel to the ground.

34. A system as claimed in claim 32 wherein each of said retention cells holds a vertical reinforcement member.

35. A reinforcement system as claimed in claim 32 wherein said frame assembly modules of each of said first and second web layer each comprise at least one additional generally longitudinally oriented rod member spaced from said reinforcement member, providing an additional row of longitudinally spaced plurality of retention cells, such that said systems provides a plurality of longitudinally and transversely spaced retention cells providing a plurality of longitudinally and transversely spaced vertically oriented openings.

36. A reinforcement system as claimed in claim 35 further comprising 32 wherein said frame assembly modules of each of said first and second web layer each comprise a fifth generally longitudinally oriented rod member and a second generally longitudinally oriented reinforcement member, both spaced from said third and fourth rod members and said reinforcement member, said fifth rod member and said second reinforcement member co-operating with said first and second rod members of said plurality of longitudinally spaced frame assembly modules to provide an additional row of longitudinally spaced plurality of retention cells, such that said systems provides first and second web layers each web layer comprising a plurality of longitudinally and transversely spaced retention cells providing a plurality of longitudinally and transversely spaced vertically oriented openings permitting a plurality of vertical reinforcement members to be held in said retention cells in said first and second layers.

37. A method of reinforcing a concrete structural member comprising:

a) providing a longitudinally oriented panel having an inner surface;

b) providing at least one frame assembly module mounted to said panel, said at least one frame assembly module comprising;

first and second rod members oriented generally transversely, at least one of said first and second rod members extending to said panel and being mounted to said panel, said one member being adapted to assist in maintaining the orientation of said panel, said first and second rod members being spaced apart for each other,

a third rod member spaced from said panel an oriented generally longitudinally and crossing both said first and second rod members, said first, second and third rod members being joined together to form said frame assembly module;

c) providing a reinforcement member extending generally longitudinally and spacing it apart from said third rod member, said third rod member being positioned between said panel and said rod member, said frame assembly and said longitudinal reinforcement member defining a retention cell having a generally vertically oriented opening for receiving a vertical reinforcement member;

e) placing a vertical reinforcement member through said vertical opening of said retention cell.

38. A method as claimed in claim 37 wherein said frame assembly module is provided with a fourth rod member that is positioned in abutment with an interior surface of said panel, said fourth rod member being joined with said first, second and third rod members to form said frame assembly module.

39. A method as claimed in claim 37 wherein said frame assembly module further comprises a connector for mounting said one rod member to said panel.

40. A method as claimed in claim 39 further comprising the step of tightening the connection between the connector and the panel by compressing said panel between said fourth rod member and said connector.

41. A method as claimed in claim 40 further comprising the steps of:

e) providing a plurality of said frame assembly modules as provided in claim 37, each of said frame assembly modules being spaced longitudinally from other said frame assembly modules; and

said third and fourth rod members of each of said plurality of modules each being a continuous, common member extending through said plurality of frame assembly modules;

said longitudinal reinforcement member of said plurality of modules also being a continuous, common member extending through said plurality of frame assembly modules to define with said plurality of frame assembly modules a plurality of longitudinally spaced retention cells providing a plurality of vertically oriented openings;

f) placing a vertically oriented reinforcement member in at least some of said vertically oriented openings.

42. A method as claimed in claim 41 further comprising providing a longitudinally extending indentation in an inner face of said panel and positioning at least a part of said fourth rod member in said indentation and generally being in abutment with said connector to assist in supporting said frame assembly module.

43. A method as claimed in claim 37 further comprising engaging a connector at an end of said one transversely oriented rod member, and moving said rod member and said frame assembly towards said panel whereby said connector will resist transversely outwardly forces and moments exerted against said inner surface.

44. A method of building a concrete structural member with reinforcement positioned in a form space, comprising:

f) providing a panel unit to a construction site, said panel unit comprising

j) a panel having an inner surface;

iii) at least one frame assembly module in connection with said form space, said at least one frame assembly comprising;

first and second rod members oriented generally transversely, at least one of said first and second rod members extending to said panel and being mounted to said panel, said one member being adapted to assist in maintaining the orientation of said panel, said first and second rod members being spaced apart for each other,

a third and a fourth spaced, rod members oriented generally longitudinally and crossing both said first and second rod members, said third rod member spaced from said panel, said fourth rod member positioned in abutment with an interior surface of said panel;

said first, second, third and fourth rod members being joined together to form said frame assembly module;

iv) a reinforcement member extending generally longitudinally and spacing it apart from said third rod member and rigidly engaged with at least one said first and second rod members, said third rod member being positioned between said panel and said rod member, said frame assembly and said longitudinal reinforcement member defining a retention cell having a generally vertically oriented opening for receiving a vertical reinforcement member;

v) said panel in its body includes said connector for connecting said frame assembly module to said panel in such way that said frame assembly and said longitudinal reinforcement member are supported on said panel.

g) completing a form for said concrete structure to create a form space

h) placing said frame assembly module with said longitudinally oriented reinforcement member in said form space;

i) placing a vertical reinforcement member in said retention cell; and

j) placing pour concrete in said form space.

45. A method as claimed in claim 44 wherein said panel unit is preconstructed a location other than said construction site prior to being provided to said construction site.

46. A system for forming reinforced concrete including:

e) First and second, longitudinally oriented panels, each said first and second panel having an inner surface and an outer surface and being oriented with said inner surfaces facing towards each other;

f) A transversely oriented in respect of said inner surfaces of said first and second panels, reinforcing mesh formed from a plurality of longitudinally oriented rods, at least some of said plurality of rods being ribbed rods, and transverse rods, at least some of those transverse rods having a length of more than the distance between inner side of said panels, but said length being less than the distance between outer sides of said panels, ends of said rods entering each of said panels and acting as tie rods for said panels;

g) Connectors placed in said body of said panels secured to said end of said tie rod, said connectors each having a shaft portion with a central, longitudinal axis and a cap portion; and

h) a plurality of vertical reinforcement member supported in said reinforcing mesh.

47. A reinforcement system for a concrete structural member comprising:

f) A first panel oriented longitudinally

g) A second panel spaced from said first panel and oriented generally longitudinally, said first and second panels partly defining a form space between an inner surface of said first panel and an inner surface of said second panel;

h) At least one frame assembly module comprising

first and second rod members spaced apart and oriented generally transversely between said first and second panels, at least one of said first and second rod members being mounted to said first panel and said second panel with first and second connectors respectively, and extending between said first and second panels, said one member adapted to assist in maintaining the positioning of said first panel relative to said second panel;

a third and a fourth spaced, rod members oriented generally longitudinally and crossing both said first and second rod members, said third rod member spaced from said panel, said fourth rod member is positioned in abutment with an interior surface of said panel;

said first, second, third and fourth rod members being joined together to form said frame assembly module;

d) A reinforcement member extending generally longitudinally, crossing said first and second rod members and being spaced from said third rod member;

said frame assembly module and said longitudinal reinforcement member defining a retention cell having a generally vertically oriented opening for receiving a vertical reinforcement member.

48. A reinforcement system as claimed in claim 47 comprising a first and second web layer, each of said first and second web layer comprising a plurality of said frame assembly modules, each of said frame assembly modules being spaced longitudinally from other said frame assembly modules in each said layer;

and said third and fourth rod members of each of said plurality of modules in a web layer being a continuous, common member extending through said frame assembly modules, each of said first and second layers having a longitudinal reinforcement member of each said plurality of modules that is a continuous, common member extending through said plurality of frame assembly modules of each said web layer, to define with said plurality of frame assembly modules a plurality of longitudinally spaced retention cells providing a plurality of vertically oriented openings, each of said vertically oriented openings for receiving a vertically oriented reinforcement member, and said vertical openings of said first layer being vertically aligned with a vertical opening in said second layer.

49. A reinforcement system as claimed in claim 48 wherein said frame assembly modules of each of said first and second web layer provide for a plurality of longitudinally and transversely spaced retention cells providing a plurality of longitudinally and transversely spaced vertically oriented openings.

50. A method of reinforcing a concrete structural member comprising:

a) providing first and second panels each having an inner surface at least in part defining a form space therebetween

b) providing at least one frame assembly module in connection within said form space, said at least one frame assembly comprising;

first and second spaced rod members oriented generally transversely, at least one of said first and second rod members mounted to said first and second panels and extending therebetween, said one member being adapted to assist in maintaining the orientation of said panel;

a third and a fourth spaced, rod members oriented generally longitudinally and crossing both said first and second rod members, said third rod member spaced from said panel, said fourth rod member is positioned in abutment with an interior surface of said panel;

said first, second, third and fourth rod members being joined together to form said frame assembly module;

c) providing a longitudinal reinforcement member extending generally longitudinally and spacing it apart from said third rod member, said longitudinal reinforcement member being positioned between said panel and said third rod member, said longitudinal reinforcement member being joined to said frame assembly module, said frame assembly module and said longitudinal reinforcement member defining a retention cell having a generally vertically oriented opening for receiving a vertical reinforcement member;

i) placing a vertical reinforcement member through said vertical opening of said retention cell.

51. A system for reinforcing a concrete structural member comprising:

i) First and second panel units, each panel unit comprising

a) A panel member oriented longitudinally;

b) At least one frame assembly module comprising

first and second spaced, rod members oriented generally transversely, at least one of said first and second rod members extending to said panel and being mounted thereto;

a third and a fourth spaced, rod members oriented generally longitudinally and crossing both said first and second rod members, said third rod member spaced from said panel, said fourth rod member is positioned in abutment with an interior surface of said panel;

said first, second, third and fourth rod members being joined together to form said frame assembly module;

c) A reinforcement member extending generally longitudinally and being spaced from said third rod member, said third rod member being positioned between said panel and said rod member;

said frame assembly and said longitudinal reinforcement member defining a retention cell having a generally vertically oriented opening for receiving a vertical reinforcement member;

d) A connector secured to the end of said one rod member;

said first and second panel units arranged in longitudinal abutting, alignment;

ii) a bracer interconnecting said connectors of said first and second panel units, whereby said first panel unit is joined to said second panel unit.

52. A system as claimed in claim 51 wherein each said connector has shaft portion having a central axis, and wherein said bracer is generally c-shaped and has externally positioned legs, each of said externally positioned legs being located at an outer side of each said shaft portion of one of said connectors associated with one of each said panels, each of said connectors movable from a first position to a second position, whereby in moving from said first position to said second position, a compression force is exerted between each of the connectors and the its respective leg that is transferred to each said panel, such that in such second position, said distance between the central axis of said connectors is narrowed, thereby drawing said first panel toward said second panel.

53. A system for reinforcing a concrete structural member comprising first and second panel units, each panel unit comprising

i) A panel member oriented longitudinally;

ii) At least one frame assembly module comprising

first and second spaced, rod members oriented generally transversely, at least one of said first and second rod members extending to said panel and being mounted thereto;

a third and a fourth spaced, rod members oriented generally longitudinally and crossing both said first and second rod members, said third rod member spaced from said panel, said fourth rod member is positioned in abutment with an interior surface of said panel;

said first, second, third and fourth rod members being joined together to form said frame assembly module;

iii) A reinforcement member extending generally longitudinally and being spaced from said third rod member and crossing said first and second rod members;

said frame assembly and said longitudinal reinforcement member defining a retention cell having a generally vertically oriented opening for receiving a vertical reinforcement member;

v) a connector secured to the end of said one rod member;

said first and second panel units arranged in such that said panels of said first and second panel units are in longitudinal abutting, alignment;

said panel of said first panel unit having a leading side face and said panel of said second panel unit having a trailing side face, said leading side face having a centrally positioned tongue portion and said trailing side face having a centrally positioned groove portion to provide a tongue in groove connection between said panels.

54. A system as claimed in claim 53 wherein said leading face has side flange portions on either side of said tongue portion and said trailing face has side flanges on either side of said groove portion, and wherein when said panels are interconnected, only the outer part of said side flanges are in contact, and an air gap is otherwise provided between said side flanges and said tongue and groove portions.

55. A system as claimed in claim 54 wherein an air gap is provided between said tongue and said groove portion when said panels are interconnected

56. A system for creating a concrete form comprising said first and second panels arranged such that said first and second panels are in longitudinal abutting and alignment, said first panel unit having a leading side face and said second panel having a trailing side face, said leading side face having a centrally positioned tongue portion and said trailing side face having a centrally positioned groove portion to generally provide a tongue in groove connection, wherein said leading face has side flange portions on either side of said tongue portion and said trailing face has side flanges on either side of said groove portion, and wherein when said panels are interconnected in abutting alignment, only the outer part of said side flanges are in contact with each other, and an air gap is otherwise provided between said side flanges and said tongue and groove portions.

57. A system for reinforcing a concrete structural member comprising:

a) A panel member oriented longitudinally and having an interior surface;

b) First and second spaced, rod members oriented generally transversely, said first rod member extending to said panel and being mounted thereto;

c) A reinforcement member extending generally longitudinally, crossing said first and second rod members

said first and second rod members being joined together with said longitudinal reinforcement member;

said second rod member having a loop portion, which overlaps said first rod member in two places is fixedly connected with first rod member where it crosses with said first rod, said loop portion configured to co-operate with said first rod member and said longitudinal reinforcement member and defining a retention cell having a generally vertically oriented opening for receiving a vertical reinforcement member.

58. A system for reinforcing a concrete structural member comprising:

a) A panel member oriented longitudinally and having an interior surface;

b) First and second spaced, rod members oriented generally transversely, said first rod member extending to said panel and being mounted thereto;

c) A reinforcement member extending generally longitudinally, crossing said first and second rod members

said first and second rod members being joined together with said longitudinal reinforcement member;

said second rod member being fixedly connected to said reinforcement member and having a longitudinally oriented extension portion, configured to co-operate with said first rod member and said longitudinal reinforcement member to define a retention cell having a generally vertically oriented opening for receiving a vertical reinforcement member.

59. A system for reinforcing a concrete structural member comprising:

i) First and second panel units, each panel unit comprising

a) A panel member oriented longitudinally;

b) At least one frame assembly module comprising

first and second spaced, rod members oriented generally transversely, at least one of said first and second rod members extending to said panel and being mounted thereto;

a third and a fourth spaced, rod members oriented generally longitudinally and crossing both said first and second rod members, said third rod member spaced from said panel, said fourth rod member is positioned in abutment with an interior surface of said panel;

said first, second, third and fourth rod members being joined together to form said frame assembly module;

c) A reinforcement member extending generally longitudinally and being spaced from said third rod member, said third rod member being positioned between said panel and said rod member;

said frame assembly and said longitudinal reinforcement member defining a retention cell having a generally vertically oriented opening for receiving a vertical reinforcement member;

said first and second panel units being connected in longitudinal abutting, alignment, said longitudinal reinforcement member of said first panel not extending to said longitudinal reinforcement member of said second panel;

ii) a reinforcement connector having a pair of vertical reinforcement member each received in a slot between said third rod member and said longitudinal reinforcement member of each said frame assembly module of said first and second panel units, and said reinforcement connector also having a longitudinal reinforcement member positioned in overlapping relationship with said longitudinal reinforcement member of said first panel unit and said longitudinal reinforcement member of said second panel unit.

60. A system for reinforcing a concrete structural member comprising:

i) First and second panel units, each panel unit comprising

a) A panel member oriented longitudinally;

b) At least one frame assembly module comprising

a rod member oriented generally transversely and extending to said panel and being mounted thereto;

ci) a connector secured to the end of said rod member;

said first and second panel units arranged in longitudinal abutting, alignment;

ii) a bracer interconnecting said connectors of said first and second panel units, whereby said first panel unit is joined to said second panel unit, said bracer comprising a generally c-shaped structure having a pair of spaced apart legs extending from a body proximate each end of said body, externally positioned legs, each of said legs positioned on an opposite side of a shaft portion of one of said connectors associated with one of said panels of said first and second panel units, whereby rotation of said connector on each panel will cause said bracer to create a force on each connector tending to push said first and second panels together.

61. A system as claimed in claim 60 wherein said connector is generally mushroom shaped.

62. A panel unit for use in connection with forming a concrete structural member, said panel unit comprising

i) A panel oriented longitudinally and having upper and lower substantially parallel faces;

ii) At least one frame assembly module comprising

a plurality of transversely oriented, longitudinally spaced rod members extending to said panel and being mounted thereto;

said plurality of rod members supporting at least one longitudinal reinforcement member

each of said plurality of rod members having a connector secured to the end of each said rod member to mount each of said rod members to said panel;

said connectors being arranged such that said longitudinal reinforcement member supported by said rod members, is oriented at an angle to said lower face of said panel.

63. A system of formwork using a reinforcement system, said reinforcement system comprising:

a) A panel oriented longitudinally;

b) At least one frame assembly module comprising;

first and second spaced, rod members oriented generally transversely, at least one of said first and second rod members extending to said panel and being mounted thereto;

a third rod member oriented generally longitudinally;

said first, second and third rod members being joined together to form said frame assembly module;

c) A longitudinal reinforcement member extending generally longitudinally, crossing said first and second rod members, being spaced from said third rod member, and joined to at least one of said first and second rod members

said frame assembly module and said longitudinal reinforcement member cooperating to define a retention cell having a generally vertically oriented opening that holds a vertical reinforcement member.

64. A formwork system as claimed in claim 63, wherein said panel is comprised as part of the formwork.

65. A formwork system as claimed in claim 63 wherein said reinforcement system is positioned within the form space provided by conventional formwork.

66. A system for reinforcing a concrete structural member comprising:

i) First and second panel units, each panel unit comprising

a) A panel member oriented longitudinally and having a lower longitudinal face; and

a front face and a rear face;

b) At least one frame assembly module comprising

first and second spaced, rod members oriented generally transversely, at least one of said first and second rod members extending to said panel and being mounted thereto;

a third rod member oriented generally longitudinally and crossing both said first and second rod members, said third rod member spaced from said panel, said first, second, and third rod members being joined together to form said frame assembly module;

c) A reinforcement member extending generally longitudinally beyond said leading face of said panel and being spaced from said third rod member, said reinforcement member being oriented at an angle to said lower face of said panel, said third rod member being positioned between said panel and said rod member;

said frame assembly and said longitudinal reinforcement member defining a retention cell having a generally vertically oriented opening for receiving a vertical reinforcement member;

said first and second panel units being connected in longitudinal abutting, alignment, said longitudinal reinforcement member of said first panel extending from said front face of said first panel past said rear face of said second panel in overlapping relation to said longitudinal reinforcement member of said second panel.

67. A system for reinforcing a concrete structural member comprising:

i) First and second panel units, each panel unit comprising

a) A panel member oriented longitudinally and having a lower longitudinal face; and

a front face and a rear face;

b) At least one frame assembly module comprising

first and second spaced, rod members oriented generally transversely, at least one of said first and second rod members extending to said panel and being mounted thereto;

a third rod member oriented generally longitudinally and crossing both said first and second rod members, said third rod member spaced from said panel, said first, second, and third rod members being joined together to form said frame assembly module;

c) A reinforcement member extending generally longitudinally beyond said leading face of said panel and being spaced from said third rod member, said reinforcement member having an end portion that is angled, said third rod member being positioned between said panel and said rod member;

said frame assembly and said longitudinal reinforcement member defining a retention cell having a generally vertically oriented opening for receiving a vertical reinforcement member;

said first and second panel units being connected in longitudinal abutting, alignment, said end portion of said longitudinal reinforcement member of said first panel positioned forward of said front face of said first panel and said rear face of said second panel in overlapping relation to said longitudinal reinforcement member of said second panel.