TWISTED STEEL MICRO REINFORCED CLADDING SYSTEM
A cladding system for use on the external surface of a building structure that includes a continuous rail system to attach a cladding panel that interlocks with itself. The rail system includes a tongue and groove system to attach the cladding system to the building thereby avoiding the need to use discrete anchors. The cladding panel is formed of a high strength concrete matrix and, optionally, a plurality of twisted steel micro reinforcements (TSMR) dispersed therein.
1 . A cladding system for use on the external surface of a building structure, the cladding system comprising a continuous rail system to attach a cladding panel that interlocks with itself;
wherein the rail system comprises a tongue and groove system to attach the cladding system to the building thereby avoiding the need to use discrete anchors.
2 . The cladding system according to claim 1 , wherein the cladding panel comprises a high strength concrete matrix and, optionally, a plurality of twisted steel micro reinforcements (TSMR) dispersed therein.
3 . The cladding system according to claim 1 , wherein the cladding panel exhibits a compressive strength between about 4,000 psi and about 40,000 psi.
4 . The cladding system according to claim 3 , wherein the cladding panel exhibits a compressive strength of about 12,000 psi.
5 . The cladding system according to claim 2 , wherein the TSMR is made of stainless steel or zinc plated nonstainless steel.
6 . The cladding system according to claim 2 , wherein the TSMR is incorporated into the concrete matrix in a dosage that is between about 15 lbs/yd and about 250 lbs/yd.
7 . The cladding system according to claim 1 , wherein the cladding system further comprises a continuous wedge that engages the cladding panel and secures it to a horizontal cleat.
8 . The cladding system according to claim 7 , wherein the wedge acts as a water stop.
9 . The cladding system according to claim 1 , wherein the surface of the cladding system is designed to have the appearance of natural stone.
10 . The cladding system according to claim 1 , wherein the cladding panel is designed to exhibit blast and impact resistant properties.
11 . The cladding system according to claim 1 , wherein the cladding system is formed with integral corbels.
12 . The cladding system according to claim 1 , wherein the cladding system is formed with integral gutters.
13 . The cladding system according to claim 1 , wherein the cladding panel is formed with a portion of an external surface being shaped in the form of a corbel, a gutter, an animal head, a gargoyle, an iconic capital, or another architectural feature.
14 . The cladding system according to claim 2 , wherein the cladding panel includes the TSMR and is formed with a portion of an external surface being shaped in the form of a corbel, a gutter, an animal head, a gargoyle, an iconic capital, or another architectural feature.
15 . The cladding system according to claim 1 , wherein the cladding panel has a thickness that is between about ½ inch and about 6 inches.
16 . The cladding system according to claim 1 , wherein the cladding panel is rectangular or non-rectangular having external dimensions within the range of about 4″×4″ to about 6′×6′.
17 . A method of manufacturing a cladding system of claim 1 , wherein the manufacturing method comprises a continuous assembly line.
18 . A building structure comprising an external surface, wherein at least a portion of the external surface comprises the cladding system according to claim 1 .
19 . A building structure comprising an external surface, wherein at least a portion of the external surface comprises the cladding system manufactured according to claim 17 .