COMPOSITE FLOORING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTALLATION OVER SEMI-RIGID SUBSTRATE

摘要

A composite flooring system and method of manufacture of same. A multi-element flooring diaphragm comprising a plurality of self-spacing surface elements is mounted above a semi-rigid substrate surface using a plurality of flexible adhesive support cushions, to define an air space between the multi-element flooring diaphragm and the semi-rigid substrate surface. The outer edge surfaces of the self-spacing surface elements are beveled and flexible surface joints of v-shaped cross-section is created between abutting self-spacing surface elements. The combination of rigid or semi-rigid self-spacing surface elements, such as ductile concrete tiles, and the flexible surface joints form a substantially waterproof diaphragm as a finished surface, and operating in conjunction with the semi-rigid substrate surface yield a composite flooring system that is sufficiently rigid to avoid cracking of the multi-element flooring diaphragm or the self-spacing surface elements when weight loads are placed thereon which would deform the semi-rigid substrate surface.