FR3122443A1 - High rise modular concrete structure - Google Patents

Abstract

Concrete construction (1) comprising a plurality of modules (M1, …, Mn) assembled together in a longitudinal direction (L) and/or a transverse direction (T), each module (M1, …, Mn) comprising a first precast concrete element (2) configured to be assembled on a second precast concrete element (3).Each first precast element (2) and each second precast element (3) respectively comprises two panels parallel to each other (21, 22; 31 , 32) connected by an orthogonal panel (23; 33) so as to form a U. The two parallel panels (21, 22) of the first prefabricated element (2) have an end (210, 220) configured to cooperate with an end respective (310, 320) of the two parallel panels (31, 32) of the second prefabricated element (3) so that each first prefabricated element (2) can be nested on the second prefabricated element (3) to form a module. Abstract Figure: Figure 1

Description

Modular high-rise concrete structure

This disclosure relates to the field of modular construction from prefabricated elements and more particularly from prefabricated concrete elements.

It is known, in the field of construction, to use prefabricated elements to form buildings such as individual houses or tertiary premises such as shops, offices, medical or paramedical practices, warehouses, etc. The use of prefabricated elements has several advantages. It reduces the time required to carry out the structural work. It also makes it easier to adapt the structure of the building to the customer's needs by varying the layout, number and type of prefabricated elements. In addition, the constructions thus produced are easily assembled and disassembled. It should be noted that the use of precast concrete elements is particularly advantageous due to its strength and fire resistance.

Different types of precast concrete elements can be used. We know, for example, from documents FR-2 903 128 and FR-3 033 584 of modular houses formed from prefabricated U-shaped elements. The prefabricated elements comprise two vertical panels acting as walls and are united by an intermediate panel preferably horizontal.

In document FR-2 903 128, the U-shaped prefabricated elements are inverted so that the base of the U is above the branches of the U so that a concrete slab must be poured prior to the assembly of the elements. prefabricated to form the construction.

In document FR-3 033 584, on the contrary, the base of the U is below the branches of the U so that the base of the U forms the floor. It is therefore not necessary to pour a concrete slab. To finalize the construction, a roof element can be assembled on the two free ends of the vertical panels.

However, the use of precast concrete elements has a drawback. As the prefabricated elements must be loaded and transported easily, their size is limited in order to allow their transport. Indeed, the prefabricated elements are intended to be transported to the place of construction using a semi-trailer or any other road vehicle. There are therefore constraints concerning the maximum dimensions that a prefabricated element can reach in order to be able to be easily transported on the road, these constraints being linked to the height of the bridges and the maximum authorized lengths of trailers. Thus, the height of the prefabricated elements that can be transported is limited by the height of the road bridges and/or the standard height of the containers used for transport, of the order of 2.40 m for example. Consequently, it is not possible to quickly build, in a modular way, buildings with ceiling heights of the order of 4 m suitable for hosting data centers, for example.

Summary

The present invention improves the situation.

An object of the present invention is to provide prefabricated concrete elements that can easily be transported, allowing constructions to be made with ceiling heights of at least 4 m, suitable for the construction of data centers in particular.

Another object of the present invention is to provide prefabricated elements suitable for making such constructions which can be easily stored and transported in a container or in a semi-trailer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular data center that can be quickly assembled and disassembled.

A concrete construction is proposed comprising a plurality of modules assembled together in a longitudinal direction and/or a transverse direction, each module comprising a first prefabricated concrete element configured to be assembled on a second prefabricated concrete element. In addition, each first prefabricated element and each second prefabricated element respectively comprises two parallel panels connected to each other by an orthogonal panel so as to form a U, the two parallel panels of the first prefabricated element having one end configured to cooperate with a respective end of the two parallel panels of the second prefabricated element so that each first prefabricated element can be nested on the second prefabricated element to form a module, each module comprising an upper wall formed by the orthogonal panel of the first prefabricated element, a lower wall formed by the panel orthogonal of the second prefabricated element and two side walls formed by the mutually parallel panels of the first and second prefabricated elements.

In embodiments, the construct is a data center.

According to another aspect, there is proposed a set of prefabricated elements intended to be assembled together so as to form a concrete construction, the set of prefabricated elements comprising first prefabricated concrete elements configured to be assembled on second prefabricated concrete elements so as to form a plurality of modules intended to be assembled together in a longitudinal direction and/or a transverse direction. In addition, each first prefabricated element and each second prefabricated element respectively comprises two parallel panels connected to each other by an orthogonal panel so as to form a U, the two parallel panels of the first prefabricated element having one end configured to cooperate with a respective end of the two parallel panels of the second prefabricated element so that each first prefabricated element can be nested on the second prefabricated element to form a module, each module comprising an upper wall formed by the orthogonal panel of the first prefabricated element, a lower wall formed by the panel orthogonal of the second prefabricated element and two side walls formed by the mutually parallel panels of the first and second prefabricated elements.

The features set out in the following paragraphs can optionally be implemented, independently of each other or in combination with each other:

According to embodiments, the construction further comprises:
- first connecting elements configured to connect a plurality of modules in a longitudinal direction and/or a transverse direction,
- Second connecting elements configured to connect the first prefabricated elements to the second prefabricated elements when the first prefabricated element is nested on the second prefabricated element.

According to embodiments, the construction further comprises a facade element mounted on a face of an end module.

According to embodiments, the construction further comprises a partition configured to be held between a first module and a second successive module, the first and the second module being each formed by the assembly of a first prefabricated element and a second prefabricated element.

According to embodiments, the first and second modules each comprise an upper wall formed by the orthogonal panel of the first prefabricated element, a lower wall formed by the orthogonal panel of the second prefabricated element and two side walls formed by the mutually parallel panels of first and second prefabricated elements. In addition, the second module comprises on the upper wall a recess intended to accommodate the partition.

According to embodiments, the upper wall of the first module comprises a first notch, the upper wall of the second module comprises a second notch and an upper face of the partition comprises a third notch, the first, the second and the third notch being configured so as to form an L intended to accommodate a fixing plate of the partition on the upper walls of the first and second modules.

According to embodiments, the building is a data center.

Thus, according to the invention, it is possible to produce modular constructions based on prefabricated elements whose ceiling height can be greater than 2.40 m by assembling two prefabricated U-shaped elements, one of the two prefabricated elements being reversed so that the legs of the two prefabricated elements fit into each other. It is thus possible to build buildings with ceiling heights between 2.50m and 4.80m for example. The ceiling height is then no longer limited by the height of the bridges or the height of the container used for transport, for example. It is then possible to easily and modularly build data centers with a ceiling height of around 4 m in order to accommodate cold air circulation ducts above the servers.

It should be noted that the set of prefabricated concrete elements can also comprise one or more partitions or concrete facade elements described above, intended to be mounted between two successive modules or on one side of a module.

Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. 1

illustrates an example of a modular concrete construction according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2

is a sectional view of the modular construction of the .

Fig. 2A

is a detailed view of a Pt2 fixing plate of the .

Fig. 3

illustrates a module of the construction according to one embodiment.

Fig. 4

is a view of two successive modules on which are mounted a facade element and a partition according to one embodiment.

Fig. 5

is a top view of the .

Fig. 6

is another view of a module with a partition mounted on it.

Fig. 7

is a bottom view of the construction of the .

Reference is now made to the which represents an example of a modular concrete construction 1. Construction 1 comprises a plurality of modules M1, M2, ..., Mn assembled together in a longitudinal direction L and/or a transverse direction T. In the embodiment described here, modules M1, M2, ..., Mn are arranged successively along the longitudinal direction L so as to form at least one row, for example three rows R1, R2, R3 as shown in the . Of course, the number of modules assembled to form a row can be different from one row to another depending on the desired construction. The different modules, successive or adjacent, can be assembled together by means of different connecting elements as described later with reference to the .

Furthermore, the various modules are preferably arranged and fixed on a base B preferably made of concrete. It may be a concrete slab formed over the entire floor area of the construction or a plurality of concrete foundations in the form of beams more particularly visible in Figures 2 and 7. As represented on the , the base B can comprise longitudinal beams B1, B2, B3, B4 and transverse concrete beams B5, B6, B7 forming the foundations of the construction.

Construction 1 may comprise at both ends of each row facade elements F1, F2, F3, F4 visible in Figures 1 and 2. The facade elements F1, F2, F3, visible in , are arranged on a front face of an end module M1 located at one end of each row R1, R2, R3. Other facade elements, including the F4 facade element of the , are arranged on a rear face of an end module Mn located at the other end of each row R1, R2, R3. Some of the facade elements may include openings intended to be closed by doors or windows (not shown) as is visible on the . Furthermore, the construction 1 can also comprise partitions C1, C2, C3, C4, C5 positioned between two successive modules in the longitudinal direction L as illustrated in the , for example between modules Mn-2, Mn-1 of rows R1 and R3 and between rows M1 and M2 of rows R1 to R3.

As is more particularly visible on the , each module M1, …., Mn has an upper wall P1, a lower wall P2 and two side walls P3, P4. Each module M1, ..., Mn comprises a prefabricated element, called upper, 2 configured to be assembled on a prefabricated element, called lower, 3. The prefabricated elements 2,3 are made of concrete and U-shaped.

In particular, the upper prefabricated element 2 comprises two panels 21, 22 parallel to each other connected by an orthogonal panel 23 so as to form a U, which is shown inverted on the . The lower prefabricated element 3 comprises two panels 31, 32 parallel to each other connected by an orthogonal panel 33 so as to form a U. Each prefabricated element comprises a U-shaped metal reinforcement making the connection between the various panels. The parallel panels 21, 22; 31, 32 are oriented in the longitudinal direction. It will be noted that the upper prefabricated element 2 is in the shape of an inverted U so as to be able to be fitted onto the lower prefabricated element 3 to form a module M1, ..., Mn. In addition, the two parallel panels 21, 22 of the upper prefabricated element each have an end 210, 220 configured to cooperate with a respective end 310, 320 of the two corresponding parallel panels 31, 32 of the lower prefabricated element. It will be noted that the ends 210, 310 and 220, 320 are of complementary shape in order to guarantee good sealing within the modules in contact with the external environment in particular.

The upper prefabricated element 2 is then connected to the lower prefabricated element 3 by fixing elements in order to form a module. It is recalled here that the different modules are also interconnected in the longitudinal direction L to connect the successive modules of the same row and/or in the transverse direction T to connect adjacent modules. In the exemplary embodiment described here, the fixing elements comprise Pt1 plates fixed by bolting to the various prefabricated elements constituting the modules. As can be seen on the , according to a variant embodiment, the same plate Pt1 can be used to fix an upper prefabricated element to a lower prefabricated element but also to fix two successive modules together. To do this, the plate has four through holes and the plate is fixed by bolting on two successive upper prefabricated elements for example and on two successive lower prefabricated elements, for example modules Mn-3, Mn-2 of each row. It will be noted that such plates are fixed on the panels 21, 31 and on the panels 22, 32 of two successive modules. Advantageously, each panel comprises a socket intended to accommodate a bolted threaded rod inserted into a hole in the plate. Furthermore, each lower element is fixed on the base B, for example at the level of the panel 33 on a longitudinal beam B1, B2, B3, B4 by means known to those skilled in the art which are not detailed here. This ensures good stability of the construction and quick assembly on the beams. It also avoids pouring a concrete slab, which saves additional time.

Figures 4 to 5 show the successive modules M1 and M2 of row R1. These figures also show a facade element F1 mounted on the front face of the module M1, the module M1 being one of the modules located at one end of the row R1. The facade element F1 is in the form of a transverse panel and may include on its lower part recesses E1 intended to receive fixing elements. The fixing elements can for example be bolted rods inserted into the recesses E1 and accommodated in corresponding sockets provided in the wall P2 of the module, that is to say in the panel 33. The facade element F1 can comprise also on its upper part of the recesses E2 located in the extension of recesses E3 present in the upper wall P1 of the module. The upper part of the facade element is then fixed to the module by means of fixing elements provided for this purpose. These fixing elements may comprise plates intended to be accommodated in the recesses E2, E3, threaded rods inserted into holes in the plates and in corresponding sockets present in the wall P1, i.e. the panel 23, and tightened by bolts by example.

Figures 4 to 6 illustrate the assembly of a concrete partition C3 between two successive modules M1 and M2. As more particularly visible on the , the partition C3 corresponds to a transverse panel inserted into a recess in the upper wall P1 of the module M2 intended to accommodate the partition. The partition has an upper face C3a comprising two notches E6 each intended to accommodate a fixing plate of the partition on the upper walls P1 of the modules M1, M2. For this purpose, the upper wall P1 of the module M2 comprises two notches E5 and the upper wall P2 of the module M1 comprises two notches E4 as more particularly visible on the . Advantageously, the notches E4, E5, E6 are arranged so as to form an L intended to accommodate a mounting plate for the partition on the upper walls of the L-shaped modules M1, M2. As described above, the mounting plates can be fixed for example by means of bolted threaded rods and sockets provided for this purpose present in the upper walls P1 of the modules.

Furthermore, in order to reinforce the stability of the mounting of the wall, the partitions can optionally be fixed inside the modules to the side walls P3, P4 by means in particular of fixing plates Pt2 visible on the . As visible on the detailed view of the , the fixing plates Pt2 are bent so as to be able to be fixed on one of the side walls P3, P4 in a manner similar to what has been described above.

Optionally and in order to reinforce the rigidity of the construction, the partitions and the facade elements can be fixed by means known to those skilled in the art on transverse beams provided below the location of the partitions and the elements of facade as shown on the . It will be noted that the transverse beams B6 and B7 are connected to the facade elements at the two ends of each row and that the transverse beams B5, B7, B8 - B10 are connected to the partitions C1, C2, C3, C4, C5.

Furthermore, in order to ensure the tightness of the modular construction thus produced, provision is made to add various sealing means such as for example the addition of an elastomeric sealant between two successive or adjacent modules or between a transverse panel such as a partition or a facade element and a module adjacent to it. It is recalled here that at the junction between the upper prefabricated element and the lower prefabricated element, the shape of the ends 210, 220, 310, 320 is configured to ensure sealing at the junction. Furthermore, the recesses and notches E1, E2, E3, E4, E5 intended to receive fixing elements such as fixing plates and/or threaded rods bolted to the outer surface of the construction can be filled with a mortar of sealing covering the fixing plates and/or the bolted threaded rods or the screws.

Furthermore, the fire resistance of the construction can be improved by adding fireproof elements at certain junctions between different modules, for example.

It should be noted that the proposed construction has the advantage of being able to be assembled and dismantled quickly by using various prefabricated elements comprising the prefabricated elements constituting the modules as well as partitions or facade elements. The arrangement and configuration of the various prefabricated elements can easily be adapted to obtain the desired construction. Thus, the partitions, facade elements and upper and lower prefabricated elements used for the manufacture of the modules may comprise various openings predefined or made on site. In addition, different types of upper elements can be made with or without E3 recesses and/or E4, E5 notches depending on whether or not they are intended to be fixed to facade elements or placed adjacent to a partition.

Furthermore, the upper and lower prefabricated elements proposed are more easily transportable and therefore make it possible to produce concrete constructions with a higher ceiling height than those usually proposed. Thus, modular concrete constructions with ceiling heights greater than 2.40 m can be obtained. It is thus possible to quickly and inexpensively create a modular construction adapted to accommodate a data center.

Claims (8)

Concrete construction (1) comprising a plurality of modules (M1, …, Mn) assembled together in a longitudinal direction (L) and/or a transverse direction (T), each module (M1, …, Mn) comprising a first precast concrete element (2) configured to be assembled on a second precast concrete element (3),
characterized in that:
- each first prefabricated element (2) and each second prefabricated element (3) respectively comprises two mutually parallel panels (21, 22; 31, 32) connected by an orthogonal panel (23; 33) so as to form a U,
the two parallel panels (21, 22) of the first prefabricated element (2) having one end (210, 220) configured to cooperate with a respective end (310, 320) of the two parallel panels (31, 32) of the second prefabricated element ( 3) so that each first prefabricated element (2) can be nested on the second prefabricated element (3) to form a module, each module (M1, …, Mn) comprising an upper wall (P1) formed by the orthogonal panel ( 23) of the first prefabricated element (2), a bottom wall (P2) formed by the orthogonal panel (33) of the second prefabricated element (3) and two side walls (P3, P4) formed by the mutually parallel panels (21, 22; 31, 32) of the first (2) and second (3) prefabricated elements. Concrete construction (1) according to claim 1, wherein the construction further comprises:
- first connecting elements (Pt1) configured to connect a plurality of modules (M1, .., Mn) in a longitudinal direction (L) and/or a transverse direction (T),
- second connecting elements (Pt1) configured to connect the first prefabricated elements (2) to the second prefabricated elements (3) when the first prefabricated element (2) is nested on the second prefabricated element (3). Concrete construction (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the construction further comprises a facade element (F1, F2, F3, F4) mounted on one side of an end module (M1; Mn) . Concrete construction (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the construction further comprises a partition (C1; C2; C3; C4; C5) configured to be held between a first module (Mn-2; M1) and a second successive module (Mn-1; M2), the first (Mn-2; M1) and the second module (Mn-1; M2) each being formed by assembling a first prefabricated element (2) and a second prefabricated element (3). Concrete construction (1) according to the preceding claim, in which:
- the first and second modules (2, 3) each comprise an upper wall (P1) formed by the orthogonal panel (23) of the first prefabricated element (2), a lower wall (P2) formed by the orthogonal panel (33) of the second prefabricated element (2) and two side walls (P3, P4) formed by the mutually parallel panels of the first and second prefabricated elements (21, 31; 22, 32),
- the second module (M2) comprises on the upper wall (P1) a recess intended to accommodate the partition (C3). Concrete construction (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the upper wall (P1) of the first module (M1) comprises a first notch (E4), the upper wall (P1) of the second module (M2) comprises a second notch ( E5) and an upper face of the partition (C3) comprises a third notch (E6), the first (E4), the second (E5) and the third notch (E6) being configured so as to form an L intended to accommodate a fixing plate of the partition on the upper walls (P1) of the first and second modules (M1, M2). Concrete construction (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the construction is a data centre. Set of precast concrete elements intended to be assembled together so as to form a concrete construction (1), the set of precast elements comprising first precast concrete elements (2) configured to be assembled on second prefabricated (3) in concrete so as to form a plurality of modules (M1, ..., Mn) intended to be assembled together in a longitudinal direction (L) and/or a transverse direction (T),
characterized in that:
- each first prefabricated element (2) and each second prefabricated element (3) respectively comprises two parallel panels (21, 22; 31, 32) connected to each other by an orthogonal panel (23; 33) so as to form a U,
the two parallel panels (21, 22) of the first prefabricated element (2) having one end (210, 220) configured to cooperate with a respective end (310, 320) of the two parallel panels (31, 32) of the second prefabricated element ( 3) so that each first prefabricated element (2) can be nested on the second prefabricated element (3) to form a module (M1, …, Mn), each module (M1, …, Mn) comprising an upper wall (P1 ) formed by the orthogonal panel (23) of the first prefabricated element (2), a bottom wall (P2) formed by the orthogonal panel (33) of the second prefabricated element (3) and two side walls (P3; P4) formed by the parallel panels (21, 31; 22, 32) between them first and second prefabricated elements (2; 3).