AP21A

AP21A - A method of building sipple buildings such as houses schoolrooms etc, which requires less skilled labour then orthodox construction techniques.

Info

Publication number: AP21A
Application number: APAP/P/1985/000012A
Authority: AP
Inventors: Gordon Macdonald Robertson
Original assignee: Gordon Macdonald Robertson
Priority date: 1984-08-21
Filing date: 1985-08-21
Publication date: 1991-01-18
Also published as: ZA856091B; ZM5885A1; AP8500012A0; ZW13884A1; OA08085A

Abstract

A building structure includes a frame structure including a plurality of posts erected in spaced relationship to stand on a sole plate resting on a level foundation strip having an upper surface elevated above ground level. The posts define the outlines of a building or a part of the building. Prefaricated wall panel units are placed around the posts. A filler material is provided within the wall panels. The foundation strip is provided by pouring concrete in strip form between and level with the upper surfaces of a pair of spaced rails defining the sides of the strip. The rails are levelled by using the lower edge of a right-angled triangle in a vertical plane, the triangle having a lower edge by using a plumb line along the said side.

Description

THIS INVENTION relates to a method of building and to a building structure. It relates also to a kit for carrying out the method. It relates more particularly to the building of a low cost housing unit.

Orthodox methods of constructing a house have become too costly to be afforded by the average working man, therefore self-help housing has become commonplace in many countries.

An analysis of the skill required in building will show that it is the ability to place components such as bricks, blocks, door and window frames, roof trusses etc., in the correct position with regard to being level, plumb, ih line and the correct distance from other components.

The invention accordingly provides a -lethod of building which includes erecting a frame structure defining the outlines of a building or part thereof, the frame structure including a plurality of posts in spaced relationship;

erecting prefabricated twin-skin wall panel units between such posts; and charging the spaces between the twin skins of the wall panel units with filler material.___:-----------.

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-3More particularly, the present invention provides a method of building construction which includes matched components of a metal framework or ‘cage¹ which when bolted together will automatically be level, plumb and straight. Prefabricated twin skin wall panel units, including doors, windows, electrical boxes etc,, can then be placed against and around the metal framework. The wall panel units in turn will be automatically properly aligned. They are then filled with an appropriate filler material, eg mud, soil, cement, concrete etc., to complete the building. The twin skin wall panel units are adapted to fit next to one another side by side in use. The twin skins are spaced apart and held apart by spacing means. The twin skins may be of cementitious material and the units may be similar to the building panels described in Zimbabwe Patent No. 82/79.

The said wall panel units may be secured together at their upper ends by means of elevated beams, which may be interconnected to form a ring shape. The beams may be of reinforced concrete, and may be cast in position on top of the filler material within the wall panels.

The invention extends also to a method of building as described, which includes providing a level foundation in continuous strip concrete form for the posts and the wall panel units, the foundation being provided by pouring concrete in strip form between and level with the upper surfaces of a pair of spaced rails defining the sides of the. strip. The upper surfaces of the rails may be levelled by using the lower edge of a right-angled triangle in a vertical plane, the triangle having a lower edge a metre or more —

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-4long, and its side at right angles to the lower edge may be maintained vertical by using a plumb line along the said side.

A sole plate may be provided in continuous strip form, on top of the concrete strip, the sole plate serving as water barrier between the foundation and the wall panels.

The invention extends further to a building structure which includes a frame structure including a plurality of posts erected in spaced relationship to define the outlines of a building or part thereof;

prefabricated wall panel units having twin skins in spaced relationship, defining the thickness of a wall and spanning the spaces between such posts; and a filler material within the wall panels, between the twin skins.

The posts may lie between the twin skins of the wall panel units.

The posts may stand on a metal sole plate resting on a level foundation strip having an upper surface elevated above ground level. The sole plate may extend the full length of the foundation and may have· a shoulder around the inner periphery of the foundation, the shoulder serving to locate the lower inner edges of the wall panel units in position._________ _________

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-5The frame structure may have elevated shoulder strips extending between the posts, the shoulder strips locating the upper inner edges of the wall panel units in position relative to the posts. The wall panel units may be tied together by an elevated peripheral ring beam which may be of reinforced concrete.

At least some of the wall panels may have door or window frame openings, and the frame structure may include roofing support members.

The invention extends still further to kit for carrying out the method of building as described above, which includes a plurality of posts adapted in use, when erected, to define the outline of a building or part thereof; and a plurality of prefabricated twin-skin wall panel units adapted to span the spaces between the posts when erected.

The kit may further include, a right-angled triangle having a plumb bob along one side of the right angle for use to place the side vertical, and having the other side of the right angle a metre or more long for levelling the upper surfaces of spaced rails defining the width and height of a foundation for posts and for placing the posts vertical on the foundation.

The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In the drawings,

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-6Figure 1 shows a three dimensional view of a levelled foundation strip with sole plate in position;

Figure 2 shows a part sectional · end elevation through a foundation strip as at 1I-II in Figure 3;

Figure 3 shows a side elevation of a levelling triangle at III-III in Figure 2;

Figure 4 shows a part end elevation at IV-IV in Figure 5 of a frame structure as used in carrying out the method in accordance with the invention;

Figure 5 shows a part side elevation at V-V in Figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a part sectional end elevation through the outer wall of a building structure in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 7 shows a three dimensional broken away wall of a building structure in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawings, reference numeral 10 refers generally to a level foundation strip of concrete or mortar laid on a platform of level strips of ground 12 which have been levelled with the aid of a levelling right angled triangle 14. The earth material dug out for this level ground is used later as filler material for the walls 25 of the building.

The triangle is made up of three lengths 16, 18 and 20 of steel of angle section, which have been colour-coded as a means of identification. The lengths 16, 18, and 20 are matched and are bolted together to form a right angled triangle. The side 16 has a lower edge, approximately 3 metres in length. This becomes a tool for the checking of the horizontal, the vertical, and the right angles. By securing a string 22 to which a mass 24 has been

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-7attached, to one of the points 14.1 and the triangle held in a vertical plane, the string 22 becomes a plumb bob. The string 22, when aligned and parallel to the edge of side 18, will indicate whether the lower edge of the side 16 of the triangle is level (horizontal) or not. This eliminates the requirement of skill in the use of a spirit level or a dumpy level.

The crushed stone or no-fines concrete” foundation 10 is laid on the strips 12 between two rails in the form of steel channel sections 26 and 28 supported on pegs 30. The rails 26, 28 are part of a kit and are levelled with the aid of the triangle 14 and string

22. The lengths of the foundation 10 are determined by placing predetermined lengths of steel sole plates 32 on top of the levelled foundation 10 thereby eliminating the requirement of a tape measure.

The foundation 10 will act as a water barrier between the ground 12 z

and the walls 25 built later on the foundation 10.

The components constituting the frame structure or steel framework or cage 36 are bolted together on top of the foundation

10. The components are prefabricated and are all matched and numbered. When bolted together they are all level, plumb and straight.

The diagonal bracing 38 holds the posts 36.1 of the cage 36 in their correct position, plumb, square, and at the right centres.

The twin-skin wall panel units 40, incorporating doors 42 and windows 44, where necessary, are placed against a shoulder _____

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-8around the inner periphery of the foundation 10 formed by the upturn

32.1 of the sole plate 32. The wall panels 40 are also laid against elevated shoulder strips 46 which act as a guide to locate the tops of the wall panel units 40 in position relative to the posts. The wall 25 is therefore straight and vertical.

The twin-skin wall panel units 40 have spaced skins 40.1 and 40.2 held in spaced relationship by spacers 40.3. The space between the skins 40.1 and 40.2 is filled with filler material 50 such as mud or stabilized earth using the excavated material from the level platform 12 on which the foundation strip 10 was laid.

A reinforced concrete ring beam 52 is placed at the top of the walls 25 to tie the whole structure together. The roof structure and covering 54 is fixed in the orthodox manner and a suitable floor (not shown) is laid. Ceiling units 58 can be laid across the shoulder strips 46 as and when the owner is able to afford them.

This method of construction allows the owner, with the help of his family, to build a high quality outside shell of a house which gives him space for his family and a good appearance from the street. The internal division walls can be constructed at a later date when he is able to afford them-..........

Claims

1.

A method of building which includes erecting a frame structure defining the outlines of a building or part thereof, the frame structure including a plurality of posts in spaced relationship;

erecting prefabricated twin-skin wall panel units between such posts; and charging the spaces between the twin skins of the wall panel units with filler material.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, in which the frame structure is in the form of a metal framework dr cage and in which the posts and other components making up the framework or cage are r

matched so that when bolted together they are automatically level, plumb, and straight.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 2, in which the framework or cage has formations for locating the wall panel units to ensure that they are properly aligned.

4. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 inclusive, in which at least some of the wall panel units include doors, windows, electrical boxes or conduits.

5. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the said wall panel units are secured together at their upper ends by means of elevated beams------------------bad original

-106. A method as claimed in Claim 5, in which the beams are interconnected to form a ring shape.

7. A method as claimed in Claim 5 or dawn 6, in which the beams are of reinforced concrete.

8. A method as claimed in Claim 7, in which the concrete beams are cast in position on top of the filler material within the wall panels.

9. A method of building as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 8 inclusive, which includes providing a level foundation in continuous strip concrete form for the posts and the wall panel units, the foundation being provided by pouring concrete in strip form between and level with the upper surfaces of a pair of spaced rails defining the sides of the strip.

10. A method as claimed in Claim 9 in which the upper surfaces of the rails are levelled by using the lower edge of a right-angled triangle in a vertical plane, the triangle having a lower edge at least a metre long, and its side at right angles to the lower edge being maintained vertical by using a plumb line along the said side.

11. A method as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10, in which a sole plate is provided in continuous strip form, on top of the concrete strip, ... . ...--------- ----AP 0 0 0 0 2 1

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-1112. A method as claimed in Claim 11, in which the sole plate is of metal and in which the posts stand on the sole plate.

13. A building structure which includes a frame structure including a plurality of posts erected in spaced relationship to define the outlines of a building or part thereof;

14. A building structure as claimed in Claim 13, in which the posts lie between the twin skins of the wall panel units.

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15. A building structure as claimed in Claim 13 or Claim 14, in which the posts stand on a sole plate resting on a level foundation strip having an upper surface elevated above ground level.

16. A building structure as claimed in Claim 15, in which the sole plate extends the full length of the foundation and has a shoulder around the inner periphery of the foundation, the shoulder serving to locate the lower inner edges of the wall panel units in position.

17. A building structure as claimed in any one of Claims 13 to

16 inclusive, in which the frame structure has elevated shoulder ---

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-12strips extending between the posts, the shoulder strips locating the wall panel units in alignment with each other, by locating the upper inner edges of the wall panel units in position relative to the pests.

18. A building structure as claimed in any one of Claims 13 to 17 inclusive, in which the wall panel units are tied together by an elevated peripheral ring beam.

19. A building structure as claimed in Claim 18, in which the ring beam is of reinforced concrete cast in position on top of filler material within the wall panels.

20. A building structure as claimed in any'one of Claims 13 to

19 inclusive, in which at least some of the wall panels have door o* window frame openings.

21. A building structure as claimed in any one of Claims 13 to

20 inclusive, in which the frame structure includes roofing support members.

22. A kit for carrying out the method of building as claimed in Claim 1, which includes a plurality of posts adapted in use, when erected, to define the outline of a building or part thereof; and a plurality of prefabricated twin-skin wall panel units adapted to span the spaces between the posts when erected.__________

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-1323. A kit for carrying out the method of building claimed in

Claim 10, which includes a plurality of posts for defining the outline of a building or part thereof;

a plurality of prefabricated twin-skin wall panel units adapted to span the spaces between the posts when erected; and a right-angled triangle having a plumb bob along one side of the right angle for use to place the side vertical, and having the other side of the right angle at least a metre long for levelling the upper surfaces of spaced rails defining the width and height of a foundation for posts and for placing the posts vertical on the foundation.

24. A kit as claimed in Claim 19 or Claim 20 in which at least some of the wall panel units have integrally mounted door or window frames, or have openings to accommodate door or window frames.

25. A method of building, substantially as described and i1 lustrated herein. 26. A building structure, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 27. A kit for a building, substantially as described and illustrated herein. « 2OTH Λοις lot

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