AU2011204797B2

AU2011204797B2 - Truss-like beam and floor structure using said truss-like beam

Info

Publication number: AU2011204797B2
Application number: AU2011204797A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Chris De Vaney
Original assignee: PODIUM STRUCTURES Pty Ltd
Current assignee: PODIUM STRUCTURES Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-02-18
Filing date: 2011-07-15
Publication date: 2014-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2031-07-15
Also published as: AU2011204797A1

Abstract

- 25 A truss-like beam (10) comprises a first elongate cord member (13); a second elongate cord member (14); and an angled support (17). Each cord member (13 and 14) has first 5 end nodes (20 and 22) at a first end of the beam and second end nodes (24 and 26) at a second end of the beam. The first elongate cord member (13) has a centre point (19). The angled support beam (17) extends from a first point (28) on the first cord member (13) between the centre point (19) and the first node (20) of the first cord member (13) to a first point (32) on the second cord member (14) inward from the first node (22) of the 10 second cord member (14). An elevated floor structure (100) uses the truss-like beam (10). (Figure 6) x 7g R-IG- ID

Description

- 1 TRUSS-LIKE BEAM and FLOOR STRUCTURE USING SAID TRUSS-LIKE BEAM Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates to a truss-like beam and to a floor structure in which said truss-like beam may be used. Background 10 Australian Patent 651039 describes a floor structure which uses parallel cord trusses in primary and secondary elongate members supported by support legs. Each truss has a depth which is much greater than its width and a length which is much greater than its depth. An example of this truss 2 is shown in Figure 1. Further each truss 2 has angled support members 7 extending between a top cord member 3 and a bottom cord member 15 4 such that the angled support members meet in the centre 9 of one of the cords of the truss and connect to end nodes of the other cord to form a triangle. It has a length A, a depth B with the angled supports at an angle a with each cord member. Typically these trusses are fabricated from square or rectangular hollow section steel 20 tubing (SHS or RHS). A common dimension for this tubing is 50mm by 75mm in cross section. The angled support 7 is typically cut at an angle so that it can be welded to the cord members as shown in Figure 4. When cut at an angle the angled end is of a length F. When conventional equipment is used to cut the angled end, the length of F is limited to about 140mm. Special cutting equipment is required to cut the angled end so that F is 25 longer than 140mm. The length of F thus limits the angle a at which the angled support member can be at in relation to the bottom cord member. Typically a can be no less than about 32.4 degrees when the height of the tubing is 75mm. This limitation in turn limits the depth B of the truss for a given length A. 30 Typically each truss is of a standard length A of 2400mm, but other standard lengths are known, such as 1200mm and 600mm. For a length A of 2400mm the typical depth B is 850mm, which makes a about 35.3 degrees.

-2 In many applications it is desirable to reduce the depth of the truss, but for the reasons mentioned above this limits the length of the truss. The present invention provides a new truss-like beam that can have a lesser depth for 5 the same length when compared to a standard truss. Summary of the Present Invention In this specification the terms "comprising" or "comprises" are used inclusively and not 10 exclusively or exhaustively. Any references to documents that are made in this specification are not intended to be an admission that the information contained in those documents form part of the common general knowledge known to a person skilled in the field of the invention, 15 unless explicitly stated as such. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a truss-like beam comprising a first elongate cord member; a second elongate cord member; and an angled support, each cord member having first and second end nodes, the first end 20 nodes being at a first end of the beam and the second end nodes being at a second end of the beam, and the first elongate cord member has a centre point, wherein the angled support beam extends from a first point on the first cord member between the centre point and the first node of the first cord member to a first point on the second cord member inward from the first node of the second cord member. 25 In an embodiment the first cord member is the same length and parallel to the second cord member. In an embodiment the first point is substantially the same distance from the centre point as the distance of the first point of the second cord member from the first node of the second cord member. 30 In an embodiment the first cord member intersects the second cord member. In an embodiment the second end points of the first and second cord members coincide. In an embodiment the first cord member is longer than the second cord member.

-3 According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a truss-like beam comprising a first elongate cord member; a second elongate cord member parallel to the first elongate cord member; and an angled support, each cord member having first and 5 second end nodes, the first end nodes being at a first end of the beam and the second end nodes being at a second end of the beam, and the first elongate cord member has a centre point, wherein the angled support beam extends from a first point on the first cord member between the centre point and the first node of the first cord member to a first point on the second cord member inward from the first node of the second cord member, 10 the first point being substantially the same distance from the centre point as the distance of the first point of the second cord member from the first node of the second cord member. In an embodiment the distance is determined by calculating K according to the formula 15 K = 0.5 x E / tan(a), where K is the distance, a is an angle between the angled support and the first cord member and E is a second distance by which the first cord member is spaced from an imaginary first beam of an imaginary truss of the same length as the truss and having a imaginary second cord member coinciding with the second cord member and an imaginary angled support parallel to the angled support, the imaginary 20 angled support extending from a centre point of the imaginary first cord member to a first end node of the imaginary second cord member, where the imaginary first and second cord members are spaced apart further than the first and second cord members are spaced apart. 25 In an embodiment the angle a is at least 32.4 degrees. In an embodiment the angle a is about 35.3 degrees. In an embodiment the angle a is between 30 and 60 degrees. In an embodiment the angle a is 45 degrees. 30 In an embodiment the distance is less than half of the distance between the centre point and the first node of the first cord member. Preferably the distance is much less than half of the distance between the centre point and the first node of the first cord member.

-4 Typically the distance is less than 10% of the distance between the centre point and the first node of the first cord member. Typically the distance is between 1% and 10% of the distance between the centre point 5 and the first node of the first cord member. Typically the distance is about 3 to 4% of the length of the first cord member. In an embodiment the truss-like member further comprises a second angled support. 10 In an embodiment the second angled support mirrors first angled support about a line orthogonal to the first cord member which extends through the centre point. In an embodiment the second angled support extends from a second point on the first 15 beam between the centre point and the second node of the first beam to a second point on the second beam inward from the second node of the second beam, the second point of the first cord member being substantially the same distance from the centre point as the distance of the second point of the second cord member from the second node of the second cord member. 20 In an embodiment the distance of the second point of the second cord member from the second node of the second cord member is the same as distance of the first point of the second cord member from the first node of the second cord member. 25 In an embodiment a vertical support extends between first end nodes and a vertical support extends between second nodes. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a truss-like beam comprising a first elongate cord member; a second elongate cord member parallel to the 30 first elongate cord member; a first angled support and a second angled support, each cord member having first and second end nodes, the first end nodes being at a first end of the beam and the second end nodes being at a second end of the beam, wherein the first angled support cord member extends from a first point on the first cord member to a -5 first point on the second cord member inward from the first node of the second cord member, wherein the second angled support cord member extends from a second point on the first cord member to a second point on the second cord member inward from the second node of the second cord member. 5 In an embodiment the first point of the first cord member is spaced from the second point of the first cord member without there being a further support between the first and second cord members between the first and second points of the first cord member. 10 In an embodiment the first point of the first cord member is equally spaced from a centre point of the first cord member as the second point of the first cord member is spaced from the centre point. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a truss-like beam 15 comprising a first elongate cord member; a second elongate cord member; and an angled support, each cord member having first and second end nodes, the first end nodes being at a first end of the beam and the second end nodes being at a second end of the beam, and the first elongate cord member has a centre point, wherein the angled support beam extends from a first point on the first cord member between a vertical 20 support extending between the cord members and the first node of the first cord member to a first point on the second cord member inward from the first node of the second cord member. In an embodiment the second elongate cord member is shorter than the first member 25 and the first cord member intersects the second cord member such that the second end points of the first and second cord members coincide; wherein the vertical support extends from the centre point of the first cord member. According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a truss-like beam 30 comprising a first elongate cord member; a second elongate cord member shorter than the first member; and an angled support, each cord member having first and second end nodes, the first end nodes being at a first end of the beam and the second end nodes being at a second end of the beam, the first cord member intersects the second cord -6 member such that the second end points of the first and second cord members coincide, and the first elongate cord member has a centre point, wherein the angled support beam extends from a first point on the first cord member between the centre point and the first node of the first cord member to a first point on the second cord member inward from the 5 first node of the second cord member. In an embodiment the first member is at an angle P to the second member and the angled support is at an angle a to the first member, wherein the support is at an angle that is the sum of a and P to the second member. 10 The first member is a length A and the second member is a length Z, where Z = A / cos (P). In an embodiment the angle a is at least 32.4 degrees. In an embodiment the angle a is 15 about 35.3 degrees. In an embodiment the angle a is between 30 and 60 degrees. In an embodiment the angle a is 45 degrees. 20 In an embodiment the angle P is about 14 degrees. Typically the distance X is between 1 % and 10% of the distance between the centre point and the first node of the first cord member. 25 Typically the distance X is about 3 to 4% of the length of the first cord member. In an embodiment the beam further comprises a vertical support extending orthogonally from the centre point of the first member to the second member. 30 In an embodiment an end vertical support extends between the first end nodes. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided an elevated floor structure comprising: a plurality of support legs disposed upwardly from a ground -7 surface; a plurality of primary elongate members each being supported by two adjacent ones of the support legs so that each support leg supports two of the primary elongate members, each primary elongate members having a depth which is much greater than its width and 5 a length which is much greater than its depth, each primary elongate member having an inner portion disposed between the said two adjacent support legs and a cantilever portion disposed outwardly from each of the said two primary elongate members; and, a plurality of secondary elongate members each being supported by two opposite ones of the primary elongate members each secondary elongate members having a depth which 10 is much greater than its width and a length which is much greater than its depth, and each secondary elongate member having an inner portion disposed between the said two opposite ones of the primary elongate members and a cantilever portion disposed outwardly from each of the said two opposite primary elongate members; wherein, the primary elongate members and the secondary elongate members in combination forming 15 a matrix, the matrix being located at or below the top of the support legs and the matrix being capable of supporting flooring members; and whereby, in use, the primary and secondary elongate members act to brace the support legs one to the next, wherein at least one of the inner portions comprises a truss-like beam as defined above. 20 In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided an elevated floor structure comprising: a plurality of support legs disposed upwardly from a ground surface; a plurality of primary elongate members each being supported by two adjacent ones of the support legs so that each support leg supports two of the primary elongate members, 25 each primary elongate members having a depth which is much greater than its width and a length which is much greater than its depth, each primary elongate member having an portion disposed between the said two adjacent support legs; and, a plurality of secondary elongate members each being supported by two opposite ones of the primary elongate members each secondary elongate members having a depth which is much 30 greater than its width and a length which is much greater than its depth, and each secondary elongate member having an inner portion disposed between the said two opposite ones of the primary elongate members; wherein, the primary elongate members and the secondary elongate members in combination forming a matrix, the -8 matrix being located at or below the top of the support legs and the matrix being capable of supporting flooring members; and whereby, in use, the primary and secondary elongate members act to brace the support legs one to the next, wherein at least one of the inner portions comprises a truss-like beam as defined above. 5 In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided an elevated floor structure comprising: a plurality of support legs disposed upwardly from a ground surface; a plurality of primary elongate members each being supported by two adjacent ones of 10 the support legs so that each support leg supports two of the primary elongate members, each primary elongate members having a depth which is much greater than its width and a length which is much greater than its depth, each primary elongate member having an inner portion disposed between the said two adjacent support legs and a cantilever portion disposed outwardly from each of the said two primary elongate members; and, a 15 plurality of secondary elongate members each being supported by two opposite ones of the primary elongate members each secondary elongate members having a depth which is much greater than its width and a length which is much greater than its depth, and each secondary elongate member having an inner portion disposed between the said two opposite ones of the primary elongate members and a cantilever portion disposed 20 outwardly from each of the said two opposite primary elongate members; wherein, the primary elongate members and the secondary elongate members in combination forming a matrix, the matrix being located at or below the top of the support legs and the matrix being capable of supporting flooring members; and whereby, in use, the primary and secondary elongate members act to brace the support legs one to the next, wherein at 25 least one of the cantilever portions comprises a truss-like beam as defined above. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided an elevated floor structure comprising: a plurality of support legs disposed upwardly from a ground surface; a plurality of primary elongate members each being supported by two adjacent 30 ones of the support legs so that each support leg supports two of the primary elongate members each primary elongate member having: a top cord having an inner portion disposed between the said two adjacent support legs and a cantilever portion extending outwardly from each of the said two adjacent support legs; a brace disposed between -9 each said cantilever portion and its respective support legs; and, a bottom cord disposed between the said two adjacent support legs, the bottom cord being substantially parallel to the top cord and joining the said support legs at substantially the same height as the said braces; and, a plurality of secondary elongate members each being supported by 5 two opposite ones of the primary elongate members, each secondary elongate member having: a top cord having an inner portion disposed between the said two opposite primary elongate members and a cantilever portion extending outwardly from each of the said two opposite primary elongate members; a brace disposed between each said cantilever portion and its respective primary elongate member; and, a bottom cord 10 disposed between the said two opposite primary elongate members, the bottom cord being substantially parallel to the said top cord and joining the said two opposite primary elongate members; wherein, the primary elongate members and the secondary elongate members in combination forming a matrix, the matrix being located at or below the top of the support legs and the matrix being capable of supporting flooring members; and, 15 whereby, in use, the primary and secondary elongate members act to brace the support legs one to the next, wherein at least one of the inner portions comprises a truss-like beam as defined above. Preferably, the elevated floor structure is modularized. 20 Preferably, the elevated floor structure is symmetric about two substantially horizontal and orthogonal axes taken through the centre of the elevated floor structure. Description of Drawings 25 Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a prior art truss; Figure 2 is a side elevation of an embodiment of a truss-like beam according to the 30 present invention overlaid on the truss of Figure 1 which is shown in dashed lines with the angled supports overlaid; Figure 3 is a side elevation of an embodiment of a truss-like beam according to the present invention overlaid on the truss of Figure 1 which is shown in dashed lines with -10 the bottom cords overlaid; Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the truss of Figure 1 showing a corner of the truss and the angle between the angled support member and the bottom cord; Figure 5 is cross section of a tube showing its dimensions; 5 Figure 6 is an upper perspective view of the truss-like beam of Figure 2; Figure 7 is an upper perspective view of two truss-like beams of type shown in Figure 2 joined end to end; Figure 8 is an upper perspective view of another embodiment of a truss-like beam according to the present invention; 10 Figure 9 is an upper perspective view of another embodiment of a truss-like beam of according to the present invention; Figure 10 is a plan view of a post showing connection to a number of truss-like beams according to the presenting invention; Figure 11 is an upper perspective view of an embodiment of a floor structure according 15 to the present invention; and Figure 12 is side elevation of an embodiment of a primary member of a floor structure according to the present invention. Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention 20 Generally the present invention relates to a truss-like beam which comprises a first elongate cord member; a second elongate cord member; and an angled support. Each cord member has first and second end nodes. The first end nodes are at a first end of the beam and the second end nodes are at a second end of the beam. The first 25 elongate cord member has a centre point. The angled support beam extends from a first point on the first cord member between the centre point and the first node of the first cord member to a first point on the second cord member inward from the first node of the second cord member. 30 There are two types of example truss-like beam described. In a first embodiment the beam is generally rectangular where the first cord member is the same length and parallel to the second cord member. The first point is substantially the same distance from the centre point as the distance of the first point of the second cord member from - 11 the first node of the second cord member. In a second embodiment the beam is generally triangular with the first cord member intersecting the second cord member such that the second end points of the first and 5 second cord members coincide. The first cord member is longer than the second cord member. Referring to Figures 2 and 6 there is an embodiment of a truss-like beam 10 of the present invention comprising a first elongate cord member 13; a second elongate cord 10 member 14 parallel to the first elongate cord member 13; an angled support 17 and an angled support 18. Cord member 13 has a first end node 20 a second end node 24. Cord member 14 has a first end node 22 and a second end node 26. The first end nodes 20 and 22 are at a first end of the truss-like beam 10 and the second end nodes 24 and 26 are at a second end of the truss-like beam 10. The first elongate cord 15 member has a centre point 19. The first angled support 17 extends from a first point 28 on the first cord member 13 between the centre point 19 and the first node 20 to a first point 32 on the second cord member 14 inward from the first node 22. The first point 28 is substantially the same distance K from the centre point 19 as the distance L of the first point 32 from the first node 22. 20 The second angled support 18 extends from a second point 30 on the first cord member 13 to a second point 34 on the second cord member 14 inward from the second node 26. The second point 30 is substantially the same distance J from the centre point 19 as the distance K. The first point 28 is spaced from the second point 30 by the sum of J 25 and K and without there being a further support between the first and second cord members 13 and 14 between the first and second points 28 and 30. Thus second angled support 18 mirrors first angled support 17 about a line orthogonal to the first cord member 13 which extends through the centre point 19. 30 In an embodiment a vertical support 16 extends between first end nodes 20 and 22 and a vertical support 15 extends between second nodes 24 and 26. The first and second cord members 13 and 14 are spaced apart by distance C, that is, -12 the truss-like beam 10 has a depth of C. It can be seen from the overlay that while the angled supports are overlayed with those of the truss 2 and thus at the same angles with respect to the respective cord members, distance C is less than the depth B of the truss 2, while having the same length A. When the first cord member 13 is spaced inwardly 5 from cord member 3 by distance D and the second cord member 14 is spaced inwardly from the second cord member 4 by the same distance, then B = C + 2D. It can be seen in Figure 3 when the second cord member 14 is overlayed on second cord member 4 the first cord member 13 is inwardly spaced from the first cord member 3 by distance E. It can also be seen that in this embodiment E = 2D. In an embodiment when the length A 10 is 2400mm, C is 600mm and E is 150mm. In an embodiment the angle a is 30, 45 or 60 degrees as these are common angles for supports in building material. Angle a can also be between these angles, although it is envisaged that angle a can be outside of this range. To keep support 17 at the same 15 relative angle as support 7 the angle a is about 35.3 degrees. As seen in Figure 5 the truss-like beam may be formed of rectangular hollow section (RHS) tube of height G, width H and wall thickness 1. When G is 75mm and it is desired to keep the cut length of the end of the tube to 140mm or less then the angle a is at least 20 32.4 degrees. It is desirable to keep the distance K such that the truss-like beam 10 maintains a comparable strength and rigidity to the truss 2. In an embodiment the distance K is less than half of the distance between the centre point 19 and the first node 20. Preferably 25 the distance K is much less than half of the distance between the centre point 19 and the first node 20, so that the amount of leverage exerted at node 22 along length L is within the structural limits of the tube that forms member 14. Typically the distance K is between 1% and 10% of the distance between the centre point and the first node 20. More typically the distance K is about 3 to 6% of the length A of the first cord member. 30 The distance K may be calculated according to the formula K = 0.5 x E / tan(a). In an embodiment when the length A is 2400mm, depth C is 600mm and a is about 35.3 degrees, then the distance K is about 176mm.

-13 These calculations assume the points are as shown and the RHS dimensions need to be taken into account. Referring to Figure 7, a longer truss-like beam 30 can be constructed from two truss-like 5 beams 10 and 10' by fastening them end to end. In this case a plate 32 or bracket or support 70 described below is used with fasteners 34 to fasten them end to end. In an alternative embodiment a pair of plates 32 can sandwich the ends and secure them with fasteners, such as a tightened bolt and nut, holding them together. 10 Referring to Figure 8, an alternative longer truss-like beam 40 is shown. It comprises first elongate cord member 43; a second elongate cord member 44 parallel to the first elongate cord member 43; angled supports 47, 48, 52 and 54 and vertical supports 45 and 46 at each end and a vertical support 56 midway along the length. There are "centre points" between supports 45 and 56 and between supports 56 and 46. The 15 angled supports 47 and 48 extend from either side of the centre point between supports 46 and 56 and points inwardly supports 46 and 56 in a similar manner to truss-like beam 10. The angled supports 52 and 54 extend from either side of the centre point between supports 45 and 56 and points inwardly supports 45 and 56 also in a similar manner to truss-like beam 10. In effect beam 40 is virtually the same as beam 30 except that 20 support 56 replaces the respective end to end vertical supports 15 and 15' in beams 10 and 10'. The load bearing ability of the beams 10, 30 and 40 can be increased by using tube with a thicker wall thickness I in the top cord members 13, 13 and 13' or 43 only. The load 25 bearing ability of the beams 10, 30 and 40 can be further increased by using tube with a thicker wall thickness I in the top and bottom cord members 13 and 14; 13, 13' 14 and 14' or 43 and 44 only. The load bearing ability of the beams 10, 30 and 40 can be still further increased by using tube with a thicker wall thickness I of all members. For example when I = 2 mm is used for all tube except the cord member 13 which is 4 mm 30 the load bearing ability increases when compared to just using 2 mm for all tube. A cantilever truss-like beam 60 is shown in Figure 9. The beam 60 comprises a first elongate cord member 63; a second elongate cord member 64 generally extending the -14 about same length as the first cord member 63; and an angled support 67. Cord member 63 and cord member 64 are at an angle to each other and intersect at one end node 65. The cord member 63 has another end node 20 and the cord member 64 has another end node 22. Nodes 20 and 22 are spaced from one another. The second cord 5 member 64 has a centre point from which extends at right angles a vertical support 62 which meets the first cord member at point 69. The angled support 67 extends from a first point on the first cord member between the point 69 and the first node 20 to a first point on the second cord member 64 inward from the first node 22. Angled support member 67 is at the same angle to the second support member 64 as is the angled 10 support member 17 to the second cord member 14 in beam 10. The cantilever beam 60 is like an up-side-down diagonally bisected version of beam 10 with member 63 extending through the diagonal line and the vertical support 62 added and there being no second angled support 18. 15 In an embodiment the first member 63 is at an angle P to the second member 64 and the angled support 67 is at an angle a to the second member 64, wherein the support 67 is at an angle that is the sum of a and P to the first member 63. So where A is 2400mm and C is 600mm, P will be about 14 degrees. 20 In an embodiment the first point on the first member is spaced a distance X from the first node of the second member and the first point on the first member is spaced a distance Y from the first node of the second member. The second member is a length A and the first member is a length Z, where Z = A / cos (P). So where A is 2400mm and P is 14 degrees, Z will be about 2473mm. 25 In an embodiment the angle a is at least 32.4 degrees. In an embodiment the angle a is about 35.3 degrees. In an embodiment the angle a is between 30 and 60 degrees. In an embodiment the 30 angle a is 45 degrees. Typically the distance X is between 1 % and 10% of the distance between the centre point and the first node of the first cord member.

-15 Typically the distance X is about 3 to 4% of the length of the first cord member. In an embodiment an end vertical support 66 extends between the first end nodes 20 5 and 22. Referring to Figure 10 a support post assembly 70 of a support structure is shown. The assembly comprises a square sectioned support post 72 which has an offset mounting bracket 74 and 74' on each side, along with a mounting bracket 76 on one of the 10 corners. Cantilever truss-like beams 60 can be coupled to each of the brackets 74' on either side of bracket 76 by use of fasteners. Truss-like beam 10 can be coupled to one of the other mounting brackets 74 and long trust-like beam 40 or 50 can be coupled to the remaining bracket 74. A longer cantilever truss-like beam 78 can be coupled to bracket 76. Beam 78 will be about 1.41 times the length of beam 60 to complete the 15 square corner of the structure. Referring to Figure 11 there is shown an elevated floor structure 100 comprising a plurality of support legs 112, such as four support legs 112, a plurality of elongate members 114, such as six elongate members 114, and a plurality of side beams 118, 20 such as four side beams, of which only two are shown, with the absent ones completing the square shape. The support legs 112 are preferably arranged spaced apart equally, to form a square base. Also, the support legs 112 are preferably disposed to extend substantially 25 vertically upwards from the ground. Typically, the support legs 112 are formed of square box section metal, such as SHS and are for example in form of the support posts 72. Typically, the support legs 112 are arranged so that side faces of adjacent support legs 112 face each other. Further, the upper ends of the support legs 112 are disposed in the same horizontal plane. 30 The elongate members 114 have a top cord 130 fixed to the support legs 112, a bottom cord 132 fixed between the support legs 112, a king post support 134 such as vertical support 15 or similar disposed between the top cord 130 and the bottom cord 132 -16 substantially midway between the support legs 112, angled support braces 136 such as angled support 17 or 18 or similar disposed diagonally between a lower end of the king post 134 and the top cord 130, and further braces 138 disposed between an outer end 140 of the top cord 130 and the support legs 112. In this embodiment the elevated floor 5 structure 100 has six elongate members 114 arranged in a matrix pattern. Three of the elongate members 114 are primary members 115 and comprise truss-like beams 50, two which are fixed between adjacent support legs 112. The third primary member 141 is between the other two. Three of the elongate members 114 are 10 secondary members 116, two of which comprise truss-like beams 40 and extend between respective ends of the beams 50. The third secondary member is comprised of two truss-like beams 10 orthogonally connected to the centre vertical support 144 of the member 141. The centre vertical support 144 forms a common central king post 144. The totality of the top cords 130 of all of the truss-like beams 114 provide a plurality of 15 bearers for floor joists for supporting floor boards or floor panels. The portion of the elongate members 114 between the support legs 112 are referred to as inner portions and the portion of the elongate members 114 outside the support legs 112 are referred to as cantilever portions. The cantilever portions comprise the truss-like 20 beams 60 and longer truss-like beams 78 at the corners of the structure 100. The side beams 118 are fixed to the outer ends 140 of each of the top cords 130 of the cantilever portions. 25 The side beams 118 are connected together at their ends by corner pieces 146. The side beams 118 are typically formed of C section metal. The side beams 118 are connected to the outer ends 140 of the top cords 130 such as by bolting. A connector may be in locatable in the side beams 118 for fixing floor joists across the 30 elongate members 114. The connector is substantially "T" shaped having a head for vertical placement in a channel defined by the side beam 118, and a support ledge disposed substantially at right angles to the head and arranged substantially horizontally.

-17 The support ledge is fixed to a floor joist which is disposed across the elongate members 114 and secured to an opposite one of the side beams 118 by another connector. In use, the support legs 112 are arranged vertically true and set in concrete footings in 5 the ground. The upper ends 120 of the support legs 112 are disposed at exactly the same height so that the elevated floor structure 110, once completed, is level. The remainder of the elevated floor structure 110 can be erected from the support legs 112. Erection of the floor structure 110 may be effected by the following procedure. 10 Firstly, the outer two beam-like truss members 50 are connected to the support legs 112. Then the two beam-like truss members 40 are connected to the support legs 112 between the members 50. The middle member 50 is connected to the middle of each of the members 40. The members 10 are connected to the middle of the middle member 15 50 and to the middle of each of the other members 50. Then each of the members 60 are connected and then the members 78. The side beams 118 are then connected. The structure 100 may be assembled in a different order. 20 The resulting elevated floor structure 100 is level and ready to receive floor panels or floor boards and the remainder of the building structure can then erected upon it. A plurality of the elevated floor structures 110, can be connected in a modularised fashion one adjacent the other with the side beams 118 of adjacent elevated floor 25 structures 110 being secured together. When adjacent structures are used, end to end cantilever beams 60 can be replaced by beams 10, 40 or 50. The elevated floor structure 110 of the present invention has the advantaged that it can be erected upon sloping terrain and without the need to use cranes or the like. The 30 truss-like beams 114 the elevated floor structure 10 is well stabilised and requires no additional bracing. Referring to Figure 12 a variation of a primary elongate member 200 is shown which in -18 includes an inner portion comprising truss-like beam 50 connected end to end with truss like beam 10 by a connector 202 in a similar manner to the manner of connecting beams 10 to form the beam 40. Each end of the inner portion is supported by supports 112 and to which beams 60 are connected to form cantilever potions of the member 200. This 5 allows for a greater span between supports in one dimension. If necessary this can also be used in another orthogonal dimension. The truss-like beam of the present invention enables a lesser depth for the same length compared to a standard parallel cord truss. Likewise the floor structure 100 is able to 10 have less depth in the elongate members 114. Additionally the amount of RHS used to make each truss-like beam is less when compared to a standard parallel cord truss. The rigidity of the following three example floor structures when under normal load has been modelled to produce the bending moment and truss deflection diagrams using 15 "Multiframe3D" Version 12 to ensure the example floor structures have adequate strength. 1. A floor structure 100 used as a deck area and/or to support a single storey framed building, over the entire area of the structure, can be fabricated using the 20 standard dimensioned 50x75mm RHS with the thickness of material being 2mm for all truss-like beams. 2. A floor structure 100 to support a two storey building, over the entire area of the structure, can be fabricated using the standard dimensioned 50x75mm RHS with the 25 thickness of material of the web members of all trusses being 2mm. The top chord of the parallel chord truss-like beams 10, 30, 40 and the top and bottom chords of the cantilever truss-like beams 60 have a thickness of 4mm. 3. A floor structure 100 to support a single or two storey building supported on a 30 concrete slab over the entire area of the structure can be fabricated using the standard dimensioned 50x75mm RHS with the thickness of material of the web members of all truss-like beams being 4mm. The top chord of the parallel chord truss-like beams 10, 30, 40 and the top and bottom chords of the cantilever truss-like beams 60 is 6mm.

-19 Modifications may be made to the present invention within the context of that described and shown in the drawings. Such modifications are intended to form part of the invention described in this specification. 5

Claims

1. A truss-like beam comprising a first elongate cord member; a second elongate cord member; and an angled support, each cord member having first and second end 5 nodes, the first end nodes being at a first end of the beam and the second end nodes being at a second end of the beam, and the first elongate cord member has a centre point, wherein the angled support beam extends from a first point on the first cord member between the centre point and the first node of the first cord member to a first point on the second cord member inward from the first node of the second cord member, 10 and the distance of the first point of the second cord member from the first end node of the second cord member is between 3% and 10% of the length of the first cord member.

2. A beam as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second elongate cord member is the same length as and parallel to the first elongate cord member; and the first point is 15 substantially the same distance from the centre point as the distance of the first point of the second cord member from the first node of the second cord member.

3. A beam as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distance of the first point of the second cord member from the first end node of the second cord member is about 7% of 20 the length of the first cord member, and the angle between angled support beam and second cord member is about 35 degrees and the distance between the cord members is about 25% of the length of cord members.

4. A beam as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the truss-like member further 25 comprises a second angled support that mirrors the first angled support about a line orthogonal to the first cord member which extends through the centre point.

5. A truss-like beam comprising a first elongate cord member; a second elongate cord member parallel to the first elongate cord member; a first angled support and a second angled support, each cord member having first and second end nodes, the first 30 end nodes being at a first end of the beam and the second end nodes being at a second end of the beam, wherein the first angled support cord member extends from a first point on the first cord member to a first point on the second cord member inward from the first node of the second cord member, wherein the second angled support cord member - 21 extends from a second point on the first cord member to a second point on the second cord member inward from the second node of the second cord member, and the distance of the first point of the second cord member from the first end node of the second cord member is between 3% and 10% of the length of the first cord member. 5

6. A beam as claimed in any one of claims 1,2, 4 or 5, wherein an angle between the angled support and the first cord member is between 30 and 60 degrees.

7. A beam as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the distance of the first point of the 10 second cord member from the first end node of the second cord member is about 7% of the length of the first cord member, and the angle between angled support beam and second cord member is about 35 degrees and the distance between the cord members is about 25% of the length of cord members. 15

8. A beam as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a vertical support extends between first end nodes and a vertical support extends between second nodes.

9. A truss-like beam comprising a first elongate cord member; a second elongate 20 cord member; and an angled support, each cord member having first and second end nodes, the first end nodes being at a first end of the beam and the second end nodes being at a second end of the beam, and the first elongate cord member has a centre point, wherein the angled support extends from a first point on the first cord member between a vertical support and the first node of the first cord member to a first point on 25 the second cord member inward from the first node of the second cord member, and the distance of the first point of the second cord member from the first end node of the second cord member is between 3% and 10% of the length of the first cord member.

10. A truss-like beam comprising a first elongate cord member; a second elongate 30 cord member shorter than the first member; and an angled support, each cord member having first and second end nodes, the first end nodes being at a first end of the beam and the second end nodes being at a second end of the beam, the first cord member intersects the second cord member such that the second end nodes of the first and - 22 second cord members coincide, and the first elongate cord member has a centre point, wherein the angled support extends from a first point on the first cord member between the centre point and the first node of the first cord member to a first point on the second cord member inward from the first node of the second cord member, and the distance of 5 the first point of the second cord member from the first end node of the second cord member is between 3% and 10% of the length of the first cord member

11. A beam as claimed in claim 1 or 9, wherein the second end nodes of the first and second cord members coincide and the first cord member is longer than the second cord 10 member.

12. A beam as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein an angle between the first member and the second member is between 30 and 60 degrees. 15

13. A beam as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the beam further comprises a vertical support extending orthogonally from the centre point of the first member to the second member.

14. A beam as claimed in any one of claims 1, or 11 to 13, wherein the beam further 20 comprises an end vertical support extending between the first end nodes.

15. An elevated floor structure comprising: a plurality of support legs disposed upwardly from a ground surface; a plurality of primary elongate members each being supported by two adjacent ones of 25 the support legs so that each support leg supports two of the primary elongate members, each primary elongate members having a depth which is much greater than its width and a length which is much greater than its depth, each primary elongate member having an inner portion disposed between the said two adjacent support legs and a cantilever portion disposed outwardly from each of the said two primary elongate members; and, a 30 plurality of secondary elongate members each being supported by two opposite ones of the primary elongate members each secondary elongate members having a depth which is much greater than its width and a length which is much greater than its depth, and each secondary elongate member having an inner portion disposed between the said - 23 two opposite ones of the primary elongate members and a cantilever portion disposed outwardly from each of the said two opposite primary elongate members; wherein, the primary elongate members and the secondary elongate members in combination forming a matrix, the matrix being located at or below the top of the support legs and the matrix 5 being capable of supporting flooring members; and whereby, in use, the primary and secondary elongate members act to brace the support legs one to the next, wherein at least one of the inner portions comprises a truss-like beam as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8. 10

16. An elevated floor structure comprising: a plurality of support legs disposed upwardly from a ground surface; a plurality of primary elongate members each being supported by two adjacent ones of the support legs so that each support leg supports two of the primary elongate members, each primary elongate members having a depth which is much greater than its width and 15 a length which is much greater than its depth, each primary elongate member having an portion disposed between the said two adjacent support legs; and, a plurality of secondary elongate members each being supported by two opposite ones of the primary elongate members each secondary elongate members having a depth which is much greater than its width and a length which is much greater than its depth, and each 20 secondary elongate member having an inner portion disposed between the said two opposite ones of the primary elongate members; wherein, the primary elongate members and the secondary elongate members in combination forming a matrix, the matrix being located at or below the top of the support legs and the matrix being capable of supporting flooring members; and whereby, in use, the primary and secondary 25 elongate members act to brace the support legs one to the next, wherein at least one of the inner portions comprises a truss-like beam as defined in any one of claims 1 to 8.

17. An elevated floor structure comprising: a plurality of support legs disposed upwardly from a ground surface; 30 a plurality of primary elongate members each being supported by two adjacent ones of the support legs so that each support leg supports two of the primary elongate members, each primary elongate members having a depth which is much greater than its width and a length which is much greater than its depth, each primary elongate member having an - 24 inner portion disposed between the said two adjacent support legs and a cantilever portion disposed outwardly from each of the said two primary elongate members; and, a plurality of secondary elongate members each being supported by two opposite ones of the primary elongate members each secondary elongate members having a depth which 5 is much greater than its width and a length which is much greater than its depth, and each secondary elongate member having an inner portion disposed between the said two opposite ones of the primary elongate members and a cantilever portion disposed outwardly from each of the said two opposite primary elongate members; wherein, the primary elongate members and the secondary elongate members in combination forming 10 a matrix, the matrix being located at or below the top of the support legs and the matrix being capable of supporting flooring members; and whereby, in use, the primary and secondary elongate members act to brace the support legs one to the next, wherein at least one of the cantilever portions comprises a truss-like beam as defined in any one of claims 1, 10 to 14. 15

18. An elevated floor structure comprising; a plurality of support legs disposed upwardly from a ground surface; a plurality of primary elongate members each being supported by two adjacent ones of the support legs so that each support leg supports two of the primary elongate members each primary elongate member having: a top cord 20 having an inner portion disposed between the said two adjacent support legs and a cantilever portion extending outwardly from each of the said two adjacent support legs; a brace disposed between each said cantilever portion and its respective support legs; and, a bottom cord disposed between the said two adjacent support legs, the bottom cord being substantially parallel to the top cord and joining the said support legs at 25 substantially the same height as the said braces; and, a plurality of secondary elongate members each being supported by two opposite ones of the primary elongate members, each secondary elongate member having: a top cord having an inner portion disposed between the said two opposite primary elongate members and a cantilever portion extending outwardly from each of the said two Opposite primary elongate members; a 30 brace disposed between each said cantilever portion and its respective primary elongate member; and, a bottom cord disposed between the said two opposite primary elongate members, the bottom cord being substantially parallel to the said top cord and joining the said two opposite primary elongate members; wherein, the primary elongate members -25 and the secondary elongate members in combination forming a matrix, the matrix being located at or below the top of the support legs and the matrix being capable of supporting flooring members; and, whereby, in use, the primary and secondary elongate members act to brace the support legs one to the next, wherein at least one of the 5 cantilever portions comprises a truss-like beam as defined in any one of claims 1, 10 to 14.

19. A truss-like beam substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to one or more of the embodiment s illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 10

20. An elevated floor structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to one or more of the embodiment s illustrated in the accompanying drawings.