AU2015208670B2

AU2015208670B2 - Construction of a building structure with a weatherproof join

Info

Publication number: AU2015208670B2
Application number: AU2015208670A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Bradley John Drummond; Carlo Paneni
Original assignee: Ausco Modular Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Ausco Modular Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-01-22
Filing date: 2015-01-22
Publication date: 2019-02-21
Anticipated expiration: 2035-01-22
Also published as: AU2015208670B9; AU2015208670A1; NZ722129A; NZ630639A; WO2015109371A1

Abstract

A method of constructing a weatherproof join over a gap or junction between adjacent building modules, comprising effecting interengagement between edge portions of a weatherproof bridging element and guides with which the building modules are provided, and, with the guides and edge portions thus interengaged, exerting, from a position remote from a section of the bridging element, force on one or more connections to said section to advance the bridging element along the guides such that the bridging element overlies the gap or junction.

Description

CONSTRUCTION OF A BUILDING STRUCTURE WITH A WEATHERPROOF JOIN

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to construction of a building structure comprising adjacent building modules and a weatherproof join between those modules.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] Modular buildings such as those that comprise lightweight modules are now used to construct buildings for schools, construction, mining and resource environments. These modular buildings can be erected more quickly and efficiently than in .sz'/M-constructed buildings. These modular buildings can also, advantageously, be relocatable and constructed with a relatively high degree of repeatability in terms of quality control.

[0003] In general, modular buildings comprise one or more transportable modules manufactured and at least partially fitted out in a factory environment. The modules are then joined together, once on site, to form the final building. Typically, there is a need to weatherproof over an otherwise exposed gap or junction between adjacent modules in the building, particularly at the building roof but also possibly at an outer wall of the building. The provision of appropriate weatherproofing is often one of the final steps in the formation of the modular building. In a similar way, the gaps or junctions between the external walls of the buildings modules also require weatherproofing.

[0004] One current technique of weatherproofing over gaps or junctions between building modules requires that workers apply a cover that overlies the gap or junction between the building modules. The successful application of the cover requires three elements. First, the cover must be precisely positioned and fitted to prevent ingress of wind, rain or dust. Secondly, the cover must be secured in place along its length, typically using spaced apart screws, to protect against dislodgement of the cover from wind stresses during service. Lastly, if the join is long, it may be necessary that the cover be formed by joining several elements end-to-end to cover the entire gap or junction between the building modules. Particularly where the weatherproof join is to be applied over a roof

WO 2015/109371

PCT/AU2015/050021

-2gap or junction, the current technique not only requires construction workers to work at height (including directly on the building roof), exposing them to falling hazards, but also requires significant effort and time.

[0005] Having construction workers on the roof of a building generally necessitates the use of scaffolding and/or other safety precautions, in line with current safety rules and regulations. Assembly and disassembly of scaffolding and other safety procedures involved with construction workers operating at height incurs cost, complexity and time consumption.

[0006] Furthermore, in spite of the stringent precautions and regulations surrounding the safe working of construction workers at height, the very practice of being on the roof embodies danger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of constructing a weatherproof join over a gap or junction between adjacent building modules, comprising effecting interengagement between edge portions of a weatherproof bridging element and guides with which the building modules are provided, and, with the guides and edge portions thus interengaged, exerting, from a position remote from a section of the bridging element, force on one or more connections to said section to advance the bridging element along the guides such that the bridging element overlies the gap or junction.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of constructing a building structure which includes a pair of adjacent building modules and a weatherproof join therebetween, the method comprising the steps of: providing each building module with a respective guide; locating the building modules such that they are adjacent and a gap or junction is formed therebetween; effecting interengagement between said guides and opposite edge portions of a weatherproof bridging element; and with the guides and edge portions thus interengaged, advancing the bridging element along the guides such that the bridging element overlies the gap or junction.

WO 2015/109371

PCT/AU2015/050021

-3 [0009] Preferably, the step of advancing the bridging element along the guides comprises exerting, from a position remote from a section of the bridging element, force on one or more connections to said section to move the bridging element.

[0010] Forming a weatherproof join prevents the ingress of rain into the gap or junction between the building modules and thereby prevents water entering the interior of the building modules. Even further, the method provides a weatherproof join which particularly resists the action of the wind.

[0011] The weatherproof join can be applied to building modules within a building structure having one or more than one storey.

[0012] The guides can be pre-installed in a factory environment. A factory environment can offer specialised equipment which may allow workers to apply guides safely on the roofs of the building modules; each guide can, for example, be provided on sheeting of the roof or upturned beams of the roof. Alternatively, the guides can be provided on walls of the building modules such that the bridging element overlies a gap or junction between the walls.

[0013] Said section of the bridging element can be a leading end portion of the bridging element.

[0014] The or each connection can be pulled to draw the bridging element along the guides. The or each connection can comprise a rope, cable or cord attached to the section of the bridging element. The or each connection can be pre-installed in a factory environment.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one said connection engages a said guide, whereby to be guided by it, during advancing of the bridging element. Preferably, the or each connection which engages a said guide comprises a longitudinal rib and the guide it engages comprises a channel which interlockingly receives the rib or vice versa. Two said connections may be arranged side-by-side and each of them attached to or adjacent a respective one of the edge portions.

WO 2015/109371

PCT/AU2015/050021

-4[0016] The connection or connections can be attached to the bridging element by at least one fastener. The or each fastener can comprises a shackle or bolt.

[0017] The method can also comprise the step of, before advancing the bridging element along the guides, exerting, from a position remote from said section, force on the connection(s) to move said section from a first position which is such that the edge portions are not engaged with the guides, to a second position which is such that the interengagement between the edge portions and guides is effected.

[0018] In the method according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, during the movement of said section from the first position to the second position, a respective said connection is interengaged with and trained along each guide and is drawn from an end thereof towards which said bridging element is advanced.

[0019] In the method according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, during advancing of the bridging element along the guides, a respective said connection is interengaged with and trained along a respective one of the guides and is drawn from an end thereof towards which said bridging element is advanced.

[0020] The first position may be at a lower level than the second position, and may be a position on the ground. The exerting of force on the bridging element can thus cause the bridging element to be hoisted from the first position to the second position (which may be a roof position), whereby a person need not be in an elevated work condition, e.g. on a rooftop or beside the rooftop (possibly necessitating an elevated work platform), to lift the bridging element into position and/or to effect interengagement between the edge portions and guides.

[0021] The remote position may be at lower level than the guides, and may be a position on the ground. The exerting of force on the connection(s) to said section of the bridging element can thus be effected by a person who is not on a rooftop or beside the rooftop (possibly necessitating an elevated work platform) or otherwise in an elevated work condition.

WO 2015/109371

PCT/AU2015/050021

-5[0022] The method can also further comprise detaching the or each connection from said section after the bridging element has been advanced along the guides. Preferably, the detaching is effected at a position which is at a lower level than said section is when the bridging element has been advanced along the guides. That position may be a position on the ground. The detaching may thus be effected by a person who is not on a rooftop or beside the rooftop (possibly necessitating an elevated work platform) or otherwise in an elevated work condition.

[0023] It will be clear, from the immediately preceding three paragraphs, that owing to preferred embodiments of the invention, hazards associated with working at height can be reduced or eliminated, as can a need for scaffolding or other equipment as may be required for such working.

[0024] Preferably, the guides are defined by rails.

[0025] One said edge portion can comprise a longitudinal rib and the guide it engages comprise a channel which interlockingly receives the rib or vice versa·, and the other edge portion can comprise a longitudinal rib and the guide it engages comprise a channel which interlockingly receives that rib or vice versa. Alternatively, the guides can comprise longitudinal ribs and the edge portions can comprise channels which interlockingly receive the ribs.

[0026] The bridging element can comprise a sheet which may be in the form of a strip and which is preferably pliable or flexible. The pliability or flexibility is an advantage where the join is applied to pitched roofs, having an apex, allowing the element to follow the roof contour and in particular, bend around the apex. However, the element should also be strong and rigid enough to provide resistance against wind stresses or other stresses whilst in service.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bridging element is elastomeric.

[0028] The method according to a preferred embodiment of the invention includes, after advancing the bridging element, increasing separation between the guides, e.g. by

H:\sbt\Intcrwovcn\NRPortbl\DCC\SBT\l8378977_l.docx-29OI,'2019

2015208670 29 Jan 2019

-8one module, the lateral position of the crests of the roof sheeting (relative to other parts of that module) differs from that in the other module, and/or a crest will drift in its lateral position along a module because the roof sheeting is not fitted square. The position of the or each movable member (and thus the position of the flashing where that member is a flashing member) can thus be adjusted on the respective roof within a range delimited by the difference between the separation of said opposed faces and the separation of said laterally outer faces. Preferred embodiments of the invention thus provide a method in which either or each guide is adjusted or altered in its position. Sound weatherproofing can thus be achieved with the bridging element, guides/flashings being provided in standardised form, whilst catering for variations on the position of crests of the roof sheeting.

[0038] Once the bridging element has been advanced into its final position, the ends of the bridging element may be secured to the roofs or walls of the building modules with one or more fasteners. Preferably, the ends of the bridging elements are covered with flashing. [0039] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the weatherproof join constructed by a method in accordance with the first aspect.

[0040] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the building structure constructed by a method in accordance with the second aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0041] The present invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0042] Figure 1A shows a front view of a first building module being positioned onto a building site and F igure 1B shows a close-up view of a portion of the roof of the first building module;

[0043] Figure 2A shows a front view of the first building module of Figure 1A with a second building module being positioned onto the building site. Figure 2B shows a close-up view of a portion of the roof of the second building module;

WO 2015/109371

PCT/AU2015/050021

-7channel which is able to guide water away from the rib members, thereby further weatherproofing the join between building modules.

[0032] Preferably, the bridging element is waterproof. More preferably, the guides and edge portions interengage to form water-resistant or waterproof seals.

[0033] The method can also comprise the step of forming the at least one bridging element of a rigid material. The rigid material can comprise varying materials such as metal comprising aluminium or steel, or polymer material such as polyurethane, preferably extruded polyurethane. Forming the at least one bridging element of rigid materials, especially materials that are impervious to water, improves the weatherproofing of the join.

[0034] Each guide is generally level.

[0035] The modules can be provided with flashing to direct water which passes through the join away from the gap or junction. Should any water pass through the interengagement between the rib members and the first and second guides, the flashing acts advantageously to remove any water that may otherwise enter the interior of the gap or junction and the interior of the building modules.

[0036] At least one of the guides with which the modules can be provided is a movable guide and, after the building modules are located, at least one said movable guide is moved to adjust the alignment and/or lateral spacing of the guides, to accommodate the bridging element, and thereafter fixed in position. Preferably, the or each movable guide is provided on a flashing member configured to preclude Jngress of rainwater into the junction or gap. More preferably, each guide is a said movable guide. Each guide can be provided on the roof of a respective one of the modules.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the or each movable guide is provided on a movable member, preferably being a flashing member, having opposed faces which are arranged to lie adjacent laterally outer faces of one or more crests or corrugations on sheeting of the respective roof and which have a separation greater than that of the laterally outer faces, whereby movement of the movable guide beyond positions at which the opposed faces abut the laterally outer faces is precluded. In practice, it may well be that, in

WO 2015/109371

PCT/AU2015/050021

[0038] Once the bridging element has been advanced into its final position, the ends of the bridging element may be secured to the roofs or walls of the building modules with one or more fasteners. Preferably, the ends of the bridging elements are covered with flashing.

[0039] Embodiments of the invention can also be directed to a weatherproof join, building module, a bridging element, a guide or member, for use in any of the methods described above.

[0040] According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a weatherproof join constructed by any one of the methods described above.

[0042] Figure 1A shows a front view of a first building module being positioned onto a building site and Figure IB shows a close-up view of a portion of the roof of the first building module;

[0043] Figure 2A shows a front view of the first building module of Figure 1A with a second building module being positioned onto the building site. Figure 2B shows a closeup view of a portion of the roof of the second building module;

WO 2015/109371

PCT/AU2015/050021

-9[0044] Figure 3A shows the first and second building modules of Figures 1A and 2A and Figure 3B shows a close-up view of the roofs of the first and second building modules in preparation for constructing a weatherproofing join over the gap between the building modules;

[0045] Figure 4 shows a side view of the building modules of Figure 3A, including a bridging element, the bridging element in a roll form at one side of the building structure;

[0046] Figure 5 shows a side view of the building modules of Figure 4, where a worker is preparing to draw the bridging element by connections to construct a weatherproof join over the gap of the building modules;

[0047] Figure 6 shows a perspective close-up view of the gap between two building modules with a bridging element; and [0048] Figure 7 shows the weatherproof join with the bridging element of Figure 6 in its final position over the gap between the first and second building modules.

[0049] Figure 8 shows the ends of the bridging element of Figures 6 and 7 being secured to walls of the building modules.

[0050] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of guides mounted to flashing provided on the roofs of the building modules.

[0051] Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a single storey building structure.

[0052] Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a double storey building structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0053] Figures 1 to 7 describe the construction of a building structure with a weatherproof join 2 between roofs of adjacent building modules 20, 30, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Each of the building modules 20, 30 are consistent with conventional building modules that can be constructed of steel or timber

WO 2015/109371

PCT/AU2015/050021

-10and which can comprise of frames, linings or claddings, insulation, joinery and finishes and can also include services infrastructure, such as electrical wiring and plumbing. Typically, the modules 20, 30 are constructed in an area separate from the construction or building site 4, such as a factory environment.

[0054] A weatherproof join is then constructed after the building modules have been positioned on a building site.

[0055] Generally speaking, the method to be described, relates to construction of a building structure with a weatherproof join between adjacent building modules which is efficient and which can be applied by construction workers remotely positioned from the join. Preferably, the construction workers are positioned at a lower level such as ground level.

[0056] Referring to Figure 1A, the first building module 20 is hoisted by a chain 22, which is connected to a crane (not shown). The crane allows the building module 20 to be positioned on a foundation 24 on a site on which a building structure is to be constructed, as indicated by the arrow.

[0057] The building module 20 also comprises a roof 26. In this embodiment, the roof 26 is a corrugated roof, however any type of roofing can be used to cover the top of building module 20, as appropriate. In this embodiment, the roof 26 includes a guide 28 and flashing 29 along one edge of the roof 26. A close-up view of the roof 26 is shown more clearly in Figures IB.

[0058] The guide 28 and flashing 29 have previously been applied to the roof 26 at a factory environment. Only a profile of the guide 28 and flashing 29 can be seen in Figure 1A and IB. However, it can be understood that the guide 28 and flashing 29 at least partially, if not wholly, are applied along the edge of the roof 26. The guide 28 is threaded with a connection 27 such a cord or rope which is provided along the entire length of the guide 28. The connection 27, which may be a rope or cord, of a bridging element, is described in more detail below.

WO 2015/109371

PCT/AU2015/050021

- 11 [0059] Figure 2A shows a second building module 30 being positioned in the direction of the arrow on a chain 32 hoisted by a crane (not shown) onto foundation 34. Similarly to Figures 1A and IB, the second building module 30 includes a roof 36. The roof 36 is provided along one edge with a guide 38 and flashing 39.

[0060] Similarly to Figure IB, Figure 2B shows that the second guide 38 has a concave profile and is also formed with an aperture that allows interlocking with a rib member of a bridging element, also discussed below. A connection of a cord or rope 37 is also provided within the aperture of the guide 38. The connection 37 can be pre-installed within the aperture of the guide 38 in the factory environment. The cord 37 is attachable to a bridging element to allow a bridging element to be applied over a gap 40.

[0061] Figure 3A shows building modules 20, 30 in their final positions on the building site 4 and where a gap 40 has now been created between the building modules 20, 30.

[0062] Figure 3B shows a close-up view of the respective guides 28, 38 and flashing 29, 39 provided on the edges of roofs 26, 36 on building modules 20, 30. It is expected that the guides 28, 38, flashing 29, 39 are provided on the roofs 26, 36 previous to the building modules 20, 30 being hoisted onto the building site 4, and which may therefore be provided previously in a factory environment.

[0063] In Figures 1A to 3B, only a side view of the guides 28, 38 and flashing 29, 39 are shown. The guides 28, 38 and flashing 29, 39 are expected to at least partially align along the edge of the building modules 20, 30 and preferably along the entire length of the building modules 20, 30.

[0064] The guides 28, 38 can be formed of a metal, such as steel or aluminium or a polymer material.

[0065] Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the final steps of the construction of the building structure with a weatherproof join over the gap 40. Figures 4 and 5 show side views of the building modules 20, 30 on foundations 24, 34. It is clearly seen that the guides 28, 38 are provided, in this preferred embodiment, along the edges of both roofs 26, 36. Connections

WO 2015/109371

PCT/AU2015/050021

- 1227, 37 which were previously pre-installed by threading through the guides 28, 38 in a factory environment are now attached to a bridging element 42 by connectors 48, 50. The connectors 48, 50 can comprise shackles or other connecting means which can allow the connections 27, 37 to be connected to an end of the bridging element 42.

[0066] The bridging element 42, in this embodiment, can be formed of a flexible polymer material or a fabric material, which is provided in a roll. If the bridging element 42 fell or escaped from the guides 28, 38, such a non-rigid bridging element 42 would be less dangerous than a rigid bridging element 42 made of metal. The bridging element 42 includes rib members 44, 46, which are so formed as to be interlockable with the aperture of the guides 28, 38. The rib members 44, 46 are provided on the opposite edge portions of the bridging element 42. It is also preferable that the rib members 44, 46 are slidable within the apertures of the guides 28, 38. This allows the bridging element 42 to be threaded at one end of the guides 28, 38 to the other end, and hence to interengage between the rib members 44, 46 and guides 28, 38. The interengagement, if formed for a tight fit, will provide a weatherproof and preferably watertight seal.

[0067] The worker 52, at this stage of the construction of the weatherproof join 2, simply connects connections 27, 37 to the bridging element 42 with the connectors 48, 50. The worker 52, throughout this stage, has no need to venture beyond ground level.

[0068] Figure 5 shows the same side view of the building modules 20, 30. The worker 52 has now travelled to the end of the building modules 20, 30, on the side opposite to the bridging element 42. The worker 52 can then apply a force in the direction of the arrows, thereby causing the connections 27, 37 to be pulled such that the rib members 44, 46, which interengage within the guides 28, 38, such that the bridging element 42 can be advanced from one side of the building modules 20, 30. Pushing the bridging element 42 through the guides 28, 38 is also feasible.

[0069] The connections 27, 37 allow the rib members 44, 46 to slide within the matching apertures of the guides 28, 38 such that the sheet 45 of the bridging element 42 now extends over the gap 40. The sheet 45, then protects rain and wind from entering the

WO 2015/109371

PCT/AU2015/050021

- 13 gap 40. Further, the interengagement between the guides 28, 38 and rib members 44, 46 also assist the weatherproofing of this join 2.

[0070] While this embodiment discloses that the rib members 44, 46 interengage within the apertures of the guides 28, 38, an alternate embodiment can comprise of the guides 28, 38 being formed to have a profile similar to the profile of the rib members 44, 46, and the edge portions of the bridging element 42 can include apertures that interengagingly receive these guides 28, 38.

[0071] While the connections 27, 37 can be a cord or rope, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the connections 27, 37 can have a profile consistent with a profile of the rib members 44, 46. The connections 27, 37 therefore can interengage with the guides 28, 38 in a similar way to rib members 44, 46.

[0072] Figures 6 and 7 show close-up perspective views of the construction of the weatherproof join 6 over gap 40. After the worker 52 has applied the downward force on the connections 27, 37, the rib members 44, 46 on either edge of the bridging member 42 interengage to slide within the respective guides 28, 38. In this way, the bridging element is gradually advanced to cover the gap 40. Figure 7 shows how the bridging element 42, in its final position, fully extends over gap 40 to provide the weatherproof join 2. Once the bridging element 42 is in its final position, the connectors 48, 50 can be removed along with cords 27, 37 and the bridging element 42 fully secured to the guides 28, 38.

[0073] Once the bridging element 42 has been positioned into its final location to provide the weatherproof join 2, the ends of the bridging element 42 can be secured to the walls of the building modules 20, 30 with fasteners 54, as shown in Figure 8. It is also envisaged that the ends of the bridging element 42 could instead be fixed to the roofs 26, 36 of the bridging. To provide additional weatherproofing, the ends of the bridging element 42 may be further protected by being covered with steel flashing (not shown).

[0074] Therefore, during the entire process of constructing the weatherproof join 2, the worker 52 has not left the ground level. The only necessary steps in constructing the weatherproof join can be done with a worker 52 on ground level and without requiring the worker 52 to be the roofs 26, 36 during any point of this process. This results in a safer

WO 2015/109371

PCT/AU2015/050021

- 14workplace for the construction worker 52 without requiring the use of scaffolding and other equipment in line with occupational health and safety regulations and also represents a far more efficient process, thereby speeding up the installation of a weatherproof join between modules 20, 30 on the building site 4.

[0075] The sheet 45 of the bridging element 42 can be formed of a sheet of fabric material which can include some elastomeric properties. The weatherproof join 2 can be formed by introducing tension in the bridging element by configuring a particular distance between the guide elements 28, 38. The resulting tension in the elastomeric bridging element 42 can help assist in providing a weatherproof seal between the bridging member 42 and the interlocking of the rib members 44, 46 within guides 28, 38.

[0076] Alternatively, tension can be introduced into the bridging element 42 by sliding the bridge element 42 to extend over the gap 40 without any tension. Tension can then be introduced into the bridging element 42 by slightly increasing the gap 40 between the building modules 20, 30.

[0077] In another alternate embodiment, the bridging element 42 can be made of a rigid material and instead guides 28, 38 can be made of an elastomeric material, configured to be able to introduce tension between the interengagement of the rib members 44, 46 within the guides 28, 38.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment, the sheet 45 of the bridging element 42 can be configured to be wider than the distance between guides 28, 38. The resultant extra material can form a channel which has the purpose of guiding water away from the interengagement of the rib members 44, 46 and guides 28, 38. Therefore, the rain is guided away from any potential water leakage between the interengagement of the rib members 44, 46 and guides 28, 38.

[0079] In a further embodiment, the bridging element 42 can be made of a rigid material such as a moulded or extruded polyurethane. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the bridging element 42 can form an arch shape. The function of the arch is to guide water away from the bridging element 42 and towards the interlock of the rib members 44, 46 and guides 28, 38.

WO 2015/109371

PCT/AU2015/050021

- 15 [0080] While the above embodiments are directed towards weatherproofing a join 2 between building modules 20, 30 and more particularly, to providing a waterproof join 2 that only requires manipulation at a ground level by a worker 52, there can still be some leakage through the interlock of the rib members 44, 46 and guides 28, 38. Therefore, flashing 29, 39 are provided near gap 40 and substantially under the guides 28, 38. The function of the flashing 29, 39 are to direct any water leakage that can occur, away from gap 40, to ensure that should the weatherproof join 2 fail, no water enters into the gap 40, and possibly into the interiors of building modules 20, 30.

[0081] An alternative form of flashing, shown in Figure 9, comprises flashing members 60, 62. The members 60, 62 are applied to the roofs 26, 36 respectively, the roofs 26, 36 being configured with peaks of corrugations 56, 58 respectively. The guides 28, 38 are provided on the flashing members 60, 62 respectively.

[0082] Each of the flashing members 60, 62 is configured with a top section and spaced apart, inclined wall sections which extend from opposite lateral sides of the top section, the separation of the wall sections being greater than the separation between laterally outer faces of one of more of the peaks of the corrugations 56, 58 (in the present embodiment, two of those peaks), whereby the flashing member 60, 62 is, when placed on the roof 26, 36, laterally movable in either direction until a respective wall section abuts the side wall of a peak outer face, precluding further lateral movement in that direction. The lateral position, and consequently, alignment and lateral spacing, of the flashing members 60, 62 can thus be adjusted to correspond to the width of the bridging element 42, to provide the amount of tension required in the bridging element 42, to accommodate misalignment of the roofs, and/or to permit imprecise retrofitting to pre-existing building modules. The flashing members allow for standardisation of components used on the building modules and provide a simple means of aligning and appropriately adjusting the lateral spacing of the guides, rather than requiring specialised components that have to be adapted to retrofit existing building modules or accommodate misaligned or poorly aligned roofs. When the flashing members 60, 62 are in their appropriate lateral positions, they are fixed in position on the roofs 26, 36. It is possible, in an alternative embodiment of the

WO 2015/109371

PCT/AU2015/050021

- 16invention, that only one of the flashing members 60, 62 is laterally movable; the other may be fixed to the respective roof 26 or 36.

[0083] While in embodiments of the present invention described above, the guides 28, 38 are provided on the module roof sheeting, they can be alternatively be provided elsewhere, e.g. on upturned roof beams or any structure near or on the roofs 26. 36.

[0084] Although embodiments of the present invention described involve attaching a weatherproof join to roofs of adjacent building modules, other embodiments of the invention can involve attaching the join to walls of such modules, such as those shown in Figures 10 and 11.

[0085] Figure 10 shows a single storey building structure 62 formed of three building modules 64, 66, 68 placed side by side to form gaps or junctions between adjacent ones thereof which have been applied with weatherproof joins 72, 74, 76 and 79. Notably, the weatherproof joins 72, 76 protect the gaps or junctions between the roofs of the building modules 64, 66, 68, while the weatherproof joins 74, 78 protect the gaps or junctions between the walls of the building modules 64, 66 and 68. The weatherproof joins 72, 74, 76 and 78, therefore work in concert to weatherproof the entire building structure 62.

[0086] Each building module 64, 66, 68 of Figure 10 has a pitched roof which forms an apex 80. The weatherproof joins 72, 76 are made of bridging elements that have sufficient flexibility to allow the bridging elements to bend over the apex 80, yet can be fitted closely to the shape of the roofs to provide an effective weatherproof shield.

[0087] Figure 11 shows a double storey building structure 82 which is formed of four building modules 84, 86, 88 and 90. The building modules 84, 86 form a first storey of the building modules, while the building modules 88, 90 are positioned over the building modules 84, 86 to form a second storey. A weatherproof join 92 is applied over the gap or junction between the roofs of modules 88, 90. Another weatherproof join 94 is applied over the gap or junction between the outer walls of the building modules 84, 86, 88 and 90. Therefore, the second storey building structure 82 has been weatherproofed along the gap or junction between both the roofs and walls of the building modules 84, 86, 88 and 90.

WO 2015/109371

PCT/AU2015/050021

- 17[0088] While the weatherproof joins between adjacent modules and stacks of modules shown in Figures 10 and 11 respectively comprise separate bridging elements, one of which engages a pair of guides provided on the module roofs and the other of which engages a pair of guides provided on the module walls, those joins may instead comprise a single bridging element that engages both pairs of guides and bends around the roof-wall corner.

[0089] While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. It would be apparent to a person skilled in the relevant art that various changes, modifications and improvements can be made therein without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

[0090] An example of the modifications and improvements can include that the materials of the guides, rib members and bridging elements may be made of those materials familiar to a person skilled in the art, such as elastomeric or non-elastomeric fabric materials, polymer materials and metals, including aluminium and steel. Further, the configuration of the rib members and guides can be formed so as to form an interengagement and preferably, slidable arrangement and are therefore of any profile, such as circular, square or any other shape which would perform such a function.

[0091] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word comprise, and variations such as comprises and comprising, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0092] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

WO 2015/109371

PCT/AU2015/050021

- 18[0093] It is to be appreciated that, although in the embodiments described above and illustrated, the weatherproof join is formed over a gap between adjacent building modules, the adjacent modules may, in alternative embodiments of the invention, abut, whereby there is a junction, rather than a gap, between them.

WO 2015/109371

PCT/AU2015/050021

Claims

1. A method of constructing a weatherproof join over a gap or junction between adjacent building modules, comprising effecting interengagement between edge portions of a weatherproof bridging element and guides with which the building modules are provided, and, with the guides and edge portions thus interengaged, exerting, from a position remote from a section of the bridging element, force on one or more connections to said section to advance the bridging element along the guides such that the bridging element overlies the gap or junction.

2. A method of constructing a building structure which includes a pair of adjacent building modules and a weatherproof join therebetween, the method comprising the steps of:

providing each building module with a respective guide;

locating the building modules such that they are adjacent and a gap or junction is formed therebetween;

effecting interengagement between said guides and opposite edge portions of a weatherproof bridging element; and with the guides and edge portions thus interengaged, advancing the bridging element along the guides such that the bridging element overlies the gap or junction.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein advancing the bridging element along the guides comprises exerting, from a position remote from a section of the bridging element, force on one or more connections to said section to move the bridging element.

4. A method according to claim 1 or 3, wherein said section is a leading end portion of the bridging element.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1, 3 and 4, wherein the or each connection is pulled to draw the bridging element along the guides.

H:\sbt\Intcrwovcn\NRPortbl\DCC\SBT\l8378977_l.docx-29OI,'2019

2015208670 29 Jan 2019

-206. A method according to claim 5, wherein the or each connection comprises a rope, cable or cord attached to said section.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 6, wherein at least one said connection engages a said guide, whereby to be guided by it, during advancing of the bridging element.

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 7, wherein two said connections are arranged side-by-side and each of them is attached to or adjacent a said edge portion.

9. A method according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 8, including, before advancing the bridging element along the guides, exerting, from a position remote from said section, force on the connection(s) to move said section from a first position which is such that the edge portions are not engaged with the guides, to a second position which is such that the interengagement between the edge portions and guides is effected.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein, during the movement of said section from the first position to the second position, a respective said connection is interengaged with and trained along each guide and is drawn from an end thereof towards which said bridging element is advanced.

11. A method according to claim 8 as dependent from claims 5 to 7 or to claim 10, wherein, during advancing of the bridging element along the guides, a respective said connection is interengaged with and trained along a respective one of the guides and is drawn from an end thereof towards which said bridging element is advanced.

12. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the first position is at a lower level than the second position.

13. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the first position is a position on the ground.

14. A method according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to 13, wherein the remote position is at a lower level than the guides.

H:\sbt\Intcrwovcn\NRPortbl\DCC\SBT\l8378977_l.docx-29OI,'2019

2015208670 29 Jan 2019

-21

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the remote position is a position on the ground.

16. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guides are defined by rails.

17. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: one edge portion comprises a longitudinal rib and the guide it engages comprises a channel which interlockingly receives the rib or vice versa; and the other edge portion comprises a longitudinal rib and the guide it engages comprises a channel which interlockingly receives that rib or vice versa.

18. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the guides comprise longitudinal ribs and the edge portions comprise channels which interlockingly receive the ribs.

19. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bridging element comprises a sheet or strip.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the sheet or strip is pliable or flexible.

21. A method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the sheet or strip is elastomeric.

22. A method according to any one of claims 19 to 21, further comprising increasing the size of the gap or junction after advancing the bridging element, whereby the sheet or strip is laterally tensioned by the guides.

23. A method according to claim 20, wherein the gap or junction is sized such that the sheet or strip assumes an upwardly convex configuration extending therealong when the bridging element has been advanced.

24. A method according to claim 20 or 23, further comprising reducing the size of the gap or junction after advancing the bridging element such that the sheet or strip forms an arch extending therealong.

H:\sbt\Intcrwovcn\NRPortbl\DCC\SBT\l8378977_l.docx-29OI,'2019

2015208670 29 Jan 2019

-2225. A method according to any one of claims 19, 23 and 24, wherein the sheet or strip is resiliently flexible.

26. A method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the sheet or strip is sized to be wider than the gap or junction, such that the sheet or strip forms a channel to carry rainwater away from the roof.

27. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bridging element is waterproof.

28. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guides and edge portions interengage to form water-resistant or waterproof seals.

29. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the guides with which the modules are provided is a movable guide and, after the building modules are located, at least one said movable guide is moved to adjust the alignment and/or lateral spacing of the guides, to accommodate the bridging element, and thereafter fixed in position.

30. A method according to claim 29, wherein the or each movable guide is provided on a flashing member configured to preclude ingress of rainwater into the junction or gap.

31. A method according to claim 29 or 30, wherein each guide is a said movable guide.

32. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each guide is provided on the roof of a respective one of the modules.

33. A method according to claim 32 as appended to any one of claims 29 to 31, wherein the or each movable guide is provided on a member having opposed faces which are arranged to lie adjacent on laterally outer faces of one or more corrugations on the respective roof and which have a separation greater than that of the laterally outer faces, whereby movement of the movable guide beyond positions at which the opposed faces abut the laterally outer faces is precluded.

H:\sbt\Intcrwovcn\NRPortbl\DCC\SBT\l8378977_l.docx-29OI,'2019

2015208670 29 Jan 2019

-23

34. The weatherproof join constructed by a method according to claim 1 or any one of claims 3 to 33 as appended thereto.

35. The building structure constructed by a method according to claim 2 or any one of claims 3 to 33 as appended thereto.