AU2015367279A1

AU2015367279A1 - Connection system

Info

Publication number: AU2015367279A1
Application number: AU2015367279A
Authority: AU
Inventors: James MURRAY-PARKES
Original assignee: Timber Invent Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Timber Inventions Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2014-12-18
Filing date: 2015-10-14
Publication date: 2017-06-15
Also published as: AU2020260386A1; NZ732190A; WO2016094936A1; AU2022287672A1

Abstract

Some embodiments relate to an assembly for connecting structural elements together, components and kits of components of such assemblies, connection systems including such assemblies, and construction methods involving such assemblies. Such assemblies may comprise: a tendon comprising a head and a first coupling portion; and a structural member including a first structural member aperture at a first end, a second structural member aperture at a second end, and a second coupling portion. The first structural member aperture is coaxial with the second structural member aperture. The first and second structural member apertures are sized to allow passage of the first coupling portion of the tendon, such that the tendon can be located within first and second structural member apertures. A central axis of the second coupling portion is parallel to and axially offset from a central axis of the first and second structural member apertures. The first coupling portion of the tendon is adapted to engage with a second coupling portion of a first other structural member which is vertically adjacent to the structural member to thereby connect the first other assembly to the structural member, and the second coupling portion is adapted to receive a first coupling portion of a tendon of a second other assembly.

Description

PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936

CONNECTION SYSTEM

Technical Field [0001] Embodiments generally relate to connection systems and components therefor. Some embodiments relate to connection systems for use in building construction, and some embodiments relate to a post-tensioning system for tensioning structural elements in buildings.

Background [0002] Building structures are often erected using modular structural elements such as wall panels, columns or frame elements. There are various methods and connection systems for connecting the structural elements together to form a building.

[0003] Some construction methods involve pre-tensioned structural elements such as pre-tensioned reinforced concrete panels in which steel reinforcing elements are tensioned while the concrete panel is cast around them. When the concrete is set, the reinforcing elements are released and put the concrete panel under compression. This method enhances the performance of the concrete panel by increasing its tensile strength.

[0004] Some construction methods involve post-tensioning systems in which structural elements are tensioned during construction of the building or at the end of the construction process. This similarly improves the structural performance by increasing the tensile strength of the structure.

[0005] However, there are some drawbacks associated with existing construction methods. For example, current tensioning systems involve specialised equipment such as tools and machinery. Also, many post-tensioned structures require tension adjustments to be made after a building structure is complete as the building settles and structural elements are compressed. PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 [0006] It is desired to address or ameliorate one or more shortcomings or disadvantages associated with existing construction methods, or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.

[0007] Throughout this specification and 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.

[0008] 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.

Summary [0009] Some embodiments relate to an assembly for connecting structural elements together, the assembly comprising: a tendon, the tendon comprising a head and a first coupling portion; and a structural member, the structural member including a first structural member aperture at a first end, a second structural member aperture at a second end, and a second coupling portion, wherein the first structural member aperture is coaxial with the second structural member aperture, wherein the first and second structural member apertures are sized to allow passage of the first coupling portion of the tendon, such that the tendon can be located within first and second structural member apertures, wherein a central axis of the second coupling portion is parallel to and axially offset from a central axis of the first and second structural member apertures, wherein the first coupling portion of the tendon is adapted to engage with a PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 second coupling portion of a first other structural member which is vertically adjacent to the structural member to thereby connect the first other assembly to the structural member, and wherein the second coupling portion is adapted to receive a first coupling portion of a tendon of a second other assembly.

[0010] The connection between the first and second coupling portions may comprise an adjustable connection. The first and second coupling portions may be adjustable to apply tension to the tendon. The first coupling portion may comprise a male thread and the second coupling portion may comprise a female thread. The tendon may comprise an elongate bolt and the second coupling portion may comprise a nut.

[0011] The structural member may further comprise a first guide element at the first end. The structural member may further comprise a second guide element at the second end. The first and second guide elements may comprise complementary tapered surfaces such that the first guide element of a first structural member is adapted to mate with the second guide element of a second vertically adjacent structural member so as to align the second structural member aperture of the second structural member with the second coupling portion of the first structural member. The first and second guide elements may comprise complementary frusto-conical surfaces. The first guide element may be coaxially aligned with the second coupling portion and the second guide element may be coaxially aligned with the second structural member aperture. The first guide element may comprise a female guide element and the second guide element may comprise a male guide element. The widest part of the first guide element may be substantially coplanar with the first structural member aperture. The first guide element may comprise the second coupling portion.

[0012] The assembly may further comprise a connection plate including a first connection plate aperture and a second connection plate aperture, wherein the first and second connection plate apertures are sized to allow passage of the first coupling portion of the tendon, and wherein, when connected to a structural member, the first and second connection plate apertures are arranged to be aligned with the first PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 structural member aperture and the second coupling portion respectively. The second connection plate aperture may be sized to receive the second guide element. The first connection plate aperture may be sized to allow passage of the tendon head. The connection plate may extend beyond one or more edges of the structural member.

[0013] The connection plate may comprise a plurality of branches, each branch comprising first and second connection plate apertures. The first connection plate apermres of each branch of the connection plate may be similar, and the second connection plate apertures of each branch of the connection plate may be similar. The branches of the connection plate may he coplanar.

[0014] The assembly may further comprise a washer sized to receive a shaft of the tendon, wherein the washer is adapted to transfer force between the tendon head and the structural member. The maximum diameter of the washer is greater than the minimum diameter of the first connection plate aperture. The washer may include a slot with a diameter greater than the diameter of the tendon neck, and the washer may comprise a lip protruding out of a plane of a main surface of the washer, such that when the main surface of the washer is in contact with the tendon head, the lip restricts the washer from moving laterally beyond the tendon.

[0015] The structural member may further comprise a tendon box and an offset nut box, the tendon box including the first and second structural member apertures, and the offset nut box including the second coupling portion, wherein the offset nut box is fixed to the tendon box. A side wall of the offset nut box may be fixed to a side waU of the tendon box near the first end of the structural member. The offset nut box may be welded to the tendon box.

[0016] The structural member may further comprise a tendon guide element near the second end leading into the second structural member aperture, the tendon guide element comprising a tapered inner surface adapted to receive the first coupling portion of the tendon and guide the tendon towards the second structural member aperture when the tendon is lowered towards the second stmctural member aperture. PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 [0017] The structural member may further comprise one or more mounting plates for mounting the structural member onto a structural element. The one or more mounting plates may include one or more apertures adapted to receive mechanical fasteners for fastening the structural member to a strucmral element. The structural element may comprise one or more of: a column, a wall, a wall panel, and a frame module.

[0018] Some embodiments relate to a structural connection assembly comprising the assembly, and a base member, the base member comprising a base coupling portion adapted to engage with the first coupling portion of the tendon. The base member may further comprise a base guide element. The base guide element may comprise a tapered surface adapted to mate with the second guide element of the structural member so as to align the structural member aperture of the structural member with the base coupling portion when the structural member is lowered onto the base member. The base guide element may comprise the base couphng portion.

[0019] The assembly may further comprise a base frame. The base frame may comprise a plurahty of base members. Respective base coupling portions of the plurahty of base members may be arranged in a predetermined spatial configuration positioned to receive structural members to assist in constructing a building structure.

[0020] Some embodiments relate to a connection system comprising a plurality of the assemblies, wherein each assembly is coupled to at least one other assembly by one or more of: a connection plate; a tendon; and a connection between two coupling portions.

[0021] Some embodiments relate to a structural member for the connection system.

[0022] Some embodiments relate to a structural element comprising the structural member. The structural element may comprise one or more selected from the following group: a column, a wall, a wall panel, and a frame module. The structural member may be formed integrally with the structural element. The structural member may be PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 mounted onto the structural element. The structural member may he welded to the structural element. The structural member may be adhered to the structural element. The structural member may be mechanically fastened to the structural element.

[0023] Some embodiments relate to a tendon for the connection system.

[0024] Some embodiments relate to a connection plate for the connection system.

[0025] Some embodiments relate to a base member for the connection system.

[0026] Some embodiments relate to a base frame for the connection system.

[0027] Some embodiments relate to a kit comprising any one or more selected from the group of: the structural member; the tendon; the connection plate; and the base member. The kit may further comprise one or more of the structural elements. The kit may further comprise a base frame.

[0028] Some embodiments relate to a structural member including: a first structural member aperture at a first end; a second structural member aperture at a second end; and a coupling portion, wherein the first structural member aperture is coaxially aligned with the second structural member aperture, wherein the first and second structural member apertures are sized to allow passage of a tendon coupling portion of a tendon, such that the tendon is located within first and second structural member apertures, wherein a central axis of the second coupling portion is parallel to and axially offset from a central axis of the first and second structural member apertures, and wherein the coupling portion is adapted to engage with the tendon coupling portion to connect vertically adjacent structural members. PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 7 [0029] The structural member may further comprise a first guide element at a first end. The structural member may further comprise a second guide element at a second end. The first and second guide elements may comprise complementary tapered surfaces such that the first guide element of a first structural member is adapted to mate with the second guide element of a second vertically adjacent structural member so as to align the second structural member aperture of the second structural member with the coupling portion of the first structural member. The structural member may further comprise a tendon guide element near the second end leading into the second structural member aperture. The tendon guide element may comprise a tapered inner surface adapted to receive the tendon coupling portion of the tendon and guide the tendon towards the second structural member aperture when the tendon is lowered towards the second structural member aperture. The structural member may further comprise one or more mounting plates for mounting the structural member onto a structural element.

[0030] Some embodiments relate to a base member comprising a base coupling portion and a base guide element, wherein the base guide element comprises a tapered surface adapted to mate with a guide element of a structural member, and wherein the base coupling portion is adapted to engage with a tendon coupling portion of a tendon to connect the structural member to the base member.

[0031] Some embodiments relate to a kit comprising: a tendon, the tendon comprising a head and a first coupling portion; and a structural member, the structural member including a first structural member aperture at a first end, a second structural member aperture at a second end, and a second coupling portion, wherein the first structural member aperture is coaxially aligned with the second structural member aperture, wherein the first and second structural member apertures are sized to allow passage of the first coupling portion of the tendon, such that the tendon can be placed within first and second structural member apertures, wherein a central axis of the second coupling portion is parallel to and axially offset from a central axis of the first and second structural member apertures. PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 and wherein the first coupling portion of a first tendon disposed in a first structural member is adapted to engage with the second coupling portion of a second structural member vertically adjacent to the first structural member to connect the first structural member to the second structural member.

[0032] The structural member of the kit may further comprise a first guide element at the first end and a second guide element at the second end. The first and second guide elements of the kit may comprise complementary tapered surfaces such that the first guide element of a first structural member is adapted to mate with the second guide element of a second vertically adjacent structural member so as to align the second structural member aperture of the second structural member with the second coupling portion of the first structural member.

[0033] The kit may further comprise a connection plate including a first connection plate aperture and a second connection plate aperture, wherein the first and second connection plate apertures are sized to allow passage of the tendon coupling portion, and wherein, when connected to a structural member, the first and second connection plate apertures are arranged to be aligned with the first structural member aperture and the coupling portion respectively. The second connection plate aperture of the connection plate of the kit is sized to receive the second guide element. The first connection plate aperture of the connection plate of the kit may be sized to allow passage of the tendon head. The connection plate of the kit may extend beyond one or more edges of the structural member when connected to the structural member of the kit.

[0034] including:

Some embodiments relate to a first method, the method comprising: providing one or more structural members, each structural member a first structural member aperture at a first end; a second structural member aperture at a second end; and a coupling portion. PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 wherein the first structural metnher aperture is coaxially aligned with the second structural member apermre, wherein the first and second structural member apertures are sized to allow passage of a tendon coupling portion of a tendon, such that the tendon is located within first and second structural member apertures, wherein a central axis of the second coupling portion is parallel to and axiaUy offset from a central axis of the first and second structural member apertures, and wherein the coupling portion is adapted to engage with the tendon coupling portion to connect vertically adjacent structural members; mounting the one or more structural members to a structural element; providing one or more base members, each base member comprising: a base coupling portion and a base guide element, wherein the base guide element comprises a tapered surface adapted to mate with a guide element of a structural member, and wherein the base coupling portion is adapted to engage with a tendon coupling portion of a tendon to connect the structural member to the base member; fixing each of the one or more base members to a base structure; lowering the structural element to meet the one or more base members so that the structural member apertures of each of the one or more structural members align with a corresponding base coupling portion of each of the one or more base members; inserting a tendon into each of the one or more structural members, each tendon comprising a tendon coupling portion and a tendon head; engaging the tendon coupling portion of each tendon with the base coupling portion of each of the one or more base members; tightening the connection between the coupling portions to connect the structural member to the base portion.

[0035] Some embodiments relate to a second method, the method comprising: providing a first structural element fixed to a building structure, the first structural element comprising one or more structural members, each structural member wo 2016/094936 PCT/AU2015/050630 10 including: a first structural member aperture at a first end; a second structural member aperture at a second end; and a coupling portion, wherein the first structural member aperture is coaxially aligned with the second structural member aperture, wherein the first and second structural member apertures are sized to allow passage of a tendon coupling portion of a tendon, such that the tendon is located within first and second structural member apertures, wherein a central axis of the second coupling portion is parallel to and axially offset from a central axis of the first and second structural member apertures, and wherein the coupling portion is adapted to engage with the tendon coupling portion to connect vertically adjacent structural members; providing a second structural element, the second structural element comprising one or more of the structural members; lowering the second structural element to meet the first structural element so that the structural member apertures of each of the one or more structural members of the second structural element align with the coupling portion of each corresponding structural member of the first structural element; inserting a tendon into each of the one or more structural members of the second structural element, each tendon comprising a tendon coupling portion and a tendon head; engaging the tendon coupling portion of each tendon with the coupling portion of each of the one or more structural members of the first structural element; tightening the connection between the coupling portions to connect the second structural element to the first structural element.

[0036] The providing a first structural element may comprise the first method.

[0037] The second method may further comprise repeating the method to erect multiple levels of vertically adjacent structural elements. PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 11 [0038] The methods may further comprise placing a connection plate between the tendon head and the structural member before tightening the connection between the coupling portions, the connection plate including: a first connection plate apermre and a second connection plate aperture, wherein the first and second connection plate apertures are sized to allow passage of the tendon coupling portion, and wherein, when connected to a strucmral member, the first and second connection plate apermres are arranged to be aligned with the first structural member aperture and the coupling portion respectively.

[0039] The methods may further comprise performing the first and/or second method to provide one or more horizontally adjacent structural elements, wherein the connection plate further comprises one or more branches, each branch including first and second connection plate apertures, and wherein the connection plate is arranged to connect adjacent structural members of the one or more adjacent structural elements.

[0040] The structural elements may comprise one or more of: a wall panel, a column, and a frame module.

[0041] Some embodiments relate to a method of construction comprising coupling a first assembly to a second assembly, wherein the tendon of the first assembly is disposed in the structural member of the first assembly, and the first coupling portion of the tendon of the first assembly is connected to the second coupling portion of the structural member of the second assembly..

Brief Description of Drawings [0042] Embodiments are described in further detail by way of reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0043] Figure 1 is a side view of a connection system according to some embodiments; PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 12 [0044] Figure 2 is a side view of the components of the connection system of Figure 1; [0045] Figure 3A is a perspective view of the upper end of a structural memher according to some emhodiments; [0046] Figure 3B is a perspective view of the lower end of a structural memher according to some emhodiments; [0047] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a connection plate according to some embodiments; [0048] Figure 5 is an exploded view of a connection system according to some embodiments; [0049] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the base of the connection system of Figure 5; [0050] Figure 7A is a lower perspective view of the connection system of Figure 5 in an assembled form; [0051] Figure 7B is an upper perspective view of the connection system of Figure 5 in an assembled form; [0052] Figure 8A is a top view of a single branch connection plate according to some embodiments; [0053] Figure 8B is a top view of a two branch connection plate according to some embodiments; [0054] Figure 8C is a top view of a three branch connection plate according to some embodiments; PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 13 [0055] Figure 8D is a top view of a four branch connection plate according to some embodiments; [0056] Figure 8E is a top view of a two branch connection plate according to some embodiments; [0057] Figure 8F is a top view of a three branch connection plate according to some embodiments; [0058] Figure 8G is a top view of a two branch connection plate according to some embodiments; [0059] Figure 9 is an exploded view of a connection system according to some embodiments; [0060] Figure 10 is an exploded view of the base of the connection system of Figure 9; [0061] Figure 11A is a cross sectional view of the connection system of Figure 9 in a state of partial assembly; [0062] Figure IIB is a cross sectional view of the connection system of Figure 9 after it has been connected; [0063] Figure 12 is a side view of the connection system of Figure 9 being used to connect vertically adjacent wall panels; [0064] Figure 13 is a side view of the connection system of Figure 9 being used to connect vertically adjacent wall panels and horizontally adjacent wall panels. PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 14

Detailed Description [0065] Embodiments generally relate to connection systems and components therefor. Some embodiments relate to connection systems for use in building construction, and some embodiments relate to a post-tensioning system for tensioning structural elements in buildings.

[0066] Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a connection system 100 is shown according to some embodiments. The connection system 100 may comprise a structural member 110, a tendon 170 and a connection plate 180. In some embodiments, the structural member 110 may comprise a rigid elongate hollow tube assembly and may be referred to as a support frame, body, or column segment. In use, the structural member 110 may be assembled together with the tendon 170 and connecting plate 180, and connected to an adjacent structural member 110 via a tendon 170 and/or connecting plate 180.

[0067] The tendon 170 may comprise an elongate bolt or shaft with a head 172 and a coupling portion, which may be formed as a threaded portion 174, for example. The tendon 170 may further comprise a non-threaded portion (not shown). For example, the tendon may comprise a non-threaded portion near the head 172 and a threaded portion 174 at the opposite end of the tendon 170 from the head 172. The tendon 170 may comprise a tendon shaft 176, which may comprise the threaded portion 174 and/or connect the threaded portion 174 to the head 172. The portion of the shaft 176 immediately below or adjacent the head 172 may be referred to as the neck 173.

[0068] The structural member 110 comprises a body 120, a top end plate 130, a bottom end plate 140 and an offset nut 150. A top aperture 135 is provided in the top end plate 130, and is sized to allow passage of the shaft 176 of the tendon 170 (see Figure 3A). A bottom aperture 145 may be provided in the bottom end plate 140, and may be sized to allow passage of the shaft 176 of the tendon 170 (see Figure 3B). The apertures 135, 145 may be sized to allow passage of the shaft 176 and the threaded portion 174 of the tendon 170, but disallow passage of the head 172. The top end plate 130 and bottom end plate 140 may be positionally fixed to the body 120 such that the PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 15 plates 130, 140 are parallel to each other and the apertures 135, 145 are coaxially aligned with each other, i.e., the central axes of the apertures 135, 145 are coaxial with an aperture axis 125. The offset nut 150 may be fixed to the body 120 such that a central offset nut axis 155 of the nut 150 is parallel to and axially offset from the aperture axis 125. The body 120 may be sufficiently rigid to substantially maintain the top end plate 130, bottom end plate 140 and offset nut 150 in the described relative positions during use.

[0069] The connecting plate 180 may comprise two apertures: a tendon head aperture 182 and a nut end aperture 184 (see Figure 4). In use, the connecting plate 180 may be located near the top end 130 of a structural member 110, the tendon head aperture 182 may be coaxially aligned with the apertures 135, 145 of the structural member 110, and the nut end aperture 184 may be coaxially aligned with the offset nut 150. In some embodiments, the tendon head aperture 182 may be sized to allow passage of both the threaded portion 174 and the head 172 of the tendon 170. In other embodiments, the tendon head aperture 182 may be sized to allow passage of the shaft and the threaded portion 174 of the tendon 170 but disallow passage of the tendon head 172. In some embodiments, the nut end aperture 184 may be sized to allow passage only of the threaded portion 174 of the tendon 170. In other embodiments, the nut end aperture 184 may be sized to allow passage of a guiding element, which is described further below. In some embodiments, the connecting plate 180 may be fixed to the top end plate 130 or form the top end plate 130. In other embodiments, the connecting plate 180 may be fixed to the bottom end plate 140 or form the bottom end plate 140.

[0070] In use, structural members 110 may be connected to vertically adjacent structural members 110 as shown in Figure 1, with connecting plates 180 located between adjacent structural members 110. Successive structural members 110 may be rotated by 180° about a longitudinal axis of the structural member 110 with respect to vertically adjacent structural members 110 such that the top aperture 135 and bottom aperture 145 of a structural member 110 are aligned with the offset nut 150 of a vertically adjacent structural member 110. Tendons 170 may be disposed in each structural member 110 such that the head 172 remains above an upper connecting plate PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 16 180 at the top end 130 of the struetural memher, and the shaft of the tendon 170 is disposed in: the tendon head aperture 182 of the upper eonnecting plate 180, the top aperture 135 of the struetural memher 110, the bottom aperture 145 of the struetural memher 110, the nut end aperture 184 of a lower eonneeting plate 180 at the bottom end 140 of the struetural member 110, and the offset nut 150 of the vertieally adjaeent structural member 110 below. In embodiments where the tendon head aperture 182 allows passage of the head 172, a washer may be placed around the tendon 170 between the head 172 and the connecting plate 180 to transfer force from the head 172 to the connecting plate 180. The threaded portion 174 of the tendon 170 may engage with a female thread of the offset nut 150 and the head 172 may be rotated to progress the threaded portion 174 of the tendon 170 through the offset nut 150. The connection system 100 may be tightened in this manner until the tendon 170 is under tension, and a particular desired tension may be achieved by tightening the tendon 170 to a corresponding bolt head torque using a torque wrench, for example. There may be sufficient clearance below a base nut 195 and offset nut 150 to allow for a sufficient length of the tendon 170 to extend below the nut 150, 195 to achieve the desired tension.

[0071] A number of structural members 110 may be connected in this way for use in construction applications, for example, to connect a plurality of wall panels together. The connection system 100 may be used to connect other structural elements together. The connection system 100 may also be used to act as a column and resist gravity loads. The connection system 100 may also be used to post-tension other structural elements by compressing the structural elements between successive connection plates 180, i.e., an upper connection plate 180 and a lower connection plate 180 with respect to a structural member 110.

[0072] In some embodiments, the structural members 110 of a connection system 100 may be fixed to structural elements such as wall panels or columns so that the connection system 100 can be used to connect the structural elements together. In some embodiments, the structural members 110 may be fixed to the structural elements by way of one or more fixation means such as adhesive, welding or mechanical fasteners PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 17 such as screws, bolts, nabs, or rivets. In some embodiments, the strucmral members 110 may comprise one or more mounting plates or brackets (see Figures 9 and 10, for example) with holes provided in each bracket adapted to receive mechanical fasteners to fix the structural member 110 to a structural element. Alternatively, or additionally, fastening plates, brackets and/or holes may be provided elsewhere on the structural member 110. In other embodiments, the structural members 110 may be formed integrally with a structural element, or set into the structural element while the structural element is being formed, such as a concrete wall panel being cast with a steel structural member 110 within, for example. In some embodiments, the strucmral element may have a cavity formed within it which is adapted to receive a strucmral member 110. In some embodiments, the connection system 100 may be used without a connection plate 180.

[0073] The connection system 100 may further comprise a base nut 195 to connect a lowermost structural member 110 to a base of a building or frame strucmre by threadedly engaging with a lowermost tendon 170. The base nut 195 may be fixed with respect to a floor, base, or foundation of the structure. For example, the base nut 195 may be set in a concrete slab, or welded or otherwise attached to a frame, footing, base rail or other base member. In some embodiments, the connection system 100 may comprise a base member 190 with a base nut 195 welded to the base member 190 to be co-axial with an aperture in the base member 190, as shown in Figure 2, for example. The base member 190 may be fixed to a floor, base, slab, frame or foundation of the building structure. The base member may be fixed in place by fasteners such as screws, bolts or chem-set fasteners chemically bonded into concrete. Alternatively, or additionally, the base member 190 may be welded or otherwise fixed or fastened to a frame. In some embodiments, the base member 190 may comprise a base rail member 190 which may be fastened to other base rail members 190 to form a base frame setting out a floor plan for a building structure. The base rail members 190 may be arranged in a particular spatial configuration with base nuts 190 disposed at predetermined locations corresponding to the desired positions of structural members 110 in structural elements such as wall panels. PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 18 [0074] In some embodiments, the structural member 110 may further comprise guiding elements to help locate structural members 110 with respect to one another and align the apertures 135, 145 of one structural member 110 with the offset nut 150 of the next lower structural member 110 (or with a base nut 195). The guiding elements may comprise two complementary tapered components, shaped to fit together, and fixed to the body 120 of each stmcmral member 110 below the bottom aperture 140 and above the offset nut 150 (or a base nut 195) respectively. The guiding elements may comprise various suitable complementary surfaces with tapered shapes for guiding a higher structural member 110 into position relative to a lower structural member 110 such that relatively small errors in positioning (less than half of the diameter of the of the bottom end plate 140) are corrected by the guiding elements. Positioning errors may be corrected as the higher structural member 110 is lowered, the guiding elements are brought closer to each other, and the complementary surfaces contact each other to guide the apertures 135, 145 of the higher strucmral member 110 laterally towards a central axis of the offset nut 150 of the lower structural member 110. The complementary surfaces of the guiding elements may be formed such that when the guiding elements are brought into abutment with one another, the mating of the complementary surfaces of the guiding elements locates the bottom aperture 145 of the higher structural member 110 to align it with the offset nut 150 (or base nut 195) with sufficient precision to allow the thread of the tendon 170 to engage with the thread of the offset nut 150 (or base nut 195). In some embodiments, a tendon 170 may be placed in a higher structural member 110 prior to positioning the higher structural member 110 above a lower strucmral member 110, in which case only the offset nut 150 (or base nut 190) may have an associated female tapered guiding element to guide the tendon 170 into the offset nut 150 (or base nut 190).

[0075] Any or aU of the component parts of the strucmral member 110 or base member 190 may be integrally formed with one another, or fixed or fastened to each other by way of welding, brazing, soldering, adhesion, or mechanically fastening with fasteners such as screws, bolts or rivets. PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 19 [0076] The components of the connection system 100 may he formed of various different materials which are suitable for different applications of the connection system 100. Different components of the connection system 100 may he formed of different materials. Some materials which may he used are: metals, metal alloys, steel, aluminium, brass, titanium, plastics, polymers, ceramics, composite materials, timber and timber products. The body 120 and base member 190 may be formed of structural steel square hollow sections of nominal grade 450MPa steel, for example. The washer 178, connection plate 180, and end plates 130, 140, 150 may be fabricated from standard grade mild steel flat sections, for example. The tendon 170 and nuts 150, 195 may be fabricated from grade 8.8 high tensile steel, for example.

[0077] Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, an exploded view of a connection system 500 is shown according to some embodiments. The connection system 500 comprises similar components as previously described in relation to connection system 100 and similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar components. The connection system 500 further comprises guide elements 537, 547 to assist in locating vertically adjacent structural members with respect to each other.

[0078] The connection system 500 may comprise a structural member 510, a tendon 570 and a connection plate 580. In use, the structural member 510 may be assembled together with the tendon 570 and connecting plate 580, and connected to an adjacent structural member 510 via a tendon 570 and/or connecting plate 580.

[0079] The tendon 570 may comprise an elongate bolt or shaft with a head 572 and a coupling portion, which may be formed as a threaded portion 574, for example. The tendon 570 may further comprise a non-threaded portion (not shown). For example, the tendon may comprise a non-threaded portion near the head 572 and a threaded portion 574 at the opposite end of the tendon 570 from the head 572. The tendon 570 may comprise a tendon shaft 576, which may comprise the threaded portion 574 and/or connect the threaded portion 574 to the head 572. The portion of the shaft 576 immediately below or adjacent the head 572 may be referred to as the neck 573. The tendon may be formed by providing a length of threaded rod, threadedly engaging a nut PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 20 with one end of the threaded rod, and welding, brazing, soldering or adhering the nut to the threaded rod to form the head 572.

[0080] The structural member 510 comprises a body 520, a top end plate 530, a bottom end plate 540 and an offset nut 550. A top apermre 535 is provided in the top end plate 530, and is sized to allow passage of a tendon 570 (see Figure 5). A bottom aperture 545 may be provided in the bottom end plate 540, and may be sized to allow passage of a shaft of the tendon 570 (see Figure 5). The apertures 535, 545 may be sized to allow passage of the shaft and the threaded portion 574 of the tendon 570, but disallow passage of the head 572. The top end plate 530 and bottom end plate 540 may be fixed to the body 520 such that the plates 530, 540 are parallel to each other and the apermres 535, 545 are coaxially aligned with each other, i.e., the central axes of the apermres 535, 545 are coaxial with an aperture axis 525. The offset nut 550 may be fixed to the body 520 such that a central offset nut axis 555 of the nut 550 is parallel to and axially offset from the aperture axis 525. The body 520 may be sufficiently rigid to substantially maintain the top end plate 530, bottom end plate 540 and offset nut 550 in the described relative positions during use.

[0081] The connection system 500 further comprises tapered guiding elements referred to as female guide cone 537 and male guide cone 547 for convenience. An inner surface of the female guide cone 537 may comprise a frusto-conical or tapered cylinder shape. An outer surface of the male guide cone 547 may comprise a complementary frusto-conical or tapered cylinder shape. An inner surface of the male guide cone 547 may comprise a cylindrical or tapered cylindrical shape, or any other suitable shape, such that a threaded portion 574 of a tendon 570 can pass through the male guide cone 547.

[0082] The body 520 of the structural member 510 may comprise a tendon box 522 and an offset nut box 526, both of which may be formed of lengths of square hollow section. The tendon box 522 and nut box 526 may comprise generally elongate hollow tubes extending in parallel with each other. The tendon box 522 may be substantially longer than the offset nut box 526, for example, the tendon box 522 may be longer than PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 21 the nut box 526 by a factor of between about 1.5 and 50, optionally between about 4 and 20. For use in building construction, the length of the tendon box 522 may be between about Im and 4m, optionally between about 2m and 3.5m. In other embodiments, the structural member 510 may be scaled up or down for various uses. The tendon box 522 may have a length which is the same or close to the relevant corresponding length of structural elements to be connected by the connection system 500. In some embodiments, the length of the tendon box 522 may be less than the length of the structural elements to be connected, in order to allow for a change in length of the structural elements due to compressive strain. For example, the length of the tendon box 522 may be between about 0.01% to 10% less than the length of the unloaded structural element, optionally about 0.01% to 5% less than the length of the unloaded structural element. The offset nut box 526 may be welded, adhered, or otherwise fastened to the tendon box 522. A wall of the offset nut box 526 in contact with part of a wall of the tendon box 522 may be welded, adhered or mechanically fastened to the tendon box 522 over part or all of the contact surface. The contact surface should be large enough to effectively transfer force between the offset nut box 526 and the tendon box 522, and the join between them should be sufficiently strong to withstand the loads expected in use. In some embodiments, the offset nut box 526 may be integrally formed with the tendon box 522.

[0083] The top end plate 530 may include a top guiding element aperture 539 sized to receive a male guide cone 547. The female guide cone 537 may be welded or otherwise fastened to the top end plate 530 such that the female guide cone 537 is coaxially ahgned with the offset nut 550, and a male guide cone 547 may pass through the top guiding element aperture 539 and mate with the female guide cone 537. In some embodiments, the female guide cone may be fixed directly to the offset nut box 526, and the top end plate 530 may not cover the offset nut box 526 at aU.

[0084] The male guide cone 547 may be welded or otherwise fastened to the bottom end plate 540 such that the male guide cone 547 is coaxially ahgned with the bottom aperture 545, and the threaded portion 574 of a tendon 570 may pass through the bottom aperture 545 and the male guide cone 547. PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 22 [0085] In use, the female and male guide cones 537, 547 may help locate structural members 510 with respect to one another and align the apertures 535, 545 of one structural member 510 with the offset nut 550 of the next lower structural member 510 (or with a base nut 595). The guiding elements 537, 547 may assist in guiding a higher structural member 510 into position relative to a lower structural member 510 such that relatively small errors in positioning (less than half of the diameter of the of the bottom end plate 540) are corrected by the guiding elements as the higher structural member 510 is lowered and the guide cones 537, 547 are brought closer to each other; and such that when the guide cones 537, 547 are brought into abutment with one another, the mating of the complementary surfaces of the guide cones 537, 547 locates the bottom aperture 545 of the higher structural member 510 to align it with the offset nut 550 (or base nut 595) with sufficient precision to allow the thread of the tendon 570 to engage with the thread of the offset nut 550 (or base nut 595). In some embodiments, a tendon 570 may be placed in a higher structural member 510 prior to positioning the higher structural member 510 above a lower structural member 510, in which case only the offset nut 550 (or base nut 590) may have an associated female tapered guide cone 537 to guide the tendon 570 into the offset nut 550 (or base nut 590).

[0086] The structural member 510 may comprise an offset nut plate 553, which may be welded to a lower end of the offset nut box 526, and may include an offset nut aperture 554 sized to allow passage of the shaft and the threaded portion 574 of a tendon 570, such that the offset nut aperture 554 is coaxially aligned with the female guide cone 537 of the offset nut box 526. An offset nut 550 may be welded to the offset nut plate 553, such that the offset nut 550 is coaxially aligned with the offset nut aperture 554.

[0087] The connecting plate 580 may comprise two apertures: a tendon head aperture 582 and a nut end aperture 584. In use, the connecting plate 580 may be located near the top end 530 of a structural member 510, the tendon head aperture 582 may be coaxially aligned with the apertures 535, 545 of the structural member 510, and the nut end aperture 584 may be coaxially aligned with the offset nut 550. In some embodiments, the tendon head aperture 582 may be sized to allow passage of both the PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 23 threaded portion 574 and the head 572 of the tendon 570. In other embodiments, the tendon head aperture 582 may be sized to allow passage of the shaft and the threaded portion 574 of the tendon 570 but disallow passage of the tendon head 572. The nut end aperture 584 may be sized to receive the male cone guide 547. In some embodiments, the connecting plate 580 may be fixed to the top end plate 530 or form the top end plate 530. In other embodiments, the connecting plate 580 may be fixed to the bottom end plate 540 or form the bottom end plate 540.

[0088] The connection system 500 may further comprise a washer 578 such as a slotted washer with a lip. In use, the connection plate 580 may be placed over the tendon 570 such that the head 572 passes through the tendon head aperture 582, then the slotted washer 578 may be placed between the head 572 and the connection plate 580. When the connection system 500 is tightened, and the washer 578 is brought into abutment with the head 572 and the connection plate 580, the lip of the washer 578 may inhibit the washer 578 from moving laterally away from the tendon 570 as the lip of the washer 578 abuts the head 572.

[0089] In use, structural members 510 may be connected to vertically adjacent structural members 510 as shown in Figure 1 with respect to connection system 100, with connecting plates 580 located between adjacent structural members 510. Successive structural members 510 may be rotated by 180° about a longitudinal axis of the structural member 510 with respect to vertically adjacent structural members 510 such that the top aperture 535 and bottom aperture 545 of a structural member 510 are aligned with the offset nut 550 of a vertically adjacent structural member 510. Tendons 570 may be disposed in each structural member 510 such that the head 572 remains above an upper connecting plate 580 at the top end 530 of the structural member, and the shaft of the tendon 570 is disposed in: the tendon head aperture 582 of the upper connecting plate 580, the top aperture 535 of the structural member 510, the bottom aperture 545 of the structural member 510, the nut end aperture 584 of a lower connecting plate 580 at the bottom end 540 of the structural member 510, and the offset nut 550 of the vertically adjacent structural member 510 below. In embodiments where the tendon head aperture 582 allows passage of the head 572, a washer 578 may be PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 24 placed around the tendon 570 between the head 572 and the connecting plate 580 to transfer force from the head 572 to the connecting plate 580. The threaded portion 574 of the tendon 570 may engage with a female thread of the offset nut 550 and the head 572 may be rotated to progress the threaded portion 574 of the tendon 570 through the offset nut 550. The connection system 500 may be tightened in this manner until the tendon 570 is under tension, and a particular desired tension may be achieved by tightening the tendon 570 to a corresponding bolt head torque using a torque wrench, for example. There may be sufficient clearance below a base nut 595 and offset nut 550 to allow for a sufficient length of the tendon 570 to extend below the nut 550, 595 to achieve the desired tension.

[0090] A number of structural members 510 may be connected in this way for use in construction applications, for example, to connect a plurality of wall panels together. The connection system 500 may be used to connect other structural elements together. The connection system 500 may also be used to act as a column and resist gravity loads. The connection system 500 may also be used to post-tension other structural elements by compressing the structural elements between successive connection plates 580, i.e., an upper connection plate 580 and a lower connection plate 580 with respect to a structural member 510.

[0091] In some embodiments, the structural members 510 of a connection system 500 may be fixed to structural elements such as wall panels or columns so that the connection system 500 can be used to connect the structural elements together. In some embodiments, the structural members 510 may be fixed to the structural elements by way of one or more fixation means such as adhesive, welding or mechanical fasteners such as screws, bolts, nads, or rivets. In some embodiments, the structural members 510 may comprise one or more mounting plates or brackets (see Figures 9 and 10, for example) with holes provided in each bracket adapted to receive mechanical fasteners to fix the structural member 510 to a structural element. Alternatively, or additionally, fastening plates, brackets and/or holes may be provided elsewhere on the structural member 510. In other embodiments, the structural members 510 may be formed integrally with a structural element, or set into the structural element while the PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 25 structural element is being formed, such as a concrete wall panel being cast with a steel structural member 510 within, for example. In some embodiments, the strucmral element may have a cavity formed within it which is adapted to receive a strucmral member 510. In some embodiments, the connection system 500 may be used without a connection plate 580.

[0092] The connection system 500 may further comprise a base nut 595 to connect a lowermost structural member 510 to a base of a building or frame structure by threadedly engaging with a lowermost tendon 570. The base nut 595 may be fixed with respect to a floor, base, or foundation of the structure. For example, the base nut 595 may be set in a concrete slab, or welded or otherwise attached to a frame, footing, base rail or other base member. In some embodiments, the connection system 500 may comprise a base member 590 with a base nut 595 welded to the base member 590 to be co-axial with an aperture in the base member 590, as shown in Figure 6, for example. The base member 590 may be fixed to a floor, base, slab, frame or foundation of the building structure. The base member 590 may be fixed in place by fasteners such as screws, bolts or chem-set fasteners chemically bonded into concrete. Alternatively, or additionally, the base member 590 may be welded or otherwise fixed or fastened to a frame. In some embodiments, the base member 590 may comprise a base rail member 590 which may be fastened to other base rail members 590 to form a base frame setting out a floor plan for a building structure. The base rail members 590 may be arranged in a particular spatial configuration with base nuts 590 disposed at predetermined locations corresponding to the desired positions of strucmral members 510 in strucmral elements such as wall panels.

[0093] The base member 590 may comprise a body 591 which may be formed of square hollow section, and include a base aperture 592 sized to receive a base nut box 596. The base nut box 596 may also be formed of square hollow section, and be sized to fit inside the body 591 of the base member 590 and contain a base female guide cone 597. PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 26 [0094] The base member 590 may comprise a base cone plate 598 welded to a top end of the base nut box 596, which may include a base cone aperture 599 sized to receive a male guide cone 547. The base cone plate 598 may be welded to the base member 590 and/or the base nut box 596 may be welded to the base member 590. The base female guide cone 597 may be located within the base nut box 596 and welded to the base cone plate 598 in coaxial alignment with the base cone aperture 599.

[0095] The base member 590 may comprise a base nut plate 593 welded to a bottom end of the base nut box 596. The base nut plate 593 may include a base nut aperture 594 sized to allow passage of the shaft and the threaded portion 574 of a tendon 570 and coaxially aligned with the base female guide cone 597 and base cone aperture 599. The base member 590 may comprise a base nut 595 welded to the base nut plate 593. The base nut may be sized to threadedly engage the threaded portion 574 of a tendon 570 and be located in coaxial alignment with the base nut aperture 594, base female guide cone 597 and base cone aperture 599.

[0096] The tendon box 522, offset nut box 526, base nut box 596 and base member body 591 may be formed of structural steel square hollow sections of nominal grade 450MPa steel, for example. The male guide cone 547 and female guide cones 537, 597 may be formed of mild steel bar sections, and may be fabricated using a 5-axis CNC milling machine and wire cutter attachment, for example. The washer 578, connection plate 580, and end plates 530, 540, 553, 593, 598 may be fabricated from standard grade mild steel flat sections, for example. The tendon 570 and nuts 550, 595 may be fabricated from grade 8.8 high tensile steel, for example.

[0097] Any or all of the component parts of the structural member 510 or base member 590 may be integrally formed with one another, or fixed or fastened to each other by way of welding, brazing, soldering, adhesion, or mechanically fastening with fasteners such as screws, bolts or rivets. In some embodiments, the base nut 595, base nut plate 593, base nut box 596, base female guide cone 597 and base cone plate 598, could be machined as a single part with a threaded hole and a tapered opening similar to the inner surface of the base female guide cone 597. PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 27 [0098] The components of the connection system 500 may he formed of various different materials which are suitable for different applications of the connection system 500. Different components of the connection system 500 may be formed of different materials. Some materials which may be used are: metals, metal alloys, steel, aluminium, brass, titanium, plastics, polymers, ceramics, composite materials, timber and timber products.

[0099] Referring to Figures 7A and 7B, the connection system 500 is shown in an assembled state. The connection system 500 may be used to connect structural elements such as wall panels together by fastening the structural elements to two or more respective structural members 510, inserting a tendon 570 through the structural members 510, placing a connection plate 580 over the head 572 of the tendon 570, placing a washer 578 between the head 572 and the connection plate 580, placing the male guide cone 547 of the structural member 510 into the nut end aperture 584 of the connection plate 580 and female guide cone 537 of a lower structural member 510, and rotating the head 572 of the upper tendon 570 to threadedly engage the offset nut 550 of the adjacent lower structural member 510, so as to tighten the tendon 570 and connect the structural members 510 together.

[0100] In some embodiments, the structural member may further comprise a tendon guiding element immediately above the bottom aperture to assist in passing the tendon through the bottom aperture. The tendon guiding element may comprise a tapered inner surface having a width similar to the inner width of a lower portion of the body of the structural member, and narrowing to a width similar to the width of the bottom aperture immediately above the bottom aperture. As a tendon is inserted through the body of the structural member, a lower end of the tendon may contact the inner surface of the tendon guiding element and be guided towards the bottom aperture as it is lowered further. The tendon guiding element may make it easier to insert the lower end of the tendon through the bottom aperture.

[0101] Referring now to Figures 9 to 11, a connection system 900 is shown according to some embodiments. The connection system comprises similar components PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 28 to those described in relation to connection systems 100 and 500. Similar components of the connection system 900 are indicated with similar reference numerals to the previous figures. The connection system 900 further comprises mounting plates 960 to assist in fastening the structural member 910 to a structural element such as a wall panel, as well as a tendon guiding element 944 to assist in passing the threaded portion 974 of the tendon 970 through the bottom aperture 945.

[0102] The connection system 900 may comprise a structural member 910, a tendon 970 and a connection plate 980. In use, the structural member 910 may be assembled together with the tendon 970 and connecting plate 980, and connected to an adjacent structural member 910 via a tendon 970 and/or connecting plate 980.

[0103] The tendon 970 may comprise an elongate bolt or shaft with a head 972 and a coupling portion, which may be formed as a threaded portion 974, for example. The tendon 970 may further comprise a non-threaded portion (not shown). For example, the tendon may comprise a non-threaded portion near the head 972 and a threaded portion 974 at the opposite end of the tendon 970 from the head 972. The tendon 970 may comprise a tendon shaft 976, which may comprise the threaded portion 974 and/or connect the threaded portion 974 to the head 972. The portion of the shaft 976 immediately below or adjacent the head 972 may be referred to as the neck 973. The tendon may be formed by providing a length of threaded rod, threadedly engaging a nut with one end of the threaded rod, and welding, brazing, soldering or adhering the nut to the threaded rod to form the head 972.

[0104] The structural member 910 comprises a body 920, a top end plate 930, a bottom end plate 940 and an offset nut 950. A top aperture 935 is provided in the top end plate 930, and is sized to allow passage of a tendon 970 (see Figure 9). A bottom aperture 945 may be provided in the bottom end plate 940, and may be sized to allow passage of the shaft of the tendon 970 (see Figure 11 A). The apertures 935, 945 may be sized to allow passage of the shaft and the threaded portion 974 of the tendon 970, but disallow passage of the head 972. The top end plate 930 and bottom end plate 940 may be fixed to the body 920 such that the plates 930, 940 are parallel to each other and the PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 29 apertures 935, 945 are coaxially aligned with each other, i.e., the central axes of the apertures 935, 945 are coaxial with an aperture axis 925. The offset nut 950 may be fixed to the body 920 such that a central offset nut axis 955 of the nut 950 is parallel to and axially offset from the aperture axis 925. The body 920 may be sufficiently rigid to substantially maintain the top end plate 930, bottom end plate 940 and offset nut 950 in the described relative positions during use.

[0105] The connection system 900 further comprises tapered guiding elements referred to as female guide cone 937 and male guide cone 947 for convenience. An inner surface of the female guide cone 937 may comprise a frusto-conical or tapered cylinder shape. An outer surface of the male guide cone 947 may comprise a complementary frusto-conical or tapered cylinder shape. An inner surface of the male guide cone 947 may comprise a cylindrical or tapered cylindrical shape, or any other suitable shape, such that a threaded portion 974 of a tendon 970 can pass through the male guide cone 947.

[0106] The body 920 of the structural member 910 may comprise a tendon box 922 and an offset nut box 926, both of which may be formed of lengths of square hollow section. The tendon box 922 and nut box 926 may comprise generally elongate hollow tubes extending in parallel with each other. The tendon box 922 may be substantially longer than the offset nut box 926, for example, the tendon box 922 may be longer than the nut box 926 by a factor of between about 1.5 and 50, optionally between about 4 and 20. For use in building construction, the length of the tendon box 922 may be between about Im and 4m, optionally between about 2m and 3.5m. In other embodiments, the structural member 910 may be scaled up or down for various uses. The tendon box 922 may have a length which is the same or close to the relevant corresponding length of strucmral elements to be connected by the connection system 900. In some embodiments, the length of the tendon box 922 may be less than the length of the structural elements to be connected, in order to allow for a change in length of the structural elements due to compressive strain. For example, the length of the tendon box 922 may be between about 0.01% to 10% less than the length of the unloaded structural element, optionally about 0.01% to 5% less than the length of the PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 30 unloaded structural element. The offset nut box 926 may be welded, adhered, or otherwise fastened to the tendon box 922. A wall of the offset nut box 926 in contact with part of a wall of the tendon box 922 may be welded, adhered or mechanically fastened to the tendon box 922 over part or all of the contact surface. The contact surface should be large enough to effectively transfer force between the offset nut box 926 and the tendon box 922, and the join between them should be sufficiently strong to withstand the loads expected in use. In some embodiments, the offset nut box 926 may be integrally formed with the tendon box 922.

[0107] The top end plate 930 may include a top guiding element aperture 939 sized to receive a male guide cone 947. The female guide cone 937 may be welded or otherwise fastened to the top end plate 930 such that the female guide cone 937 is coaxially aligned with the offset nut 950, and a male guide cone 947 may pass through the top guiding element aperture 939 and mate with the female guide cone 937. In some embodiments, the female guide cone may be fixed directly to the offset nut box 926, and the top end plate 930 may not cover the offset nut box 926 at aU.

[0108] The male guide cone 947 may be welded or otherwise fastened to the bottom end plate 940 such that the male guide cone 947 is coaxially aligned with the bottom aperture 945, and the threaded portion 974 of a tendon 970 may pass through the bottom aperture 945 and the male guide cone 947.

[0109] In use, the female and male guide cones 937, 947 may help locate structural members 910 with respect to one another and align the apertures 935, 945 of one structural member 910 with the offset nut 950 of the next lower structural member 910 (or with a base nut 995). The guiding elements 937, 947 may assist in guiding a higher structural member 910 into position relative to a lower structural member 910 such that relatively small errors in positioning (less than half of the diameter of the of the bottom end plate 940) are corrected by the guiding elements as the higher structural member 910 is lowered and the guide cones 937, 947 are brought closer to each other; and such that when the guide cones 937, 947 are brought into abutment with one another, the mating of the complementary surfaces of the guide cones 937, 947 locates the bottom PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 31 aperture 945 of the higher structural memher 910 to align it with the offset nut 950 (or base nut 995) with sufficient precision to allow the thread of the tendon 970 to engage with the thread of the offset nut 950 (or base nut 995). In some embodiments, a tendon 970 may be placed in a higher structural member 910 prior to positioning the higher structural member 910 above a lower structural member 910, in which case only the offset nut 950 (or base nut 990) may have an associated female tapered guide cone 937 to guide the tendon 970 into the offset nut 950 (or base nut 990).

[0110] The structural member 910 may comprise an offset nut plate 953, which may be welded to a lower end of the offset nut box 926, and may include an offset nut aperture 954 sized to allow passage of the shaft and the threaded portion 974 of a tendon 970, such that the offset nut aperture 954 is coaxially aligned with the female guide cone 937 of the offset nut box 926. An offset nut 950 may be welded to the offset nut plate 953, such that the offset nut 950 is coaxially aligned with the offset nut aperture 954.

[0111] The structural member 910 further comprises two mounting plates or brackets 960. The brackets 960 are welded onto a side of a tendon box 922 of the structural member 910 at positions near a lower end of the tendon box 922 and near and upper end of the tendon box 922, but below the offset nut 950. Each bracket 960 includes four holes 965 adapted to receive screws or other fastening means to fix the structural member 910 onto a structural element.

[0112] The structural member 910 further comprises a tendon guiding element 944. Here, the tendon guiding element 944, bottom end plate 940 and male guide cone 947 are formed together in a single piece, which also defines the bottom aperture 945. The tendon guiding element 944 comprises a female frusto-conical inner surface above the bottom aperture 945, which tapers from a diameter close to an inner width of a tendon box 922 of the structural member 910 to the diameter of the bottom aperture 945, which is sized to allow passage of at least part of the threaded portion 974 of the tendon 970. The inner surface of the tendon guiding element 944 may have a different pitch to that of the guide cones 937, 947. In some embodiments, the inner surface of the PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 32 guiding element 944 may comprise a different tapered shape and may not necessarily be conical.

[0113] Figures llA and IIB show a cross-section of the connection system 900 according to some embodiments illustrating the tapered shape of the tendon guiding element 944. When a tendon 970 is lowered into the tendon box 922, the lower end of the tendon 970 may contact the inner surface of the tendon guiding element 944 and be guided laterally towards the centre of the tendon box 922 as the tendon 970 is lowered into the bottom aperture 945.

[0114] Figure llA shows the connection system 900 in a state of partial assembly as an upper structural member 910 is being lowered into a lower structural member 910. The threaded portion 974 of a lower tendon 970 has been inserted through the tendon head aperture 982 of a connection plate 980 and through the top aperture 935 of the top plate 930 of the lower structural member 910. A washer 978 has been placed between the head 972 and the connection plate 980. An upper tendon 970 and the upper structural member 910 are not yet in contact with the connection plate 980 or lower structural member 910, but they are aligned with the nut end aperture 984 of the connection plate 980 as well as the female guide cone 937 and offset nut 950 of the lower structural member 910.

[0115] Figures llA and IIB illustrate how the guide cones 937, 947 assist in locating the structural members 910 with respect to each other and how the tendon guiding element 944 assists in guiding the threaded portion 974 of the tendon 970 into the bottom aperture 945.

[0116] As the upper structural member 910 is lowered to engage with the lower structural member 910, the guide cones 937, 947 make it much easier to align the structural members 910 because the lowest portion of the male guide cone 947 is significantly narrower than the nut end aperture 984 of the connection plate 980 and the uppermost opening of the female guide cone 937. Once the lowest portion of the male guide cone 947 is located within the uppermost opening of the female guide cone 937, PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 33 the upper structural member 910 can be lowered, and the guide cones 937, 947 will contact each other and bring the bottom aperture 945 of the upper strucmral member 910 into alignment with the offset nut 950 of the lower structural member 910 as the guide cones 937, 947 are brought into abutment and mate with each other.

[0117] As the upper tendon 970 is lowered further into the tendon box 922 of the upper structural member 910, the lowest portion of the tendon 970 may contact the sides of the tendon box 922. Without a tendon guiding element 944, it may be difficult to locate the tendon 970 within the bottom aperture 945. Figure llA illustrates how the tapered surface of the tendon guiding element 944 guides the lowest portion of the tendon 970 into the bottom aperture 945 as the tendon 970 is lowered.

[0118] Figure IIB shows the connection system 900 in cross-section in a connected configuration. The connection plate 980 has been tightened onto the lower structural member 910 via the lower tendon 970, tendon head 972 and washer 978. The upper structural member 910 has been lowered into place with the male guide cone 947 of the upper structural member 910 mating with the female guide cone 937 of the lower structural member 910. The upper tendon 970 has been lowered through the bottom aperture 945 of the upper structural member 910 and threadedly engaged with the offset nut 950 of the lower structural member 910 to connect the structural members 910 together.

[0119] The male guide cone 947, bottom plate 940 and guiding element 944 may be formed as a single component and then welded to a lower end of the tendon box 922. The female guide cone 937 may be formed together with an upper cone plate 938 which is welded to an upper end of the offset nut box 926. The upper cone plate 938 includes a female cone aperture 939 corresponding to the upper opening of the female guide cone 937. In some embodiments, the components may be formed separately and then fastened together.

[0120] The connecting plate 980 may comprise two apertures: a tendon head aperture 982 and a nut end aperture 984. In use, the connecting plate 980 may be PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 34 located near the top end 930 of a structural member 910, the tendon head aperture 982 may be coaxially aligned with the apertures 935, 945 of the structural member 910, and the nut end aperture 984 may be coaxially aligned with the offset nut 950. In some embodiments, the tendon head aperture 982 may be sized to allow passage of both the threaded portion 974 and the head 972 of the tendon 970. In other embodiments, the tendon head aperture 982 may be sized to allow passage of the shaft and the threaded portion 974 of the tendon 970 but disallow passage of the tendon head 972. The nut end aperture 984 may be sized to receive the male cone guide 947. In some embodiments, the connecting plate 980 may be fixed to the top end plate 930 or form the top end plate 930. In other embodiments, the connecting plate 980 may be fixed to the bottom end plate 940 or form the bottom end plate 940.

[0121] The connection system 900 may further comprise a washer 978 such as a slotted washer with a lip. In use, the connection plate 980 may be placed over the tendon 970 such that the head 972 passes through the tendon head aperture 982, then the slotted washer 978 may be placed between the head 972 and the connection plate 980. When the connection system 900 is tightened, and the washer 978 is brought into abutment with the head 972 and the connection plate 980, the lip of the washer 978 may inhibit the washer 978 from moving laterally away from the tendon 970 as the hp of the washer 978 abuts the head 972.

[0122] In use, structural members 910 may be connected to vertically adjacent structural members 910 as shown in Figure IIB, with connecting plates 980 located between adjacent structural members 910. Successive structural members 910 may be rotated by 180° about a longitudinal axis of the structural member 910 with respect to vertically adjacent structural members 910 such that the top aperture 935 and bottom aperture 945 of a structural member 910 are aligned with the offset nut 950 of a vertically adjacent structural member 910. Tendons 970 may be disposed in each structural member 910 such that the head 972 remains above an upper connecting plate 980 at the top end 930 of the structural member, and the shaft of the tendon 970 is disposed in: the tendon head aperture 982 of the upper connecting plate 980, the top aperture 935 of the structural member 910, the bottom aperture 945 of the structural PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 35 member 910, the nut end aperture 984 of a lower connecting plate 980 at the bottom end 940 of the structural member 910, and the offset nut 950 of the vertically adjacent structural member 910 below. In embodiments where the tendon head aperture 982 allows passage of the head 972, a washer 978 may be placed around the tendon 970 between the head 972 and the connecting plate 980 to transfer force from the head 972 to the connecting plate 980. The threaded portion 974 of the tendon 970 may engage with a female thread of the offset nut 950 and the head 972 may be rotated to progress the threaded portion 974 of the tendon 970 through the offset nut 950. The connection system 900 may be tightened in this manner until the tendon 970 is under tension, and a particular desired tension may be achieved by tightening the tendon 970 to a corresponding bolt head torque using a torque wrench, for example. There may be sufficient clearance below a base nut 995 and offset nut 950 to allow for a sufficient length of the tendon 970 to extend below the nut 950, 995 to achieve the desired tension.

[0123] A number of structural members 910 may be connected in this way for use in construction applications, for example, to connect a plurality of wall panels together. The connection system 900 may be used to connect other strucmral elements together. The connection system 900 may also be used to act as a column and resist gravity loads. The connection system 900 may also be used to post-tension other structural elements by compressing the structural elements between successive connection plates 980, i.e., an upper connection plate 980 and a lower connection plate 980 with respect to a structural member 910.

[0124] In some embodiments, the structural members 910 of a connection system 900 may be fixed to structural elements such as wall panels or columns so that the connection system 900 can be used to connect the structural elements together. In some embodiments, the structural members 910 may be fixed to the structural elements by way of one or more fixation means such as adhesive, welding or mechanical fasteners such as screws, bolts, nails, or rivets. In some embodiments, the strucmral members 910 may comprise one or more mounting plates or brackets 960 with holes 965 provided in each bracket 960 adapted to receive mechanical fasteners to fix the PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 36 structural member 910 to a structural element. Alternatively, or additionally, fastening plates, brackets and/or holes may be provided elsewhere on the structural member 910. In other embodiments, the structural members 910 may be formed integrally with a structural element, or set into the strucmral element while the structural element is being formed, such as a concrete wall panel being cast with a steel strucmral member 910 within, for example. In some embodiments, the strucmral element may have a cavity formed within it which is adapted to receive a strucmral member. In some embodiments, the connection system 900 may be used without a connection plate 980.

[0125] The connection system 900 may further comprise a base nut 995 to connect a lowermost structural member 910 to a base of a building or frame strucmre by threadedly engaging with a lowermost tendon 970. The base nut 995 may be fixed with respect to a floor, base, or foundation of the structure. For example, the base nut 995 may be set in a concrete slab, or welded or otherwise attached to a frame, footing, base rail or other base member. In some embodiments, the connection system 900 may comprise a base member 990 with a base nut 995 welded to the base member 990 to be co-axial with an aperture in the base member 990, as shown in Figure 10, for example. The base member 990 may be fixed to a floor, base, slab, frame or foundation of the building structure. The base member 990 may be fixed in place by fasteners such as screws, bolts or chem-set fasteners chemically bonded into concrete. Alternatively, or additionally, the base member 990 may be welded or otherwise fixed or fastened to a frame. In some embodiments, the base member 990 may comprise a base rail member 990 which may be fastened to other base rail members 990 to form a base frame setting out a floor plan for a building strucmre. The base rail members 990 may be arranged in a particular spatial configuration with base nuts 990 disposed at predetermined locations corresponding to the desired positions of strucmral members 910 in strucmral elements such as wall panels.

[0126] The base member 990 may comprise a body 991 which may be formed of square hollow section, and include a base aperture 992 sized to receive a base female guide cone 997. PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 37 [0127] The base member 990 may comprise a base cone plate 998 welded to a top end of the base female guide cone 997, which may include a base cone aperture 999 sized to receive a male guide cone 947. The base cone plate 998 may be welded to the base member 990 and/or the base female guide cone 997 may be welded to the base member 990. The base female guide cone 997 may be located below and welded to the base cone plate 998 in coaxial alignment with the base cone aperture 999. In some embodiments, the base female guide cone 997 may be integrally formed with the base cone plate 998.

[0128] The base member 990 may comprise a base nut 995 welded to the base female guide cone 997. The base nut 995 may be welded directly to a lower opening of the base female guide cone 997, such that the base nut 995 is coaxially aligned with the base female guide cone 997.The base nut 995 may be sized to threadedly engage the threaded portion 974 of a tendon 970 and be in coaxial alignment with the base female guide cone 997 and base cone aperture 999.

[0129] The tendon box 922, offset nut box 926and base member body 991 may be formed of strucmral steel square hollow sections of nominal grade 450MPa steel, for example. The tendon guiding element 944, male guide cone 947 and female guide cones 937, 997 may be formed of mild steel bar sections, and may be fabricated using a 5-axis CNC milling machine and wire cutter attachment, for example. The washer 978, connection plate 980, and end plates 930, 940, 953, 998 may be fabricated from standard grade mild steel flat sections, for example. The tendon 970 and nuts 950, 995 may be fabricated from grade 8.8 high tensile steel, for example.

[0130] Any or all of the component parts of the structural member 910 or base member 990 may be integrally formed with one another, or fixed or fastened to each other by way of welding, brazing, soldering, adhesion, or mechanically fastening with fasteners such as screws, bolts or rivets. In some embodiments, the base nut 995, base female guide cone 997 and base cone plate 998, could be machined as a single part with a threaded hole and a tapered opening similar to the inner surface of the base female guide cone 997. PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 38 [0131] The components of the connection system 900 may be formed of various different materials which are suitable for different applications of the connection system 900. Different components of the connection system 900 may be formed of different materials. Some materials which may be used are: metals, metal alloys, steel, aluminium, brass, titanium, plastics, polymers, ceramics, composite materials, timber and timber products.

[0132] The connection system 900 may be used as previously described in relation to connection systems 100 and 500.

[0133] In some embodiments, the connection plate 180, 580, 980 may comprise multiple branches, each branch including a tendon head aperture 182, 582, 982 and a nut end aperture 184, 584, 982, so as to connect horizontally adjacent structural members 110, 510, 910. A number of exemplary connection plate shapes 880a to 880g (referred to collectively as connection plates 880) are shown in Figures 8A to 8G, but other suitable connection plate shapes may be used for specific connection purposes.

[0134] The connection plate 180, 580, 980 may comprise one or more branches. It is possible to incorporate a large number of branches, but there is a limiting factor, which is that there must be enough space between branches to accommodate the structural members 110, 510, 910. For increasing large numbers of branches, the distance of the apertures 182, 184, 582, 584, 982, 984 from a central hub where the branches meet must be increased to accommodate the diameter of the branches and apertures 182, 184, 582, 584, 982, 984, and also the structural members 110, 510, 910 to which they will be connected. The branches of a connection plate 110, 510, 910 may be equally spaced from each other (i.e. equal angles between each branch and the next), the branches may be orthogonally arranged or perpendicular to each other. One or more of the branches may extend from the central hub at an arbitrary angle with respect to one or more other branches. AU of the branches of a connection plate may be arranged in the same plane. PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 39 [0135] Referring to Figures 8A to 8G, top views of eonneetion plates 880 are shown according to some embodiments. In Figure 8A, the connection plate 880a comprises a single branch. In Figure 8B, the connection plate 880b comprises two branches arranged linearly (i.e., at 0° and 180°). In Figure 8C, the connection plate 880c comprises three branches arranged orthogonally at 0°, 90° and 180°. In Figure 8D, the connection plate 880d comprises four branches arranged orthogonally at 0°, 90°, 180° and 360°. In Figure 8E, the connection plate 880e comprises two branches arranged at 0° and 135°. In Figure 8F, the connection plate 880f comprises three branches arranged at 0°, 90° and 225°. In Figure 8G, the connection plate 880g comprises two branches arranged orthogonally at 0° and 90°.

[0136] Referring to Figure 12, the connection system 900 is shown in use with a wall panel 1200. Any of the connection systems 100, 500, 900 may be used in a similar way with a wall panel 1200 or various other structural elements such as walls, columns, beams, or frame modules. The structural element or wall panel 1200 may be formed of one or more materials selected from a large range of construction materials. Some such materials include: engineered timber products, Triboard, CLT, Glulam, Ply, Concrete, Hebei & many other sheet materials, timber, metal, plaster board, cement board, composite materials.

[0137] The structural members 910 may be connected to an external face of the wall 1200, or alternatively, a cavity 1210 may be provided in the wall 1200 which is adapted to house the structural members 910. Each structural member 910 may be adhered to the wall panel 1200 using a suitable adhesive such as epoxy resin, for example. The adhesive may be applied to a contact face of the structural member 910 to be fixed to a surface of the wall panel 1200. The structural member 910 may then be placed in contact with the wall panel and held in place with screws or other mechanical fastening means fixing the brackets 960 to the wall panel 1200.

[0138] Each wall panel 1200 may have more than one structural member 910 mounted on it. For instance, each wall panel 1200 may have one structural member 910 PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 40 mounted near each end of the wall panel 1200. A structural member 910 may also be mounted near the centre of the wall panel 1200.

[0139] Referring to Figure 13, the connection system 900 may also be used to connect horizontally adjacent wall panels 1200 to each other using a connection plate 880 with two branches, such as the connection plate 880b shown in Figure 8B. Any of the connection systems 100, 500, 900 may be used in a similar way.

[0140] In some embodiments, the connection system 900 may be used to erect wall panels in the construction of a building. A base frame may be assembled using base members 990 to locate base nuts 995 at desired locations to receive the structural members 910. Alternatively, base nuts 995 with base female guide cones 997 may be located and set in a concrete slab or otherwise fixed at the base of the building. A first level of wall panels 1200 comprising structural members 910 may be lowered into place so that the male guide cones 947 of the structural members 910 mate with the base female guide cones 997. Connection plates 980 may then be placed on top of the structural members 910 and tendons 970 passed through the tendon head apertures 984 of the connection plates 980 and through the apertures 935, 945 of the structural members 910, and threadedly engaged with the base nuts 995. Washers 978 may be placed between the heads 972 of the tendons 970 and the connection plates 980. The connection plates 980 may connect horizontally adjacent wall panels 1200 in the same level.

[0141] The heads 972 of the tendons 970 may be rotated to progress the tendons 970 through the base nuts 995 and tighten the structural members 910, connection plates 980 and wall panels 1200 onto the base members 990 or base of the building. The tendons 970 may be tightened to a predetermined torque or tension.

[0142] A second level of wall panels 1200 may then be lowered into place so that the male guide cones 947 of the structural members 910 of the second level wall panels 1200 mate with the female guide cones 937 of the structural members 910 of the first level wall panels. Connection plates 980 may then be placed on top of the structural PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 41 members 910 of the second level wall panels 1200 and tendons 970 threaded through to engage with the offset nuts 950 of the first level structural members 910. This process may be repeated to erect a number of levels of wall panels 1200.

[0143] As each level is erected, the tendons 970 may be tightened to compressively load the wall panels 1200 in a vertical direction. The wall panels 1200 are compressed between the upper and lower connection plates 980 (or base member for the first level wall panels 1200). There may be a compressive strain in the wall panels 1200 associated with the compressive stress. The tendons 970 may be tightened to a predetermined extent or tension in order to account for expected gravity loads due to the weight of other structural elements in the building which may bear down on the wall panels 1200 once construction is complete.

[0144] When a building is constructed, the weight loaded onto a structural element such as a wall panel may put it under strain. If the tension in the tendons 970 has already compressively loaded the wall panels 1200 by an amount corresponding to the expected gravity loads in the completed building structure by tightening the tendons 970 during construction of the building structure, the added load due to the weight of the other structural elements will not further compress the wall panels 1200 significantly enough to loosen the tendons 970.

[0145] The tendons 970 may be tensioned beyond the tension necessary to account for expected gravity loads in order to account for other expected loads which may impact the building structure, such as wind loading and/or seismic loading from earth quakes or tremors. This may restrict the wall panels 1200 from lifting and separating from each other, or rotating due to one end of a wall panel rising. Such rotating may also he restricted due to the connection plates 980 connecting horizontally adjacent wall panels 1200, because the weight of an upwardly diagonally adjacent wall panel 1200 may bear down on the upper connection plate 980 of each wall panel 1200.

[0146] For example, with reference to the central panel 1200 of Figure 13, if there was a left to right load acting on the building there would be a tendency for the left PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 42 sides of the wall panels 1200 to lift up as the building bent over and the right sides of the panels 1200 would be put under higher compressive loads. However, in Figure 13, the top left connection plate 980 of the centre panel 1200 would be held down by the right side of the top left panel 1200, and the connection plate 980 would transfer the compressive loads in the right side of the top left panel 1200 down onto the left side of the centre panel 1200, thereby restricting the left side of the centre panel 1200 from lifting. This mechanism also resists vertical shear loads between horizontally adjacent wall panels 1200, because upwardly diagonally adjacent wall panels bear down on the connection plates 880 transferring the load to downwardly diagonally adjacent wall panels 1200.

[0147] The connection system 900 may also resist horizontal shear loads acting between vertically adjacent wall panels 1200 through friction. The friction between vertically adjacent wall panels 1200 is increased by the tension in the tendons 970 which increases the normal force between the upper and lower edges of vertically adjacent wall panels 1200. The tendons 970 may be tensioned to restrict the panels 1200 from lifting and separating so that the tendons 970 are always in tension and the friction between the panels 1200 is maintained. Furthermore, any rotating or bending moments acting between vertically adjacent wall panels 1200 increases the tension in the tendons 970 because the structural members 910 act as levers, pivoting against the connection plates 980. The increased tension also increases the friction between the wall panels 1200.

[0148] The length of the structural members 910 may be close to the corresponding height of the wall panel or other structural element. The length of the structural member 910 may be less than the height of the wall panel by a predetermined amount to account for the compressive strain or change in height of the wall panel under the expected compressive stress. In some embodiments, the length of the structural members 910 may be chosen to be longer than or substantially equal to the expected compressed height of the wall panel such that the structural members 910 act as columns and resist gravity loads or carry weight. PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 43 [0149] The structural member 110, 510, 910 need not necessarily comprise a rectangular or box shape. In some embodiments, a structural member of a connection system may comprise a tubular body with a circular profile in lateral cross-section or another suitable profile such as an ellipse, triangle, quadrangle, or various other suitable polygons. In some embodiments, the structural member 110, 510, 910 may not define an enclosed space, and one or more side walls of the structural member 110, 510, 910 may be open or include side apertures. In some embodiments, the structural member 110, 510, 910 may simply comprise a frame defining a top aperture, a bottom aperture, and an offset nut. The structural member 110, 510, 910 may further comprise any of the other features described above, such as male and female guide cones, tendon guiding elements, or mounting plates.

[0150] The provision of these basic elements in relation to each other, as described in the various embodiments, allows for an offset connection system to connect structural elements together, such as wall panels in a building structure, for example. The offset nature of the connection system allows each structural element to be connected to a lower structural element when it is erected, and post-tensioned if required. This construction method allows structural elements to be erected and connected quickly, and may significantly increase the speed of construction.

[0151] The connection systems described may also provide an efficient method of post-tensioning structural elements during the construction and/or maintenance of a building structure, and may provide an effective load bearing structural member for resisting loads on a building structure, such as gravity loads, seismic loads and wind loads.

[0152] References to directionally dependent terms such as high, low, up, down, top, bottom, vertical, horizontal, lateral, are to be taken in the context of the orientation of the structural members 110, 510, 910 during use in a structure, i.e., with the top aperture 135, 535, 935 above the bottom aperture 145, 545, 945. PCT/AU2015/050630 wo 2016/094936 44 [0153] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

[0154] Legend 100, 500, 900 Connection system 110,510, 910 Structural member 120, 520, 920 Structural member body 522, 922 Tendon box 125, 525, 925 Aperture axis 526, 926 Offset nut box 130, 530, 930 Top end plate 135, 535, 935 Top end aperture 537, 937 Female guide cone 539, 939 Top guiding element aperture 140, 540, 940 Bottom end plate 944 Tendon guiding element 145, 545, 945 Bottom end aperture 547, 947 Male guide cone 150,550,950 Offset nut 553, 953 Offset nut plate 554, 954 Offset nut aperture 155, 555, 955 Offset nut axis 960 Mounting plate 965 Mounting plate hole 170, 570, 970 Tendon 172, 572, 972 Tendon head 173, 573, 973 Tendon neck 174, 574, 974 Tendon threaded portion 176, 576, 976 Tendon shaft 178, 578, 978 Washer 180, 580, 980, 880 Connection plate 182,582,982 Tendon head aperture 184, 584, 984 Nut end aperture wo 2016/094936 PCT/AU2015/050630 45 190, 590, 990 Base member 591,991 Base member body 592,992 Base aperture 593 Base nut plate 594 Base nut aperture 195,595,995 Base nut 596 Base nut box 597, 997 Base female guide cone 598,998 Base cone plate 599,999 Base cone aperture 1200 Wall panel 1210 Wall panel cavity

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An assembly for connecting structural elements together, the assembly comprising: a tendon, the tendon comprising a head and a first coupling portion; and a structural member, the structural member including a first structural member aperture at a first end, a second structural member aperture at a second end, and a second coupling portion, wherein the first structural member aperture is coaxial with the second structural member aperture, wherein the first and second structural member apertures are sized to allow passage of the first coupling portion of the tendon, such that the tendon can be located within first and second structural member apertures, wherein a central axis of the second coupling portion is parallel to and axially offset from a central axis of the first and second structural member apertures, wherein the first coupling portion of the tendon is adapted to engage with a second coupling portion of a first other structural member which is vertically adjacent to the structural member to thereby connect the first other assembly to the structural member, and wherein the second coupling portion is adapted to receive a first coupling portion of a tendon of a second other assembly.
2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the connection between the first and second coupling portions is an adjustable connection.
3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection between the first and second coupling portions can be adjusted to apply tension to the tendon.
4. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the structural member further comprises a first guide element at the first end.
5. An assembly according claim 4, wherein the structural member further comprises a second guide element at the second end.
6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein the first and second guide elements comprise complementary tapered surfaces such that the first guide element of a first structural member is adapted to mate with the second guide element of a second vertically adjacent structural member so as to align the second structural member aperture of the second structural member with the second coupling portion of the first structural member.
7. An assembly according to claim 5 or 6, wherein first and second guide elements comprise complementary frusto-conical surfaces.
8. An assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the first guide element is coaxially aligned with the second coupling portion and the second guide element is coaxially aligned with the second structural member aperture.
9. An assembly according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the first guide element comprises a female guide element and the second guide element comprises a male guide element.
10. An assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the widest part of the first guide element is substantially coplanar with the first structural member aperture.
11. An assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the first guide element comprises the second coupling portion.
12. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a connection plate including a first connection plate aperture and a second connection plate aperture, wherein the first and second connection plate apertures are sized to allow passage of the first coupling portion of the tendon, and wherein, when connected to a structural member, the first and second connection plate apertures are arranged to be aligned with the first structural member aperture and the second coupling portion respectively.
13. An assembly according to claim 12 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 5, wherein the second connection plate aperture is sized to receive the second guide element.
14. An assembly according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the first connection plate aperture is sized to allow passage of the tendon head.
15. An assembly according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the connection plate extends beyond one or more edges of the structural member.
16. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising a washer sized to receive a shaft of the tendon, wherein the washer is adapted to transfer force between the tendon head and the structural member.
17. An assembly according to claim 16 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 6, wherein the maximum diameter of the washer is greater than the minimum diameter of the first connection plate aperture.
18. An assembly according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the washer includes a slot with a diameter greater than the diameter of the tendon neck, and wherein the washer comprises a lip protruding out of a plane of a main surface of the washer, such that when the main surface of the washer is in contact with the tendon head, the lip restricts the washer from moving laterally beyond the tendon.
19. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the first coupling portion comprises a male thread and the second coupling portion comprises a female thread.
20. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the tendon comprises an elongate bolt and the second coupling portion comprises a nut.
21. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the structural member further comprises a tendon box and an offset nut box, the tendon box including the first and second structural member apertures, and the offset nut box including the second coupling portion, wherein the offset nut box is fixed to the tendon box.
22. An assembly according to claim 21, wherein a side wall of the offset nut box is fixed to a side wall of the tendon box near the first end of the structural member.
23. An assembly according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the offset nut box is welded to the tendon box.
24. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the structural member further comprises a tendon guide element near the second end leading into the second structural member aperture, the tendon guide element comprising a tapered inner surface adapted to receive the first coupling portion of the tendon and guide the tendon towards the second structural member aperture when the tendon is lowered towards the second structural member aperture.
25. An assembly according to any one of claims 12 to 24 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 12, wherein the connection plate comprises a plurality of branches, each branch comprising first and second connection plate apertures.
26. An assembly according to claim 25, wherein the first connection plate apertures of each branch of the connection plate are similar, and wherein the second connection plate apertures of each branch of the connection plate are similar.
27. An assembly according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the branches of the connection plate are coplanar.
28. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the structural member further comprises one or more mounting plates for mounting the structural member onto a structural element.
29. An assembly according to claim 28, wherein the one or more mounting plates include one or more apertures adapted to receive mechanical fasteners for fastening the structural member to a structural element.
30. An assembly according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the structural element comprises one or more of: a column, a wall, a wall panel, and a frame module.
31. A structural connection assembly comprising the assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 30, and a base member, the base member comprising a base coupling portion adapted to engage with the first coupling portion of the tendon.
32. An assembly according to claim 31 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 2, wherein the base member further comprises a base guide element, wherein the base guide element comprises a tapered surface adapted to mate with the second guide element of the structural member so as to align the structural member aperture of the structural member with the base coupling portion when the structural member is lowered onto the base member.
33. An assembly according to claim 32, wherein the base guide element comprises the base coupling portion.
34. An assembly according to any one of claims 31 to 33, further comprising a base frame, the base frame comprising a plurality of base members.
35. An assembly according to claim 34, wherein respective base coupling portions of the plurality of base members are arranged in a predetermined spatial configuration positioned to receive structural members to assist in constructing a building structure.
36. A connection system comprising a plurality of the assemblies of any one of claims 1 to 33, wherein each assembly is coupled to at least one other assembly by one or more of: a connection plate; a tendon; and a connection between two coupling portions.
37. A structural member for a connection system comprising the features of the structural member of the assembly of any one of claims 1 to 35.
38. A structural element comprising a structural member according to claim 37.
39. A structural element according to claim 38, wherein the structural element comprises one or more selected from the following group: a column, a wall, a wall panel, and a frame module.
40. A structural element according to claim 38 or 39, wherein the structural member is formed integrally with the structural element.
41. A structural element according to claim 38 or 39, wherein the structural member is mounted onto the structural element.
42. A structural element according to claim 41, wherein the structural member is welded to the structural element.
43. A structural element according to claim 41 or 42, wherein the structural member is adhered to the structural element.
44. A structural element according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the structural member is mechanically fastened to the structural element.
45. A tendon for a connection system comprising the features of the tendon of the assembly of any one of claims 1 to 35.
46. A connection plate for a connection system comprising the features of the connection plate of the assembly of any one of claims 12 to 35.
47. A base member for a connection system comprising the features of the base member of the assembly of any one of claims 31 to 35.
48. A base frame for a connection system comprising the features of the base frame of the assembly of claims 34 or 35.
49. A kit comprising any one or more selected from the group of: a structural member according to claim 37; a tendon according to claim 45; a connection plate according to claim 46; and a base member according to claim 47.
50. A kit according to claim 49, further comprising one or more structural elements according to any one of claims 38 to 44.
51. A kit according to claim 49 or 50, further comprising a base frame according to claim 48.
52. A structural member including: a first structural member aperture at a first end; a second structural member aperture at a second end; and a coupling portion, wherein the first structural member aperture is coaxially aligned with the second structural member aperture, wherein the first and second structural member apertures are sized to allow passage of a tendon coupling portion of a tendon, such that the tendon is located within first and second structural member apertures, wherein a central axis of the second coupling portion is parallel to and axially offset from a central axis of the first and second structural member apertures, and wherein the coupling portion is adapted to engage with the tendon coupling portion to connect vertically adjacent structural members.
53. A structural member according to claim 52, further comprising a first guide element at a first end.
54. A structural member according to claim 53, further comprising a second guide element at a second end.
55. A structural member according to claim 54, wherein the first and second guide elements comprise complementary tapered surfaces such that the first guide element of a first structural member is adapted to mate with the second guide element of a second vertically adjacent structural member so as to align the second structural member aperture of the second structural member with the coupling portion of the first structural member.
56. A structural member according to any one of claims 52 to 55, further comprising a tendon guide element near the second end leading into the second structural member aperture, the tendon guide element comprising a tapered inner surface adapted to receive the tendon coupling portion of the tendon and guide the tendon towards the second structural member aperture when the tendon is lowered towards the second structural member aperture.
57. A structural member according to any one of claims 52 to 56, further comprising one or more mounting plates for mounting the structural member onto a structural element.
58. A base member comprising a base coupling portion and a base guide element, wherein the base guide element comprises a tapered surface adapted to mate with a guide element of a structural member, and wherein the base coupling portion is adapted to engage with a tendon coupling portion of a tendon to connect the structural member to the base member.
59. A kit comprising: a tendon, the tendon comprising a head and a first coupling portion; and a structural member, the structural member including a first structural member aperture at a first end, a second structural member aperture at a second end, and a second coupling portion, wherein the first structural member aperture is coaxially aligned with the second structural member aperture, wherein the first and second structural member apertures are sized to allow passage of the first coupling portion of the tendon, such that the tendon can be placed within first and second structural member apertures, wherein a central axis of the second coupling portion is parallel to and axially offset from a central axis of the first and second structural member apertures, and wherein the first coupling portion of a first tendon disposed in a first structural member is adapted to engage with the second coupling portion of a second structural member vertically adjacent to the first structural member to connect the first structural member to the second structural member.
60. A kit according to claim 59, wherein the structural member further comprises a first guide element at the first end and a second guide element at the second end.
61. A kit according to claim 60, wherein the first and second guide elements comprise complementary tapered surfaces such that the first guide element of a first structural member is adapted to mate with the second guide element of a second vertically adjacent structural member so as to align the second structural member aperture of the second structural member with the second coupling portion of the first structural member.
62. A kit according to any one of claims 59 to 61, further comprising a connection plate including a first connection plate aperture and a second connection plate aperture, wherein the first and second connection plate apertures are sized to allow passage of the tendon coupling portion, and wherein, when connected to a structural member, the first and second connection plate apertures are arranged to be aligned with the first structural member aperture and the coupling portion respectively.
63. A kit according to claim 62 when directly or indirectly dependent on claim 60, wherein the second connection plate aperture is sized to receive the second guide element.
64. A kit according to claim 62 or 63, wherein the first connection plate aperture is sized to allow passage of the tendon head.
65. A kit according to any one of claims 62 to 64, wherein the connection plate extends beyond one or more edges of the structural member when connected to the structural member.
66. A method comprising: providing one or more structural members, each structural member including: a first structural member aperture at a first end; a second structural member aperture at a second end; and a coupling portion, wherein the first structural member aperture is coaxially aligned with the second structural member aperture, wherein the first and second structural member apertures are sized to allow passage of a tendon coupling portion of a tendon, such that the tendon is located within first and second structural member apertures, wherein a central axis of the second coupling portion is parallel to and axially offset from a central axis of the first and second structural member apertures, and wherein the coupling portion is adapted to engage with the tendon coupling portion to connect vertically adjacent structural members; mounting the one or more structural members to a structural element; providing one or more base members, each base member comprising: a base coupling portion and a base guide element, wherein the base guide element comprises a tapered surface adapted to mate with a guide element of a structural member, and wherein the base coupling portion is adapted to engage with a tendon coupling portion of a tendon to connect the structural member to the base member; fixing each of the one or more base members to a base structure; lowering the structural element to meet the one or more base members so that the structural member apertures of each of the one or more structural members align with a corresponding base coupling portion of each of the one or more base members; inserting a tendon into each of the one or more structural members, each tendon comprising a tendon coupling portion and a tendon head; engaging the tendon coupling portion of each tendon with the base coupling portion of each of the one or more base members; tightening the connection between the coupling portions to connect the structural member to the base portion.
67. A method comprising: providing a first structural element fixed to a building structure, the first structural element comprising one or more structural members, each structural member including: a first structural member aperture at a first end; a second structural member aperture at a second end; and a coupling portion, wherein the first structural member aperture is coaxially aligned with the second structural member aperture, wherein the first and second structural member apertures are sized to allow passage of a tendon coupling portion of a tendon, such that the tendon is located within first and second structural member apertures, wherein a central axis of the second coupling portion is parallel to and axially offset from a central axis of the first and second structural member apertures, and wherein the coupling portion is adapted to engage with the tendon coupling portion to connect vertically adjacent structural members; providing a second structural element, the second structural element comprising one or more of the structural members; lowering the second structural element to meet the first structural element so that the structural member apertures of each of the one or more structural members of the second structural element align with the coupling portion of each corresponding structural member of the first structural element; inserting a tendon into each of the one or more structural members of the second structural element, each tendon comprising a tendon coupling portion and a tendon head; engaging the tendon coupling portion of each tendon with the coupling portion of each of the one or more structural members of the first structural element; tightening the connection between the coupling portions to connect the second structural element to the first structural element.
68. A method according to claim 67, wherein the providing a first structural element comprises performing the method of claim 66.
69. A method according to claim 67 or 68, further comprising repeating the method of claim 67 to erect multiple levels of vertically adjacent structural elements.
70. A method of construction according to any one of claims 66 to 69, further comprising placing a connection plate between the tendon head and the structural member before tightening the connection between the coupling portions, the connection plate including: a first connection plate aperture and a second connection plate aperture, wherein the first and second connection plate apertures are sized to allow passage of the tendon coupling portion, and wherein, when connected to a structural member, the first and second connection plate apertures are arranged to be aligned with the first structural member aperture and the coupling portion respectively.
71. A method according to claim 70, further comprising performing the method of claim 66 or 67 to provide one or more horizontally adjacent structural elements, wherein the connection plate further comprises one or more branches, each branch including first and second connection plate apertures, and wherein the connection plate is arranged to connect adjacent structural members of the one or more adjacent structural elements.
72. A method according to any one of claims 66 to 71, wherein the structural elements comprise one or more of: a wall panel, a column, and a frame module.
73. A method of construction comprising coupling a first assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 35 to a second assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 35, wherein the tendon of the first assembly is disposed in the structural member of the first assembly, and the first coupling portion of the tendon of the first assembly is connected to the second coupling portion of the structural member of the second assembly.