CA1112017A

CA1112017A - Frameless metal building and building components

Info

Publication number: CA1112017A
Application number: CA333,195A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Colin F. Lowe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-08-07
Filing date: 1979-08-03
Publication date: 1981-11-10
Also published as: AR220219A1; GB2027106B; FR2433080A2; FR2433080B1; GB2027106A; DE2931891A1; BR7905037A

Abstract

FRAMELESS METAL BUILDING
AND BUILDING COMPONENTS

Abstract of the Disclosure .
A series of rectangular sheet metal roof and wall panels each includes inner and outer corrugated skin portions which are connected by web members or portions which may also be corrugated.
A fabricated sheet metal ridge beam rigidly connects the inner skin portions of the roof panels on opposite si des of the ridge to transmit tension forces, and connects the outer skin portions of the roof panels for transmitting compression forces. Inclined inner eave attachment plates or panels rigidly connect the skin portions of the roof and wall panels, and other eave attachment members rigidly connect the roof panels and wall panels to form a building structure which has substan-tial total strength and may be easily and quickly erected without the use of a crane, Each of the roof and wall panels is prepunched and may be formed from a single metal sheet which has a single major corrugation or a Z-shaped lateral configuration. Longitudinally spaced sheet metal spacers connect the outer skin portions and web portions of assembled panels, and longitudinally spaced and laterally extending elongated stiffeners or tie members rigidly connect the inner skin portions and spacers of the assembled panels.

Description

~ l'7 Docket 2527 FR A ME LESS META L BU ILDIN G
AND BUILDIN G COMPONENTS
Back~round of the Invention In the art of metal buildings, it is common to use a steel frame which provides for a low roof pitch and for resisting the loads on the building,Parallel spaced roof purlins and parallel spaced wall girts are secured to the frame, and corrugated sheet metal skins or panels are attached to the outer surfaces of the roof purlins and wall girts to form the outer covering or shell for the building. Usually the outer metal skin or sheet metal panels are corrugated in order for the panels to span the spaces between adjacent roof purlins and wall girts, but the frame supports substantially the entire static, wind and snow loads on the metal building.
There have been attempts to construct metal buildings without a metal frame, purlins and girts and to use the inherent strength of corrugated roof and wall panels to withstand the various loads on the building, Examples of such building constructions are disclosed in U. S.
Patents No. 2, 742,114 and No. 3, 492, 765. It has also been proposed to construct a metal bullding without the use of purlins and girts by erecting a frame and attaching to the frame heavy corrugated sheet metal panels, for example, as disclosed in U. S. Patent No, 3, 308, 596. The construction of a metal buSldlng has also been proposed from prefabricated roof and wall panels each of which includes inner and outer corrugated sheet metal skins tied together by braces or bars, for example, as disclosed in U. S. Patents No. 3, 064, 771 and No. 3, 500, 596. Corrugated sheet metal panels have also s been used or proposed to form a single skLn sheet metal buildlng, for example, as disclosed in above mentLoned U. S. Patent No. 3, 492, 765 and Ln U. S.
k 25 Patents No. 3,156, 070, No. 3, 568, 388, No. 3, 657, 849, No. 3,$20~295, No. 3, 959, 942 and No. 3, 968, 603.

.''' ,, :~ ~

¦ Docket ~527 l~ L7 Summary of the Inventlon The present invention Is directed to an Lmproved sheet metal buildlng structure formed of prefabr~cated sheet metal panels constructed and assembled in a manner which provides for substantially high total strength and thus high resistance to wind and snow loads, and which eliminates the need for a metal frame, roof purlins and wall girts. In addition, the metal buildlng of the present invention significantly reduces the total time ¦ and cost for constructing and erecting a metal building and, in addition, eliminates the need for a crane to erect the building. The construction of the prefabricated sheet metal panels and the manner by which the panels are coupled together further provides for fast, simple and accurate erec-tion of a metal building and utili~es the inherent strength of the sheet metal inner and outer skins or skin portions of the panels to support or carry substantially the entire loads which are applied to the building as a result of various weather condEtions.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended ¦ claims.
¦ Brief Description of the Drawin~s FIG. 1 i8 an end elevational view of a sheet metal building constructed In accordance with the invention and wlth the end walls removed;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of two oppo6ing roof panels used in the building shown in FIG. 1 and illustrating the system for ¦~ coupling the roof panels along the ridge of the building;
5 I FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the wall and roof panels used in the building shown in FIG. 1 and illustrating the coupling of I the roof panels to the wall panels;
¦ FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical section through the ridge portion ¦ of the building shown in FIG. l;

- 2 -,1 ~ lt7' Docket 2~27 FIG. 5is an enlarged vertical section through an eve portion of the building shown in FIG. l;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary 6ection showLng the assembled relation of two adjacent roof panels;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-section of a typical roof panel shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 8 Is an enlarged cross-section of a typical wall panel as shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 9Ls an inside perspective view of a portion of a single skln sheet metal building constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. lOis a fragmentary vertical section similar to FIG. 5, of the eve portion of the building embodiment shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. llis a fr agmentary later al s ection through the as s embly of adjacent wall or roof panels used in the buLlding embodiment of FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 is a fragmentary vertical section, similar to FIG. 4, through the rldge portion of the building embodiment shown Ln FIG. 9;
FIG. 13i6 a fragmentary vertical sectlon through the as6cmbly of a roof panel and an end wall panel of the building embodimont shown Ln FIG. 9i FIG. la~ls a fragmontary hori~ontal scc:tion through the wall panels forming a corner of thc building ombodiment shown in FIG. 9; and FIG. 15i~ a vc:rtical section ~imilar to FIG. 1, through a modified single skin metal buil(:ling constructed in accordance with the invcntion and with the end walls romovedi FIG. 16 Ls a fragmentary seci~on simLlar to FIG. 11 and showLng a ¦ modified panel constructed and assembled Ln accordance wlth the Invention to form a s~ngle skin metal build~ng or panel assembly;
3_ li '7 Docket 2 52 7 FIG. 17 is a fragmentary section similar to FIG. 16 and showing a modification which forms a double skin metal building or panel assembly;
FIG. 18 is a fragmentary section similar to FIG. 16 and show-ing another single skin embodiment;
FIG. 19is a fragmentary section taken generally on the line 19-19 of FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is a fragmentary section similar to FIG. 18 and show-ing a further modification of a panel assembly for a single skin panel assembly;
FIG. 21 is a fragmentary section similar to FIG. 17 and showing another modified panel assembl y for forming a double skin panel aa 9 emb ly;
FIG. 22 is an end view of a modified sheet metal panel ~on-structed in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 23 is a fragmentary section of a panel assembly illustrating the assembly of two of the panels shown in FIG. 22;
FIG. 24 ia a fragmentary perapective view of an aasembled ridge beam constructed in accordance with a modification of the invention;
l FIG. 25 is a fragmentary section similar to FIG. 10 and 20 ¦ showing the eve portion of a building constructed with the panels and ridge beam shown in FIGS. 22-24; .
¦ FIG. 26 is a fragmentary section similar to FIG. 12 and ¦ showing the ridge portion of the building referred to in FIG. 25;
l FIG. 27 is an end view of a modified panel similar to the 25 ¦ panel shown in FIG. 22;
l FIG. 28 is a section of a panel assembly similar to FIG. 23 Il ~1 -4-!!

¦ Docke 5~7 ~ L 7 and illustrating the as s embly of two panels shown in FIG. Z7;
FIG, 29 is an end view of a sheet metal panel constructed in accordance with another modification of the invention;
FIG. 30 is a section of a panel assembly similar to FIG. 28 5 and using the panel shown in FIG. 29; and FIGS. 31 and 32 are diagrammatic illustrations of a frameless metal building constructed in accordance with the invention and incorporat-ing a solar heating system also in accordance with the invention.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments A metal building constructed in accordance with the invention ha3 an end view as generally illustrated in FIG. l and includes a plurality of pre-fabricated rectangular roof panels 12 which are coupled together along the center ridge 13 of the building and which are coupled together and supported by a plurality of prefabricated rectangular side wall panels 14 and end wall panels 15 (not shown). The vertical side and end wall panels seat upon base floor plates 16 which are bolted to the outer edges of a concrete slab floor 18.
Each of the prefabricated roof panels 12 is constructed of formed sheet metal and includes an upper or outer sheet metal skin 22 (FIGS..
2 and 7) having parallel spaced roll-formed ribs 23. Each roof panel 12 20 also includes a lower or inner sheet metal skin 26 (FIG. 7) which forms an inner liner for the building and also has parallel spaced ribs 27 to provide a corrugated cross-sectional configuration. As illustrated in ¦ FIG. 1, the thicknesses of the roof panels 12 and the wall panels 14 are ¦ somewhat exaggerated relative to the size of the metal building.
25 ¦ The roll-formed sheet metal skins 22 and 26 of each roof panel 12 are rigidly ecured ùy blind rivet. (not shown~ :luch as "Pop" rivet~i to -4a-I!

¦ Docket 2 52 7 parallel spaced longitudinally extending spacer members 32 (FIG. 7) which are formed of sheet metal and have generally a channel-shaped configuration.
The upper flange of each spacer membel 32 has a V-shaped rib portion 33 .
which is secured by rivets to an adjacent rib 23 of the overlying outer skin 22, and the lower flange of each spacer member 3Z has an inwardly projecting return rib portion 34 and is secured by rivets to the inner sheet metal skin 26.
The longitudinally extending spacer member 32 of each roof panel 12 are rigidly connected by laterally extending spacer members 38 (FIGS. 2 and 7) each of which is also formed of sheet metal and has opposite end flanges 39 (FIG. 7) secured by rivets to the spacer members 32. The upper and lower flanges of each laterally extending spacer member 38 has inwardly projecting..rib portions 41. The upper or inner ends of the longitudinally extending spacer members 32 of each roof panel 12 are also rigidly secured by a ridge spacer member 43 (FIG. 4) which has generally a Z-shaped jl cross-sectional configuration with an upwardly projecting flange 44. The outer or lower ends of the longitudinally extending spacer members 32 of each roof panel 12 are rigidly connected by an eve spacer member 46 (FIG.
5) which also has a Z-shaped cross-sectional configuration and includes a downwardly projecting return lip portion 47. All of the spacer members 32, 38, 43 and 46 of each roof panel 12 are formed of sheet metal and are rigidly secured by rivets to the upper or outer skin 22 and lower or inner skir. 26 to form, in effect, a box beam. A channel shaped strip 51 (FIGS.
~ 5 and 7) of thermal insulation material is sandwiched between the lower 25 1! surfaces of each of the spacer members and the inner skin 26 to avoid any I significant heat transfer between the inner skin 26 and the outer skin 22.

Il Il -5-il .

Docket 2 5.2 7, Each of the side wall panels 14 is constructed or fabricated substantially the same as the roof panels 12. Thus referring to FIGS. 3 and .
8, a rectangular wall panel 14 includes a corrugated or ribbed inner 6heet metal skin 54 and a ribbed sheet metal outer skin 56 which are secured by riv/ets to a set of vertical or longitudinally extending sheet metal spacer members 58. The spacer members 58 are rigidly connected by horizontal or laterally extending sheet metal spacer members 62. As shown in FIG. .
8, each of the longitudinally extending spacer members 58 has generally a channel-shaped configuration with outwardly projecting lip portions 63 which are riveted to the roll-formed inner and outer skins. Each of the laterally extending spacer members 6Z is constructed similar to the spacer members 38 and has inwardly projectlng return llp portions 64. The spacer members 62 also have end flanges 66 which are secured by rivets to the parallel spaced longitudinally extending spacer members 58 of the wall panel, .
Referring to FIG. 5, the upper ends of the Inner and outer skins of tne wall panel~l4 formlng each side wall are rigldly connected by.a channel-~haped hori~ontal spacer member 68 which ha3 outwardly projecting lip portlons 69 overlying the upper ends of the Inner and outer skins 54 and 56, The top spacer member 68 is formed in sections and extends continuously the full length of the buildlng and cooperates to align the wall panels. A similarly shaped channel-like spacer member 72 (FIG. 3) rigidly secures the lower end portions of the inner and outer s~cins of each wall l panel 14 and receives the plate member 16 secured to the floor 18. While 2S 1¦ not shown, the end wall panels for the metal building are constructed sub-stantially the same as the side wall panels 14, except that the end wall Il ,1 -6 -~I Docket25 lli;~'~ 7 panels have a greater length or height and have upper ends whlch conform to the pitch of the building roof. One or both of the end walls may be pro-vided with a large door opening according to the ultimate use of the metal b ullding.
In the erection of a metal building in accordance with the invention, two or more side wall panels 14 are placed upon the floor plate 16 on each side of the building, and the overlapping skins of the wall panels are secured together by fasteners such as screws or blind rivets. The wall panels for one end of the building are also erected and connected to each other and to the adjacent side wall panels 14 at the corners of the building.
A set of opposing roof panels 12 are positioned in place, and the inner end portions of the roof panels 12 are rigidly connected by the top plate or ridge member 76 (;FIG. 4) of a ridge beam 78. The connection i6 formed by a set of bolts 81 which are longitudinally spaced along the ridge spacer member 43 and extend through the ridge spacer member and lower roof skin 26 of each roof panel 12 in addition to the ridge beam plate 76. Some of the bolts 81 also extend through the longitudinal spacer members of each roof panel. Thus the bolts 81 and plate 76 form a rigid connection between each set of opposing roof panels 12 along the ridge 13 and provide for transmitting substantial tension forces between the roof panels across the ridge, The next pair of opposing roof panels 12 are assembled, and the skins of adjacent roof panels overlap as shown in FIG, 6. The overlapping ribs of the sklns are secured together by fasteners such as screws and/or blind rivet~.
The ridge beam 78 also includes downwardly projecting s~ide walls 84 (~IG. 4) and outwardly projectlng bottom flanges 86, and Is con-structed in longitudinal sections which are coupled together as the erection of the building progresses from one end of the building towards the opposite _7_ l Docket 2 52 7 ~ L'7 end. The side walls 84 of the ridge beam 78 are also coupled together at longitudinally spaced intervals by rectangular ridge beam spacers 88 which are also formed of sheet metal and are secured to the side walls by rivets.
The ridge beam 78 is also connected to opposite end walls of the building, and after the building i9 erected and the bolts 81 are completely tightened, a bottom sheet metal ridge beam cover 92 is secured to the bottom flanges 86 and cooperates to complete the ridge beam 78 in the form of a box beam.
After all of the roof panels 12 are erected and coupled together by the top plate 76 of the ridge beam 78, and the outer end portions of the roof panels 12 are coupled to the side walls 14, as will be explained later, a tapered wedge member 96 (FIG. 4) is inserted between the upwardly projecting flanges 44 of the ridge spacer members 43 of the roof panels 12, and sections of the wedge member 96 extend continuously the full length of the building. After the wedge member 96 is positioned so that it forms a lS snug fit between the flanges 44, the wedge member 96 i6 drllled with holes whlch align with preformed holes within the flanges 44, and a series of bolts 98 are inserted through the holes to secure the wedge member in place.
Thus the wedge member 96 functions to tran3fer compres6ion force6 between the upper or outer skins 22 of opposing sets of roof panels 12 across the 20 1 ridge 13 and also functions to compensate for accumulated tolerance in the jl manufacture and assembly of the roof panels. A ridge cover plate 102 is ~¦ placed over the wedge member 96 and is secured by screws to the outer skins 22 of the roof panels 12.
l Referring to FIG. 5, the outer end portion of each roof panel 25 ¦ 12 seats upon the upper header and spacer member 68 which connects the l upper ends of the side walls panels 14 of each side wall. An inner !l Il !¦ -8 -¦ Docket 2 52 7 ¦¦ attachment plate 105 slopes at an angle of approximately 45 degrees between ~¦ the inner skins of the roof panels 12 and wall panels 14, and the inner attach-¦ ment plate 105 is formed in longitudinal sections in a manner similar to the ~I ridge beam 78 and wedge member 96. V-shaped ribs 107 are formed along 5 ,j opposite edge portions of each attachment plate 105 for purpose of reinforce-¦~ ment, and the attachment plates may be ribbed or corrugated at longitudinally spaced intervals to provide additional compression strength.
The upper edge portion of each attachment plate 105 i9 rigidly secured to the roof panels 12 by a series of longitudinally spaced screws 110 each of which is threaded into a preassembled nut 112, preferably in the form ¦¦ of a "Rivnut" manufactured and marketed by The B. F. Goodrich Company.
¦¦ Each "Rivnut" extends through the inner skin 26 and a laterally extending il spacer member 38 and secures these components together. Some of the !! "Rivnuts" also extend through the longitudinally extending spacer members 15 11 32 of the roof panels.
The lower edge portion of each inner attachment plate 105 is also rigidly connected to the side wall panels 14 by another set of screws 110. Each screw is threaded into an aligned "Rivnut" 112 which connects ~I the overlapping portions of the longitudinally extending or vertical spacer 20 1~ members 58 and the uppermost laterally extending or horizontal spacer ~! member 62 of each wall panel.
As also shown in FIG. 5, a laterally extending outer attachment plate 115 couples the outer end portions of the roof panels 12 to the upper end ! portions of the side wall panels 14, and is also formed in longitudinally 25 !¦ continuous sections The upper portion of each section of the outer attach-¦~ ment plate 115 is connected by bolts 116 to "Rivnuts" 112 secured to the overlapping portions of the eve spacer member 46 and end flanges of the , I, _ 9 _ I' ~ Docket 2527 ~ 7 l l -longitudinal spacer members 32 of each roof panel 12. The lower portion of each section of the outer attachment plate 115 is secured by bolts 116 ~¦ which are threaded into "Rivnuts" 112 secured to overlapping portions of the j spacer members 58 and 68 of each wall panel 14 and to the outer skin 56.
¦ Referring to FIGS. 9-12, a frameless metal building is constructed ~ in accordance with the invention using a plurality or series of assembled ¦¦ roof panels and wall panels each of which is basically formed from a single ¦¦ metal sheet, with the roof and wall panels having substantially the same jl construction. Thus as shown in FIGS. 9-11, a plurality of roof panels 120 10 j are each constructed by roll forming a metal sheet to produce parallel j3 spaced and longitudinally extending primary corrugations 122 (FIG. 11). Each primary corrugation 122 is formed by an outer skin portion 124 which integrally connects parallel spaced side wall portions 126. Each of the }¦ roof panels 120 also includes inner skin portions 128 and 129 which either 15 ¦¦ connect or extend from the side wall portions 126. Each of the outer skin jj portions 124 and each of the inner sk~n portions 128 and 129 includes a plurality ¦¦ of longitudinally extending secondary corrugations 132 which project outwardly ¦¦ of the bullding tn the same direction as the prlmary corrugations lZ2, but !! are substantlally smaller than the primary corrugations.
20 ~ The side wall portions 126 of each primary corrugation 122 are I rigidly connected by a plurality of longitudinally spaced spacer members ji 134. Each spacer member 134 is formed from sheet metal and has peripher-ally extending :border flanges which are secured or fastened to the side wall l portions 126 and to the outer skin portion 124 of the corresponding primary 25 1 corrugation 122. After the roof panels 120 are assembled as illustrated in ~!
!
~,~
ii - 10 -., ! Docket2527 li ~¦ FIG. 9, the inner skin portions 128 and 129 of the roof panels are rigidly connected to a series of longitudinally spaced and laterally extending tie ¦¦ members 136 (FIG. 11) and 137 (FIG. 10). As illustrated, the tie members 136 and 137 are formed of sheet metal and are secured to the spacer members 134 by fasteners 138 and to the inner skin portions 128 and 129 by fasteners 139.
In the metal building embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9-14, the assembled roof panels 120 are supported by side wall panels 140 which are ~ constructed substantially the same as the roof panels 120. Accordlngly, the10 ~¦ reference numbers used above for the components of the roof panels are ¦ also used to identify the same components of the wall panels. Referring to FIG. 10, the assembled side wall panels 140 have upper end portions which are notched so that the primary corrugations 122 of each wall panel 140 projects upwardly into the corresponding primary corrugations 122 of the 15 ¦ overlying roof panels 120. The roof panels 120 and side wall panels 140 are rigidly connected along the eve portions of the building by an inner elongated l tie member 143 which extends longitudinally of the building, with fasteners i 144 connecttng the adjacent side wall portLons 126 of the Interfitting roof l panels 120 and side wall panels 140.
20 ¦ The outer skin portions 124 of the roof panel6 120 and side wall panels 140 are also rigidly connected within each primary corrugation 122 ¦¦ of the panels by an angular shaped outer tie member 147 (FIG. 10) and ¦j corresponding fasteners. As also illustrated in FIG. 10, the assembled ¦! roof panels 120 are rigidly connected to the assembled side wall panels 140 25 i¦ of each slde wall by an inclined corrugated sheet metal brace member or ll ~! - 11-If Docket~S 7 ~31;2317 panel 152 which extends the length of the building along the eve portion.
Each brace panel 152 is rigidly connected to the laterally extending tie member 137 within the roof panels 120 and within the side wall panels 140.
Referring to FIG. 12, a formed generally L-shaped metal spacer member 155 cxtends laterally within each primary corrugation 122 of each roof panel 120 and includes an upper flange portion 156 which abuts the upper or inner end of the adjacent outer skin portion 124 of the corrugation. A
similarly formed metal spacer member 158 extends externally between the side wall portions 126 of each pair of adjacent primary corrugations 122 of 10 l the roof panels 120 and includes an upper flange portion 159 and a lower flange portion 161. All of the spacer members 155 and 158 are rigidly secured by fasteners to the adjacent side wall portions 126 of the roof panels 120.
A ridge beam 165 (FIG. 12) extends the length of the building I and includes an upper flange portion 167 and a lower flange portion 168 ¦ rigidly connected by a vertical web portion 169. The Snner end portions ¦¦ of the roof panels 120 seat on the bottom flange portion 168 of the ridge ~¦ beam 165~ and fasteners 172 connect the bottom flange portion 168 of the jf ridge beam to the Inner skln portlons 128 and 129 of the roof panels and to the ¦ bottom flange portlons 161 of the spacer members 158. A ridge cover member 20 ¦ or plate 175 overlies the inner end portions of the assembled roof panels 120 and extends the length of the building. The ridge plate is connected by fasteners 176 to the upper flange 167 of the ridge beam 165 and is also connected by fasteners 177 to the upper flange portion 159 of the spacer . members 158 which are located in an alternating manner on opposite sides 25 jl of the ridge beam 165. Another set Of fasterrers 178 also connect the il ridge plate member 175 to the outer skin portions 124 of the roof panels 120.
ll Il, i ~

s l i~ Doc ket 2 52 7 i~
~1 ~¦ A filler or spacer strip 179 extends between the upper flange ~¦portion 156 of each spacer member 155 and the opposing upper flange portion ¦¦167 of the ridge beam 165. Thus the upper flange portion 167 Of the ridge beam¦!165 and the ridge plate 175 cooperate with the fasteners to transmit com-~ipression forces across the upper part of the ridge portion and between the ¦roof panels 120 located on opposite sides of the ridge beam 165. The lower llflange portion 168 of the ridge beam 165 and the fasteners 172 connected to the Ij inner skin portions 128 and 129 and spacer members 134 of the roof panels ~¦function to transmit tension forces across the lower part of the ridge and j¦between the lower or inner skin portions of the roof panels 120.
FIG. 13 illustrates the connection of a typical roof panel 120 to a typical end wall panel 180 which is constructed substantially the same as a side wall panel 140 except that the upper end surface of each end wall panel 180 is Lnclined to mate with the slope or pitch of the roof panels 120. Prefer-¦ ably, this pitch of the roof panels 120 is less than 17 degrees, for example, on the order of 10 degrees. Since the end wall panels 180 are constructed substantially the same as the roof panels descrlbed above, the same refer-i ence number6 are used for common components.
~ A 6eries of channel-shaped spacer members 182 extend between ¦ the side wall portions 126 Of each primary corrugation 122 Of each end wall i! panel 180, and an external angle strip or plate 184 connects the outer skin ~j portions 124 of each end wall panel 180 to the Lnner skin portion 129 of the ¦¦ overlying roof panel 120. As shown Ln FIGS. 9 and 13, the bottoms of the Il side wall panels 140 and the end wall panels 180 seat on corresponding formedil metal base plates 188 which are secured to the upper surface Of the support-, Llg foundation or concrete floor 18. A typical corner connection of an end wall ~!

Il . .

lZi~:~ 7 Docket 2 52 7 panel 180 and a side wall panel 140 is illustrated Ln FIG. 14. At each corner, an inner skin portion 129 of the corner sLde wall panel 140 LS
formed at right angles around the corner and connects with the inner skin portion 129 of an end wall panel 180.
The "single skLn" panel building described above -~n connec-t ion w ith FIGS . 9 -14 is shown w ith as s emb led v ert ic al 6 ide w all pan els 140 and assembled vertical end wall panels 180. However, In reference to TIG. 15, it i3 wIthin the scope of the invention to Incllne the assembled wall panels, for example, to incline the sIde wall panels 140' so that the opposite side walls converge towards the top or roof of the building.
This results in the use of shorter rectangular roof panels 120' and wIder brace panels 152'. Such a building confIguratIon wlth Inclined or tapermg side wall is particularly suIted for use in storlng gra~ns. The side and end wall panels may also be provIded with separate sheet metal inner skIns whIch extend at least partlally up the walls to prevent the grain from fillIng the channels def-~ned by the prlmary corrugat~ons 122.
FIG. 16 shows another panel assembly whLch is constructed in accordance with the inventIOn and whIch may be used for the roof assembly and/or wall assembly of a "slngle skLn" frameless metal buildIng as described above in connection with FIGS. 9-14. The panel assembly shown in FIG. 16 includes a series of Z-shaped panels 210 each of whLch is roll-formed from an elongated metal sheet to form an outer skin portlon 212 and an Inner skin portLon 214 Integrally connected by a side wall or web portion 216. The web portion Z16 of each panel 25 210 f ms a rlght aDtIe or Ls per _Icular to sach of the .kln portions Docket 2 52 7 212 and 214 to provlde the panel wLth generally a Z-shape lateral cross-sectLonal configuratLon.
The panels 210 are successively assembled at the buildlng site by inverting alternate panels end-for-end so that the panels 210 5 cooperate to form parallel spaced and longitudlnally extendLng primary corrugations 220, Each prLmary corrugatlon 220 LS formed by the over-lapplng outer skln portlons 212 of each palr of adjacent panels 210, and the web portlons 216 of the adjacent panels 210 form the side walls of the prLmary corrugat~on. As also shown tn FIG. 16, the outer skLn portion 212 and the Lnner skin portion 214 of each Z-shaped panel 210 Includes a serles of parallel spaced and longltudLnally extendlng secon-dary corrugatlons 222 which project outwardly with respect to the buLlding.
In a manner as descrLbed above Ln connection w~th FIG. 11, 15 a pluralLty of spacer members or panels 224 are positloned wlthLn each primary corrugatlon 220 at longLtudinally spaced Intervals, and each spacer panel ts secured to the overlappLng outer skin portions 212 of the adjacent panels 210 by fasteners 226, and fasteners 227 secure the spacer panel to the web portlons 216 formLng the side walls of the corru-20~ gation 220. The assembled panels 210 are also secured together afterassembly by a serles of longltudinally spaced and laterally extendLng tle members 232 whLch are secured to the inner skln portlons 214 of the panels 210 by fasteners 233 and to the spacer panels 224 by fasteners 234.
251~ Referrlng to FIG. 17, a "double sk n" roof and/or wall Il -15- ;
1~

I~ock t 25Z7 3L~lZ~7 panel assembly is constructed by successLvely assemblLng a serles of Z-shaped panels 235 which are constructed substantially the same as the panels 210 described above in connection with FIG. 16. The primary corrugatLons formed by the panels 235 are then connected by series of 5 1 generally flat shect metal outer skin panels 238 which span the gaps between the pr~mary corrugations. Each of the panels 238 has longi-tudLnally extending secondary corrugations 241 wh~ch match the second-ary corrugations on the outer sk~n portions of the panels 235 and provide the outer generally flat surface of the bu~ldimg w~th a uniform appear-10 ¦ ance.
A series of longitudinally spaced spacer members orpanels 244 extend between each outer skin panel 238 and the inner skLn portions of each pa~r of adjacent panels 235, and a serLes of long~tud~-nally spaced spacer panels 244 are Inserted w~thIn each of the pr~mary 15 corrugatLons formed by the assembled panels 235, In the same manner as the spacer panels 224 described above in reference to FIG. 16. In place of the laterally extend~ng t~e members 232, the primary corruga-tion formed by each paLr of assembled panels 235 is closed by a sheet metal Inner skin panel 246 whLch LS roll formed in the same manner as 20 each outer skin panel 238 and spans the gap formed by the primary corrugation. A serles of fasteners 248 secure the panels 235, 238 and 246 to the spacer members or panels 244 so that the Z-shaped panels 235 cooperate w~th the generally flat panels 238 and 246 to form a "double skm" panel assembly which may be used in place of the "double 2; skin" panel as6emblles descrlbed above in colmection wlth the ll - 16 -ll ~Docket Z5Z7 ~ 7 embodiment shown tn FIGS. 1-8.
Referring to FIG. 18 whlch shows another form of "single skin" panel as3embly constructed in accordance wlth the tnvent~on, a series of Z-shaped sheet metal panels Z50 are assembled In the field 5 in opposlng relation and are Lnterconnected by generally flat outer skin panels 252 and Lnner skin panels 254 to form parallel spaced primary corrugat;ons 2S6. The edge portions of the panels 250, 252 and 254 are connected by "standing seam" jotnts 258 In place of the jo~nts of overlapping corrugatlons as shown tn FIGS. 16 and 17. All of the panels 250, 252 and 254 are roll formed of sheet metal and Include longltudl-nally extendlng secondary corrugatlons 261, and the Z-shaped panels 250 include an outer skln portion 263 and an inner skln portton 264 hav~ng a slngle secondary corrugation 261.
The lnner and outer skin porttons of each Z-shaped panel 250 are integrally connected by a web portion 266 which is embossed to form laterally extending and longLtudinally spaced corrugations 267 as shown In FIG. 19, A 6er~es of tray-llke spacer members or panels 268 are positioned w;thln each of the pr~mary corrugations 256 at longltu-dlnally spaced ;ntervals and are secured to the outer skin panel 252 20 and web portions 266 of the panels 250 by fasteners 269. A series of long~tudinally spaced and laterally extending tie members 272 are con-nected to the spacer members 268 by fasteners 273 and to the inner skin panels 254 by fasteners 274, in the same manner as descrlbed above tn connection wlth FIG. 16.
¦ Referrtnt to l;`IG. Z0, a "single skbn" panel assembly Is "

Do cket 2 52 7 constructed of overlapping Z-shaped panels 280 which are roll-formed Ln a manner similar to that mentloned above in connection wlth FIG. I6 In that each panel 280 IncIudes an outer skin portlon 282 integralIy connec-ted to an inner skln portlon 284 by a perpendlcular wall or web portion Z86. In addition, the web portion 286 of each Z-shaped panel 280 includes a series of longitudlnally extending secondary corrugations 288 whlch are roll-formed into the panel along with the outwardly pro-jecting secondary corrugations Z89 within the lnner and outer skLn portions. The assembled panels 280 form the parallel spaced longi-lO tudinally extending prLmary corrugatLons 29Z each of which receLves a serles of longltudinally spaced spacer members or panels 294. Each of the spacer panels 294 is constructed substantially the same as the .
spacer panels 224 (FIG. 16) except that each of the panels 294 includes a return lip portion 296. The llp portion 296 Increases the strength of 15 the correspondlng flange portlon of the spacer panel 294 and thereby increases the strength of the web portion 286 of the panel 280, The panels 280 are also rigLdly connected by laterally extending tle members 298 In the same manner as the panels 2I0 are connected by the tle members 232.
Another embodlment of a "double skln" panel assembly is Illustrated in FIG. 21. In this embodiment, a roll-formed sheet metal panel 310 Includes an outer skin portion 3I2 having secondary corrugations 313 and Integrally connected to an Inner skin or flange portion 314 by a web portlon 316. Each panel 310 mates with a slmilar-25 ly roll-formed sheet metal panel 320 which ~ncludes an Inner skin ~ Docket 27 1~ `17 portion 322 having outwardly projecting minor corrugations 323 and integrally connected to an outer skin or flange portion 324 by a web portion 326. Before the panels 210 and 320 are secured together as shown in FIG. 21, a series of longitudinally spaced spacer members or panels 328 are positioned between the panels 310 and 320 and are secured by suitable fasteners (not shown). The spacer members 328 may be installed at the building site when the panels 310 and 320 are progressively assembled or the spacer panels 328 may be preassem-bled between the panels 310 and 320 when each pair of mating panels 310 and 320 is preassembled at the factory with or without insulation therebetween.
FIG. 22 illustrates a generally Z-shaped panel 335 which is constructed ~imilar to the panel 280 shown in FIG. 20. The panel 335 is formed from a thin gauge sheet metal, or steel, preferably 26 gauge, and includes an outer skin portion 337 integrally connected to an inner skin portion 339 by a side wall or web portion 341. Preferably, the outer skin portion 337 and the inner skin portion 339 each includeb three parallel spaced and longitudinally extending secondary corruga-tions 343, and the web portion 341 includes two secondary corruga~ions 343. The inner and outer skin portions are integrally connected to the web portion 341 by beveled corner portions 344. The Z-shaped config-uration enables a series of panels 335 to be stacked in close nesting r e 1 ation .
As in the embodiments described above, preferably each panel 335 i9 prepunched with holes to provide for conveniently and progressively assembling a series of the panels 335 into a frameless ~ 7 Docket 2527 metal building, A series of threaded fasteners 347 (FIG. 23) connect overlapping outer skin portions 337 of each pair of adjacent panels, one of which is flipped end-for-end. Another series of fasteners 362 3~ ~
connect the overlapping inner skin portions 339 of each pair of adjacent 5 panels. As shown in FIG, 23, the outer skin portions 337 of each two adjacent assembled panels 335 cooperate with the web portions 341 to form a major or primary corrugation 352 having a depth or height C
which is preferably equal to at least one-half of the width B of the outer skin portion. a' A series of spacer members or thin sheet metal panels 354 are positioned at longitudinally spaced intervals within each of the primary corrugations 352, and each of the spacer panels 354 has parallel spaced ribs or corrugations 356 which provide the panel with a corrugated cross-sectional configuration. Each spacer panel 354 , 15 also has a peripherally extending skirt or flange portion 358 which is secured by fasteners 359 to the outer skin portions 337 and web portions 341 of the two assembled panels 335 forming the primary corrugation 352, In a manner as mentioned above, as a wall or roof section 20 is being constructed by progressiveIy assembling the panels 335 and spacer members 354, the inner skin portions 339 of the assembled panels are connected by fasteners 362 to continuous tie members 364 which extend the entire length of the building and are located at longi-tudinally spaced intervals along the length of the panels 335, Each of 25 the stiffenera or tie members 364 has a Z-shaped cross-sectional con-figuration, as shown in FIG. 25, and is also attached to ~he aligned ~ '7 Docket 2527 spacer member 354 within each primary corrugation 352 by additional ¦ threaded fastener6 362, The tie members 364 al90 serve to support inner liner panels of rigid insulation if it is deslred to insulate the building .
~ Referring to FIG. 22, the inner skin portion 339 of each panel 335 has an attachment width A which is slightly less than the attachment width B of the outer skin portion 337, For examp~e, the . difference in widths may be on the order of 3/32 inch, As a result, !! the overall inner width of each primary corrugation 352 is slightly ¦¦ greater than the combined outer width of assembled inner skin portions ..
339, Thus an assembly of the panels 335 which form a roof panel ¦ assembly 365, will conveniently interfit with an assembly of the panels 335 which form a wall panel assembly 366 when the primary corrugations ~ 352 of the roof assembly,are out-of-phase with the primary corrugations ~ 352 of the wall assembly. By simply notching the upper end Of the outer i skin portions 337 of the panels 335 forming the wall panel assembly 366, the primary corrugations 352 of the roof panel a33embly 365 will receive the upper end portions Of the wall panel3 (FIG, 25) where the ¦labutting web portions 341 of the interfitting panels are rigidly 3ecured ~¦together by a 3et Of threaded fasteners 368, ¦¦ The roof panels and wall panels are also coupled together ¦¦at the eave by an inner sheet metal eave connecting member 372 which is secured by threaded fasteners to adjacent spacer panels 354 within the l¦roof and wall panel assemblies, As also shown in FIG, 25, the roof j¦panel assembly 365 is further connected to the wall panel assembly 366 'by diagonal brace panels 373 each of which is formed of sheet metal :Dock ZSZ7 1~ 7 having minor corrugations and as a width substantially the same as the width of a primary corrugation 352, Thus the upper end portions of alternate brace panels 373 project upwardly into the major corrugations 352 of the roof panel assem-bly 365 and are secured by brackets 374 and fasteners to the outer skin panels 337 of the roof panels. The lower end portions of another set of alternating brace panels 373 project into the major corrugations 352 of the wall panel assembly 366 and are secured by brackets 374 and fas-teners to the outer skin portions 337 of the wall panels.
Referring to FIGS. 24 and 26, the roof panel assemblies 365 slope upwardly from the side wall panel assemblies 366 forming the opposite side walls of the building and form~a peaked ridge where the roof panel assemblies are coupled together by a ridge beam 380 extend-ing the entire length of the metal building. The ridge beam 380 includes 15 ¦ a series of C-shaped channel sections 382 which have overlapping end ¦ portions secured together by fasteners 383, For example, each beam ¦ ~ection 382 may have a length of twelve feet or sixteen feet, and a set ¦ of longitudinally spaced connector plates 384 are secured to the upper flange of each beam section 382.
As illustrated in FIG. 26, each connecting plate 384 pro-jects into the primary corrugation 352 of the assembled roof panels on opposite sides of the ridge and is coupled to the outer skin portions 337 by a set of blind-type fasteners 386. The plates 384 and fasteners 386 thus form a connection between the outer skin portions 337 for trans-Z5 l fe iDg normal compre6sive force~ there~etweel~. A sheet metal cover _zz_ 'I

[)ockee 2527 ~1~17 late 38g overlies the opposing end portiol~s ol the roof panel assemblies and forms a weathertight seal.
The ridge beam 380 also includes a bottom beam member or plate 392 (FIG. 26) which is secured by fasteners 393 to the lower flange portions of the channel sections 382. A set of fasteners 394 connect the plate 392 to the inner skin portions 339 of the opposing roof panel assem-blies so that the plate 392 and fasteners 394 function to transfer normal tension forces between the roof panel assemblies across the ridge. It is apparent from the above description in reference to FIGS. 22-26 that 10 the panels 335 are assembled to form not only the opposite side walls and roof sections of a frameless metal building, but are also assembled to form the end walls for the building. The particular configuration and assembly of the panels 335 provide the building with substantial strength so that the roof will carry substantial snow loads, and the building will 15 withstand substantial wind loads.
Referring to FIGS. 26 and 28, a Z-shaped panel 335' is constructed and assembled substantially the same aa the panel 335 except that each panel 335' has a web portion 341' which is positioned to form an angle D of about ten degrees with a reference plane P perpen-20 dicular to the outer skin portion 337' and inner skin portion 339' of the panel. An assembly of two panels 335' (FIG. 28) forms a primary corrugation 352', and the spacer members or panels354' conforms to the taper of the panel web portions 341'. Otherwise the assembly shown in FIG. 28 is identical to the assembly shown in FIG. 23.
25 ¦ An assembly of panels 335' including the spacer panels 354' within each primary corrugation and the stiffeners or tie members I Docket 527 l~lZq~l~

364 is particularly suited to form the end walls of a conventional frame-type metal building. That is, the load carrying capability of the panel assembly provides for eliminating the end sections of the building frame, thereby providing for a significant reduction in the cost of the metal 5 building. In such an application, a top plate (not shown) extends across the top ends of the panel assembly and supports the outer end portions of the roof purlins used for the end bays of the building. While assemblies of the panel 335' may also be used to form a roof for a frameless metal building, it has been found more desirable to form the 10 roof with assemblies of panels 335 so that the roof panel assemblies may be joined with the wall panel assemblies of panels 335 at the eaves- as described above in connection with FIG. 25.
Referring to FIGS. 29 and 30, a panel 405 is roll formed of light gauge sheet metal,such as 26 gauge, to form a substantially flat 15 outer skin portion 407 which is integrally connected to generally flat and coplanar inner skin portions 409 by flat web portions 411 and beveled corner portions llZ. The corner pcrtions 412 cooperate with the web portions 411 and outer skin portion 407 to provide the panel with a single !¦major or primary corrugation. The outer skin portion 407 is pro-20 ¦ vided with two secondary corrugations 417, and each inner skin portion409 is preferably provided with two secondary corrugations 417. The side wall or web portions 411 are slightly tapered, preferably at an angle of about ten degrees with a plane perpendicular to the inner and Ijouter skin portions.
25 1l When the panels 405 are assembled to adjacent panels 405, as shown in FIG, 30, each of the major corrugations 415 receives a Docket 25Z7 ~ 1'7 plurality of longitudinally spaced sheet metal spacer members or panels 420 which are secured to the panel 405 by threaded fasteners 421 and are constructed sir~iilar to the spacer panels 354 and 354' The assem-bly of panels 405 also receives longitudinally spaced stiffeners or tie 5 members 364 which are secured to the inner skin portions and to the adjacent spacer panel 420 by threaded fasteners 423. An assembly of panels 405, as shown in FIG, 30, is particularly suited for forming the side walls of a frame-type metal building and provides for eliminating the wall girts which are commonly constructed of heavier gauge steel.
10 As a result, the wall panel assemblies forming the side wall of the building provide for a significant reduction in the construction cost of the building and are compatible in appearance to an assembly of panels 335' forming each end wall of the building.
A diagrammatic assembly of panels 335 is illustrated in 15 FIGS. 31 and 3Z and form a roof panel assembly 365 and a side wall panel 366, However, in this modification, the channels defined between the primary corrugationa 352 are covered with light tranbmitting plas-tic panels 430 which are preferably molded with minor corrugations.
The panels 430 cooperate with the inner skin portions 339 to define 20 ¦airflow channels 432 between the primary corrugations. The web por-tions 341 of the panels 335 are provided with apertures or holes 434 in pposite end portions of the web portions, The light transmitting panels 430 provide for solar heating f air within the passages 432, and the holes 434 provide for a natural 25 convection flow of air up the passages 432 within the side wall panels, nrough the chamber defined above the brace panels 373, as the air is i~

Docket 2527 heated, and then upwardly through the passages 432 within the roof panel assembly with the warmer air flowing into the building adjacent the ridge beam 380. While the channels between all of the major corru-gations 352 could be used for solar heating by natural air currents, only a few of the channels may be used on either the wall or roof panel assemblies or on both assemblies as shown in FIG. 32, From the drawings and the above description, it is apparent that a metal building constructed in accordance with the present inven-tion, provides desirable featureq and advantages, For example, after 10 the roof panels and/or wall panels are assembled as described above, the assembled panels have a combined total strength substantially higher than the strength of each panel per se times the number of panels, This higher total strength of the assembled panels results primarily from the transmission of a concentrated load in one panel or group of 15 panels to the laterally adjacent and/or opposing panels through the panel connecting means 6uch a3 the longitudinally extending ridge beam and eve attachments, Furthermore, the coupling of the roof panels acroAs the ridge by means as shown in FIG, 4, or FIG. 12 or FIG. 26, provide~
for utilizing the high tensile strength of the inncr sheet metal roof skins 20 or skin portions and the high compression strength of the outer roof skins or skin portions for carrying the loads.
Another important feature of a building constructed in accordance with the invention is provided by the coupling of the roof panels to the wall panels as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 10 or FIG. 25, Docket 2527 :
~ 6~ 7 These attachment means function to transfer the stress or loads from the roof panels to the wall panels and to utilize the inner and outer skin portions of the wall panels to resist bending of the roof panels. Thus the construction and assembly of the roof and wall panels effectively 5 utiliæe the inherent strength of the sheet metal skin portions of the panels and thereby eliminate the need for a frame and its cost of erec-tion along with the need for roof purlins and wall girts.
Since the sheet metal used for forming the components of the roof panels and wall panels are of substantially lighter gauge, such 10 as 26 gauge, than are commonly used for forming roof purlins and wall girts for a conventional metal building of the same size, the total weight of a building constructed in accordance with the invention i5 significantly lower than the total weight of a conventional metal building of the same size. As a result, the cost of metal used in constructing a building of 15 the invention is slgnificantly lower than the cost of the metal used in a conventional metal building. The relatively light weight of the roof panels and wall panels, for example, less than 160 pounds for any panel of a building having a width of 60 feet, also provides for a simple and quick erection of the building without the need for a crane.
The prefabrication of the roof panels and wall panel~ also permits quick assembly of the panels, beginning at one end of the build-ing and progrefising towards the opposite end. The precise placement of the prepunched holes in the panels and in the ridge and eave members l assures positive location of the panels and permits erection of the build-25 ! ing by labor less skilled than the labor normally required for conven-lltional metal buildings. It is also apparent that the roof panels 12 and ~1 , Il 27-1 Docket 2527 lll~U17 wall panels 14 may enclose a thermal insulation material when desired.
With respect to the "single skin" metal panels and building disclosed in connection with FIGS. 9-32, the longitudinally spaced spacer members or panels within the primary corrugations and the 5 continuous horizontal tie members cooperate wlth the primary corruga-tions and with the secondary corrugations to provide the assembled panels with a maximum strength/weight ratio. In addition, the Z-shaped panels disclosed in connection with FIGS. 16-28 have several advantages for constructing either a "single skin" or a !!double skin" metal building.
10 For example, not only may the elongated Z-shaped panels be roll form-ed from a common gauge sheet metal such as 26 gauge steel, the Z-shaped panels may be stacked in a compact nesting manner to facilitate storage and shipping, The flexibility of the Z-shaped panel also per-mits construction of either a "single skin" metal building or a '?double lS skin" metal building and permits the web portion of each Z-shaped panel to be formed with the desired depth according to the size of the metal building, By reversing the Z-shaped panels end-for-end, the panels may have a prefinished outer surface such as a baked-on enamel coat-20 ¦ ing. Furthermore, the width of the inner skin portion of each Z-shaped ¦ panel may be conveniently made slightly wider than the outer skin por-¦ tion of the panel so that the roof panels will easily interfit between the side wall panels, as shown in FIG. 25 during erection of the building.
As mentioned above in connection with FIG. 17, a metal building con-251 structed with Z-shaped panels may also be provided with higher strength l and a generally flush outer surface by simply adding a flat outer skin ,,, jDoc etZ5z7 ¦panel238 between each pair of adjacent primary corrugations. Simi-¦larly, generally flat inner skin panels 246 may be added to provide the ¦roof and/or wall panel assembly with a "double skin" construction and to provide a generally flat inner surface for the panel assemblies.
With respect to FIG 25, it is also within the scope of the invention to stagger the primary corrugations of the roof panels with respect to the primary corrugations of the wall panels so that the inner skin portionB 339 of the wall panels are connected to the outer skin por-ions 337 of the roof panels, and vice versa, by inclined brace members 10 or panels 372 which interfit between the primary corrugations and xtend between the inner skin portions of the wall panels to the outer kin portions of the roof panels and vice versa, providing the appear-~nce of a continuous brace panel.
While the forms of building panels and structures and their 15 ~nethods of construction and assembly herein described constitute referred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the nvention is not limited to these precise forms, and that changes may be ~ade therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention l ~s defined in the appended claims. As mentioned above, it is also 20 j~ithin the Pcope of the invention to use panel assemblies constructed ,in accordance with the invention as parts of conventional frame-type ~metal buildings, for example, as end walls or side walls or roof sec-¦~tions in order to provide a cost savings, I The invention having thus been described, the following is Z S ~clai m ed: ¦

~1 -29-,1~

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A metal building comprising a pitched roof assembly supported by generally vertical wall assemblies, at least one of said assemblies being frameless and including a series of assembled elongated panels, said panels being formed by bent sheets of metal forming generally flat inner skin portions connected to generally flat outer skin portions by generally flat spaced web portions to define parallel spaced and longitudinally extending primary corrugations, said inner and outer skin portions having a plurality of laterally spaced and longitudinally extending secondary corrugations being substantially smaller than said primary corrugations, a plurality of longitudinally spaced spacer members disposed within each said primary corrugation of said panels between said web portions, means securing each said spacer member to said web portions of the corres-ponding said primary corrugation, a series of elongated tie members disposed at longitudinally spaced intervals along said assembled panels and extending laterally across said primary corrugations and across the inner surfaces of said inner skin portions of said assembled panels, and fastener means securing each said elongated tie member to the corrugated said inner skin portions of said assembled panels.

2. A building as defined in claim 1 wherein each said web portion includes at least one secondary corrugation extending longi-tudinally and parallel to said secondary corrugations in said inner and outer skin portions.

3. A building as defined in claim 1 wherein each said web portion includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced and laterally extending embossed secondary corrugations.

4. A building as defined in claim l wherein each said web portion is disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the adjacent said inner and outer skin portions.

5. A building as defined in claim 1 wherein each said web portion is disposed at an angle of about ten degrees relative to a plane perpendicular to the adjacent said inner and outer skin portions.

6. A building as defined in claim 1 wherein each said outer-skin portion has an attachment width slightly greater than the attachment width of the adjacent said inner skin portion to provide for conveniently constructing a roof assembly of said panels which interfits between a side wall assembly of said panels.

7. A building as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said panels has corresponding said inner and outer skin portions integrally connected by one of said web portions.

8. A building as defined in claim 7 wherein each of said panels has a generally Z-shaped lateral cross-sectional configuration.

9. A building as defined in claim 8 wherein said web portion of each said panel is disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to said inner and outer skin portions of said panel

10. A building as defined in claim 8 wherein said inner and outer skin portions of each said panel are connected to the corresponding said web portion by substantially flat bevel corner portions.

11. A building as defined in claim 8 wherein one of said skin portions of each said panel has an attachment width slightly greater than the attachment width of the other said skin portion to provide a roof assembly of said panels which interfits between a side wall assembly of said panels at an eave of the building.

12. A building as defined in claim 1 wherein said fastener means also secure said tie members to corresponding said spacer members.

13. A building as defined in claim 1 wherein each said panel:
has an outer said skin portion integrally connected to substantially coplanar said inner skin portions by laterally spaced said web portions, and said outer skin portion and said web portions of each said panel provide said panel with only one of said primary corrugations.

14. A building as defined in claim 1 wherein said panel assembly forms a frameless wall, an elongated base plate supporting said panel assembly, said base plate having an upwardly projecting inner flange and a downwardly projecting outer flange, and fastener means securing said flanges to said skin portions of said panel assembly.

15. A metal building comprising a frame1ess pitched roof assembly supported by a frameless wall assembly, each of said assemblies including a series of assembled elongated panels, said panels being formed by bent sheets of metal forming generally flat inner skin portions connected to generally flat outer skin portions by generally flat spaced web portions to define parallel spaced and longitudinally extending primary corrugations, said inner and outer skin portions having a plurality of laterally spaced and longitudinally extending secondary corrugations being substantially smaller than said primary corrugations, a plurality of longitudinally spaced spacer members disposed within each said primary corrugation of said panels between said web portions, means securing each said spacer member to said web portions of the corresponding said primary corrugation, a series of elongated tie members disposed at longitudinally spaced intervals along said assembled panels and extending laterally across said primary corrugations and across the inner surfaces of said inner skin portions of said assembled panels, fastener means securing each said elongated tie member to the corrugated said inner skin portions of said assembled panels, and means connecting said roof panel and wall panel assemblies.

16. A building as defined in claim 15 wherein each of said outer skin portions of said wall and roof panel assemblies has a width slightly different than the width of the adjacent said inner skin portions to facilitate interfitting of said wall and roof panel assemblies at the eaves.
.

17. A building as defined in claim 15 wherein said outer skin portions of said wall panel assembly are notched to receive said primary corrugations of said roof panel assembly, and fastener means securing said web portions of waid wall panel assembly to adjacent said web portions of said roof panel assembly.

18. A building as defined in claim 15 wherein said means connecting said roof panel and wall panel assemblies include inclined eave brace panels, and each said brace panel having a portion projecting into one of said primary corrugations of one of said panel assemblies.

19. A building as defined in claim 15 and including a first said roof panel assembly and a second said roof panel assembly cooperating to form a ridge, and means connecting said first and second roof panel assemblies across said ridge.

20. A building as defined in claim 19 wherein said connecting means comprise an elongated ridge beam, and said beam including means rigidly connecting said inner and outer skin portions of said first and second roof panel assemblies along said ridge for transferring forces across said ridge between said inner and outer skin portions.

21. A building as defined in claim 20 wherein said ridge beam is formed of a plurality of connected ridge beam sections, a longitudinally extending bottom connecting member secured to said ridge beam sections, and fastener means securing said bottom connecting member to said inner skin portions of the opposing said roof panels on opposite sides of said ridge.

22. A building as defined in claim 20 wherein said ridge beam comprises a series of ridge beam sections each having at least one upper plate member projecting into opposing said primary corrugations of said roof panel assemblies on opposite sides of said ridge.

23. A building as defined in claim 15 and including at least one light transmitting panel covering the space between two adjacent primary corrugations to form a solar air heating passage, and means for directing a flow of air through said passage and into the space defined by the building.

24. A building as defined in claim 15 wherein each of said web portions integrally connects the adjacent said inner and outer skin portions to provide a panel having a generally Z-shaped lateral cross-sectional configuration.

25. A building as defined in claim 24 wherein said outer skin portion of each said panel has only three of said secondary corrugations.

26. A building as defined in claim 24 wherein one of said skin portions of each said panel has an attachment width slightly greater than the attachment width of the other said skin portion and said primary corrugations of said roof assembly of said panels interfit between said primary corrugations of said side wall assembly of said panels at an eave of the building.

27. A panel assembly as defined in claim 24 wherein said inner and outer skin portions of each said panel are connected to a corresponding said web portion by substsntially flat bevel corner portions.