CA2075188A1 - Modular buildings - Google Patents
Modular buildingsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2075188A1 CA2075188A1 CA002075188A CA2075188A CA2075188A1 CA 2075188 A1 CA2075188 A1 CA 2075188A1 CA 002075188 A CA002075188 A CA 002075188A CA 2075188 A CA2075188 A CA 2075188A CA 2075188 A1 CA2075188 A1 CA 2075188A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- building
- modules
- members
- pillar members
- module
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/348—Structures composed of units comprising at least considerable parts of two sides of a room, e.g. box-like or cell-like units closed or in skeleton form
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/348—Structures composed of units comprising at least considerable parts of two sides of a room, e.g. box-like or cell-like units closed or in skeleton form
- E04B1/34815—Elements not integrated in a skeleton
- E04B1/34861—Elements not integrated in a skeleton particular arrangement of habitable rooms or their component parts; modular co-ordination
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/348—Structures composed of units comprising at least considerable parts of two sides of a room, e.g. box-like or cell-like units closed or in skeleton form
- E04B1/34815—Elements not integrated in a skeleton
- E04B1/3483—Elements not integrated in a skeleton the supporting structure consisting of metal
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/348—Structures composed of units comprising at least considerable parts of two sides of a room, e.g. box-like or cell-like units closed or in skeleton form
- E04B2001/34876—Structures composed of units comprising at least considerable parts of two sides of a room, e.g. box-like or cell-like units closed or in skeleton form with a sloping or barrel roof
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/348—Structures composed of units comprising at least considerable parts of two sides of a room, e.g. box-like or cell-like units closed or in skeleton form
- E04B2001/34892—Means allowing access to the units, e.g. stairs or cantilevered gangways
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E04—BUILDING
- E04B—GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS
- E04B1/00—Constructions in general; Structures which are not restricted either to walls, e.g. partitions, or floors or ceilings or roofs
- E04B1/35—Extraordinary methods of construction, e.g. lift-slab, jack-block
- E04B2001/3583—Extraordinary methods of construction, e.g. lift-slab, jack-block using permanent tensioning means, e.g. cables or rods, to assemble or rigidify structures (not pre- or poststressing concrete), e.g. by tying them around the structure
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Conveying And Assembling Of Building Elements In Situ (AREA)
- Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)
- Finger-Pressure Massage (AREA)
Abstract
Modules for construction of modular buildings comprise a substantially rectangular box frame and are adapted to interconnect with other modules located horizontally and/or vertically adjacent.
The modules are prefabricated and assembled or interconnected on site, prefabrication being assisted by an apparatus having rotatable clamping means for rotating the module frame during construction to provide a desired working height.
The modules are prefabricated and assembled or interconnected on site, prefabrication being assisted by an apparatus having rotatable clamping means for rotating the module frame during construction to provide a desired working height.
Description
WO91/12386 PCTtG891/00126 .:
2~7~88 - -.. , ~.. .
l "Modular Buildin~s"
l "Modular Buildin~s"
3 This invention relates to modular buildings and to 4 modules for use in such buildings.
6 Buildings are traditionally built in situ from ~,~
7 relatively small components. The disadvantages arising 8 from this are well known, and include low speed of 9 construction and problems caused by bad weather. It is ,~ , also well known to use portable prefabricated ll buildings, but these generally have limitations of size ~, 12 and are not well suited to combining together to make 13 relatively large accommodation units or a single 14 building of good aesthetic appearance. -~
16 Buildings of traditional construction also present 17 problems when repair~is required following, for 18 ,example, storm or fire damage, Since the building is l9 essentially continuously interlinked, removal of damaged parts may seriously weaken other parts not 21 originally damaged. ;
23 An o~ject of the present invention is to overcome or 24 mitigate these problems.
~' ' .
WO91/12386 PCT/~B9l/00126 ~,Q~ 2 1 Accordingly, the invention provides a building 2 comprising a plurality of box-shaped modules juxtaposed 3 horizontally and/or vertically, each module comprising 4 a base fràme of peripheral side and end members arranged in a rectangle, a top frame of peripheral side 6 and end members arranged in rectangle, and pillar 7 memhers interconnecting the corners of the base frame 8 and the top frame; the pillar members of vertically 9 juxtaposed modules being in load-bearing connection, and the pillar members of ground-level modules bearing ll on foundations, whereby the load of the building is 12 carried by the pillar members.
14 Preferably, the pillar members are open at top and bottom, and the buildinq includes elongate tension 16 members passing through the pillar members and exerting 17 a downward force on the corners of the modules.
19 Preferably, the tension members bear on locating plates provided with projections locating within pillar 21 members of adjacent modules. Locating plates may be 22 provided having one to four projections on one face, or 23 one to four projections on each face, whereby any 24 combination of module junctions may be accommodated.
26 The building may be provided with external 27 non-load-bearing columns arranged at intervals such 28 that vertical joins between modules are masked.
29 Alternatively, exterior cladding covering the joins may be used for this purpose.
32 Preferably also, the modules are prefabricated with 33 floors and ceilings, and some of the modules with 34 external cladding and glazing, before installation.
Modules may also be prePabricated as stairways, Pire ., I
.
' . : ~, ' . ' ;
' . ~ , ..
3 207~88 1 lobbies, toilets, kitchens and the like.
3 From another aspect, the invention provides a building 4 module comprising a base frame of peripheral side and end members arranged in a rectangle, a top frame of 6 peripheral side and end members arranged in a 7 rectangle, and pillar members interconnectin~ the 8 corners of the base frame and the top frame, the pillar g members being adapted to carry the weight of the module and being adapted to support loads from superimposed 11 pillar members of another module when positioned 12 vertically above.
14 Preferably, said pillar members and frames are of rectangular steel tubing and are welded together to 16 form the module.
18 Preferably also, the pillar members are open at top a~nd 19 bottom for througll passage, in use, of tensioning members.
22 A further aspect of the invention resides in an 23 apparatus for use in making building modules and 24 similar structures, the apparatus comprising a pair of spaced-apart frames, each of which is mounted for 26 rotation about a common horizontal axis, each frame 27 being provided with means for clamping a pair of pillar 28 members parallel to each other in a vertical plane, 29 whereby horizontal beams may be welded between pillar 3~ members carried by the frames which may be rotated to 31 provide a desired working height.
33 Preferably, the apparatus includes means for rotatably 34 driving at least one of the frames.
I
... ~ . .....
. .
... .. . . . . .
WO91/l2386 ~ ~Q~ PCT/GB91/00l26 1 Preferably also, means are provided, such as in the 2 form of a pneumatic, mechanical or hydraulic ram, to 3 lock the frames in a desired rotational position.
Preferably also, lifting means are provided to position 6 further material against said beams for fastening to 7 the module.
9 An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, 11 i~ which:-13 Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a building 14 constructed in accordance with the present invention:
16 Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the building of 17 Fig. l;
18 Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view of an upper floor 19 of the buildlng, on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2:
Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the building on 21 the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;
22 Fig. 5 is a plan view of one module used in 23 constructing the building, 24 Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional plan showing details of an external corner of the building:
26 Fig. 7 is a sectional side view illustrating a 27 ~. means of connection within the structure:
28 Fig. 8 is a side view of an apparatus for use in 29 manufacture of building modules: and Fig. 9 is an end view of the apparatus of Fig. 8.
32 Referrlng to Figs. 1 to 4, a building 10 has an 33 externally conventional appearance with walls 12 formed 3~ by cladding panels 14, glazed panels-16 and columns 18, 35 and a pitched roof 20. The load-bearing structure of -, `," "' ,. `' ` `.7 ,, . ' , . : . ` ..
207~188 1 the building 10 is formed by a plurality of cellular 2 modules juxtaposed horizontally and stacked vertically.
3 The upper floor seen in Fig. 3, for example, comprises 4 a staircase and fire lobby module 22, a toilet and kitchen module ~4, and an open plan office area made up 6 by modules 26-36.
8 As shown in Fig. 5, each module includes corner pillars 9 38, the lower ends of which are interconnected by floor level beams 40 and the upper ends by similar 11 ceiling-level beams ~2 (not seen in Fig. 5). The 12 members 38, 40 and 42 are rectangular steel sectionsi 13 120 mm x 120 mm. The beams 40, 42 are interconnected :--14 by vertical 100 x 50 mm steel sections 44 on 600 mm centres in those areas destined to form part of an 16 external wall. Similar vertical members of smaller 17 cross-sectional dimension may be provided as a basis 18 for internal partition walls. All of the foregoing are 19 welded to form a strong cage-like structure, suitably with overall dimensions of 5S9~ mm x 2794 mm x 3355 mm 21 high.
23 A significant feature of the present invention is that 24 all building loads are carried via the pillars 38. The pillars 38 in the upper floor are mounted on and 26 secured to those immediately below as will be 27 described. Those of the bottom floor are supported by 28 concrete pad foundations ~6 (Fig. 4).
It will be appreciated that, to construct the building 31 10, the site is levelled and the pad foundations 32 constructed as required in a grid. The various modules 33 are then craned into position and locked together. The 34 modules can be wholly or;partially finished in the~
factory béfore ~eing~brought to site.
,~ . ,........ - . , . ~ . . . . :
WOgl/12386 ~ PCT/GB91/00126 2 Fig. 6 shows an enlarged detail of a corner joint, with 3 typical cladding and filling materials. The external 4 wall of each module comprises an external cladding sheet 48 for example of 6 mm Resoplan, a layer 50 of 6 Corovin building paper, 100 mm of rockwool insulation 7 52, and two thicknesses of plasterboard 54 on softwood 8 battens 56. The corner is closed by a column 18 of 9 part-cylindrical form comprising stainless steel sheet ~0 60 with an internal coating 62 of sprayed foam 11 insulation 30 mm thick. Silicon sealant 64 is gunned 12 into the gaps between the cladding 48 and the column 13 18. As best seen in Fig. 3, the columns 18 cover the 14 vertical joins between abutting modules, and are also provided as dummy columns at the midpoints of long 16 module sides. Providing columns at a uniform spacing 17 allows maximum flexibility of module layout, and a good 18 external appearance. I'he columns 18 also provide a 19 convenient means of concealing rain-water pipes, as at 58 in Fig. ~. Cylindrical columns 66 (Fig. 3) are 21 provided within the building to shroud exposed butting 22 corner pillars 38, and again dummies such as 68 may be 23 provided for uniformity of appearance.
It is realised in the invention that these columns may 26 comprise any appropriate cross-section and by no means 27 need to be part-cylindrical. Furthermore, the cladding 28 and filling materials may be varied, as required, and 29 may be designed to neg~te the need for columns altogether.
32 The method of interconnecting the modules is shown in 33 Fig. 7. An apertured base plate 70 is bolted to the 34 foundation pad (not shown). Two short lengths of pipe or the like 72 are wélded to;the upper face of base .: . . . . . . .
. .
WO91/123~6 2 ~ 7 ~1~ 8 PCT/GB91/00126 1 plate 70 to locate corner pillars 33 of adjacent 2 ground-floor modules. Alternatively, the plate may be 3 a casting having suitable projections for locating 4 corner pillars 38. A threaded tensioning rod 74 for 5 each pillar is fastened in the base plate and passes ~ ' 6 through the pillar. A connector plate 76 with upper ~-7 and lower locating pipes 78 is positioned over the 8 pillars 38 and tensioning rods 74, and the asse~bly 9 pulled tight by nuts such as 80. Thereafter further lo tensioning bars 32 may be added via splicing couplers 11 84, the first floor modules lowered into position, and 12 the procedure repeated. In this manner, the modules 13 can be accurately located in all axes and the whole 14 assembly drawn together, with all building loads being transmitted via the corner pillars to the foundation.
17 The base plates 70 may be adapted to fit one column 38, 18 as in the case of the corner of a building, or two 19 adjacent columns as in the case of an external wall of a building, or four adjacent columns at the corner of 21 four interconnecting modules. Similarly, the connector 22 plates 76 may be adapted on one or each side to fit 23 one, two or four columns.
The system of construction thus described has the 26 advantage that individual modules can be removed and 27 replaced, to 2ffect repairs or remodelling, without 28 substantial effect on the safety or stability of'other 29 parts of the building.
31 The modules used in the present invention may 32 conveniently be manufactured'using the apparatus of 33 'Figs.- 8 and 9. ~ ' ' '~
35 Spaced frames 100 mount stub'shafts 102 which carry .
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''. ' ,, ~`; ' ` ` . ', , ' .' ' '' ' ` ' ~ `' ' ' .
:, WO9l/12386 PCT/GB91/00126 ~ 8 1 cruciform assemblies 104 one of which can be driven in 2 rotation by a motor (not shown) via gearing 106. Each 3 assembly 10~ provides two fixed legs 108 and two 4 movable legs 110 which can be clamped in position. In use, four corner pillars 38 can be clamped ln the two 6 assemblies 104 and held at a suitable orientation to 7 allow the upper and lower beams 42 and 40 to be welded 8 in place. The work can be rotated so that each weld is Y made at a height convenient to the operator. Rams 112 lo are provided ~or locking the assemblies in position 11 while work takes place. Once the basic skeleton has 12 been fabricated, other members may be welded in 13 position with the module in the apparatus. A pair of 14 parallel bars 114 vertically movable by jacks 116 is provided beneath the working position. This may be a 16 hydraulic jacked trolley or similar apparatus. These 17 are particularly useful if it is desired to weld shee~
18 steel to the skeleton, as sheets can be clamped in 19 position by the jacks 116 while welding is effected.
21 During construction, the open ends of the horizontal 22 and vertical frame members are aligned adjacent to a 23 similar member and may be seal welded. The ends of the 24 frame members which are to remain open are internally sprayed with an anti-rust composition.
27 Flooring may be achieved by a variety of simple ~ -28 methods. For example, as in the case of walls, panels 29 may be fully constructed and then bolted, or otherwise mounted, as a single unit to the frame. Extra 31 horizontal frame members may also be welded on the 32 floor side of-the frame-to increase the strength of the `
33 floor. ~lso panel members may be constructed not only 3~ from steel, but any suitable material including hard - ¦
and soft woods, and composites.
' ~: ' .. .
., . ~ : .: . : .,.;; ,', ~ . ;, 1 The floor panels may then be covered by a concrete skin 2 and/or tiled, carpeted and so on. Where concrete is 3 required for tiling or sound temperature insulation, 4 only a concrete skin of approximately 0.5 to 0.75 inch thickness is necessary, enabling a significant weight 6 and cost reduction.
8 The apparatus of Fig. 8 and 9 is also useful in the 9 production of other items with an external framework of welded beams and columns, such as transport containers 11 to ISO requirements.
13 Modifications and improvements may be incorporated 14 without departing from the scope of the invention.
, . . . .
.
., : ,. . ~ . . . : , .
" . ~
6 Buildings are traditionally built in situ from ~,~
7 relatively small components. The disadvantages arising 8 from this are well known, and include low speed of 9 construction and problems caused by bad weather. It is ,~ , also well known to use portable prefabricated ll buildings, but these generally have limitations of size ~, 12 and are not well suited to combining together to make 13 relatively large accommodation units or a single 14 building of good aesthetic appearance. -~
16 Buildings of traditional construction also present 17 problems when repair~is required following, for 18 ,example, storm or fire damage, Since the building is l9 essentially continuously interlinked, removal of damaged parts may seriously weaken other parts not 21 originally damaged. ;
23 An o~ject of the present invention is to overcome or 24 mitigate these problems.
~' ' .
WO91/12386 PCT/~B9l/00126 ~,Q~ 2 1 Accordingly, the invention provides a building 2 comprising a plurality of box-shaped modules juxtaposed 3 horizontally and/or vertically, each module comprising 4 a base fràme of peripheral side and end members arranged in a rectangle, a top frame of peripheral side 6 and end members arranged in rectangle, and pillar 7 memhers interconnecting the corners of the base frame 8 and the top frame; the pillar members of vertically 9 juxtaposed modules being in load-bearing connection, and the pillar members of ground-level modules bearing ll on foundations, whereby the load of the building is 12 carried by the pillar members.
14 Preferably, the pillar members are open at top and bottom, and the buildinq includes elongate tension 16 members passing through the pillar members and exerting 17 a downward force on the corners of the modules.
19 Preferably, the tension members bear on locating plates provided with projections locating within pillar 21 members of adjacent modules. Locating plates may be 22 provided having one to four projections on one face, or 23 one to four projections on each face, whereby any 24 combination of module junctions may be accommodated.
26 The building may be provided with external 27 non-load-bearing columns arranged at intervals such 28 that vertical joins between modules are masked.
29 Alternatively, exterior cladding covering the joins may be used for this purpose.
32 Preferably also, the modules are prefabricated with 33 floors and ceilings, and some of the modules with 34 external cladding and glazing, before installation.
Modules may also be prePabricated as stairways, Pire ., I
.
' . : ~, ' . ' ;
' . ~ , ..
3 207~88 1 lobbies, toilets, kitchens and the like.
3 From another aspect, the invention provides a building 4 module comprising a base frame of peripheral side and end members arranged in a rectangle, a top frame of 6 peripheral side and end members arranged in a 7 rectangle, and pillar members interconnectin~ the 8 corners of the base frame and the top frame, the pillar g members being adapted to carry the weight of the module and being adapted to support loads from superimposed 11 pillar members of another module when positioned 12 vertically above.
14 Preferably, said pillar members and frames are of rectangular steel tubing and are welded together to 16 form the module.
18 Preferably also, the pillar members are open at top a~nd 19 bottom for througll passage, in use, of tensioning members.
22 A further aspect of the invention resides in an 23 apparatus for use in making building modules and 24 similar structures, the apparatus comprising a pair of spaced-apart frames, each of which is mounted for 26 rotation about a common horizontal axis, each frame 27 being provided with means for clamping a pair of pillar 28 members parallel to each other in a vertical plane, 29 whereby horizontal beams may be welded between pillar 3~ members carried by the frames which may be rotated to 31 provide a desired working height.
33 Preferably, the apparatus includes means for rotatably 34 driving at least one of the frames.
I
... ~ . .....
. .
... .. . . . . .
WO91/l2386 ~ ~Q~ PCT/GB91/00l26 1 Preferably also, means are provided, such as in the 2 form of a pneumatic, mechanical or hydraulic ram, to 3 lock the frames in a desired rotational position.
Preferably also, lifting means are provided to position 6 further material against said beams for fastening to 7 the module.
9 An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, 11 i~ which:-13 Fig. 1 is an end elevation of a building 14 constructed in accordance with the present invention:
16 Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the building of 17 Fig. l;
18 Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view of an upper floor 19 of the buildlng, on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2:
Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the building on 21 the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;
22 Fig. 5 is a plan view of one module used in 23 constructing the building, 24 Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional plan showing details of an external corner of the building:
26 Fig. 7 is a sectional side view illustrating a 27 ~. means of connection within the structure:
28 Fig. 8 is a side view of an apparatus for use in 29 manufacture of building modules: and Fig. 9 is an end view of the apparatus of Fig. 8.
32 Referrlng to Figs. 1 to 4, a building 10 has an 33 externally conventional appearance with walls 12 formed 3~ by cladding panels 14, glazed panels-16 and columns 18, 35 and a pitched roof 20. The load-bearing structure of -, `," "' ,. `' ` `.7 ,, . ' , . : . ` ..
207~188 1 the building 10 is formed by a plurality of cellular 2 modules juxtaposed horizontally and stacked vertically.
3 The upper floor seen in Fig. 3, for example, comprises 4 a staircase and fire lobby module 22, a toilet and kitchen module ~4, and an open plan office area made up 6 by modules 26-36.
8 As shown in Fig. 5, each module includes corner pillars 9 38, the lower ends of which are interconnected by floor level beams 40 and the upper ends by similar 11 ceiling-level beams ~2 (not seen in Fig. 5). The 12 members 38, 40 and 42 are rectangular steel sectionsi 13 120 mm x 120 mm. The beams 40, 42 are interconnected :--14 by vertical 100 x 50 mm steel sections 44 on 600 mm centres in those areas destined to form part of an 16 external wall. Similar vertical members of smaller 17 cross-sectional dimension may be provided as a basis 18 for internal partition walls. All of the foregoing are 19 welded to form a strong cage-like structure, suitably with overall dimensions of 5S9~ mm x 2794 mm x 3355 mm 21 high.
23 A significant feature of the present invention is that 24 all building loads are carried via the pillars 38. The pillars 38 in the upper floor are mounted on and 26 secured to those immediately below as will be 27 described. Those of the bottom floor are supported by 28 concrete pad foundations ~6 (Fig. 4).
It will be appreciated that, to construct the building 31 10, the site is levelled and the pad foundations 32 constructed as required in a grid. The various modules 33 are then craned into position and locked together. The 34 modules can be wholly or;partially finished in the~
factory béfore ~eing~brought to site.
,~ . ,........ - . , . ~ . . . . :
WOgl/12386 ~ PCT/GB91/00126 2 Fig. 6 shows an enlarged detail of a corner joint, with 3 typical cladding and filling materials. The external 4 wall of each module comprises an external cladding sheet 48 for example of 6 mm Resoplan, a layer 50 of 6 Corovin building paper, 100 mm of rockwool insulation 7 52, and two thicknesses of plasterboard 54 on softwood 8 battens 56. The corner is closed by a column 18 of 9 part-cylindrical form comprising stainless steel sheet ~0 60 with an internal coating 62 of sprayed foam 11 insulation 30 mm thick. Silicon sealant 64 is gunned 12 into the gaps between the cladding 48 and the column 13 18. As best seen in Fig. 3, the columns 18 cover the 14 vertical joins between abutting modules, and are also provided as dummy columns at the midpoints of long 16 module sides. Providing columns at a uniform spacing 17 allows maximum flexibility of module layout, and a good 18 external appearance. I'he columns 18 also provide a 19 convenient means of concealing rain-water pipes, as at 58 in Fig. ~. Cylindrical columns 66 (Fig. 3) are 21 provided within the building to shroud exposed butting 22 corner pillars 38, and again dummies such as 68 may be 23 provided for uniformity of appearance.
It is realised in the invention that these columns may 26 comprise any appropriate cross-section and by no means 27 need to be part-cylindrical. Furthermore, the cladding 28 and filling materials may be varied, as required, and 29 may be designed to neg~te the need for columns altogether.
32 The method of interconnecting the modules is shown in 33 Fig. 7. An apertured base plate 70 is bolted to the 34 foundation pad (not shown). Two short lengths of pipe or the like 72 are wélded to;the upper face of base .: . . . . . . .
. .
WO91/123~6 2 ~ 7 ~1~ 8 PCT/GB91/00126 1 plate 70 to locate corner pillars 33 of adjacent 2 ground-floor modules. Alternatively, the plate may be 3 a casting having suitable projections for locating 4 corner pillars 38. A threaded tensioning rod 74 for 5 each pillar is fastened in the base plate and passes ~ ' 6 through the pillar. A connector plate 76 with upper ~-7 and lower locating pipes 78 is positioned over the 8 pillars 38 and tensioning rods 74, and the asse~bly 9 pulled tight by nuts such as 80. Thereafter further lo tensioning bars 32 may be added via splicing couplers 11 84, the first floor modules lowered into position, and 12 the procedure repeated. In this manner, the modules 13 can be accurately located in all axes and the whole 14 assembly drawn together, with all building loads being transmitted via the corner pillars to the foundation.
17 The base plates 70 may be adapted to fit one column 38, 18 as in the case of the corner of a building, or two 19 adjacent columns as in the case of an external wall of a building, or four adjacent columns at the corner of 21 four interconnecting modules. Similarly, the connector 22 plates 76 may be adapted on one or each side to fit 23 one, two or four columns.
The system of construction thus described has the 26 advantage that individual modules can be removed and 27 replaced, to 2ffect repairs or remodelling, without 28 substantial effect on the safety or stability of'other 29 parts of the building.
31 The modules used in the present invention may 32 conveniently be manufactured'using the apparatus of 33 'Figs.- 8 and 9. ~ ' ' '~
35 Spaced frames 100 mount stub'shafts 102 which carry .
' `, ', ' ' , ' , ' . ', : .: . ',, . . ' "':'.; ' ' ' ,''` , ' - ` ~ ` ."',, ,'~ ' '' '`' ' ~ , , "' . :, . ~
''. ' ,, ~`; ' ` ` . ', , ' .' ' '' ' ` ' ~ `' ' ' .
:, WO9l/12386 PCT/GB91/00126 ~ 8 1 cruciform assemblies 104 one of which can be driven in 2 rotation by a motor (not shown) via gearing 106. Each 3 assembly 10~ provides two fixed legs 108 and two 4 movable legs 110 which can be clamped in position. In use, four corner pillars 38 can be clamped ln the two 6 assemblies 104 and held at a suitable orientation to 7 allow the upper and lower beams 42 and 40 to be welded 8 in place. The work can be rotated so that each weld is Y made at a height convenient to the operator. Rams 112 lo are provided ~or locking the assemblies in position 11 while work takes place. Once the basic skeleton has 12 been fabricated, other members may be welded in 13 position with the module in the apparatus. A pair of 14 parallel bars 114 vertically movable by jacks 116 is provided beneath the working position. This may be a 16 hydraulic jacked trolley or similar apparatus. These 17 are particularly useful if it is desired to weld shee~
18 steel to the skeleton, as sheets can be clamped in 19 position by the jacks 116 while welding is effected.
21 During construction, the open ends of the horizontal 22 and vertical frame members are aligned adjacent to a 23 similar member and may be seal welded. The ends of the 24 frame members which are to remain open are internally sprayed with an anti-rust composition.
27 Flooring may be achieved by a variety of simple ~ -28 methods. For example, as in the case of walls, panels 29 may be fully constructed and then bolted, or otherwise mounted, as a single unit to the frame. Extra 31 horizontal frame members may also be welded on the 32 floor side of-the frame-to increase the strength of the `
33 floor. ~lso panel members may be constructed not only 3~ from steel, but any suitable material including hard - ¦
and soft woods, and composites.
' ~: ' .. .
., . ~ : .: . : .,.;; ,', ~ . ;, 1 The floor panels may then be covered by a concrete skin 2 and/or tiled, carpeted and so on. Where concrete is 3 required for tiling or sound temperature insulation, 4 only a concrete skin of approximately 0.5 to 0.75 inch thickness is necessary, enabling a significant weight 6 and cost reduction.
8 The apparatus of Fig. 8 and 9 is also useful in the 9 production of other items with an external framework of welded beams and columns, such as transport containers 11 to ISO requirements.
13 Modifications and improvements may be incorporated 14 without departing from the scope of the invention.
, . . . .
.
., : ,. . ~ . . . : , .
" . ~
Claims (13)
1. A building comprising a plurality of box-shaped modules juxtaposed horizontally and/or vertically; each module comprising a base frame of peripheral side and end members arranged in a rectangle, a top frame of peripheral side and end members arranged in rectangle, and pillar members interconnecting the corners of the base frame and the top frame the pillar members of vertically juxtaposed modules being in load-bearing connection, and the pillar members of ground-level modules bearing on foundations, whereby the load of the building is carried by the pillar members.
2. A building as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the pillar members are open at top and bottom, and the building includes elongate tension members passing through the pillar members and exerting a downward force on the corners of the modules.
3. A building as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the tension members bear on locating plates provided with projections locating within pillar members of adjacent modules.
4. A building as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims also including non-load-bearing columns arranged at intervals such that vertical joins between modules are masked.
5. A building as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein vertical joins between modules are masked by overcladding.
6. A building as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the modules are prefabricated with floors and ceilings, and some of the modules with external cladding and glazing, before installation.
7. A building module comprising a base frame of peripheral side and end members arranged in a rectangle, a top frame of peripheral side and end members arranged in a rectangle, and pillar members interconnecting the corners of the base frame and the top frame; the pillar members being adapted to carry the weight of the module and being adapted to support loads from superimposed pillar members of another module when positioned vertically above.
8. A building module as claimed in Claim 7, wherein pillar members and frames are of rectangular steel tubing and are welded together to form the module.
9. A building module as claimed in Claim 7 or Claim 8, wherein the pillar members are open at top and bottom for through passage, in use, of tensioning members.
10. An apparatus for use in making building modules and similar structures, the apparatus comprising a pair of spaced-apart frames, each of which is mounted for rotation about a common horizontal axis, each frame being provided with means for clamping a pair of pillar members parallel to each other in a vertical plane, whereby horizontal beams may be welded between pillar members carried by the frames which may be rotated to provide a desired working height.
11. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 also including means for rotatably driving at least one of the frames.
12. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11 also including means to lock the frames in a desired rotational position.
13. An apparatus as claimed in Claims 10-12, also including lifting means to position further material against said beams for fastening to the module.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9002731.9 | 1990-02-07 | ||
| GB909002731A GB9002731D0 (en) | 1990-02-07 | 1990-02-07 | Modular buildings |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2075188A1 true CA2075188A1 (en) | 1991-08-08 |
Family
ID=10670564
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002075188A Abandoned CA2075188A1 (en) | 1990-02-07 | 1991-01-29 | Modular buildings |
Country Status (12)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0514399A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH05505433A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR920703941A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU7149891A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9105998A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2075188A1 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI923539A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB9002731D0 (en) |
| HU (1) | HU9202561D0 (en) |
| IL (1) | IL96645A0 (en) |
| NO (1) | NO923090L (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1991012386A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8276328B2 (en) | 2009-05-14 | 2012-10-02 | Technostructur Inc. | Wall module, housing module and building made of such wall module |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE9316197U1 (en) * | 1993-10-22 | 1994-02-24 | Fleischhauer, Raphael, Langenthal | Residential building |
| AT3662U3 (en) * | 2000-03-13 | 2002-07-25 | Michael Mag Ratz | SYSTEM FOR CONSTRUCTION OF SURFACES OR EXISTING BUILDINGS |
| IES20040709A2 (en) | 2003-10-24 | 2005-06-15 | Patrick Donal O'callaghan | Construction industry pods |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SE390996B (en) * | 1972-02-11 | 1977-01-31 | Ahsen B | FRAME FOR PERMANENT BUILDINGS |
| DE2601850C3 (en) * | 1976-01-20 | 1980-06-12 | Baruch Tel Baruch Baal-Taxa (Israel) | Kit for a building unit with a spatial framework |
| GR73603B (en) * | 1978-12-11 | 1984-03-26 | Wybauw Jacques | |
| DE3128376A1 (en) * | 1981-07-17 | 1983-02-03 | Misawa Homes K.K., Tokyo | Modular building structure |
-
1990
- 1990-02-07 GB GB909002731A patent/GB9002731D0/en active Pending
- 1990-12-12 IL IL96645A patent/IL96645A0/en unknown
-
1991
- 1991-01-29 CA CA002075188A patent/CA2075188A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1991-01-29 EP EP91902876A patent/EP0514399A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1991-01-29 HU HU922561V patent/HU9202561D0/en unknown
- 1991-01-29 BR BR919105998A patent/BR9105998A/en unknown
- 1991-01-29 WO PCT/GB1991/000126 patent/WO1991012386A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1991-01-29 KR KR1019920701895A patent/KR920703941A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1991-01-29 AU AU71498/91A patent/AU7149891A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1991-01-29 JP JP91503154A patent/JPH05505433A/en active Pending
-
1992
- 1992-08-06 NO NO92923090A patent/NO923090L/en unknown
- 1992-08-06 FI FI923539A patent/FI923539A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8276328B2 (en) | 2009-05-14 | 2012-10-02 | Technostructur Inc. | Wall module, housing module and building made of such wall module |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9002731D0 (en) | 1990-04-04 |
| KR920703941A (en) | 1992-12-18 |
| AU7149891A (en) | 1991-09-03 |
| FI923539A0 (en) | 1992-08-06 |
| BR9105998A (en) | 1992-10-20 |
| FI923539A (en) | 1992-08-06 |
| WO1991012386A1 (en) | 1991-08-22 |
| IL96645A0 (en) | 1991-09-16 |
| NO923090L (en) | 1992-09-16 |
| EP0514399A1 (en) | 1992-11-25 |
| HU9202561D0 (en) | 1992-12-28 |
| JPH05505433A (en) | 1993-08-12 |
| NO923090D0 (en) | 1992-08-06 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |