EP0012736B1 - Prefabricated building units for the construction of buildings, and buildings whose carcass contains such assembled units - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the construction of buildings whose structural work is formed by superposition and juxtaposition of prefabricated construction units according to the preamble of the main claim.

It is known to construct buildings using prefabricated elements in the factory. Many such construction systems have already been proposed and used.

Several construction systems based on "heavy prefabrication" are known, in which the prefabricated elements consist mainly of panels, beams or three-dimensional reinforced concrete cells. Transport and handling costs account for a significant part of the total cost of the buildings thus produced. Therefore, heavy prefabrication is applicable and profitable only when the distance from the prefabrication plant to the construction site is not too great. Beyond a certain distance or when the means of communication are poor, the transport costs quickly absorb the improvement due to the prefabrication of the elements.

Several construction systems based on "light prefabrication _{" are also known} . These systems which mainly use prefabricated metal elements often only concern part of the buildings, as is the case in particular for "curtain walls" or the "façade panels".

Certain known techniques however make it possible to construct buildings made entirely, or almost, of light prefabricated elements. In general, these known techniques are however limited to the construction of specific buildings, in particular of low height and mainly on one level.

Construction systems using prefabricated metal elements have been described in DE-A-2437400 and DE-A-1 928917.

DE-A-2437400 describes a construction cell formed by two rectangular plates joined together by four corner pillars. Each tray includes a frame formed by four U-shaped profiles, in which is fixed a sheet folded along a trapezoidal profile which serves to support a floor plate. A second plate forms the underside of the tray. We can notice that these cells are designed for the realization of small constructions on one level, nothing is planned to superimpose several cells. Given the structure of the cells, it is also necessary to provide a triangulation (bracing) to stiffen the entire frame, even for small constructions at one level.

DE-A-1 928 917 describes a transportable house formed by two metal cells assembled by means of connecting pieces. The frame of a cell according to this patent application consists of a series of different box profiles whose shape is adapted to the place and the function of this profile in the cell. The profiles forming the three exterior faces of the cell have bearing surfaces directed towards the interior of the cell, in order to receive the vertical and horizontal panels. The profiles constituting the junction face of one cell with another are further provided with a bearing surface directed towards the outside of the cell and intended to receive junction pieces making the connection with the corresponding profiles of the adjacent cell. Fixing pieces or "corner-fittings" are used for the connection of the uprights with the horizontal profiles and a certain number of intermediate profiles, horizontal and vertical, reinforce the structure of the frame. The disadvantage of such a type of construction is that a large number of separate elements, namely a quantity of different profiles to which are added connecting pieces, must be used for the realization of a building of small dimensions and at one level. The diversity of profiles makes manufacturing expensive and complicated and the cell produced is not symmetrical. In addition, the upper frame of these cells is of very light structure and specially designed to receive only one roof, which clearly shows that there are no plans to superimpose such cells.

An object of the present invention is to produce a construction unit by means of a minimum of standardized elements, the basic structure of a unit consisting only of large metal plates, the rigidity of which makes it possible, by means of juxtaposed and superimposed construction units, assembled directly together, of buildings adopting the most diverse forms, and in particular being able to comprise a certain number of units fixed in cantilever and / or in bridge. The present invention aims in particular to obtain said rigidity of the construction units and of the building produced by means of these without having to call upon any additional bracing element or any other reinforcement element foreign to the units themselves. same.

Another object of the present invention is to rapidly and economically produce multi-storey buildings, using a light prefabrication technique which, while using standardized prefabricated construction elements, nevertheless allows great flexibility in the architectural design of buildings that 'it makes it possible to build, which can thus be suitable for multiple uses.

Another object of the invention is to produce buildings by assembling lightly diversified light prefabricated elements on site, easy to mass produce, easy to store and transport and easy to assemble and disassemble. seem like a low-skilled workforce.

Another object of the invention is to produce buildings whose construction of the parts above the ground level, can do without any masonry work, the prefabricated elements used can be assembled by simple bolting.

Another object of the invention is to produce buildings with several floors which, once constructed, can easily be enlarged or transformed for a new use or for their adaptation to new needs or requirements of the occupants, these buildings can even be entirely dismantled and reassembled in another place.

Another object of the invention is to produce buildings which, thanks to their extreme flexibility of architectural expression and to a simple and effective system for bringing them to temperature, are suitable for being built in any region and in all climates and which, in addition, are perfectly integrated into any existing urban site, thanks to their perfect adaptability to the layout of existing roads, streets and squares, due to the diversity of their shape and the number of their floors.

Another object of the invention is to integrate very easily under the buildings, in a technical vacuum resulting from the system itself, all the horizontal urban infrastructure pipes which are usually buried in the ground of the roads which serve the buildings.

The subject of the present invention is a system for the construction of the main structure of buildings by the assembly on site of prefabricated construction units which are not very diverse.

• - un cadre inférieur formé de larges plats métalliques disposés suivant les faces latérales dudit prisme de manière telle que le bord inférieur de ce cadre inférieur figure les côtés de la base inférieure dudit prisme,
• - un cadre supérieur formé de larges plats métalliques disposés suivant les faces latérales dudit prisme de manière telle que le bord supérieur de ce cadre supérieur figure les côtés de la base supérieure dudit prisme,
• - des montants ayant une section en forme de V raccordant entre eux ledit cadre inférieur et ledit cadre supérieur, chaque montant étant disposé de sorte que son arête forme une arête verticale dudit prisme et que ses ailes, formées de larges plats, soient disposées suivant les faces latérales dudit prisme,
• - une paroi horizontale supérieure consistant en une tôle raccordée au bord supérieur dudit cadre supérieur en figurant ainsi la base supérieure dudit prisme, ladite plaque étant autoporteuse de sorte que le cadre supérieur et la paroi supérieure forment ensemble un caisson vide, ouvert vers le bas,
• - une paroi horizontale inférieure consistant en une tôle raccordée au bord supérieur dudit cadre inférieur ou à proximité de celui-ci, ladite plaque étant autoporteuse de sorte que le cadre inférieur et la paroi inférieure forment ensemble un caisson vide, ouvert vers le bas.

Each construction unit, according to the present invention and in accordance with the characterizing part of claim 1, consists of a metal structure roughly affecting the shape of a straight prism and comprises:

• a lower frame formed by large metal dishes arranged along the lateral faces of said prism so that the lower edge of this lower frame represents the sides of the lower base of said prism,
• an upper frame formed by large metal dishes arranged along the lateral faces of said prism so that the upper edge of this upper frame represents the sides of the upper base of said prism,
• - uprights having a V-shaped section connecting between them said lower frame and said upper frame, each upright being arranged so that its edge forms a vertical edge of said prism and that its wings, formed by wide flats, are arranged according to the lateral faces of said prism,
• an upper horizontal wall consisting of a sheet connected to the upper edge of said upper frame, thus representing the upper base of said prism, said plate being self-supporting so that the upper frame and the upper wall together form an empty box, open downwards,
• - A lower horizontal wall consisting of a sheet connected to the upper edge of said lower frame or close to it, said plate being self-supporting so that the lower frame and the lower wall together form an empty box, open downwards.

An important characteristic of the construction unit according to the invention is that the lateral faces of the lower frame and of the upper frame, as well as the wings of the uprights, are made up of large metal plates. The term “large flat is defined by French standard NF-A 46-010. This standard specifies in particular that the width of a "wide dish must be between 200 and 1000 mm. The use of wide plates for the production of the upper and lower frames and the uprights gives the construction unit according to the invention an excellent rigidity and ensures the stability of all the buildings constructed by means of these units.

The lower and upper parts of the lower and upper frames, as well as the vertical edges of the wings of the uprights, can advantageously be provided with flanges at right angles directed towards the interior of the construction unit.

According to one embodiment, the lower horizontal wall is connected to the lower frame at a level which is offset downward relative to the upper edge of this frame, so that the upper part of the lower frame forms along the edges of the wall. lower a small ledge directed upwards.

According to another embodiment, the lower horizontal wall is connected to the upper edge of the lower frame and is provided on its upper face with a small rim which follows the periphery of this lower wall.

It is advantageous that the lower frame is provided with one or more openings made below the level of the lower horizontal wall so as to allow the passage of pipes and / or cables.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the lower horizontal wall and / or the upper horizontal wall (construction units comprising such walls) have openings close to the vertical edges of the construction unit.

The lower horizontal wall and / or the upper horizontal wall of a construction unit may comprise one or more openings of a size allowing the passage of a man, these openings being able to be closed by removable attached panels.

As will become apparent from the following description, other construction units are specially designed to allow passage (by an elevator or a staircase) between superimposed construction units.

The rigidity of the lower and upper walls is preferably reinforced by means of stiffeners consisting of ribs fixed, by means known per se, against a face of its walls. The stiffeners of a lower wall are fixed against the lower face thereof; the stiffeners of an upper wall can be fixed against the lower or upper face of this one.

The lower and upper frames and the uprights of the construction units can also be reinforced by means of similar stiffeners. In this case, these stiffeners are fixed against the faces directed towards the inside of the construction unit, so that no part of the construction unit projects beyond the faces of the prism represented by this construction unit. .

According to an advantageous embodiment, the construction unit takes the form of a straight prism having a standard height, common to all the construction units used for the construction of the same building; in addition, and according to a particular embodiment, at least two sides of the base of said prism have a length which is equal to a reference length common to all the construction units used, or to a multiple of this reference length .

Construction units can be entirely factory built and transported as such to construction sites.

• 1. une partie inférieure choisie parmi lesdits cadres inférieurs et lesdits cadres inférieurs munis d'une paroi inférieure,
• 2. une partie supérieure choisie parmi lesdits cadres supérieurs et lesdits cadres supérieurs munis d'une paroi supérieure,
• 3. les montants de l'unité de construction.

According to another embodiment, the construction unit is however produced by assembling, by means known per se (for example by bolting or welding), elements prefabricated in the factory and comprising:

• 1. a lower part chosen from said lower frames and said lower frames provided with a lower wall,
• 2. an upper part chosen from said upper frames and said upper frames provided with an upper wall,
• 3. the uprights of the construction unit.

• 1. une partie inférieure réalisée elle-même par l'assemblage côte à côte, sur chantier, de deux parties rectangulaires identiques comportant chacune un cadre inférieur et une paroi inférieure,
• 2. une partie supérieure réalisée elle-même par l'assemblage côte à côte, sur chantier, de deux parties rectangulaires identiques comportant chacune un cadre supérieur et une paroi supérieurs,
• 3. quatre montants.

According to a particular embodiment, a construction unit takes the form of a straight prism with a rectangular base, and is produced by assembling on site, by means known per se, elements prefabricated in the factory comprising:

• 1. a lower part produced itself by the assembly side by side, on site, of two identical rectangular parts each comprising a lower frame and a lower wall,
• 2. an upper part produced itself by the assembly side by side, on site, of two identical rectangular parts each comprising an upper frame and an upper wall,
• 3. four uprights.

For the simplicity of the description, the construction units according to the invention will be called “units in the remainder of this description.

The invention also relates to a building whose structural work is formed, at least in part, by bolting of superimposed and / or juxtaposed units.

According to a particular embodiment, the building comprises one or more units which are not supported by their underside and which are fixed only by one or more of their lateral faces against one or more lateral faces of juxtaposed units.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the building according to the invention comprises a stack or several stacks spaced from one another, each formed of units resting on each other, each level of each stack being made up of a unit or two or more units juxtaposed and assembled together, spacers providing a spacing between the upper edge of the upper frame of each unit of each stack and the lower edge of the lower frame of the unit which is superposed thereon , units which are not supported by their lower faces being fixed by one or more of their lateral faces against one or more of the free lateral faces of the units which form said stacks resting on horizontal supports.

According to a particular embodiment, said spacers are part of the construction units themselves and are constituted by the ends of the uprights of the units, these uprights extending beyond the lower edge of the lower frame and / or at beyond the upper edge of the upper frame.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the building according to the invention, the units, or at least some of them, are equipped with vertical ducts installed in the corners of the units and over the entire height thereof, said horizontal walls lower and / or upper comprising openings at the places where said corner sheaths terminate on such horizontal walls, the corner sheaths of a unit being connected, by means of appropriately shaped sleeves, with the corresponding corner sheaths units located above and / or below, the corner sheaths interconnected thus forming continuous vertical sheaths.

Said continuous vertical sheaths, or some of them, can be used as technical sheaths containing pipes and / or cables.

Said continuous vertical ducts, or some of them, can also be used as flues for domestic households.

Said continuous vertical ducts, or some of them, can also be used to convey air for ventilation or air conditioning of the premises.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the building according to the invention, said continuous vertical sheaths, or some of them, are part of a thermal conditioning installation by radiation which is capable of ensuring a suitable temperature inside the building, by creating an air circulation at a suitable temperature, in closed circuit, in said continuous vertical ducts and in the empty spaces which separate the walls of units or group of units, said empty spaces being completely isolated, by means partitions, the interior of the units and also of the outside atmosphere; openings in the continuous vertical ducts put them in communication, at the various levels of the building, with said empty spaces; continuous vertical ducts which open at the upper level of the building are connected to one or more outgoing ducts; several air return vents, in communication with the empty spaces between the units are installed on the upper level of the building, all these vents are connected to one or more inlet ducts; a fan, connected between the inlet and outlet ducts, provides air circulation in a closed circuit, the air being injected into the continuous vertical ducts, circulating in the empty spaces between the units and emerging from these spaces empty by said air intake vents; the heat exchanger of a calorifer or a refrigerating machine is inserted in the circuit, upstream or downstream of said fan.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the lower level of the building according to the invention comprises one or more technical galleries in which the cables and conduits which serve the building are installed and to which rising and descending columns which serve the various levels of the building, each technical gallery consisting of a series of units arranged one after the other and resting directly on the foundations.

• la Figure 1 est une vue en éclaté d'une unité conforme à l'invention ;
• la Figure 2 montre une unité à base rectangulaire, représentée en perspective cavalière, vue obliquement par au-dessous ;
• la Figure 3 montre de manière analogue une unité à base rectangulaire conçue pour la réalisation de galeries techniques en sous-sol ;
• la Figure 4 montre une unité dont les parois supérieure et inférieure sont pourvues de découpures semi-circulaires ; cette unité est représentée en perspective cavalière, vue en oblique par au-dessous ;
• la Figure 5 montre de manière analogue une unité équipée d'une volée d'escalier et de paliers ;
• la Figure 6 montre de manière analogue une unité à base triangulaire comportant des parois horizontales supérieure et inférieure ;
• la Figure 7 montre schématiquement diverses formes d'unités suivant l'invention, représentées en plan, à petite échelle ;
• la Figure 8 est une vue en éclaté montrant des pièces préfabriquées dont l'assemblage par boulonnage permet la réalisation d'une unité analogue à celle montrée à la Fig. 2 ;
• la Figure 9 illustre une manière avantageuse d'empiler les pièces constitutives de l'unité montrée à la Fig. 8, en vue de leur stockage et de leur transport ;
• la Figure 10 est une autre vue en éclaté montrant d'autres pièces préfabriquées dont l'assemblage par boulonnage permet la réalisation d'une unité analogue à celle montrée à la Fig. 2 ;
• la Figure 11 est une vue en éclaté montrant les pièces préfabriquées (analogues à celles utilisées pour former l'unité illustrée à la Fig. 8) dont l'assemblage par boulonnage permet la réalisation d'une grande unité à base carrée ;
• la Figure 12 est une vue de détail, à plus grande échelle (avec arrachements), montrant le système d'assemblage des unités, au point de rencontre de quatre unités (du type illustré à la Fig. 8) superposées, par l'intermédiaire de pièces d'espacement, à quatre autres unités du même type;
• la Figure 13 est une vue en éclaté (analogue à celles des Fig. 8 et 10) montrant d'autres pièces préfabriquées dont l'assemblage permet la réalisation d'une unité analogue à celle montrée à la Fig. 2 ;
• la Figure 14 montre cette unité après assemblage de ses éléments constitutifs ; cette unité est représentée en perspective cavalière vue en oblique par au-dessous ;
• la Figure 15 montre les cinq types d'éléments structuraux utilisés pour réaliser des unités comme celle montrée à la Fig. 14 ;
• la Figure 16 illustre une manière avantageuse d'empiler les pièces constitutives de l'unité montrée à la Fig. 1, en vue de leur stockage et de leur transport ;
• la Figure 17 est une vue en éclaté montrant les pièces préfabriquées (analogues à celles utilisées pour former l'unité illustrée à la Fig. 14) dont l'assemblage par boulonnage permet la réalisation d'une grande unité à base rectangulaire ;
• la Figure 18 est une vue de détail, à plus grande échelle (avec arrachements), montrant le système d'assemblage des unités, au point de rencontre de deux unités (du type illustré à la Fig_; 14) superposées à deux autres unités du même type.
• la Figure 19 est une vue en perspective cavalière (partiellement en éclaté) montrant le gros oeuvre d'un bâtiment réalisé suivant l'invention ;
• les Figures 20 à 24 sont des vues schématiques en perspective cavalière (à plus petite échelle), illustrant quelques-unes des nombreuses possibilités d'assemblage d'unités pour la réalisation de bâtiments ;
• les Figures 25 à 27 sont des vues schématiques en plan de quelques types de bâtiments réalisables au moyen des unités suivant l'invention.
• les Figures 28 et 29 illustrent, de manière schématique, la circulation de l'air d'une installation de conditionnement thermique suivant l'invention. La Fig. 28 est une coupe suivant un plan vertical perpendiculaire à une façade du bâtiment. La Fig. 29 est une coupe d'une partie du bâtiment suivant le plan XXX-XXX de la Fig. 28.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description, given below by way of examples, of some particular embodiments of the invention, references being made to the appended drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 is an exploded view of a unit according to the invention;
• Figure 2 shows a unit with a rectangular base, shown in perspective view, viewed obliquely from below;
• Figure 3 similarly shows a rectangular base unit designed for the realization of technical galleries in the basement;
• Figure 4 shows a unit whose upper and lower walls are provided with semicircular cutouts; this unit is shown in perspective, viewed obliquely from below;
• Figure 5 similarly shows a unit equipped with a flight of stairs and landings;
• Figure 6 similarly shows a triangular base unit having upper and lower horizontal walls;
• Figure 7 schematically shows various forms of units according to the invention, shown in plan, on a small scale;
• FIG. 8 is an exploded view showing prefabricated parts whose assembly by bolting allows the production of a unit similar to that shown in FIG. 2;
• FIG. 9 illustrates an advantageous way of stacking the constituent parts of the unit shown in FIG. 8, for their storage and transport;
• Figure 10 is another exploded view showing other prefabricated parts whose assembly by bolting allows the production of a unit similar to that shown in FIG. 2;
• Figure 11 is an exploded view showing the prefabricated parts (similar to those used to form the unit illustrated in Fig. 8) whose assembly by bolting allows the production of a large unit with a square base;
• Figure 12 is a detail view, on a larger scale (with cutaway), showing the unit assembly system, at the meeting point of four superimposed units (of the type illustrated in Fig. 8), via spacers, to four other units of the same type;
• Figure 13 is an exploded view (similar to those of Figures 8 and 10) showing other prefabricated parts whose assembly allows the production of a unit similar to that shown in Figure. 2;
• Figure 14 shows this unit after assembly of its constituent elements; this unit is shown in perspective perspective seen obliquely from below;
• Figure 15 shows the five types of structural elements used to make units like the one shown in Fig. 14;
• FIG. 16 illustrates an advantageous way of stacking the constituent parts of the unit shown in FIG. 1, for their storage and transport;
• Figure 17 is an exploded view showing the prefabricated parts (similar to those used to form the unit illustrated in Fig. 14) whose assembly by bolting allows the production of a large unit with rectangular base;
• Figure 18 is a detail view, on a larger scale (with cutaway), showing the unit assembly system, at the meeting point of two units (of the type illustrated in Fig _; 14) superimposed on two other units of the same type.
• Figure 19 is a perspective view (partially exploded) showing the shell of a building made according to the invention;
• Figures 20 to 24 are schematic views in perspective (on a smaller scale), illustrating some of the many possibilities of assembling units for the realization of buildings;
• Figures 25 to 27 are schematic plan views of some types of buildings achievable by means of the units according to the invention.
• Figures 28 and 29 illustrate, schematically, the air circulation of a thermal conditioning installation according to the invention. Fig. 28 is a section along a vertical plane perpendicular to a facade of the building. Fig. 29 is a section through part of the building along plan XXX-XXX of the Fig. 28.

In all of these figures, identical or analogous elements are designated by the same reference numbers or letters.

The units shown in Figures 1 to 6 and 8 to 18 are made of metal and preferably steel. Other metals could also be used, but are generally less advantageous from the point of view of their price or from the point of view of their mechanical strength.

Fig. 1 is an exploded view showing the main constituent parts of a unit with a rectangular base, according to the invention. This unit includes: a lower frame 1, an upper frame 2 and four uprights 3.

A unit may also have an upper horizontal wall 4 and / or a lower horizontal wall 5. As will appear below, most of the units used in the construction of buildings have both an upper horizontal wall and a horizontal wall lower.

Advantageously, each upper horizontal wall has one or more openings 6 allowing the passage of a man and being able to be closed by removable attached panels.

The various constituent parts of a unit are made of metal and preferably of steel. Other metals are also suitable, but are generally less advantageous from the point of view of their price or their mechanical strength.

The union of the constituent parts listed above forms a unit as shown in FIG. 2.

Each lower frame 1 or upper frame 2 can, for example, be produced by the assembly by welding of four strips of wide plates. Each frame can however also be produced, with a single weld by means of a single large plate folded appropriately into a rectangular frame.

Each upright 3 has a V-shaped section and can be produced by right angle welding of two large plates or by right angle folding of a single large plate of double width.

The upper wall 4 consists of a sheet assembled, for example by welding, at the upper edge of the upper frame 2.

The lower wall 5 consists of a sheet assembled, for example by welding, to the lower frame 1 near the upper edge thereof. However, according to a particular embodiment, the lower wall 5 is not disposed flush with the upper edge of the lower frame 1, but is offset slightly downwards, so that the upper part of the lower frame forms above from the bottom wall 5 a small rim, for example with a height of the order of 10 mm. The advantages of this special provision will be explained below.

Fig. 1 still shows some execution details (reference numbers 10, 11, 15, 16 and 19) which will be commented upon with reference to FIG. 2 which represents a unit produced by the assembly of the constituent parts (reference numbers 1 to 6) listed above.

In certain units according to the invention, the openings of two opposite lateral faces are closed by means of reinforcement panels 7 made of large steel sheets provided with stiffeners 8. FIG. 1 shows such panels 7 intended to close the openings of the two large lateral faces of a rectangular unit. These panels 7 are securely fixed, for example by welding or bolting, to the uprights 3 and to the lower 1 and upper 2 frames, without protruding outwards beyond the side faces of the unit. Such panels 7 are mainly provided to reinforce certain units devoid of lower and upper horizontal walls, thereby giving more stiffness to these structures.

It is important to note that the reinforcement panels envisaged here, should not be confused with the light partitions which will be discussed below and which do not substantially reinforce the solidity of the units and buildings constructed by means of these.

Unit A shown in Fig. 2 affects the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. This figure shows the various constituent parts 1 to 6 shown in FIG. 1. This figure also shows that the lower frame 1 is provided at its lower part with a rim 9, that the upper frame 2 is provided at its lower part with a rim 10 and that the vertical edges of the wings of the uprights 3 are provided with flanges 11. All these flanges are flanges at right angles to the interior of the unit.

The long side of the base of said parallelepiped has a length equal to twice the length of the short side of this base. This particular embodiment offers numerous advantages for assembling construction units together, in particular when it is desired to juxtapose units A by fixing two units A by one of their small lateral faces against one of the large lateral faces d 'a third unit A.

The lower 1 and upper 2 frames, the uprights 3 and the upper 4 and lower 5 walls are reinforced by means of stiffeners designated by the reference numerals 12 to 16; these stiffeners may consist of metal ribs welded against the sheets or large plates which they reinforce; these stiffeners can also consist of metal profiles (for example L, U or C) bolted against these sheets or large plates.

In the upper wall 4, a manhole 6 is formed, delimited by stiffeners 13 and capable of being closed by a removable attached panel. Optionally, a second manhole 6 (arranged, for example, symmetrically with the first, with respect to the stiffener 14) can be formed in the upper wall 4.

Holes 17, allowing in particular the passage of pipes or cables, are provided in the lower frame 1 below the level of the lower wall 5.

In the example of execution shown in FIG. 2 each short side of the inner frame 1 is provided with a single hole 17 placed midway between the vertical edges of said frame, each long side of the frame 1 is provided with two holes 17.

The lower 1 and upper 2 frames are provided with holes 18 which make it possible to assemble, by bolting, juxtaposed units. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, each small face of the unit A is thus provided with four series of nine holes 18, located near the vertical edges of the construction unit. Each large side face of unit A is provided with eight series of nine holes 18.

It will be noted that the arrangement of the holes 17 and 18 is such that, when two units A are placed, with one of their small lateral faces against a large lateral face of a third unit A (each small lateral face covering half of a large lateral face), the holes 17 and 18 of the contacting faces coincide.

According to an alternative embodiment (not shown in Fig. 2), the wings of the uprights 3 are also provided with bolt holes.

Openings 19 of triangular shape are formed in the upper 4 and lower 5 walls near each of the four vertical edges of the unit A. Along each vertical edge of the unit A, a sheath can thus be installed. vertical corner opening on said openings 19 (See Fig. 29 and 30).

Advantageously, such a corner sheath is formed by mounting, parallel to a vertical edge of the unit A, a rectangular wall (not shown in the drawings) fixed by its vertical edges to the edges 11 of an upright 3. This wall rectangular, which occupies the entire height between the floor and the ceiling, thus forms with the upright 3 and part of the upper frame 2, a corner sheath of triangular section. It is generally advantageous to install such corner sheaths at the four corners of each unit A. However, when in certain places these sheaths are not desired, the openings 19 are closed by means of removable attached panels.

Unit C shown in Fig. 3 is designed to be deposited directly on a foundation or foundation footing, in reinforced concrete for example, to which it can be secured by means known per se. Unit C is similar to unit A 'shown in Fig. 2, but in the lower wall 5 are provided two manholes 6 which give access to the space between the lower wall 5 and the foundations. These manholes 6 are delimited by stiffeners 13 and can be closed by removable removable panels. In addition, the openings of the two small side faces of the unit C are closed, over most of their height, by panels 20 made of large sheets reinforced by stiffeners 21.

The use of units C and the purpose of the panels 20 will be explained below, with reference to Figs. 20 and 22.

According to an alternative embodiment, the two small side faces of the unit C are completely closed by panels. According to another embodiment, the two small side faces of the unit C are open and panels close off the two large side faces (entirely or up to a certain height).

Fig. 4 shows a unit D which is designed to allow the installation of a spiral staircase for the passage between superimposed units. Unit D is comparable to unit A, but the upper 4 and lower 5 walls are each provided with a semi-circular cutout.

The semi-circular cutout of the lower wall 5 is located on the side of one of the large lateral faces and its center is located midway between the vertical edges of this large face. The lower frame 1 is interrupted at the location of this opening. A large flat 22 curved in a semicircle follows the edge of the wall 5 at the location of the cut. This wide plate 22 is connected (for example by welding) to the edge of the wall 5 and also to the lower frame 1 at the places where it is interrupted. On either side of the semi-circular cutout, the lower frame 1 is provided with a series of bolt holes 23. The rigidity of the unit D is reinforced in the area of said cutout by means of a large reinforcing sheet 24 which itself has a semi-circular cutout. The sheet 24 disposed horizontally under the wall 5 is connected (for example by welding) to the lower edge of the lower frame 1 and of the wide flat 22. The reinforcing sheet 24 is also connected to the lower wall 5 by means of sheet metal parts 25 arranged vertically and fixed by means known per se to the wall 5 and to the edges of the sheet 24 located under this wall 5. Several of these sheet metal parts 25 can be fixed in place by welding, but at least one part 25 must be detachably fixed (for example by bolting) so as to allow access to the bolt holes 23, on the inside of the lower frame 1.

The semi-circular cutout of the upper wall. 4 is located vertical to that of the bottom wall 5. Around this cutout of the wall 4, there are the same elements 22 to 25 arranged and assembled in a similar manner.

When two D units are assembled side by side, suitably, the semi-circular cutouts complement each other to form circular openings allowing the installation of a spiral staircase for the passage between superimposed D units.

For the lower and upper levels of a spiral staircase, units comparable to the D, _W aiir unit are provided, of which only the upper wall or the lower wall is provided with a semi _- circular cutout. The lower or upper part of the unit is then like in unit A.

Like units A, units C and D can be fitted with corner ducts.

Fig. 5 shows a unit B designed mainly to receive a device intended for the vertical movement of people or things between the various floors of a building. In the example shown in FIG. 5. a staircase is installed in unit B. A stack of units B then forms a stairwell, but it should be understood that a stack of units B can also be used as an elevator shaft or freight elevator.

Like unit A, unit B has a lower frame 1, an upper frame 2 and four uprights 3, but it does not have lower and upper walls.

Over its entire inner periphery, the lower frame 1 is provided with a stiffener 26 located near its upper edge. This stiffener 26 is located at the level where the bottom wall 5 is located in a unit A.

The upper frame is provided at its upper part with a right-angle rim 27 directed towards the inside of the frame 2.

The two large lateral faces of the unit B are closed by means of reinforcement panels 7 made of large steel sheets provided with stiffeners 8. These panels 7 are fixed securely, for example by welding or by bolting, to the edges of the uprights 3 and lower 1 and upper 2 frames and thus contribute to the rigidity of the unit B. In FIG. 5, one of the two panels 7 is shown with partial cutaway.

Units comparable to unit B are also provided, but provided either with a lower wall (identical to wall 5 of unit A) or with an upper wall (identical to wall 4 of the unit A). Such units are used for the lower or upper levels of a stairwell or an elevator or hoist shaft.

When a stack of units B is used as a staircase, prefabricated bearings 28 are installed there, for example by bolting or welding. Between the landings 28 are fixed prefabricated flights of stairs 29 (two per floor). The small side face of the unit B which is located on the side of a mid-level landing is closed by means of an attached panel (not shown).

The unit J shown in Figure 6 assumes the shape of a right prism whose base is an equilateral triangle. The structure of a J unit is similar to that of an A unit.

A unit J comprises a lower frame 30, an upper frame 31, three uprights 32, an upper wall 33 and a lower wall 34; the uprights 32 have a V-shaped section whose wings form an angle of 60 ° between them. The lower frame 30 is provided at its lower part with a rim 9, the upper frame 31 is provided at its lower part with a rim 10 and the vertical edges of the wings of the uprights 32 are provided with rims 11. All these rims are right-angled ledges directed towards the interior of the unit J. The lower 30 and upper 31 frames, the uprights 32 and the upper 33 and lower 34 walls are reinforced by stiffeners designated by the reference numerals 15, 16 , 35, 36 and 37. In the upper wall 33 is provided a manhole 38 delimited by the circular stiffener 37, each side face of the unit J is identical to a large side face of a unit A and is provided with two holes 17, allowing the passage of pipes or cables, and eight series of bolt holes 18.

Figs. 1 to 6 illustrate only some of the units according to the invention shown by way of nonlimiting examples.

Fig. 7 schematically shows various forms of units according to the invention, shown in plan, on a small scale. Most of these units shown in Fig. 7 are not shown or described in detail, but their structure is similar to that of the units described above.

All the units shown in Fig. 7 affect the shape of a straight prism and, in accordance with an advantageous embodiment of the invention, all these prisms have an identical height; in addition, at least two sides of the base of said prisms have a length which is equal to a reference length common to all the units, or to a multiple of this reference length. The height of each prism is, for example, 3.075 mm and said "reference length is 2.250 mm. Of course, these dimensions are given by way of example.

All these units comprise a lower frame, an upper frame and uprights connecting together said lower and upper frames. The shape of said frames obviously corresponds to the shape of the base of the prism; the uprights always have a V or L-shaped section and each upright is arranged so that its edge forms a vertical edge of the prism and that its wings are oriented along the lateral faces of the prism. Some units also have lower and upper walls; in Fig. 7 such units are shown hatched.

Units A, B, C, D, and E all have a rectangular base, the short side of this base has a length equal to the "reference length", the length of the long side of the base is double of said "reference length _" . The units A, B, C, D have been described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 5.

Unit E is similar to unit A, but it has in its upper and lower walls a circular opening allowing the installation of a spiral staircase for the passage between superimposed construction units.

The units F, G and H are respectively analogous to the units A, B and E, but they have a square base whose sides have a length equal to the "reference length".

The units J, K, L and M all have a base in the shape of an equilateral triangle, the sides of which have a length equal to twice the "reference length".

Unit J has been described above with reference to FIG. 6.

The K unit is quite similar to the J unit, but it has neither an upper wall nor a lower wall. Its lower frame 30 is provided, over its entire inner periphery, with a stiffener 26 located near its upper edge. Its upper frame 31 is provided at its upper part with a right-angle rim 27 directed towards the inside of the frame 31.

The L unit is designed to be placed directly on a foundation or foundation sole; unit L is very similar to unit J, but in its lower wall are formed one or more manholes which give access to the space between the lower wall 5 and the foundations.

The unit M is also similar to the unit J, but in its upper and lower walls are formed circular openings allowing the installation of a spiral staircase for the passage between superimposed construction units.

The units N and P also have a base in the shape of an equilateral triangle; however, the sides of this base have a length equal to the "reference length". For the rest, the units N and P are respectively analogous to the units J and M.

The Q and R units have an isosceles trapezoid base, three sides of which have a length equal to the "reference length and the fourth side of which has a length equal to twice this" reference length ". For the rest, the units Q and R are similar to the units J and M, that is to say that the unit Q has upper and lower walls and the unit R has upper and lower walls in which are housed. circular openings for the installation of a spiral staircase.

The units S and T have a base in the shape of a right triangle whose shortest side has a length equal to the "reference length and whose hypotenuse has a length equal to twice this" reference length ". For the rest, the S and T units are analogous to the J unit.

U and W units are similar to S and T units, but their upper and lower walls have a semi-circular cutout. These semi-circular cutouts are located on the side of the larger of the two side faces forming between them a right angle.

The structure of units U and W is comparable to that of unit D and can be easily understood by referring to FIG. 4. It will be understood that the assembly of a unit U and a unit W suitably juxtaposed forms a structure comparable to a unit M.

The Y and Z units have an isosceles triangle base. For the rest, these units have a structure similar to unit J. Unit Y has a base in the shape of an isosceles triangle, the two equal sides of which have a length equal to twice the "reference length". The third side of the triangle has a length which can be chosen according to the needs of the construction. According to a particular embodiment, this third side has a length equal to the "reference length ·.

The unit Z has an isosceles triangle-shaped base, the two equal sides of which have a length equal to the "reference length". The third side can be chosen as required.

The series of units shown in FIG. 7 is not exhaustive. Other forms of units can be easily imagined. The units can be assembled together in very many combinations, which makes it possible to compose the most diverse buildings.

There is no need to have all the units shown in Fig. 7 to construct a building. The only units A, B and C are already sufficient to realize many types of buildings.

For the prefabrication of the units, the same parts are used in the manufacture of several different units. This is how all the amounts of units A to H are identical. The same is true for all units J to P.

According to a preferred embodiment, the units are produced by assembling, by known means, elements prefabricated in the factory.

By way of example, FIG. 8 shows the prefabricated elements whose assembly by bolting allows the production of a unit A similar to that shown in FIG. 2.

• - une partie inférieure comprenant un cadre 1 et une paroi 5,
• - une partie supérieure comprenant un cadre 2 et une paroi 4.
• - quatre montants 3,
• - huit cornières 39 permettant d'assembler les montants 3 aux parties inférieure et supérieure : ces cornières 39 se placent du côté intérieur des cadres et des montants.

Said prefabricated elements include:

• a lower part comprising a frame 1 and a wall 5,
• - an upper part comprising a frame 2 and a wall 4.
• - four uprights 3,
• - Eight angles 39 for assembling the uprights 3 to the lower and upper parts: these angles 39 are placed on the inner side of the frames and uprights.

To allow assembly by bolting, the uprights 3 are provided at each end and on each wing, with a series of nine bolt holes 18 and the angles 39 are provided with thirty-six bolt holes.

In each series of nine holes 18 located near the corners of frames 1 and 2, and each series of nine holes 18 of the uprights 3, only one hole 18 (for example the central hole in each series) is countersunk on the outside of the unit A.

During assembly on site, the elements of unit A are first assembled using a countersunk bolt for each countersunk hole. In this way, no bolt head projects beyond the lateral faces of the unit A. The assembly thus produced is strong enough for the unit to be lifted by a crane and put in the place it should. occupy in a building under construction.

When several units are juxtaposed on the same floor of the building, the bolt holes 18 remaining free are then used to bolt the juxtaposed units together (see Fig. 12).

Fig. 9 illustrates a very advantageous way of stacking the constituent parts of a unit A as shown in FIG. 8, with a view to their storage and transportation. The lower part of the unit A is inverted so as to form a flat metal container in which the four uprights 3 and the eight angles 39 are placed; one can also put in said tank a box of bolts and nuts and other accessories necessary for the construction of the building; the upper part of the unit A is deposited on the lower part, in the manner of a cover, thus forming a container which can be easily stored or transported. For road transport, three or four of these containers can be stacked on a truck.

All the construction units according to the invention can be produced by assembling prefabricated elements in the factory, in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 8, and for most of these units, the component parts can be stacked in a similar manner to that shown in FIG. 9.

Fig. 10 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a unit A by assembling prefabricated elements in the factory.

• - deux grands cadres verticaux 40 formant les grandes faces latérales de l'unité,
• - deux petits cadres verticaux 41 formant les petites faces latérales de l'unité,
• - quatre cornières 42,
• - une paroi supérieure 4 et une paroi inférieure 5.

In this case, said prefabricated elements comprising the prism include:

• two large vertical frames 40 forming the large lateral faces of the unit,
• two small vertical frames 41 forming the small side faces of the unit,
• - four angles 42,
• - an upper wall 4 and a lower wall 5.

To allow their assembly by bolting, the vertical frames 40 and 41 and the angles 42 are provided with bolt holes 18 and provided at their upper part with a flange 27 which allows the fixing by bolting of the upper wall 4. The lower wall 5 is bolted to horizontal stiffeners 43 carried by the lower part of the vertical frames 40 and 41. These stiffeners 43 are slightly offset downward relative to the upper edge of the lower part of the frames 40 and 41.

According to an alternative embodiment, the stiffeners 43 are located flush with the upper edge of the lower part of the frames 40 and 41 (therefore forming ledges at right angles). In this case, the wall 5 is provided with small right-angled edges directed upwards. These small flanges consist, for example, of small metal ribs welded or screwed along the edges of the wall 5. When the unit is assembled and the wall 5 is bolted to such stiffeners 43, these small flanges are found in the extension of the sheets which form the vertical frames 40 and 41.

It will be understood that all the prefabricated elements shown in FIG. 10 can be easily stacked for storage or transport.

All the construction units according to the invention can be produced by assembling prefabricated elements, in a manner analogous to that shown in FIG. 10.

Fig. 11 shows the prefabricated parts whose assembly by bolting makes it possible to form a large unit with a square base A bis; the lower part of this unit A bis is formed of two parts each corresponding to a lower part of a unit A (of the type shown in Fig. 8). These two parts are assembled side by side using thirty-six bolts. The upper part of the unit A bis is formed in the same way by the assembly of two parts each corresponding to an upper part of a unit A (of the type shown in Fig. 8).

As for a unit A, the assembly between the uprights 3 and the lower and upper parts is done by bolting, using angles 39. The rigidity of the unit A bis is increased by means of four large plates 44 provided with bolt holes 18. Each wide plate is bolted against the outer face of two short sides of frame 1 (or frame 2) which it thus links together.

For the construction of a multi-storey building, several construction units according to the invention can optionally be stacked directly on top of each other. In this case, two superimposed units are secured to each other by means of bolts which pass through bolt holes 18 provided for this purpose in the rim 9 of the lower frame and in the rim 27 of the upper frame (or in the upper wall 4). This way of proceeding is however exceptional because, as will emerge from the remainder of the present description, it is generally advantageous for the superimposed units to rest on each other by means of spacers. Such an assembly is illustrated in FIG. 12 which is a detailed view, on a large scale, (with cutaway), showing the system for assembling the units at the meeting point of eight units A (of the type shown in FIG. 8), four units A (Aa, Ab, Ac and Ad) being superimposed, via spacers, on four other units A (Ae, Af, Ag and Ah). Unit Aa is above unit Ae, unit Ab is above unit Af, unit Ac is above unit Ag and unit Ad is located above the Ah unit. For the correct understanding of the drawing, each element shown is designated by its reference number followed by the reference letter corresponding to the unit to which it belongs. For example, the bottom wall of the unit Ab will be called 5b and the top wall of the unit Af will be called 4f. It should be noted that no element of the Ah unit is visible in FIG. 12.

It can be noted that the uprights 3 of four juxtaposed units A together form a single pillar which has a cross-section in the form of a potent cross.

Near the opening 19b, a rib 45b is welded against the upper surface of the wall 5b. The lower walls 5 of all the units are provided with such ribs 45 near each opening 19. The ribs 45 and the flanges formed by the frames 1 above the walls 5 offer numerous advantages. In particular, they prevent spilled liquids on the upper surface of a wall 5 cannot penetrate into the corner sheaths or between the juxtaposed frames 1. The ribs 45 form support points for fixing the panels constituting the corner sheaths. The edges formed by the frames 1 above the walls 5 form supports which are particularly suitable for the installation of panels of all types (generally light partitions) which close the openings between juxtaposed units.

Spacer pieces 46 are interposed between the superimposed units A. These spacers 46 consist of hollow sections (of metal) of rectangular section and they are placed between the rim 9 of a unit A and the outer edge of the wall 4 of the unit A located below. Spacers 46 can thus be arranged around the entire periphery of the units A. According to another embodiment, spacers 46 are however inserted between superimposed units only near the four corners of these units. . The lower and upper faces of the spacers 46 are provided with bolt holes which correspond to the bolt holes 18 formed in the flanges 9 and the walls 4 of the units A. The superimposed units A can thus be secured to each other at by means of threaded rods 47 and nuts 48.

According to an advantageous embodiment, soundproofing joints, ensuring at the same time the distribution of the loads, are interposed between the contact surfaces of the units assembled together. Such seals can in particular be interposed below and / or above the spacers 46.

• - deux éléments 49 et deux éléments 50, formant ensemble le «cadre inférieur de l'unité ;
• - deux éléments 51 et deux éléments 52, formant ensemble le «cadre supérieur de l'unité ;
• - quatre montants 53 ;
• - une paroi horizontale inférieure 54 ;
• - une paroi horizontale supérieure 55.

Fig. 13 illustrates another embodiment of a unit A (slightly different from those shown in FIGS. 2, 8 and 10) by assembling prefabricated elements in the factory. In this case, the prefabricated elements include:

• - Two elements 49 and two elements 50, together forming the "lower frame of the unit;
• - Two elements 51 and two elements 52, together forming the "upper frame of the unit;
• - four uprights 53;
• - a lower horizontal wall 54;
• - an upper horizontal wall 55.

The elements 49, 50, 51 and 52 are U-shaped profiles, the two short parallel branches of which constitute edges 9 and 26 respectively (for elements 49 and 50) or edges 10 and 27 (for elements 51 and 52). In the elements 49 and 50 are provided holes 17 which allow in particular the passage of pipes or cables.

The uprights 53 consist of steel angles. The vertical edges of the wings of the uprights 53 are provided with right-angled flanges 11 directed towards the inside of the unit A. These flanges 11 can be formed by folding the vertical edges of the wings of the uprights 53, but they can also be formed by welding a small angle along each vertical edge of the uprights 53 (against the face of these wings which forms the interior angle of the angle).

The lower 54 and upper 55 horizontal walls are steel sheets made by cutting the four corners of rectangular steel sheets, so as to provide openings 19 near each of the four vertical edges of the unit A, when the various elements are assembled to form this unit (See Fig. 14).

The lower wall 54 is welded to the edges 26 of the "lower frame formed by the elements 49 and 50 but it projects beyond the outer lateral faces of this frame, forming (with respect to these lateral faces) small edges whose width is equal to the thickness of the wings of the uprights 53.

The upper wall 55 is similarly welded to the edges 27 of the "upper frame".

The elements 49, 50, 51 and 52 and the uprights 53 are provided, near their ends, with a series of bolt holes 18 which make it possible to assemble together (by bolting) the various constituent elements, to form the unit A as shown in FIG. 14 and which also make it possible to bolt together juxtaposed units A side by side.

It should be noted that the wings of the uprights 53 are applied against the outer face of the "lower and upper frames".

When unit A is constructed, as shown in Fig. 14, the ends of the uprights 53 project beyond the lower edge of the "lower frame (elements 49 and 50) and the upper edge of the" upper frame "(elements 51 and 52). The projecting part of these uprights 53 comprises at least one row of holes 18. The edges of the lower 54 and upper 55 walls are in line with the external faces of the uprights 53. It should be noted that the ends of the constituent elements of the "frame lower ”(elements 49 and 50) do not touch. This "lower frame is therefore interrupted at each of its corners. The same goes for the "senior manager".

Stiffeners 56 are welded against the underside of the lower 54 and upper 55 walls. These stiffeners 56 preferably consist of U-shaped profiles (or C-shaped profiles), the open side of which is arranged downwards.

• 1. Les éléments 49, 50, 51 et 52 qui sont tous obtenus au départ d'un même type de profilé métallique en U. Pour former les grands et petits côtés des « cadres inférieur et supérieur ce profilé en U est simplement coupé à longueur et percé de trous de boulons 18. De plus, les éléments 49 et 50 sont percés de trous 17.
• 2. Les montants 53 qui sont tous identiques et qui sont obtenus par découpe d'un même type de profilé. Les montants 53 sont percés de trous 18. En fait, deux modes de fabrication peuvent être utilisés, puisqu'on peut partir soit d'un profilé métallique qui est une large cornière pourvue de rebords 11, soit d'une large cornière simple (sans rebords) et de deux petites cornières identiques qui sont soudées le long des bords des ailes de la large cornière de manière à former les rebords 11.
• 3. Les parois inférieure 54 et supérieure 55 qui sont obtenues par découpe de tôles. On part de tôles rectangulaires dont on coupe les quatre coins. Pour la paroi supérieure 55 on découpe en outre des ouvertures 6.
• 4. Les raidisseurs 56 qui sont tous obtenus par découpe d'un même profilé en U (ou éventuellement d'un profilé en C).

Unit A shown in Fig. 14 is therefore produced with very simple and inexpensive metal elements. In addition, only a very small number of different elements are used. These elements, shown in FIG. 15, indeed include:

• 1. Elements 49, 50, 51 and 52 which are all obtained from the same type of metal U-shaped profile. To form the large and small sides of the "lower and upper frames, this U-shaped profile is simply cut to length. and pierced with bolt holes 18. In addition, the elements 49 and 50 are pierced with holes 17.
• 2. The amounts 53 which are all identical and which are obtained by cutting the same type of profile. The uprights 53 are drilled with holes 18. In fact, two manufacturing methods can be used, since one can either start from a metal profile which is a wide angle iron provided with flanges 11, or from a simple wide angle iron (without edges) and two small identical angles which are welded along the edges of the wings of the large angle so as to form the edges 11.
• 3. The lower 54 and upper 55 walls which are obtained by cutting sheets. We start with rectangular sheets whose four corners are cut. For the upper wall 55, there are also cut openings 6.
• 4. The stiffeners 56 which are all obtained by cutting from the same U-shaped section (or possibly from a C-shaped section).

The sections which form the "upper and lower frames", the uprights 53 and the stiffeners 56 can all be produced by cold profiling of dishes or large dishes.

The lower part of unit A is formed by assembling elements 49, 50, 54 and 56 by welding. The upper part of unit A is formed in an analogous manner with elements 51, 52, 55 and 56.

Unit A is then formed by bolting the lower part, the upper part and the four uprights 53. It is generally advantageous that this bolting assembly is not faft in 1 factory which manufactures the prefabricated elements, but of course the construction site (of the building) or near it. The lower and upper parts and the uprights 53 can indeed be very easily stacked so that all of the constituent elements of the unit A then occupies a small volume.

Fig. 16 illustrates a very advantageous way of stacking the constituent parts of a unit A as shown in FIG. 14, for storage and transportation. The lower part of the unit A is inverted so as to form a flat metal container in which the four uprights 53 are placed; one can also put in said tank a box of bolts and nuts and other accessories necessary for the construction of the building; this tray is then closed by the upper part which acts as a sort of cover. Because the "lower and upper frames" are interrupted at their corners, the lower and upper parts can be nested one inside the other. The constituent elements of the unit A thus stacked form a kind of container which can be easily stored or transported. The height of this container is only slightly greater than the height of a "frame" so that, for road transport, five or six of these containers can be stacked on a truck.

In order for the lower and upper parts of the A units to fit together, the "upper and lower frames" need not be interrupted at all four corners. According to an alternative embodiment, the “upper and lower frames are each interrupted at only one of their corners. According to another alternative embodiment, the "lower frame is complete, that is to say it is not interrupted at any of its corners, while the" upper frame is interrupted at two opposite corners.

All the construction units according to the invention can be produced in a similar manner to that shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 and for most of these units, the component parts can be stacked in a similar manner to that shown in FIG. 16.

Fig. 17 shows the prefabricated parts whose bolting assembly makes it possible to form a large unit with a rectangular base A duo; the lower part of this unit A duo is formed of two parts each corresponding to a lower part of a unit A (of the type shown in Fig. 14). These two parts are assembled side by side by bolting. This bolting assembly involves two elements 57 which have a T profile. Each element 57 is composed of a rectangular steel plate 58 and a smaller rectangular steel plate 59 welded perpendicularly to the middle of the rectangular plate 58 The rectangular dish 58 has a thickness which is equal to the thickness of the wings of the uprights 53; the rectangular dish 59 has a thickness which is equal to twice the thickness of the wings of the uprights 53.

The plates 58 and 59 are provided with bolt holes 18 which are arranged so as to correspond with the bolt holes 18 of the elements 49 and 50. When the various elements are assembled, the steel plate 59 (of the element 57) is interposed between the elements 50, while the steel plate 58 is applied against the outer face of the elements 49. The assembly is done by means of a series of bolts and nuts.

The upper part of unit A duo is formed in the same way by the assembly by bolting of two parts each corresponding to an upper part of unit A (of the type shown in Fig. 14). This bolting assembly also involves two elements 57.

The lower and upper parts of the A duo unit are joined together by four uprights 53 in a manner identical to that which is done for the A units (of the type shown in FIG. 14).

FIG. 18 is a detailed view, on a large scale, (with cutaway), showing the system for assembling the units at the meeting point of four units A (of the type shown in FIG. 14), two units (Ar and As) being superimposed on two other units (At and Au). For the correct understanding of the drawing, each element shown is designated by its reference number (as in Fig. 14) followed by the reference letter corresponding to the unit to which it belongs. For example, the bottom wall of the unit As will be called 54s and the top wall of the unit Au will be called 55u.

The amount 53s extends beyond the lower edge of the elements 49s and 50s. The amount 53u overflows above the upper edge of the elements 51 u and 52 u. The uprights 53s and 53u are assembled together by bolting, by means of joint covers 60. The uprights 53r and 53t are assembled together in the same way (this is not visible in Fig. 18). The uprights 53r and 53s are assembled together by means of a series of bolts which pass through the holes 18. The uprights 53t and 53u are assembled together in the same way.

Near the opening 19s, a rib 61s is welded or screwed against the upper surface of the lower wall 54s. The lower walls 54 of all the units are provided with such ribs 61 near each opening 19.

We can see that the elements 50r and 50s are not contiguous. In fact they are separated by a distance which is equal to twice the thickness of the wings of the uprights 53. The same is true for the elements 52t and 52u.

On the other hand, the lower walls 54r and 54s are contiguous. The same goes for the upper walls 55t and 55u.

Along the edges of the lower walls 54r and 54s, small ribs 62 are fixed against the upper face of these walls. These small ribs 62 consist, for example, of small metal bars, having a square section of 1 cm side, welded or screwed to the walls 54. These small ribs 62 can however also be made of polymeric plastic material; in this case they are glued to the walls 54.

Fig. 19 shows, by way of example, the structural work (unfinished) of a building according to the invention. The lower level of this building consists of a technical gallery 63 in which cables and pipes 64 (water, gas, electricity, sewers, etc.) are installed which serve the building and to which rising and falling columns are connected 65 installed in the empty spaces between successive stacks of pairs of construction units. This technical gallery 63 is formed of a series of units C (only one of which is visible in the drawing) arranged one after the other and resting directly on a foundation sole 66 to which they are fixed by means known per se. The C units are placed side by side and assembled together in pairs (by their large side face); a spacing (for example of 30 cm) is provided between the successive pairs of C units. Added sheet metal panels connect the adjacent non-contiguous C units, thus completing the walls of the technical gallery. The panels 20 (see Fig. 3) which partially close off the small lateral faces of the units C prevent the earth from entering the technical gallery 63. However, since there is an opening between the panels 20 and the upper frame 2 of the units C , one can thus have access, through the technical gallery 63, to the space between the self and the ground floor units located on the front (fixed cantilevered against the units that form said stacks).

Each pair of units C carries a stack of sub-assemblies which are each formed by assembling two units A or two units side by side. The units of the same stack rest on each other, but a spacing is provided between the upper edge of the upper frame of each unit and the lower edge of the lower frame of the unit which is superimposed on it (as shown in Figures 12 and 18).

Against the free lateral faces of the sub-assemblies of said stacks are attached, cantilevered, other sub-assemblies also formed from an assembly of two units. Most of these sub-assemblies are formed by the assembly of two A units. Some of these subassemblies attached in a cantilever are however formed by the assembly of a A unit and a B unit. B arranged vertically from each other form a stairwell.

It should be noted that in this building all the subsets of said stacks are spaced. compared to each other. The subassemblies fixed in overhang only exert the stresses of their own weight and their overload on the stacked subassemblies to which they are fixed. These subassemblies fixed in cantilever are spaced relative to each other. The voids which separate the cantilevered sub-assemblies all communicate with each other and also with the voids formed between the sub-assemblies of the stacks, thus forming a continuous vacuum, designated by the reference letters VI.

Figs. 20 to 24 schematically illustrate some of the many possibilities of assembling units with a rectangular base (A, B, C, D and E) arranged in an orthogonal mesh.

Fig. 20 shows the structure of a building, the base of which consists of a horizontal sole 67 and two vertical reinforced concrete sails 68, which serve to support the entire building. The lower level of the building is made up of series of units each formed of three units assembled end to end by their small side faces; each of these series of three units forms a "bridge" structure whose only ends rest on the sails 68. The units located at the ends of each series are designated by the reference number 69. Between two units 69 is a unit 70 attached to the previous two by its small side faces. Each series composed of two units 69 and one unit 70 carries a stack of series of three units composed of two units 71 and one unit 72 attached to one another in the same way as units 69 and 70. These series of three units are superimposed with the interposition of spacers 46 and bear on each other only on the side of the small free faces of the units. Each series of three units forms a "bridge" structure whose only ends rest on the ends of the series immediately below and support the ends of the series which is immediately above. The structure shown in FIG. 20 can be extended both horizontally and vertically.

The horizontal sole 67 and the sails 68 form a gallery in the basement which can in particular be used as a garage for vehicles, free of intermediate support points.

In thought, the building shown in Fig. 20 can be broken down into "slices each comprising three lower level units arranged" in a bridge (two units 69 and one unit 70) and all the units arranged above these three units. According to an advantageous embodiment, a space is left between said “slices or between some of them. According to a particular embodiment, said “slices are bolted together two by two, but a space is left between the pairs of juxtaposed“ slices ”. This provision thus creates between the successive "sections" or at least between some of them gaps designated by the reference VI. These VI voids communicate with the VI voids that exist between the units arranged one above the other. These VI voids offer many advantages. In particular, they provide excellent sound insulation between groups of neighboring units. They also act as expansion and packing joints between groups of neighboring units and they make it possible to make up for the manufacturing tolerances of these units and the mounting tolerances of these. It is also possible to install in these VI voids vertical and horizontal pipes of any kind. According to an advantageous embodiment, the voids VI constitute channels for a thermal conditioning installation by radiation which is capable of ensuring a suitable temperature inside the building. The corner sheaths which have been described above (with reference to Fig. 2) play an important role in such a thermal conditioning system. This thermal conditioning system in fact consists in creating an air circulation at an appropriate temperature, in a closed circuit, in said corner sheaths and in the voids VI which separate the walls of units or groups of units. To allow the creation of such a closed circuit, said voids VI are completely isolated, by means of partitions, from the interior of the units and also from the external atmosphere. Said partitions include facade panels and also attached panels arranged in the appropriate places at the lower and upper levels of the building. When horizontal communications between spaced apart units are provided, the vertical VI voids are isolated from the interior of the units by appropriate conduit fittings which pass through these VI voids. Openings in the said continuous vertical corner sheaths put these in communication, on the various floors of the building, with the said empty spaces VI. Air brought to a suitable temperature by a heat exchanger (caloriferous or refrigerating machine) preferably installed at the upper level of the building, is injected into said continuous vertical ducts (GV) from which it escapes, through the openings formed in these continuous vertical ducts GV. and is thus distributed in the voids VI at the various levels of the building. The air contained in these voids goes up to the upper level of the building where air return vents are installed from where this air returns to said heat exchanger via a fan which ensures the circulation of air.

Fig. 21 shows a building, the lower level of which contains two technical galleries in which cables and pipes are installed which serve the building. Each of these technical galleries consists of a series of C units arranged one after the other and resting directly on the foundations. Each unit C carries a stack of rectangular units 73 resting on each other with the interposition of spacers 46. Between these series of units 73 are units 74 attached by their small lateral faces against the small lateral faces of the 73 units; these units 74 are thus arranged “in bridge between pairs of units 73. Against the units 73 are hung, in cantilever, units 75. These units 75 are attached by one of their small lateral faces against a small lateral face of a unit 73. Units 74 and 75 do not rest directly on the ground and they do not rest on each other. The units C and the units 73 stacked on top of these units C are thus alone to support and transmit to the foundations of the building the loads and overloads of the whole of the structural work thus produced, the units hung in cantilever (75) or "in bridge" (74) exerting the stresses of their own weight and their overloads only on the units 73 to which they are fixed.

The panels 20 which partially close off the small lateral faces of the units C prevent the earth from entering the technical gallery. However, as there is an opening between these panels 20 and the upper frame 2 of the units C, it is thus possible to have access, via the technical gallery, to the space situated between the ground and the units 74 and 75 on the ground floor. - floor.

Just like the building shown in Fig. 20, the building shown in FIG. 21 is subdivided into "sections separated from each other by VI voids which communicate with the VI voids which exist between the superimposed units. These VI voids offer the advantages which have been described previously.

FIG. 22 shows a building which comprises series of rectangular units 76 juxtaposed and superimposed on each other (with the interposition of spacers 46 according to FIG. 12, forming parallel "sections". In general, each of these series of units is made up of two of these "sections" separated by a vertical void 78a. The series of units located at the end of the building comprises only one " slice ". Each series of units forms a sort of thick hollow load-bearing wall serving as support for floors 77. These floors 77 are in fact double floors consisting of two parallel horizontal walls separated by an empty space 78b. The combination of voids 78a and 78b offers the possibility of creating a thermal conditioning system similar to that described above.

Fig. 23 shows a building which comprises two series of rectangular units 79; each of these series forms a kind of thick hollow load-bearing wall serving as support for beams 80 which can carry a roof or a platform. A building of the type shown in FIG. 23 can be used as a hangar, a sports hall, etc. These “hollow walls” offer the advantage that people and things can circulate horizontally and vertically there, and that vertical and horizontal pipes can be installed there.

The buildings shown in Figs 20, 21, 22 and 23 are all made up of rectangular units. Most of the units used in the construction of these buildings are A units. However, in places where it is desired to install a spiral staircase, some of these A units are replaced by E or D units. In addition, certain series units arranged vertically from one another may consist of units B so as to thus form a stairwell or an elevator or hoist shaft.

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a building produced by assembling rectangular base units 81 (chosen from units A, B, C, D and E), large triangular base units 82 (chosen from units , J, K, L and M), small triangular base units 83 (selected from units N and P) and trapezoidal base units 84 (selected from units Q and R). As in the previous buildings, some of these units are stacked on top of each other with the interposition of spacers 46 (see Figure 12), thus creating a horizontal empty space VI.

Figs. 25 to 27 are schematic plan views of some types of buildings achievable by means of the units according to the invention.

Fig. 25 shows a building produced only by means of rectangular base units 81 arranged in an orthogonal mesh; this schematic plan view corresponds, for example, to the building shown in FIG. 20.

Fig. 26, which represents another type of building produced by means of rectangular base units 81, shows the possibility of having an offset in the horizontal frame of the plane. Such offsets, possibly combined with vertical offsets which it is easy to achieve between stacks of units at the place where they are separated by vertical VI voids, give the possibility of adapting the buildings to the layout of the roads and to the contour lines of the land.

Fig. 27 is a schematic plan view of an architectural complex. We can notice that the construction of this complex involves rectangular base units 81 (chosen from units A, B, C, D and E), large triangular base units 82 (chosen from units J, K, L and M), small triangular base units 83 (selected from units N and P) and trapezoidal base units 84 (selected from units Q and R). Some of the constituent units of this building can be arranged either cantilevered or "bridge". Certain groups of construction units surround empty spaces, thus creating skylights 85.

The structural work of the buildings carried out by means of the units of the invention is completed by an envelope made up of facades and roofs.

The facades are obviously parallel to the vertical walls of the units located on the periphery of the building. They close the whole, saving or not, according to the needs and in the appropriate places, between them and the cells of the periphery of the building, an empty space which communicates with the spaces which exist between the superimposed units and possibly also with the empty spaces between "slices of the building. These facades can be made of light materials and are, in this case, attached by means known per se to the units which are at the periphery of the building, taking advantage of the numerous orifices for bolts which the vertical walls of all the units.

These light facades can possibly be made by hand using very common materials but they can also consist of modern curtain walls.

Balconies, terraces or passageways can be hung on the units located on the periphery of the building, by means of hanging elements that cross the facades.

The facades can however also be made of heavy materials, in masonry for example. In this case, they must be built against or near the peripheral units and must be seated on their own foundations.

One or more roofs are carried by higher level units; when the building comprises units arranged in cantilever or "bridge", it is generally preferable that the roofs do not rest on them, but only on the stacks of units which rest on each other. These roofs can have the most diverse shapes and can be made of very diverse materials according to regions, climates and the shape of buildings.

Rainwater can be discharged directly to the outside or be led to vertical pipes which will advantageously find their place in the voids VI or in the corner ducts.

Figs. 28 and 29 schematically illustrate the circulation of forced air in a thermal conditioning installation of a building of the type shown in FIG. 19. The air, brought to a suitable temperature by a heat exchanger 86 (caloriferous or refrigerating machine) passes through CD outlet ducts and descends in the continuous vertical ducts GV. The air conveyed by the GV ducts escapes through holes 87 made in the sleeves which connect the corner ducts of the construction units to each other; this air is thus distributed in vacuum VI to all levels of the building. The air contained in the empty space VI thus rises to the upper level of the building where air intake vents (not shown) are installed connected to sheets which, at the upper level of the building, enclose the spaces between the neighboring units. (The air which rises in vacuum VI is shown in Fig. 28 by dashed lines and in Fig. 29 by wavy lines). All these air return vents are connected to one or more AC inlet ducts. The air conveyed by the inlet duct (s) CA returns to the heat exchanger 86, passing through a fan (not shown) which circulates the air.

It is obviously essential that the vacuum VI is completely isolated (by means of partitions) from the interior of the units and also from the external atmosphere. At the upper level of the building, the sheets on which the air intake vents are connected, form the partition between the vacuum VI and the space between the roof T and the units on the upper floor.

If desired, the space under the roof can also be part of the air circulation network of the thermal conditioning installation. This can be achieved in particular by connecting, at appropriate locations, air outlet vents (calibrated) to the CD outlet ducts and air intake vents to the CA inlet ducts. In this way, part of the air passing through the heat exchanger 86 circulates in the space between the roof T and the units of the upper floor, thus bringing the ceilings of these units to a suitable temperature.

Thermally insulating panels, forming a continuous horizontal partition 88 below the ground floor of the building, are fixed to the edges 9 (fig. 2-5) of the construction units which form the ground floor, by means metal fasteners which provide a spacing (for example of ten centimeters) between these flanges 9 and the partition 88. In this way, the air which is injected under the floors of the construction units on the ground floor , can pass under these edges 9 and go back up into the vacuum VI.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 28 and 29, there are no corner sheaths on the side of the facades F. The openings 19 (of the upper walls 4 and lower 5 of the construction units A) which are located near the facades F, are closed by means reported panels 89.

It is important to note, however, that this form of execution is given only by way of example.

It should be noted that the very characteristics of the invention favor the standardization and prefabrication of all the additional components involved in the construction of buildings produced using, units according to the invention (roofs, facades, partitions, technical equipment, etc.). ..).

It should also be noted that the implementation, most generally by simple assembly, of all these complementary components, is particularly facilitated by the characteristics resulting from the invention among which the judicious arrangement of the voids VI and corner sheaths plays an important role.

It is the combination of all these factors, combined with the simplicity and economy of the construction units themselves, which generates the economic advantages which result from the invention.

It should also be noted that construction units can be fitted, on the ground, with facade elements, partitions, various pipes and apparatus, before being installed by means of cranes, to form buildings. . This work can be carried out on the assembly line in fairgrounds.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been described and shown by way of examples, and numerous modifications can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention, the scope of the protection being determined by the content of the claims.

Claims (26)

1. A building unit for constructing buildings, formed of a lower part and an upper part each comprising at least one frame (1 and 2) and one horizontal wall (4 and 5), the lower frame (1) and the upper frame (2) being joined by means of uprights (3) having a V-shaped cross-section, in such a manner that they form a metallic structure having the shape of a right prism, characterised in that :

- the lower frame (1) is formed of wide flat bars disposed along the lateral faces of said prism in such a manner that the bottom edge of said lower frame (1) forms the side edges of the bottom base of the said prism,

- the upper frame (2) is formed of wide flat bars disposed along the lateral faces of said prism in such a manner that the top edge of said upper frame (2) forms the side edges of the top base of the said prism,

- each upright (3) is disposed in such a manner that its vertex forms a vertical edge of the said prism and that its flanges, formed of wide flat bars, are disposed along the side faces of the said prism,

- the bottom horizontal wall (5) consists of a metal sheet attached to the top edge of the lower frame (1) or near said edge, the bottom wall (5) being self-supporting in such a manner that it forms together with the lower frame (1) an empty box open at the bottom,

- the top horizontal wall (4) consists of a metal sheet attached to the top edge of the upper frame (2) and thus forming the top base of the said prism, the top wall (4) being self-supporting in such a manner that it forms together with the upper frame (2) an empty box open at the bottom.

2. A building unit according to claim 1, characterised in that the bottom part of the lower frame (1), the bottom part of the upper frame (2) and the vertical edges of the flanges of the uprights (3) are provided with projecting edges (9, 10, 11) directed at right angles towards the interior of the building unit.

3. A building unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the top part of the lower frame (1) and the top part of the upper frame (2) are provided with projecting edges (26, 27) directed at right angles towards the interior of the building unit.

4. A building unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the said bottom horizontal wall (5) is attached to the said lower frame (1) at a level which is offset downwards in relation to the top edge of the said frame, in such a manner that the top portion of the lower frame (1) forms an upwardly directed projecting edge along the edges of the bottom wall (5).

5. A building unit according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the said bottom horizontal wall (5) is attached to the top edge of the lower.frame (1) and is provided on its upper face with an upwardly directed projecting edge along the edges of the said top wait (4).

6. A building unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that under the level of the bottom horizontal wall (5) the said lower frame (1) is provided with one or more openings (17) permitting the passage of pipes and/or cables.

7. A building unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bottom horizontal wall (5) and/or the top horizontal wall (4) has or have openings (19) near the vertical edges of the building unit.

8. A building unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bottom horizontal wall (5) and/or the top horizontal wall (4) has or have one or more openings (6) of a size permitting the passage of a man, which openings can be closed by removable attached panels.

9. A building unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bottom horizontal wall (5) and/or the top horizontal wall (4) has or have a circular opening permitting the installation of a spiral staircase for the passage towards another building unit located above and/or below the first building unit.

10. A building unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bottom horizontal wall (5) and/or top horizontal wall (4) has or have a semicircular cut-out whose center is situated on a horizontal edge of the said prism, the large flat bars which form the said lower frame (1) and/or the said upper frame (2) being so shaped as to follow the edge of the cut-out horizontal wall to which they are attached, the arrangement and diameter of the said cut-out being such that, when two building units provided with such cut-outs are connected side by side in suitable manner, the semicircular cut-outs complement one another to form a circular opening permitting the installation of a spiral staircase for the passage towards other building units superposed upon the first building units.

11. A building unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the elements which make it comprise stiffeners (12 to 16) consisting of metal ribs fixed by means known per se against the metal sheets and/or wide flat bars of the various elements, the stiffeners (12, 13) of the bottom horizontal wall (5) being fixed against the bottom face of the latter, and all the stiffeners provided on the building unit being disposed in such a manner that they do not project beyond the side faces of the prism formed by the said building unit.

12. A building unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the said lower frame (1) is interrupted at one or more of its corners.

13. A building unit according to any or the preceding claims, characterised in that the said upper frame (2) is interrupted at one or more of its corners.

14. A building unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it has the shape of a right prism having a standard height common to all the building units used for the construction of one and the same building, in which prism at least two sides of the base have a length which is equal to a reference length common to all the building units used, or to a multiple of this reference length.

15. A building unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is produced by joining together on the construction site, by means known per se, factory-prefabricated elements, comprising :

1. a bottom part comprising the said lower frame (1) provided with a bottom wall (5),

2. a top part comprising the said upper frame (2) provided with a top wall (4),

3. the uprights (3) of the building unit.

16. A building unit according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it has the shape of a right prism having a rectangular base and is produced by joining together on the construction site, by means known per se, factory-prefabricated elements comprising :

1. a bottom part which is itself produced by joining together side by side, on the site, two identical rectangular lower frames (1) each comprising a bottom wall (5),

2. a top part which is itself produced by joining together side by side, on the site, two identical rectangular top frames (2) each comprising a top wall (4),

3. four uprights (3).

17. A building of which the fabric is at least partly formed by bolting together superposed and/or juxtaposed building units according to any of the preceding claims.

18. A building according to claim 17, characterised in that one or more of the said building units is or are not supported by their bottom face and are fixed solely by one or more of their side faces against one or more side faces of juxtaposed building elements which rest on a horizontal support.

19. A building according to claim 18, characterised in that it comprises a stack or a plurality of stacks spaced apart from one another and formed of building units resting one on the other, each level of each stack being composed of one or more building units juxtaposed side by side and joined together, while spacers form a space between the top edge of the upper frame (2) of each building unit of each stack and the bottom edge of the lower frame (1) of the building unit superposed on it, and building units which are not supported by their bottom face being fixed by one or more of their side faces against one or more of the free side faces of the building units which form the said stacks.

20. A building according to claim 19, characterised in that the said spacers are formed by the ends of the uprights (3) of the building units, which extend beyond the bottom edge of the said lower frame (1) and/or beyond the top edge of the said upper frame (2), which each delimit a base of the prism.

21. A building according to any of claims 17 to 20, characterised in that the building units, or at least some of them, are equipped with vertical casings installed in the corners of the units, over the entire height of the latter, the said bottom horizontal walls (5) and/or top horizontal walls (4) being provided with openings (19) at the points where the said corner casing lead onto these horizontal walls, the corner casings of a building unit being connected by means of suitably shaped ducts to the corresponding corner casings of building units situated above and/or below, while the corner casings connected together form continuous vertical casings (GV).

22. A building according to claim 21, characterised in that the said continuous vertical casings (GV), or some of them, are used as technical casings containing pipes and/or cables.

23. A building according to any of claims 21 or 22, characterised in that the said continuous vertical casings (GV), or some of them, are used as smoke ducts for domestic hearths.

24. A building according to any of claims 21 to 23, characterised in that the said continuous vertical casings (GV), or some of them, are used for carrying air for the ventilation or air conditioning of the rooms.

25. A building according to any of claims 21 to 24, characterised in that the said continuous vertical casings (GV), or some of them, form part of a radiation type thermal conditioning installation which is adapted to provide a suitable temperature inside the building by creating a circulation of air at an appropriate temperature, in a closed circuit, in the said continuous vertical casings (GV) and in the empty spaces (VI) which separate the walls of building units, or of the group of building units, the said empty spaces (VI) being completely isolated by means of partitions from the interior of the building units and also from the outside atmosphere, openings provided in the said continuous vertical casings (GV) bringing the latter into communication at the different levels of the building with the said empty spaces (VI), while continuous vertical casings which terminate at the top level of the building are connected to one or more outlet conduits (CD), and a plurality of air return outlets in communication with the empty spaces (VI) between the building units are installed at the top level of the building, all of which air return outlets are connected to one or more supply conduits (CA), a fan connected between the supply conduits (CA) and the outlet conduits (CD) bringing about a circulation of air in a closed circuit, the air being injected into the continuous vertical casings (GV), circulating in the empty spaces (VI) between the building units, and passing out of the empty spaces (VI) through the aforesaid air return outlets, and the heat exchanger of a heater or refrigerating machine (86) being inserted in the circuit upstream or downstream of the said fan.

26. A building according to any of claims 17 to 25, characterised in that the bottom level of the building comprises one or more technical tunnels (63) in which are installed cables and pipes (64) serving the building and to which are connected riser pipes and down pipes (65) serving the various levels of the building, each technical tunnel (63) consisting of a series of building units (C) disposed one following the other and resting directly on the foundations (66).

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