EP0427621B1 - Plant for making cell-like elements for assembly side by side to form a building unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to the equipment for implementing the construction process which was the subject of patent FR 2,141,580 as well as certificates of addition 2,192,220 and 2,416,310.

This is a process which involves manufacturing and equipping additional cells in the factory, which are then assembled side by side to form a construction unit corresponding to a dwelling house or to a level of a building.

In accordance with this process, the various cells which must form a single construction unit are manufactured in the factory by being placed side by side and exactly in the respective positions which will be occupied by them during their subsequent assembly at the place of construction. According to an important characteristic of this process, the floor slabs of the different cells of the same unit are produced by a single concrete pour on a molding bench carrying parallel partitioning elements capable of separating the slabs belonging to each cell. Before this concrete pouring, prefabricated panels are placed vertically at the end of the different cells to form the exterior walls of the latter. These panels are then temporarily immobilized by appropriate means so as to then be secured at their base with the slabs of the different cells during the casting of these slabs.

This process has significant advantages over other prefabrication processes which are simply provide for the production of separate panels to be assembled on site. Indeed, in the case of the process in question, these are not simple panels, but complete cells which leave the factory with all their internal technical equipment, for example electrical pipes and connections, water pipes and appliances. sanitary facilities, heating pipes and radiators, etc. Furthermore, these cells have the advantage of being manufactured side by side in the respective positions which they will occupy subsequently. Therefore, their subsequent assembly does not present any difficulty.

The equipment provided in FR 2.141.580, 2.192.220 and 2.416.310 essentially comprises a horizontal bench intended to serve as a lower molding surface for the slabs of the different cells of the same unit, as well as subdivision elements carried by this bench and which each consist of an inverted T-shaped beam. In accordance with the process described in this French patent and its additions, these subdivision beams are further used thereafter to serve as means of lifting the cells produced in order to be able to evacuate them. In addition, removable fixing means are provided to ensure the provisional immobilization of the prefabricated panels to be secured with cell slabs.

However, by the very fact of its design, the use of this material is limited to the production of cells having determined dimensions. Consequently, in order to be able to produce cells of different dimensions, it is necessary to have several molding benches, which are themselves different, and several sets of slab subdivision beams. This is therefore a limit to the use of the process in question.

This is why the subject of the present invention is a manufacturing installation which is designed so as to eliminate this drawback in order to allow the production of cells of various dimensions. However, the design of this installation is also such that it has a certain number of improvements with respect to the equipment used hitherto for the implementation of the process in question.

• les éléments de subdivision des dalles des différentes cellules sont fixées de façon amovible sur le banc de fabrication à l'aide de moyens de fixation permettant de les immobiliser dans diverses positions, en fonction de la largeur prévue pour ces cellules,
• à leurs extrémités, ces éléments de subdivision portent un dispositif d'immobilisation provisoire des deux panneaux préfabriqués disposés de part et d'autre, chacun de ces dispositifs comprenant un poteau dont le pied peut être fixé dans une position réglable sur l'élément de subdivision correspondant, et un étai externe de longueur réglable.

To this end, the installation according to the invention is essentially characterized in that:

• the subdivision elements of the slabs of the various cells are removably fixed to the production bench using fixing means making it possible to immobilize them in various positions, depending on the width provided for these cells,
• at their ends, these subdivision elements carry a provisional immobilization device for the two prefabricated panels arranged on either side, each of these devices comprising a post whose foot can be fixed in an adjustable position on the subdivision element corresponding, and an external stay of adjustable length.

Thus, it is possible to vary not only the width of the cells produced, but also their length by immobilizing the prefabricated panels in different positions relative to the corresponding edges of the molding bench.

According to another characteristic, the present installation comprises a series of adjustable shuttering devices arranged on the production bench in order to constitute the lower shutterings of the slabs of the different cells, the edges of each of these shutters being constituted by profiles mounted to slide the one on the other so as to have an adjustable length, while the upper wall is formed by plates of varying length, placed removable on the upper edges of the sliding profiles.

Consequently, these formwork devices can be adapted both to variations in length and to differences in width of the cells to be manufactured.

According to yet another characteristic of the installation according to the invention, the ends of the subdivision beams of the cell slabs have a vertical cheek pierced with holes making it possible to tension, over the entire length of the edges of each cell, irons or strands d reinforcement in order to fabricate the corresponding beams at the edge of the cell slabs using the prestressed concrete technique.

According to yet another characteristic, there are provided anchoring means intended to be incorporated into the ends of the cells and which are capable of receiving attachment fittings allowing the lifting thereof, one by one, after their manufacture in leaving the slab subdivision beams in place.

• La figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'une telle installation sur laquelle quelques cellules sont représentées en cours de fabrication.
• La figure 2 est une vue partielle en plan de dessus du banc de fabrication faisant partie de cette installation.
• La figure 3 est une vue en perspective de l'extrémité de l'une des poutres de subdivision et des moyens rapportés sur celle-ci pour assurer l'immobilisation en place de panneaux préfabriqués.
• La figure 4 est une vue partielle en coupe horizontale d'un détail selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 1.
• La figure 5 est une vue partielle en coupe verticale selon la ligne V-V de la figure 2, mais après coulée des dalles des cellules.
• La figure 6 est une vue partielle en perspective de l'une des extrémités de l'un des côtés d'un dispositif de coffrage réglable faisant partie de la présente installation.
• La figure 7 est une vue partielle en coupe verticale de l'une des extrémités d'une cellule.
• La figure 8 est une vue similaire à échelle différente et avant coulée de la dalle en béton.
• La figure 9 est une vue partielle en perspective d'une cellule, avec arrachement, illustrant les moyens d'ancrage prévus pour le soulèvement des cellules après fabrication.

However, other particularities and advantages of the installation according to the invention will appear during the following description. This is given with reference to the accompanying drawings for information only, and in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of such an installation on which some cells are shown during manufacture.
• Figure 2 is a partial plan view from above of the manufacturing bench forming part of this installation.
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of the end of one of the subdivision beams and means attached thereto for securing in place of prefabricated panels.
• FIG. 4 is a partial view in horizontal section of a detail along the line IV-IV of FIG. 1.
• Figure 5 is a partial view in vertical section along the line VV of Figure 2, but after casting of the cell slabs.
• FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of one of the ends of one of the sides of an adjustable shuttering device forming part of the present installation.
• FIG. 7 is a partial view in vertical section of one of the ends of a cell.
• Figure 8 is a similar view on a different scale and before pouring the concrete slab.
• Figure 9 is a partial perspective view of a cell, with parts broken away, illustrating the anchoring means provided for lifting the cells after manufacture.

The installation shown comprises a horizontal bench 1 intended for the production, side by side, of a series of complementary cells designated by the general reference 2 and which can then be assembled to constitute a construction unit, for example a detached house or one level of building. This bench 1 carries a series of horizontal elements intended to ensure the subdivision of the slabs 3 of each cell during the production of a single concrete pour above this bench. Each of these elements consists of a metal beam 4 in the shape of an inverted T, the horizontal wing 5 of which forms a sole intended to be placed in abutment on the top of the bench 1, while its vertical wing 6 constitutes the element properly. called subdivision of slabs.

These various beams are arranged in parallel on the bench 1 with a spacing corresponding to the width 1 provided for the cells. So that this width can vary from one cell to another, or else between two different construction units, the beams 4 are immobilized on the bench 1 by means of removable fixing means allowing different immobilization positions. In the example shown, these fixing means consist of a series of holes 7 made in metal plates 8 incorporated in the bench 1 opposite the average fixing position of one and the other ends of a beam 4 In this case, there are provided fourteen holes 7 having the same spacing corresponding to a determined module, for example a spacing of 15 cm. The ends of the beams 4 are fixed by means of one or more pins 9 engaged both in one or the other of these holes and in notches 10 provided in a shoe 11 attached to the end of each of these beams.

For reasons which will be explained in more detail below, the fixing in place of the beams 4 is completed by immobilization of these on the bench 1 at an intermediate point of their length. To this end, a series of other metal plates 12, similar to the plates 8, are incorporated into this bench along the center line thereof. Each of these plates has a plurality of holes 13, of oval shape, intended to receive immobilization pins (not shown) engaged in holes provided in the middle of the horizontal flange of the beams 4.

At each of their ends, these beams are provided with a vertical cheek 14 arranged at right angles to their vertical wing 6. At its lower part, this end cheek has, on either side of the position of the vertical wing 6, a series of holes 15. These are intended to give passage to the irons or reinforcing strands 16 which must be incorporated inside the beams 17 provided on the edges of the slab 3 of each cell. This allows to attach, on the ends of these strands, locking members 18 intended to bear against the corresponding cheek 14 in order to put them under tension before pouring the concrete to apply the technique of prestressed concrete. It is moreover due to the forces which are thus exerted on the beams 4 during this pre-stress that there is provided an additional fixing thereof on the bench 1, at an intermediate point of their length. This avoids any risk of buckling in the horizontal plane, under the effect of the pre-stress.

In addition, the ends of the beams 4 are arranged to be able to serve as a support for a device for temporarily immobilizing the prefabricated panels 19 intended to be incorporated at the end of each cell 2 to constitute the corresponding part of the external wall of a manufacturing unit. . As shown more particularly in FIG. 3, each of these devices comprises a vertical post 20 and an external stay 21 of adjustable length. At its foot, the post 20 is provided with a yoke 22 intended to be fitted on the upper edge of the vertical wing 6 of a beam 4. Its immobilization is ensured by means of a pin 23 which can be engaged in one or the other of a series of holes 24 provided in the vertical wing 6 of the corresponding beam 4. Since the post 20 is intended to be placed against the adjacent edges of two prefabricated panels, this possibility of modifying the position of its foot makes it possible to vary the length of the cells manufactured.

For this same reason, the external stay 21 is of adjustable length. For this purpose, it is constituted by two profiles which can slide one over the other and be immobilized to the desired length by a pin 25. In addition, there is provided a rigging screw 26 allowing a finer adjustment of length. At its lower end, this stay is fixed by means of another pin 27 on the free end of an extension 28 provided at the end of each beam 4, beyond the transverse cheek 14 thereof.

At its upper end, each post 20 carries two hooks 29 formed by two metal rods 30 arranged horizontally one above the other through the corresponding holes in this post. These hooks are arranged on the inside, the opposite ends of the metal rods 30 carrying tightening nuts 30a. These metal rods are located in the gap between two neighboring prefabricated panels 19. As for the hooks 29, they are then placed as shown in FIG. 4 in order to hang inside the vertical edges of the two panels 19 corresponding against the internal face of the posts 31 provided on the edges of these panels. This therefore makes it possible to immobilize them in the vertical position provided.

However, other complementary immobilization means can be provided at the bottom of each post 20 to perfect the temporary fixing of the panels 19.

In order to allow variations in the width 1 of the cells 2, there are provided as many formwork devices of variable width which are placed on the manufacturing bench 1. Each of these devices comprises several sets of horizontal plates 35 having different lengths and the edges of which are placed in abutment on metal profiles constituting both the edges of the corresponding formwork. At an intermediate point of their length, the plates 35 also bear on a removable joist 36 resting on lower hooves 37.

The sides of each formwork device actually comprise two complementary metal sections 38 and 39 fitted one inside the other and mounted sliding on one another. At one of its ends, each of these sections is secured to a vertical flange 44 carried by a support shoe 45 (see FIG. 6). The possibility of sliding the two sections 38 and 39 one on the other makes it possible to adjust the length of the sides of each formwork as desired.

Insulation plates 39, for example made of polystyrene, can be placed on the plates 35 of the forms, before casting of the slabs 3. Other additional insulation plates 40 can be placed on either side of the sides of the different formwork, these plates resting on profiles 41.

Preferably, the horizontal base 5 of the beams 4 carries electrical heating resistances intended to accelerate the setting of the concrete. These resistors 42 are then advantageously arranged inside profiles 43 attached against the underside of the sole 5 of each beam.

Furthermore, the present installation comprises mobile lifting means, for example an overhead crane or the like, making it possible to lift each cell 2 after completion of its manufacture in order to evacuate it outside the bench 1, leaving the beams thereon. 4 of subdivision. To allow the handling of cells 2, there are provided anchor rods 48 intended to be incorporated in the lateral beams 17 of the slabs 3 of the cells. The free end of each of these rods is engaged through a channel 57 formed in the lower end of the edge posts 31 of the corresponding vertical panel 19. The end of this anchor rod, which is only flush with the external face of this panel, is intended to allow the removable fixing of an external fitting 46 for attachment, and this by means of a threaded sleeve provided with an external operating head. These fittings make it possible to attach slings 47 used for lifting each cell (see FIG. 9). The attachment fittings 46 are intended to be then removed, the anchor rods 48 remaining in place without their presence being a drawback.

To manufacture a series of cells 2 constituting the same construction unit, it is necessary to fix the subdivision beams 4 in positions corresponding to the width provided for these various cells. The various adjustable formwork devices are then placed by adapting them, not only to the width of the cells, but also to their length. Then, we put in place the prefabricated panels 19 intended to constitute the exterior walls. These panels are arranged at the end of the various cells, and this in positions which depend on the length provided for each of them.

As shown in Figure 8, the edge posts 31 of each of these panels have, at their foot, irons 54 of connection whose ends 55 protrude horizontally outside on the inner face of the corresponding panel. These ends are intended to be thus incorporated inside the edge beams 17 of the slab 3 of the corresponding cell when the concrete of the latter is poured (see FIG. 7). In addition, the posts 31 have at their foot horizontal channels 56 for the passage of the strands 16 for prestressing the concrete of the slab 3, and this in addition to the channel 57 intended for the passage of the end of a rod of anchor 48.

Of course, the position of the vertical posts 20 for immobilizing the panels 19 must be adjusted as a function of the length of the cells. The length of the external struts 21 may therefore have to be modified.

When a determined cell has a shorter length than the other cells, as is the case for cell 2a in FIG. 1, it is necessary to provide a prefabricated panel 19a at the location of the corresponding step. Of course, other prefabricated panels can be arranged at each end of the unit to be produced to constitute exterior walls extending at right angles to the walls formed by the panels 19. Like these latter, these exterior panels must be temporarily immobilized in place before pouring the concrete intended to constitute the slabs 3 of the various cells.

As already indicated, these slabs consist of a single concrete pour. However, due to the very fact of the beams 4 of subdivision, this single casting forms a succession of distinct slabs 3 each of which is specific to a cell. To ensure the flatness of the slabs thus poured, it is possible to use an equalization rule 52 by sliding it on the upper edge of the vertical wings 6 of the two successive beams 4 of subdivision (see FIG. 5). However, at each end of a construction unit, it is not possible to slide such a rule on the upper edge of the corresponding subdivision beam, and this due to the presence of the foot of the prefabricated panel forming the exterior wall. corresponding. This is the reason why the cheeks 14, provided at the ends of the subdivision beams 34, have two holes 53 situated at the same level as the upper edge of the vertical wing 6 of the corresponding beam, and this on both sides. other of this wing. Depending on the case, one or other of these holes can receive a metal cable which can be fixed horizontally there to serve as a guide for the equalization rule 52. Of course instead of a simple equalization rule, it is possible to use a rule vibrating for the compaction of the button.

Pouring the concrete forming the slabs 3 also has the effect of securing the vertical panels 19 and the like with these slabs. The connection with each other is then ensured by the connecting bars 54-55 provided at the foot of the panels 19 and which are embedded in the concrete of the slabs (see FIG. 7). After setting the concrete, this therefore makes it possible to obtain cells 2 in one piece. However, as already indicated, these remain independent of each other.

In an advantageous embodiment of the present installation, it comprises two manufacturing benches 1 which are arranged side by side and equipped in the same way. With the same team of workers, it is thus possible to create two separate construction units by taking advantage of the time taken for concrete on one of these units to work on the other. This therefore results in an extremely significant time saving.

After the concrete has set, cells 2 can be removed using a mobile lifting means, for example an overhead crane, as already described with reference to FIG. 9. These different cells can then be placed side by side side by side on another work surface where they can be fully equipped at the factory. Thus, these cells can receive all desired elements of equipment and decoration, such as floors or carpets of floors, wall coverings, elements of roof and interior ceilings and all other technical equipment, for example: electrical pipes and corresponding devices, pipes water and sanitary appliances supplied by them, heating pipes and radiators connected to them, etc.

Claims (10)

1. A plant for making a plurality of cellular structures intended for forming together a building unit, by making said structures side by side by casting a concrete floor slab on a manufacturing bench carrying parallel elements which subdivide said slab between two adjacent cells, after putting into place vertical prefabricated panels being specific to each cell, for forming the outer walls,
   characterized in that :

   - the subdivider elements (4) of the floor slabs (3) of the cells (2) are removably fixed on the manufacturing bench with the help of fixation means capable of immobilizing them in various positions, in accordance with the planned width of said cells,

   - the subdivider elements (4) carry on their ends a device for temporarily immobilizing the two prefabricated panels (19) placed on either side, each of said devices comprising a post (20), the foot of which may be fixed in an adjustable position on the corresponding subdivider element, and an external strut (21) having an adjustable length.
2. A plant according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a series of adjustable casting forms disposed on the manufacturing bench (1) between the elements (4) subdividing the floor slabs (3) of the cells in order to constitute the bottom casting forms of said slabs (3), the edges of each of said casting forms being constituted of profiles (38, 39) slidably mounted on each other so that they present an adjustable length, while the top wall is formed by plates (35) having a more or less extensive length, removably placed on the top edges of the slidable profiles (38, 39).
3. A plant according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the ends of the elements (4) subdividing the floor slabs (3) of the cells (2) carry a vertical flange (14) which is disposed transversely and is perforated with holes (15) provided for tensioning, over the whole length of the edges of each cell, reinforcing iron bars (16) for manufacturing the corresponding beams (17) surrounding the floor slabs (3) of the cells, using the prestressed concrete technique.
4. A plant according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that there are provided anchoring means (48) intended for being incorporated into the ends of the cells (2) and which are adapted for receiving fastening metal brackets (46) by means of which said cells (2) may be lifted, one by one, after being manufactured while leaving in place the elements (4) subdividing the floor slabs.
5. A plant according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the removable fixation means for the subdivider elements (4) of the floor slabs (3) of the cells comprise several series of holes (7) provided one after the other on the manufacturing bench (1) for defining several different positions of said elements (4), said holes being intended for receiving removable fixation pins (9) being elsewhere engaged in recesses (10) provided at the ends of said subdivider elements (4).
6. A plant according to Claim 5, characterized in that the manufacturing bench (1) comprises, in addition to the series of holes (7) provided in registry with the ends of the subdivider elements (4), further series of holes (13) extending along its median line and which are intended for receiving removable pins provided for fixing the subdivider elements (4) in their middle.
7. A plant according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the post (20) of each device provided for the temporary immobilization of prefabricated panels (19) comprises at its foot a yoke (22) fitted on the upper edge of the corresponding element (4) subdividing the floor slabs, said yoke being capable of being fixed in various positions by engaging a cotter pin (23) in either one of a series of holes (24) provided in said element (4).
8. A plant according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the post (20) of each device provided for the temporary immobilization of the prefabricated panels (19) carries in its upper portion two hooks (29) intended for being placed in the interval present between two of said panels for being hooked against the internal faces of both said panels.
9. A plant according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the elements (4) subdividing the floor slabs of the cells carry electric heating resistors (42) intended for accelerating the concrete setting.
10. A plant according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that it comprises two manufacturing benches (1) for the production of the cells (2), said benches being placed side by side and both comprising the same pieces of equipment.

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