EP0481146A1 - Antiseismic modular building construction - Google Patents

Abstract

This construction is characterised in that it rests on the ground with neither foundations nor vertical connection means and in that it is constituted by a plurality of levels (2) which are superposed without any vertical connection means. Application to the construction industry.

Description

The present invention relates to a modular earthquake-resistant construction, that is to say a construction which, on the one hand, is composed of elements which are largely identical to each other, which allows their prefabrication on a large scale, and therefore relatively relative costs. weak, while presenting very wide architectural and aesthetic possibilities, and which, on the other hand, is able to resist without significant damage to earthquakes of high intensity.

We know that earthquakes are likely to demolish the most solid buildings, and many proposals have been made to remove or, at least, to limit the damage they cause to buildings, often resulting in numerous losses of human life by burial of the inhabitants under the rubble.

The solutions hitherto proposed have mostly been confined to recommending special provisions for the reinforcement of reinforced concrete and minimum dimensions for various parts of the buildings, but experience has unfortunately shown that these measures are insufficient to ensure safety. satisfactory in the event of an earthquake.

This is why the aim of the present invention is to propose a construction of the kind specified above which is more resistant to earthquakes than the buildings currently known, while offering vast architectural possibilities.

According to the invention, this object and others which will appear subsequently, such as the realization of a solid and relatively inexpensive construction, are achieved thanks to a modular construction which is characterized by the fact that it rests on the ground. without foundations or vertical connection, and that it is constituted by a plurality of levels which are superimposed without any vertical connection.

Due to the absence of vertical connections between the ground and the building, on the one hand, and between the various levels of the latter, on the other hand, an earthquake, even an intense one, results in a simple horizontal sliding of the various constituent parts of the building which is therefore not damaged and does not risk collapsing on its occupants.

To promote the sliding of the parts of the construction, its various levels are preferably superimposed with the interposition of lubricated steel plates.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the construction according to the present invention, each of its levels consists of modules, all identical to each other in their general shape, which are juxtaposed in the transverse direction and which are connected together by transverse cables . A modular construction is thus obtained with its numerous advantages which have been mentioned above.

Preferably, the adjoining modules are separated from one another by elastic seals, which increases the resistance of the assembly in the event of a earthquake.

Advantageously, the upper part of the modules of the construction according to the invention has the form of a vault, and the upper surface thereof the latter carries at its top a longitudinal flange which supports the lower edges of two contiguous modules of the upper level, or the lower edge of a module of the upper level in the case of an end module.

This arrangement reduces the contact surface between the various superimposed levels, which facilitates their relative sliding in the event of an earthquake, and therefore increases safety, while offering a satisfactory aesthetic appearance, a rubber or polymer mat preferably being placed on the aforementioned longitudinal sole, below the lubricated steel plate which is interposed between this sole and the upper module or modules.

To increase the resistance of the vaults which constitute the upper part of the modules according to the invention, each of them is preferably provided with at least one transverse tie rod.

As regards now the laying of the building on the ground, the latter advantageously rests on the ground with the interposition of a coating compacted with hedgehogs and a rubber or polymer mat.

According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, each of the construction modules is made up of elements, all identical to each other in their general shape, which are juxtaposed in the longitudinal direction and which are connected together by longitudinal cables . This arrangement amplifies the modular nature of the construction and the advantages associated with it.

Preferably, the elements that make up the building modules are bonded together using a polymer.

To allow the necessary circulation to be easily carried out inside the building, at least two contiguous modules are interconnected by at least one opening provided with an awning at its upper part. The openings facing the two modules, as well as the canopy which surmounts them, provides a passage between two modules which is sheltered despite the arched shape of the upper part of the modules, while such a canopy opening, when is isolated because located on the front, provides the possibility of making a balcony.

• - La figure 1 montre une vue en perspective schématique d'une construction antisismique selon l'invention, et elle illustre le principe de base de celle-ci ;
• - La figure 2 montre, en vue en coupe transversale, la jonction de trois modules selon l'invention ;
• - La figure 3 montre, également en vue en coupe transversale, la jonction de deux de ces modules au niveau du sol ; et :
• - La figure 4 représente une vue en coupe transversale d'un exemple de réalisation d'un module de cette construction ;

The description which follows, and which is in no way limiting, will make it possible to understand clearly how the present invention can be put into practice. It should be read against the accompanying drawings, among which:

• - Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an earthquake-resistant construction according to the invention, and it illustrates the basic principle thereof;
• - Figure 2 shows, in cross-sectional view, the junction of three modules according to the invention;
• - Figure 3 shows, also in cross-section, the junction of two of these modules at ground level; and:
• - Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a module of this construction;

As can be seen in the block diagram of FIG. 1, the earthquake-resistant construction according to the invention which is generally designated by the reference 1 rests directly on the ground S, without the use of foundations, and it is constituted by a plurality of levels 2, here four in number, each of which is composed of juxtaposed longitudinal modules 3 which are all identical to each other in their general conformation, no vertical connection being provided between the various levels 2.

More precisely, the upper part of each module 3 has the shape of a semicircular arch on the top of which symmetrically bear the lower edges of two contiguous modules of the upper level, except for the last level, of course, whose modules are free at the top.

Each module 3 thus extending between the top of the upper surface of two contiguous modules of the lower level, the extreme modules of each level are free on their half which is located outside, so that each level 2 has a number of modules 3 which is one unit lower than that of the lower level. There is thus shown in the diagram of Figure 1 a building with four levels comprising respectively seven, six, five and four modules, or 22 modules in total.

As mentioned above, no vertical connection is planned between the lower level of the construction and the ground. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the ground S is simply stripped and covered with a compact covering of hedgehogs 4 coated with sand or clay on which a carpet 5 of rubber or of a suitable polymer is rolled out. The construction 1 is simply placed on the mat 5.

Likewise, no vertical connection is provided between the various superimposed levels of the construction which are interconnected only by gravity. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the upper surface of each module 3 - with the exception, of course, of those of the last level - has at its upper part a sole 6 on the flat upper part of which a carpet is placed unrolled 7 similar to the mat 5 of the connection between the building and the ground. A steel plate 8 coated with a high viscosity lubricant rests on the belt 7, and the adjoining modules 3 ′ and 3 "of the upper level are simply supported by their lower edges on the plate 8.

As seen in Figure 1, each module 3 is composed of a plurality of elements 9 which all have the same general shape and which are juxtaposed in the longitudinal direction of the modules. Some of these elements can have the shape of a simple tunnel section, like the one indicated in 9a in FIG. 1, but others, 9b, can have on each of these sides an opening 10 provided with a canopy 11 to its upper part, so that two juxtaposed elements 9b communicate with each other by a transverse passage which is formed by their openings 10 which are superposed, and which is separated from the outside at its upper part by the awnings 11, despite the arches of the upper parts of the elements.

The elements 9 are constructed on a floor 12, for example of reinforced concrete, shown in FIG. 4, and tie rods 13 can be stretched transversely at the top of their vault. They can include all the architectural elements desired, and FIG. 4 shows by way of example an element 9 which is intended to be placed on the facade and which comprises a French window 14 and a balcony 15.

The elements 9 are bonded to each other in the longitudinal direction by means of suitable polymers, while the modules 3 are separated from each other by flexible and compressible seals.

The horizontal connections which interconnect the various elements 9 of the same module 3 and the various modules 3 of the same level 2 are provided by cables stretched in post-stress which pass through household channels in the floor and the vault of the various elements. We see in the cross section of Figure 4 six longitudinal cables 16 which pass through the floor of an element 9, and four longitudinal cables 17 which pass through its roof. This same figure 4 also shows transverse floor cables, 18, and roof cables, 19, which are three in number for each group, and which interconnect the contiguous elements of two adjacent modules. However, the number, the arrangement and the constitution of these cables can be modified according, in particular, to climatic conditions.

Without departing from the scope of the present invention, various modifications could be made to the embodiment which has just been described. This is how, for example, the base of the building achieves by means of modules 3 could be built in the basement. On the other hand, elements other than cables - for example chains - could be used to ensure the horizontal connections between the modules and the elements thereof. In addition, the elements indicated above as being rubber or polymer could be made of other suitable materials. Similarly, the flanges 6 which are interposed between the superimposed modules could be made, not of lubricated steel, but of another anti-friction material.

Claims (11)

1. Modular anti-seismic construction, characterized in that it rests on the ground without foundations or vertical connection, and that it is constituted by a plurality of levels (2) which are superimposed without any vertical connection. 2. Construction according to claim 1, characterized in that its levels are superimposed with the interposition of lubricated steel plates (8). 3. Construction according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that each of its levels consists of modules (3), all identical to each other in their general form, which are juxtaposed in the transverse direction and which are interconnected by transverse cables (18, 19). 4. Construction according to claim 3, characterized in that the contiguous modules (3) are separated from each other by elastic joints. 5. Construction according to any one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the upper part of said modules (3) has the shape of a vault, and that the upper surface of the latter carries at its top a longitudinal sole (6) which supports the lower edges of two contiguous modules of the upper level, or the lower edge of a module of the upper level in the case of an end module. 6. Construction according to claim 5, characterized in that a rubber mat (7) or the like is placed on said longitudinal sole (6), below said lubricated steel plate (8). 7. Construction according to any one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that said vault is provided with at least one transverse tie (13). 8. Construction according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it rests on the ground with the interposition of a compact coating of hedgehogs (4) and a mat (5) of rubber or the like. 9. Construction according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each of said modules (3) consists of elements (9), all identical to each other in their general shape, which are juxtaposed in the longitudinal direction and which are interconnected by longitudinal cables (16, 17). 10. Construction according to claim 9, characterized in that said elements (9) are bonded together by means of a polymer. 11. Construction according to any one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that at least two contiguous modules are connected together by at least one opening (10) provided with a canopy (11) at its upper part.

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