EP0796378B1

EP0796378B1 - Frontage construction and building equipped with the frontage construction, and building element applicable in the frontage construction

Info

Publication number: EP0796378B1
Application number: EP95904036A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jan Wouterus Johannes Van Ham; Harold Johannes Theodorus Vonken
Original assignee: AXALL BV
Current assignee: AXALL BV
Priority date: 1993-12-23
Filing date: 1994-12-22
Publication date: 2003-05-21
Anticipated expiration: 2014-12-22
Also published as: EP0796378A1; AU1284295A; WO1995017562A1; NL9302246A; DE69432716D1

Description

The invention pertains to a frontage construction as defined in the preamble of claim 1 and particularly comprising vertical posts with intermediate stacked building elements which are provided with indentations in their sides for the purposes of inter-coupling and of coupling with the posts, whereby the Posts are at least partially enveloped by the building elements, which building elements contain a core of isolating material, and contain an outer shell on one major side, which is provided with mutually-complementary profiles on its upper and lower sides.

A frontage construction of the type mentioned in the introduction is known from the International patent application with publication number WO 92/01124. The frontage construction known from this publication contains building elements which can be stacked between vertical posts, whereby the building elements are provided with indentations within which the posts are at least located, and whereby horizontal beams are present between the building elements for the purposes of coupling of the building elements in the vertical sense. This known frontage construction can be disassembled in a manner whereby the building elements can be fully re-utilised. The frontage can be built without the involvement of specialised professional tradesmen such as plasterers, pointers and stucco-plasterers. Experience has shown that the known frontage construction does not fully conform to the desired constructional criteria in respect of the accumulation of warmth and moisture isolation.

A goal of the invention is to provide a frontage construction of the type referred to in the introduction, which frontage construction conforms even more closely to the required constructional criteria. This is achieved by the frontage according to claim 1.

It is to be noticed that from the French patent application FR-A-2537629 building elements are known having additional profiles on their left-hand and right-hand sides. These building elements are supporting the roof and have to be refinished. One of the disadvantages of these supporting building elements is that during natural disasters, such as earth quakes, storms, walls built herewith can break down. Further these building elements have to be refinished to obtain a wind and moisture proof seal. Consequently these building elements cannot be re-utilized. Further these building elements are not conform the (Dutch) building regulations as to moisture and fire requirements.

It has been ascertained that, despite the fact that the known frontage construction theoretically complies with the constructional requirements (the posts provide for a moistureproof sealing of the vertical seams between the building elements and additionally for a wind-proof seal, whereby sufficient thermal-isolation should be achieved); measurements based on practical experience have shown that these requirements were not totally met. The invention is attributable to the insight (among other things) that the reason heretofore lies in the fact that gaps arise in the frontage construction as a result of the fact that the known posts bend somewhat as a result of temperature differences between the exterior and interior. In the case of the known frontage construction, the posts lie with one side exposed to the outside air (via gaps between the building elements) and with the opposite side exposed to the interior. As a result of this, it was apparent that it was necessary to improve the mutual horizontal coupling between the building elements in respect of warmth-accumulation and moisture isolation. This is achieved by the frontage construction in accordance with the invention.

The construction as indicated in figure 3a and 3b can also be understood to be covered by the prior discussion regarding the fact that the building elements at least partially surround the posts. A portion of the post is thereby located outside the building elements, and only a portion of the post is surrounded by the building elements. The wording indicating that the posts are at least partially surrounded by the building elements means that the indentations in the side walls of the building elements are shaped in such a manner that they serve for the enclosure of an external component (not being part of a neighbouring building element). The profiles can, in fact, have any desired form or shape. In accordance with the invention, the second profiles at least extend into the core on the left-hand and right-hand sides thereof. The sealing is improved in this manner. A further improvement of the sealing can be obtained if the profiles are formed by chamfers and if the plane of chamfering of at least the further chamfers contains a lengthwise kink. The kink is preferably located on the separation line between the outer shell and the core.

The indentations and profiles in the upper and lower sides of the building elements result in a sufficient sealing effect. Because the posts are partially surrounded by the building elements, they are situated with one side close to the outer-frontage side, and as a result hereof, the sealing between the neighbouring building elements should preferably be better than that of the sealing between two building elements which are situated upon each other. This is achieved by allowing the chamfers to extend somewhat into the core.

A further embodiment of the frontage construction in accordance with the invention is characterised in that the posts are provided with an isolating layer on their sides facing the outer frontage side. In this way, the danger of condensation formation and of the presence of cold-conducting bridges is further reduced, so that the constructional criteria are more closely met. The measure which involves the provision of the post with an isolating layer can also be taken separately from the aforementioned measures, and, when used for isolation, has a positive effect with respect to the adherence to the constructional requirements.

In order to allow larger posts to be employed, and to thereby also improve the stiffness of the frontage construction (whereby the risk of bending of the posts together with the risk of gap formation is further reduced), a further embodiment of the frontage construction in accordance with the invention is characterised in that a portion of the posts is located outside the building elements, to which portion a wall is affixed at a distance from the building elements. The posts can be hereby located partially on the inner frontage side or on the outer frontage side. As a result of the cavity created in this manner, the frontage acquires a higher isolation factor with an improved thermal accumulation. Additionally, as a result of this fact, larger and more rigid posts can be employed, whereby greater stability is achieved; this is especially advantageous when several building layers are employed. Moreover, pipes can be located in the cavity. This measure can also be taken separately from the aforementioned measure for the reduction of the possibility of gap formation.

In order to even further increase the isolation capacity of the frontage construction, a further embodiment is characterised in that frontispiece panels are removably affixed to the building elements. The frontispiece panels are preferably located at a distance from the building elements. In this manner, air or an isolating material is situated between the frontispiece panels and the building elements, leading to a better overall isolation.

During the construction of the frontage, the building elements are stacked against a post, subsequent to which another post is placed against the stacked building elements. In this manner, it cannot be ruled/out that gaps will be present between two neighbouring building elements and between the building elements and the post; a situation which is unacceptable in view of the constructional requirements. In order to reduce the possibility of gap formation, an advantageous embodiment of the frontage construction in accordance with the invention is characterised in that the posts are coupled together on their upper and/or lower ends by means of separation elements. In this manner, the posts are accurately positioned at a predetermined distance, whereby the building elements fit closely together; in this way the chance of gap-forming is strongly reduced.

A further advantage of this embodiment is that it allows for adjustment possibilities in the placement of the posts with the correct separation, whereby a high degree of dimensional accuracy of the posts is achieved. The measure of coupling the posts via separation elements can also be taken separately from the other aforementioned measures, and, when employed in isolation, has a positive effect with respect to the adherence to the constructional requirements. By coupling the posts via separation elements, a situation is reached where the separation between the posts attains the desired value, and also that the posts will retain this originally adjusted separation.

An embodiment of the frontage construction in accordance with the invention is characterised in that the posts are affixed to a wall-plate at their top ends and are affixed to a foundation at their lower ends. In this way, a situation is achieved whereby the posts, with the aid of the separation elements, are rigidly maintained at the singly adjusted separation distance from each other, whereby a high degree of dimensional accuracy is achieved for the frontage construction. In this way, the wall plate provides extra stability to the frontage construction. An advantageous embodiment hereof is characterised in that the frontage construction contains an adapter piece which is located in a cavity between the shell, the core, and the foundation, and contains a further adapter piece which is located in a further cavity between the shell, the core, and the wall plate.

A further embodiment is characterised in that the foundation includes a supporting construction and a profiled foundation beam affixed to the supporting construction. The supporting construction can be of, for example, poured concrete, to which supporting construction the foundation beam, which is preferably made of steel, is affixed. An advantage of the application of such a foundation beam is that the posts can be adjustably affixed thereto (because slotted holes or grooves are present in the foundation beam, for example), and that a dimensionally-accurate coupling between two posts is achieved after the posts have been affixed to the foundation beam. The supporting construction preferably contains a prefabricated beam or prefabricated stack bearers, whereby the foundation can be disassembled and reused. Yet another embodiment is characterised in that the foundation contains separate foundation elements and coupling elements, which coupling elements connect the foundation elements together at their corners, and moreover contains a profiled foundation beam which is affixed to the foundation elements. In this manner, both a foundation and a floor are obtained which can also be disassembled and are reusable. The foundation beam is preferably a corner-profile affixed to an edge of the supporting construction, or is a C-profile affixed on top of the supporting construction.

As a result of the special construction in accordance with the invention as described above, this frontage is suitable for use in permanent construction. This is contrary to the known frontage construction which, as a result of the lesser dimensional accuracy and poorer adjustability, only meets the requirements for semi-permanent construction in respect of isolation capacity and rigidity. The construction in accordance with the invention is so solid that no wind-around straps or gluings are required. In this manner, the frontage construction can be also totally dismantled.

No skilled workmen are required for the placement of such a frontage construction and all components of the frontage construction and foundation, and even of the floor, can be assembled "dry" (that is to say, without cement or glue). All components are easily manageable and as a result lead to less obstruction during building.

It is to be noted that a panel is known from the International patent application with publication number WO 92/01124, which panel consists of two shells with a core between them, whereby the shells are provided at the sides with profiles in order to assist the coupling process with neighbouring panels. This known construction is, however, only composed of panels and does not include any posts (present at least partially) between the panels. In this way, the aforementioned problems which can occur in the use of posts cannot arise. Moreover, in the case of this known construction the profiles are located solely in the shells and not in the core.

The invention shall now be further elucidated by way of example on the basis of the embodiments depicted in the drawing. In this respect:

FIGURE 1 shows a horizontal cross-section view of an aspect of the frontage construction in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross-section view of the frontage construction;

FIGURE 3 shows a horizontal cross-section view of an aspect of the frontage construction in accordance with the invention, with cavity;

FIGURE 4 depicts the application of frontispiece panels in the frontage construction in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 5 shows an aspect of the frontage construction in accordance with the invention, without building elements;

FIGURES 6 and 7 depict different aspects on the foundation of the frontage construction in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 8 shows an example of an embodiment of the frontage construction in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 9 shows an example of an embodiment of a foundation in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 10 depicts an example of an embodiment of a ceiling construction in accordance with the invention; and

FIGURE 11 shows an example of an embodiment of a corner construction in accordance with the invention.

Figure 1 depicts a horizontal cross-section view of an aspect of the frontage construction in accordance with the invention. The frontage construction is composed of posts 3, which posts 3 are provided on both

sides

5, 7 with an isolating layer of e.g. multiplex, and is composed of building elements 9 stacked between the posts 3. The building elements 9 have a core 11 of isolating material, which core 11 is provided on both major sides with an exterior shell 13 and an interior shell 15, respectively. The

shells

13, 15 are preferably made from a light and strong material such as polymer glass-fibre reinforced cement. The sides of the building elements 9 are provided with indentations 17, 19 (see also figure 2) within which the posts 3 and a coupling beam 21, respectively, are located, for the purposes of coupling the building elements in a vertical sense. In this embodiment, the posts 3 are completely enclosed by the building elements 9. A vertical cross-section view of the frontage construction is depicted in figure 2. The building elements and posts are situated upon a foundation which is formed by a supporting construction comprised of a prefab or poured concrete beam 23 to which a profiled foundation beam in the form of a steel corner profile 25 is affixed. An adapter piece 27 is located on the foundation beam, which adapter piece 27 fills the gap present between the corner profile 25 and the lowermost building element 9. The outer shell 13 and inner shell 15 have chamfers 29 on their upper and lower sides. The chamfer on the upper side is complementary to the chamfer on the lower side, whereby a good sealing is achieved between two building elements stacked upon each other. It is also as a result of the indentations 19 and the coupling beam 21 that a moisture and draught-proof coupling is obtained. A wall plate 71 is affixed to the posts. A further finishing piece 28 is located between the uppermost building element 9 and the wall plate 71. The left-hand and right-hand sides of the

shells

13, 15 have further chamfers 31 for purposes of sealing of the gaps between two neighbouring building elements 9 - see figure 1. In order to better protect the posts 3 from external influences, and in connection with the prevention of bending as a result of temperature differences, the further chamfers 31 extend to the left-hand and right-hand side of the core 11. The plane of chamfering contains a lengthwise kink 33 on the separation line between the outer and

inner shell

13, 15, respectively, and the core 11, whereby the penetration of water becomes practically impossible.

In order to reach even higher levels of isolation, the frontage can also be provided with a cavity. Figures 3a, 3b and 3c each show a

horizontal cross-section

35, 35' and 35" of the frontage construction in accordance with the invention, with a cavity. As a result of this construction, a more rigid post 37 with a wider cross-sectional area can also be employed. The posts 37 are hereby only partially enveloped by building elements 39 and have a portion 41 outside the building elements on the inner frontage side. The portion 43 enclosed by the building elements has a T-shaped cross-section in this particular embodiment, which portion 43 is provided with ah isolating layer 45 on the outward-facing side. An inner wall 47 is located at a distance from the building elements 39. This inner wall can consist of either large plates or smaller stacked plate elements which are affixed to the posts 41. The inner wall 47 can also be applied right up against the building elements 39. In the same manner, an outer wall can also be applied to the outer portion of the frontage.

Figures 4a and 4b show the usage of removable frontispiece panels 49 in the case of the frontage construction in accordance with the invention. To this end, the inner shells 51 of the building elements 53 are provided with fixing holes 55, within which holes fixing pins 57 present on the panels can be inserted. The pins 57 are preferably longer than the depth of the holes 55, whereby the frontispiece panels 49 remain at a distance from the building elements 53 and whereby the thus-formed separation cavity serves as extra isolation means. The frontispiece panels or profiled

panels

49, 49' and 49" can be mounted in both a horizontal as well as a vertical position, as is depicted in figure 4a and 4b. Frontispiece panels can also be affixed to the outer shell 59 of the building elements 53. It is also possible to fix the plates with the aid of hanging means 57'.

Figures 5a and 5b depict a further aspects of the frontage construction in accordance with the invention. For the sake of clarity, no building elements have been shown here. The frontage construction has similar posts 63 as were employed in the first embodiment. The posts 63, 63' can be embodied in a variety of profiles and with various strengths, depending upon the stability criteria and the number of construction layers. The posts 63 are situated at a desired mutual separation-distance from each other in such a manner that the building elements which are to be stacked between them fit together accurately with their shells. This desired mutual separation is achieved by coupling the posts 63 by separation elements 65, affixed to the upper and lower ends of the posts 63. To this end, the separation elements 65 and the posts 63 have positioning means with which they are interconnected at a predetermined distance from each other. These positioning means are on the one hand formed by pins 67 present on the upper and lower ends of the posts 63, and on the other hand by holes 69 situated at predetermined regular intervals in the coupling elements 65. In order to assist in fixation, the pins 67 are provided with external screw-thread to which threaded nuts can be affixed. The posts 63 are connected at their upper ends to a wall plate 71 with a steel profile, within which profile slotted holes through which the pins 69 protrude are present, and with which the connection between the wall plate 71 and the posts 63 can also be realised. The posts are affixed at their lower ends to a foundation 73. Preferably this foundation is also dismantable and is formed by a supporting construction consisting of prefabricated stack bearers 75, upon which stack bearers 75 a (preferably steel) profiled foundation beam 77 is fixed, said foundation beam 77 consisting, for example, of a C-profile. The foundation beam 77 is also provided with blind holes in order to improve adjustability, through which blind holes the pins 67 protrude, and with which pins the separation elements 65 and the foundation beam 77 are affixed to the posts 63. Figure 5b depicts by way of example an embodiment of the frontage construction whereby the posts 63' rest on a prefabricated concrete beam 77' which is placed upon prefabricated stack bearers 75'. In this embodiment, an edge profile 71' is employed instead of a wall plate 71. In this manner, the dismantling of a wall portion between two posts 63', for example, is greatly simplified. Figure 5b additionally shows a clamping plate 68 and a foot plate 68' whereby a possibility for adjustment is created.

Possible alternatives for the foundation are shown in figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 shows a foundation 79 with a supporting construction consisting of a prefabricated beam 81 to the side of which a foundation beam 83 in the form of a corner profile has been affixed. Figure 7 shows another embodiment whereby separate foundation elements 85 are employed, which elements are fixed to each other at their corner points 87 via coupling elements 89. These foundation elements 85 additionally form a floor for a building using this frontage construction. Corner profiles 91 are affixed to the free sides of these foundation elements 85 and the posts 93 are attached to these profiles. Other foundation constructions such as the fixing of post via a foot plate or an anchor railing are also possible.

Figure 8 shows by way of example a further embodiment in cross section of a frontage construction 95 containing building elements 959, a foundation 951 and a ceiling construction 953. Building elements are stacked upon the foundation between non-depicted posts (see figure 5). This ceiling construction is subsequently applied.

Figure 9 shows in more detail the foundation of figure 8. The foundation consists of (prefabricated) foundation stack bearers 110. Galvanised steel filling plates 111 are placed upon the foundation stack bearers, which plates ensure accurate termination. A (prefabricated) concrete plate 105 is applied on top of the foundation beams, upon which plate the building elements 959 are placed. In this embodiment, the building elements are provided with a frontispiece wall 102 and a wooden plinth 103. The connection between the frontispiece wall 102 and a deck floor 104 is covered with this wooden plinth.

The concrete plinth 105 has a number of functions. Because of this concrete plinth, it is possible to allow the building elements 959 to commence above ground-level, with the result that these elements remain cleaner. An adjustment-possibility is also created in this manner. There is also less chance of damage to the building elements as a result of the use of the concrete plinth at ground level.

An isolation 107 (for example, in the form of steel wool) is applied to the interior of the concrete plinth 105 and is covered with a finishing foil 106.

In this embodiment, isolated channel plate floor sections are located on the inside of the foundation beams 109.

Figure 10 depicts an embodiment of a ceiling construction 953 from figure 8. The building elements 959 are provided with frontispiece walls 309 at their inner sides.

The uppermost building element is provided with a frontispiece wall at its inner side, to which wall a lowered ceiling 310 is fixed. The ceiling construction itself contains fixation means 307 for the fixation of the ceiling construction to the post, the building elements, the roof beams 306 and a tube 308 to form the overhang. Roof plates 305 are fixed to the roof beams. Subsequently, an isolation layer 304 is applied on top of this, which layer is covered in turn with roof coverage 303.

The roof is further provided with a roof trim and a sideboard 302.

Figure 11a depicts a corner construction 955 for application in a frontage construction (for example, that of figure 8). A corner module 504 connects two building elements 959. The corner module is provided with isolation 506 and a foil 505 for covering the foil. Using a sealing tape 507, tubes 503 and plates 502 (of, for example, multiplex), the building elements are interconnected via the corner construction. The building elements in turn can be provided with frontispiece walls 508, which walls are finished in the corner with a finishing profile 509.

Figure 11b depicts coupling parts 111, which can be employed in the frontage construction in accordance with the invention for purposes of interconnecting support beams for the building of several storeys, etc.

It shall be obvious that the frontage construction can be modified in a variety of ways without deviating from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Frontage construction (1, 35, 35', 35", 61, 95) comprising vertical posts (3, 37, 63, 63', 93) with intermediate stacked building elements (9, 39, 53, 959) which elements are provided with indentations in their sides for the purposes of mutual coupling and coupling with the posts, whereby the posts are coupled with their lower end with a foundation and are at least partially surrounded by the building elements, which building elements contain a core (11) of isolating material and contain an outer shell (13) on one major side, which shell is provided on its upper and lower sides with a first set of profiles, which first profiles are complementary to each other, and wherein on their left-hand and right-hand sides the building elements are provided with a second set of complementary profiles (31), which second profiles (31) are at least located on the outer shell of said building element, characterised in that the frontage construction comprises means (68, 68') for adjusting the position of the posts with respect to each other and to the building elements, which means comprise a clamping plate (68) and a floor plate (68'), which frontage construction further comprises a plinth (27, 105) beneath the building elements for adjusting said building elements with respect to each other and the posts.
Frontage construction in accordance with claim 1 , characterised in that the second profiles also extend at least into the core, on the left-hand and right-hand sides thereof.
Frontage construction in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the first profiles and second profiles are formed by a first chamfer and a second chamfer, respectively.
Frontage construction in accordance with claim 3, characterised in that the plane of chamfering of at least the second chamfer shows a lengthwise kink.
Frontage construction in accordance with claim 4, characterised in that the kink is located on the separation line between the outer shell and the core.
Frontage construction in accordance with one of the previous claims, characterised in that the posts are provided with an isolating layer on their sides facing the outer frontage side.
Frontage construction in accordance with one of the previous claims, characterised in that a portion of the posts is located outside the building elements, to which portion a wall is affixed at a distance from the building elements.
Frontage construction in accordance with one of the previous claims, characterised in that frontispiece panels are removably affixed to the building elements.
Frontage construction in accordance with claim 8, characterised in that the frontispiece panels are located at a distance from the building elements.
Frontage construction in accordance with one of the previous claims, characterised in that the posts are mutually coupled on their upper and/or lower ends by means of separation elements.
Frontage construction in accordance with claim 10, characterised in that the posts are affixed to a wall-plate at their upper ends and are affixed to a foundation at their lower ends.
Frontage construction in accordance with claim 11, characterised in that the frontage construction contains an adapter piece which is located in a cavity between the shell, the core and the foundation, and contains a further adapter piece which is located in a further cavity between the shell, the core and the wall plate.
Frontage construction in accordance with claim 11 or 12, characterised in that the foundation includes a supporting construction and a profiled foundation beam affixed to the supporting construction.
Frontage construction in accordance with claim 13, characterised in that the supporting construction contains a prefabricated beam or prefabricated stack bearers.
Frontage construction in accordance with claim 13 or 14, characterised in that the foundation contains separate foundation elements and coupling elements, which coupling elements connect the foundation elements together at their corners, and moreover contains a profiled foundation beam which is affixed to the foundation elements.
Frontage construction in accordance with claim 13, 14 or 15, characterised in that the foundation beam is a corner-profile affixed to an edge of the supporting construction.
Frontage construction in accordance with claim 14, 15 or 16, characterised in that the foundation beam is a C-profile lying on top of the supporting construction.
Building provided with a frontage construction in accordance with one of the previous claims.