EP3510212B1 - Construction element - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

This presentation relates to a building element, in particular a building element that can form all or part of a floor, a staircase or a wall.

More particularly, the present presentation relates to such a construction element of the type comprising at least a first and a second sheet superimposed at a distance from each other, in a direction of superposition, and means for fixing the first and second sheets between them, arranged between said sheets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Floors, stairs or walls are today made of a wide variety of materials and in particular noble materials, for example transparent glass or lacquered glass, to give an architectural style to the building, to increase the luminosity of the rooms, or even to allow a visibility between different rooms or levels of a building.

A typical 200 glass floor is shown as an example in the figure 1 . The floor is formed by juxtaposition of construction elements 110 each comprising the superposition of a lower sheet of glass 112 and an upper sheet of glass 114.

Each building element 110 is typically supported at its periphery by one or more support brackets 190 generally made of metal, to which the lower glass sheet 112 is often adhered by means of an adhesive 194.

A seal 180 is formed between the edge of the upper glass sheet 114 of a building element 110 and the edge of the upper glass sheet 114 of an adjacent building element 110.

The facing faces of the lower and upper glass sheets of the same construction element are held at a distance from each other by spacers 170, and fixed directly to each other by means of a cord of glue 130.

The repeated passages of users over such a floor scratch the upper sheet of glass, the general appearance and transparency of which can be rapidly diminished.

This transparent sheet must therefore be changed regularly. However, this change requires time and manpower: the seal between the various construction elements must first be removed. Then the bead of glue between the two transparent sheets is cut. For this, it is necessary to break the upper transparent sheet beforehand, which can also prove to be dangerous.

The document FR1469605A discloses a construction panel comprising at least two superposed rigid walls fixed to each other by their periphery.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a construction element of the aforementioned type making it possible to solve the aforementioned problems, and in particular allowing a quick and safe change of one of the sheets forming the construction element.

This objective is achieved with a construction element for a floor, staircase or wall, comprising at least a first and a second sheet superimposed at a distance from each other, in a direction of superposition, and means for fixing the first and second sheets between them, arranged between said sheets, the construction element being characterized in that the fixing means comprise at least one retaining element fixed on the first sheet and at least one adhesive product adhering to the second sheet, the the retaining element forming a receiving groove that can be filled by the adhesive product in an uncured state and having at least one anchoring part adapted to retain the adhesive product in a cured state, the retaining element and the adhesive product each being made of a material such that the adhesive product in the hardened state can be extracted from said groove without damaging the retaining element.

The two sheets can easily be attached to each other: the retaining element, attached to one of the sheets, retains the adhesive product which has hardened inside its groove and additionally adheres to the another sheet, against a lateral displacement (i.e. which would cause a lateral sliding of the transparent sheets) and a transverse displacement (i.e. which would cause a spacing/separation of the two transparent sheets).

It is understood that the adhesive product is a product suitable for pass from an unhardened state in which it can be introduced inside the groove conforming to the profile of said groove, to a hardened state in which it has sufficient cohesion and rigidity to be mechanically retained by the anchoring part of the retaining element when a tensile force is applied to it away from the retaining element.

Preferably, the adhesive product is in pasty form in the uncured state and becomes an elastomer in the cured state.

The hardening of the adhesive product can result from a chemical reaction or from cooling. The chemical reaction is in particular a polymerization and/or crosslinking reaction initiated by at least contact with humidity in the air, heating, radiation, or a mixture between two previously separated components.

Those skilled in the art will know how to choose appropriate materials for the retaining element and the adhesive product, depending in particular on the shape of the retaining element, so that the two parts can be detached from each other. by deformation of the retaining element and/or of the adhesive product in the hardened state. Advantageously, at least one of the retainer and the adhesive in the cured state is flexible or soft Preferably at least one of the retainer and the adhesive in the cured state, and in particular each of them, is made of a material having a Shore A hardness of at most 70, in particular between 30 and 60, or even between 50 and 60.

It is understood that it is also preferable that the retaining element and the adhesive product in the cured state do not adhere to each other in a way that would prevent their detachment.

According to one example, the retaining element is based on a thermoplastic polymer material, for example polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polypropylene (PP), or based on an elastomer, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer based olefin (TPE-O), for example comprising a mixture of polypropylene and EPDM rubber.

According to one example, the adhesive product is based on a curable polymer, in particular a polyurethane or a silane-modified polymer (in particular a silane-modified polyether or a silane-modified polyurethane) or a polysiloxane.

All the combinations of materials listed above for the retaining element and the adhesive product are possible and are not listed in the present description so as not to make it unnecessarily heavy. A A particularly preferred combination of materials is an olefinic thermoplastic elastomer for the retainer and a polyurethane for the adhesive product.

According to one example, the first sheet and/or the second sheet is made of a transparent material.

A transparent material should be understood here as a material having the property of allowing light to pass. It can therefore be truly transparent (in the sense that one can clearly distinguish objects through it) or translucent.

According to a variant, the first or the second sheet can also be made of an opaque material (for example opaque glass).

Advantageously, the first sheet and/or the second sheet is made of glass.

But each sheet can also be made of a plastic material, a combination of glass and plastic or any other suitable material.

The construction element according to the invention is furthermore not limited to the superposition of two sheets, and may comprise more than two superposed sheets.

According to one example, the first and the second sheet have dimensions, measured perpendicular to the superposition direction, which are substantially identical, in other words which differ by at most 10% (the width of a sheet is equal to at most 1.1 times the width of the other sheet and in the same way the length of one sheet is equal to at most 1.1 times the length of the other sheet), preferably by at most 5%.

According to one example, the first and the second sheet face each other, in the overlapping direction, over at least 80%, preferably over at least 90%, of the extent of one of the first and the second sheet.

According to a particular example, the first and the second sheet face each other, in the superposition direction, over the entire extent of one of the first and the second sheet.

According to a specific example, the two sheets have identical dimensions, and are arranged so that their edges (edges) face in a direction orthogonal to their main faces.

The fastening means, typically arranged at the edge of the first and second sheets, generally delimit a solid and continuous intermediate space between the first and the second sheet.

It is understood that the intermediate space is delimited by the first and the second sheet in the direction of superposition, and, laterally, by the interior side of the retaining element(s) and the adhesive product.

The intervening space typically has a generally rectangular extent, in section in a plane orthogonal to the direction of superposition.

According to an advantageous example, the retaining element forms a continuous frame closed on itself, and the adhesive product forms a continuous adhesive bead over the entire length of the frame, delimiting an intermediate space between the first and the second sheet.

Advantageously, sealing means are provided between the first and the second sheet, ensuring the sealing of this intermediate space.

These arrangements make it possible to avoid contamination of the space between the two sheets, and in particular the penetration of dust and humidity, which could deteriorate the transparency and/or the appearance of the construction element.

According to one example, the building element further comprises moisture absorption means suitable for absorbing moisture inside the intermediate space.

According to one example, the construction element comprises, inside the intermediate space, a profile forming a continuous frame and closed on itself, filled with a material with moisture absorption properties.

According to one example, the construction element further comprises, at a distance from the retaining element, at least one spacer placed between the first sheet and the second sheet. Preferably, the construction element comprises a plurality of spacers distributed in the intermediate space at a distance from the retaining element.

The invention also relates to a construction system, in particular a floor, a staircase or a wall, comprising at least one construction element as defined previously and peripheral means for holding said construction element in position.

According to one example, the construction system comprises the juxtaposition of at least a first and a second construction element as defined above.

According to one example, a seal is formed between a sheet of the first construction element and a sheet of the second construction element.

• la fixation d'au moins un élément de retenue sur une première feuille, l'élément de retenue formant une gorge de réception présentant au moins une partie d'ancrage,
• le remplissage de la gorge de réception avec un produit adhésif durcissable dans un état non durci,
• avant durcissement du produit adhésif, le positionnement d'une deuxième feuille en regard de la première feuille, de sorte que la première et la deuxième feuille soient superposées et que le produit adhésif non durci soit en contact avec la deuxième feuille,
• le durcissement du produit adhésif, de sorte que le produit adhésif à l'état durci soit retenu par la partie d'ancrage, formant l'élément de construction.

The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a construction element as defined above, comprising at least:

• the fixing of at least one retaining element on a first sheet, the retaining element forming a receiving groove having at least one anchoring part,
• filling the receiving groove with a curable adhesive product in an uncured state,
• before hardening of the adhesive product, the positioning of a second sheet facing the first sheet, so that the first and the second sheet are superimposed and that the uncured adhesive product is in contact with the second sheet,
• curing the adhesive product, so that the adhesive product in the cured state is retained by the anchoring part, forming the construction element.

The invention finally relates to a method for maintaining a construction element, in particular for a floor, staircase, or wall, as defined above, in which a tensile force is exerted on at least one of the first and second sheet in the overlapping direction, away from the other sheet, whereby the cured adhesive product is extracted from the receiving groove, without damage to the retainer, and the first and the second sheet are separated l each other.

• on remplit ensuite la gorge de réception avec un produit adhésif durcissable dans un état non durci, puis
• avant durcissement du produit adhésif, on positionne une nouvelle deuxième feuille en regard de la première feuille, de sorte que la première et la nouvelle deuxième feuille soient superposées et que le produit adhésif non durci soit en contact avec la deuxième feuille.

According to a particular example,

• the receiving groove is then filled with a curable adhesive product in an uncured state, then
• before the adhesive product hardens, a new second sheet is positioned opposite the first sheet, so that the first and the new second sheet are superposed and the uncured adhesive product is in contact with the second sheet.

The tensile force is for example exerted by means of at least one suction cup, preferably placed at a corner of the construction element.

Several embodiments or exemplary embodiments are described in this presentation. However, unless otherwise specified, the characteristics described in relation to any mode or example of embodiment may be applied to another mode or example of embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• La figure 1 illustre un plancher selon l'art antérieur, en coupe transversale ;
• La figure 2 illustre un plancher selon un mode de réalisation de la présente invention, en coupe transversale ;
• La figure 3 illustre le plancher de la figure 2 en vue de dessus ;
• Les figures 4A à 4C illustrent une variante du mode de réalisation de la figure 2, dans laquelle est ajouté un matériau assurant la fonction d'étanchéité ;
• Les figures 5A à 5C illustrent schématiquement des étapes du procédé de fabrication d'un élément de construction selon l'invention ;
• La figure 6 illustre schématiquement la séparation des première et deuxième feuille d'un élément de construction selon l'invention, dans le cadre de sa maintenance ;
• Les figures 7A à 7C illustrent des variantes de réalisation de l'élément de retenue.

The invention will be well understood and its advantages will appear better, on reading the detailed description which follows, of several embodiments represented by way of non-limiting examples. The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which:

• There figure 1 illustrates a floor according to the prior art, in cross section;
• There figure 2 illustrates a floor according to one embodiment of the present invention, in cross-section;
• There picture 3 illustrates the floor of the figure 2 in top view;
• THE figures 4A to 4C illustrate a variant of the embodiment of the figure 2 , in which is added a material providing the sealing function;
• THE figures 5A to 5C schematically illustrate steps in the method of manufacturing a construction element according to the invention;
• There figure 6 schematically illustrates the separation of the first and second sheet of a building element according to the invention, in the context of its maintenance;
• THE figures 7A to 7C illustrate alternative embodiments of the retaining element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF REALIZATION

THE figure 2 And 3 illustrate a floor 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention, and more particularly a glass floor forming the junction between two superimposed rooms of a building.

The floor 100 comprises a plurality of construction elements 10, and means for holding these construction elements, here in the form of a support trellis 90 consisting of intersecting metal slats 92, fixed by their ends to the wall of a building (not shown) or any other suitable structure.

In the example, each construction element 10 comes to cover a mesh of the trellis 90, resting with its edges on the four metal slats (two by two orthogonal) delimiting said mesh. To ensure good stability of the assembly, each construction element is advantageously fixed to the support trellis with glue 94.

Each construction element 10 comprises a first sheet 12 and a second sheet 14, here in glass, and of generally rectangular section.

The first and the second sheet 12, 14 are parallel to each other and superimposed in a superimposition direction Z.

The first sheet 12 has two parallel main faces, an internal face 12a and an external face 12b, of length L and of width l measured respectively in a longitudinal direction X and in a transverse direction Y orthogonal to the direction of superposition Z, connected by a song 12c.

The second sheet 14 has two parallel main faces, an internal face 14a, an external face 14b, of length L measured in the longitudinal direction X and of width l measured in the transverse direction Y, connected by an edge 12c.

In the particular example illustrated, the dimensions—in length and in width—of the two sheets of a construction element are identical. The thicknesses of the two sheets are different. However, this configuration is not limiting, and the sheets may either have the same dimensions or different dimensions in the different X, Y, Z directions. However, the two sheets preferably have substantially identical dimensions in the X, Y directions. Advantageously, the first and the second sheet face each other, in the overlapping direction, over at least 80% of the extent of one of the first and the second sheet. In the particular example shown, the sheets coincide and face each other over their entire extent. Their edges (edges) are aligned in the direction of overlap Z.

Of the figure 2 And 3 which illustrate the floor 100, it is understood that the outer faces 12b of the first sheets 12 form the underside of the floor 100 oriented towards and glued to the metal mesh 90.

The external faces 14b of the second sheets 14 constitute the upper face of the floor 100. This is directly subjected to wear linked to the normal use of the building (passage of users, shocks linked to falling objects, etc.).

Advantageously, seals 80 are formed between the edges of the second sheets of the floor, as illustrated in the figure 2 And 3 .

As illustrated on the figure 2 , the first and the second sheet are fixed together by fixing means, arranged between their respective inner faces 12a, 14a. The first and the second sheet form, so to speak, a double glazing, and more particularly an insulating double glazing.

The fixing means here comprise a retaining element 20 fixed to the first sheet 12, and an adhesive product 30 adhering to the second sheet 14.

The retaining element 20 is here in the form of a continuous frame and closed on itself, along the edge 12c of the first sheet 12, at a distance d therefrom.

It is for example based on a thermoplastic polymer material, for example polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polypropylene (PP), or based on an elastomer, in particular an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPE-O) .

By way of example which has given particularly good results, the retaining element 20 is based on an olefin-based thermoplastic elastomer (TPE-O), more precisely of the PP/EPDM type, that is to say comprising a mixture of polypropylene and EPDM rubber, the Shore A hardness of which is approximately 55, and the adhesive product 30 is a one-component, moisture-curing polyurethane sealant with a Shore A hardness of approximately 50 when cured.

In cross section, the retaining element 20 typically comprises a base 22, fixed to the inner face 12a of the first sheet 12, and two branches 24, 26 forming together and with the base 22 a U delimiting a receiving groove 28 intended to receive the adhesive product 30, as will be described in more detail below.

As illustrated on the figure 5A , the branches 24, 26 of the U are slightly inclined towards the inside of the groove 28, defining two anchoring parts adapted to retain the adhesive product 30 housed in the groove 28, in the superposition direction Z.

According to variant embodiments, illustrated in the figures 7A to 7C , the branches could also be less inclined but comprise one or more teeth or projections oriented towards the inside of the groove 28 in order to adjust the traction force necessary for the extraction of the adhesive product from the groove 28.

The attachment of the retaining element 20 to the first sheet of glass 12 is typically done by gluing, by means of a suitable adhesive 40.

According to a preferred arrangement, a double-sided adhesive strip is fixed to the retaining element 20 by one of its two faces. At the time of manufacture of the construction element 10, the second adhesive face of the strip, advantageously protected by a removable film, is uncovered and then fixed to the first sheet 12.

According to another example, the bonding of the retaining element 20 on the first sheet of glass 12 can be carried out at the time of the extrusion of the retaining element (i.e. at the time of its manufacture). To do this, a robot is moved along edge 12c of first sheet of glass 12 and simultaneously extrudes retaining element 20 and glues it to first sheet of glass 12.

The glue 40 used advantageously has, in addition to its fixing properties, sealing properties making it possible to prevent the passage of air between the retaining element 20 and the first sheet 12.

According to a variant illustrated by the figures 4A and 4B , a sealing means 42 can be added when the fixing adhesive 40 does not ensure sufficient sealing.

In the example illustrated by the figure 4A , the sealing means 42 is arranged between the retaining element 20 and the inner face of the first sheet 12. In this case, the fixing glue 40 forms a continuous cord and closed on itself between a first portion of the base 22 of the retainer 20 and the first sheet 12, and the sealing means 42 forms a continuous seal and closed on itself between a second portion of the base 22 of the retainer 20 and the first sheet 12.

In the example illustrated by the figure 4B , the sealing means 42 is placed against a branch of the retaining element 20 and forms a continuous seal and closed on itself covering the edge of the fixing adhesive 40. The sealing means can also be placed against the outer branch 26 of the retaining element 20, that is to say the branch closest to the edge of the first sheet of glass 12 (as shown in figure 4B ), than against the inner branch 24.

The adhesive product 30 fills the groove 28 of the retaining element 20 and partly overflows out of this groove 28, to be fixed on the internal face 14a of the second sheet 14.

In the example, the adhesive product 30 forms a continuous adhesive bead over the entire length of the retaining element (this is visible on the picture 3 ).

The adhesive product 30 is curable, that is to say adapted to pass from an uncured state in which it can be introduced inside the groove 28 by conforming to the profile of said groove 28, to a state hardened in which it has sufficient cohesion and rigidity to be mechanically retained by the branches 24, 26 of the retaining element 20 forming anchoring parts, when a tensile force is applied to it away from the restraint 20.

As mentioned previously, the hardening of the adhesive product can result from a chemical reaction or from cooling. The chemical reaction is in particular a polymerization and/or crosslinking reaction initiated by at least contact with humidity in the air, heating, radiation, or a mixture between two previously separated components.

The adhesive product 30 is for example based on a curable polymer, in particular a polyurethane or a silane-modified polymer (especially a silane-modified polyether or a silane-modified polyurethane) or a polysiloxane. It may advantageously be a single-component polyurethane mastic hardening under the effect of humidity, having a Shore A hardness of approximately 50 in the hardened state.

The adhesive product 30 advantageously exhibits sealing properties, in particular to moisture.

According to a variant illustrated by the Fig. 4C , a sealing means 42 can be added when the adhesive product 30 does not provide sufficient sealing. The sealing means 42 is arranged against a branch (for example the branch 26) of the retaining element 20 so as to form a continuous seal and closed on itself whose height in the direction Z is equal to the distance between the first sheet 12 and the second sheet 14.

The intermediate space 50 defined by the retaining element and the adhesive product between the first sheet and the second sheet is thus a sealed space.

Advantageously, the construction element 10 comprises in the intermediate space 50, at a distance from the retaining element 20, a plurality of spacers 70 arranged between the first sheet 12 and the second sheet 14.

The building element may further include moisture absorbing means suitable for absorbing moisture within the intervening space. In the example, a continuous section 60 closed on itself, filled with a material 62 with moisture absorption properties, for example silica gel, is provided inside the intermediate space 50 .

The profile 60 is for example a metal or plastic profile, of the type commonly used to form the spacer frame of insulating glazing. The profile can for example have the general shape of a tube, as illustrated in the picture 2 , the inner space of the tube being filled with moisture absorbing material.

According to variants, the profile can for example have a cross-section in C or in U, allowing the maintenance of the absorbent material.

According to another variant or in addition, the retaining element 20 comprises at least one component with absorption properties humidity, in particular when the curing of the adhesive product 30 is carried out by reaction with humidity. The retaining element 20 is then capable of absorbing part of the moisture in the air and of restoring it to the adhesive product 30, thus accelerating the hardening of the latter.

THE figures 5A to 5C illustrate different steps in the manufacture of a construction element 10 according to the present invention.

As illustrated by the figure 5A , the retaining element 20 is first fixed, by gluing, to the inner face 12a of the first sheet 12.

As illustrated on the figure 5B , the adhesive product 30 in the uncured state is introduced into the groove 28. The quantity of adhesive product 30 used is such that the groove 28 of the retaining element 20 is completely filled and that the retaining element 20 is further surmounted by an additional mass of product 30.

Before hardening of the adhesive product 30, the second sheet 14 is positioned facing the first sheet 12, so that the first and the second sheet 12, 14 are superimposed and that the mass of uncured adhesive product 30 comes to be crushed against the internal face 14a of the second sheet 14.

As explained previously, the hardening of the adhesive product 30 can result from a simple chemical reaction with the humidity of the air, or can also be obtained by heating, radiation, or any other suitable technique.

Once cured, the adhesive product 30 is mechanically retained by the anchoring portions 24, 26 of the retaining element 20.

The second sheet 14 is thus held relative to the first sheet 12, so that in normal use of the floor, the second sheet 14 does not move relative to the first sheet 12.

As explained previously, the repeated passages of users on the external face of the second sheet lead to scratches and marks which deteriorate the appearance and reduce the transparency of the floor.

There figure 6 illustrates how the second sheet 14 can easily be removed and exchanged, without damaging or dismantling the other elements of the floor 100.

A tensile force F is exerted on the second sheet 14 in the superposition direction Z, away from the first sheet 12 (upwards, in the example), for example by means of a suction cup.

The cured adhesive product 30 and/or the retaining element 20 deform(s) under stress, allowing the extraction of the adhesive product 30 from the groove 28, without damaging the retaining element 20.

Advantageously, the retaining element 20 has not deformed, or has deformed elastically and then regained substantially its initial shape.

In this case, the retainer 20 can be reused.

Its groove 28 is then once again filled with a curable adhesive product 30 in the uncured state, then, before curing, a new second sheet 14 is positioned opposite the first sheet 12, so that the first sheet 12 and the new second sheet 14 are superimposed and that the uncured adhesive product is in contact with the second sheet 14.

Claims (17)

1. A structural element (10) for a floor, stairway or wall, comprising at least one first (12) and one second (14) sheet superimposed at a distance from one another, in a direction of superimposition (Z), and means (20, 30) for fixing the first (12) and second (14) sheets together, which means are positioned between said sheets,
   the structural element (10) being characterized in that the fixing means (20, 30) comprise at least one retaining element (20) fixed to the first sheet (12) and at least one adhesive product (30) being able to pass from an uncured state to a cured state, the adhesive product adhering to the second sheet (14), the retaining element (20) forming a receiving throat (28) which can be filled with the adhesive product (30) in the uncured state and which exhibits at least one anchoring part (24, 26) appropriate for retaining the adhesive product (30) in the cured state, the retaining element (20) and the adhesive product (30) each being produced in a material such that the adhesive product (30) in the cured state can be extracted from said throat (28) without damaging the retaining element (20).
2. The structural element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and the second sheet face each other, in the direction of superimposition, over at least 80% of the area of one among the first and the second sheet.
3. The structural element as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first sheet (12) and/or the second sheet (14) is produced in a transparent material.
4. The structural element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first sheet (12) and/or the second sheet (14) is made of glass.
5. The structural element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first (12) and the second (14) sheet exhibit dimensions, measured perpendicularly to the direction of superimposition (Z), which are substantially identical.
6. The structural element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one among the retaining element (20) and the adhesive product in the cured state (30) is made of a material having a Shore A hardness of at most 70, in particular of between 30 and 60, indeed even between 50 and 60.
7. The structural element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the retaining element (20) is based on a thermoplastic polymer material, for example polyvinyl chloride or polypropylene, or based on an elastomer, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer having an olefinic base.
8. The structural element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the adhesive product (30) is based on a curable polymer, in particular a silane-modified polyurethane or polymer or a polysiloxane.
9. The structural element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the retaining element (20) forms a continuous frame closed on itself, and the adhesive product (30) forms a continuous adhesive strip over the entire length of the frame, delimiting an interlayer space (50) between the first (12) and the second (14) sheet.
10. The structural element as claimed in claim 9, wherein leaktightness means (42) are provided between the first (12) and the second (14) sheet, providing the interlayer space (50) with leaktightness.
11. The structural element as claimed in claim 9 or 10, additionally comprising moisture-absorbing means (62) appropriate for absorbing moisture inside the interlayer space (50).
12. The structural element as claimed in claim 11, comprising, inside the interlayer space (50), a profiled element (60) forming a continuous frame closed on itself, filled with a material having moisture-absorbing properties (62).
13. A construction system (100), in particular a floor, a stairway or a wall, comprising at least one structural element (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 and peripheral means (92) for holding said structural element in position.
14. The construction system as claimed in claim 13, comprising the juxtaposition of at least one first and one second structural element (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12.
15. A process for the manufacture of a structural element (10) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising at least:

    - the fixing of at least one retaining element (20) to a first sheet (12), the retaining element (20) forming a receiving throat (28) exhibiting at least one anchoring part (24, 26),

    - the filling of the receiving throat (20) with a curable adhesive product (30) in an uncured state,

    - before curing the adhesive product (30), the positioning of a second sheet (14) facing the first sheet (12), so that the first (12) and the second (14) sheet are superimposed and that the uncured adhesive product (30) is in contact with the second sheet (14),

    - the curing of the adhesive product (30), so that the adhesive product in the cured state is retained by the anchoring part (24, 26), forming the structural element.
16. A process for the maintenance of a structural element (10), in particular for a floor, stairway or wall, as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein a tensile force is exerted on at least one among the first (12) and the second (14) sheet in the direction of superimposition (Z), in removing from the other sheet, whereby the cured adhesive product (30) is extracted from the receiving throat (28), without damaging the retaining element (20), and the first (12) and the second (14) sheet are separated from one another.
17. The process as claimed in claim 16, wherein:

    - the receiving throat (28) is subsequently filled with a curable adhesive product (30) in an uncured state, then

    - before curing the adhesive product (30), a new second sheet (14) is positioned facing the first sheet (12), so that the first (12) and the new second (14) sheet are superimposed and that the uncured adhesive product (30) is in contact with the second sheet (14).

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