EP4062001A1

EP4062001A1 - Modular metal structure

Info

Publication number: EP4062001A1
Application number: EP20821331.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Elie SMADJA; Mathieu LAUNAY; Cédric KRIEGER
Original assignee: Nextensia
Current assignee: Nextensia
Priority date: 2019-11-20
Filing date: 2020-11-18
Publication date: 2022-09-28
Also published as: FR3103203B1; WO2021099734A1; FR3103203A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a modular metal structure comprising profile elements (2) configured to be assembled according to at least one first configuration in which a transverse side (203) of one profile element (2) is attached to a transverse side (203) of another profile element (2), the profile elements (2) being aligned with each other. At least one profile element (2) has a cross section smaller than a cross section of an adjacent profile element (2) so as to have a non-zero height difference (Δ1) between them. The metal structure comprises at least one part (3) for absorbing loads fastened to a base (202) of the at least one profile element (2) and to the transverse side (203) of the adjacent profile element (2). Also disclosed is a modular metal structure that can be dismantled, the profile elements of which have optimised sections and can be reused.

Description

Title of the invention: Modular metal structure

The present invention relates to the field of metal construction. It relates more particularly to a modular metal structure.

In the field of construction and for example in the construction of buildings, it is common to use a metal structure or frame.

Conventionally, the metal structure comprises several profiled elements assembled together. For large metal structures, especially for buildings, the metal structure generally has large spans.

It therefore comprises a great diversity of elements. In particular, metal structures generally require the use of elements with different profiles and dimensions. This can cause logistical problems, on the one hand when shipping the parts to the job site and on the other hand, when assembling said parts together.

In addition, the various elements are formed in order to play a particular role in the metal structure. For example, one member is shaped to be a beam, another member is shaped to be a column, and so on. In other words, each element is formed for a particular purpose and each metal structure requires unique elements linked to particular configurations.

In this context, document FR 2794153 is known, the objective of which is to reduce the number and type of profiled elements used. This document discloses a metal structure in which the profiled elements all have the same shape. The profiled elements are assembled together by means of connecting plates, each connecting plate sandwiching a profiled element and an adjacent profiled element. This solution has the drawback, owing to the use of a profiled element having the same shape for the entire structure, of using a large quantity of steel which is not useful for taking up loads. In other words, some profiled elements are "oversized" in relation to the loads they have to bear.

The object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks.

Thus, the invention relates to a modular metal structure comprising profiled elements configured to be assembled according to at least a first configuration in which a transverse side of a profiled element is fixed to a transverse side of another profiled element, said profiled elements being aligned with each other.

According to the invention, at least one profiled element has a cross section smaller than a cross section of an adjacent profiled element so as to have a non-zero height difference between them. The metal structure comprises at least one load-absorbing part fixed on the one hand to a sole of said at least one profiled element and on the other hand to the transverse side of said adjacent profiled element.

The profiled elements thus formed can be assembled together easily at the level of the transverse sides. In addition, the load-absorbing part makes it possible to assemble profiled elements with different cross sections together while ensuring good stress absorption and thus avoiding deformation of the profiled elements. The structure thus formed is on the one hand modular and on the other hand allows an optimization of the section of the profiled elements.

Moreover, the assembly being carried out by fixing at the level of the transverse sides of the profiled elements, this makes it possible to intervene locally on this fixing for a repair or a change of profiled element but also to reuse the profiled elements later for another structure. . In addition, this makes it possible to reduce the number of fasteners used for assembling the profiled elements together.

According to one characteristic, for any profiled element having a cross section smaller than a cross section of an adjacent profiled element, the difference between the height of said profiled element and the height of said adjacent profiled element is substantially identical. According to one characteristic, for any profiled element having a cross section smaller than a cross section of an adjacent profiled element, the force-absorbing part fixed on the one hand to said profiled element and on the other hand to said adjacent profiled element is identical.

One and the same part, that is to say having the same shape and the same dimensions, can thus be used for the entire structure. This reduces the variety of parts and elements used in the structure. This characteristic is all the more interesting when the difference between the height of said profiled element and the height of said adjacent profiled element is substantially identical.

According to one characteristic, the part for taking up the forces comprises a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, the first portion and the second portion being arranged at right angles, the third portion connecting the first portion and the second portion. The first portion is fixed to the sole of said at least one profiled element, the second portion being fixed to the transverse side of said adjacent profiled element.

The structure thus formed of the load-absorbing part allows good absorption of the forces from a profiled element to the adjacent profiled element.

According to one characteristic, the second portion of the load-absorbing part has a height substantially equal to the distance between the height of said at least one profiled element and the height of said adjacent profiled element.

This makes it possible to ensure a good absorption of the forces between the profiled elements.

According to one characteristic, the force-absorbing part further comprises a spacer extending between the first portion and the third portion.

The spacer makes it possible on the one hand to maintain a constant spacing between the first portion and the second portion, and on the other hand to take up and distribute the forces passing through the force-taking part.

According to one characteristic, the part for taking up the forces comprises a first wing forming the first portion, a second wing forming the third portion, and an end plate forming the second portion, said first wing and said second wing respectively having first ends parallel to each other, and second ends attached to each other.

In other words, the first wing and the second wing together with the spacer form an I-section, the wings of which meet.

According to one characteristic, the metal structure further comprises at least one assembly accessory, the profiled elements being configured to be assembled according to a second configuration in which a transverse side of each of said profiled elements is fixed to an attachment zone of the assembly accessory, said profiled elements being inclined with respect to each other, the part for taking up the forces being fixed on the one hand to a sole of the profiled element and on the other hand to the fixing zone of the assembly accessory.

The assembly according to the second configuration makes it possible to assemble two profiled elements together so that the two profiled elements are inclined with respect to each other. In other words, the two profiled elements form an angle other than 180 °. The load-absorbing part as configured also allows the absorption of forces between the profiled elements and the assembly accessory.

According to one characteristic, the profiled elements are chosen from a set of profiled elements of predefined cross sections.

It is thus possible to constitute a modular structure while using only a limited number of different profiled elements. This facilitates assembly of the structure and reduces logistical problems during assembly in the factory or on site. In particular, the risk of errors between the profiled elements during shipment to the site but also during assembly is reduced. In addition, this also facilitates the management of the stock of profiled elements, thus allowing rapid delivery of said profiled elements on site.

According to one characteristic, each profiled element is a reconstituted welded section comprising a web and two flanges extending perpendicular to the web, said web and said flanges forming a section. in I, the transverse flank of the profiled element extending at each end of the profiled element perpendicular to the core and to the soles.

The use of reconstituted welded profile allows to design a profile element in an optimal way according to the forces that the profile element has to take. The section of the profiled element can in fact be optimized as a function of the forces passing through it.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the description below with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples:

- Figure 1 is a front view of a modular metal gantry according to an embodiment according to the invention;

- Figure 2a is a perspective view of a profiled element of the gantry of Figure 1;

- Figure 2b is an exploded view of Figure 2a;

- Figures 3 and 4 are views of the respective details A and B of Figure 1 illustrating two profiled elements assembled together according to a first configuration and fixed to a load-absorbing part;

- Figures 5a and 5b show a profiled element assembled to a corner accessory, the load-absorbing part being fixed on the one hand to the profiled element and on the other hand to the corner accessory;

- Figure 6 is a view of a detail C of Figure 1 illustrating two profiled elements assembled together in a second configuration by means of a ridge accessory; and

- Figure 7 shows the load-absorbing part fixed to a sole of a profiled element.

In this document, by vertical direction is meant the direction in which a column conventionally extends in a frame structure and by horizontal direction the direction perpendicular to said vertical direction and in which conventionally extends a beam.

FIG. 1 represents a gantry 1 of a modular metal structure, also called a structure, according to one embodiment. The structure can be any type of known metal structure. The gantry 1 comprises profiled elements 2. The profiled elements 2 are assembled together so as to form the structure. The profiled elements are interchangeable, joinable and modular, which makes the structure modular.

The profiled elements 2 are similar. In other words, the profiled elements 2 have the same profile, that is to say that the profiled elements 2 have the same shape. Only the dimensions may vary from one profile element 2 to another. The description will therefore be made for a single profiled element 2.

Furthermore, the term “profiled element” is understood here to mean a structural element. The main or primary function of such a structural element is to support the loads to which the metal structure is subjected.

In the embodiment described, as clearly visible in Figures 2a, 2b, the profiled element 2 has an elongated shape. The profiled element 2 comprises two ends 200. The profiled element 2 comprises a web 201 and two flanges 202 extending perpendicularly to the web 201. The web 201 and the two flanges 202 form an I-section. 'In other words, the core 201 and the two flanges 202 together have an I-shaped cross section.

I-sections have good strength properties and in particular flexural strength. This is because, under the effect of bending loading, the web allows the fully compressed upper flange to move away from the fully tensioned bottom flange.

The profiled element 2 further comprises at each end 200 a transverse flank 203. The transverse flank 203 extends perpendicularly to the web 201 and to the flanges 202. The transverse flank 203 has a height substantially equal to the height of the profiled element 2.

By heights we mean the transverse dimensions. In particular, the term “height of the profiled element 2” is understood to mean the transverse dimension, here equal to the sum of the height of the web 201 and the thickness of each sole 202.

The term transverse direction is understood to mean a direction belonging to a transverse plane, that is to say to a plane orthogonal to the extension plane of the core 201 and to the extension planes of the soles 202. The profiled element 2 is here symmetrically formed, with respect to a transverse median plane and with respect to a longitudinal median plane in which the core 201 extends.

Preferably, the profile element 2 is a reconstituted welded profile (PRS). In other words, the flanges 202 are welded to the web 201, and the transverse flanks 203 are welded to the web 201 and to the flanges 202.

This technique of forming profiles, known per se, makes it possible to obtain profiles having the desired dimensions from parts formed of sheets, plates or plates, welded together. It is thus possible to design a profiled element optimally as a function of the forces that said profiled element must take up. The main advantage of reconstituted welded sections is to be able to refine the thickness of the web and the soles. This saves weight by optimizing the section of the profiled element in relation to the forces which pass through it. This technique also allows different steel grades to be combined in the same profiled element, if necessary.

Of course, the profiled elements 2 can be produced otherwise, and in particular according to the rolling methods known in the field of metal construction (cold rolling, hot rolling, etc.).

The profiled element 2 here also comprises stiffeners 204. The stiffeners 204 extend transversely between the flanges 202. The stiffeners 204 are adapted to reinforce the rigidity of the profiled element 2. The stiffeners 204 are also welded to the web. 201 and to the soles 202.

The stiffeners 204 are here four in number; two stiffeners 204 on each side of the web 201. The stiffeners 204 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal median plane and with respect to the transverse median plane.

During assembly of the structure, the profiled elements 2 can be assembled together according to a configuration chosen from a first configuration and a second configuration. In other words, each profiled element 2 can be assembled to an adjacent profiled element 2 according to the first configuration or the second configuration. In the first configuration, the two profiled elements 2 are butted together, that is to say placed end to end and assembled. In the second configuration, the two profiled elements 2 are assembled together while being inclined with respect to one another.

Figures 3 and 4 show two profiled elements 2 assembled together according to the first configuration. The two profiled elements 2 are also designated by profiled element 2 and adjacent profiled element 2. The profiled elements 2 of FIG. 3 are assembled together to form a vertical frame element. The profiled elements 2 of Figure 4 are assembled together to form a horizontal frame member.

When assembling the profiled element 2 and adjacent profiled element 2, a transverse flank 203 of the profiled element 2 is disposed against a transverse flank 203 of the adjacent profiled element 2. The profiled element 2 and adjacent profiled element 2 are here assembled together by means of bolts inserted into holes in the transverse flanks 203 of the profiled element 2 and of the adjacent profiled element 2.

The assembly between the two profiled elements 2 is carried out only at the level of the respective transverse flanks 203. The use of assembly means such as bolts is thus reduced.

The structure comprises at least one profiled element 2 having a cross section smaller than a cross section of an adjacent profiled element 2. Said profiled element 2 thus has a height smaller than the height of said adjacent profiled element 2. In d 'd' in other words, said profiled element 2 and said adjacent profiled element have a distance between them of non-zero heights. The height difference Di between the profiled element 2 and the adjacent profiled element 2 corresponds here to the difference between the heights of the transverse sides 203 of said profiled element 2 and adjacent profiled element 2 assembled together.

The use of profiled elements 2 having cross sections smaller than the cross sections of their respective adjacent profiled elements 2 allows optimization of the steel in the structure. Indeed, insofar as the forces and consequently the needs in section are generally not constant in a structure, it is interesting to design elements with variable inertia by assembling in particular at least two profiled elements having different cross sections.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, for any profiled element 2 having a cross section smaller than a cross section of an adjacent profiled element 2, between the height of said profiled element 2 and the height of said adjacent profiled element 2 is substantially identical. This makes it possible to reduce the diversity of profiled elements used in the structure.

The profiled elements 2 are thus chosen from a set of profiled elements of predefined cross sections. In the exemplary embodiment described, the profiled elements 2 are chosen by a set of profiled elements having the profile described above and predefined heights.

By way of non-limiting example, the profiled elements 2 are chosen from a set of profiled elements having heights respectively equal to 300 mm, 450 mm, 600 mm and 750 mm. The structure is thus constructed so that the gap Di is substantially equal to 150 mm for any profiled element 2 having a cross section smaller than a cross section of an adjacent profiled element 2. For example, a profiled element 2 300 mm high is assembled to a 450 mm high profiled element.

The profiled elements 2 can also be chosen from a set of profiled elements of predefined lengths. Thus, depending on the need for each part of the structure, a profiled element 2 having a given cross section and a given length can be chosen.

The structure further comprises at least one force-absorbing part 3. The force-absorbing part 3 is adapted to transmit the forces of a profiled element 2 to an adjacent profiled element 2 when said profiled element 2 and adjacent profiled element 2 do not have the same cross section.

When the profiled element 2 is assembled to the adjacent profiled element 2 according to the first configuration, the force-absorbing part 3 is fixed on the one hand to a sole 202 of the profiled element 2 and on the other hand to a transverse flank 203 of the adjacent profiled element 2. The force-absorbing part 3 comprises a first portion 30, a second portion 31 and a third portion 32. In particular, in the embodiment shown, the force-absorbing part 3 comprises a first wing forming the first portion 30, a second wing forming the third portion 32, and an end plate forming the second portion 31.

The first portion 30 and the second portion 31 are arranged at right angles. In particular, a first end 300 of the first portion 30 is fixed to a first end 310 of the second portion 31.

The third portion 32 connects the first portion 30 and the second portion 31. In particular, a first end 320 of the third portion 32 is fixed to a second end 311 of the second portion 31. A second end 321 of the third portion 32 is fixed to a second end 301 of the first portion 30.

The first portion 30, second portion 31 and third portion 32 are welded to each other.

The first portion 30 is flat, i.e. here extends in the same plane. The third portion 32 is curved. In particular, the first end 300 of the first portion 30 extends parallel to the first end 320 of the third portion 32. The second end 301 of the first portion 30 and the second end 321 of the third portion 32 meet, ie are attached to each other.

The force-absorbing part 3 further comprises a spacer 33 extending between the first portion 30 and the third portion 32. The spacer 33 is here welded to the first portion 30, the second portion 31 and the third portion 32.

The spacer 33 makes it possible to keep a constant gap between the first portion 30 and the third portion 32 as well as to take up the forces. The spacer 33 extends in a median plane of the load-absorbing part 3. The first portion 30, the third portion 32 and the spacer 33 form an I-section whose wings meet.

The first portion 30 of the part for taking up the forces 3 is fixed to a sole 202 of the profiled element 2. The second portion 31 of the part of load resumption 3 is fixed to a transverse flank 203 of the adjacent profiled element 2. The first portion 30 and the second portion 31 are fixed to the profiled element 2 and the adjacent profiled element 2 by means of bolts.

Preferably, the bolts making it possible to assemble on the one hand the transverse flanks 203 of the profiled element 2 and the adjacent profiled element 2, and on the other hand the second portion 31 to said transverse flank 203 of the adjacent profiled element 2, have a substantially identical difference between them. Said bolt gap represents the transverse distance between two adjacent bolts. Said gap is dimensioned so as to ensure good absorption of the forces between the profiled element and the adjacent profiled element. In addition, the fact that said gap between bolts is substantially identical facilitates the machining of the profiled elements 2. In fact, the profiled elements are machined so that the holes in the transverse flanks have a substantially identical gap between them. For example, said distance between bolts is substantially equal to 150 mm. In the figures, only half of the total number of bolts is shown. The other bolts that are not visible extend symmetrically to the bolts shown with respect to the web 201. The holes suitable for their fixing are shown in particular in Figures 2a, 2b. In addition, in FIGS. 2a, 2b, the orifices suitable for the fixing by bolting of the take-up part 3 at the level of the flanges 202 are only shown for a single flange 202 of the profiled element 2. Of course, in one example embodiment, orifices can also be formed on the other sole 202 in order to allow the recovery part of the profiled element 2 to be fixed without having to worry about the direction of assembly. In the exemplary embodiment shown, for any profiled element 2 having a cross section smaller than a cross section of an adjacent profiled element 2, the force-absorbing part 3 is identical.

The term “load-absorbing part 3” is understood to mean identical to that for any profiled element 2 having a cross section smaller than a cross section of an adjacent profiled element 2, the stress-absorbing part 3 has the same shape or even profile as that the same dimensions. This This characteristic is all the more interesting when the difference D1 is substantially identical over the entire structure.

Preferably, the second portion 31 of the force-absorbing part 3 has a height substantially equal to the distance between the height of the profiled element 2 and the height of the adjacent profiled element 2. This ensures in particular a good absorption of the forces between the profiled element 2 and adjacent profiled element 2.

The structure includes at least one assembly accessory 4, 5. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the gantry 1 comprises several assembly accessories 4, 5 having different shapes. By assembly accessory is meant here an element whose main function is to assemble the profiled elements together.

The assembly accessories 4, 5 make it possible to assemble the profiled elements 2 together according to the second configuration, that is to say so that the profiled elements 2 are inclined with respect to each other . The expression profiled elements 2 inclined with respect to each other is understood to mean two profiled elements 2 that are not aligned.

The assembly accessories 4, 5 are here formed of corner assembly accessories 4, also called corner accessories, and ridge assembly accessories 5 also known as ridge accessories 5.

Figures 5a, 5b show a profile element 2 assembled to the corner fitting 4. The adjacent profile element 2 is not shown in these figures.

The corner accessory 4 comprises fixing zones to which are assembled the profiled element 2 and the adjacent profiled element 2. The fixing zones are formed by peripheral plates of the corner accessory 4. In particular, The corner accessory 4 comprises a first peripheral plate forming a first fixing zone 40, and a second peripheral plate forming a second fixing zone 41. A transverse flank 203 of the profiled element 2 is assembled to the first fixing zone 40. A transverse flank 203 of the adjacent profiled element 2 is assembled to the second fixing zone 41. The first peripheral plate or first fixing zone 40 here extends in a plane forming a non-zero angle with a vertical plane. Said angle thus defines the inclination of the profiled element 2 with respect to a horizontal plane. The second peripheral plate or second fixing zone 41 here extends in a horizontal plane. This makes it possible, for example, to assemble a post to the second fixing zone 41.

The angle formed between the first peripheral plate and the second peripheral plate further defines the inclination of the profile element 2 relative to the adjacent profile element 2.

Preferably, the corner accessories 4 are chosen from a set of corner accessories 4 having the same shape and predefined dimensions. For example, the corner accessory set 4 may have three corner accessories 4 of different dimensions. The different corner accessories 4 can be sized so as to allow different angles of inclination between the profiled element 2 and the adjacent profiled element 2. The choice of the corner accessory 4 from said set is made according to the use made of the accessory and the profiled elements 2 which are assembled to it.

In the examples shown in Figures 5a, 5b, the profiled element 2 has a height smaller than the height of the first fixing zone 40. In other words, the first fixing zone 40 and the profiled element 2 have between them a non-zero height difference D2.

A force-absorbing part 3 is fixed on the one hand to the profiled element 2 and on the other hand to the corner accessory 4. More precisely, the first portion 30 of the force-absorbing part 3 is fixed. to a sole 202 of the profiled element 2. The second portion 31 of the force-absorbing part 3 is fixed to the first fixing zone 40. The force-absorbing part 3 is fixed to the profiled element 2 and to corner accessory 4 by means of bolts.

Just as when the profiled elements 2 are assembled together according to the first configuration and have different cross sections, the force-absorbing part 3 here also allows the transmission of forces between the profiled element 2 and the corner accessory. 4. Although the description is made for a profiled element 2 having a height smaller than the height of the first fixing zone 40, said description can also be applied to the adjacent profiled element 2. In other words, the adjacent profiled element 2 can have a height smaller than the height of the second fixing zone 41 of the corner accessory 4. A load-absorbing part 3 can thus also be assembled to said adjacent profiled element 2 and to said second zone fixing 41.

Preferably, the load-absorbing part 3 is identical to that used between the profiled element 2 and the adjacent profiled element 2 assembled together according to the first configuration and having different cross sections. In other words, the force-absorbing part 3 preferably has the same shape and the same dimensions regardless of the assembly configuration between the profiled elements 2.

FIG. 5a represents an exemplary embodiment in which the height of the second portion 31 of the part 3 for taking up the forces is substantially equal to the height difference D2 between the profiled element 2 and the first fixing zone 40. Otherwise said, the height of the first fixing zone 40 is substantially equal to the sum of the height of the profiled element 2 and the height of the second portion 31 of the part for taking up the forces 3. FIG. 5b represents an example. embodiment in which the height of the second portion 31 of the force-absorbing part 3 is smaller than the height difference D2 between the profiled element 2 and the first fixing zone 40. The force-absorbing part 3 is nevertheless dimensioned so as to ensure good transmission of forces and to avoid deformation of the profiled elements 2 and of the corner accessory 4.

Figure 6 shows a profiled element 2 assembled to an adjacent profiled element 2 according to the second configuration by means of a ridge accessory 5.

The ridge accessory 5 comprises a first part 50 and a second part 51. Each of the first part 50 and second part 51 comprises a central plate and two longitudinal plates extending perpendicularly to the central plate. The central plate and the plates longitudinal sections together form an I-section. The first part 50 further comprises a first fixing zone or first assembly plate 500, and the second part 51 comprises a second fixing zone or second assembly plate 501. The first plate assembly 500 and second assembly plate 501 extend in transverse planes.

The respective longitudinal plates of the first part 50 and of the second part 51 form between them an angle a different from 180 °, also called the ridge angle.

A transverse flank 203 of the profiled element 2 is assembled to the first assembly plate 500. A transverse flank 203 of the adjacent profiled element 2 is assembled to the second assembly plate 501. The ridge angle is thus equal to the angle of inclination between the profile element 2 and the adjacent profile element 2.

In this example, the heights of the profiled elements and the heights of the first assembly plate 500 and second assembly plate 501 are substantially equal. Of course, the profiled element 2 may have a height different from the height of the first assembly plate 500 and / or the adjacent profiled element 2 may have a height different from the height of the second assembly plate 501. The force-absorbing part 3 can then be used.

FIG. 7 represents an exemplary embodiment in which the force-absorbing part 3 also fulfills another role.

FIG. 7 shows two profiled elements 2 assembled together according to the second configuration by means of the corner accessory 4. The adjacent profiled element 2 here has a height greater than the second fixing zone 41 of the accessory of angle 4.

The first portion 30 of the part for taking up the forces 3 is fixed to a sole 202 of the adjacent profiled element 2. The second portion 31 extends in the same plane as a transverse flank 203 of the adjacent profiled element 2 A rail 6 is fixed to the part for taking up the forces 3. In particular, the rail 6 is fixed to the second portion 31 of the part for taking up the forces 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the rail 6 is fixed on horseback. on the second portion 31 of the load-absorbing part 3 and to part of the transverse flank 203 of the adjacent profiled element 2.

Rail 6 is suitable for the movement of an overhead crane (not shown). The force-absorbing part 3 thus allows, in this configuration, the assembly of an overhead crane.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and illustrated.

The assembly means used to assemble the profiled elements 2 together according to the first configuration and the second configuration, as well as the profiled elements 2 to the load-absorbing parts 3 are bolts. The bolts have the advantage of being removable, which makes the structure modular, the profiled elements 2 and the strain relief parts 3 reusable. Of course, it is possible to use any other removable assembly means.

Furthermore, depending on the dimensioning of the structure obtained by calculation, it is possible to join several profiled elements each having a different cross section. The objective is to optimize the structure and its sizing as much as possible. For example, at least one profile element can be assembled according to the first configuration, on the one hand to an adjacent first profile element and on the other hand to an adjacent second profile element. The cross section of the profile member may be smaller than the cross section of the first adjacent profile member and larger than the cross section of the second adjacent profile member. A force-absorbing part can be on the one hand fixed to the profiled element and on the other hand to the first adjacent profiled element, and another force-absorbing part can be on the one hand fixed to the profiled element and on the other hand to the second adjacent profiled element.

The present invention thus proposes a modular structure making it possible to construct fully modular, removable and reusable metal frame buildings.

The use of the recovery part and the constitution of the profiled elements make it possible to reduce the quantity of steel in the structure while ensuring the modularity of said structure as well as the absorption of forces. The profiled elements available in different sections make it possible to optimize the quantity of steel in the structure.

The profiled elements are constructed so as to allow two assembly configurations. This allows modularity in length and angle.

The great versatility allowed by the structure of the profiled element and the return piece thus allows significant modularity in the shapes and dimensions of the building. Indeed, the structure having the assembly characteristics presented above makes it possible to reach large spans and great heights, while covering a wide range of geographical areas in terms of structure resistance (resistance to wind, snow, etc.).

Claims

1. Modular metal structure comprising profiled elements (2) configured to be assembled according to at least a first configuration in which a transverse flank (203) of a profiled element (2) is fixed to a transverse flank (203) of a further profiled element (2), said profiled elements (2) being aligned with each other, characterized in that at least one profiled element (2) has a smaller cross section than a cross section of an adjacent profiled element (2 ) so as to present between them a non-zero height difference (Di), and in that the metal structure comprises at least one part (3) for taking up the forces fixed on the one hand to a sole (202) of said at least a profiled element (2) and on the other hand to the transverse side (203) of said adjacent profiled element (2).

2. Modular metal structure according to claim 1, wherein for any profiled element (2) having a cross section smaller than a cross section of an adjacent profiled element (2), the gap (Di) between the height of said profiled element (2) and the height of said adjacent profiled element (2) is substantially the same.

3. Modular metal structure according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein for any profiled element (2) having a cross section smaller than a cross section of an adjacent profiled element (2), the recovery part of forces (3) fixed on the one hand to said profiled element (2) and on the other hand to said adjacent profiled element (2) is identical.

4. Modular metal structure according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the load-absorbing part (3) comprises a first portion (30), a second portion (31) and a third portion (32), the first portion (30) and the second portion (31) being arranged at right angles, the third portion (32) connecting the first portion (30) and the second portion (31), the first portion (30) being fixed to the sole (202) of said at least one profiled element (2), the second portion (31) being fixed to the transverse side (202) of said adjacent profiled element (2) .

5. Modular metal structure according to claim 4, wherein the second portion (31) of the load-absorbing part (3) has a height substantially equal to the distance (Di) between the height of said at least one profiled element ( 2) and the height of said adjacent profiled element (2).

6. Modular metal structure according to one of claims 4 or 5, wherein the load-absorbing part (3) further comprises a spacer (33) extending between the first portion (30) and the third portion (32 ).

7. Modular metal structure according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the part for taking up the forces (3) comprises a first wing forming the first portion (30), a second wing forming the third portion (32), and an end plate forming the second portion (31), said first wing and said second wing respectively having first ends (300; 320) parallel to each other, and second ends (301; 321) attached to each other; other.

8. Modular metal structure according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the metal structure further comprises at least one assembly accessory (4; 5), the profiled elements (2) being configured to be assembled according to a second configuration in which a transverse flank (203) of each of said profiled elements (2) is fixed to an attachment zone (40; 41) of the assembly accessory (4; 5), said profiled elements (2) being inclined one with respect to the other, the part for taking up the forces (3) being fixed on the one hand to a sole (202) of the profiled element (2) and on the other hand to the fixing zone ( 40; 41) of the assembly accessory (4; 5).

9. Modular metal structure according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the profiled elements (2) are chosen from a set of profiled elements (2) of predefined cross sections.

10. Modular metal structure according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein each profiled element (2) is a reconstituted welded section comprising a web (201) and two flanges (202) extending perpendicular to the web (201 ), said web (201) and said flanges (202) forming an I-section, the transverse side (203) of the profiled element (2) extending at each end (200) of the profiled element (2) perpendicular to the web (201) and to the soles (202).