ES2334968A1 - Protective closure for building facades. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Protective enclosure for facades of buildings that is constituted on the basis of modular vertical gabions (5), carriers of rupicolous plates (27), supports (6) for fixing the gabions and a layer (7) of thermally insulating material disposed between the wall (1) of the facade and the vertical gabions. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

Protective enclosure for facades of buildings.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a protective enclosure for building facades, constituted to base of gabions that cover and are fixed to the wall of the facade and They serve as the basis for the growth of plant plants.

Background of the invention

Different systems are known for the inclusion of plants on the facades, but almost exclusively with ornamental purposes

On the other hand, the gabions, although they have different fields of application, its use is intended to serve as protection means, for example to build retaining walls of Earth.

As retaining walls are used in the road construction, where the cutting of the land is unstable and has continuous movements, acting as elements of protection.

They also prevent erosion of fertile soils that come off because of runoff.

They are used for river control, preventing the collapse of the margins, controlling the increasing and protecting populations from floods. They are also used for gardening, as border elements, for furniture or as anti-noise screens.

Another of its applications is to be part of the drainage systems that facilitate water filtration.

Generally gabions are made on foot of work and are filled with stone at the site where they will be located, not incorporating vegetation as an element that is complemented with The stone materials. The container or wall of the gabions is It is generally made of hexagonal mesh. This Mesh type is less rigid than welded. In some places when these gabions are on hillsides there are plants that grow in the interstices of the stones spontaneously, since that the gaps promote their growth.

On the other hand, for the applications mentioned, the manufacture of gabions is carried out in situ , which requires that the work has more time and space to build them. In addition these gabions are made of dimensions that are difficult to handle, the greater the greater the weight of the module. On- site manufacturing also hinders the possibility of expansions of spaces.

Description of the invention

The present invention aims at a protective enclosure for facades that integrates the gabions to the architecture, forming part of the constructive elements of the buildings through an industrialized and sustainable system, by incorporating both the stone and the vegetation. It is a system adaptable to any plant surface. It can be used for building rehabilitation without damaging the original structure. The incorporation of vegetation into the building makes it a live element within the city, where the presence of green is Go reduced to a few spaces. This generates a series of positive impacts for their environment and occupants. It allows  multiple conformations of an enclosure that responds efficiently to environmental conditions and that promotes Energy saving in buildings.

Through vegetated gabions you can choose different types of breakwater plants (which develop between stone). With the passage of time and depending on the orientations offer different facade compositions in the same building, varying its appearance with the course of the seasons.

In accordance with the present invention, the protective enclosure for facades is constituted based on modular vertical gabions that are plant carriers Riparian These gabions are fixed on brackets that are anchored to The facades The enclosure is completed with a layer of material thermally insulating that is disposed between the facade wall and The vertical gabions.

Gabions for the enclosure of the invention they include, like traditional gabions, an envelope to metal mesh base and a padding that is composed of a layer  rear drain, which is the carrier of the substrate necessary for the development of the rupícolas plants, and by a previous layer to base of granulometry stones superior to the contour of the mesh openings.

The commented back drainage layer includes a substrate filled reticular support and a laminar coating  porous, based on synthetic fiber. The reticular support can be constituted based on polypropylene cells and the Laminated coating of synthetic fiber felt polyester.

The metal mesh sheath of gabions it can be constituted by mesh walls that define the walls of the envelope and are joined together by staples of high strength wire. The opposite walls of this envelope Metal mesh can be interrelated by tensioners

As for the supports used for the fixing of gabions to the facade wall consist of vertical profiles that are anchored to the wall of said facade and in intermediate support pieces that are fixed to the profiles and gabions These supports may consist of angular pairs matching that are fixed through one of its branches, each other the vertical profiles and another to the metal mesh that makes up the wrapped in gabions, while across the other branch the two angular support each other. In addition one of the support branches between each pair of angular can be provided with a hole while from the support branch of the other angle stands out a pivot directed towards the aforementioned hole that is introducible to through it to serve as a means of anchoring between the two brackets Vertical profiles can be metallic in nature and section in omega, supporting through the lateral branches in The wall of the facade.

As for the layer of material thermally insulation is attached to the wall of the facade and separated from the gabions, with which it defines a vertical ventilation chamber, said layer being located between the vertical profiles, with a thickness less than the depth of these profiles.

The enclosure of the invention is formed by gabions with stones and vegetation that offers multiple options Morphological for an enclosure. You can use different types of stones in terms of colors, textures and particle sizes in addition to being able to select plant species within a Wide range of possibilities.

Through this system the gabions, used currently as stone containers for retention, they would acquire a new use with significant qualities to be applied in The field of architecture.

This system due to its characteristics can be used in different types of weather, in hot dry climates you will  allow radiation to not hit inside avoiding temperature fluctuations In cold climates a shaped wall This system will prevent internal energy losses.

The vegetal facade would act in summer as protection against excessive heat gains caused by solar rays, filtering and reflecting them, thus avoiding The impact of direct radiation. By having vegetation during the summer period will act as an organic isolation that will protect the spaces from overheating as well as decrease the air temperature by evapotranspiration. In winter it will work as an insulation that will maintain the conditions of indoor temperature Its main feature will consist of reduce the heat flow that is transferred from the environment more hot to the coldest by driving limiting losses energetic It contributes to attenuate the heat island due to the effect refrigerant of plant species. It is also an enclosure which changes its appearance with the course of the seasons improving the sound insulation of a facade and also thermal insulation by allowing an air chamber to exist.

The entire enclosure would behave Like a ventilated facade. It would consist of a series of items that are available in the market and that due to their characteristics they grant durability, flexibility and resistance to the whole set. A steel wire mesh galvanized, stones of different granulometry, drain cell with substrate for the development of the riparian species, insulation and a metal structure would integrate the system.

The metal mesh will provide the structure that houses the stones. It will be galvanized to protect it from the weather and from corrosive effects. its wire opening and diameter condition the resistance that He will have the gabion.

At the same time the stone provides a significant decrease in noise pollution.

Vegetation is used due to the following reasons:

-

The plants lose water by evapotranspiration increasing humidity environmental and decreasing air temperature.

-

Improvement of air quality. Through photosynthesis, plants provide O2 and absorb CO2, renewing the air in the environment. On the other hand, the vegetation also acts on the contamination, if particles and heavy metals are deposited they are harnessed or metabolized by microflora (fungi and bacteria) that will be in the substrate. As well as on them leaf surfaces if polluting particles precipitate the plant will absorb them and fix in their tissues.

-

Natural ventilation and protection of wind. The presence of vegetation generates breezes that cool the environment around the houses: when cooling the temperature generates an air flow, since the imbalance between small air masses at different temperatures, and therefore different density, generates this natural circulation. In the case of orientations very exposed to high winds reduce speed of the wind in the vicinity of the wall.

-

Offers winter insulation decreasing losses between the interior and the outside

-

The plant species require a support element that contains inside the nutrients and necessary elements that Contribute to its development. It is for this reason that it is used Recycled polypropylene drain cells (replaceable by metal boxes) whose interior is filled with humus, polymers hydroabsorbents of potassium salts and vermiculite. The substrate is the vital element for the subsistence of the vegetation, being the source of food and shelter of the roots. Other element fundamental is the irrigation that would be drip. The system consists of apply small amounts of water in areas located by a variable number of emission points.

-

The Rupicultural species must be native and selected according to of the climatic characteristics, light needs and Water.

-

The vegetation better integrates buildings with their surroundings and much more if they are located near green areas increasing in this way the vegetated surfaces in the cities

       \ vskip1.000000 \ baselineskip
    

The gabion once armed as a piece monolithic is located on a metal profile that behaves as the support element where the modules are located. Be place an insulation between the metal structure to meet the transmittance required by the CTE. Isolation thermo-acoustic helps eliminate the bridge thermal optimizing energy saving.

The modules must be designed so that they can be replaced by new ones in case necessary.

These panels would not only be a solution for a new facade enclosure but also because of its qualities would provide an aesthetic improvement in buildings since built. They can be used as an element to rehabilitate buildings that have their facades damaged.

Gabions are produced as elements industrializable. All components are studied to be propitiate the life of vegetation in a medium that is not the soil same.

The gabion is a monolithic structure and enduring that offers multiple possibilities. By means of the metal structure that supports the implementation modules  It would be simple and with current professional tools.

The characteristics of the components of the enclosure of the invention are found below:

-

He gabion is formed from the following elements: mesh Galvanized steel metal, stone of different granulometry, drainage cell with substrate for species development Riparian, insulation and a metal structure.

-

The Metal mesh can have a 50 x 50 mm opening. Have to be adequate because depending on its dimensions you know the amount of steel and the strength of the mesh. It is also fundamental the diameter of the wires. Bigger diameter, bigger cross section that resists tensile stress and shearing. A larger opening with a diameter smaller than the Recommended makes the gabion structure less resistant. Should have a protection against the weather and corrosion, being able to a 95% zinc and 5% aluminum alloy coating is used 350 g / m2. The joints between the different faces of the gabion are They are carried out using high-strength wire clips. Every certain distance, for example every 20 cm, tensioners must be placed Galvanized wire The tensioners serve to link the faces, avoid deformations and provide the gabion with compactness. While the staples allow to assemble the gabion panels each other to form a monolithic piece.

-

The stone is an ideal material to make an opaque enclosure that Reflect solar radiation. They opt for light stones as they are those of volcanic origin. As for the diameter of the same It depends on the mesh opening. They must also be light, can be used: pumice stone (density 400 kg / m 3), rock volcanic (density 1600 kg / m 3) and porous rock (density 1700 - 2500 kg / m3).

-

The vegetation that is used are rupícolas species, that is to say plants that grow between the hollows of the stones. The choice of the type of plant is made based on the site where this system. They have to be native species, tolerant to adverse weather conditions because they are exposed to outdoors and that reproduce by themselves requiring a poor maintenance once the gabions are put into operation (in what refers to the need for irrigation, pruning, etc.).

The structure of the gabion has to provide the possibility that if in some module does not give the correct development of the plant species chosen can opt for its replacement by another. Must have keep in mind that there are some that can cause greater attraction of insects or produce pest problems, preferably do not have that generate elements that fall frequently and require a usual maintenance

For the composition of the gabion the vegetation and the optimal stones would be those that adapt to the conditions of the place, that respond to the ideas that are had depending on the enclosure that is wanted conform (rough stones, stones of a certain color, persistent foliage or not, variable density, if plants are preferred upholsteries with intense colors, etc.) and that fit the exhibition of the facade (full sun, shade). The system allows that vegetation of various characteristics be developed vertically offering a variable appearance seasonally

If needed plants that do not have flowering should consider mosses and Ferns that require high humidity and low light areas. The mosses need moisture to live for the small size and Thin of your tissues.

So that the vegetation can grow its roots have to be inside of a substrate that contains the nutrients for its subsistence. Inside the gabion an Atlantis type drain cell is placed that It has pores allowing the introduction of humus, polymers hydroabsorbents of potassium salts and vermiculite.

The cell is three-dimensional, rectangular, hollow, vertical perforated and horizontally, of recycled and recyclable polypropylene.

Polymers or hydrogels are elements that increase the capacity of the substrate to retain water, reduce the need for irrigation allowing Use low quality waters. Irrigation water as well as fertilizers and stimulators are absorbed and stored in the form of micropantanes in the root zone.

System Irrigation can be automatic, through drip ducts. The bottom is topped with a water collection gutter for that the excesses be recycled. Drip irrigation consists of apply small amounts of water in localized areas such as plant roots. The components can be drippers adjustable stake and pipes, in addition to filtering systems, irrigation control and a pump so that water can rise meters high that the building has where the gabions You can save 50% to 60% water with respect to to traditional irrigation systems. They are not affected by high Not even the low temperatures.

The cell drainage is wrapped with a water-permeable geotextile necessary for plant species that retain substrate particles. This fiber felt can be of 150 g / m2 polyester.

-

Be place an imputrescible insulation as it will have contact with the humidity generated by plants (by evapotranspiration) and the same irrigation. The accumulation of moisture reduces considerably the ability to limit the flow of energy between the interior and the exterior generating high thermal losses in building. It has a suitable porosity for the diffusion of steam and is modular because it is marketed in the form of panels. The isolation besides providing greater inertia thermal envelope will contribute to avoid bridges structural thermal Rigid foam plates can be used of hydrophobic expanded polystyrene, with thicknesses included between 20 and 80 mm. This element allows in winter not lose the heat inside and in summer do not affect driving. its optimal placement is close to the outside to increase the thermal inertia of the premises.

-

The gabions will be arranged on the existing facade through a auxiliary structure On the arcaded structure of the buildings are chemically anchored omega vertical profiles Galvanized steel The link of gabions with the structure It is carried out by angular anchors. These anchors have ability to withstand wind forces and those of possible impacts, transmit loads to the bearing elements, are galvanized to prevent corroding and allow replacement of modules.

Are used profiles to save non-bearing construction elements as the interior enclosures. The interior enclosure can be concrete, perforated brick, solid brick, block concrete, thermo clay brick, hollow brick, etc.

The anchors are weld at four points on the back of the gabion so that be hidden, these four elements are linked to another four soldiers in omega profiles. They join together with a rod metal welded on the anchors of the vertical metal structure. The unions have to allow the possible dilations that occur during system operation. For what, I do not know transmit sounds through the anchors a board is used Neoprene elastic.

They are considered the problems of incompatibilities between components and the corrosion because the system may be exposed to environments aggressive as urban. A metal gutter is used bottom that collects and evacuates excess water in addition to elements such as the rain gutter to avoid infiltration in the chamber meetings with the gaps.

The enclosure of the invention would have the following behavior.

It allows integrating buildings with their environment, increasing the amount of green surfaces in the cities

Energy consumption would be zero because the  maintenance is simple, the materials that make up the module They are in the market and have a wide durability. The the only one that would consume energy is the irrigation system that would be automatic, however this water supply system and nutrients take advantage of the water that is obtained at the bottom of the wall as excess reusing it.

For the facade to work, the air circulation through the chamber leaving the part open upper and lower enclosure not placing profiles that the close

The facade materializes by placing a rigid lining separated from the support but fixed to it for to be able to transmit the actions due to the wind, the own weight and thermal stresses.

The enclosure will be executed by placing the modules attached to the support by metal anchors remaining between the gabions and the bearing area a space through which it circulates  air. During the cold months there will be a lower heat dispersion and in summer the current in the chamber makes the overheating of the enclosure is not generated and therefore prevent the indoor temperature from rising.

Mass utilization is optimized bearing, dampness is avoided, condensation is reduced interstitials (since the saturated vapor pressure curve does not intercepts the water vapor pressure but not saturated) and does not They produce thermal bridges. This system has advantages in terms of ventilated stone facades that are lighter but that they can easily detach the material in humid climates age and require physical protection to protect stone plates of impacts.

This system is dry work, allows rehabilitate facades without causing discomfort inside and meets with criteria of industrialization. It is expandable, has several fields of application and allows a reduction of emissions from CO_ {2} thanks to the energy savings that occur.

In summary, the following may be noted advantages:

?

Regulate the temperature (improve the "microclimate"). Plants lose water to the environment by evapotranspiration. In that phase change the  heat of the surrounding air, so that in addition to increasing the Ambient humidity decreases the air temperature. In environments warm, the presence of vegetation can cool the temperature from 1 to 5 ° C. It is estimated that a 5 ° C reduction of the adjacent outside temperature could mean savings in cooling of about 50%.

?

Protection against noise.

?

Improvement of air quality. When performing photosynthesis, plants provide O2 and absorb CO2, renewing the surrounding air.

?

Natural ventilation and protection of the wind. The presence of vegetation generates breezes that cool The environment around the houses.

?

Thermal isolation.

?

Aesthetic improvement

?

It allows the conformation of different types of vertical enclosures depending on the species  selected vegetable and the type of stone used (if desired use rough stones, stones of a certain color, if prefer upholstery plants with intense colors, if you choose a wall that is all year green, if deciduous plants are preferred, etc.). This wall may vary seasonally.

?

Thanks to the vegetation in summer will act as an organic isolation that will protect overheating spaces and in winter will keep the indoor temperature conditions.

?

 Protect the interior enclosure of the deterioration caused by ultraviolet rays, the acid carbonic and pathologies that affect buildings Built with traditional systems.

?

 Ease of maintenance at select native species.

?

 Ease of replacement of modules if necessary.

?

 It is a habitat for wildlife place offering rest and food to different species of animals despite being in an urban environment.

?

 By working in the form of ventilated facade increases the insulation of buildings  eliminating undesirable thermal bridges as well as condensation problems thus obtaining an excellent thermal and hygrothermal behavior. In the ventilated chamber, due to the heating of the intermediate space air layer with respect to ambient air, the "chimney effect" occurs generating continuous ventilation. You get a constant water vapor evacuation, dry insulation is maintained, by What is not affected its performance.

?

 The shaped facade system Gabion can be used in various typologies either again plant or façade rehabilitation, in residential buildings, both collective and single-family homes, in centers commercial, sports, cultural, educational, in centers congresses, offices and also hospitals.

?

 Character totally industrialized where assembly and maintenance does not require expenses additional.

The gabion-shaped plant facade can conform the design of enclosures of various types either residential use (a dwelling), tertiary (a building of offices or a shop) or endowment (a hospital, a center educational, religious or cultural). Due to the nature of the system formed from modules adapts to different building and height needs.

The choice of the species of rupícola plant will vary depending on the climate where the building is located, its orientation, in addition to the result you want to obtain morphologically and functionally. The vegetation offers different possibilities depending on whether you want to use vegetation perennial or not, if you want to highlight the stones more or if you prefer a plant that mostly covers the surface, if preferred a mainly green wall or that has a certain type of flowering offering different densities and qualities visual

Brief description of the drawings

The attached drawings show a protective enclosure for building facades, built of according to the invention, given by way of non-limiting example. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a partial vertical section of the facade wall of a building that includes the enclosure of the  invention.

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the different components that become part of the enclosure included in the facade of figure 1.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 correspond, respectively, to details A, B and C of Figure 1, the greater scale.

Figure 6 shows in perspective one of the brackets used for fixing gabions to profiles  verticals that constitute the supports of said gabions.

Figure 7 is a horizontal section of the same facade, with the enclosure of the invention, taken according to the section line VII-VII of figure 1.

Figure 8 shows the envelope in perspective from one of the gabions.

Figure 9 is a vertical section of the wrapped in one of the gabions, taken along the cutting line IX-IX of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a vertical section of a building with the protective enclosure of the invention, showing Your behavior in summer.

Figure 11 is a section similar to Figure 10, showing the behavior of the enclosure in winter.

Detailed description of one embodiment

The characteristics and advantages already exposed may be better understood with the following description, made with reference to the example shown in the drawings before related.

In figure 1 it is shown in vertical section partial a facade wall 1 of a building, which may be constituted with perforated brick, solid brick, block of concrete, etc., showing a slab 2, under which a window hole 3. On the outer surface of this wall goes applied the enclosure of the invention indicated in general with reference 4.

This enclosure, as best seen in figure 2, it is composed of vertical gabions modular 5, supports 6 for fixing vertical gabions 5 to the facade wall 1, and by a layer 7 of thermally material insulation that is arranged between the facade wall 1 and the vertical gabions 5, being separated from the latter to define with them a ventilation chamber 8, as you can better appreciated in figures 1, 3, 4, 5 and 7.

Gabions 5 include a wrap, shown in figures 8 and 9, based on metal mesh, which may be constituted by 9 flat walls, based on mesh, that join each other for example by means of 10 high wire staples resistance. In addition the opposite walls can be related by tensioners 10 that maintain the separation and positioning between said walls.

Within the envelope described each gabion includes a back drainage layer 11 and a previous layer 12 a base of granulometry stones superior to the contour of the openings of the mesh that forms the envelope to figures 8 and 9. The rear drainage layer includes a reticular support 13, which it is filled with a substrate for the development of rupícola plants, and a porous laminar coating 14, based on synthetic fiber and It may consist of a synthetic polyester fiber felt. The back layer 11, with the constitution described, serves as medium where plant seeds adhere and develop Rupiculturals that will grow will reach abroad through the stones that make up the previous layer 12 of the gabions.

Fixing gabions to walls 1 of facade is carried out by means of supports made up of profiles vertical 15, for example of a metallic nature and section in omega, and intermediate support pieces 16 composed of pairs of angular angles 17 and 18, figure 6, the second of which it is fixed through one of its branches to the mesh of the envelope of the gabions, for example by welding, while the other angular 17 is fixed, also through one of its branches, to the vertical profiles 15. The free branches of the two angles support each other and to ensure their mutual fixation of the free branch of the angular 18, a pivotable pin 19 protrudes through a hole 20 of the free branch of angular 17. With this constitution, as can be seen in figures 3, 4 and 5, the free branches of angles 17 and 18 support each other and are prevented from lateral displacements by pivot 19 introduced to through hole 20.

As can be seen in figures 1, 3 and 4 the profiles 15 are fixed to the floor 2 for example by rods  threads 21 that can be applied with chemical anchors.

The layer of insulating material 7 is arranged between the vertical profiles 15, being less than the thickness depth of said profiles, so that between the insulating layer 7 and gabions 5 defined the ventilation chamber 8. This layer 7 thermally insulating can be formed from plates of rigid expanded polystyrene foam, its thickness being variable depending on the climatic zone where the enclosure of the invention.

Between the support brackets 17 and 18 of the figure 6 an elastic layer of neoprene or the like may be provided, which allow dilations without friction and noise between These support pieces.

The reticular support that forms the layer subsequent drainage 11 of the gabions may be constituted to base of polypropylene drainage cells or box-based metallic

As seen in Figures 3 and 5, the support can include an irrigation system, using droppers 22 fed through a main pipe 23 linked by example to an irrigation programmer.

The window recess 3 will carry an enclosure traditional, for example of aluminum profiles, with watersheds bottom 24, figure 5.

Through the stones 26 that make up the layer previous 12, figures 3, 4 and 5, vegetation 27 will stand out, preferably of riparian species.

The enclosure 4 of the invention will constitute, as shown in figure 10, a protective element during the summer, thanks to the fact that solar radiation 28 will be reflected, to the decrease in temperature due to the breeze 29 and through the flow 30 evacuated through the ventilation chamber 8.

During the winter time, as shown in figure 11, the enclosure of the invention also constitutes a protective element, serving as insulation on the outside, avoiding internal heat losses 30, provided that Outside temperatures are lower than comfort. Also the external insulation promotes the accumulation of heat gained during the day in the interior enclosure, by allowing the passage of lightning 28 through the window enclosures 3.

Claims (10)

1. Protective enclosure for building facades, characterized in that it is made up of modular vertical gabions carrying riparian plants, supports for fixing vertical gabions, and a layer of thermally insulating material arranged between the facade wall and the gabions vertical whose gabions comprise a metal mesh-based shell and a filling composed of a subsequent drainage layer, with a substrate for the development of the riparian plants, and a previous layer based on granulometry stones superior to the contour of the mesh openings ; and whose supports comprise vertical profiles, which are anchored to the facade wall and intermediate support pieces fixed to said profiles and to the gabions; and whose layer of thermally insulating material is attached to the wall of the facade and separated from the gabions, which defines a vertical ventilation chamber. 2. Enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that the back drainage layer includes a reticular support filled with the substrate and a porous laminar coating, based on synthetic fiber. 3. Enclosure according to claim 2, characterized in that the reticular support is constituted based on polypropylene cells. 4. Enclosure according to claim 2, characterized in that the laminar coating consists of a synthetic polyester fiber felt. 5. Enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that the metal mesh shell is constituted based on mesh panels that define the walls of the shell and are joined together by means of high-strength wire clips. 6. Enclosure according to claim 5, characterized in that the opposite walls of the metal mesh shell are interconnected by means of tensioners. 7. Enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that the intermediate support pieces for fixing the gabions consist of pairs of matching angles that are fixed through one of its branches, one to the vertical profiles and another to the metal mesh that it forms the envelope of said gabions, while through the other branch the two angular ones support each other. 8. Enclosure according to claim 7, characterized in that one of the support branches between each pair of angles has a hole, while the other support branch projects a pivot directed towards the hole mentioned and introduced therethrough. 9. Enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that the vertical profiles are metallic in nature and have an omega section. 10. Enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that the layer of thermally insulating material is disposed between the vertical profiles and is thicker than the depth of said profiles.