FR2788072A1 - MODULAR WALL OR DOUBLE WALL ELEMENT FOR DRY MOUNTING - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a modular wall or double wall element (S) for dry assembly characterised in that some at least (1a, 1b, 31a, 31b) of its faces arranged to co-operate with adjacent modular elements have contact parts (2a, 2b; 32a, 32a'; 32b, 32b') designed to be pressed against said adjacent modular elements, and separating parts (3a, 3a'; 3b, 3b'; 33a', 33b) arranged to remain separated by a clearance of said adjacent modular elements, said clearance being sufficiently large to limit, even eliminate, infiltration of water by capillary action. The invention is applicable to the field of construction building.

Description

The present invention relates to an element

  modular wall or double wall for dry mounting.

  It is known to produce, in the building sector, walls or double walls comprising on the one hand a structural part intended to be placed inside the building, and on the other hand a facing part intended to

  be placed outside the building.

  Conventionally, the structural part is made of reinforced concrete or concrete blocks, and the facing part is made with a veneer of briquettes, stones, or the like. While the structural part is intended to be covered inside the building by a covering formed for example by plaster or by plaster panels, the facing part is intended to be seen from

outside.

  Depending on the case, an insulation space can be provided between the structural and facing parts, in order to insert layers of glass wool or another

insulating material.

  While it is true that double walls or double walls constitute a rational solution perfectly suited to the needs of the building industry, the fact remains that their cost of implementation is relatively high. In order to reduce this cost, different wall solutions

  or double modular walls have been proposed in the past.

  Some of them consist of modular elements shaped to fit into each other dry, that is to say without mortar or other similar fastening means. These solutions make it possible to increase the laying rates and to have recourse to relatively unskilled labor, and therefore to

  reduce the cost of the works to be executed.

  That said, the removal of physical joints between modular elements raises a number of problems, including problems with air tightness and

1 water.

  An air tightness defect can easily be remedied by covering, for example, the face of modular walls or double walls located towards the interior of the building with a

  covering of plaster or plaster panels.

  A water tightness defect, on the other hand, is much more difficult to resolve, and it turns out that currently no modular wall or double wall element for dry mounting available on the market can resolve satisfactorily. this sealing problem. The main object of the present invention is to provide a modular wall or double wall element for dry mounting making it possible to obtain watertight walls or double walls without the need to add any

than any other protection whatsoever.

  This main object of the invention is achieved, as well as others which will appear on reading which follows, with a modular wall or double wall element for dry mounting, remarkable in that at least some of its faces intended for cooperate with adjacent modular elements have contact parts intended to be applied against said adjacent modular elements, and separation parts intended to remain separated by a play of said adjacent modular elements, this play being large enough to limit - or even eliminate - the

  water infiltration by capillarity.

  According to other characteristics of the invention: the upper and lower faces of said modular element each have at least one contact part shaped as a substantially flat surface and a separation part shaped respectively as a protrusion and a longitudinal groove defining a complementary fitting, said flat areas being intended to ensure the vertical transfer of the loads through said modular element and said longitudinal projection and groove being intended to limit - or even eliminate - horizontal water infiltration by capillary action, as well as to ensure the guiding of said element modular during assembly, to hold it in place once it is assembled, and to form a mechanical barrier to dynamic horizontal infiltration of water and air, - said longitudinal projection and groove have, from the outside towards the inside said modular element, at least one side inclined relative to the ve vertical, a horizontal side and a vertical side, - said inclined side makes an angle of about 30 relative to the vertical, - said modular element comprises at least one cell extending between the flat areas of said upper and lower faces, so to impose a vertical path on possible water infiltration, as well as to lighten said modular element, - said upper face comprises at least one horizontal groove extending along its length and communicating with said cell, in order to form an additional obstacle horizontal water infiltration and channeling it towards said cell, - said horizontal groove is adjacent to said longitudinal projection, in order to stop any water infiltration as close as possible to the outside of said modular element, - l cumulative transverse extension of said longitudinal projection and of said horizontal groove is substantially equal to the transv extension ersale of said longitudinal groove, - the section of said cell decreases towards the base of said modular element, in order to facilitate its demolding during manufacture and to allow the passage of water by "coffeemaker effect", - said cell has a section which is substantially rectangular with rounded corners, in order to prevent incipient fractures, - the radius of curvature of the corners of said cell is greater than 35 mm, - said modular element comprises two cells arranged so as to be able to form water evacuation chimneys in a straight or staggered stack, and possibly allowing the establishment of vertical chaining members, - said two cells are separated by an intermediate cavity communicating with said horizontal groove, in order to allow more homogeneous compaction of the material constituting said element modular during manufacture, and in order to form an additional water evacuation chimney, - the lateral faces of said modular element intended to cooperate with adjacent modular elements each have at least one substantially planar surface and a zigzag profiled part defining a complementary interlocking, in order to guide said modular element during assembly, to maintain it in place once it is mounted, and to form a mechanical barrier to dynamic vertical infiltration of water and air, said flat areas constitute contact parts and said zigzag profiled parts constitute separation parts to form a set intended to limit - or even eliminate - vertical water infiltration by capillary action, - said lateral faces have vertical grooves extending over their entire height, in order to form an additional obstacle to vertical water infiltration and to channel these ci towards the base of said modular element, - said modular element is conform so that said clearance between the separating parts is at least equal to 2 mm, - at least the upper horizontal edge of said modular element intended to be placed towards the outside is shaped so as to make apparent the horizontal line of join between two stacked modular elements, - at least one of the vertical edges of said modular element intended to be placed towards the outside is shaped so as to make the vertical joint line visible between two adjacent modular elements, - said modular element comprises a cavity in U or L extending between its upper and lower faces, in order to form a modular chaining element, - the lateral faces of said modular element intended to be placed against adjacent modular elements are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other , in order to form a modular corner element, - said modular element is reversible ible, that is to say substantially symmetrical about a vertical axis passing through its center of gravity, in order to form a standard modular element, - said modular element is made of water-repellent concrete, so

  to prevent it from being impregnated with water.

  Thanks to these characteristics, a modular element is obtained allowing dry construction of walls or double walls comprising physical watertightness barriers (clearance preventing infiltration by capillary action), mechanical (geometry stopping dynamic infiltration), and chemical (water repellent concrete avoiding

infiltration by impregnation).

  Such walls or double walls are completely waterproof, so that it becomes possible to overcome

  b any additional means of protection.

  Other features and advantages of this

  invention will appear on reading the description which

  will follow and upon examination of the appended drawing in which: - Figure 1 is a top view of a standard modular u element according to the invention; Figure 2 is a top view of a modular U-shaped chaining element according to the invention; - Figure 3 combines a half side view and a vertical half section of a stack of two standard modular elements lb and a modular U-shaped chaining element according to the invention; Figure 4 is a top view of a socket of a standard modular element and a modular element

left corner according to the invention.

  In these figures, identical reference numerals denote identical members or sets of members

or the like.

  Reference is now made to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, in which a standard modular element S according to the invention can be seen alone, stacked with other modular elements S, C according to the invention, and fitted with

  a modular left corner element A according to the invention.

  This standard modular element S is substantially parallelepipedal and reversible, that is to say symmetrical with respect to an axis ZZ 'passing through its center of gravity G, and it is intended to be positioned so that this axis

either vertical (see Figure 1).

  Its upper face has a substantially flat central area 2a bordered by two projections

  longitudinal 3a, 3a 'extending over its entire length.

  Each of these longitudinal projections has, from the outside towards the inside of the modular element, an inclined flank lla, lia ', a horizontal flank 12a, 12a' and

a vertical flank 13a, 13a '.

  b The inclined sides lia, lia 'preferably make a

  angle of about 30 from the vertical.

  These longitudinal projections are connected to the external faces 15, 15 'by optional chamfers 16, 16' formed in the upper horizontal edges of

read the modular element.

  The optional chamfers 16, 16 'preferably

  an angle of about 45 from the vertical.

  The lower face 1b of the modular element S has a substantially flat central area 2b bordered 1b by two longitudinal grooves 3b, 3b 'defining a complementary nesting with the longitudinal projections

3a, 3a '(see Figure 3).

  Each of these longitudinal grooves thus has, from the outside towards the inside of the modular element, an inclined flank llb, 11b ', a horizontal flank 12b, 12b' and a vertical flank 13b, 13b 'These longitudinal grooves are connected to the external faces 15, 15 'by horizontal flanks 17, 17'

  located in the same plane as the beach 2b.

  The upper faces 1a and 1b are shaped so that when two modular elements are stacked one on the other, their flat areas are pressed against each other, while their projections and their longitudinal grooves are separated through

  drank a clearance J, preferably at least equal to 2 mm.

  The upper face 1a of the modular element S also includes two horizontal grooves 20, 20 ′ located in line with the vertical sides 13a, 13a ′ and

  extending over the entire length of the modular element.

  The cumulative transverse extension El of a longitudinal projection 3a, 3a 'and an adjacent horizontal groove 20, 20' is substantially equal to the extension

  transverse E2 of a groove 3b, 3b '.

  The modular element S also comprises two cells 25, 26 which extend between the areas 2a and 2b, and the upper parts of which communicate with the

horizontal grooves 20, 20 '.

  These cells have a substantially square section with rounded corners, the radius of curvature R of the corners

  preferably being greater than 35 mm (see Figure 1).

  Furthermore, as can be seen in FIG. 3 where vertical half-sections of these cells have been shown, their section decreases towards the base of the element

modular.

  The two cells 25, 26 are separated by an intermediate cavity 30 of substantially parallelepiped shape which also extends between the areas 2a and 2b and the upper part of which also communicates with the horizontal grooves 20, 20 '(see FIG. 1). As in the cells 25, 26, the section of this cavity decreases towards the

base of the modular element.

  The lateral faces 31a, 31b of the modular element S intended to cooperate with adjacent modular elements each have two flat areas 32a, 32a ', 32b, 32b'

  bordering a zigzag profiled central part 33a, 33b.

  One 32a ', 32b of the two areas of each of these faces is connected to an adjacent external face 15', 15 by an optional chamfer 36a, 36b formed in an edge

vertical of the modular element.

  The faces 31a, 31b define a complementary interlocking, and they are preferably shaped so that when two modular elements according to the invention are interlocked, their flat areas are applied one against the other, while their zigzag parts are separated by a clearance J 'preferably at least equal to

2mm (see Figure 4).

  The zigzag parts 33a, 33b each have three vertical grooves 40a, 40a ', 40a' 'and 40b, 40b', 40b '' extending over their entire height, these grooves being positioned so as to come opposite each other. screw grooves

  adjacent modular elements.

  Reference is now made to FIG. 2, in which a modular chaining element C in a shape according to the invention has been shown, as well as to FIG. 3 in which such a modular element has been shown stacked on two standard modular elements. S. This modular chaining element has the same characteristics as a standard modular element, with

  some differences as outlined below.

  It has a U-shaped cavity 150 open upwards and extending over the entire length of the modular element between its upper 102a and lower 102b ranges (see

figure 2).

  Two pairs of narrow cells 125, 125 'and 126, 126' extending between the areas 102a and 102b are placed on either side of the U-shaped cavity 150. The upper parts of these cells communicate with the grooves

horizontal 120, 120 '.

  Reference is now made to FIG. 4, in which a modular left corner element A according to the invention has been shown fitted with a standard modular element S. This modular corner element has the same characteristics as a modular element standard (it includes, in particular, two cells 225, 226 and an intermediate cavity 230), with some differences explained below. The longitudinal projections 203a, 203a ', the longitudinal groove placed inside the angle (not shown) and the horizontal grooves 220, 220' extend only over approximately half of the length of

the modular element.

  The lateral faces 231a, 231b intended to be placed against adjacent modular elements are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other. The modular elements described above can be made by molding with a range of materials commonly used in the construction industry. Preferably, architectural concrete (that is to say satisfying certain aesthetic criteria) will be used:

color, texture, ...) water repellent.

  The mode of implementation and the advantages of the modular element according to the invention follow directly

from the foregoing description.

  To make a wall or double wall, we start by laying a first row of modular elements on a perfectly horizontal floor, obtained for example with a slab

concrete (not shown).

  These modular elements are fitted against each other thanks to the complementary profiles of their lateral faces. Standard modular elements are used for the parts in straight alignment, and modular elements

  left or right corner for corners.

  Once the first row of modular elements is laid, a second row of modular elements is superimposed so as to form a straight stack, that is to say without horizontal offset between the two rows, or in staggered rows, this that is to say so that the

  two rows are horizontally offset by half

modular element length.

  The correct guidance and positioning of the modular elements of the second row is ensured by their grooves 3b, 3b ', which cooperate with the projections 3a, 3a', 203a,

  203a 'of the modular elements of the first row.

  By repeating these operations as many times as necessary, we can build a wall or double wall

with the desired height.

  The arrangement in a straight stack or in staggered rows of modular elements has the effect of vertically aligning their cells 25, 26, 225, 226. It is then possible to use some of the chimneys thus obtained to set up vertical chaining which may consist, for example, in reinforced concrete posts or metal tie rods

  vertical distributed at regular horizontal intervals.

  Rows of modular chaining elements placed at regular vertical intervals also allow, thanks to the gutters formed by the alignment of the U-shaped cavities of these elements, to connect the vertical chaining members together, and thus to achieve horizontal chaining . The vertical and horizontal nesting properties of the modular elements and the chaining thus produced allow extremely resistant walls or double walls to be obtained, in particular to the forces applied.

perpendicular to their plane.

  The vertical loads are only transferred between the upper ranges 2a, 102a and lower 2b, 102b being given the geometric characteristics described above. To avoid the risk of cracking, the flatness of these areas must be

almost perfect.

  The risks of cracking linked to the transfer of vertical loads are also limited thanks to: - the rounded shape of the corners of the cells 25, 26, 225, 226 making it possible to prevent incipient fractures, - the narrowing of these cells towards the base of the modular elements, making it possible to obtain, during manufacture, a release without tearing of material capable of weakening the modular elements, - with intermediate cavities 30, 230 making it possible, during manufacture, to make more homogeneous compaction of the material constituting the modular elements, and thus avoid subsequently the concentration of stresses in certain areas of the modular elements. In addition to the fact that the modular element according to the invention offers remarkable simplicity of implementation and robustness, it makes it possible to solve the sealing problems conventionally linked to walls or

  double modular dry-mounted walls.

  Indeed, the complementary sockets of the projections 3a, 3a ', 203a, 203a' and of the grooves 3b, 3b 'on the one hand, and zigzag sections 33a, 33b on the other hand, make it possible to form mechanical barriers which oppose dynamic water infiltration, that is to say moving water infiltration (in the case of rain knocked down by the wind against a modular wall or double wall, for example). Note also that these mechanical barriers also significantly limit the

air infiltration.

  In addition, and according to an essential characteristic of the invention, the clearances between the projections 3a, 3a ', 203a, 203a' and the grooves 3b, 3b 'on the one hand, and between the zigzag sections 33a, 33b d on the other hand, make it possible to produce separation zones between modular elements in which water can hardly progress by capillary action. We form

  sort of physical barriers to water infiltration.

  It should be noted that these clearances must be large enough to prevent water from being able, thanks to its surface tension, to be kept in contact simultaneously with the parts opposite two adjacent modular elements, and thus to progress by capillarity. Various tests have shown that in practice, games at

  less than 2mm could do.

  It will also be noted that the use of a material such as water-repellent concrete makes it possible to limit the infiltration of water by impregnation. We train in this way

  also chemical barriers to water infiltration.

  Since these different sealing barriers act on a certain depth of the modular wall or double wall, means should be provided to recover

  water inside the wall or double wall.

  It is the role of the cells 25, 26, 125, 125 ', 126, 126', 225, 226 and the intermediate cavities 30, 230 which allow, by virtue of the straight or staggered stacking described above, to form flow chimneys

  water towards the foot of the wall or double wall.

  The narrowing of these cells and of these cavities towards the base of the modular elements makes it possible to create a "coffee maker effect", that is to say to impose on the water a path pressed against the two walls of the acute dihedra formed by the edges lower of these cells and these cavities, and thus prevent it from returning by capillarity between the flat areas of modular elements

lower rows.

  In addition to the fact that the horizontal grooves 20, 20 ',, 120', 220, 220 'and vertical 40a, 40a', 40a '', 40b, b ', 40b' 'form additional obstacles to the horizontal and vertical infiltration of water, they channel the water to the cells 25, 26,, 125 ', 126, 126', 225, 226 and to the cavities

intermediaries 30, 230.

  Furthermore, it should be borne in mind that the modular elements according to the invention are primarily intended to remain visible, from the outside at least. So the factors contributing to their quality

aesthetics are paramount.

  The optional horizontal bezels 16, 16 'and vertical 36a, 36b make it possible to underline the joining lines between the modular elements, and thus to create

  a visual rhythm on the walls or double walls constructed.

  The use of architectural concrete makes it possible to adapt the external appearance of walls or double walls to the architectural constraints of the places where they are to be built. Finally, it will be noted that in addition to the fact that the games (J; J ') described above make it possible to solve the sealing problems of modular walls or double walls, they also make it possible to improve the behavior of these walls. or double walls in certain disaster situations. In the event of a fire, for example, these games make it possible to absorb the expansion of the modular elements linked to a sharp rise in temperature, and thus to avoid their clicking. In the event of an earthquake, these games allow part of the energy transmitted to the wall or double wall to be absorbed by the

  soil, and thus avoid its premature ruin.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown, which has been provided by way of

  illustrative and nonlimiting example.

  In particular, the invention extends to other specific modular elements necessary for the

  realization of singular elements, such as half

  modular elements for making window towers, modular L-shaped chaining elements for making floors, etc.

Claims (24)

  1. Modular element (S; C; A) of wall or double wall for dry mounting, characterized in that at least some (la, lb; 31a, 31b; 231a, 231b) of its faces intended to cooperate with elements adjacent modules have contact parts (2a, 2b; 32a, 32a ', 32b, 32b'; 102a, 102b) intended to be applied against said adjacent modular elements, and separation parts (3a, 3a ', 3b, 3b '; 33a, 33b; 203a, 203a') intended to remain separated by a clearance (J; J ') of said adjacent modular elements, this clearance (J; J') being large enough to limit - or even eliminate - infiltration of 'water by capillary action.   2. Modular element (S; C; A) according to claim 1, characterized in that its upper (la) and lower (lb) faces each have at least one contact part shaped as a substantially planar surface (2a; 102a) and a separation part shaped respectively in projection (3a, 3a '; 203a, 203a') and in groove (3b, 3b ') longitudinal defining a complementary nesting, said flat areas (2a; 102a) being intended to ensure the vertical transfer of loads through said modular element (S; C; A) and said projection (3a, 3a '; 203a, 203a') and longitudinal groove (3b, 3b ') being intended to limit - or even eliminate - horizontal infiltration of water by capillarity, as well as ensuring the guiding of said modular element (S; C; A) during assembly, keeping it in place once it is assembled, and forming a mechanical barrier to dynamic horizontal infiltration of water and air.   3. modular element (S; C; A) according to claim 2, characterized in that said projection (3a, 3a '; 203a, 203a') and groove (3b, 3b ') have longitudinal, from the outside to the 'interior of said modular element, at least one sidewall (11a, 11a', llb, llb ') inclined relative to the vertical, a horizontal sidewall (12a, 12a', 12b, 12b ') and   a vertical flank (13a, 13a ', 13b, 13b').   4. Modular element (S; C; A) according to claim 3, characterized in that said inclined flank (11a, lia ', l1b, llb') makes an angle of about 30 relative to the vertical. 5. Modular element (S; C; A) according to any one   of the preceding claims, characterized in that it   comprises at least one cell (25, 26; 125, 125 ', 126, 126'; 225, 226) extending between its upper (la) and lower (lb) faces, in order to impose a vertical path for possible infiltrations of water, as well as lighten said modular element (S; C; A).   6. Modular element (S; C; A) according to claim 5, characterized in that said upper face (la) comprises at least one horizontal groove (20, 20 '; 120,'; 220, 220 ') extending along its length and communicating with said cell (25, 26; 125, 125 ', 126, 126'; 225, 226), in order to form an additional obstacle to horizontal water infiltration and to channel these towards said cell.   7. Modular element (S; C; A) according to claim 6 when it depends on claim 2, characterized in that said horizontal groove (20, 20 '; 120, 120'; 220, 220 ') is adjacent to said longitudinal projection (3a, 3a '; 203a, 203a'), in order to stop any water infiltration as close as possible to the outside   of said modular element (S; C; A).   8. Modular element (S; C; A) according to claim 7, characterized in that the cumulative transverse extension (El) of said longitudinal projection (3a, 3a '; 203a, 203a') and said horizontal groove (20 , 20 '; 120, 120'; 220, 220 ') is substantially equal to the transverse extension   (E2) of said longitudinal groove (3b, 3b ').   9. Modular element (S; C; A) according to any one   claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the cross-section   of said cavity (25, 26; 125, 125 ', 126, 126'; 225, 226) decreases towards the base of said modular element, in order to facilitate its demolding during manufacture and   allow the flow of water by "coffee maker effect".   10. Modular element (S; A) according to any one   claims 5 to 9, characterized in that said   cell (25, 26) has a substantially rectangular section with rounded corners, in order to prevent breaking points.   11. Modular element (S; A) according to claim, characterized in that the radius of curvature (R) of   corners of said cell (25, 26) is greater than 35 mm.   12. Modular element (S; A) according to any one   claims 5 to 11, characterized in that it comprises   two cells (25, 26; 225, 226) arranged so as to be able to constitute water evacuation chimneys in a straight or staggered stack, and possibly allowing the establishment of vertical chaining members. 13. Modular element (S; A) according to claim 12 when it depends on claim 6, characterized in that said two cells (25, 26; 225, 226) are separated by an intermediate cavity (30; 230) communicating with said horizontal groove (20, 20 '), in order to allow more homogeneous compaction of the material constituting said modular element (S; A) during manufacture, and in order to   form an additional water evacuation chimney.   14. Modular element (S; C; A) according to any one   of the preceding claims, characterized in that its   lateral faces (31a, 31b; 231a, 231b) intended to cooperate with adjacent modular elements each have at least one substantially planar surface (32a, 32a ', 32b, 32b') and a zigzag profiled part (33a, 33b) defining a complementary interlocking, in order to guide said modular element (S; C; A) during assembly, to keep it in place once it is assembled, and to form a mechanical barrier to dynamic vertical water infiltration and air. 15. Modular element (S; C; A) according to claim 14, characterized in that said flat areas (32a, 32a ', 32b, 32b') constitute contact parts and in that said zigzag sections (33a , 33b) constitute parts of separation to form a clearance (J ') intended to limit - or even eliminate - infiltrations vertical water by capillarity.   16. Modular element (S; C; A) according to any one   claims 14 or 15, characterized in that said   side faces (31a, 31b; 231a, 231b) have vertical grooves (40a, 40a ', 40a' ', 40b, 40b', 40b '') extending over their entire height, to form an additional obstacle to infiltration vertical of water and channel these towards the base of said element modular (S; C; A).   17. Modular element (S; C; A) according to any one   of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is   shaped so that said clearance (J; J ') between parts of   separation is at least equal to 2 mm.   18. Modular element (S; C; A) according to any one   of the preceding claims, characterized in that at   minus its upper horizontal edge (16) intended to be placed towards the outside is shaped so as to make apparent the horizontal line of join between two modular elements stacked.   19. Modular element (S; C; A) according to any one   of the preceding claims, characterized in that one   at least one of its vertical edges (36a, 36b) intended to be placed towards the outside is shaped so as to make apparent the vertical joint line between two adjacent modular elements.   20. Modular element (C) according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that   comprises a U-shaped or L-shaped cavity extending between its upper and lower faces, in order to form an element modular chaining.   21. Modular element (A) according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that its faces   lateral (231a, 231b) intended to be placed against adjacent modular elements are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other, in order to form a modular corner element.   22. Modular element (S) according to any one of   claims 1 to 20, characterized in that it is   reversible, that is to say substantially symmetrical about a vertical axis (ZZ ') passing through its center of   gravity (G), to form a standard modular element.   23. Modular element (S; C; A) according to any one   of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is   in water-repellent concrete, to prevent it from being impregnated with water. 24. Wall or double wall, characterized in that it is composed of modular elements (S; C; A) conforming to one   any of the preceding claims.