FR2931492A1 - Modular vertical carrier structure for constructing e.g. individual house, has interconnection units interconnecting panels together and forming structure assembly in form of shell, where panels integrally support loads applied to structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The structure (20) has a set of standard flat vertical panels (Pi), where each panel possesses thickness ranging from 40 millimeters to 240 millimeters, and has a plastic foam filling i.e. high density expanded polyurethane foam filling. The filling assures connection between external metallic sheets. Lower and upper connection elements are fixed in lower and upper ends of the panels, respectively. Interconnection units (42) interconnect the panels together and form a structure assembly that is in the form of shell. The panels integrally support loads applied to the structure.

Description

The present invention relates to a load-bearing structure that can be used in particular for the realization of residential houses or the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to such a carrier structure of modular type and feasible from standard elements. Construction panels are known which are constituted by two external metal sheets between which is made a filling of plastic material and usually expanded polyurethane. Such panels are known in particular from European Patent Application EP 595 777, US Pat. No. 4,104,840 or PCT Patent Application WO 96/41925. In any case, the panel is used to make either a filler structure in the framework of a supporting structure, a facing panel of a supporting structure, or a weight element for a supporting structure. In addition, there is known a panel of this type marketed by the company ISOCAB which is used to make siding or filling of the load-bearing structure. In Figures 1A and 1B, the structure of such a panel is shown. This panel comprises two outer metal sheets 10 and 12 between which is interposed a filling of plastic material 14 which is preferably an expanded polyurethane or a polyisocyanurate. In certain embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 1B, the panel further comprises two embedding profiles on these longitudinal edges respectively referenced 16 for the male section and 18 for the female section. The profiles 16 and 18 are made with a sheet of the same nature as that used to make the sheets 10 and 12. The total thickness H of the panel is between 40 and 240 mm and preferably between 60 and 125 mm. The thickness of the metal sheets 10 and 12 is preferably between 4 / 10th and 16 / 10th of a millimeter. In addition, the filling 14 is constituted by high density expanded polyurethane foam of between 28 kg / m 3 and 45 kg / m 3. It is also possible to use a polyisocyanurate. The foam

expanded 14 serves both to achieve the mechanical connection between the two sheets 10 and 12 and the relative maintenance of these two sheets in parallel position. As already indicated, these same panels which can have standard dimensions are used in particular to form elements of filling or facing structures carrying buildings. An object of the present invention is to provide a support structure allowing the use of standard panels, especially of the type described above. More precisely, the invention proposes a method of assembling such panels which makes it possible to produce a carrier structure for the construction of a house, a building or any other similar structure. The invention as will be defined below is based on the observations made by the inventors that panels of the known type mentioned above assembled in a particular manner can make it possible to carry out by themselves a bearing structure of a house, building or the like. More precisely, this object of the invention is achieved by a supporting structure which is characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of substantially planar vertical panels, each panel comprising: two parallel external metal sheets of thickness between 4 / 10th and 16 / 10th of a mm; and - a foam filling of a plastic material ensuring the connection between said sheets, said panel having a thickness of between 40 mm and 240 mm, said panels defining a closed polygonal contour, each panel forming the entire height of the structure for the part of the structure that it constitutes; connecting elements fixed at least in the lower part and in the upper part of the panels; and non-vertical means of interconnection between at least 25

some non-aligned panels, said interconnecting means being attached to said panels above their lower end; whereby the combination of interconnected vertical panels and interconnecting means form an assembly working as a shell, said panels integrally supporting the vertical components of the loads applied to the structure. It is understood that, thanks to the assembly according to the invention standard panels per se known to serve as a filling face for a structure, it is possible to form, using these panels, a carrier structure in particular used to manufacture a building. In particular, thanks to the cooperation of a vertical structure constituted by the assembly of vertical panels with means of interconnection of at least some of these non-aligned vertical panels, a structure is obtained which works like a shell, thus making it possible to comply with the different standards in force when building houses and especially single-family dwellings both with regard to the constraints related to the intrinsic mass of the building components or to the normal use of the building as well as external constraints which may be applied to the building such as the winds defined in the standards or a load constituted by the accumulation of snow on the roof or structures. Preferably, the contour defined by the panels is such that two adjacent panels form between them an angle of between 90 and 180 degrees. In other words, the structure resulting from the assembly of the juxtaposed panels does not have a re-entrant angle. According to another preferred feature of the invention, the lower connecting elements comprise U-shaped profiles anchored in the ground, the lower edges of the panels being embedded and fixed in said profiles. According to an alternative embodiment, the longitudinal edges of the panels are equipped with conjugated profiles for embedding the panels. This solution improves the mechanical connection between the various panels constituting the vertical part of the carrier structure. However, these vertical profiles do not participate in any case

significantly to the absorption of the stresses applied to the supporting structure. According to an alternative embodiment, said connecting elements are metallic. They can be interconnected to form a continuous metal belt over the entire polygonal contour of the structure. According to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, the interconnection means of the panels comprise at least one floor consisting of: a plurality of horizontal panels similar to those of the supporting structure; and - fixing means of the ends of the panels forming the floor on an intermediate portion of at least some of the panels forming the vertical supporting structure.

It is understood that in this preferred embodiment, it is the structure forming an intermediate floor not confused with the lower floor of the building which is the interconnecting means of the panels of the vertical carrier structure to obtain the hull effect.

However, it should be noted that it is not necessary that these means of interconnecting vertical panels cover, as is the case with a floor, the entire surface bounded by the vertical walls of the structure. It suffices that a sufficient number of vertical panels not aligned with each other are connected by these interconnection means to ensure the operation in "shell" or the carrier structure. In particular, in the case of a floor, this floor may cover only a portion of the total area limited by the vertical walls for example in the case of a mezzanine. According to another preferred embodiment, the interconnection means comprise a roof, said roof comprising: a plurality of non-vertical panels similar to the vertical panels of the support structure; and - metal fastening means of the panels forming the roof on the upper end of at least some of the panels of said supporting structure.

It will be understood that, according to one or other of these preferred embodiments of the invention, the non-vertical interconnection means between the vertical non-aligned panels constituting the vertical part of the support structure are advantageously constituted either by the roof in the case of a building without floors, either by the roof and by an intermediate floor in the case of a multi-storey building and preferably the roof or the intermediate floor are made from similar panels , that is to say extremely similar to the panels constituting the vertical part of the supporting structure. By similar panels are meant panels which are also constituted by two external metal sheets interconnected by a filling of plastic materials. The similar term is used to indicate that the thickness of the metal sheets constituting the panels for the roof or floor and the total thickness of these panels may be different from those used to make the vertical part of the supporting structure . A second object of the invention is to provide a panel intended to be mounted in a carrier structure of the type defined above and which is characterized in that it comprises: two substantially flat metal sheets with a thickness of between 4; 10th and 16 / 10th of a mm; and a filling of high density expanded polyurethane foam of between 28 kg / m 3 and 45 kg / m 3, interposed between said sheets to mechanically connect them and keep them parallel to each other; the total thickness of the panel being between 40 and 240 mm. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear better on reading the following description of several embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples. The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figures 1A and 1B, already described, represent a unitary panel already known, including the type manufactured by ISOCAB. FIG. 2A is a simplified top view of the carrier structure according to the invention;

- Figure 2B is a simplified view of principle in elevation of the carrier structure according to the invention; - Figure 3 is a simplified view in partial vertical section of a carrier structure according to the invention; - Figure 4 is a partial detail view, in vertical section, of an embodiment of the carrier structure; - Figure 5 is a detailed horizontal sectional view of the connection between two panels forming an angle of the structure; - Figure 6 is a partial view in horizontal section of a vertical wall of the structure showing the connection between two adjacent panels; and - Figure 7 is a detail view of Figure 4 showing the connection between the panels forming the vertical wall, the roof and the floor.

Referring first to Figures 2A and 2B, the general organization of the carrier structure according to the invention will be described. The carrying structure comprises a vertical part referenced 20 which is, in the example considered, constituted by four walls at right angles 22, 24, 26 and 28. This vertical bearing structure 20 could have a different shape since it constitutes a outline with no inside angle. Each wall 22 to 28 is constituted by standard vertical panels bearing the generic reference P ;. In the example considered, the long sides of the vertical structure 24 and 28 are constituted by five substantially identical panels juxtaposed while the two small sides 22 or 26 of the structure or gables are each constituted by three juxtaposed panels P. Each panel is the entire vertical wall height. As best shown in Figure 2B, the panels P; are interconnected at their lower part bearing the generic reference 30 by connecting elements preferably constituted by U-shaped sections 32 also anchored in the ground S on which is formed the carrier structure. The lower connecting elements 32 allow to assemble between them the lower ends 30 of the panels P; The upper ends 34 of the panels P; are also connected together for example by connecting plates,

for example metal, such as 36 which are screwed, bolted, riveted or glued on panels P; Thus, the vertical panels P; are joined together at their upper and lower ends. They can also be interconnected by connecting plates such as 38 arranged at an intermediate height. It goes without saying that in the description of the particular embodiment considered, the four walls 22 to 28 are made in the same way. The end panels of the various walls are interconnected by vertical L-shaped angle systems such as 40 which are also screwed, bolted, riveted or glued to the vertical panels of the two vertical walls at right angles. FIG. 2A shows the other constituent element of the supporting structure which is added to the vertical bearing structure described above and which consists of means for interconnecting the vertical structure elements represented symbolically in this figure by reference 42. The function of these interconnection means is to connect at least some of the panels P; non-aligned, that is to say belonging to different walls 22 to 28 so that the combination of the vertical carrier structure with these interconnection means 42 generally constitutes a structure working in shell. The interconnection means are integral with the vertical panels at a level which is clearly above their lower ends. In the description which follows, various embodiments of these interconnection means 42 will be specified. As already indicated above, the interconnection means of the vertical panels 42 constitute the entire structure in form. hulls are preferably constituted either by an intermediate floor disposed substantially above the ground level, and / or by a roof connecting of course the upper ends of the panels constituting the side walls 22 to 28. In these two preferred modes In the embodiment of the interconnection means, vertical panels, whether floor or roof, are preferably made using panels that are very similar to those used to achieve the vertical structure. However, it goes without saying that one would not go beyond the invention if the

The constituent elements used to make the interconnection means of the vertical panel were not made using panels of the same type as those used to make the vertical structures. Indeed, in this case again, one would achieve from the elements of vertical panels a supporting structure working as a shell. Of course, the various vertical walls 22 to 28 are interconnected by corner angles generally represented by reference 44. These angles will be described in more detail later. FIG. 3 is a simplified representation of two possible embodiments of the interconnection means of the vertical panels, which may consist either in the realization of an intermediate floor referenced 46 or in the realization of a roof 48 or the most often in the realization of these two structures. In Figure 3, the roof 48 is shown with a slope. It goes without saying, however, that the roof could be horizontal. As indicated schematically above, preferably, the floor 46 or the roof 48 or both are preferably but not exclusively made from panels P; similar or identical to the vertical panels shown in Figures 2A and 2B. To realize the floor, the panels P; are arranged along their length parallel to the smallest side of the vertical structure, that is to say in the particular embodiment considered parallel to the walls 22 and 26 constituting the gables of the construction. The ends 50 and 52 of the panels P; are supported by brackets such as 54 and 56 fixed on the inner faces of the panels P; constituting the vertical walls at an intermediate level between the floor and the roof 48. A preferred embodiment of the floor 46 will be described later. As regards the roof 48, it is also preferably made by Ti panels similar to those which constitute the vertical walls. The lower ends of the panels Ti constituting the roof 48 and which are referenced 58 are fixed on the upper end 34 of the vertical panels P; by profiles such as 60.

Whether angles 54 supporting the ends of the panels forming the floor 46 or the lower ends of the panels constituting the roof 48, the profiles or fittings that allow to fix them on the vertical panels are connected to the panels by any suitable means for example by riveting taking advantage of the fact that the outer faces of the panels P; are themselves constituted by metal sheets by screwing, by bolting or possibly also by gluing. Referring now to FIGS. 4-7, certain parts of the carrier structure will be described in greater detail. Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the complete carrier structure. There is shown a panel P; which extends over the entire height of the facade of the vertical supporting structure. The bottom end 30 of the panel is embedded and fixed in a U-shaped channel 32 which forms the entire outline of the structure. The profile 32 is anchored in the ground. The upper end 34 of the panel P; is connected to an inclined panel Ti which is preferably a part of the roof 48. The roof panel Ti is fixed on the upper end 20 of the panel P; by screws 60 through an expanded foam part 62. The roof 48 formed by the panels Ti forms both fastening elements in the upper part of the panels P; between them and means for interconnecting the vertical panels. In this case, the interconnection means covers the entire surface 25 of the structure. In FIG. 4, the mounting of the floor 46 has also been shown. This floor is preferably constituted by panels P; whose ends are supported by brackets 54 screwed onto the inner face of the panels P; at an intermediate level. Also preferably, the floor 46 is completed by plates 70, for example of wood or composite material. These plates 70 are fixed on thickeners 72 of the panels P; forming the floor. The panels are the entire length of the part between the two vertical walls. The plates 70 extend perpendicularly to the panels P; to improve the mechanical strength of the floor.

In this example, the floor 46 constitutes a part of the interconnection means of the non-aligned panels. In this case, these means are attached to the panels at an intermediate height 76 between their lower end 30 and their upper end 34.

In Figure 6, there is shown an embodiment of the connection between two panels P; and P, +1 adjacent to a vertical wall. In this embodiment, the panels have embedding profiles, but this is not mandatory. The panels are interconnected by plates 78, preferably metal, and by rivets 80, screws or bolts. Figure 5 illustrates the connection between two corner panels P; and P; +1. A foam piece 82, preferably injected during assembly, ensures the continuity of the panels. The panels are preferably interconnected by respectively inner and outer corner plates 84 and 86. These plates, preferably metal, are preferably also fixed to the panels by rivets such as 90. Of course, screws could be used. or bolts. Figure 7 is a partial view of Figure 4 which shows in more detail the connection between the floor 46, the roof 48 and the vertical panels P.

Claims (13)

REVENDICATIONS1. Vertical support structure characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of substantially planar vertical panels, each panel comprising: two parallel external metal sheets with a thickness between 4 / 10th and 16 / 10th of a mm; and - a foam filling of a plastic material ensuring the connection between said sheets, said panel having a thickness of between 40 mm and 240 mm, said panels defining a closed polygonal contour, each panel forming the entire height of the structure for the part of the structure that it constitutes; connecting elements fixed at least in the lower part and in the upper part of the panels; and non-vertical interconnection means between at least some non-aligned panels, said interconnection means being fixed to said panels above their lower end; whereby the combination of interconnected vertical panels and interconnecting means form an assembly working as a shell, said panels integrally supporting the vertical components of the loads applied to the structure. 2. Structure according to claim 1, characterized in that two adjacent panels are between them an angle of between 90 and 180 degrees. 3. Structure according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the lower connecting elements comprise U-shaped profiles anchored in the ground, the lower edges of the panels being recessed and fixed in said profiles. 4. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said panels have an outer face and / or internal. 5. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the vertical edges of the panels are equipped with vertical recessed profiles embedding and not significantly carriers. 6. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said connecting metal elements are interconnected to form a continuous metal belt over the entire polygonal content of the structure. 7. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said interconnecting means comprise at least one floor consisting of: - a plurality of horizontal panels similar to those of the carrier structure; and - fixing means of the ends of the panels 15 forming the floor on an intermediate portion of at least some of the panels forming the vertical supporting structure. 8. Structure according to claim 7, characterized in that said floor further comprises plates fixed on the upper face of the panels forming the floor. 9. Structure according to any one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that said floor fixing means form an intermediate continuous connection between at least some of said vertical panels. 25 10. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said interconnection means comprise: a roof, said roof comprising a plurality of non-vertical panels similar to the vertical panels of the carrier structure; and - metal fastening means of the panels forming the roof on the upper end of at least some of the panels of said supporting structure. 11. Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the connecting elements are metallic. 12. Panel intended to be mounted in a support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises: - two substantially flat metal sheets of thickness between 4 / 10th and 16 / 10th of a mm ; and a filling of high density expanded polyurethane foam of between 28 kg / m 3 and 45 kg / m 3, interposed between said sheets to mechanically connect them and keep them parallel to each other; the total thickness of the panel being between 40 and 240 mm. 13. Panel according to claim 12, characterized in that it further comprises on both longitudinal edges a profile extending over the entire length of said edge, the profiles of the same panel having conjugate forms of embedding.