FR3100552A1 - Construction element and method of producing at least one construction element from a wooden log - Google Patents

Abstract

Construction element and method for producing at least one construction element from a wooden log The present invention relates to a method for producing at least one construction element (7) from a log (1) of wood, characterized in that the method comprises: a step of cutting the log (1) in its length, from a first end to a second end, according to a plane located at the level of the diameter of the log so as to obtain two half-logs (2, 3) of respective identical cone portions and comprising, at its periphery, a flat face (2a, 3a) and a convex face (2b, 3b), a pivoting step of a first half-log (2) relative to the second half-log (3) so as to position the first end of the first half-log (2) at the second end of the second half-log (3) and the second end of the first half-log (2) at the first end of the second half-log (3), an assembly step half-logs by positioning vis-à-vis their respective convex faces (2b, 3b) so as to have the flat faces (2a, 3a) parallel to each other. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 2.

Description

Construction element and method of producing at least one construction element from a wooden log

The present invention relates to the field of wooden construction elements and more particularly to the field of wooden beams, bricks and concrete blocks.

In construction, wood is an alternative to concrete or stone elements which is part of a dynamic of use of renewable materials which also makes it possible, on the one hand, to achieve energy performance by limiting the thickness of the walls of constructions. and, on the other hand, to regulate the humidity between the outside air and the inside air of a building.

However, wood is a natural material which, due to the regular growth of the tree from which it comes, does not have a constant section over the entire length of its trunk or its branches. Also, when the wood used comes from a tree species with a substantially rectilinear tree structure, the volume of logs from each of the parts of the body of the tree does not have the shape of a cylinder but that of a cone portion of which the section of a first end has a reduced diameter compared to the section of the second end. When using a structure of a rough log to make a construction piece of identical square or rectangular section over its entire length, while this log has a cone section, a trimming operation must be carried out at the level of the peripheral surface of the structure. However, under these conditions, the thickness of the slabs removed, especially at the end of the larger section, is dependent on the area at the end of the smaller section. Thus, when a log has a significant difference between the two sections of the ends of a log, for example due to a large taper or due to a long log length if the taper is more moderate, the slabs removed from the log correspond to a volume of material removed which results in a loss of raw product.

To limit the loss of material during the operation of this log and make the slabs produced profitable, parallel management circuits must then be set up in addition to the treatment initially sought for the raw log. In addition, the implementation of these additional circuits is likely to be complex to achieve, while presenting a profitability likely to be limited.

The object of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a method of harvesting logs and logs allowing optimization of the quantity of wood available for the production of one or more building elements.

The subject of the invention is thus a process for producing at least one construction element from a wooden log, characterized in that the process comprises:

a step of cutting the log in its length, from a first end to a second end, along a plane located at the level of the diameter of the log so as to obtain two half-logs of respective identical cone portions and comprising, at its level periphery, a flat face and a convex face,

a step of pivoting a first half-log relative to the second half-log so as to position the first end of the first half-log at the level of the second end of the second half-log and the second end of the first half-log at the first end of the second half-log,

a step of assembling the half-logs by positioning vis-à-vis their respective convex faces so as to have the flat faces parallel to each other.

The invention also relates to a building element obtained by a production process according to the invention.

The invention also relates to a construction assembly characterized in that the assembly comprises:

at least one construction element according to the invention,

at least one structural element having a mounted flat surface, fixed to bear against a surface of the construction element

The invention will be better understood, thanks to the description below, which relates to various preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

shows an example of the volume of a beam produced from a wooden log according to a method of the prior art.

represents an example of kinematics detailing various stages of production of an example of a construction element according to the invention.

represents kinematics detailing different stages of production of alternative examples of construction elements according to the invention.

shows in a three-quarter view an example of a construction element according to the invention producing an assembly by strips.

shows an example of a construction assembly according to the invention integrating several construction elements according to the invention.

represents examples of a construction assembly according to the invention of different formats capable of being standardized.

The invention relates to a method of producing at least one building element 7 from a log 1 of wood, characterized in that the method comprises:

a step of cutting the log 1 in its length, from a first end to a second end, along a plane located at the level of the diameter of the log 1 so as to obtain two half-logs 2, 3 of respective identical cone portions and comprising , at its periphery, a flat face 2a, 3a and a convex face 2b, 3b,

a pivoting step of a first half-log 2 relative to the second half-log 3 so as to position the first end of the first half-log 2 at the level of the second end of the second half-log 3 and the second end of the first half-log 2 at the first end of the second half-log 3,

a step of assembling the half-logs by positioning vis-à-vis their respective convex faces 2b, 3b so as to have the flat faces 2a, 3a parallel to each other.

Thanks to the pivoting of a first half-log 2 relative to the second half-log 3, the difference in size between the sections of the ends of each of the half-logs 2, 3 linked to the taper of the initial log 1, is then found compensated so that the planes specific to each of the plane faces 2a, 3a are arranged parallel to each other. After assembling the two half-logs 2, 3, the element 7 which results from this production process produces an assembled rectilinear wooden structure having two opposite faces forming flat surfaces 2, 3 parallel to each other. Such a structure then produces a construction element 7 which has the characteristics of a beam having a constant thickness over its entire length.

The implementation of the production process involves a cut of the log 1 of wood in its length, from a first end to a second end, according to a plane located at the level of the diameter of the log 1. Such a cut of the log 1 allows the 'obtaining half-logs 2, 3 in which the continuity of the wood fibers in their respective thicknesses is maintained, so that the bending strength properties of the initial wood log 1 are preserved. Furthermore, in the construction element 7 obtained from the half-logs 2, 3, the forces exerted at the level of the flat faces 2a, 3a are transmitted along the concentric fibers of the wood in the thickness of the log 1, taking advantage intrinsic resistance properties of the log 1 to deformation. An advantage that results from this particularity is that by following the fibers of the wood, the lines of force naturally bypass any knots that could create possible weaknesses in the thickness of the wood.

According to a particular example of implementation of the production process, the latter comprises a step of cutting the half-logs 2, 3 assembled in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the half-logs 2, 3. Thus, a cutting of this structure in several portions makes it possible to obtain several construction elements 7 having an identical thickness with characteristics similar to those of bricks or wooden blocks.

According to another complementary particular example of implementation of the production method of the invention, the method comprises a step of cutting at least one half-log 2, 3 prior to the step of assembling the half-logs 2 , 3. This step of debossing at least a part of the convex face of the half-log 2, 3 allows the production of a dedossed surface 2c, 3c substantially plane at the level of the convex face 2b, 3b in the length of the half-log 2, 3, which contributes to increasing the contact surface of the two half-logs 2, 3 and therefore the quality of their assembly. Preferably, each of the two half-logs 2, 3 supports a step of at least partial debossing of their convex faces 2b, 3b so that each of the convex faces 2b, 3b of the half-logs 2, 3 carries a planar surface produced by the scalloped surfaces 2c, 3c. The positioning vis-à-vis the scalloped surfaces 2c, 3c of the convex faces 2b, 3b allows the production of an extended interface for bringing the two half-logs 2, 3 into contact with the half-logs 2, 3, the convex faces 2b, 3b of which have a taper of strict equivalence.

According to another complementary particular example of implementation of the production process, this comprises:

a step of grooving the scalloped surface 2c, 3c of each half-log 2, 3,

a step of inserting the grooves 4 of a first half-log 2 into complementary grooves associated, directly or indirectly, with the convex face 3b of the second half-log 3,

a pressing step carried out by exerting pressure at the level of the flat surfaces 2a, 3a of the half-logs 2, 3.
The complementarity of the grooves 4 produced during the grooving step is notably obtained by a similarity in width between the grooves carried by a first half-log 2 and the spacing material between the grooves carried by the second half-log 3 The assembly of the half-logs 2, 3 by means of the scalloped and grooved surfaces makes it possible to operate a connection which resists shearing forces produced in a plane perpendicular to the assembly and pressing axis of the two half-logs 2, 3. In a complementary manner, the width of the grooves carried by the first half-log 2 and slightly greater than the width of the spacer material between the grooves carried by the second half-log 3. This particular grooving allows to operate a force assembly of the grooves of the first half-log 2 between those of the second half-log 3 and therefore to obtain an optimized assembly of the half-logs 2, 3 between them. It should be noted that, in the context of the method of the invention, the grooving and debossing steps are likely to be carried out jointly by involving a cutting tool adapted to the level of the convex surface 2b, 3b of the log 1 or half logs 2, 3.

According to a particular example of implementation complementary to the previous particular example, the production process comprises:

a step of selecting at least one intermediate element 6 comprising at least two parallel plane faces 6a, 6b between them,

a step of grooving the two parallel flat faces 6a, 6b of the spacer element 6,

a step of positioning the spacer 6 between the scalloped surfaces 2c, 3c of the half-log 2, 3,

a step of inserting the grooves 4 of each half-log 2, 3 with complementary grooves carried by a respective surface of the spacer element 6,

a pressing step carried out by exerting pressure at the level of the flat surfaces 2a, 3a of the half-logs 2, 3.
According to this construction example, the junction of the half-logs 2, 3 involves an intermediate element 6 which produces an intermediate part between the two half-logs 2, 3. This intermediate element 6 makes it possible to operate a modulation of the thickness. of the construction element formed by the assembly of the two half-logs 2, 3. The construction element 7 produced is then capable of being thickened as a function of the thickness of the intermediate element 6 positioned between the two half-logs 2, 3. The complementarity of the grooves 4 is obtained in a manner similar to that detailed in the previous example. The intermediate element 6 is arranged to resist the shearing forces likely to exist between the two half-logs 2, 3 positioned on either side of the intermediate element 6, when the construction element 7 supports forces of bending in a plane comprising the superposition of the two half-logs 2, 3 and of the intermediate element 6. According to a variant of this construction example, the junction between the two half-logs 2, 3 involves several intermediate elements 6 positioned along the length of their scalloped surfaces 2c, 3c so as to have spacings. The construction element 7 thus obtained then comprises through openings which allow, between two intermediate elements 6, the positioning or passage of conduits which participate in a supply or discharge network.

According to an alternative or complementary example to the previous particular example, the method comprises:

a step of grooving the convex face 2b, 3b of each half-log 2, 3,

a step of inserting a first edge of at least one blade 5 into at least one groove 4 of a first half-log 2,

a step of inserting a second edge of the blade 5 into at least one groove 4 of a second half-log 3,
so that at least one or more blades 5 are arranged so as to produce an intermediate structure operating a junction between the respective convex faces 2b, 3b of the half-logs 2, 3. According to this particular example, the assembly of the half-logs logs 2, 3 by their convex faces 2, 3 involves one or more intermediate blades 5 which operate the junction between the two half-logs 2, 3. The blades 5 are preferably inserted by force into the half-logs 2, 3 of so as to ensure an optimized assembly. Likewise, ideally, the insertion of the blade 5 is carried out in a plane perpendicular to the respective planes of the flat faces 2a, 3a of the half-logs 2, 3. Such an arrangement has the advantage of operating, here too, a connection. which resists shearing forces produced in a plane perpendicular to the assembly and pressing axis of the two half-logs 2, 3. According to a preferred implementation of this particular example, the insertion of each of the blades 5 is carried out at the bottom of the groove 4. Such an insertion makes it possible to operate an assembly of the half-logs 2, 3 with a dimensioning of the blade 5 which participates in the dimensioning of the thickness of the construction element 7. The blades 5 are likely to be made of wood, metal or any other suitable material.

According to another complementary particular example of implementation of the production process, this comprises:

a step of depositing a binder on at least one surface which participates in the assembly of a half-log 2, 3,

a step of bringing the surface covered with binder into contact with the surface of the complementary part,

a step of pressurizing the surfaces in contact with the binder.
The use of a binder makes it possible to reinforce and therefore to optimize the joining, direct or indirect via one or more blades 5 or one or more intermediate elements 6, of the pair of half-logs 2, 3.

According to another complementary particular example of the implementation of the production method, the latter involves at least one securing means which operates a cohesion and a maintenance of the assembly of the various parts of the construction element 7 in a plane. substantially perpendicular to the planes of the parallel flat faces 2a, 3a of the two half-logs 2, 3. According to an exemplary implementation of this particular example, the method comprises in particular:

a step of boring at least each of the half-logs 2, 3 along an axis substantially perpendicular to the planes of the parallel flat faces 2a, 3a of the two half-logs 2, 3,

a step of inserting a securing means through these bores, so that it passes right through the construction element 7 to hold the various parts of the construction element 7 tight.
By way of example, the securing means is produced by an ankle, a stud or even a threaded rod which cooperates with one or more nuts mounted at the ends of the threaded rod, on either side of the construction element. 7.

According to another complementary particular example of implementation of the production process, the latter involves at least one wood screw inserted directly into the structure of the half-logs 2, 3 to assemble and hold the various parts of the element of construction 7.

The invention also relates to the construction element or elements 7 obtained by the production process according to the invention and in particular, in particular, following the various steps of the various examples of the process described above.

According to a particular embodiment of the construction element 7, the latter is characterized in that the assembly of the half-logs 2, 3 by their convex faces 2b, 3b comprises at least one intermediate element 6 between the two half-logs. -rondins 2, 3 disposed along at least a portion of the length of the construction element 7.

According to another particular example, complementary to the previous example, the intermediate element 6 has a through-bore along an axis substantially perpendicular to the assembly axis of the half-logs 2, 3. This particular example corresponds to an alternative to the production of spaces forming through openings between two intermediate elements 6 to allow the positioning or passage of conduits which participate in a supply or discharge network. Under these conditions, the through opening is made by removing material through an intermediate element 6.

The invention also relates to a construction set in which is integrated one or more construction elements 7 according to the invention made from a pair of half-logs 2, 3.

According to a first embodiment of such an assembly according to the invention, the latter comprises, in addition to a construction element 7 according to the invention, at least one structural element 8 having a mounted flat surface, fixed in abutment. against a flat face 2a, 3a of the construction element 7 made from a pair of half-logs 2, 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the structural element 8 is capable of being produced by an element of construct 7 homologous. Likewise, the structural element 8 is likely to be produced by all or part of a floor or a ceiling. The construction element 7 then forms a support element for the structural element 8 which is attached to it. The structural element 8 is thus capable of producing the surface of a floor which supports compression while being reinforced by one or more construction elements 7 according to the invention positioned at the level of the lower face of the structural element 8 of so as to stiffen the surface of the floor. Likewise, the structural element 8 is capable of being produced by a vertical wall so that the construction element 7 produces an upright against which all or part of the vertical wall is fixed or resting.

According to another exemplary embodiment complementary to the previous example, the construction assembly comprises at least one construction element 7 according to the invention positioned between two structural elements 8 having a flat surface, so that each structural element 8 is mounted bearing against a respective flat surface 2, 3 of the construction element 7. According to this exemplary embodiment, the construction element 7 forms an intermediate element or a spacer which is inserted between two structural elements. The structural elements 8 are thus mounted against mutually parallel surfaces carried by the construction element 7 of the invention.

According to a specific example of the preceding example, the assembly of the invention comprises several construction elements 7 parallel to each other and fixed by their flat surfaces between two structural elements 8. According to this exemplary embodiment, when the structural elements 8 are positioned on either side of the construction elements 7 and have substantially identical surfaces and thicknesses, the assembly obtained has characteristics substantially similar to those of a slab or a panel. In such an exemplary embodiment, the construction elements 7 positioned between the two structural elements 8 are arranged parallel to each other so as to optimize the number of construction elements 7 placed between the two structural elements 8.

An advantage of this last specific example of the whole of the invention is to allow the manufacture of panels of different sizes and formats for the installation of walls, vertical walls, floors or ceilings. Preferably, these panels are produced according to standardized dimensions so as to facilitate their transport and / or their use in the form of modules, for example of 4.50 meters, 5.40 meters or 6.30 meters in height. length and 2.70 in width.

Another advantage of the construction assembly of the invention is that it can be produced on the construction site from several construction elements 7 and structural elements 8. However, a prior production on a site different from the site of construction is preferred.

It should be noted that when several construction elements 7 according to the invention are arranged substantially parallel to carry, at the level of one of its flat faces 2a, 3a, a structural element 8 forming a floor, each of the elements of construction 7 is arranged to take up the bending forces supported by the structural element 8. The structural element 8 thus contributes essentially, on the one hand, to the joining of the construction elements 7 and to the mutual reinforcement of their stiffnesses respective, on the other hand, to the transfer of the forces supported by the structural element 8 between the construction elements 7 towards these construction elements 7. The assembly produced by the combination of construction elements 7 of the invention with at at least one structural element 8 allows optimization of the mechanical performance specific to each of the parts which constitute this construction assembly and taken independently of one another. The whole of the invention is thus adapted to withstand predetermined values of stresses and stresses usual in the field of construction and likely to reach 750 kg / m².

It should also be noted that according to a particular example of construction, the assembly of the invention is capable of comprising one or more structural elements 8 respectively produced by a superposition of several panels. By way of example, each of these superimposed panels can be produced by thin, long and oriented strips, also called OSB ( Oriented Strand Board ) panels. Also, when the assembly of the invention comprises a single structural element 8 associated with one or more construction elements 7, an example of a method of constructing such an assembly is likely to involve simultaneously, on the one hand, a assembly of the various panels together to produce the structural element 8 and, on the other hand, an assembly of this structural element 8 with the flat faces 2a, 3a of the construction elements 7. This assembly is thus carried out within the framework of bringing together and / or pressing along axes substantially perpendicular to the flat faces 2a, 3a of the construction elements 7 of the invention. Maintaining the parts and elements which make up the whole of the invention is then likely to involve a binder deposited at strategic surfaces prior to the assembly operation as such. Similarly, when the assembly of the invention comprises two structural elements 8, each being associated with one or more construction elements 7, an example of a method of constructing such an assembly is likely to involve simultaneously, on the one hand, an assembly in two groups of the different panels to produce respectively each of the two structural elements 8 and, on the other hand, an assembly of each of these structural elements 8 with a respective flat face 2a, 3a of each of the construction elements 7.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without thereby departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (12)

A method of producing at least one building element (7) from a log (1) of wood, characterized in that the method comprises:

• a step of cutting the log (1) in its length, from a first end to a second end, along a plane located at the level of the diameter of the log (1) so as to obtain two half-logs (2, 3) of portions respective cones identical and comprising, at its periphery, a flat face (2a, 3a) and a convex face (2b, 3b),
• a pivoting step of a first half-log (2) relative to the second half-log (3) so as to position the first end of the first half-log (2) at the level of the second end of the second half-log (3) and the second end of the first half-log (2) at the first end of the second half-log (3),
• a step of assembling the half-logs by positioning vis-à-vis their respective convex faces (2b, 3b) so as to have the flat faces (2a, 3a) parallel to each other.

Production method according to claim 1, characterized in that the method comprises a step of cutting at least one half-log (2, 3) prior to the step of assembling the half-logs (2, 3). Production method according to claim 2, characterized in that the method comprises:

• a step of grooving the cut surface (2c, 3c) of each half-log (2, 3),
• a step of inserting the grooves (4) of a first half-log (2) in complementary grooves associated, directly or indirectly, with the convex face of the second half-log (3),
• a pressing step carried out by exerting pressure at the level of the flat surfaces (2a, 3a) of the half-logs (2, 3).

Production method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the method comprises:

• a step of grooving the convex face (2b, 3b) of each half-log (2, 3),
• a step of inserting a first edge of at least one blade (5) in at least one groove (4) of a first half-log (2),
• a step of inserting a second edge of the blade (5) in at least one groove (4) of a second half-log (3),

so that at least one or more blades (5) are arranged so as to produce an intermediate structure operating a junction between the respective convex faces (2b, 3b) of the half-logs (2, 3). Production method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method comprises:

• a step of depositing a binder on at least one surface which participates in the assembly of a half-log (2, 3),
• a step of bringing the surface covered with binder into contact with the surface of the complementary part,
• a step of pressurizing the surfaces in contact with the binder.

Production method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method comprises a step of cutting the half-logs (2, 3) assembled in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the half-logs (2, 3). Construction element obtained by a production process according to one of claims 1 to 6. Construction element according to Claim 7, characterized in that the assembly of the half-logs (2, 3) by their convex faces (2b, 3b) comprises at least one intermediate element (6) between the two half-logs (2 , 3) disposed along at least a portion of the length of the building element (7). Construction element (7) according to claim 8, characterized in that the intermediate element (6) has a through-bore along an axis substantially perpendicular to the assembly axis of the half-logs (2, 3). Construction set characterized in that the set includes:

• at least one construction element (7) according to one of claims 7 to 9,
• at least one structural element (8) having a mounted flat surface, fixed to bear against a flat face (2a, 3a) of the construction element (7) made from a pair of half-logs (2, 3 ).

Construction assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that the assembly comprises at least one construction element (7) according to one of claims 7 to 9 positioned between two structural elements (8) having a flat surface, so that each element structural is mounted in abutment against a respective flat surface (2, 3) of the construction element (7). Construction assembly according to Claim 11, characterized in that the assembly comprises several construction elements (7) according to one of Claims 7 to 9, arranged parallel to each other and fixed by their flat surfaces between two structural elements (8).