GB1564721A - Framed building modules and multi-storey building structures - Google Patents

Description

(54) FRAMED BUILDING MODULES AND MULTI-STOREY BUILDING STRUCTURES (71) I, DEREK ACTON STOW, of 14 Old Queen Street, Westminster, London, SWIH 8HS, England, a British Subject, do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a Patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to building modules and to a multi-storey building structure constructed from building modules. The term building module is used herein to denote a modular building unit.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a building module having a frame structure which comprises side members forming respectively six separate rectangular frames, each rectangular frame defining one of six main external faces of the module, each side member of one frame being joined to the adjacent side member of another frame by parallel members inclined to both the main external faces defined by the frames of which the side members form part, whereby the building module is caused to have twelve inclined faces, each joining two of the main external faces, and eight triangular faces at the corners of the module, in addition to the six main external faces, the external bounds of the module being defined by said main external faces, said inclined faces and said triangular faces.

The parallel members which join each side member of one frame to the adjacent side member of another frame may be just two members joining together the ends of the two adjacent side members.

Alternatively, however, there may be a series of parallel members joining each side member of one frame to an adjacent side member of another frame so that there are, for example, two intermediate parallel members between the parallel members which join the ends of the adjacent side members. The use of such a series of parallel members provides the building module with greater resistance to wind forces, for example.

Advantageously, all the side members and the parallel members are so joined as to form a continuous structure throughout which the stresses are evenly distributed. In this way the building module is provided with an inherent strength enabling the frame structure to be positioned so that any one of the external surfaces may define the base of the building module. Also the building module has substantial strength, and, by appropriate selection of the materials and dimensions for the members which comprise the frame structure, it is enabled to support a similar building module located immediately above it.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a building module having a continuous metallic frame structure which defines the faces of the module, there being six rectangular faces which are the main external faces of the module, twelve rectangular, inclined faces which are substantially smaller in area than the main faces of the module and each of which is inclined to and adjoins two of the main faces of the module, and eight triangular faces which are corner faces of the module, the continuous metallic frame structure including twenty-four corner joining block pieces, which are solid metal except for one or more drillings and/or tappings therein, and members, each of which defines an edge common to two of the faces of the module and each of which is joined in the continuous metallic frame structure between two of the said corner joining block pieces, the external bounds of the module being defined by said main external faces, said inclined faces and said triangular faces.

Preferably building modules in accordance with the present invention have each of their twelve inclined or rectangular faces inclined at an angle of 45" to both the two adjoining main faces of the module. The selection of the angle of inclination as 45" provides the module with a symmetry which would be absent if any other angle of inclination to the side faces of the module were chosen.

The building modules of the present invention are conveniently either single building modules or double building modules. In a single building module according to the present invention all six main faces of the module are squares of the same size. In consequence the single building module in accordance with this invention is basically a cube with all the sharp corners and edges removed and replaced by inclined or chamfered surfaces.

In a double building module in accordance with the present invention four of the main faces of the module have opposite sides which each correspond in length to the two other sides of the said four main faces joined in end to end relationship by a locking means. The double building module is therefore slightly larger than two single building modules in order that the double building module may be used in a building with two single building modules which must have some locking or interconnecting means between them in order to form a proper building structure.

Advantageously building modules in accordance with the present invention include a floor which is built on to the members which define the lower edges of the main side and end faces of the module and the space between the floor in the module and the bottom main face of the module is utilized for pipes and/or ducting which penetrates at least one of the inclined faces joining the bottom main face of the module to the side or end faces of the module for connection of the pipes or ducting to mains services.

Accordingly, a building module having this advantageous feature of the- present invention incorporates spaces within which pipes or ducting may very conveniently be housed and to which access may readily be obtained through any one of the inclined faces which join the bottom main face of the module to the side and end faces of the module.

Similarly, access to the interior of the building module may be readily obtained through any of the main faces, the inclined faces or the triangular faces. Access to the upper part of the interior of the building module may conveniently be obtained through one or more of the inclined faces joining the side and end faces of the building module to the top main face of the module.

Also in accordance with the present invention the inclined faces joining the side and end faces of the module to the top main face may be comprised by glass for admitting light into the module either as a main source of light supply or as additional light admission to the light admitted through windows incorporated in the side or end faces of the module.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a building structure formed by locking together building modules having the features described in accordance with the present invention in the preceding paragraphs, the building structure being formed by locking parts of the frame structure which constitute at least two of the corners joining adjacent sides of-one side face of one module to corresponding parts of the frame structure of a second module.

When the building modules which are locked together to form a part of a building structure are dissimilar, that is to say one double building module is locked to one or two single building modules, there are only two of the corners joining adjacent sides of the side face of the double building module available for locking to corresponding parts of the frame structure of each single building module. However, when two similar building modules are being joined together in similar relationship as part of a building structure, the structure will be formed by locking the parts of the frame structure which constitute all four corners of the adjacent side face of one module to the four corresponding parts of the frame structure which constitute the corners of the adjacent side face of the other module.

When a building structure is formed in this manner, the inclined faces which join the lower side edges of the adjacent side faces of the first and second building modules to the side edges of the bottom main faces of the said modules constitute two walls of a conduit. Advantageously, this conduit is utilized for supplying services to one or both of the said building modules.

Access from the conduit to the space beneath the floors of the building modules Is readily obtained.

Similarly, the inclined faces which join the upper side edges of the adjacent side faces of the first and second building modules to the side edges of the top main faces of the building modules constitute two walls of a conduit. This conduit may be utilized for supplying electrical services to the first and second building modules.

Conveniently, a building structure according to any of the preceding paragraphs further includes a double building module in accordance with the first mentioned aspects of the present invention which is vertically located with one of its two smaller main faces as a base and with part extending above the level of other building modules in the structure, the said part of the vertically located double building module containing services including main water tanks for supplying water to the said other building modules.

It has already been explained that the frame structure which is an essential feature of building modules in accordance with this invention enables the building modules to be constructed with sufficient mechanical strength for the building modules to support a similar building module. Accordingly, it is another feature of the present invention to provide a building structure in which a first building module according to the present invention is supported by one or more further building modules in accordance with the present invention to constitute a two storey building structure.

It will be appreciated that when the two storey building structure is constituted by similar building modules in both storeys each building module in the lower storey may support a similar building module in the upper storey. However, it is equally possible for the building structure to be so arranged that a number of other alternative arrangements occur. For example when double building modules are used in both storeys a building module in the upper storey may be arranged to be supported partly by each of two building modules in the lower storey. Also when single and double building modules are used in both storeys two single building modules in the lower storey may support a double building module in the upper storey and similarly a double building module in the lower storey may support two single building modules in the upper storey.

However, when the upper storey in a two storey structure is formed by building modules having a different configuration from the configuration of the modules which comprise the lower storey, the loadbearing capability of this two storey structure is reduced as compared with a two storey structure in which the building modules in both storeys have the same configuration so that each module is supported by a similar module immediately beneath it. Preferably in accordance with this aspect of the present invention therefore, there is provided a building structure having first and second storeys, each of which is comprised by single and/or double building modules locked together, and each of the building modules in the second storey being locked to, and supported by, a similar building module in the first storey.

It is an important feature in accordance with this present invention that a building structure as hereinbefore described may further include a double building module in accordance with the first-mentioned aspects of the present invention which is vertically located with one of its two smaller main faces as a base and with one of its larger main faces locked to parts of the frame structures which constitute corners joining adjacent sides in the adjacent faces of the first and further building modules.

The vertically located double building module may be a staircase module linking the said first and further building modules which respectively constitute different storeys in the structure.

Alternatively, the vertically located double building module may be an engineering module supplying services to first and further building modules which respectively constitute different storeys in the structure.

Advantageously the building modules have the mechanical strength sufficient to support at least two similar building modules so that a multi-storey building structure may further include a third storey which comprises single and/or double building modules supported by and locked to the building modules in the second storey.

The third storey in such a multi-storey building structure may advantageously comprise engineering modules which provide the mains services for the building modules in said first and second storeys.

However, it is also within the scope of this aspect of the present invention for the third storey to comprise accommodation modules, and for there to be provided a further double building module perpendicularly disposed to the second and third storeys, said further double building module being supported by a building module in the first storey and being locked to modules in the second and third storeys for providing an interconnection between the second and third storeys.

The present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof which is made, by way of example, with reference to the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification in which: Figure 1 illustrates the frame structure of one building module in accordance with the present invention which constitutes a single module, Figure 2 shows the frame structure of another building module in accordance with the present invention which constitutes a double module, Figures 3a to 3h illustrate eleven panels, two windows, and two door arrangements with which the frame structures of the single and double modules of Figures 1 and 2 may be assembled, Figure 4 illustrates diagrammatically a single storey building structure formed by an assembly of building modules in accordance with the present invention, Figure 5 is a transverse vertical section through a part of a single storey building structure formed by two single building modules, Figure 6 is a longitudinal vertical section through a single storey building structure incorporating a double building module, Figure 7 is a plan view of a single storey structure incorporating two double building modules joined to further building modules, Figure 8 illustrates diagrammatically an assembly of single and double building modules to constitute a building complex of which part is single storey and part is two storey, Figure 9 illustrates diagrammatically another building complex, of which part is two storey, formed from double building modules in accordance with the present invention, Figures 10 and 11 are respectively a front elevation and a first floor plan of a two storey building complex in accordance with the present invention, Figure 12 is a transverse vertical section through a two storey building structure in accordance with the present invention Figure 13 is a diagrammatic elevation of a single storey building structure in accordance with this invention which incorporates a vertically disposed double building module as an engineering module, and Figure 14 is a diagrammatic plan of a multi-storey building structure in accordance with this invention which incorporates a vertically disposed double building module as an engineering module.

In the drawings the same or similar parts are designated by like reference numerals.

Referring to the accompanying drawings there is illustrated in Figure 1 the metal frame structure of a single building module in accordance with the present invention, which is designated generally by the reference numeral 20, and which is advantageously a continuous frame structure of steel. The frame structure 20 includes six square frames each of which defines one of the six main external faces of the single building module. Three of the six square frames are designated in Figure 1 by the reference numerals 21, 22 and 23. Each of the six rectangular frames may be regarded as being formed from four side members, for example the rectangular frame 21 is constituted by the side members 21a, 21b, 21c and 21d and the rectangular frame 22 is constituted by the side members 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d.

Each side member of one of the square frames such as frames 21, 22 and 23, is joined to the adjacent side member of another frame by a series of parallel members inclined to both the main external faces defined by the frames 21, 22, 23 of which the side members form part. As shown in Figure 1, the side member 21a of the frame 21 is joined to the side member 22a of the frame 22 by a series of four parallel members 27, 28, 29 and 30, each of which is inclined to the planes defined by the frames 21 and 22 at an angle of 45 , the parallel members 27 and 30 join the ends of the side members 21a and 22a and the parallel members 28 and 29 are equally spaced between the parallel members 27 and 30.

Similariy, the side member 21b of the frame 21 is joined to the adjacent side member 23b of frame 23 by a series of four parallel members 31, 32, 33 and 34. Each of the parallel members 31, 32, 33 and 34 is at an angle of 45" to the planes defined by the respective frames 21 and 23. The parallel members 31 and 34 join the ends of the side members 21b and 23b and the other two parallel members 32 and 33 are equally spaced over the length of the side members 2lb and 23b.

Corresponding series of four parallel members join together all the side members of different frames which are adjacent to one another. The frame structure 20 which is thus provided is effectively a cube from which all the corners and sharp edges have been removed, with the result that there are, in addition to the six main external faces defined by the six square frames, twelve inclined rectangular faces, such as those defined by the series of parallel members 27, 28, 29 and 30 and the series of parallel members 31, 32, 33 and 34, and eight triangular corner faces such as that defined by the members 30, 31 and 35-member 35 being the end one of the series of parallel members joining together the adjacent side members 22d and 23a. The twelve inclined rectangular faces are substantially smaller in area than the six main faces of the module which are defined by the six square frames.

The corner pieces of each frame, which are the junctions between the adjacent side members in each frame, are all constituted by solid blocks of metal. The position of one such solid block of metal is indicated in Figure 1 at 21e which is the corner piece of the frame 21 at which the adjacent side members 21a and 21b of the frame 21 are joined to each other. The portions of the side members between the solid metal blocks at the corners are preferably tubular metal members of rectangular cross-section.

Although the corner pieces of the continuous frame structure 20, such as the corner piece 21e where the side members 21a and 21b and the parallel members 30 and 31 all join, are all solid steel blocks, it is to be understood that these solid corner pieces will have one, or possibly more, drillings or tappings in them, in order to provide apertures into which the locking means may be keyed.

All the side members constituting the six frames and the series of parallel members interconnecting the six frames are joined in a manner such as welding in order to form a continuous structure which avoids the presence of weaknesses at the junctions between any of the members.

In such a continuous frame structure, all the joints are equally strong in every plane with respect to forces applied in any direction. The continuous frame structure 20 which is so formed is a rigid structure constituting the primary load-bearing part of the building module, and is capable of being located with any one of the main external faces as a base. When the members which together form the frame structure are members of suitable strength, the frame structure may also support one or more similar modules in a building structure having several storeys, without the necessity for the provision of any framework additional to the building modules themselves.

The drillings or tappings in the solid corner pieces of the continuous frame structure 20 may be utilized for fixing crane slings or other conveying means during transportation of the building module. It is also possible to fix an axle directly into the solid corner pieces, so that the building module may be converted into a movable body on wheels without the necessity for providing a vehicle with a chassis to support the module. The continuous frame structure 20, being rigid, is resistant to the deforming forces applied during such transportation.

Although the frame structure may be assembled from individual side members 21a, 21b, etc., individual parallel members 27, 28 etc. and individual corner pieces 21e, etc., it is preferred, for ease of manufacture, to produce sections comprising a number of members, and then to assemble the frame structure from these various sections. As one example, the frame structure 20 could be made by assembling together and joining by welding at the appropriate junctions, twelve ladder sections such as the section which includes the side members 21b and 23b and the four parallel members 31, 32, 33 and 34. Half the corner piece 21e would be present in such a ladder section. However, other break-downs of the whole frame structure 20 into a series of similar sections are possible.

In accordance with one proposal, the single building module based on the frame structure 20 has distances of 3.3 metres between the opposed external faces defined by any two opposed square frames. The square frames 21, 22, 23 etc. all have sides of a length of 2.5 metres.

In Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings there is illustrated the continuous frame structure 40 of a double building module in accordance with the present invention. The frame structure 40 of the double building module has six separate rectangular frames, of which three rectangular frames 41, 42 and 43 are shown in Figure 2, the frame 41 being square and the frames 42 and 43 being rectangular with their long sides 42b, 42d, 43a and 43c slightly more than twice the length of their shorter sides 42a, 42c, 43b and 43d. The frame 41 corresponds in size exactly to the frames 21, 22, 23 etc. of the frame structure 20 already described with reference to Figure 1. The six rectangular frames such as frames 41, 42 and 43 define the six main faces of the double building module.

The continuous frame structure 40 for the double building module of Figure 2 is essentially similar to the continuous frame structure 20 of the single building module illustrated in Figure 1. The side members of each frame are joined to the adjacent side members of another frame by a series of parallel members. When the junction is between two short side members, as between side members 41a and 42a, the junction is effected by four parallel members 47, 48, 49 and 50 and, when the junction is between two long side members such as 42d and 43a, the junction is effected by a series of eight parallel members 51, 52, 53... 58. Solid corner pieces are provided at the corners of the modules where the side members of the respective frames meet.

Accordingly, the continuous frame structure 40 for the double building module in accordance with the present invention also has twelve inclined rectangular faces defined by the various series of parallel members, including the series of parallel members 47 to 50, the series of parallel members 51 to 58, and the series of parallel members 59, 60, 61 and 62. These twelve inclined rectangular faces are substantially smaller in area than the six main faces of the module. The continuous frame structure 40 further has eight triangular faces such as the face defined by the members 50, 51 and 59 at the eight corners of the frame structure.

The frame structure 40 has dimensions of 6.7 metres between the external faces defined by the frame 40 and the corresponding frame at the opposite end of the module, so that the double building module based on the frame structure 40 may be joined to two single modules based on the frame structure 20 described with reference to Figure 1. A distance of 0.1 metres is allowed for the locking means which unites two single building modules together so that the overall length of the double building module corresponds to the overall length of two single building modules locked together in a building structure.

As already explained with reference to Figure 1, the continuous frame structure 40 which is the preferred embodiment of a double building module in accordance with the present invention is advantageously formed by welding at the points of junction between the various members which together comprise the frame structure 40. In consequence the continuous frame structure 40 has good mechanical strength in all directions and may be located vertically in a building structure with the external face defined by the frame 41 as its base, just as well as the frame structure may be located in a building in the horizontal position shown in Figure 2.

Referring again to the continuous frame structure 40 illustrated in Figure 2, this does include two additional cross-members 63 and 64 which break up the rectangular frame 42 into three smaller rectangular frames, of which two correspond in size to the rectangular frame 41 and the rectangular frames present in the single building module based on the frame structure 20 of Figure 1. The cross-members 63 and 64 are secondary structure elements and the junctions of these cross-members 63 and 64 to the side members 42b and 42d are not solid metal blocks such as are provided as the corner pieces of the rectangular frames which comprise the primary loadbearing frame structure 40. One such solid metal corner piece is indicated in Figure 2 at the corner 65 where the side members 41a and 41b are joined.

The frame structure 40 can be formed from ladder sections in a manner essentially similar to that described with reference to the frame structure 20 of Figure 1, but modified in order to provide the long sides necessary for the frame structure of a double building module.

The use of frame structures such as the frame structure 20 and the frame structure 40 as the basis for a building module has several advantages as compared with known building modules. The advantages in general strength and adaptability of the building module for positioning in the building structure have already been mentioned, as has also the nondeformable characteristic of the module during transportation. By using an open frame structure, the same basis can be employed for building modules having a variety of wall, door and window arrangements, as will be described with reference to Figure 3.

Furthermore, the interior of the basic building module may be broken up by nonload-bearing walls or partitions within the frame structure according to any desired plan. In one example based on the double building module of Figure 2, five alternative arrangements are provided: one with no internal wall, a second with one internal wall dividing the double building module into two equal halves, a third with one internal wall dividing the module into two unequal portions, and two others with two internal walls dividing the building module into three areas of different shapes.

Furthermore, the use of a frame structure as the basis for the building module in accordance with the present invention enables the building module to be penetrated at any desired point for the introduction of services, such as water, power and drainage.

Referring to Figure 3, this Figure comprises eight diagrammatic illustrations of wall constructions for use in completing building modules based on the frame structures 20 and 40 of Figures 1 and 2. All the eight different wall structures may be made by using only eleven wall panel sections, which are designated by reference numerals 1 to 11, and incorporating two different window and door arrangements designated respectively Wl and W2, Dl and D2. The window Wl is a longer window than W2, and the door arrangement Dl is a double door whereas D2 is a single door only.

Figures 3a to 3e illustrate arrangements for the walls of a single building module based on the frame structure 20 of Figure 1 or for the sides of a double building module based on the frame structure 40 of Figure 2 which include the small external faces. Figures 3f, 3g and 3h illustrate alternative arrangements for the larger sides of the double building module based on the frame structure 40. It will be appreciated that other combinations may be made from the elements illustrated as may be desired for particular building structures, and also alternative designs may be employed, for example for the door arrangements.

Figure 4 illustrates diagrammatically a single storey building structure formed from building modules in accordance with the present invention. The prominent corner of the building structure illustrated in the foreground of Figure 4 is a double building module which is, however, designed for use in hot territories. The walls of the module 70 are protected by a cladding material and the roof structure 71 embodies a solar shield.

It will be noted in Figure 4 that the inclined surfaces 72, 73 and 74 of cladding which cover the smaller rectangular faces at the edges of the building module 70 constitute chamfered surfaces. The smaller rectangular faces of the building module accordingly constitute chamfered edges to the building module. At the positions where similar chamfered edges of adjacent modules abut, they cause a building structure formed from an assembly of building modules in accordance with the present invention to provide channels or conduits between and beneath the building modules. These channels may be utilized for circulation of air for cooling and ventilation.

This feature, which is inherent in a building structure made from an assembly of building modules in accordance with the present invention, will be further understood from the description of later figures of the drawings, but it is an important feature afforded by the building modules of the present invention and is particularly valuable in the formation of building structures in hot climates. These channels or conduits between and beneath the building modules are both horizontal and vertical and are also utilized for cables, pipes and ducting supplying electrical and water services to the building modules.

Also shown in Figure 4 are an exhaust ventilator 75 over one vertical conduit between building modules and a unit air conditioner 76 over another vertical conduit.

The manner in which the twelve inclined rectangular faces of the building modules in accordance with the present invention provide channels or conduits extending between the building modules when these are assembled in a building structure is illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7, which are sectional views through single storey building structures incorporating building modules in accordance with this present invention. Figure 5 is a transverse section through a part of a single storey building structure formed from two single building modules. The building structure is supported on foundations which are constituted by spaced concrete sections 80 which are cruciform pyramidical sections each of which is a reinforced precast concrete unit.The solid corner pieces 82, 82' of the rectangular frames 83, 83' of the adjacent building modules are located in and supported by adjustable jacking means 84 which is itself located in the apex of the concrete section 80.

The adjacent building modules are located on the foundations as described in positions in which the solid corner pieces 85, 86 of a rectangular frame 87 defining a face of one building module may be locked to the solid corner pieces 85', 86' of a rectangular frame 87' which defines the adjacent face of the second building module. Locking is effected by locking means 88 between the solid corner pieces 85, 85' and 86, 86' the locking means 88 being a flexible link incorporating, for example, a neoprene gasket to provide for thermal expansion, acoustic isolation between the modules, and for some differential settling between modules.

As illustrated in Figure 5, adjacent inclined faces 89 and 89' which respectively join the solid corner pieces 82 and 85 and the solid corner pieces 82' and 85' define, with the concrete conical pieces 80, a conduit which extends beneath the building modules. The conduit serves a number of purposes, as already indicated. In the first place, it provides a passage or channel through which services may be laid and introduced through the inclined walls such as 89 and 89' into the lowermost part of the respective building modules. Secondly, the conduits enable access to be made to the services in the building modules for maintenance purposes. Thirdly, the conduits constitute apertures through which ventilation may be introduced.

The rectangular frames which include the solid corner pieces 85 and 90 and the solid corner pieces 85' and 90', respectively, are utilized in the respective building modules for supporting the floors 91 and 91' of the modules by means of conventional ,joists 92 and 92'. The spaces 93 and 93' beneath the floors 91 and 91' and between those floors and the outer walls of the two building modules defined by the rectangular frames incorporating the corner pieces 82 and the corner pieces 82', respectively, are used for the pipes or ducting which transfer the mains services, such as drainage, to the desired location within the building modules.

In the single storey building structure illustrated in Figure 5, the inclined surfaces such as the surfaces 94 and 95 in one building module and 94' and 95' in the other building module are formed from glass to admit light into the interior of the respective building modules. At locations where the inclined surfaces 94 and 95 are adjacent to similar inclined surfaces in an adjacent building module a diamond-shaped conduit 96 may be formed by supporting rooflights 97 over the locking means joining the two building modules together. The conduit such as 96 permits access of light, as already indicated, and is also available for use in carrying the electric cabling taking electrical supplies to the building modules and also for pipes conveying water supplies to the modules.

Also the adjacent side walls supported by the rectangular frames 87, 87', of the two adjacent building modules form a conduit which may be used for services in the building structure, particularly for pipes which effect drainage of rainwater.

Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings is essentially similar to Figure 5, but is a section through a double building module and indicates that the features described in relation to Figure 5 for single building modules are equally applicable to building structures formed by the junction of double building modules to one another or to single building modules.

Figure 7 is a plan view of a part of a building structure incorporating two double building modules which are each joined to further building modules. At the junction between four building modules designated respectively as 100, 101, 102 and 103 there are four inclined surfaces 104, 105, 106 and 107 which together define a vertical conduit 108 which is available for use in providing access, ventilation and supplies of services in similar manner to the horizontal conduits illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.

In Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings there is illustrated diagrammatically an assembly of single and double building modules to constitute a building complex of which part is single storey and part is two storey. The building modules shown in Figure 8 each include a rigid frame structure as a primary loadbearing part of each module and this rigid frame structure should be such as to enable any building module to have sufficient strength to support another building module locked to the top face thereof (or a part of a building module so locked; and to enable a double building module to be able to stand vertically on one of its smaller faces.

In Figure 8 there is shown one single building module 110 and the horizontally positioned double building modules Ill which constitute the single storey part of the building complex. In the two storey part of the building complex of Figure 8, there are shown three double building modules 112 and one single building module 113 which constitute the main part of the second storey and all of which are supported by building modules constituting the lower storey of the two storey part of the complex.

The building modules in the said lower storey are not illustrated in detail and may be either single building modules or double building modules-for example, one double building module 112 may be supported by a similar double building module or by two single building modules locked together.

The ability of the building modules to support the building modules in the second storey without the need for any additional supporting structure is an important feature of the inventive concept illustrated in Figure 8. Another important feature is the ability of the double building modules such as those illustrated as building modules 114 to stand vertically, that is to say with one of their smaller faces as a base, and so to constitute a staircase module linking building modules on the lower and upper storeys of the two storey part of the building complex of Figure 8.

In Figure 8 there is illustrated an engineering module 115 which is a module containing solely the support engineering for the building complex, for example an electricity generator and a sewage or other water treatment plant. The engineering module 115 is shown as being one double building module but the engineering plant could be housed in a plurality of double building modules or in only one single building module according to the requirements of the building complex. If the building complex is office accommodation, then the supporting engineering will be much smaller in capacity than if the building complex is, for example, a hospital, in which case several double and/or single building modules would be required to house all the supporting engineering.

Appropriate connections (not shown in Figure 8) are provided for supplying the engineering services from the engineering module to the building complex itself.

In Figure 9 there are shown double building modules 116 in the lower storey of the building complex and double building modules 117 in the upper storey of the building complex. There is also shown a double building module 118 constituting a staircase module and an engineering module 119 which is based on a double building module.

In consequence of the building complex illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 9 being based on building modules such as those illustrated in Figure 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, there are provided conduits extending horizontally between the double building modules 117 in the upper storey and the building modules of the lower storey upon which the double building modules 117 are supported without any additional structure of framework. In Figure 9 there is illustrated ducting 120 coming from the engineering module 119, which ducting 120 would extend into the horizontal conduit the position of which is indicated generally by the arrow 121. The ducting 120 will carry the engineering infrastructure such as cables, pipes, wiring and other connecting means for supplying the necessary services to the building complex illustrated in Figure 9.

The position of the conduits extending between the building modules of a building complex based upon the building modules according to this invention is further illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 of the accompanying drawings. Figure 10 shows the shape and position of conduits 125 extending beneath the lower storey of the two storey complex, the elevation of which is shown in that figure. These conduits 125 will be used to supply drainage facilities for the lower storey. Conduits 126 extend between the two storeys of the building complex of Figure 10 and may be used to supply drainage facilities to the upper storey and electricity to the lower storey. Conduits 127 are available for supplying electricity and other services required in the upper part of the building modules which form the second storey of the building complex.

In Figure 10 there is illustrated a roof light 128 which causes the conduit 127 to be diamond-shaped in cross-section in similar manner to the conduits 126.

Figure 11 is a plan view of the building complex illustrated in Figure 10 and shows the vertical conduits 129 and 130 which are formed between the building modules which comprise the building complex. The vertical conduits 129 are diamond-shaped where four chamfered corners of building modules meet, but there are also the vertical conduits 130 which are triangular in shape since they are formed by the chamfered corners of two building modules and the long side wall of an adjacent double building module.

Also illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 is an engineering module 131 with associated ducting 132 through which the supplies for the main services are fed into a horizontal conduit perpendicular to those shown in Figure 10. Appropriate services are taken from this horizontal 'conduit utilizing the vertical conduits 129 and 130 and the horizontal conduits 125, 126 and 127 so that the necessary services may be supplied to any one of the building modules in the complex.

Figure 12 is a vertical section of a multistorey building structure showing in particular one construction of a staircase module 135 which includes a staircase 136.

In the staircase module 135 there is shown one particular use for the secondary structure elements which were identified in Figure 2 as cross-members 63 and 64. Crossmember 63 identifies the level of the landing in the staircase module, this being at the same level as the floor 137 in double building module 138 which constitutes the second storey of the two storey structure.

The left-hand cross-member 63 (as seen in Figure 12) is therefore keyed to the corner pieces 139 at the adjoining end of the frame which supports the floor 137 in building module 138. Similarly the left-hand crossmember 64 is keyed to the corner pieces 140 of the rectangular frame which defines the face of the adjoining wall of building module 141 which constitutes part of the lower storey of the building complex.

In Figure 12 there are also illustrated horizontal conduits 142, 143 and 144 through which the cables and piping of the engineering infra-structure are carried to the building modules where they are required. There are also shown in Figure 12 the empty spaces 145, 146 within the building modules, but beneath the floors of the modules, which spaces are available for the pipes which effect, for example, plumbing connections to washing or lavatory facilities within the building modules.

Referring to Figure 12 there is also shown an engineering module 147 which forms part of a third storey in a section only of the multi-storey building structure illustrated in Figure 12. Engineering module 147 will contain part of the engineering for supplying supporting services to the building modules such as 135, 138 and 141.

In Figure 13 there is shown diagrammatically a part of a building structure, the main accommodation parts of which are comprised by building modules 150. The building structure however, includes a double building module 151 which is used in the vertical position of the double building module as an engineering module. This arrangement has the advantage that the upper part of the engineering module 151 may be used to house the water tank above the level of building modules 150 so that water may be supplied to the accommodation modules 150 without the need for pumps to pump the water from the tank to the accommodation modules.

Figure 14 shows diagrammatically a plan view of another building complex incorporating an engineering module 152 which is a double building module in the vertical position. The engineering module 152 may be positioned as shown in Figure 14 for supplying engineering services, such as electrical supplies and air conditioning, to the twelve double building modules 153 which are accommodation modules adjoining the engineering module 152 at each of two storey levels in the same block of the building. It will be appreciated that the conduits formed by the chamfered arrises of all the building modules 152, 153 will provide conduits in both a vertical and a horizontal direction from the engineering module 152 to each of the accommodation modules 153, so that twenty-four accommodation modules may be serviced from the single adjacent engineering module 152.Some of these vertical conduits 154 are shown in Figure 14.

By use of the preferred embodiment of the invention hereinbefore described it is possible to prefabricate the whole of a building structure, including all furniture and the supporting engineering facilities, so that, after providing the necessary foundation, a self-supporting building complex may be erected in any locality. It is envisaged that a building complex in accordance with the present invention and based on the preferred building modules described and illustrated herein may constitute a whole hospital complex including all necessary facilities for surgery, nursing and accommodation for patients and staff.In such cases the individual building modules may be assembled in a manufacturing environment with all equipment down to the linen and the scalpels used by the medical personnel, and the building modules then be shipped to an entirely nonindustrial area, for example a town in a desert region, where the building complex would be assembled as a single storey or two storey building which has its own engineering building modules and is entirely independent of local services. The building modules are readily transportable by attachments to cranes through conventional crane slings which are keyed into the solid blocks of metal which constitute the corner pieces of the rectangular frames.

As explained above, in the most preferred use of the present invention the whole equipment for each building module is assembled into the module before shipping to the site where the building complex is to be assembled from the modules, so that each module is totally self-contained. The equipment included in a totally selfcontained building module includes the pipes, ducting etc. which will be required for connecting the necessary mains services into that module. Advantageously the pipes, ducting, cables, etc. in the module terminate in flexible quick-disconnect junctions to the services laid in the conduits between the modules, so that the connecting-up of the services is a simple matter.

The use of totally self-contained building modules, which are the preferred building modules in accordance with this invention, has a number of significant advantages.

Firstly, the modules can be assembled, fitted out, equipped, and serviced, and then be tested on completion under controlled environmental conditions within a factory where the operation is not subject to limitations as a result of climatic variations and inclement weather. Secondly, the modules can each be equipped for a specific function whether it be for housing accommodation, office building, educational facilities, or for health. Also the independence of each module from its neighbour in the building structure gives it a degree of acoustic isolation from adjacent modules. This acoustic isolation is enhanced by providing an acoustically isolating member in the locking means.

A further advantage is that, because the individual building modules are selfcontained, there is automatically, in a building structure made from the modules, a structural flexibility which will provide for thermal expansion and differential settlement between modules. Differential settlement may be corrected by relifting the modules in a vertical section of the building which has settled using the adjustable jacking means 84. The capability to make such adjustments means that the building structure using modules in accordance with this invention may be erected without the necessity for elaborate foundations, since settling may be so easily corrected during the erection of the building and afterwards.

The locking means joining building modules in the same storey should be flexible so as to permit differential settlement and its correction without disturbing the building modules in an adjacent vertical section of the building structure.

The continuous frame structure is preferably made from structural steel materials but other metallic materials may be employed if so desired. In particular, it is envisaged that the continuous frame structure may be made from structural alloys such as those based on aluminium.

In each of the described modules, the external bounds of the module are defined by the six main square or rectangular faces, the twelve rectangular inclined faces and the eight triangular faces at the corners of the module.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A building module having a frame structure which comprises side members forming respectively six separate rectangular frames, each rectangular frame defining one of six main external faces of the module, each side member of one frame being joined to the adjacent side member of another frame by parallel members inclined to both the main external faces defined by the frames of which the side members form part, whereby the building module is caused to have twelve inclined faces, each joining two of the main external faces, and eight triangular faces at the corners of the module, in addition to the six main external faces, the external bounds of the module being defined by said main external faces, said inclined faces and said triangular faces.

2. A building module according to Claim 1 wherein all the side members and the parallel members are so joined as to form a continuous structure.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (24)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. possible to prefabricate the whole of a building structure, including all furniture and the supporting engineering facilities, so that, after providing the necessary foundation, a self-supporting building complex may be erected in any locality. It is envisaged that a building complex in accordance with the present invention and based on the preferred building modules described and illustrated herein may constitute a whole hospital complex including all necessary facilities for surgery, nursing and accommodation for patients and staff.In such cases the individual building modules may be assembled in a manufacturing environment with all equipment down to the linen and the scalpels used by the medical personnel, and the building modules then be shipped to an entirely nonindustrial area, for example a town in a desert region, where the building complex would be assembled as a single storey or two storey building which has its own engineering building modules and is entirely independent of local services. The building modules are readily transportable by attachments to cranes through conventional crane slings which are keyed into the solid blocks of metal which constitute the corner pieces of the rectangular frames. As explained above, in the most preferred use of the present invention the whole equipment for each building module is assembled into the module before shipping to the site where the building complex is to be assembled from the modules, so that each module is totally self-contained. The equipment included in a totally selfcontained building module includes the pipes, ducting etc. which will be required for connecting the necessary mains services into that module. Advantageously the pipes, ducting, cables, etc. in the module terminate in flexible quick-disconnect junctions to the services laid in the conduits between the modules, so that the connecting-up of the services is a simple matter. The use of totally self-contained building modules, which are the preferred building modules in accordance with this invention, has a number of significant advantages. Firstly, the modules can be assembled, fitted out, equipped, and serviced, and then be tested on completion under controlled environmental conditions within a factory where the operation is not subject to limitations as a result of climatic variations and inclement weather. Secondly, the modules can each be equipped for a specific function whether it be for housing accommodation, office building, educational facilities, or for health. Also the independence of each module from its neighbour in the building structure gives it a degree of acoustic isolation from adjacent modules. This acoustic isolation is enhanced by providing an acoustically isolating member in the locking means. A further advantage is that, because the individual building modules are selfcontained, there is automatically, in a building structure made from the modules, a structural flexibility which will provide for thermal expansion and differential settlement between modules. Differential settlement may be corrected by relifting the modules in a vertical section of the building which has settled using the adjustable jacking means 84. The capability to make such adjustments means that the building structure using modules in accordance with this invention may be erected without the necessity for elaborate foundations, since settling may be so easily corrected during the erection of the building and afterwards. The locking means joining building modules in the same storey should be flexible so as to permit differential settlement and its correction without disturbing the building modules in an adjacent vertical section of the building structure. The continuous frame structure is preferably made from structural steel materials but other metallic materials may be employed if so desired. In particular, it is envisaged that the continuous frame structure may be made from structural alloys such as those based on aluminium. In each of the described modules, the external bounds of the module are defined by the six main square or rectangular faces, the twelve rectangular inclined faces and the eight triangular faces at the corners of the module. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A building module having a frame structure which comprises side members forming respectively six separate rectangular frames, each rectangular frame defining one of six main external faces of the module, each side member of one frame being joined to the adjacent side member of another frame by parallel members inclined to both the main external faces defined by the frames of which the side members form part, whereby the building module is caused to have twelve inclined faces, each joining two of the main external faces, and eight triangular faces at the corners of the module, in addition to the six main external faces, the external bounds of the module being defined by said main external faces, said inclined faces and said triangular faces.

2. A building module according to Claim 1 wherein all the side members and the parallel members are so joined as to form a continuous structure.

3. A building module having a continuous

metallic frame structure which defines the faces of the module, there being six rectangular faces which are the main external faces of the module, twelve rectangular, inclined faces which are substantially smaller in area than the main faces of the module and each of which is inclined to and adjoins two of the main faces of the module, and eight triangular faces which are corner faces of the module, the continuous metallic frame structure including twenty-four corner joining block pieces, which are solid metal except for one or more drillings and/or tappings therein, and members each of which defines an edge common to two of the faces of the module and each of which is joined in the continuous metallic frame structure between two of the said corner joining block pieces, the external bounds of the module being defined by said main external faces, said inclined faces and said triangular faces.

4. A building module according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each of the twelve inclined or rectangular faces of the module is inclined at an angle of 45" to both the two adjoining main faces of the module.

5. A building module according to any one of the preceding claims which is a single module in which the six main faces of the module are all squares of the same size.

6. A building module according to any one of Claims I to 4 which is a double module in which four of the main faces of the module have opposite sides which each correspond in length to the two other sides of the said four main faces joined in end-toend relationship by a locking means.

7. A building module according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a floor is built on to the members which define the lower edges of the main side and end faces of the module, and wherein the space between the floor and the bottom main face of the module is utilized for pipes and/or ducting which penetrates at least one of the inclined faces joining the bottom main face of the module to the side or end faces of the module for connection of the pipes or ducting to mains services.

8. A building module according to Claim 7 wherein the inclined faces joining the side and end faces of the module to the top main face are comprised by glass for admitting light into the module.

9. A building structure formed by locking together building modules according to any one of the preceding claims by locking parts of the frame structure which constitute at least two of the corners joining adjacent sides of one side face of one module to corresponding parts of the frame structure of a second module.

10. A building structure according to Claim 9 wherein the inclined faces which join the lower side edges of the adjacent side faces of the first and second building modules to the side edges of the bottom main faces of the said modules constitute two walls of a conduit which is utilized for supplying services to one or both of the said building modules.

11. A building structure according to either Claim 9 or Claim 10 wherein the inclined faces which join the upper side edges of the adjacent side faces of the first and second building modules to the side edges of the top main faces of the building modules constitute two walls of a conduit which is utilized for supplying electrical services to the said first and second building modules.

12. A building structure according to any one of Claims 9 to 11 further including a double building module according to Claim 6 which is vertically located with one of its two smaller main faces as a base and with part extending above the level of other building modules in the structure, the said part of the vertically located double building module containing services including main water tanks for supplying water to the said other building modules.

13. A building structure which comprises a first building module according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 supported by one or more further building modules according to the said Claims 1 to 8 to constitute a two storey building structure.

14. A building structure having first and second storeys, each of which is comprised by single and/or double building modules locked together, each of the building modules being in accordance with claim 1, and each of the building modules in the second storey being locked to, and supported by, a similar building module in the first storey.

15. A building structure according to Claim 13 or Claim 14 further including a double building module according to Claim 6 which is vertically located with one of its two smaller main faces as a base and with one of its larger main faces locked to parts of the frame structures which constitute corners joining adjacent sides in the adjacent faces of the first and further building modules.

16. A building structure according to Claim 15 wherein the vertically located double building module is a staircase module linking the said first and further building modules which respectively constitute different storeys in the structure.

17. A building structure according to Claim 15 wherein the vertically located double building module is an engineering module supplying services to first and further building modules which respectively constitute different storeys in the structure.

18. A multi-storey building structure having a first storey which comprises single and/or double building modules, each of the building modules being in accordance with claim 1, a second storey which also comprises single and/or double building modules, the building modules in the second storey being supported by and locked to the building modules in the first storey, and at least one double building module perpendicularly disposed to the first and second storeys and locked to modules in said first and second storeys, for providing an interconnection between the first and second storeys.

19. A multi-storey building structure according to Claim 18 further including a third storey which comprises single and/or double building modules supported by and locked to the building modules in the second storey.

20. A multi-storey building structure according to Claim 19 wherein the third storey comprises engineering modules which provide the mains services for the building modules in said first and second storeys.

21. A multi-storey building structure according to Claim 19, wherein the third storey comprises accommodation modules and there is provided a further double building module perpendicularly disposed to the second and third storeys, said further double building module being supported by a building module in the first storey and being locked to modules in the second and third storeys for providing an interconnection between the second and third storeys.

22. A multi-storey building structure according to any one of Claims 18 to 21 wherein the building modules comprising said storeys are building modules in accordance with any one of Claims 1 to 8, whereby vertical and horizontal conduits are defined between the building modules by the inclined faces on at least two abutting building modules for conveying mains services to selected ones of the building modules in the said storeys.

23. A building module substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to either Figure 1 or Figure 2 of the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification.

24. A building structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to either Figure 7 or Figure 8 or Figure 9 or Figures 10 and 11 or Figure 12 or Figure 13 or Figure 14 of the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification.