GB2078273A

GB2078273A - Building Frameworks

Info

Publication number: GB2078273A
Application number: GB8020900A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: COLD ROLLED SECTIONS Ltd
Current assignee: COLD ROLLED SECTIONS Ltd
Priority date: 1980-06-26
Filing date: 1980-06-26
Publication date: 1982-01-06

Abstract

A side (or horizontal) rail assembly for a wall framework of a cladded building includes generally Z cross-section side rails (11) supported against sagging by props (17, 22) which are secured to the side rails (11) by boltless connections. The upper end of each prop has a sheet metal end member (24) having a pair of spaced rectangular holes (26, 27), the latter having a pair of upstanding rectangular flanges (28) pressed from the metal to form the hole (27). Throughout most of the framework, similar end members are provided at each end of the props. The side rails have apertures (29 and 30) which receive the flaps (28). The props are arranged so that the flaps of one prop (22) pass through the aperture (30) into the hole (26) of the next prop and the flaps (28) of the prop (17) pass through the aperture (29) into the hole of the next prop (26), to secure the props against lateral displacement. The uppermost and lowermost props may be modified to provide bolted connections and diagonal tensioned ties (20) may secure the props (17) to adjacent rigid stanchions (10). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements Relating to Cladded Buildings Description of Invention This invention relates to the attachment of cladding to the walls or roofs of buildings for example. More specifically, it relates to a new or improved means for supporting longitudinal side rails which run generally horizontally along the sides of a building and which afford, with a plurality of upright stanchions, the framework of the walls.

Buildings such as warehouses, factories and aircraft hangers are frequently built by contructing a framework and then s3curing to the face of the framework a number of overlapping sheets of metal or other cladding materials, frequently corrugated for rigidity. So far as the wall of the building are concerned, the framework is afforded by strong and rigid upright stanchions, which additionally support the roof, and horizontal side rails which are secured to the stanchions and to which the cladding sheets are attached by suitable fasteners. These side rails are usually of generally Z-shaped cross section with the central web disposed horizontally, although other crosssections can be used.

Where the span between adjacent stanchions is relatively large, some means is required to support the side rails so that they do not sag or twist excessively between the stanchions. The conventional method of doing so is to connect the upper ends of the stanchions by a heavy section eaves rail and then to arrange a series of tie-rods depending from the eaves rail and secured to the various side rails so that they are effectively suspended from the eaves rail between the stanchions. Tie rods are provided in pairs spaced across the side rail to reduce the tendency for the side rail to twist.

This arrangement of course requires that the eaves rail must be relatively strong to withstand the downward forces exerted by the weight of the side rails supporting the cladding. It also means that each of the ties used to suspend a side rail from the eaves rail either directly or indirectly, must be of adequate tensile strength throughout the life of the building.

It is an object of the invention to provide a new or improved means for supporting the side rails of the building framework which may overcome or reduce the disadvantages stated above which is relatively simple and speedy to erect.

According to the invention there is proivided a side rail assembly capable of forming part of a wall framework of a building, the assembly comprising a generally horizontally disposed siderail having a pair of spaced through apertures, and the assembly also including an upper prop and a lower prop adapted to be connected to the side rail via said through apertures, each prop comprising a rigid upright member and at least one generally horizontal end member, each of said end members having at least one hole and one projection spaced from the hole at a distance corresponding with the spacing of said through apertures, the lower prop being disposed below the side-rail and the upper prop being disposed above the side-rail with the end members disposed in such a manner that each projection passes through an aperture of the side rail into a hole of the other prop.

The apertures of the side-rail may be generally rectangular in shape. Further, the holes in the end members of the props may also be generally rectangular and of similar size to the apertures.

The end members may be of sheet metal and the projections may comprise rectangular flaps pressed out of the sheet metal generally at right angles to the end members.

Preferably, the projections are provided in pairs and comprise a pair of parallel flaps pressed from a common opening in the end member.

The apertures and holes may be of such a size as to receive the flaps as a close push fit. The flaps may be slightly non-planar and resilient, so as resiliently to grip the apertures and holes in use.

The assembly may further comprise a generally horizontal base rail preferably in the form of a side rail disposed below the first mentioned side rail and the lower prop may have a lower end member bolted rigidly to the base rail by a bolted connection.

The assembly may further include a rigid stanchion spaced laterally from the bolted connection and an angularly inclined tensioned tie secured between the bolted connection and the stanchion.

The tensioned tie may have a screw threaded length adjusting means The invention also provides a prop which is adapted to form part of a side rail assembly as set out above and which comprises a rigid upright member and at least one generally horizontal end member having at least one hole and one projection spaced from said hole fitment to an apertured side rail of the assembly.

An identical end member may be provided at each end of the upright member, whereby the prop is reversible end for end. Alternatively, one end member may be devoid of projections.

The upright member may be of angle section.

Where the expressions "upright" or "horizontal" are used in the present description, it is to be understood that such expressions are intended to denote the position of the relevant parts in use in a side rail assembly for a building.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a portion of a side rail assembly for a wall framework of a building; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the assembly ringed in Figure 1.

Referring firstly to Figure 1 of the drawings, a part of a wall framework for a building is shown and comprises a number of rigid upright metal stanchions 10 which are intended to take the load of the roof and support the structure. A plurality of generally horizontally disposed side rails is secured between the stanchions one rail being shown at 11. Cladding sheets which may be of metal, plastics, asbestos cement or the like are then secured to the side rails 11 to form the walls of the building. The construction of the roof is not material for the purposes of the present invention.

Each of the side rails 11 is formed as a rolled metal section shown in more detail in Figure 2.

The profile of the side rail is of Zed-shape with a main body 12 and a pair of edge flanges 13 and 14, in the example illustrated although other shapes such as channel section could be used as alternatives. The cladding (not shown) is secured to one of the edge flanges 13 or 14 whilst the main body 12 is disposed generally horizontal in use.

The invention may be applicable to side rails of other cross-sections, or materials, or made as, for example, pressings or extrusions.

Since the span 1 5 between adjacent stanchions may be quite large, the side rails 11 would tend to sag and twist in the middle of the span 1 5 if this were not prevented by some form of support being used in the central region of the span. In the example shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, the side rails 11 are supported at the centreline 16 of the span. Where larger spans are used, two or three or even more spaced apart positions may be selected between the stanchions to support the side rail.

The support at the centreline 16 is afforded by a lower prop 17 which is secured to a generally horizontal base rail 18 by a bolted connection 1 9.

The base rail 18 is of the same construction as the side rails 11 and is merely identified as a base rail for descriptive purposes. The lower prop 1 7 is rigid and fits exactly in the spacing between the base rail 1 8 and the side rail 11 disposed immediately above. Thus, when the lower prop is in position between the base member 1 8 and the side rail 11, twisting of the side rail 11 is controlled.

The side rail 11 is supported at the centreline 1 6 of the span so that the maximum deflection from the horizontal can be reduced throughout the length of the side rail 11 between the stanchions 10. This depends on the base rail 1 8 being supported at its central region, since the side rail 11 is supported from the base rail 1 8 by the lower props 17.

Diagonal tensioned ties 20 are secured at the bolted connection 1 9 between the base rail 1 8 and the lower prop. The ties 20 then extend diagonally to be secured at the stanchion 1 0.

Thus, the load of the side rail 11 and further side rails disposed above, plus the associated cladding is carried in tension by the ties 20.

As will be seen from the drawings, the ties are provided with screw threaded length adjustment means 21 which can be adusted to ensure that the centre of the base rail is supported in a correct position. The base rail may be maintained generally horizontal or even cambered upwardly in the centre if desired.

A number of side rails 11 are provided one above another, separated by props of the type illustrated at 22. These upper props are very similar in construction to the lower prop 1 7 but differ slightly for reasons which will be explained.

Referring to Figure 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that each prop 1 7 or 22 comprises chiefly an upright member 23 which is shown as being of angle section, and also includes a pair of end members which may be of the type shown in detail at 24 or of a slightly different type 25, later.

referred to in more detail. The upper props 22 of s the assembly each have two end members of the type shown at 24. Lower props such as that shown at 17 have one end member of the type 24 and one end member of the slightly different type 25.

The end members 24 are of angle section sheet metal, welded to the upright member 23.

Each has a pair of rectangular holes, one of which shown at 26 is completely punched through the metal of the end member 24 and the other of which shown at 27 has a pair of rectangular projecting flaps punched out of it so as to extend generally parallel to each other away from the metal of the end member.

Considering the side rails 11 , the main body 12 is provided, at suitable positions which require propping, for example on the centreline 16, with a pair of apertures 29 and 30 which are intended to receive the projecting flaps 28 of the end members 24. Each side rail 11 has, at each support position such as the centre-line 16, a prop secured below it and a further prop secured above it. One such connection is encircled in Figure 1.

The two end members 24 of the upper prop 22 and lower prop 1 7 are arranged as shown in more detail in Figure 2 so that the projecting flaps 28 of each of the end members 24 pass through one of the apertures 29 or 30 of the side rail 11 and into the hole 26 of the other end member. So far as the upper props 22 are concerned, each of the end members is of the type 24 so that the props could be exchanged end to end and still connect correctly.

The projecting flaps 28 are spaced apart at a distance equal to the width of the holes 26 and the apertures 29 and 30, all of which are of rectangular shape. Thus, when the flaps are engaged in the apertures and holes, the props are' not permitted any relative rotation and are restrained from any lateral movement relative to the side rail 11, either in the plane of the wall assembly or in a direction normal to that plane.

The end members 25 have a pair of holes but no projecting flaps, so that they can receive conventional bolted connections, and are otherwise similar to the end members 24. If desired, the topmost side rail can be bolted to the top of the prop supporting it, which may be of the same type as the prop 1 7 but inverted end for end. This will bring the end member of the type 25 to the top of the prop.

It will therefore be seen that, in order to construct a wall framework, the side rails 11 can be secured to the stanchions 10, propped by the props 17 and 22 and maintained generally horizontal by the tension rods 20, without the need for a massive eaves rail disposed at the top of the stanchions. The load of the side rails, and the cladding sheets later secured to them, is carried back to the stanchions. Where more than one support is provided in a span 15, tie rods are directed diagonally from each of the connection points of a lower prop 17 to the base member 18.

The load is taken eventually on the stanchions.

The stanchions will of course require to be firmly maintained upright by the foundations of the building, in view of the lateral forces exerted on the stanchions by the tie rods, particularly at the corners of the building.

A major advantage of the system described above is that, throughout the major part of the structure, no bolted connections need to be made between the props 22 and the side rails 11. the side rails are held by their own weight on the props which hold then up, each prop being in line with the one below so as to transfer the entire load of the side rails and the cladding carried thereon to the lower horizontal member and hence, via the tension ties 20, to the stanchions.

The props cannot be displaced laterally because of the projecting flaps 28.

In large wall structures, additional diagonal ties may be provided at higher levels. These will be secured at bolted connections similar to connection 19 to side rails which function similarly to the base rail 1 8 in the structure, because they are directly supported by the ties from the stanchions.

In order to assist in holding the structure secure during construction, it may be desirable for the projecting flaps 28 to be slightly sprung apart and slightly resilient so that they grip the holes 26 and apertures 29 and 30. However, it will be appreciated that, once the structure is assembled fully, this frictional aspect of the connection becomes unnecessary because the assembly is stabilised by the weight of the side rails and cladding.

For extra load bearing strength, the upright members 23 of the props can be reinforced, conveiently by welding an additional strut, angle or channel in parallel with and adjacent the angle section upright member 23.

Claims

1. A side rail assembly capable of forming part of a wall framework of a building, the assembly comprising a generally horizontally disposed side rail having a pair of spaced through apertures, the assembly also including an upper prop and a lower prop adapted to be connected to the side rail via said through apertures, each prop comprising a rigid upright member and at least one generally horizontal end member, each of said end members having at least one hole and one projection spaced from the hole at a distance corresponding with the spacing of said through apertures, the lower prop being disposed below the side rail and the upper prop being disposed above the side rail with the end members disposed in such a manner that each projection passes through an aperture of the side rail into a hole of the other prop.

2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the apertures of the side rail are generally rectangular in shape.

3. An assembly according to claim 2 wherein the holes in the end members of the props are also generally rectangular and of similar size to the apertures.

4. An assembly according to claim 3 wherein the end members are of sheet metal and the projections comprise rectangular flaps pressed out of the sheet metal generally at right angles to the end members.

5. An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the projections are provided in pairs and comprise a pair of parallel flaps pressed from the common opening in the end member.

6. An assembly according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the apertures and holes are of such a size as to receive the flaps as a close push fit.

7. An assembly according to claim 6 wherein the flaps are slightly non-planar and resilient so as resiliently to grip the apertures and holes in use.

8. An assembly according to any preceding claim and further comprising a generally horizontal base rail of the same general form as the side rail and disposed below said side rail, and a lower prop having a lower end member bolted rigidly to the base rail by a bolted connection and having an upper end member provided with at least one hole and one projection engageable with said side rail.

9. An assembly according to claim 8 further comprising a rigid generally upright stanchion spaced laterally from the bolted connection and an angularly inclined tensioned tie secured between the bolted connection and the stanchion

1 0. An assembly according to claim 9 wherein the tensioned tie has a screw threaded length adjusting means.

11. In, or for use in a side rail assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, a prop comprising a rigid upright member and at least one generally horizontal end member having at least one hole and one projection spaced from said hole for fitment to an apertured side rail of the assembly.

12. A prop according to claim 11 wherein identical end members are provided at each end of the upright member, whereby the prop is reversible end for end.

13. A prop according to claim 11 wherein, at the end of the rigid upright member remote from said generally horizontal end member, there is provided another end member devoid of projections.

14. A prop according to any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein the upright member is of angle direction.

15. A side rail assembly for a wall framework of a building substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

1 6. A prop substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.