GB2120298A - Improvements in or relating to building modules - Google Patents

Abstract

A marine building complex comprises a plurality of multi-storeyed buildings each having a steel superstructure (1) that is supported by, and integral with, a corresponding floating barge (2) or other marine vessel, the vessels having bulkheads constructed and positioned to provide direct support for the corresponding superstructures (1). Each barge (2) is arranged alongside a common platform (5) which links the barges (2) together so as to allow limited relative movements thereof. Pedestrian access means (6) interconnects the barges (2) and a gangway (7) gives access to a dockside (8) or other shore location. The platform (5) may be substantially triangular, at least one of the buildings may have eight storeys and the whole complex may provide hotel accommodation. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to building modules This invention relates to building modules capable of being floated from one location to another.

In many areas of the world, there is a need for accommodation or specialist modules to service the needs of visitors, refineries, petro-chemical plants and the like either permanently or for limited periods of time. The construction of permanent on-site buildings in many areas is both time-consuming and expensive in terms of civil engineering and labour costs.

The present invention sets out to provide building modules which can be constructed at a given site (e.g. a purpose built construction yard) and then floated to a berth at a required location.

Examples of such modules include hotels, hospitals, offices, housing and service modules for such buildings.

According to the present invention in one aspect there is provided a building module comprising a steel superstructure supported by an integral with a marine vessel having bulkheads constructed to provide direct support for the superstructure.

According to the present invention in another aspect, a building comprises a multiplicity of floating decked barges arranged in adjacent relationship to form a continuous area, means linking the barges which allows and controls relative movement between adjacent barges and allows movement of personnel from one barge to another.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a section taken through a building module in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view partly in section of the vessel on which the building superstructure of the module illustrated in Figure 1 is supported; and Figure 3 is a plan view of a building complex comprising a number of building modules in accordance with the invention.

The building module illustrated in the drawing comprises a steel superstructure 1 supported by and integral with a marine barge 2. As illustrated the superstructure comprises an eight storey building of conventional construction which may be used, for example, for hotel accommodation.

As will be seen from Figure 2, the bulk heads, balasting compartment and deck stiffening of the barge are constructed to provide direct support for the superstructure thereby ensuring stability of the module without the need for above-deck stability members.

The barge-mounted modules are constructed and fitted-out at a purpose built construction yard and then floated to the required location. The building module may either be moored at this site or permanently located possibly by sinking of the barge.

Figure 3 illustrates a building complex consisting of three barge-mounted building modules similar to that illustrated in Figure 1 disposed above a generally triangular central platform 5. The platform 5 is supported on its sides by the barges of the three modules. Each building module is linked to the adjacent module by a walkway 6. One module includes gangway 7 to provide access to a dockside 8. As for the module discussed above, all three building modules may be constructed and fitted-out at a conventional construction yard and then floated independently to the required location. At this location the modules may be secured to the central triangular platform to provide the complex illustrated.

1. A marine building complex comprising a plurality of multi-storeyed buildings having steel superstructures that are supported by, and integral with, corresponding marine vessels each of which vessels has bulkheads constructed and positioned to provide direct support for the superstructure concerned, the marine vessels being arranged alongside a common platform which links the vessels together so as to allow limited relative movements of those vessels, and there being means providing pedestrian access from one vessel to the or each other vessel of the complex.

2. A building complex as claimed in claim 1, wherein each marine vessel is a floating barge.

3. A building complex as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said platform is polygonal and has one of said vessels alongside each substantially straight edge thereof.

4. A building complex as claimed in claim 3, wherein said platform is substantially triangular.

5. A building complex as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each marine vessel comprises at least one ballasting compartment and includes deck stiffening to assist said bulkheads and ballasting compartment(s) in directly supporting the corresponding building superstructure.

6. A building complex as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pedestrian access means comprises walkways interconnecting said vessels, the walkways being constructed to accommodate limited relative movements of the vessels.

7. A building complex as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one of said walkways is directly or indirectly connected to a gangway giving access to a dockside or other shore location adjacent to which one of the marine vessels may, in the use of the complex, be positioned.

8. A building complex as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the buildings thereof comprises eight storeys.

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

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to building modules This invention relates to building modules capable of being floated from one location to another. In many areas of the world, there is a need for accommodation or specialist modules to service the needs of visitors, refineries, petro-chemical plants and the like either permanently or for limited periods of time. The construction of permanent on-site buildings in many areas is both time-consuming and expensive in terms of civil engineering and labour costs. The present invention sets out to provide building modules which can be constructed at a given site (e.g. a purpose built construction yard) and then floated to a berth at a required location. Examples of such modules include hotels, hospitals, offices, housing and service modules for such buildings. According to the present invention in one aspect there is provided a building module comprising a steel superstructure supported by an integral with a marine vessel having bulkheads constructed to provide direct support for the superstructure. According to the present invention in another aspect, a building comprises a multiplicity of floating decked barges arranged in adjacent relationship to form a continuous area, means linking the barges which allows and controls relative movement between adjacent barges and allows movement of personnel from one barge to another. The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a section taken through a building module in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view partly in section of the vessel on which the building superstructure of the module illustrated in Figure 1 is supported; and Figure 3 is a plan view of a building complex comprising a number of building modules in accordance with the invention. The building module illustrated in the drawing comprises a steel superstructure 1 supported by and integral with a marine barge 2. As illustrated the superstructure comprises an eight storey building of conventional construction which may be used, for example, for hotel accommodation. As will be seen from Figure 2, the bulk heads, balasting compartment and deck stiffening of the barge are constructed to provide direct support for the superstructure thereby ensuring stability of the module without the need for above-deck stability members. The barge-mounted modules are constructed and fitted-out at a purpose built construction yard and then floated to the required location. The building module may either be moored at this site or permanently located possibly by sinking of the barge. Figure 3 illustrates a building complex consisting of three barge-mounted building modules similar to that illustrated in Figure 1 disposed above a generally triangular central platform 5. The platform 5 is supported on its sides by the barges of the three modules. Each building module is linked to the adjacent module by a walkway 6. One module includes gangway 7 to provide access to a dockside 8. As for the module discussed above, all three building modules may be constructed and fitted-out at a conventional construction yard and then floated independently to the required location. At this location the modules may be secured to the central triangular platform to provide the complex illustrated. CLAIMS

1. A marine building complex comprising a plurality of multi-storeyed buildings having steel superstructures that are supported by, and integral with, corresponding marine vessels each of which vessels has bulkheads constructed and positioned to provide direct support for the superstructure concerned, the marine vessels being arranged alongside a common platform which links the vessels together so as to allow limited relative movements of those vessels, and there being means providing pedestrian access from one vessel to the or each other vessel of the complex.

2. A building complex as claimed in claim 1, wherein each marine vessel is a floating barge.

3. A building complex as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said platform is polygonal and has one of said vessels alongside each substantially straight edge thereof.

4. A building complex as claimed in claim 3, wherein said platform is substantially triangular.

5. A building complex as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each marine vessel comprises at least one ballasting compartment and includes deck stiffening to assist said bulkheads and ballasting compartment(s) in directly supporting the corresponding building superstructure.

6. A building complex as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pedestrian access means comprises walkways interconnecting said vessels, the walkways being constructed to accommodate limited relative movements of the vessels.

7. A building complex as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one of said walkways is directly or indirectly connected to a gangway giving access to a dockside or other shore location adjacent to which one of the marine vessels may, in the use of the complex, be positioned.

8. A building complex as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the buildings thereof comprises eight storeys.

9. A building complex as claimed in any preceding claim, the complex being constructed and arranged to provide hotel accommodation.

10. A marine building complex substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.