GB2142061A

GB2142061A - Portal framed building

Info

Publication number: GB2142061A
Application number: GB08415867A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Pauling
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1983-06-22
Filing date: 1984-06-21
Publication date: 1985-01-09
Also published as: NZ204677A; AU2889284A; GB8415867D0

Abstract

A building comprises a plurality of portal frames (34) each frame being in the form of a pair of flat wall-columns (35,36) with a roof member (42) between them. Each wall-column (35,36) comprises a braced frame structure. The bracing may typically be in the form of a sheet of plywood or other material on each side of the frame structure, (35,36), and/or diagonal struts may be provided within the frame structure (35,36). The roof member (42) may be a simple beam, or it may be comprised in a triangular attic structure (37), which may include members (40,41). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Building system Background to the invention This invention relates to a building system, and has particular application to the provision of kitset buildings.

In the past, buildings have typically been formed of a number of rooms connected together, each room being formed of a timber or other frame based around a cuboid shape. The frames are aligned along the sides of the building, and comprise a plurality of coplanar studs and cross-beams (nogs) between a top and bottom plate.

However, several arrangements have been proposed in an attempt to simplify the standard building procedure. Of particular relevance to the present invention are arrangements proposing the use of portal frames, such as that described in New Zealand patent specification 178221 (Carter). This specification describes a house frame comprising a parallel series of portal frames interconnected by spans.

Each portal frame, however, simply comprises solid side columns interconntected by floor and roof beams. This arrangement depends entirely on the solid side beams to give strength to the building structure.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved building system, or one which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Summary ofthe invention In a first aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a building, including a plurality of portal frames arranged in substantially parallel array, each portal frame comprising a pair of substantially flat wall-columns, each wall-column comprising a braced frame structure.

In a second aspect, the present invention broadly consists in a portal frame comprising a pair of substantially flat wall-columns and a roof member spanning said wall-columns, each wall-column comprising a braced frame structure.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a first wall-column; Figure 2 illustrates a second wall-column; Figure 3 illustrates a third wall-column; Figure 4 illustrates a portal frame connected to a concrete floor; Figure 5illustrates a portal frame on piles; Figure 6 illustrates the connexion of portal frames to a floor; Figure 7 illustrates portal frames together with infill panels; Figure 8 is a plan view of the portal frames of Figure 7; and Figure 9 is a plan view of a building showing the relationship of infill panels to wall-columns.

Description of the preferred embodiments Figure 1 shows a preferred wall-column 10 con nected to a floor frame 11 and a roof truss 12. The wall-column 10 comprises a rectangular timber frame having vertical members 14, 15 held together by horizontal member 16,17, 18 with the frame being covered by a bracing layer or layers. This bracing layer is typically formed by attaching plywood sheets 19 to each face of the column and, as shown in Figure 1, the sheets typically extend above and below the wall frame, to facilitate attachment to the roof truss and floor frame at points 20 and 21. By this means the wall-column can be simply nailed, stapled, or attached by other appropriate fasteners to the roof truss and floor frame.

As shown in Figure 1, the floor joists 11 typically sit on bearers 23 which are, in turn, on piles 24.

Figure 2 shows a similar arrangement in which a rectangular wall-column 26 is provided with diagonal bracing 27 in place of the bracing sheets of plywood. This wall-column 26 is attached to the floor frame and roof truss by appropriate nailing plates 28.

The wall-column of Figure 3 differs from that of Figure 1 by having a full-height plywood sheet 30 on each side, extending up to a triangular piece 31 so as to cover and be connected to the roof truss. This arrangement is preferred where additional bracing is required, such as for high wind loading.

It will be appreciated that the wall-columns can be formed of any convenient material, and of any convenient size. The preferred framing for the wall-column includes 100 mm x 50 mm timber framing covered with plywood sheathing. It will, however, be appreciated that the framing could be formed of metal, or composite materials, as well as of timber.

Turning nowto Figures 4 and 5, the provision of a portal frame 34 is shown. Figure 4 shows the portal frame having a pair of wall-columns 35,36 of the diagonally braced type shown in Figure 2 connected to an attic roof truss 37, with the wall-columns sitting on and being attached to a concrete floor 38. While the wall-columns can be attached to any convenient roof member, roof truss or the like, it is preferred that the columns be used in conjunction with an attic roof truss of the type shown in Figures 4 and 5. This provides an economical roof truss enabling the use of smaller timberwhile providing usable floor space in the attic. This is achieved by the provision of tension members 40,41 which assist in supporting the upper floor joist 42.

Figure 5 shows a similar arrangement, with a portal frame 34 having wall-columns of the type shown in Figure 1, supporting a similar attic roof truss, with the portal frames being attached to floor joists supported on piles.

Figure 6 shows the construction of a building, with a pair of portal frames 43,44 of the type shown in Figure 1, attached to alternate floor joists 45, 47, with the joist 46 in between portal frames. The floor joists may be supported on a bearer 48. The attachment of the portal frames to the floor joists 45,47 can be seen by the nail markings 49.

Figure 7 shows the next step in construction, with the portal frames being attached together by wall infill panels 50, 51 etc. Typically, the wall infill panels are of modular size, so that the portal frames can be erected at fixed spacings with the modular infill panels being quickly and easily positioned between adjacent portal frames. Preferably, each infill panel is formed of rectangular timber frames covered with a sheathing material. A generally convenient size for the framing of the infill panels involves the use of 75 x 50 mm timber, and, as shown in Figure 8, there may be three vertical members 53 forming the infill panels, and covered with appropriate sheathing material. The choice of sheathing material will depend upon the type of building, and the owner's requirements.Examples involve the use of fibrolite sheathing onto building paper, or plywood onto building paper. Of course, other materials can be used as required.

The infill panels, and thus the spacing between adjacent portal frames, are typically of a fixed size, enabling the building to be planned around fixed modules. The module size may be varied depending upon the availability of sizes of sheet material, and in the context of the present New Zealand building industry, a preferred modular size is 1.2 metres.

Figure 8 shows the different positioning of the infill panels. For example, infill panel 55 can be recessed, whereas infill panels 56, 57 are on the exterior line of the building. That is to say, the infill panel 55 is connected to the inner end of a wallcolumn 58, whereas the infill panels 56,57 are connected to the outer ends of the wall-columns 58, 59.

Figure 9 shows a building floor plan in which the wall infill panels are positioned in the recessed and outer positions to vary the external appearance of the building. In this floor plan,the end walls 60,61 can be flush walls, whereas the faces 62,63 of the building may be provided with a continuous outer surface, in which case the wall-columns will protrude onto the exterior of the building. In fact, Figure 9 shows a combination of these positions to provide an interesting external appearance. The modular infill panels may include doors or windows, as well as solid panels.

A particular advantage of this building system is the versatility in planning buildings, as well as the ease of construction. By combining the portal frames with modular infill panels, the building can be constructed in such a way as to produce a shell of exceptional strength and stability capable of withstanding severe loads. Moreover, the building system ofthe present invention enables a building to be constructed of a particular size, and then the building readily added to, to increase the available floor space. as the owner becomes able to afford a larger building. It will be appreciated that the modular basis of this building system enables a great variety of buildings to be produced including cottages, houses, farm buildings, garages, as well as commercial buildings of all types.

Various modifications to the above may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as broadly claimed. For example, the portal frames may be of simple rectangular shape, without the triangular attic structure shown in the drawings. The flat planes of the braced wall-columns need not be aligned with the planes of the portal frames themselves, although it is more convenient to make them so.

The portal frames, although conveniently includ ingfloorjoists, may instead sit directly on a floor structure, such as a concrete floor, being secured to it by any convenient means.

Claims

1. A building, including a plurality of portal frames arranged in substantially parallel array, each portal frame comprising a pair of substantially flat wall-columns, each wall-column comprising a braced frame structure.

2. A building as claimed in claim 1,wherein each wall-column comprises a substantially rectangular frame.

3. A building as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said flat plane of each wall-column is substantially at right-angles to the axis of the building.

4. A building as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a single panel spans the space between the wall columns of each adjacent pair of portal frames.

5. A building as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each portal frame includes a roof member comprising a triangular structure, apex uppermost, to form an attic structure in the upper part of the building.

6. A building as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bracing of the frame structure of each wall-column is provided by at least one sheet secured across the frame structure.

7. A building as claimed in any one ofthe preceding claims, wherein the bracing of the frame structure of each wall-column is provided by at least one diagonal member within the frame structure.

8. A portal frame comprising a pair of substantially flat wall-columns and a roof member spanning said wall-columns, each wall-column comprising a braced frame structure.

9. A portal frame as claimed in claim 8, wherein the roof member comprises a triangular structure, apex uppermost.

10. A portal frame as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the bracing of the frame structure of each wall-column is provided by at least one sheet secured across the frame structure.

11. A portal frame as claimed in any one of claims 8 - 10, wherein the bracing of the frame structure of each wall-column is provided by at least one diagonal member within the frame structure.

12. A portal frame as claimed in any one of claims 8 - 11, wherein the frame structure of each wall-column comprises a substantially rectangular frame.

13. A building system substantially as hereinbefore described.

14. A portal frame or building comprising the same substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as shown in any one of the accompanying diagrammatic Drawings.