GB2162220A

GB2162220A - Improvements in or relating to building construction

Info

Publication number: GB2162220A
Application number: GB08518681A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norman Ashley Boyce; Keith Andrew Stout
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-07-24
Filing date: 1985-07-24
Publication date: 1986-01-29
Also published as: GB8518681D0; GB8418791D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of constructing a building comprising the steps of a) erecting upon a ground base a rigid skeletal framework comprising struts or tubular members (2) to define the contours of the building and securing the struts or members together by means of joining devices (4) having body portions adapted to connect with the struts or members, each joining device including an adjustable plate member (14) capable of an extending movement outwardly of the body portion, b) covering the framework with a membrane (6) of plastics material and securing marginal portions thereof to the ground base or to lower portions of the framework, and c) extending the plate members (14) outwardly of the framework to impart tension to the membrane, wherein said membrane (6) is perforated at a position centrally or substantially centrally with respect to each plate member to provide an aperture, and an extension portion of the plate member passes through the aperture and receives a closure member (16) adapted to trap margins of the membrane around the aperture against the associated plate member. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in or relating to building construction The invention relates to the construction of a type of building comprising a rigid framework composed of struts, for example metal tubing, the interstices of the rods being infilled to form panels, walls and the like.

It is known to construct buildings of this general type, incorporating a plastics membrane, which are suitable for use to cover large ground plan areas for use for example to protect agricultural produce from the adverse effects of the weather or to provide shelter for normally outdoor sports activities.

Such building structures frequently fail through heat degradation of the membrane usually at places in which the membrane is in contact with the struts of the framework and/or involve the maintenance of the membrane in a distended condition by compressed air.

The object of the present invention is to minimise the above disadvantages.

The invention provides a method of constructing a building comprising the steps of a) erecting upon a ground base a rigid skeletal framework comprising struts or tubular members to define the contours of the building and securing the struts or members together by means of joining devices having body portions adapted to connect with the struts or members, each joining device including an adjustable plate member capable of an extending movement outwardly of the body portion, b) covering the framework with a membrane of plastics material and securing marginal portions thereof to the ground base or to lower portions of the framework, and c) extending the plate members outwardly of the framework to impart tension to the membrane, wherein said membrane is perforated at a position centrally or substantially centrally with-respect to each plate member to provide an aperture, an outward extension portion of the plate member passing through the aperture and capable of receiving a closure member adapted to trap margins of the membrane around the aperture against the associated plate member.

If desired, the plate members may be further extended outwardly of the framework in a second tensioning step. This may be particularly advantageous where the tensioned membrane is to be coated with a settable compound such as a plastics reinforced cementitious material, since a stepwise tensioning operation assists in the dissipation of stress loads in the construction.

The invention further provides a joining device for use with the method described in the last but one preceding paragraph, comprising a body portion having connecting members for securing together struts or tubular framework members, each said connecting member arranged to project in a generally radial direction form an axial centre line of the body portion, and a plate member arranged for adjustable movement along said centre line with respect to the body portion, means for retaining the plate member in a selected adjusted position, and an extension portion projecting from the plate member and adapted to receive a closure member capable of trapping margins of the membrane aperture.

Advantageously, a compressible annular washer member is provided around the extension portion between the plate member and the closure member.

There will now be described an example of a building construction method according to the invention and of a joining device for use therewith. It will be understood that the description which is to be read with reference to the drawing is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

In the drawings Figure 1 shows a section through a joining device in position in a building construction according to the present invention; and Figure 2 shows the stages in construction of the building.

The building comprises a framework of tubular struts 2, end portions of each of which are linked to the end portions of at least two further struts to form a lattice-like arrangement of struts having in the present example a domed contour. The end portions of the struts 2 are connected by joining devices 4, one of which is illustrated in detail in Figure 1 as connecting together two struts, for the sake of clarity.

The domed lattice-like arrangement of struts is then covered by a membrane 6 of plastics sheet material. This membrane may be shaped to co-operate with the arrangement so that edge portions of the membrane may be anchored for example against the ground S or other substrate. The membrane is then tensioned by an extending movement of the joining devices as explained below.

Each joining device 4 comprises an externally threaded rod 8 on which is received a collar 10 which accepts threaded end portions 12 of the struts 2. Mounted at an outward end portion of the rod 8 is a plate member 14 in the shape of saucerlike disc having its convex surface facing outwardly of the collar 10.

Thus the required tensioning of the membrane 6 may be achieved by moving the member 14 along the rod 8 outwardly of the collar 10.

However, it will be observed that there is provided in the membrane 6 an aperture positioned substantially centrally of the member 14 and through which the outer tip of the rod 8 projects. A cap or nut member 16 is provided to be received upon the rod tip and either to be screwed down upon the margins of the aperture to seal the latter or, as in the present example, to be screwed into contact with a layer of settable polyester fibre reinforced cememtitious material 18. This layer is laid in a coating upon the outer surface of the membrane 6 to produce a more durable building construction. If desired, the tensioning of the membrane 6 by the members 14 may be done in two steps, a first partial tensioning being carried out prior to the coating step and a second final tensioning being carried out after the coating step and before the material hardens.It will be found advantageous to place a compressible annular washer member 20 around the rod tip, the thickness of the washer member being compatible with that of the layer 18 so that screwing the cap 16 down onto the rod 8 produces an effectively weather-proof seal. In the present example, the member 20 is of foamed plastics material, but resilient rubber or the like may be used.

While the above-described construction will be found satisfactory for many applications, construction which gives improved thermal and acoustic insulation may be obtained by providing the abovedescribed construction with an inner membrane 22, which is of plastics sheet material of maybe of a more decorative material if desired.

According to the present example, the inner membrane is positioned within the structure and margins thereof secured in an airtight manner to the substrate. The membrane is then inflated so that it contacts the underside of the struts 2. A small aperture 24 is then formed at the point of contact of the membrane 22 with the inner end of the rod 8 and shaped cap 26 is screwed thereon and secured with a lock nut 28. When all the points of contact are secure, then the air within the membrane 22 may be returned to atmospheric pressure.

There will thus be no appreciably uneven tensions in the membrane 22 and no additional structure load will be placed on the struts 2

Claims

1. A method of constructing a building comprising the steps of a) erecting upon a ground base a rigid skeletal framework comprising struts or tubular member to define the contours of the building and securing the struts or members together by means of joining devices having body portions adapted to connect with the struts or members, each joining device including an adjustable plate member capable of an extending movement outwardly of the body portion, b) covering the framework with a membrane of plastics material and securing marginal portions thereof to the ground base or to lower portions of the framework, and c) extending the plate members outwardly of the framework to impart tension to the membrane, wherein said membrane is perforated at a position centrally or substantially centrally with respect to each plate member to provide an aperture, an extension portion of the plate member passing through the aperture and capable or receiving a closure member adapted to trap margins of the membrane around the aperture against the associated plate membrane.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tension is imparted to the membrane in a stepwise manner.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the membrane has been at least partly tensioned a settable compound is applied as a coating to the exterior thereof.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein further tension is applied to the membrane after the application of said settable compound but prior to its setting.

5. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the membrane is preformed to a shape at least substantially corresponding with the outline of the skeletal frame.

6. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein a compressible washer is placed between the closure member and the trapped margins of the membrane the thickness of the washer being compatible with the thickness of the coating of settable material.

7. A method of claimed in claim 6, wherein the settable material is cementitious.

8. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the plate member is provided with an inwardly extending portion to which a second membrane is securable.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second membrane is introduced into the space within the erected building, and margins thereof secured to the ground base or to lower portions of the framework, and wherein compressed air is introduced beneath the second membrane to raise said membrane to contact said skeletal framework, whereupon the second membrane is secured to said inwardly extending portion of each plate of the building and the supply of compressed air terminated.

10. A joining device for use in the method as claimed in claim 1, comprising a body portion having connecting members for securing together struts or tubular framework members, each said connecting member arranged to project in a generally radial direction from an axial centre line of the body portion, and a plate member arranged for adjustable movement along said centre line with respect to the body portion, means for retaining the plate member in a selected adjusted position, and an extension portion projecting from the plate member and adapted to receive a closure member capable of trapping margins of the membrane aperture.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein a compressible annular washer member is provided around the extension portion between the plate member and the closure member.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the extension portion compresses a rod the inner end of which provides a second extension portion which is capable of receiving means adapted to secure a second membrane to the device.

13. A method of constructing a building substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

14. A joining device for use in the method as claimed in claim 1 constructed and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.

15. A building constructed according to the method as claimed in claims 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.