GB2188079A - Building structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates particularly to the general structure of buildings, including walls, roofs, floors, and ceilings. The apparatus of the invention combines essentially: ground bearing sills (1) presenting at least two vertical ribs or wings (1a) and (1b) between which ribs reinforced concrete is poured; profiled parallelepipedic self- assembling blocks of different types (2) and blocks (4) whose sections are shaped to allow the pouring of concrete without any discontinuity; profiled bearing joists (7) of inverted T-shape are adapted to co-operate with corresponding parts of the blocks, noteably the blocks (4); honeycombed plan elements (8) cooperate in support with wings of the joists (7) to make up slabs of floors, ceilings and roofs; and tiles (12) shaped to be fixed on battens in combining positions with the joists (7). The invention is particularly useful for the formation of all types of buildings which have to withstand seismic shocks in earthquake zones since these buildings have the necessary ductility. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Building structure The invention relates to a device and a construction process for producing structures or the like which are to have good ductility characteristics.

The subject of the invention relates, in particular, to the technical sector of the general structures of buildings, walls, roofs, floors, ceilings, etc., and of similar buildings or constructions for particular uses.

There are known modular blocks made of concrete or any other material which can be moulded, which are shaped to make it possible to erect the exterior walls of the buildings and the internal partitioning. There have also been proposals for blocks, some of the faces of which have arrangements in the form of recesses or in relief which are capable of interfacing with matching arrangements provided in adjacent blocks. These provisions allow the self-assembly of the blocks in a straight and/or angular alignment, thus doing away with any binder. The upper and/or lower faces can also have matching means shaped so as to allow the blocks to be positioned next to one another.

French Patent 2,432,588, the applicant of which is also the proprietor of the present application, can be mentioned as an example.

Such a construction method has an advantageous, but non-limiting special use in earthquake zones.

However, the problem of the floors, slabs and roofing elements has not been solved hitherto, at least not under satisfactory conditions, so that the construction as a whole, once completed, does not have sufficient characteristics capable of withstanding earthquakes with the necessary ductility.

In view of this, the object of the invention is to produce simply and efficiently a construction device which makes use of various types of blocks and elements which can be combined with one another and which are shaped so as to give the construction very good ductility characteristics. As a result of this, under the effect of a seismic shock, the structure as a whole is capable of moving as a result of elasticity, without thereby cracking and fracturing, this being the case where completely rigid conventional constructions are concerned.

The device and construction process, as defined in the claims also make it possible for any person not needing a special qualification or special tools to produce a structure of any size.

For this purpose, according to the process of the invention, bearing sills forming the peripheral base enclosure of the structure are arranged on the ground; these sills are filled with reinforced concrete, and the walls and partitions of various types of self assembly profiled blocks are erected without any binder; slabs are produced at the height of the floors, ceilings and roofs by means of profiled elements bearing on beams interacting with a corresponding part of the blocks which form a continuous peripheral enclosure; reinforced concrete is poured into the corner blocks which communicate vertically and into the rows of blocks arranged peripherally at the height of the floors and the roof; tiles are arranged in combination with the beams receiving the elements forming the roof slab.

For carrying out the process, the device essentially comprises in combination: bearing sills on the ground which have at least two vertical ribs or wings, between which the reinforced concrete is poured, - self-assembly parallelepipedic profiled blocks of different types, blocks of shaped cross-section to allow concrete to be poured without any discontinuity, bearing beams profiled in the form of an upturned T and capable of interacting with a corresponding part of the blocks, plane cellular elements interacting in a bearir.g action with the wings of the beams to act as slabs for the floor, ceiling and roof.

-tiles shaped so as to be fastened on battens positioned in combination with the beams.

These characteristics and others will emerge from the rest of the description.

To fix the subject of the invention, but without limiting it, in the attached drawings: - Figure 1 is a perspective view, with partial sections, showing an example of construction produced by means of the process and device, - Figure 2 is a partial perspective view showing the angular assembly of the walls in various combinations, - Figures 3, 4, and 5 are perspective views which illustrate more particularly the assembly and positioning of the blocks with the ground bearing sills, - Figure 6 is a profile view corresponding to Figure 5, - Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views of the plane cellular elements intended for forming the slabs of the floor, ceiling and roof, - Figure 9 is a front view of the element shown in Figures 7 and 8, - Figure 10 is a side view corresponding to Figure 9, -Figure 11 is a perspective view of the beam interacting in particular with the flat cellular elements, - Figure 12 is a front view of the beam, - Figure 13 is a plan view corresponding to Figure 11, - Figure 14 is a front view in section which illustrates the positioning of the cellular elements relative to the beams, -- Figure 15 is a view similar to that of Figure 14, showing the passage of filiform articles in combination with the cellular elements, - Figure 16 is a perspective view showing the joining together and positioning of the beams and cellular elements, - Figure 17 is a perspective view of a tile, - Figure 18 is a perspective view of an element shaped so as to couple two tiles next to one another, - Figure 19 shows the tile in front and side views, - Figure 20 shows the tile coupling element in front and side views, - Figure 21 is a perspective view showing the positioning of several tiles, - Figure 22 is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of the tiles in combination with the beams, - Figures 23 to 33 illustrate in perspective views embodiments of the main profiled blocks of the device, - Figures 35 to 36 are perspective views showing the construction process according to the invention, - Figures 37 and 38 are perspective views of another preferred embodiment of the self-assembly blocks, - Figure 39 is a plan view in section along the line 3F39 of Figure 37.

To give a clearer idea of the subject of the invention, it is now described in a non-limiting way, with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the Figures of the drawings.

Arranged on the ground at the base of the device are bearing sill elements (1) positioned next to one another in a straight alignment and in various angular orientations, especially at right angles, to form a closed peripheral enclosure (Figure 23).

These sill elements (1) are shaped and designed, on the one hand, to function as foundations for the structure and, on the other hand, to allow the various self-assembly profiled blocks to be assembled and positioned.

For this purpose, the bearing sills (1) have a Ushaped cross-section with, in their central part, two straight vertical wings (1a) and (lib) which extend parallel to the outer wings (1c) of the U-shaped profile, thus delimiting three internal passageways (1 d), (1 e) and (1f). The various sill elements are arranged either in ditches (Figure 1) or directly on the ground (Figure 4), according to the state of the ground and the type of construction.

The various self-assembly profiled blocks designated as a whole by (B) are mounted, positioned and centred on the inner wings (1a) and (1 b). The width of the blocks (B) is equal to the outer spacing between the wings (lea) and (1 b).

The longitudinal edges of the wings (lea) and (1 b) can have arrangements (lay) and (1b2), such as grooves, capable of interacting with matching arrangements formed at the base and in combination with the edges of blocks (B). The main types of blocks are shown more particularly and separately in Figures 23 to 33.

In a known way, each block (B) made of concrete clay or any other material has a hollow parallelepipedic shape. Of these various blocks, it is appropriate to make a distinction between: blocks or base modules (2) divided on the inside by transverse wall (2a) which delimits two inner cavities (2b) which open out and which have the same size. The base modules are essentially of two types, depending on whether they are to be selfassembled in a straight alignment or angularly at 90 . In the first case, the two transverse faces of the blocks (2) each have matching male and female arrangements (2c-2d) which allow the self assembly of the said blocks by fitting into one another (for example, Figures 4 and 31).In the second case, to form corner blocks, at least one of the transverse faces of the block (2) also has arrangements (2c) and/or (2d), while one or both of the lateral faces of the said blocks possess vertically, in the centre axis of one of the inner cavities (2b), a matching impression in the form of a recess and/or in relief (2e) corresponding to the male/female parts (2c)-(2d) (Figure 30); blocks (3) which are hollow and equal to half a base module (2). In the same way as the blocks (2), the transverse faces of the blocks (9) have matching male and/or female impressions (3a) and (3b) which are capable of interacting with the impressions (2c), (2d) and (2e) by fitting into one another (Figures 32 and 33).

blocks (4) of U-shaped cross-section intended to be positioned peripherally at the height of the ceiling or roof slabs and superimposed on the blocks (2) and (3). The width of the blocks (4) is equal to the width of the blocks (2) and (3). Of the blocks (4), it is appropriate to distinguish essentially between straight blocks (4a), corner blocks profiled in the form of an L (4b) and blocks profiled in the form of a T (4c) (Figures 28,29 and 32). Since the transverse ends ofthe blocks (4) are not closed, but completely open, there is a continuity after the said blocks have been assembled next to one another; blocks (5) and (6) profiled in the form of a cross.

These blocks (5) (Figure 26) are hollow and closed over their entire perimeter. In the same way as the blocks (2), (3) and in a matching way, the four transverse faces of these blocks have male and/or female impressions (5a) capable of interacting with the corresponding shapes (2c), (2d), (2e), (3a) and (3b) of said blocks (2) and (3) by fitting into one another.

These blocks (6) (Figures 24 and 25) have a Ushaped cross-section and are intended to be positioned peripherally at the height of the ceiling or roof slabs, in combination with the blocks (4). The transverse faces of the blocks (6) are open so as to communicate with the blocks (4). It will be noted that the blocks (5) and (6) participate in the construction of the walls or internal separating partitions or adjoining buildings.

The various blocks (2), (3), (4), (5) and (6) make it possible to erect the walls and partitions in a multiplicity of angular orientations (Figure 2). No binder is needed to join them together either in a horizontal plane or in a vertical plane. For this purpose, Figures 37 to 39 show a preferred embodiment of the matching male/female arrangements for the self-assembly of the blocks (2), (3), (5) and (6) by fitting into one another.

Figures 37 to 39 show a base module (2) with two inner cavities (2b) opening out, and it is clearthat this self-assembly method also applies to the crossshaped blocks (5).

One of the transverse faces of the block possesses vertically and symmetrically two dovetail-shaped recessed impressions (2f), while the other transverse face has, to match it, two dovetailshaped impressions in relief (29). The upper part of the transverse end faces and of the transverse separating wall is recessed at (2h), so that, after the blocks have been assembled by being superimposed on one another, there remains a free passage which all the blocks of one and the same row to communicate with one another. This makes it possible, for example, to install various ducts.

For centring purposes, after the various blocks have been superimposed on one another, the longitudinal edges of the latter can have, in a known way, matching ribs and grooves. If appropriate, the depth of the ribs and grooves can be determined so as to produce in combination, after the blocks have been assembled by being superimposed on one another, a recessed part which puts the blocks of one and the same row in communication with one another. When corner blocks are concerned, a pair of matching ribs and grooves is also formed on one or both of the lateral faces opposite the inner cavity (Figure 38).

The slabs at ground level and for the ceilings and roof are produced by means of beams (7) and flat elements (8) in combination with the blocks (B) (Figures 1 and 2).

As shown particularly in Figures 11,12 and 13, the beams (7) are profiled transversely in the form of an upturned T and can be reinforced on the inside with longitudinal wires (9). These beams, particularly when used to construct a slab at ceiling height, interact with the blocks (4). For this purpose, one or both of the lateral faces of some of the blocks (4) have a cut-out allowing the beam (7) to engage and pass through, its horizontal wing (7a) resting in the bottom of the said blocks (4) (Figures 5,6 and 31).

As regards the flat elements (8), these take the form of a hollow body fashioned directly at the time of production, to a form first row of cells (8a) and a second row of cells (8b). The separating partitions (8a2) and (8b2) of each of the rows are offset uniformly and alternately relative to one another.

The longitudinal end edges (8a1) of the upper row of cells (8a) are inclined, thus giving it a trapezoidal cross-section. The longitudinal end edges (8b, ) of the lower row of cells (8b) are straight and are set back relative to the edges (8a1), the partitions (8b2) being arranged substantially in the central part of the cells (8a). As an indication, there are four cells (8a), while there are three cells (8b).

The bottom (8b3) of the lower row of cells (8b) projects symmetrically on each of its longitudinal sides (8b1), while at the same time remaining set back from the bottom (8b3) of the upper row of cells (8a) (Figure 9).

In an important feature, the lateral end edges (8b, ) and the separating partitions (8b2) of the lower row of cells each have, starting from at least one of their vertical branches, a squared notch (8b4) which allows electrical wires or other sundry casings to pass through (Figures 7 and 9). The notches (8b4) are made near the bottom (8b3) (Figure 10).

As indicated in the rest of the description, the lateral edges of the bottom (8b3) of the upper row of cells are positioned so as to bear on the corresponding wings of the two beams (7) (Figure 14). The height of the upper part (8a) of the elements (8) is less than the height of the vertical wing (7b) of the beams (7), thus, afterthe relative positioning of the elements (8), reserving a free space which makes it possible, for example, to pour in any filling material.

After several cellular elements (8) have been assembled next to one another in combination with the beams (7), the opposing lateral edges of the bottoms (8b3) of two adjacent elements (8) make it possible, if desired, to position and centre a straight T-shaped profile (10) which, for example, functions as a false beam (Figures 15 and 16).

According to another important characteristic of the invention, some of the beams (7) have at regular intervals, starting from the upper face of the vertical wing (7b), notches (7c) which make it possible to fit battens (11) (Figure 16). These battens (11) allow tiles (12) to be fastened (Figure 22). The design of the tiles according to the invention is shown more particularly in Figures 17 to 21.

Each tile (12) has a U-shaped cross-section forming two vertical wings (12a) and (12b). Beyond the wings (12a) and (12b), the bottom of the tile is extended by means of a bearing sill (12c) capable of interacting with the battens (11) to ensure that the tile is fastened by any means, such as nails (Figure 22). This sill (12c) has, transversely and in succession on its upper face, a groove (12d) and a rib (1 2e) which are parallel to its transverse edge.

Other matching ribs (12f) and grooves (129) are formed transversely in the lower face of the tile opposite the bearing sill (12). The grooves (1 2c) and ribs (12d) interact with the ribs (12f) and grooves (129), thus making it possible to position them end to end (Figure 21), with partial overlapping of their transverse edge.

The bracing of the tiles (12) is carried out by means of a tunnel (13) having a cross-section in the form of an upturned U (Figure 18). The wings (13a) and (13b) ofthetunnel, having a length substantially equal to that of the tiles, interact with grooves (12h) formed in parallel and tangentially relative to the inner faces of the wings (12a) and 12b) of the tiles (12) (Figure 21). A plane projecting transverse part (13c) ensures that the bracing elements (13) partially overlap.

As shown in Figure 1, the tiles (12) can advantageously be fastened to the battens (11) of the beams (7) which receive the cellular elements (8), with any material being interposed or not.

It is appropriate at this juncture to analyse the construction process according to the invention.

-The bearing sills (1) are arranged on the ground or in ditches to form the base perimeter of the desired construction. Concrete reinforced with scrap iron is poured between the wings (1a), (1b) and (1c) into the passage ways (1d), (1e) and (1f) to form the anchorage.

- The various blocks (B) are then positioned by hand, in combination with the arrangements provided in the edges of the central wings (1a) and (1 b). Base modules (2) (of the first and second types), if appropriate with the cross-shaped blocks (5) if necessary, are used for this purpose. Assembly is carried out in successive rows by fitting the various blocks into one another to achieve their selfassembly. Since the rows of blocks are superimposed on one another alternately, the base half-modules (3) compensate this alternating offset at the corners in particular. The windows (F) and doors (P) can be assembled as construction progresses, the frames having arrangements matching those of the blocks.

-When the level of a storey is reached, the blocks (2), (3) and (5) are enclosed peripherally by arranging on the latter a row of blocks (4) and (6) of U-shape cross-section.

- Concrete is poured into the vertically coinciding cavities of the corner blocks to form stiffening pillars. Concrete rods can also be introduced (Figure 35). Concrete is subsequently poured between the wings of the blocks (4) and (6), thus forming a peripheral stiffening enclosure.

-The same procedure is then carried out up to the next level, and so on and so forth up to the roof.

It should be emphasised that the floors at ground level and the floors and ceilings at the various other levels can be assembled after the walls have been erected. For this purpose, the beams (7) are positioned at regular intervals corresponding to the width of the cellular elements (8) in cut-outs which some blocks possess for this purpose. At ground level, the end beams can rest on the wings of the bearing sills. After the beams (7) have been installed, the cellular elements (8) are positioned.

Any filling material is then poured between the vertical wings (7b) of the beams (7) onto the cellular elements (8).

To construct the roof, the battens (11) are arranged between the corresponding notches of the beams (7) for fastening the tiles (12), in combination with the bracing pieces (13) which form a tunnel for the possible passage of casings or the like.

Consequently, as a result, the structure, once completed, has, at ground level, at the level separating the intermediate storeys and at roof level, a peripheral reinforced-concrete enclosure having no discontinuity. Likewise, the blocks of Ushape cross-section (4b), (4c) and (6c) have, in their angular convergence zone, a series of orifices (0) (Figures 25, 28 and 29) which allow the ends of rods introduced into the concrete poured in the corners of the construction to pass through, so that, when the rods of the edging are joined to the ends of the rods projecting from the corner pillars, a reinforcement surrounding the entire structure both vertically and horizontally is obtained.

The advantages emerge clearly from the description, the following being emphasised in particular: All the blocks used to produce the walls and partitions can be self-assembled by being fitted into one another, without any mortar and any binder, except, as indicated above, for the peripheral enclosures at the height of the slabs and the various corner pillars. The same is true of the cellular elements assembled in combination with the beams. This results in a simplification of assembly carried out by any person without any special qualification required, and in a saving.

However, and especially important feature is that this particular method of construction and the specific means for carrying it out give the structure as a whole very good ductility characteristics and consequently a very high capacity for withstanding earthquakes.

Finally, it may be recalled that: -the shaping of the blocks which communicate with one another both vertically and horizontally avoids the need to make cuts for fitting the various pipes which, as a result, can pass freely within the blocks.

there is very good thermal, sound and acoustic insulation both as regards the walls and as regards the slabs.

there is air circulation.

Claims (17)

1. Construction process for producing structures or the like which are to have good ductility characteristics, characterised in that the bearing sills are arranged on the ground to form the peripheral base enclosure of the structure, these are filled with reinforced concrete, the walls and partitions of various types of self-assembly profiled blocks are erected without any binder, slabs are produced at the height of the floors, ceilings and roofs by means of profiled elements bearing on beams interacting with a corresponding part of the blocks forming a continuous peripheral enclosure, reinforced concrete is poured into the corner blocks which communicate vertically and into the rows of blocks arranged peripherally at the height of the floors and the roof, and tiles are arranged in combination with the beams receiving the elements forming the roof slab.

2. Device for carrying out the process according to Claim 1, characterised in that it essentially comprises in combinations: -ground bearing sills having at least two vertical ribs or wings and between which the reinforced concrete is poured, - self-assembly parallelepipedic profiled blocks of different types blocks (4) and (6) shaped in cross-section to allow concrete to be poured without any discontinuity, bearing beams profiled in the form of an upturned T and capable of interacting with a corresponding part of the blocks, especially of the blocks and plane cellular elements interacting in a bearing action with the wings of the beams to function as slabs for the floor, ceiling and roof, -tiles shaped so as to be fastened to battens positioned in combination with the beams.

3. Device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the outer spacing between the wings is equal to the width of the blocks, the longitudinal edges of the said wings having arrangements capable of interacting with matching arrangements formed at the base in combination with the edges of the blocks.

4. Device according to Claim 2, in which the blocks have vertically, on one or both of their transverse faces, matching male/female arrangements to assemble them at 180" by fitting them into one another, and/or, on part of their lateral face, matching male/female arrangements to allow the blocks to be assembled at 90 by being fitted into one another, the said blocks delimiting on the inside at least two inner cavities opening out, the blocks being hollow and equal to a base half-module characterised in that the blocks are profiled in the form of a cross, being hollow and closed on their four transverse faces which possess, in the same way as the blocks and in a matching way, male and/ or female impressions capable of interacting with the corresponding shapes of the said blocks and by fitting into one another.

5. Device according to Claim 2, in which blocks are of U-shaped cross-section and are shaped to be positioned peripherally at the height of the slabs, so as to be superimposed on the blocks and the blocks (4) being straight and profiled in the form of a L or T, characterised in that the blocks are of U-shape cross-section and are intended to be positioned peripherally at the height of the slabs in combination with the blocks the transverse faces of the said blocks being open.

6. Device according to Claim 4, characterised in that the male and/or female impressions for the selfassembly of the blocks consist of two vertical dovetail-shaped impressions in the form of a recess and two dovetail-shaped impressions in relief of matching profile, and the upper part of the transverse end faces and of the transverse separating wall is recessed at so as to leave, after the blocks have been assembled by being superimposed on one another, a free passage which puts all the blocks of one and the same row in communication with one another.

7. Device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the flat elements (8) have two superimposed rows of cells the separating partitions of each of the rows are offset uniformly and alternately relative to one another, the longitudinal end edges of the upper row of cells are inclined, while the longitudinal end edges of the lower row are straight and set back relative to the edges the partitions being arranged substantially in the central part of the cells and the bottom of the lower row of cells projects symmetrically on each of the longitudinal sides while being set back from the bottom of the upper row of cells.

8. Device according to Claim 7, characterised in that the lateral end edges and the separating partitions of the lower row of cells each have, starting from at least one of their vertical branches, a squared notch for the passage of filiform elements in particular.

9. Device according to Claim 7, characterised in that the lateral edges of the bottom are positioned to bear on the corresponding wings of two beams of one and the same row, and the height of the upper part of the elements is less than the height of the vertical wing of the beams thus reserving a free space for pouring a filling material.

10. Device according to either one of Claims 7 and 9, characterised in that, after several cellular elements have been assembled next to one another in combination with the beams the opposing lateral edges of the bottoms of two adjacent elements make it possible to position and centre a straight shaped profile.

11. Device according to Claim 2, characterised in that the beams intended to be positioned at roof level have at regular intervals, starting from the upper face of the vertical wing notches for fitting battens for the purpose of fastening the tiles.

12. Device according to Claims 2 and 3 together, characterised in that each tile has a U-shaped cross section forming two vertical wings and beyond the said wings the bottom of the tile is extended by means of a bearing sill interacting with the battens for the purpose of assembling it.

13. Device according to Claim 12, characterised in that the lower face of the sill has transversely matching assembly shapes capable of interacting with corresponding assembly shapes formed transversely in the lower face of the tile opposite the sill thus making it possible to position the tiles end to end with partial overlapping of their transverse edge.

14. Device according to any one of Claims 2, 12 and 13, characterised in that the bracing of the tiles is carried out by means of tunnels of a cross-section in the form of an upturned U, of which the wings (1 3a) and of a iength substantially equal to that of the tiles interact with grooves formed in parallel and tangentially relative to the inner faces of the wings and of the tiles a plane projecting transverse part ensuring the partial overlapping of the bracing elements.

15. Process according to Claim 1 making use of the combined means according to any of Claims 2 to 14, characterised in that: -the bearing sills are arranged on the ground or in ditches to form the base perimeter of the desired construction, and concrete reinforced with scrap iron is poured between the wings of the sills to form the anchorage, -the various blocks are then positioned by hand in combination with the arrangements provided in the edges of the central wings and of the sills, base modules (of the first and second types), if appropriate with the cross-shaped blocks if necessary, are used for this purpose, assembly is carried out in successive rows by fitting the various blocks into one another for the purpose of their selfassembly, and the rows of blocks are superimposed alternately, the base haif-modules compensating this aiternating offset at the corners in particular, -the windows and the doors are assembled as construction progresses, the frames having arrangements matching those blocks, -atthe height of a storey, the blocks and are enclosed peripherally by arranging on the latter a row of blocks and of U-shaped cross-section, - concrete is poured into the vertically coinciding cavities in the corner blocks to form stiffening pillars, and subsequently concrete is poured between the wings of the blocks thus forming a peripheral stiffening enclosure, -the same procedure is then carried out up to the next level, and soon and so forth up to the roof, -the beams are positioned at regular intervals corresponding to the width of the cellular elements in the cut-outs which some blocks possess for this purpose, and after the beams have been instalied the cellular elements are positioned, -anyfilling material is then poured between the vertical wings of the beams onto the cellular elements, and -to make the roof, the battens are arranged in the corresponding notches of the beams to fasten the tiles in combination with the bracing tunnels.

16. A construction process substantially as described in any of the preferred embodiments of the set out herein.

17. A device for carrying out a construction process substantially as herein described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.