GB2335210A

GB2335210A - Interlockable structural panels, e.g. for geodesic dome

Info

Publication number: GB2335210A
Application number: GB9805288A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Paul Aviram
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-03-12
Filing date: 1998-03-12
Publication date: 1999-09-15
Also published as: GB9805288D0

Abstract

Interlockable structural panels have at least one undercut peripheral protrusion 8 allowing joining members 1, 2 to clamp two adjacent panels together. Protrusion 8 may be undercut at both surfaces of the panel as shown to allow for the use of two symmetrical connectors, which may be drawn together by an over - centre mechanism 6; an elastic coating 11 on members 1, 2 aids weatherproofing. A mixture of hexagonal 10, pentagonal 13 and trapezoidal 14 panels may be used as shown to make a demountable geodesic dome, which may be fitted with a wind turbine 15 for power, and may stand on piles and adjustable feet.

Description

1 -Intgrlockable Geodpic- stmctural panel sets The invention relates to

structural panel sets of a Geodesic dome.

2335210 Structural panels are known and used in the construction of permanent or temporary buildings like walls, hangars, space structures, geodesic domes and stage sets, The structural integrity of this type of structural form is dependent upon bolted or pinned connections at the extremities of each panel - US 4,309,852 describes a geodesic structural configuration where connection between neighbouring panels is dependent upon peripheral nodal connections. The method of connection employed has a low load transmission capacity and leaves a gap between adjacent panels, such that an additional external cover needs to be applied after the structure has been erected. The method of connection is complex is to manufacture and seal and is dependent upon alignment of all the individual connectors.

As a consequence of this design approach, a limitation is imposed upon the type, thickness, shape and minimum number of panels that may he used in the construction of a dome. The lesser the number of panels, the greater the nodal loads, due to the greater subtended angle between adjacent straight members. This, inevitably leads to an in efficient structural design.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a suu unit which can be used for producing permanent or temporary structures of a type that is not made in a conventional manner and that vvill overcome the limitations mentioned above.

Accordingly, this invention provides for a set of interlockable structural panel sets that are characterized in that neighbouring panels are joined by at least two clamping parts, that provide a means of connection between adjacent panel sets, along the entire periphery of the panel. Thus, the imposed load is distributed along the entire panel edges and is not concetrated at nodal positions.

2 Several panel sets, according to the invention, may be joined to provide a structural entity. Neighbouring panel sets are joined by means of two connecting parts which engage and clamp upon peripheral tongues of adjacent panel edges. The method of connection provides for alignment, transmission of loads and weather proofing.

Preferably, the neighbouring panels have facing peripheral protrusions for engaging within the clamping connection means. The connection means may preferably consist of two C-section parts, such that their flanges may be clamped upon the adjacent panels protrusions with their webs providing the connecting medium between adjacent panel sets. The C-section parts may have cross section variations and may be reinforced internally for greater load bearing capacity.

is The connection means parts are self aligning by virtue of a wedge profile of their protrusions that draw adjacent panels together. The parts may have an elastic surface coating upon a rigid core that seals the joints and prolonges the fife of the parts by eliminating surface erosion of the panel connecting parts. This also has the advantage of allowing for relative movement and a damping efFect between adjacent panel sets. Such movement may occur as a result of thermal and wind loading and especially under earthquake loads.

In order to facilitate rapid assembly of the panel sets, the means of connection may be secured to at least one part of at least one edge of one panel. In one preferred embodiment of a C-section strip, the strip may be secured to three successive edges of one part of the set so as to form a tongue and groove arrangement between neighbouring panel sets.

The preferred form of the panels is of triangular, rectangular, trapezoidal, pentagonal or hexagonal shapes. The panels may be curved or flat and may consist of composite materials or any other suitable material of high strength to weight ratio. Composite construction has the advantage of providing high strength to weight ratio as wcH as high thermal resistance. Thereby reduction of heat losses from a composite structure may be an added advantage.

3 In one preferred embodiment of the inventior1 adjg panel sets consist of two clamping parts per edge, that are drawn together by clamping means, thus allowing relative orthogonal positioning of the two parts and the neighbouring panel sets. Such clamping means may be achieved by the wedge effect of the connecting parts protrusions and clamping handles that draw together the parts, thereby effecting a structural load path, correct alignment and an effective seal between the parts of the panel set.

In the unclamped position, the clamping parts of the panel set may be maintained in the open position by means of an elastic separation device, such as a spring, for the purpose of assisting the joining of panel sets.

The panel sets, according to the invention, may be advantageously used in the construction of a demountable geodesic dome. For this application, the clamping is parts of the panel sets, are madc of at least one external and one internal part for clamping the tongues of adjacent panel sets.

One preferred fom of the geodesic dome consists of 21 matching curved panel sets of hexagonal, pentagonal and semi hexagonal shape. Each panel set is made of external and internal parts.

The geodesic dome may be attached to the ground by means of a series of peripheral adjustable piles through the lower dome panel sets.

In one preferred embodiment of the geodesic dome application, the dome may be used for storage of large agricultural machinery or for light aircraft hangarage and have an access door that does not cover more than half the surface area of the dome. For such application of a temporary structure, energy needs may be supplemented by means of an electric generator driven by a vertical wind turbine 30 that is preferably installed at the apex of the dome. The location of the wind turbine at the apex of the dome benefits from the low pressure and enhanced velocity of the wind by virtue of the curvature of the dome.

4 A floor may also be attached to the lowest panels of a demountable geodesic dome, as described above, in order to provide a better structural and environmental form. The floor panels may interlock with the lowest dome panels in the same manner as the dome shell panels. For this application, the panel clamping parts are made of at 1 one upper and one lower parts, for clamping the tongues of adjacent panel sets. Such a construction may also be used in the erection of temporary floors for stage sets and various demountable or permanent structures.

Support for a floor made of panel sets, as described above, may be made by intermediatly positioned and adjustable legs.

One embodiment of the invention win now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

is Fig. 1 shows a cross section of two adjacent panel sets with means of connection; Fiss. 2A to 2C show diffierent joining parts sections, Fig. 3 shows a plan array of four panel sets; Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a demountable geodesic dome made of panel sets according to the invention; Fig. 5 shows a cross sectional view of a demountable geodesic dome made of panel sets according to fig. 4.

Fig. 1 shows a cross sectional view of two adjacent panel sets. Each panel set consists of at least two joining parts 1 and 2 per edge. The two parts have facing peripheral protrusions 4. The joining parts 1 and 2 of each panel set, are drawn together by means of an overcentre clamping device 6. The clamping device 6 puns stud 5 that is fixed to one part 1 and draws the opposite part 2, upon the protrusions 8 of the adjoining panels, thereby drawing together and clamping together the entrapped protrusions of the adjoining panels.

The joining parts 1 and 2 are made of a composite material, such as fiberglass with a fight-weight core, of a C-section form and consisting of flanges 3 connected by a web 7. At the clamped position, part 1 and 2, are separated by virtue of the existance of the clamped adjoining panels protrusions (8). This arrangement allows full load bearing capacity to be maintained along the entire length of each panel edge, by virtue of the protrusions of the joining parts engagement with the adjoining panels protrusions along their entire peripheral edge. The applied joining force and distance between adjacent panels edges, may be controlled by adjusting the egaged distance between the joining parts. This may be achieved byvirtue of the wedged profile of the joining parts and by means of adjusting the length of the clwnping studs. Additionally, an elastic material coating, on the inner surfloe of each clamping part, will make a totally scaled connection, such that the structure may be weather proof Is Imposed loading, such as wind, snow, thermal and earthquakes loadings will produce movement in the structure that will be absorbed through the elasticity of the joining parts inner coating 11. The relative elasticity of the joining parts, will also act as a damper under imposed dynamic loading such as wind and earthquake loads.

The joining parts 1 and 2 may have cross section variations, as shown in Figs. 2A - 2C. Fig. 2A shows a basic C-section with flanges 3 and web 7. Fig 2B shows a C section with internal sloping flanges 3. This feature assists in drawing two neighbouring panel sets together. Fig. 2C has a central separating flange 9 along the middle of the web 7. This feature enhances the scaling of two neighbouring panel sets as well as prevent chafing of the opposite surfaces of the edges of the panel sets.

Fig. 3 shows a plan of an array of four panel sets 10 with the position of the joining parts 1 and 2. Each panel, under such configuration, has joining parts secured to the three uppermost edges of each panel set. The joining parts may be secured to individual panels at the uppermost edges, thereby effecting a tongue and groove connection at each panel. set edge 12.

6 Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a demountable geodesic dome made of panel sets according to the invention. A geodesic dome for primary use as an accomodation unit, has polygonal panels that may contain windows and doors. The dome consists of an array of twenty-one sets of polygonal curved panel sets, including ten hexagonal panel sets 10, six pentagonal sets 13, and five serni hexagonal sets 14. Wiffi increasing diameter, a greater number of panels will have to be used in order to maintain a minimum size and weight per panel that can be handled by a single person.

At the apex of the dome. a wind turbine 15 is positioned for benefiting from the increased velocity of the wind due to the curvature of the dome and for the purpose of generating electrical power.

Fig. 5 shows a cross sectional view of a demountable geodesic dome made of panel is sets according to fig. 4. The geodesic dome consists of shell panel sets 18 and floor panel sets 17 that are linked by edge panel sets 16. The method of connection of the panel sets is the same as described in fig. 1.

The edge panels are secured to the ground by means of a series of adjustable and demountable piles 19. The floor of the dome is supported by a series of adjustable legs 20 at intermediate positions.

7

Claims

Claims

Interlockable, structural panel sets (16, 17, 18) characterized in that panel sets have at least one expanding peripheral protrusion (8) for allowing joining parts (1,2) to clamp two a4jacent panels one to another.

2. Interlockable structural panel sets according to claim 1 characterized in that it has a peripheral protrusion (8) along all the edges.

3, Interlockable structural panel set according to claim 1 or 2 consisting of at least two panels and means of connection, characterised in that the means of connection consists of one outer pan (1) and one inner pan (2) matching with the peripheral protrusion (8) of the adjoining panels.

is 4.Interlockable structural panel set according to claim 1 to 3 characterized in that at least one of the joining parts (1, 2), has a C section.

5. Interlockable structural panel set according to claim 3 or 4 characterized in that the means of connection consist of at 1 two Csection joining parts (1, 2) with wedge shaped flanges (3) clamped upon the panel protrusions (8).

6. Interlockable, structural panel W according to claim 3 to 5 characterized in that the C-section joints (1, 2) has at least partly elastic surface coating (11).

Interlockable structural panel set according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that at least some of the means of connection (1, 2) are secured to at least one edge of one part of one panel.

8. Interlockable structural panel set according to one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that the connecting parts are drawn together by clamping means (5, 6) allowing relative orthogonal positioning of the puts (1, 2) of the panel sets.

8 9. Interlockable structural panel set according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the panels are of polygonal flat or curved shapes.

10. Demountable geodesic dome according to claim 9 characterized in that the lower dome panel sets (16) are attached to the ground, preferably by adjustable piles (19).

Demountable geodesic dome according to claims 9 or 10 characterised in that it is made of twenty-one matching panel sets, comprising of ten hexagonal (10), six pentagonal (13) and five half hexagonal (14) panel sets.

Demountable geodesic dome according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that it has at least one access door that does not cover more than half of the surface area of the dome.

is 13. Demountable geodesic dome according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that it is equipped with a vertical wind turbine (15) at the apex of the dome.

14. Demountable geodesic dome according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that it has a demountable floor made of interlockable panel sets according to one of claims 1 to 8.

15. Demountable floor according to claim 14 characterized in that at least some of the panel sets are supported by adjustable legs (20).