GB2398305A

GB2398305A - Building provided with a damp-proof layer of beams or bricks between concrete sub-floor and timber supra-structure and formed from plastics material

Info

Publication number: GB2398305A
Application number: GB0402282A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Andrew Webber
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-02-11
Filing date: 2004-02-03
Publication date: 2004-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2024-02-03
Also published as: GB0303003D0; GB0402282D0; GB2398305B

Abstract

A building has a damp-proof layer comprising beams 15 formed from recycled plastics material, preferably plastic bags. The beams 15 may be laid onto mastic sealant 17 on top of a concrete base 11. Bolts 14 may be used to secure the beams 15 to the base 11, preferably having counter-sunk heads 16. Gaps may be left between the beams 15 at the corners of the building for drainage eg in a stable. Brick shaped units may alternatively be used. A timber framed building is preferably attached to timber studding 18 bolted 19 onto the top of the beams 11. A conventional damp-proof course 13 may also be used.

Description

BUILDING STRUCTURES

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to building structures, particularly timber-framed buildings, but is applicable to all types of buildings.

When erecting timber-framed buildings on a concrete base, a standard dampproof course layer is normally employed, but dampness may still rise up the timber frame and water can blow in through the joint between the dampproof course layer and either the concrete base or the frame.

Problems can also be encountered if the building is, for example, a stable and the floor within the building is often covered with corrosive liquids.

Bricks may be used to raise the timber-framed building off the concrete base but, when attaching rawl-bolts to the brickwork, the bricks may be split open, rendering the building insecure.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved form of building structure.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide an improved method of damp-proofing a building.

Summarv of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a building structure having a damp-proof course comprising beams formed from recycled plastic material.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing a damp-proof course in a building that includes the use of beams formed from recycled plastic material.

The recycled plastic material preferably comprises recycled plastic bags.

The beams formed from recycled plastic material are preferably laid on top of a concrete base with a mastic sealant interposed between the lower surface of each beam and the upwardly presented surface of the concrete base.

The beams of recycled plastic material can be cut using a tungsten-tipped saw blade so that the beams can be cut to the required configuration to allow for any fall in the ground level.

If the building is a stable, openings can be left between the ends of the beams of recycled plastic material at the corners of the stable to allow for the outflow of animal urine. Equally, if the building is a stable or loose box, the leaving open of the corners of the array of beams of recycled plastic material enables water used for washing out to escape through the open corners.

The upper surfaces of the beams of recycled plastic material may be counter-sunk so that the heads of the bolts using for fixing the beams of recycled plastic material to the concrete base are below the level of the upper surfaces of the beams.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a side view of a timber-framed building, Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view showing an external wall of the building, Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view showing an internal wall of the building, and Figure 4 is a detail perspective view showing the fixing of a beam of recycled plastic material to the concrete base of the building.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The building 10 shown in the drawings is a timber-framed building for use as stables, garages or the like. It includes a concrete base 11 on top of a layer of hardcore 12 and a damp- proof course layer 13 interposed between the hardcore 12 and the concrete base 11.

A plurality of bolts 14 are embedded in the concrete base 11 with the shanks of the bolts 14 extending vertically upwardly. A plurality of beams 15 are laid on top of the concrete base 11 and the beams 15 are formed with countersunk vertical bores 16 to receive the shanks of the bolts 14, the countersinking of the bores 16 ensuring that, when the beams 15 are secured to the concrete base 11, the heads of the bolts 14 are below the upper surface of the concrete base 11. The beams 15 are produced from recycled plastic bags or other recycled plastic materials and are extremely resistant to corrosion.

Strips of a mastic sealant material 17 are interposed between the undersides of the beams 15 and the upwardly presented surface of the concrete base 11 so that, when the bolts 14 are tightened, the mastic sealant material 17 is compressed between the undersides of the beams 15 and the concrete base Once the beams 15 of recycled plastic material have been secured to the concrete base 1 l, timber studding 18 can be secured to the beams 15 by means of bolts 19 that are offset from the bolts 14 used to secure the beams 15 to the concrete base 11.

Plywood cladding 20 and outer boards 21 can then be attached to the timber studding 18, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. An internal wall 22 can similarly be attached to a beam 15 of recycled plastic material, in the manner shown in Figure 3 of the drawings.

If the building is a stable, openings can be left between the ends of the beams 15 of recycled plastic material at the corners of the stable to allow for the outflow of animal urine. Equally, if the building is a stable or loose box, the leaving open of the corners of the array of beams 15 of recycled plastic material enables water used for washing out to escape through the open corners.

The present invention can be applied to a variety of different types of buildings, for example, industrial buildings, and it is possible to replace conventional brickwork and damp-proofing material by the system described above. Brick-shaped units produced from recycled plastic material can replace conventional bricks and can be screwed into position with a strip pf sealant material between adjacent units.

Sealed joints utilising the beams or units of recycled plastic material described above can be used in, for example, a variety of farm applications, such as silage pits, slurry stores and grain stores.

Claims

J

Claims: 1. A building structure having a damp-proof course comprising beams formed from recycled plastic material.
2. A building structure as claimed in Claim 1, in which the recycled plastic material comprises recycled plastic bags.
3. A building structure as claimed in Claim 1, in which the beams formed from recycled plastic material are laid on top of a concrete base with a mastic sealant interposed between the lower surface of each beam and the upwardly presented surface of the concrete base.
4. A building structure as claimed in Claim 3, in which the upper surfaces of the beams of recycled plastic material are counter-sunk so that the heads of bolts used for fixing the beams of recycled plastic material to the concrete base are below the level of the upper surfaces of the beams.
5. A building structure as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which openings are left between the ends of the beams of recycled plastic material at the corners of the building.
6. A building structure constructed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
7. A method of providing a damp-proof course in a building that includes the use of beams formed from recycled plastic material.
8. A method as claimed in Claim 7, in which the recycled plastic material comprises recycled plastic bags.
9. A method as claimed in Claim 7, in which the beams formed from recycled plastic material are laid on top of a concrete base with a mastic sealant interposed between the lower surface of each beam and the upwardly presented surface of the concrete base.
10. A method as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 9, in which openings are left between the ends of the beams of recycled plastic material at the corners of the building.
11. A method as claimed in Claim 7, in which the upper surfaces of the beams of recycled plastic material are counter- sunk so that the heads of bolts used for fixing the beams of recycled plastic material to the concrete base are below the level of the upper surfaces of the beams.
12. A method of providing a damp-proof course in a building substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.