GB2444327A

GB2444327A - Multi-part column assembly for a building structure

Info

Publication number: GB2444327A
Application number: GB0624037A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerrard Cox; David Hilton Cunliffe
Original assignee: CONDER STRUCTURES Ltd
Current assignee: CONDER STRUCTURES Ltd
Priority date: 2006-12-01
Filing date: 2006-12-01
Publication date: 2008-06-04
Also published as: GB0624037D0

Abstract

A column assembly 10 includes a head part 12 and a plurality of vertical column members 14, each of which has a foot part 18. The column members are preferably spaced apart in a horizontal direction and are connected together by connector members 20, 22. At least 2 connector members may be provided which extend at an angle to the column members and to each other. The head part preferably includes a first engaging part 32 which engages an upper structure (i.e. horizontal beam) 30 and may include a plurality of second engaging parts 40, 42. A building structure is also claimed, which preferably comprises at least 3 rows of spaced columns 10. Upper members (i.e. beams) preferably extend between column heads.

Description

* 2444327

I

Column Assembly The present invention relates to a column assembly, particularly but not exclusively a column assembly for a building structure.

Typically a building such as a warehouse, factory or barn is constructed of a plurality of columns which support a roof structure, the roof structure comprising a plurality of roof members which extend between the columns. Typically the columns are arranged in rows and correspond in number and position, and the roof members extend between the corresponding columns of neighbouring rows. In one example of a method of construction, known as portal frame construction, the connections between the roof members and columns are arranged to be moment resistant, so that horizontal forces acting along the longitudinal axis of the roof members are transmitted through the columns to the foundation as relatively simple horizontal and vertical forces, enabling simple, relatively cheap foundations.

However, portal frames and other structures, while being resistant to horizontal forces along the longitudinal axis of the roof member, require bracing along a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of the roof member.

Typically, such bracing is provided by diagonal bracing members or by auxiliary frames extending between neighbouring columns. In either of these cases, the extra bracing members or frames required restrict the available space in the building.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a column assembly for a building structure, the column assembly including a head part and a plurality of column members which support the head part, each column member having a foot part through which forces are transmitted in use to a foundation, the column assembly including connecting means for connecting the column members together.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a building structure, the building structure including a column assembly, the column assembly including a head part and a plurality of column members which support the head part, each column member having a foot part through which forces are transmitted in use to a foundation, the column assembly including connecting means for connecting the column members together.

Possibly, the column assembly is arranged so that a horizontal force imposed in use on the head part is transmitted through each of the foot parts substantially as simple horizontal and vertical forces.

Possible, the column members are spaced apart along a first direction.

Possibly, the horizontal force is imposed substantially along or parallel to the first direction.

Possibly, the connecting means includes a plurality of connector members which may extend between the column members.

Possibly, each column assembly includes at least two connecting members, each of which are orientated at an oblique first angle to the column members and at a second angle relative to each other. Possibly, the first angle is in the region of 25 to 65 , and more possibly is in the region of 40 to 500, and may be substantially 45 . Possibly, the second angle is in the region of 50 to 1300, more possibly is in the region of 80 to 1000, and may be substantially 900.

Possibly, the head part includes a first engaging part, which in use may engage an upper structure, and may be arranged to transmit both the horizontal force and vertical forces from the upper structure to the column assembly. Possibly, the head part includes only one first engaging part.

Possibly, the head part includes a second engaging part, which in use may engage the upper structure, and may be arranged to transmit only the horizontal force from the upper structure to the column assembly. Possibly, the head part includes a plurality of second engaging parts.

Possibly the building structure includes a plurality of spaced columns, which may be arranged in substantially parallel rows. Possibly, the rows extend along a longitudinal direction which may be substantially the same as or parallel to the first direction.

Possibly, the building structure includes at least three rows, so that there are two outer rows and one or more inner rows. Possibly, the columns in each row correspond in number and position.

Possibly, the building structure includes an upper structure, which may include a plurality of upper members. Possibly, each upper member extends between the corresponding columns of neighbouring rows.

Possibly, at least one column of the or one of the inner rows is a column assembly.

Possibly, the building includes a plurality of column assemblies, which are positioned along one or more of the inner rows, and may be spaced from each other.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of constructing a building, the method including the step of providing a column assembly according to any of the preceding paragraphs.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Fig. 1 is a side view of a column assembly according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view of the column assembly of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of part of a column assembly similar to that of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a still further enlarged view of part of the column assembly of Fig 3 as indicated by the circle labelled IV in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is sectional plan view of part of the column assembly of Fig 4: Fig. 6 is a side view of another column assembly according to the present invention; Fig. 7 is a sectional plan view of the column assembly of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a perspective schematic view of a building structure according to the present invention; Fig. 9 is a perspective schematic view of another building structure according to the present invention; and Fig. 10 is a perspective schematic view of another building structure according to the present invention.

Figs. 1 and 2 show a column assembly 10 according to the present invention, the column assembly 10 including a head part 12 and a plurality of column members 14 which support the head part 12, the column members 14 being spaced apart along a first direction 16. Each column member 14 includes a foot part 18. Connecting means in the form of a plurality of connector members 20, 22 extends between the column members 14.

In the example shown in Fig. 1, the column assembly 10 comprises three equi-spaced, substantially similar I-section column members 14 formed of steel, which could be hot rolled, each I-section column member 14 comprising a pair of flanges 50 and a web 52 extending between the flanges 50. The connector members 20, 22 extend between the three column members 14 on the outside of the flanges 50 as shown in Fig. 2. The connector members 20, 22 could be hot rolled steel angle members, or cold or hot rolled tubular members.

The connector members 20, 22 are of two types. First connector members 20 extend at a first angle 24 to the column members 14 and at a second angle 26 relative to each other. In one example the first angle 24 could be in the region of 25 to 65 , more preferably is in the region of 40 to 50 and could be 450, and the second angle 26 could be in the region of 50 to 130 , more preferably is in the region of 80 -1000 and could be 90 .

Second connector member 22 extends between the head ends of the column members 14 substantially at 90 to the column members 14.

Each foot part 18 includes a foot plate 19 which defines holes (not shown) through which in use connectors such as bolts or studs extend into a building foundation 28 which could be formed of concrete.

The connector members 20, 22 could be fixed to the flanges 50 of the column members 14 by any suitable method such as welding or by fasteners such as bolts or studs.

Figs. 3 -5 show a head part 12 of a column assembly 10 similar to that shown in Figs. I and 2 in enlarged detail. The head part 12 includes a first engaging part 32 which is formed by the head end of the middle column member 14A which extends upwardly beyond the head ends of the outer column members 14B. In use an upper member in the form of a roof beam 30, which is part of an upper structure such as a roof structure of a building, engages the first engaging part 32 as follows. The roof beam 30 comprises a pair of roof beam members 30A, 30B, each of which includes an end plate 34. The end plates 34 and the web 52 of the middle column member 14A each define holes 35. The roof beam members 30A, 306 are positioned so that the end plates 34 abut each side of the web 52 of the middle column member 14A. Other structure members (not shown) could extend laterally from the first engaging part 32. Fasteners in the form of bolts 36 are located through holes 35 in the end plates 34 and the web 52 to secure the roof beam members 30A, 30B to the middle column member 14A. This arrangement permits the transmission of both a horizontal force imposed along the first direction 16 (i.e. along the roof beam 30) and substantially vertical forces from the upper structure to the column assembly 10.

The head part 12 includes a second engaging part 40 which is formed by the head end of each of the outer column members 14B. Each second engaging part 40 as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 comprises a hole 46 defined in the web 52 of each of the outer column members 14B. As shown in Fig. 5, the second engaging part 40 includes a shaped channel section member 42 which extends between each of the roof beam members 30A, 30B and the head end of each of the corresponding outer column members 14B. In this example the channel section member 42 is C-shaped but other shapes are possible such as I-or H-shapes. Each C-shaped channel section member 42 defines a slot 44. A fastener such as a bolt is located through each hole 46 and corresponding slot 44 to fasten each of the channel section members 42 to its respective outer column member 14B. Each C-shaped member 42 could be fixed to the respective roof beam member 30A, 30B by any convenient means, such as, for example, by welding. In this arrangement, the slots 44 do not permit the transmission of vertical forces from the roof beam members 30A, 30B to the outer column members 14B, but only permit the transmission of the horizontal force.

It will be noted that the arrangements of Figs. I to 2 and Figs. 3 to 5 are the same except that in Figs. 1 and 2 the C-section members 42 abut the outer faces of the webs 52, and in Figs. 3 to 5 the C-section members 42 abut the inner faces of the webs 52.

The arrangement of the single first engaging part 32 and the second engaging parts 42 transmits the dead and imposed loads as follows.

Substantially all of the vertical dead and imposed loads are transmitted down the middle column member 14A alone. The imposed horizontal forces are transmitted through the first and/or second engaging parts 32, 42 and distributed to the outer column members 14B. This distribution generates vertical forces in the outer column members 14B via the connector members 20, 22.

In one example, the middle column member 14A forms the neutral axis, and the main transmission of force is through the outer column members 14B. The outer column members 14B could be arranged independently of the inner column member 14A, so that there is no transmission of force between the inner and outer column members 14A, 14B, the connectors 20, 22 extending between the outer column members 14B and not being connected to the inner column member 14A.

The arrangement of the first and second engaging parts, the column members 14 and the first and second connector members 20, 22 serves to transmit the horizontal forces imposed at the head part 12 of the assembly 10 through the foot parts 18 to the foundations 28 as simple horizontal and vertical forces, which thus permit the use of relatively simple foundations.

In general, the length of the column assembly in the first direction should be maximised to maximise the load carrying capacity of the assembly.

In practice, the length is limited by space requirements. In one example, the ratio of column assembly length to column assembly height could be at least 1:15 and optimally could be at least 1:10.

Fig. 8 shows a building structure 60 according to the invention. The building structure 60 comprises a plurality of spaced columns 62, which are arranged in substantially parallel rows. In the example shown in Fig. 8, there are three rows of columns, two rows of outer columns 62A and one row of inner columns 62B. The columns in each of the rows correspond in number and position. The building structure 60 comprises a roof structure comprising a plurality of roof members 64, each roof member extending between corresponding columns 62A, 62B of neighbouring rows.

In a conventional building structure, each of the columns 62 typically comprises a single I-shaped section column member. In the example shown in Fig. 8, one of the inner columns 62B has been replaced by a column assembly 10, the column assembly 10 being orientated so that the first direction 16 is aligned along the longitudinal direction of the rows. In this orientation, the column assembly 10 provides bracing to the building structure to resist horizontal loadings imposed upon the building structure 60 along the first direction 16. However, in contrast to conventional methods of bracing in this direction, the column assembly 10 is relatively compact, and efficient in material utilisation and construction time. The column assembly consumes relatively little space, so that accessibility is enhanced relative to conventional bracing or auxiliary frame construction.

In principle, the column assembly 10 of the invention could be used in any column position in any of the rows. However full height access is generally not required between columns 62A of the outer rows and therefore traditional bracing methods can be utilised in the outer rows. Generally, therefore, the column assembly 10 will be positioned in an inner row.

However, the position and number of the column assembly or assemblies can be varied as required according to the size and design of the building structure.

Fig. 9 shows another building structure 160 according to the invention, in which the column assembly 10 is positioned in one of the inner column 62B positions but at an end of the inner row. In this example, it will be noted that in comparison with the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 to 7, there is only one roof beam member engaging the head part. In one example, a column assembly 10 in the end position could comprise of only two columns, a first column member 14A and a second column member 14B, the first column member 14A being similar to the middle column member 14A previously described, and the second column member 14B being similar to the outer column member 14B previously described, the first column member 14A being positioned for example on the outside of the second column member 14B.

Fig. 10 shows a larger building structure 260 having two rows of inner columns 62B with a total of six column assemblies 10 in column positions in the inner rows. In both Figs. 9 and 10, the column assemblies 10 are orientated so that the first direction 16 is aligned along the longitudinal direction of the inner rows.

Figs. 6 and 7 show an alternative embodiment of a column assembly according to the present invention. Many details of this embodiment are the same as or similar to those previously described in relation to the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 -5 and therefore only the differences will be described. The column assembly 110 again includes three column members, an inner column 1 14A positioned between two outer columns 1 14B, and connecting means in the form of a plurality of connector members 20, 22 extending between the three columns 1 14A, 1 14B. However, in this embodiment the inner column 1 14A is somewhat larger in width as shown in Figs. 7 than the two outer columns 1 14B, and the connector members 20, 22 extend between the web 52 of one of the outer columns 114B to a web 53 of the inner column 1 14A. The alternative configuration of column sizes and arrangement of connector members permits different space and loading charactenstics to be achieved.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The column assembly could comprise any suitable number of column members, which could be of any suitable size and shape.

For example, a column assembly could include two column members, which could correspond to the outer column members of Figs. 1 to 7. The two outer column members could be provided on the same side of the inner column member. The connecting means could be of any suitable size and shape, and could include any suitable number of connector members in any suitable orientation. The connector members could be arranged substantially at 900 to the column members. In another example, the connecting means could include a single connector member in the form of a web extending between the column members. The building structure could include any suitable number of column assemblies, in any suitable position.

The head parts and foot parts could be of any suitable design.

The first and second engaging parts could be arranged to transmit the loads differently. For example, the second engaging parts 42 could be arranged to transmit vertical loads. The column assembly could be arranged to transmit horizontal and vertical forces and bending moments to the foundation.

There is thus provided a column assembly suitable for use in a building structure to provide bracing in a longitudinal direction while reducing the loss of accessibility inherent in conventional bracing methods. The column assemblies are relatively economical in both material requirement and fabrication requirement, and yet provide the designer of the building structure with a way of utilising more fully the space envelope of the building.

Whilst endeavounng in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims 1 A column assembly for a building structure, the column

assembly including a head part and a plurality of column members which support the head part, each column member having a foot part through which forces are transmitted in use to a foundation, the column assembly including connecting means for connecting the column members together 2 A column assembly according to claim 1, in which the column assembly is arranged so that a horizontal force imposed in use on the head part is transmitted through each of the foot parts substantially as simple horizontal and vertical forces.

3 A column assembly according to claims I or 2, in which the column members are spaced apart along a first direction.

4 A column assembly according to claim 3 when dependent on claim 2, in which the horizontal force is imposed substantially along or parallel to the first direction.

A column assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the connecting means includes a plurality of connector members which extend between the column members.

6 A column assembly according to claim 5, in which the connecting means includes at least two connector members, each of which are orientated at an oblique first angle to the column members and at a second angle relative to each other.

7 A column assembly according to claim 6, in which the first angle is in the region of 25 to 65 .

8 A column assembly according to claim 7, in which the first angle is in the region of 400 to 50 .

9 A column assembly according to any of claims 6 to 8, in which the second angle is in the region of 500 to 1300.

A column assembly according to claim 9, in which the second angle is in the region of 80 to 1000.

11 A column assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the head part includes a first engaging part, which in use engages an upper structure, and is arranged to transmit both horizontal force and vertical forces from the upper structure to the column assembly.

12 A column assembly according to claim 11, in which the head part includes only one first engaging part.

13 A column assembly according to any of the preceding claims, in which the head part includes a second engaging part, which in use engages an upper structure, and is arranged to transmit only a horizontal force from the upper structure to the column assembly.

14 A column assembly according to claim 13, in which the head part includes a plurality of second engaging parts.

A building structure, the building structure including a column assembly, the column assembly including a head part and a plurality of column members which support the head part, each column member having a foot part through which forces are transmitted in use to a foundation, the column assembly including connecting means for connecting the column members together.

16 A building structure according to claim 15, in which the column assembly is according to any of claims I to 14.

17 A building structure according to claims 15 or 16, in which the building structure includes a plurality of spaced columns.

18 A building structure according to claim 17, in which the spaced columns are arranged in substantially parallel rows, which extend along a longitudinal direction which is substantially the same as or parallel to the first direction.

19 A building structure according to claim 18, in which the building structure includes at least three rows, so that there are two outer rows and one or more inner rows, and the columns in each row correspond in number and position A building structure according to claims 18 or 19, in which the building structure includes an upper structure which includes a plurality of upper members, and each upper member extends between the corresponding columns of neighbouring rows.

21 A building structure according to any of claims 18 to 20, in which at least one column of the or one of the inner rows is a column assembly.

22 A building structure according to claim 21, in which the building includes a plurality of column assemblies, which are positioned along one or more of the inner rows, and are spaced from each other 23 A method of constructing a building, the method including the step of providing a column assembly according to any of claims 1 to 14.

24 A column assembly substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A building structure substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

27 Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.