GB2473834A - Construction frame comprising an upright, transverse arm and bracing member - Google Patents

Abstract

A construction frame for a building comprises an upright 11 a transverse arm 12 and a brace 13 in one quadrant. One side of the arm is longer than the other, and several frames can be joined at a hub in an arcuate array to form a self supporting building skeleton. The skeleton has a very small footprint and is suitable for forming buildings on a flood plain.

Description

Construction Frame

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a construction frame particularly though not exclusively for a domestic dwelling.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The ever expanding human population requires housing, In developed countries, the size of each family unit is reducing so that even with a stable population the required number of dwellings increases year by year. Most people prefer to live close to urban settlements, where shops and services are readily available; however building land in such settlements is limited and expensive. Moreover, zoning by government planners may further restrict the availability of suitable land because, for example, some areas are required for recreation.

Most urban settlements are, for historical reasons, located close to rivers. Typically a flood plain will be located adjacent the river, and upon which housing is generally not desirable. Thus much land which would be convenient for housing is rendered unsuitable by the risk of occasional flooding.

An additional problem is that legislation may require preservation of the flood plain, so that building is strictly prohibited since each conventional building will reduce the available area for flooding.

Accordingly a solution is required which will permit buildings, in particular dwellings, to be constructed on the flood plain with minimum footprint, yet be desirable, inexpensive and aesthetically pleasing. Preferably such buildings should be able to be easily scaled to different sizes and proportions, be modular, and be able to be constructed using normal machinery and averagely skilled staff having knowledge of general construction techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a construction frame for a building, and comprising an upright defining a foot at one end, a transverse arm extending across said upright, and having one side protruding substantially more than the other, and a brace extending upwardly from said foot to substantially the mid-point of said one side.

Such a frame has a low mass, and can readily be constructed of e.g. wood or steel using conventional techniques. The brace is preferably concave so as to minimize encroachment into the space beneath said one side.

Frames according to the invention are adapted to be arranged in an arcuate array with the respective other sides joined together at a hub. In a preferred embodiment the array is circular and five or more frames are arranged in an equi-spaced manner.

Whereas an individual frame is not free standing, an assembly of three or more frames is self-supporting and can define a substantial floor area across the top of the arms, with minimal footprint.

In the alternative frames may be placed oppositely in pairs, and several pairs placed in parallel and joined by a spine between the ends of the short sides of the transverse arms.

An assembly of frames is preferably further connected and rigidified by flooring attached between frames to the upper side of the transverse arms.

In the case of an arcuate group of five or more frames, a single central floor area can be provided at the hub within a polygonal envelope defined by the uprights, and a circumferential array of trapezoidal floor areas can be defined radially outside said polygonal envelope.

Preferably a plurality of equal frames are joined at a hub to provide a building frame for a substantially polygonal building raised above the ground.

It is envisaged that such frames may comprise glued laminated timber structures joined at a hub by one or more metal brackets, or by a plate substantially covering the floor envelope defined within the uprights. The upright may pierce the transverse arm, and provide a ledge for support thereof.

In a preferred embodiment the upright of each frame also comprises a support for a cantilevered roof centred on the hub. In one embodiment the roof is in the form of an upturned saucer resting on the tops of an array of uprights, but having no central support at the apex.

Within the building structure defined by the invention, rooms may be constructed.

The entire circumference is available for windows, and light may be arranged to pass to the hub via roof lights or the like.

The modular nature of such a building facilitates construction by the use of modular in-fill panels for walls and floors.

The uprights may include one or more service voids whereby utilities are connected to the structure in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Such utilities may easily be placed in different uprights so that risk is minimized. Thus fresh water, gas electricity, and waste water may each have a dedicated upright. The central floor area within the uprights preferably defines a services void whereby services may be routed horizontally to the intended location. Services may also be routed vertically to one or more upper floors.

According to a second aspect the invention comprises a modular building comprising a plurality of frames according to the first aspect, each frame being connected by respective transverse arms at a hub, Preferably said building is polygonal, and most preferably octagonal.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of constructing a raised dwelling, and comprising the steps of connecting a plurality of frames according to the first aspect at a hub. Preferably said frames are connected in a regular arcuate array, and most preferably in an equi-spaced circular array.

A building according to the invention can be scaled in a transverse direction so as to provide a dwelling having a floor area within the normal range of 100 m2 -300 m2.

Furthermore several such buildings may be connected at the periphery to form a single large structure, and moreover adjacent buildings need not be of the same transverse dimension. Thus a large octagonal building may be connected directly to a small pentagonal building, so as to define for example a granny annex.

Modular connected buildings according to the invention may also be arranged in straight lines, curves, waves and circles with external access being provided by a peripheral deck or walkway. Extension of a building according to the invention may be made independently of the base structure, by simply assembling additional frame alongside.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a frame according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a transverse section through one side of a building constructed with the frame of Fig. 1, and illustrating other constructional elements.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the floor area of an octagonal building constructed using a plurality of frames as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a complete single storey building corresponding to Fig. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to Figs. I and 2 a construction frame (10) comprises an upright (11), a transverse arm (12) and a brace (13). The frame is preferably of wood, and may be a glued lamination or of other engineered timber form.

As illustrated, the arm (12) comprises a long (outer) portion (14) and a short (inner) portion (15), having a length ratio of around 3:1. The brace (13) is concave so as not to encroach unduly upon the space below the long arm and extends from the foot (16) to approximately the mid-portion of the long ann portion (14).

The upright (11) extends above the transverse arm to form the support for an upper floor or roof structure (20), as illustrated in Fig. 2. The structure (20) is shown in dotted outline and is preferably a pre-fabricated unit comprises joists (21), rafters (22) and cross-bracing (23). In use a plurality of roof sections can be joined at the central upright axis to provide a complete roof in the form of an upturned saucer. Such a roof may be lifted by crane at the apex.

As will be understood, the frame (10) comprises a strong self-contained assembly which is triangulated by the brace (13) so as to be resistant to distortion during transport and assembly. The brace (13) lies in a quadrant where floor space is unobstructed (i.e. above the transverse arm (12)), and access to services is not obstructed, (i.e. at the radially inner underside of the transverse arm (12)).

Furthermore by placing the brace at the outside underside quadrant, connection of a plurality of frames at a central hub is not impeded.

Fig. 3 shows the floor plan of a typical single floor building assembled using eight equi-spaced frames (10) of the kind illustrated in Figs. I and 2. The frames are connected at a single hub (30), and require no further support in order to provide a strong rigid skeleton upon which further building elements may be installed. As mentioned above, a single saucer-like roof can be placed on the circular array of uprights(11).

Foundations for the frame may be in the form of individual piles, a ring beam, or any other suitable form. What is important however is that encroachment upon the flood plain is minimal.

The approximately triangular spaces defined radially outside the upright are flexible, and non-structural walls can be erected as necessary. As illustrated these spaces comprise a living room (31), dining area (32), kitchen (33), bedrooms (34, 35, 36), bathroom (37) and entrance lobby/cloakroom (38).

En-suite facilitates can be provided as necessary, and the room shapes need not follow the triangular form defined by the adjacent frames, as in clear from the internal walls of one bedroom (36).

The uprights (11) conveniently provided support for partition walls in a partly octagonal form, and allow the living space to extend inwards across the central hub, as illustrated. Heating, for example including a suspended open fire may be provided at the hub with a flue extending upwardly at the centre.

Windows (41) are provided at the exterior, as necessary and without structural limitation. Such windows may be full width and height, as illustrated at (42).

The transverse arms may further support an external walkway or deck (43) to which stairs (44) provide access. Roof lights (45) provide light to the inner part of the building.

It will be understood that the flooring of the building is fixed to the transverse arms (12), and significantly increases lateral rigidity of the assembled frame skeleton.

Fig. 4 illustrates a typical single storey dwelling consisting of a circular array of frames according to the invention. The uprights may be vertical, or may angle inwardly as illustrated to further increase frame stability.

Claims (10)

1. Claims 1. A construction frame for a building, and comprising an upright defining a foot at one end, a transverse arm extending across said upright above said foot, said arm extending substantially more on one side than the other, and a brace extending upwardly from said foot to substantially the mid-point of said arm.
2. 2. A frame according to claim 1, wherein said brace is concave.
3. 3. A frame according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said upright, arm and brace each comprise longitudinal members.
4. 4. A frame according to claim 3, wherein said members are composed substantially of wood.
5. 5. A frame according to any preceding claim, wherein said upright extends substantially beyond said arm to provide a roof support.
6. 6. A building skeleton comprising a plurality of frames according to any of claims 1-5, the arms of said frames being joined at a hub, and said frames being arranged arcuately about said hub.
7. 7. A skeleton according to claim 6, wherein said frames are in a circular array about the hub.
8. 8. A skeleton according to claim 7, wherein said frames are equi-spaced.
9. 9. A skeleton according to claim 7 or claim 8, and including a floor above said arms and attached thereto to laterally fixed at least two adjacent arms.
10. 10. A building comprising a skeleton according to any of claims 6-9.