GB836777A - An improved structural element - Google Patents

Abstract

836,777. Structural metallic panels. HAMILTON, W. June 28, 1956 [March 28, 1955], No. 8945/55. Class 20(2) A metallic hollow panel Unit for structural purposes comprises upper and lower longitudinally extending sheets 11, Fig. 1, of material in spaced relationship, transverse stiffening means 12 between the sheets and connected to them, and a pair of longitudinally extending side panels 40 which have an open framework, and which are connected to the stiffening means 12 and to the sheets and extend between and adjacent to the outer longitudinal edges of the sheets, the upper sheet being provided with corrugations extending longitudinally thereof. The lower sheet 11 may be corrugated similarly to the upper sheet 11. The stiffening means 12 may be arranged at right angles to the corrugations and may be formed in two parts each secured to one of the sheets 11 and spaced apart from one another. The side panels 40 may each comprise a pair of stringers 13 tied together by braces 26 or by plates 27, Fig. 4, which embody thermally insulating sections 29. The stringers 13 may be secured to the stiffening means 12 by interlocking portions 24, Fig. 4, thereof. The depth of the side panels 40 may be greater at the middle than at the ends. The various parts of the panel unit may be secured together by spot-welding or by an adhesive. The invention is applicable to roofs, walls, partitions, sliding doors and the like. The panel may be anchored to its supports 32 by means of tubes 33 of trapezium section welded to the lower sheet 11, each having a slot 34 to receive a fixing screw 35 in a manner permitting relative sliding movement under expansion and contraction of the panel.