JPH084198A - Reinforced structure member and connecting member used together with said reinforced structure member - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enhance strength by extending a thin-plate arcuate reinforcing member between the parts near the end of one surface of an outer shell, while making it approach close to one surface of the outer shell facing at the central part. CONSTITUTION: A load bearing surface 1a, fourth surface 3, and side surfaces 5 and 6 form an outer shell. An end part 4a of an arcuate reinforcing member 4 is fitted to the end parts of side surfaces 5 and 6 so as to constitute an arch with a plane vertical to the axis of a reinforced structural member while close to the surface 1a of the outer shell facing at the central part. Furthermore, a foam material is packed in a space 2 formed of the outer shell and a reinforcing member 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a load such as a structure for supporting a pressure load in a floor load, a sidewalk load, a vehicle load, a building, a bridge, etc., a substructure, and a covering material. The present invention relates to a reinforced structural member used in a place where a carrying capacity is required and a connecting member used together with the reinforced structural member.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a structure for supporting a pressure load on a floor load, a sidewalk load, a vehicle load, a building, a bridge, etc., a substructure, and a solid member in a construction such as a covering material. Is used. Recently,
Although the use of sectioned members has also been proposed,
These are primarily box-type assembly members such as those disclosed in WO 91/06421.

[0003]

However, as described above, the conventional structure, substructure, and structure for supporting the pressure load on the floor load, the sidewalk load, the vehicle load, the building, and the bridge, and the like. Since the solid member or the box-shaped assembly member is used in the construction such as the covering material, there is a problem in strength against load due to its structure.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and is a structure for supporting a pressure load in a floor load, a sidewalk load, a vehicle load, a building, and a bridge, a substructure,
Another object of the present invention is to provide a reinforced structural member that secures the necessary strength for construction such as a covering material and ensures its safety.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, in the reinforced structural member according to claim 1, an outer frame having a substantially rectangular cross section and at least one of the outer frames. An elongated reinforced structural member having two thin plate arch-shaped reinforcing members, wherein the at least one arch-shaped reinforcing member constitutes an arch in a plane perpendicular to an axis of the reinforced structural member, and the outer frame. Of the outer frame extending between adjacent portions of one face of the outer frame and adjacent to one face of the outer frame facing each other at its central portion.

Further, in the reinforced structural member according to claim 2, the arch-shaped reinforced member extends along substantially the entire length of the reinforced structural member.

Further, in the reinforced structural member according to claim 3, the arch-shaped reinforcing member is constituted by two arch-shaped members which are arranged inside the outer frame and which are warped in opposite directions. is there.

Further, in the reinforced structural member according to claim 4, the two arch-shaped reinforcing members intersect with each other.

Further, in the reinforced structural member according to claim 5, at least one rib member extending between the concave surface of the outer frame or the arch-shaped reinforcing member and the facing surface of the outer frame. Is included.

Further, in the reinforced structural member according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a foam material filled in at least one space formed on the surface of the outer frame or between the arch-shaped reinforcing member and the outer frame. Is what you are doing.

Further, in the reinforced structural member according to claim 7, the outer frame is molded or extruded using a fiber reinforced composite material.

Further, in the reinforced structural member according to claim 8, the outer frame or the arch-shaped reinforcing member is molded or extruded by using a fiber reinforced composite member.

Further, in the reinforced structural member according to claim 9, the outer frame and the arch-shaped reinforcing member are integrally molded or extruded.

Further, in the reinforced structural member according to the tenth aspect, the outer frame and the arch-shaped reinforcing member are molded or extruded into two parts and then adhered to each other. .

Further, in the reinforced structural member according to the eleventh aspect, the two parts are adhered via an adhesive member.

Further, in the reinforced structural member according to the twelfth aspect, the outer frame includes at least one connecting portion, and another one member can be connected directly or through the connecting member. To do.

Further, in the reinforced structural member according to the thirteenth aspect, the connecting portion includes at least one engaging recess provided on at least the long side surface of the outer frame.

Further, in the reinforced structural member according to the fourteenth aspect, the connecting portion has at least one recess cut out from below on the short side surface of the outer frame.

Further, in the reinforced structural member according to the fifteenth aspect, the outer frame has at least one stick-out portion, and the elongated structural member is hung from there.

Further, in the reinforced structural member according to the sixteenth aspect, one short side surface of the reinforced structural member forms the other short side surface.

Further, in the reinforced structural member according to claim 17, the at least one reinforced structural member is laminated.

Further, in the connecting member according to the eighteenth aspect, the connecting member is basically thin plate-like and has a convex portion that engages with the engaging concave portion on the connecting portion.

Further, in the connecting member according to the nineteenth aspect, there is provided a projecting portion for engaging with the engaging recess on the reinforcing structural member.

A reinforced structural member according to a twentieth aspect has the at least one elongated structural member.

[0025]

In the reinforced structural member and the connecting member used together with the reinforced structural member according to the present invention, an outer outer frame having a basically rectangular transverse section and a thin plate arch-shaped member in at least one outer frame are provided. A reinforcing member, at least one arch-shaped reinforcing member is arch-shaped in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the reinforced structural member, and its ends are near both ends of one portion of the outer frame. To support pressure loads in floor loads, sidewalk loads, vehicle loads, buildings, and bridges, etc. by providing elongated reinforced structural members extending in the middle and close to the facing faces in their central part It is possible to secure the strength necessary for construction such as the structure, the substructure, and the covering material, and to ensure the safety.

Further, the force characteristics are improved by sufficiently transmitting the load to the bottom corners and the middle, and at the same time,
It is possible to provide a member that imparts hardness in the vertical direction and prevents local buckling of the wide upper flange and resistance to in-plane load.

Further, since the gap between the arch-shaped reinforcing member and the load bearing surface facing the arch-shaped reinforcing member is filled with the foam material and / or the rib member extending between them is used, Furthermore, the reinforcing strength can be improved.

Further, both the outer frame and the arch-shaped reinforcing member can be formed from the fiber-reinforced composite material by either molding or extruding method, thereby having a necessary strength and a lightweight member. Can be realized.

Further, when a load is applied to the load bearing surface, the load is transmitted to the bottom of the reinforced structural member via the arch-shaped reinforcing member, and the supporting member arranged at an appropriate position along the length direction of the member. Be transmitted to. In order to prevent the ends of the arched reinforcing members from spreading outward, they are fixed by one of the following two methods. That is, a flat sheet made of the same material as the rest of the outer frame is used to fix the ends of the arch-shaped reinforcing member, and the bottom of the reinforced structural member is also made of the same material, or a wire or string is used. Is a method of connecting the opposite sides of the arch-shaped reinforcing member and holding them in place by using tension members such as the above-mentioned reinforcing members at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing structural member, As a result, the arch-shaped reinforcing member that realizes the reinforcing structure can be provided in the reinforcing structural member.

In addition, a reverse arch type reinforcing member is used in order to provide better performance, especially when a large in-plane force is generated. In such cases, the reinforced structural member is
Two intersecting arch-shaped reinforcing members, one of which is warped and the other of which is warped, are used. As a result, the arch-shaped reinforcing member can be used in any of the above-mentioned methods, and when fixing the arch-shaped reinforcing member, it is always checked which method should fix the arch-shaped reinforcing member in the outer frame. There is no need.

When structural members are used in combination, floors, decks, roofs, walls, beams and columns of buildings and bridges,
And because the connecting parts are provided so that the units can be attached to each other to form other forms of structure,
Workability is significantly improved.

Further, since the suspending portion is provided so that it can be attached to the suspending means, it becomes easy to use the reinforced structural member in the bridge type.

[0033]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a reinforced structural member according to the present invention and a connecting member used together with the reinforced structural member will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that, in these drawings, similar portions are similarly denoted by reference numerals.

[First Embodiment] First, a first embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a basic structure of a reinforced structural member 1 according to the first embodiment. The reinforced structural member 1 includes a load bearing surface 1a, two side surfaces 5, 6, and a fourth surface 3, In addition, the outer frame is composed of the arch-shaped reinforcing member 4. The load applied to this structural member is transmitted to the upper surface of the arch-shaped reinforcing member 4 via the load bearing surface 1a. The load is supported by the strength of the arch of the arch-shaped reinforcing member 4, and is transmitted to the end portions 4a and 4b of the arch-shaped reinforcing member 4. When a load is applied to the arch-shaped reinforcing member 4, there is a tendency for the ends 4a and 4b to spread to the outside if they are not fixed. The force for fixing the tendency to spread to the outside holds the end portions 4a and 4b of the arch-shaped reinforcing member 4 during use of the reinforcing structural member 1, and as a result, It is provided by the fourth surface 3 which retains the shape of the arch of the arched reinforcing member 4.

The space 2 formed between the recess 8 and the load bearing surface 1a is filled with a foaming agent in order to evenly transfer the load to the arch-shaped reinforcing member 4. In the figure, 7
Is a convex portion which is the back surface of the concave portion 8.

The arch-shaped reinforcing member 4 can be formed as a single member by the outer frame (the load bearing surface 1a, the fourth surface 3, the side surface 5, the side surface 6), or can be formed separately and then the It is also possible to insert it in the outer frame. Also,
It is also possible to arrange the reinforcing members 9 in the corners of the outer frame to increase the overall hardness and strength of the reinforcing structural member 1. Further, the reinforced structural member 1 may be formed as a part of the outer frame and a part of the arch-shaped reinforcing member 4, or may be formed as a separate member and inserted into the outer frame. The outer frame and the arch-shaped reinforcing member 4 are made of a laminated structure or a single member.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. The reinforced structural member 1 may or may not be filled with the foam material in the space 2 as shown in FIG. 1, in which case, as shown in FIG. As a reinforcing member to disperse the ribs, for example, a rib member 2
1 may be used. This rib member 21 is a reinforced structural member 1.
May extend parallel to the axis of, or may extend perpendicular to the load bearing surface 1a as shown in FIG. In addition, 20 is a divided space formed by the rib member 21. Further, for example, the rib member is formed in a fan shape so that the rib member extends parallel to the axis of the reinforced structural member 1 and perpendicular to the tangent line at the intersection of the arch-shaped reinforcing member 4. May be.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described. The reinforced structural member 1 can also be used by placing them on a supporting member or suspending them by suspending means such as wires. For this purpose, the reinforced structural member 1 may be attached to such suspension means by means of suspension portions 31 and 32 formed in the reinforced structural member 1 as shown in FIG.

[Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 shows a reinforced structural member 1 constituted by two arch-shaped reinforcing members which intersect each other (including the first arch-shaped reinforcing member 4). The second arch-shaped reinforcing member 51 is curved so as to oppose the other arch-shaped reinforcing member 4. Similar to the rib member 21 shown in FIG. 2, an additional rib member 52 may be used. Similar to the above embodiment, the gap between the rib member 21 and the additional rib member 52 may be filled with a foam material. As another method, all or some of these rib members may be eliminated and a filler made of a foam material may be used as in the structure shown in the case of the single arch shown in FIG.

[Fifth Embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In use, the reinforced structural member 1 can be used with several similar members placed in close proximity thereto to form a floor, deck, or the like. They can also be constructed with proximity members that are either vertical or inclined at an angle. In order to cope with such usage, the recesses 41 to 44, which are connection portions as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, are used to facilitate connection with an adjacent structural member or an interconnection member as described below. You may do it.

[Sixth Embodiment] Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 shows that they are connected together by a connecting member 71,
7 shows an example using the member shown in FIG. The connecting member 71 has a convex portion 74 shaped to engage with the concave portion 41 provided on the reinforced structural member 1. These two connected reinforcing structural members 1 have their engaging surfaces 72
Along the interfaces 75 and 76 to the connecting member 71. Also, these connecting members 7
1 are adapted to be interconnected via web portions (not shown) extending between the ends of the reinforced structural member 1.

Then, in order to connect the reinforced structural member 1, these two members are connected until the convex portion 74 engages with the concave portion 41 so that the end faces of these members engage with the web portion. It is slid on each side of the member 71. In such a configuration, as in the configuration of the above-described embodiment, the end faces of the members are adhered to the web portion, not to each other.
In order to increase the strength of the joints, bolts may be passed over these connecting members 71 and the reinforced structural member 1 so that the connecting members 71 clamp them tightly. A place where the bolt can be used is indicated by a chain line 73 in FIG.

[Seventh Embodiment] Next, a seventh embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 shows an example of a connecting member 81 for connecting three reinforced structural members 1 of the type shown in FIG. Also in this case, each of the three reinforced structural members 1 has D
It is inserted into the V-shaped connecting member 81, and then bonded along the end surface 83, the upper surface and the lower surface 82 of the connecting member 81.

[Embodiment 8] Next, Embodiment 8 will be described. 9 (a) to 9 (d) show the various shapes which are connected by using the first connecting method and the connecting members 71 and 81. This includes the cross junction shown in FIG. 9 (a), the corner junction shown in FIG. 9 (b), the T-shaped junction shown in FIG. 9 (c), and the series junction shown in FIG. 9 (d). Series coupling) etc.

[Ninth Embodiment] Next, a ninth embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, as a connection method for the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, an overhang (ov) adapted to engage the recesses 43, 44 for fixing the connection member in the groove.
The connecting member 100 having the erhanging portion 102 is provided with the recesses 43 and 44 which are shaped as if they were cut out from below. By inserting a similar overhanging portion on the opposite side of the connecting member 100 into the groove of a recess that is cut out from under the other member, it is possible to hold the two members. These two to be connected
When the one reinforced structural member 1 engages with the connecting member 100, their end faces also come into engagement contact. Next, the contact surfaces 101 and 103 are adhered to each other to establish a permanent connection state.

[Embodiment 10] Next, Embodiment 10 will be described. Grooves 111 drilled from below similar to those on the reinforced structural member 1 for engaging the connecting member 100.
Using the interconnecting member 110 having
It is also possible to connect T in a T-shape. FIG. 11 shows a standard structure of a T-shaped connection using the connecting member 100 and the interconnecting member 110.

[Eleventh Embodiment] Next, an eleventh embodiment will be described. 12 (a) to 12 (d) use the second connection method described above and show various shapes connected using the connection member 100 and / or the interconnection member 110. This includes the cross junction shown in FIG. 12 (a), the corner junction shown in FIG. 12 (b), the T-shaped junction shown in FIG. 12 (c), and the series junction shown in FIG. 12 (d). Series coupling) etc. Thus, the use of the interconnection member 110 also allows for a variety of different configurations for joining the reinforced structural members 1.

[Embodiment 12] Next, Embodiment 12 will be described. The reinforced structural member 1 according to the invention can be constructed in many different ways. For example, the structure shown in FIG. 1 has an outer frame and an arch-shaped reinforcing member 4 configured separately from the outer frame, and the arch-shaped reinforcing member 4 is inserted into the outer frame on site. In addition, these members are molded using fiber reinforced composite members, or
It is also possible to form it once by extrusion processing.
In another manufacturing method shown in FIG. 13, the reinforced structural member 1
May be formed by two divided portions 130 and 131, and they may be directly attached to each other, or may be adhered via an adhesive member 132 as shown in FIG. An adhesive member 132 having a web portion 135 to which end faces of the divided portions 130 and 131 of the reinforced structural member 1 are joined,
And a flange member 133 that joins the inner surface 136 and the outer surface 134 of the divided portions 130 and 131 of the reinforced structural member 1, and these two divided portions 130 and 131 and the adhesive member 132 are bonded at these contact surfaces, The reinforced structural member 1 is formed.

[Embodiment 13] Next, Embodiment 13 will be described. FIG. 14 shows a multi-cell structural member composed of two arch-shaped reinforcing members 64 inside one outer frame. In this case, the number of arch-shaped reinforcing members 64 may be three or more. These arch-shaped reinforcing members 6
The 4 may be separated by a rib member as shown in FIG. Also in this case, the space 62 may be filled with the foam material, or the rib member 21 for dispersing the load may be used.

[Application field of each of the above embodiments] The reinforced structural member 1 according to each of the above embodiments can be used in various application fields. It can also be used as a structural material, a quasi-structural material, and a non-structural material. For example, it can be used as a structural or cladding material for buildings, bridges, and sidewalks.

[0051]

As described above, in the reinforced structural member and the connecting member used together with the reinforced structural member according to the present invention, the outer frame having the basically rectangular transverse cross section and at least 1 And a thin plate arch-shaped reinforcing member in one outer frame, and at least one arch-shaped reinforcing member is arch-shaped in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the reinforced structural member, and its end is Floor loads, sidewalk loads, vehicle loads, buildings, and, because of the provision of elongated reinforced structural members extending between points near the ends of one section and approaching opposite faces in its central section, It is possible to secure the strength required for construction such as structures for supporting the pressure load on bridges, substructures, and coating materials, and to ensure its safety.

Further, in the reinforced structural member according to the present invention and the connecting member used together with the reinforced structural member, the force characteristics are improved by sufficiently transmitting the load to the bottom corners and the middle, and at the same time, in the longitudinal direction. It is possible to provide a member that imparts hardness to the local upper ring and prevents local buckling of the wide upper flange and resistance to in-plane load.

Further, in the reinforced structural member and the connecting member used together with the reinforced structural member according to the present invention, the space between the arch-shaped reinforcing member and the load bearing surface facing the arch-shaped reinforcing member is foamed. Because the rib members are filled with material and / or extend between them,
Furthermore, the reinforcing strength can be improved.

Further, in the reinforced structural member according to the present invention and the connecting member used together with the reinforced structural member, both the outer frame and the arch-shaped reinforcing member are either molded from the fiber reinforced composite material or extruded. Can be formed by the method described above, and thereby a lightweight member having the required strength can be realized.

Further, in the reinforced structural member according to the present invention and the connecting member used together with the reinforced structural member, when a load is applied to the load bearing surface, the load is transferred to the bottom of the reinforced structural member via the arch-shaped reinforcing member. Is transmitted to a support placed at an appropriate position along the length of the member. In order to prevent the ends of the arched stiffeners from spreading outwards, they are either one of the following two methods:
It is fixed by one. That is, a flat sheet made of the same material as the rest of the outer frame is used to fix the ends of the arch-shaped reinforcing member, and the bottom of the reinforced structural member is also made of the same material, or a wire or string is used. Is a method of connecting the opposite sides of the arch-shaped reinforcing member and holding them in place by using tension members such as the above-mentioned reinforcing members at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing structural member, As a result, the arch-shaped reinforcing member that realizes the reinforcing structure can be provided in the reinforcing structural member.

Further, in the reinforced structural member and the connecting member used together with the reinforced structural member according to the present invention, the reverse arch type is provided in order to provide better performance especially when a large in-plane force is generated. Use a reinforcing member. In such a case, the reinforcing structural member uses two intersecting arch-shaped reinforcing members, one of which is warped and the other of which is warped. As a result, the arch-shaped reinforcing member can be used in any of the methods described above, and when fixing the arch-shaped reinforcing member, it is always checked which method should fix the arch-shaped reinforcing member in the outer frame. It is not necessary and work efficiency can be improved.

Further, in the reinforced structural member according to the present invention and the connecting member used together with the reinforced structural member, when the structural members are used in combination, floor, deck, roof, wall,
Since the connecting portions are provided so that the units can be attached to each other in order to form the beams and columns of the building and the bridge and other structures, the workability can be remarkably improved.

Further, in the reinforced structural member and the connecting member used together with the reinforced structural member according to the present invention, since the suspending portion is provided so as to be attached to the suspending means, the reinforced structural member is formed in the bridge form. It can be used easily.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a reinforced structural member according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a reinforced structural member according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a reinforced structural member according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a reinforced structural member according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a reinforced structural member according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a reinforced structural member according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a structure of a reinforced structural member according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a reinforced structural member according to Example 7.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a reinforced structural member according to Example 8.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a reinforced structural member according to Example 9.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a reinforced structural member according to Example 10.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a reinforced structural member according to Example 11.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a reinforced structural member according to Example 12.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a reinforced structural member according to Example 13.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 reinforced structural member 1a load bearing surface 2 space 4 arch type reinforcing member 7 convex part 8 concave part 20 space 21 rib member 31,32 suspension parts 41 to 43 concave part 51 second arch type reinforcing member 52 additional rib member 62 space 64 arch Mold reinforcement member 71 Connection member 74 Convex portion 81 Connection member 100 Connection member 110 Interconnection member 132 Adhesive member

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. An outer frame having a substantially rectangular cross section,
An elongated reinforced structural member having at least one thin plate arch-shaped reinforcing member in the outer frame, wherein the at least one arch-shaped reinforcing member constitutes an arch in a plane perpendicular to an axis of the reinforced structural member. And a reinforced structural member that extends between portions of the outer frame near one end of the outer frame and is close to one of the opposite faces of the outer frame at a central portion thereof. 2. The reinforced structural member according to claim 1, wherein the arched reinforcing member extends along substantially the entire length of the reinforced structural member. 3. The reinforced structural member according to claim 1, wherein the arch-shaped reinforcing member is composed of two arch-shaped members that are arranged inside the outer frame and are warped in opposite directions. . 4. The reinforced structural member according to claim 3, wherein the two arch-shaped reinforcing members intersect each other. 5. At least one rib member extending between the concave surface of the outer frame or the arch-shaped reinforcing member and the facing surface of the outer frame is included. 4. The reinforced structural member according to any one of 4. 6. A foam material filled in at least one space formed between the outer frame and the surface of the outer frame or between the arch-shaped reinforcing member and the outer frame.
The reinforced structural member according to any one of 1. 7. The reinforced structural member according to claim 1, wherein the outer frame is molded or extruded using a fiber reinforced composite material. 8. The outer frame or arch-shaped reinforcing member,
The reinforced structural member according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is molded or extruded using a fiber reinforced composite member. 9. The reinforced structural member according to claim 1, wherein the outer frame and the arch-shaped reinforcing member are integrally molded or extruded. 10. The outer frame and the arch-shaped reinforcing member,
The molded or extruded parts are divided into two parts, which are then adhered to each other.
The reinforced structural member according to any one of 1. 11. The reinforced structural member according to claim 10, wherein the two parts are adhered via an adhesive member. 12. The outer frame includes at least one connecting portion so that another one member can be connected directly or via the connecting member.
Reinforcement structure member given in any 1 paragraph of ~ 12. 13. The reinforced structural member according to claim 12, wherein the connecting portion includes at least one engaging recess provided on at least a long side surface of the outer frame. 14. The reinforced structural member according to claim 12, wherein the connecting portion has at least one recess cut out from below on a short side surface of the outer frame. 15. The reinforced structural member according to claim 1, wherein the outer frame has at least one stick-out portion from which the elongated structural member is hung. . 16. The reinforced structural member according to claim 1, wherein one short side surface of the reinforced structural member forms the other short side surface. 17. The at least one reinforced structural member is laminated.
16. The reinforced structural member according to any one of 16. 18. A connecting member for use with a reinforced structural member according to claim 13, which is basically thin plate-like and has a convex portion that engages with an engaging concave portion on the connecting portion. 19. A connecting member for use with a reinforced structural member according to claim 14, wherein the connection member has a projecting portion for engaging with an engaging recess on the reinforced structural member. 20. A reinforced structural member according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises said at least one elongated structural member.