MX2011003007A

MX2011003007A - Unitised building system.

Info

Publication number: MX2011003007A
Application number: MX2011003007A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Epaminondas Katsalidis
Original assignee: Ekco Patent & Ip Holdings Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-09-18
Filing date: 2009-09-18
Publication date: 2011-06-27
Also published as: IL211773A; WO2010031129A1; AP2011005661A0; EP2329083A4; CN102216539B; BRPI0918934A2; RU2011115137A; RU2518580C2; IL211773A0; AU2009295271A1; CL2011000546A1; EP2329083A1; JP5643205B2; AR073616A1; CN102216539A; CA2737725A1; TW201022503A; ZA201102039B; AU2016206222B2; JP2012503116A

Abstract

The invention provides a method of building a building having a plurality of levels using. The building includes a plurality of building unit assemblies (2) wherein each building unit assembly is structurally self supporting and has at least one sidewall (4), a floor (8) and a roof (10), the method including the steps of: lifting the building unit assemblies (2) into position in the building so that each level of the building includes a predetermined number of units (2); connecting adjacent units (2) to one another in each level; and connecting units (2) in one level to corresponding units in at least one adjacent level that is vertically above or below the one level. In one form the building unit assembly (2) includes a building unit including two sidewalls (4) and (6) floor (8) and roof (10) with structural frame segments (16, 18, 20, 22) attached thereto.

Description

THEME OF CONSTRUCTION OF MODULAR UNITS FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a construction system. The invention will be described with respect to the construction of the high-rise constructions, however aspects of the invention will find application outside this field and the invention should not be considered to be limited to the exemplary field of use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There have been many proposals to use prefabricated construction methodologies to allow the economic and rapid construction of buildings. Examples of prefabricated modular systems include those disclosed in the following prior art documents: US Pat. No. 6,625,937; US 5,706,614; US 4,120,133; US 6,826,879; US 4,045,937; US 5,402,608; US 4,807,401; US 4,545,159 and WO 2005/038155.

In general, however, the prefabricated systems that have been proposed are suitable only for single-story buildings, or for low-rise buildings and are, in general, modular in their approach, so that there is an inherent inflexibility which limits its application.

It is an object of the invention to provide a non-modular and flexible system of constructions that is capable of being used to construct high-rise buildings. For high rise buildings it is contemplated that there would be four or more levels above ground level. Although the clearly similar techniques can be applied to buildings of a lower height without departing from the present invention, it is an object of another aspect of the present invention to provide improved techniques for interconnecting the units used in the construction of a building.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for constructing a building having a plurality of levels, which utilizes a plurality of the assemblies of the building unit, wherein each assembly of the building unit is structurally self-supporting and has At least one side wall, one floor and one roof, the method includes the steps of: lifting the assemblies of the building unit to the position in the building, so that each level of the building includes a predetermined number of units; connect the units adjacent to each other in each level; and connecting the units on a level to the corresponding units on, at least, an adjacent level that is vertically above or below the level.

The method may further include, constructing at least one center; and connecting the units that are adjacent from one center to another center, the arrangement being such that vertical loads between adjacent levels are transmitted mainly by assemblies of the building units and lateral loads are transmitted to the center.

The method may include; further: adhering structural frame segments to at least one side wall of a building unit to form an assembly of the building unit; and stacking the assemblies of the building unit with the terminal to form the building levels with the segments of; structural frame at a level to be aligned vertically with the structural frame segments at, at least one adjacent level, where, substantially, all the vertical load of the assemblies of the building unit is transmitted through the frame segments structural.

In some embodiments the lateral loads are supported by the construction units.

In some embodiments the lateral loads are supported by one or more centers.

The method may further include the step of providing the upper and lower connecting plates on the top and bottom of each of the structural frame segments and using adjustment means to connect the upper and lower plates of the frame segments together that are vertically adjacent to each other.

In some embodiments, the structural frame segments are adhered to the side wall of a building unit, such that, when the building unit is placed laterally adjacent to another structural frame segment in a predetermined relative alignment, a segment of structural frame, an assembly of the building unit is located side by side with a structural frame segment in the laterally adjacent assembly of the building unit; and the method may include the step of connecting together the structural frame segments that are located side by side with each other.

In some embodiments, the step of connecting the units at a level to the corresponding units at a vertically adjacent level, includes the step of connecting the upper portions of the 1 structural frame segments at lower levels to the lower part of the segments of framework, structural higher levels.

The method may include the step of mounting the upper and lower connecting plates to the upper part of the lower terminals of said column elements respectively; and connecting together the upper connecting plates of the structural frame segments that are located side by side with each other.

The method may include the step of connecting the plates of the upper parts > of the structural frame segments that are located side by side to each other, to one of the lower connecting plates of the structural frame segments located side by side on each other at the next higher level.

The method may include the step of attaching another lower connecting plate between the vertically adjacent upper connecting plates, by means of an elongate clamping rod.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a building having a plurality of levels, the building includes: a plurality of the assemblies of the building construction units, each of which is structurally self-supporting and has at least one side wall, a floor and a roof, - and structural frame segments adhered to, at least, a side wall thereof, the groups of the assemblies of the building unit being stacked to form the levels in the construction and where the Building unit assemblies are stacked with the structural frame segments at a level to be vertically aligned with the structural frame segments, at least, at an adjacent level, where, substantially, all vertical loads are transmitted through the structural frame segments and the lateral loads are supported by the assemblies of the construction unit.

In some embodiments the building may further include a center, and the groups of the assemblies of the building unit may be disposed near the center and connected therein, so that the vertical loads between the adjacent levels are transmitted mainly by the assemblies. of the construction unit before the center.

In some embodiments, the construction further includes one or more elongate connection means extended between an upper portion of a first corresponding structural frame segment adhered to a construction unit, at a higher level, to a second vertically aligned structural frame segment. , adhered to an assembly of the building unit on another level, in such a way, that the upper part of the first construction element can be connected by said elongated connection means to the upper part of the second structural frame segment.

In some embodiments the plurality of levels includes at least one construction unit assembly placed in a first orientation and at least one second assembly of the construction unit positioned orthogonally to said first orientation, such that said unit assemblies of construction in the first and second orthogonal orientations act as reinforcements to support lateral loads.

In some embodiments the terminals of the elements of the column have mounting means connected therein, whereby, the mounting means and the structural frame segments can be connected to the adjacent plates of the structural frame segments vertically from above or below that segment of structural framework.

In some embodiments, the mounting means includes the upper and lower connecting plates, and the location of the structural frame segments relative to the building unit to which they are connected may be such that, within; one level of the building, at least some structural frame segments of the adjacent building unit assemblies, are located in pairs side by side with each other and where at least one of the lower connecting plates of a segment of structural frame of an additional assembly of the building unit stacked in one of said adjacent assemblies of the building unit, lies on at least the upper connecting plates of said pair, where at least one, plate The lower connection may be connected to that location and, accordingly, connect together said adjacent building unit assemblies and said assembly of the additional building unit.

In some embodiments, the mounting means include upper and lower connecting plates, and the location of the structural frame segments in relation to the building unit to which they are connected may be such that, at a building level, at least some structural frame segments of the adjacent building unit assemblies are; located in pairs next to the t one of the other, the arrangement of the connection plates being such that, for the vertically aligned pairs of the structural frame segments of at least three of their connection plates may be connected together.

In some embodiments, the construction may further include first connecting means for connecting the assembly levels of the unit; adjacent construction within one level one with another; and second connection means for connecting assemblies of the building unit within a level to adjacent assembly unit assembly levels which are adjacent to said level.

In another aspect the present invention provides a building having a plurality of levels, at least some of said levels include a plurality of self-supporting building units, each including, a structural frame segment connected therein which is adapted to hold the vertical load of another level above said level, where: the construction includes, at least, a higher level and a lower level, where the structural strength of the frame segments of the construction units in the lower level is greater than the structural strength of the corresponding frame segments in the upper level.

In some embodiments the construction includes a group of higher levels and a group of lower levels, wherein the structural strength of the corresponding structural frame segments within the lower level group is substantially equal, and the structural strength of the corresponding frame segments structural within the group of higher levels is substantially equal.

In some embodiments the structural strength of the structural frame segments in the group of lower levels may be greater than the structural strength of the corresponding frame segments in the group of higher levels.

The structural frame segments are preferably external to the self-supported building units.

In some embodiments the structural frame segments comprise column elements adhered to the self-supported building units.

In some embodiments, the building units are disposed within a level so as to define the spaces between and in the vicinity of the self-supported building units in which the structural frame segments are located.

In some embodiments the spaces between all pairs of vertically aligned building units abutting the self-supporting building units are substantially of the same width.

In some embodiments the spaces between the adjoining building units of the self-supported building units are substantially of the same width.

In some embodiments all the structural frame elements have substantially the same width transverse to the spaces between the adjoining self-supporting building units in which they are located.

In some embodiments, a relative difference in force between two structural frame elements is provided by varying at least one of the following parameters: the relative thickness of the wall of the structural frame elements; the relative depth of the elements of the structural framework measured along the spaces between the neighboring self-supporting building units.

In a further aspect there is provided a structural frame segment to be fitted to the self-supported building units, the structural frame segment includes: at least one load-bearing column member; mounting means on each terminal thereof for adjusting the structural frame segment to another similar self-supporting construction unit or a building element.

In some embodiments, the mounting means includes a latching portion for engaging a cooperatively formed latch portion of a vertically aligned structural frame segment in use.

In some embodiments, the mounting means are connection plates adhered to the terminals of the column member.

In some embodiments, at least one column member includes, either a steel column, or a concrete column.

In use, the location of the column elements in relation to the building unit to which they are connected may be such that, within a building level, at least some column elements of adjacent building units are located in pairs side by side and where at least one of the lower connecting plates of an element of the column of an additional building unit stacked in one of said adjacent building units lies above, at least , the connection plates of the upper part of said pair by means of which said at least one lower connection plate can be connected thereto therefore, connects together said adjacent construction units and said additional construction units.

In some embodiments the location of the column elements relative to the building unit to which they are connected, is such that at one level of the building, at least some column elements of the adjacent building units are furthermore placed in pairs next to each other, the arrangement of the connection plates is such that for the vertically aligned pairs of the column elements, at least three of their connection plates can be connected together.

In some embodiments, the structural frame segment has mounting means formed to engage the mounting means of an adjacent structural frame segment horizontally in use.

In some embodiments the structural frame segment includes a plurality of column elements coupled by means for distributing the load between at least the pairs of the plurality of columns.

In some embodiments, a guide surface is included to facilitate alignment with the other construction element.

In some embodiments, the guide surface includes at least a portion of a surface of the mounting means.

In some embodiments, the guide surface includes at least a portion of a column element.

In some embodiments the mounting means includes an angled guiding surface for guiding the mounting means in a correct alignment of the correspondingly formed mounting means in use.

In some embodiments the guide surface includes a vertically extended portion in use, which allows vertical alignment of the structural frame segment with respect to another building to be adjusted by sliding the guide surface against the building element.

In some embodiments, the mounting means includes at least one mounting plate that includes a cutting edge to provide an angled guiding surface.

In some embodiments the mounting means includes a plate, generally trapezoidal, which provides a sharpened guide surface to a corresponding horizontally aligned structural frame segment in use.

In some embodiments, at least one column element that extends from a surface of the mounting plate in a generally perpendicular direction and that is positioned such that at least a portion of a surface of a column element is substantially aligned with a vertex of a trapezoidal upper plate forming part, of a guide surface of a mounting means and extending away therefrom, such that the portion of a surface of the column element, provides a continuation of the guide surface.

In another aspect the present invention provides a method for building a building unit for use in a building, which has a plurality of levels, the method includes: (a) building a self-supporting unit, which includes a floor, the roof and at least one side wall, to define the interior of the unit and the exterior of the unit; (b) adhering at least one frame segment to the exterior of the unit to structurally support an assembly of the building unit disposed above the assembly of the building unit in use.

The method may further include: (c) carrying out a stress relief step before step (b).

Step (a) may further include: building the self-supporting unit, the unit in a mechanical guide or a clamp; and step (c) may include releasing the clamping force applied by the mechanical guide or the clamp.

Step (c) may include a thermally induced stress in the self-supporting unit to dissipate.

In some embodiments a step (a) may include one or more of the following construction steps: forming a floor of a plurality of floor panels; forming at least one wall of a plurality of wall panels; form a framework of a plurality of frame members; forming a roof of a plurality of roof panels; adhere at least one of: a wall, a floor or a ceiling to a frame; adhering at least one wall or floor component wall; Attach a roof or at least one roof panel to at least one wall.

In some embodiments the frame segments include a structural frame segment according to embodiment of an aspect of the present invention.

The method can include defining at least one data point outside the self-support unit with reference to one or more structural frame segments.

The method may further include setting at least part of the interior of the building unit with reference to at least one data point.

The method may further include fixing at least one façade element to the assembly of the building unit with reference to at least one data point.

In some embodiments, the method may include transferring a measurement of at least one data point to the interior of the auto-support unit.

In another aspect the present invention includes a method of diagramming a building having a plurality of levels including: design a diagram of said floors; defining a structural grid of the column that is common to a plurality of vertically continuous levels; Define a plurality of units in each level, between the columns of the grid of the column such that the grid of the column is in a space between the horizontally adjacent units.

In some embodiments the method further includes: adjusting the diagram to accommodate the grid of the column and the spaces between the horizontally adjacent units.

The method can also include: defining a structural grid of the common column at all levels.

In some embodiments, the method further includes: defining a plurality of column grids that correspond to a plurality of level groups.

The method may further include positioning a transfer structure between the groups of the levels that make up the plurality of groups.

In another aspect the present invention provides a method of building a building; the method includes: diagramming a building using a method according to an embodiment of another aspect of the present invention and manufacturing a plurality of self-supported building units of the plane, wherein each unit has an associated structural support segment adhered thereto , which aligns with the defined grid of the column.

In some embodiments, the method further includes constructing at least one on-site component of the building.

In some embodiments the method further includes stacking the plurality of the self-supported building unit assemblies in a defined arrangement with the building's on-site component and connecting the self-supporting building unit assemblies together and the assembly assemblies. the self-supporting construction unit.

In some embodiments, the method further includes positioning a plurality of assemblies of the self-supporting building unit in a relationship with one another as defined by the plane prior to building the building.

In some embodiments the method may further include carrying out any of the following steps in the self-supported building unit assemblies thus positioned: control the tolerances between, at least, the components of the adjoining self-supporting building unit assemblies; controlling a correct vertical and / or horizontal alignment between the structural support segments in the vicinity of the self-supported building unit assemblies; adjusting at least a part of an interior of the self-supported building unit assemblies; temporarily connecting a service between at least two assemblies of the self-supported building units; disconnect a service? temporarily connected from an assembly of the self-supported building unit; adjusting a façade or cladding component to an assembly of the self-supporting building unit.

Additional aspects of the present invention include, but are not limited to buildings, assemblies of a building unit; building units, structural support segments, and components of the aforementioned that are manufactured or assembled according to the method described herein, or which is used in said method.

According to the present invention there is provided a method for constructing a building having a plurality of levels using a plurality of the assemblies of the building units, wherein each assembly of the building unit is structurally self-supporting and has side walls. , a floor and a roof, the method includes the steps of: lifting the assembly of the building unit into position in the building so that each level of the building includes a predetermined number of units; connect the adjacent units to each other in each level; and connecting the units on a level to the corresponding units that are vertically above and below the units at adjacent levels.

The invention also provides a method for constructing a high-rise building having a plurality of levels utilizing a plurality of the assemblies of the building unit wherein each building unit assembly is structurally self-supporting and has side walls, a floor and a roof, the method includes the steps of: building a center, - lifting the assemblies of the building unit in position in the building so that each level of the building includes a predetermined number of units; and connecting the units that are adjacent from center to center, the arrangement being such that the vertical loads between adjacent levels can be transmitted mainly by the assembly unit assemblies and the lateral loads are transmitted through the walls, the floor, roof or other rigid element or through the use of means of shoring to the center.

The invention also provides a method for constructing high-rise buildings having a plurality of levels utilizing a plurality of the assemblies of the building unit, wherein each building unit assembly is structurally self-supporting and has side walls, a floor and a roof, the method includes the steps of: adhering segments of structural frame to the side walls of the assemblies of the building unit; stack the building unit assemblies to form the building levels with the structural frame segments at one level to be vertically aligned with the structural frame segments on at least one adjacent level whereby, substantially, all the Vertical loads are transmitted by the structural frame segments and the lateral loads are supported by the assemblies of the building unit placed orthogonally with one another to act as shoring or another rigid element such as a center.

Preferably, the method further includes the step of providing connecting plates at the top and bottom of each of the structural frame segments and using adjustment means to connect together the upper and lower plates of each of the structural frame segments. which are vertically adjacent to each other.

Preferably the method further includes the step of locating structural frame segments of the assemblies of the building unit that are laterally adjacent to each other, such that their upper and lower plates are laterally adjacent to one another and use adjustment means. to connect together the upper and lower plates of the structural frame segments that are laterally adjacent to each other.

Preferably the method further includes the step of providing complementary portions in the top plates of the building unit assemblies that are laterally adjacent to one another and wherein the method includes the step of providing first and second bottom plates respectively the structural marbling segments of the assemblies of the building unit that are laterally adjacent to one another, and placing the first lower plates on said complementary portions by which the adjustment means connects the upper and lower plates vertically and laterally.

Preferably, the method includes the step of connecting the lower terminal of an elongated connecting rod to a first upper plate of a structural frame segment of the first construction unit assembly, which is stacked vertically below a second unit assembly. of construction and connecting the upper terminal of the connecting rod to a second upper plate of the second assembly of the construction unit, whereby the first and second upper plates are strongly clamped together.

The invention also provides a building having a plurality of levels, the building includes: a plurality of the assemblies of the building unit, each being structurally self-supporting and having side walls, a floor and a roof, the groups being stacked of the assemblies of the building unit to form the levels in the building; first connecting means for connecting with each other to the adjacent assemblies of the building unit within a level; and second connection means for connecting the assemblies of the building unit within a level to levels i adjacent to the building unit assembly that are adjacent to said level. ' Preferably the building is characterized in that it has no other structural framework than that provided by the interconnected assembly of the building assemblies.

The invention also provides a building having a plurality of levels, the building includes: a plurality of the assemblies of the building unit, each of which is structurally self-supporting and has side walls, a floor and a roof; a center, groups of construction unit assemblies to be stacked next to the center to form the building levels; and connection means for connecting the units that are adjacent from center to center, the arrangement being such that the vertical loads between adjacent levels are transmitted mainly by the building unit assemblies rather than the center.

The invention also provides a building having a plurality of levels; the building includes: a plurality of the assemblies of the building unit, each of which is structurally self-supporting and has side walls, a floor and a roof, and structural frame segments adhered to the side walls of the building assemblies; building unit, groups of building unit assemblies to be stacked to form building levels, and where building unit assemblies are stacked with structural frame segments on one level to be vertically aligned with segments of structural frame in at least one adjacent level, whereby, substantially, all vertical loads are transmitted by the structural frame segments and lateral loads are borne by assemblies of the construction unit placed to act as shoring or other rigid elements such as concrete or steel centers.

Preferably the building includes connecting means for connecting the structural frame segments of the building unit assemblies at a level to the adjacent structural frame segments of the building unit assemblies at an adjacent level.

Preferably, the terminals of the structural frame segments have connecting plates connected thereto, whereby the plates and the structural frame segment can be connected to adjacent plates of structural frame segments vertically above or below said plate .

Preferably the plates of said structural frame segment can be connected to the plates of structurally frame segments laterally adjacent thereto.

Preferably, the structural frame segments, adjacent and vertically aligned have plates that are provided with projections and cavities that are complementary to each other to allow exact alignment of the columns when stacked.

Preferably the upper or lower plates of the first and second structural frame segments. laterally adjacent seconds, include complementary portions having respective bolt holes, wherein, the upper or lower plate of a third structural frame segment that is vertically adjacent to the first or second structural frame segments, lie in said complementary portions and have Bolt holes, which align with the bolt holes. in said complementary portions, whereby the bolts can be used to fasten together the plates of said first, second and third structural frame segments.

Preferably the upper plates of the structural frame segments include said complementary portions.

Even more preferably, the upper plates include said cavities and the lower plates include said projections.

In some embodiments the structural frame segments are provided with upper and lower connection plates, and where the location of the structural frame segment in relation to the assembly of the construction unit to which they are connected, is such that, at a level of the building, at least, some segments of the structural framework of the assemblies of the adjacent building unit, are located in pairs side by side with each other, and wherein, at least, one of the lower connecting plates of a structural frame segment of an assembly of an additional stacked building unit in one of said adjacent assemblies of the building unit lies at least a part of the upper connection plate of said pairs, whereby at least one lower connection plate can be connected thereto. same, to connect together to the adjacent assemblies of the construction unit and said assembly of the additional construction unit.

In some embodiments the structural frame segments are provided with upper and lower connecting plates, and wherein the location of the structural frame segment relative to the assembly of the building unit to which they are connected, is such that on one level of the building, at least, some structural frame segments of the adjacent building unit assemblies are located in pairs side by side, the arrangement of the connecting plates is such, that for the vertically aligned pairs of the segment of structural framework, at least three of their connection plates can be connected together.

Preferably two of the upper connecting plates or the lower connecting plates are of a complementary shape, so that the third of said at least three connecting plates lie or sub-lie in said two plates.

Preferably the connection plates include holes that are positioned so that the hole is aligned in said at least three connection plates and the fasteners can be passed through the holes to connect said three connection plates together.

• Preferably the pairs of the underlying or underlying connecting plates include first and second formations that lock with mechanical accuracy to each other.

Preferably the formations include projections and cavities.

Preferably the projections are on the lower faces of the recumbent connecting plates and the cavities are on the upper sides of the underlying connecting plates.; In some embodiments the side loads may be supported by the floor and the roof of the building units and wherein, at least, some of the structural frame segments include at least one hollow column element; the construction further includes elongated connecting means: extending through at least some of the hollow elements of the column whereby, the upper portions of the structural frame segments in a. level can be connected by said means. connecting elongated to the upper parts of the structural frame segment at an adjacent level in the building.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Illustrative embodiments of the present invention will now be further described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an assembly of the construction unit of an embodiment of the invention; : Figures 2A to 2E show the assemblies of building units of the embodiments of the invention constructed using different construction materials; Figure 3A is a schematic plan view of two assemblies of the building unit spaced apart from each other; Figure 3B is a schematic plan view showing two adjacent assemblies of the building unit connected together; Figures 4A to 4D are views of the schematic plane illustrating different plane shapes for the building units; Figures 5A to 5G are schematic views showing assemblies of the building unit stacked in various ways to construct high-rise buildings of different shapes; Figure 6 is a schematic side view of a building of twenty levels; Figures 7A, 7B and 7C are schematic isometric views of buildings having centers; Figure 8 is a schematic isometric view of a building having a distributed center; Figure 9 is a schematic side view of a building showing how the column elements can vary in size according to the height within the building; Figure 10 is a schematic isometric view of a five-story high-rise building; Figure 11A to 11E shows units at various levels; Figure 12 is a more detailed schematic view showing the interconnection of units within a building level; Figure 13A is a floor plan for an apartment building; Figures 13B, 13C, 13D and 13E are typical departments using the units of the invention; Figures 14A and 14B show the lower and upper levels of the floor plan in a hotel constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 14C is a more detailed view of an assembly of the building unit suitable for use in the building of Figures 14A and 14B; Figure 15A is a plan drawing of a floor of a building that has residential and office amenities; Figure 15B shows a possible arrangement of the units for the residential part of the building of the Figure 15A; Figure 16 is a final cross-sectional, schematic view showing in more detail an assembly of the building unit; Figure 17 is a schematic perspective view of a form of a lower mounting block; Figure 18 is a plan view of a lower mounting block; Figures 19 and 20 is an orthogonal side view of the lower mounting block; Figure 21 is a schematic perspective view of a top mounting block; Figure 22 is a plan view of the upper mounting block; Figures 23 and 24 is the orthogonal side view of the upper mounting block; Figure 25 is an isometric view showing the interconnection of vertically adjacent assemblies of a building unit; Figure 26 shows a fragmentary isometric view showing the vertically and horizontally adjacent assemblies of the building unit; Figure 27 is a fragmentary side view showing the interconnection of the assembly blocks of four assemblies of the building unit; Figure 28 is a final, schematic and more detailed view showing the vertical interconnection of the assembly blocks of two assemblies of the building unit; Figure 29 is a more detailed schematic side view showing the horizontal interconnection of the mounting blocks of two assemblies of the building unit; Figure 30 is a final, schematic and more detailed view showing the interconnection of the assembly blocks of two assemblies of the building unit using elongated connecting elements; Figures 31 and 32 are schematic views showing the orientation of the connecting elements during the lifting of the assemblies of the building unit; Figure 33 is a schematic side view of a four-story building; Figure 34 is a view of the upper plane of a lower connection plate; Figure 35 is a final view of the side plate; Figure 36 is a view of the upper plane of another lower connection plate; Figure 37 is a side view of the connection plates shown in Figures 34 and 36; Figure 38 is a plan view of a top connection plate; Figure 39 is a final view of the upper connection plate; Figure 40 is a sectional view along line 24-24; Figure 41 is a side view of the upper plate; Figures 42 'and 43 are more detailed fragmentary views of two forms of structural frame segments; Figure 44 is a schematic plan view of two assemblies of the building unit having the structural frame segment shown in Figures 42 and 43 and spaced apart from each other; Figure 45 is a schematic plan view showing the assemblies of the: building unit of Figure 44 connected together; i Figures 46 to 50 schematically illustrate the manner in which the structural frame segments of Figures 42 and 43 are interconnected; Figure 51 is a schematic detailed view showing several components of the interconnection; Figure 52 is a side view of the lower connection plate; Figure 53 is a plan view of a lower mounting block; Figure 54 is a final view of a lower mounting block; ' Figure 55 is a view of the plane of an alternative top connection plate; Figure 56 is a side view of the upper connection plate of Figure 55; Fig. 57 is a final view of the upper connection plate of Fig. 55; 1 Fig. 58 is a plan view of an alternative upper mounting block; Fig. 59 is a side view of an upper mounting block of Fig. 58; Figure 60 is a final view of an upper mounting block of Figure 58; Figure 61 is a view of the plane of an elongated pin; Fig. 62 is a fragmentary end view of the bolt head; Figure 63 is a side view of the upper terminal of the bolt; Figure 64 is a fragmentary side view showing the head of the bolt; Fig. 65 is a fragmentary view showing the upper terminal of the pin shaft; Figures 66 and 66A are schematic perspective views showing an alternative connection technique for the assemblies of the building unit; Figure 67 is a fragmentary side view showing the interconnection of the connecting plates and blocks of four assemblies of the building unit in one embodiment; Y : Figure 68 is a schematic side view showing some internal details of the assembly of the building unit and the manner in which the structural frame segments are connected thereto; Figure 69 shows several roof panels for the building unit; Figure 70 is a cross sectional view along line 37-37; Figure 71 is a cross sectional view along line 38-38; Figure 72 is an expanded view of a modified building unit of the invention; Figure 73 is a schematic view showing the location of the structural frame segments in the assembly of the building unit; Figure 74 is a schematic side view of an assembly of the building unit suitable for a cantilever beam; Figure 75 is a schematic final view of six assemblies of the building unit; Figure 76 is a schematic perspective view of the floor panel for the construction unit of Figures 72 and 73; Figure 77 is a cross-sectional, cross-sectional final view showing in more detail the assembly of the modified building unit; Figure 78 is a schematic cross sectional final view showing in more detail an assembly of an additional modified building unit; Figure 79 is a final, cross-sectional, schematic view showing in more detail a modified additional construction unit; Figure 80 is a schematic cross sectional final view showing another modified building unit in more detail; Figure 81 shows a perspective view of an alternative mounting plate usable in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 82 illustrates a plan view of the mounting plate of Figure 81; Figure 83 illustrates three assemblies of the building unit which are to be assembled together using the mounting plate of Figure 82; Figures 84A through 84C illustrate a manner in which the adjacent building unit assemblies are assembled using the mounting plate of Figure 82; Y Figure 85 shows the same portion of a structural frame segment as shown in Figure 81 with added details.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In a broad concept, the inventor has realized that the construction units per se (those that delineate the interior space of the unit) can; be considered separately from the structural framework of the unit, when executed in a preferred manner this can allow both flexibility in the design and better ease of manufacture.

Depending on the ease of manufacturing, construction units can be produced at relatively relaxed tolerances, say ± 20 mm, which is relatively easy to achieve. Structural frame segments can be manufactured to much narrower tolerances, say within ± 1 mm to provide an exact frame for the building. The construction unit and the associated structural frame segment assemblies can then be adhered together in a manner that accounts for any inaccuracy in the construction unit to form an assembly of the building unit for assembly in the building, which has a precisely positioned structural frame segment adhered to it.

The preferred embodiments provide a separate column system that: establishes an exact dimensional grid, from which all other construction elements are dimensionally referenced.

In alternative systems where the structural framework for the building is part of its framework for construction, the total needs of the unit to be manufactured to meet the tightest tolerances required by the framework, which is expensive and complicated.

Depending on the design and flexibility, decoupling the design and manufacturing of the structural frame segments of the units, gives the designer flexibility to position the structural frame segments in a wide range of positions < in relation to the construction unit. This allows design flexibility that would not be practically possible if the structural frame of the building unit is built into the walls of the unit.

The functional modular construction system of the invention can be used to construct buildings that are used for any purpose including, but not limited to: residential, hospitality and office uses. The preferred embodiments are also suitable for use at high altitude, ie for buildings having four or more levels, above the ground floor.

The assemblies of the construction unit are manufactured according to the Idiagramming of the building to be created. In the system of the invention, a building designer is free to design a building in a conventional manner to meet the needs of a customer and the requirements of the market. Then a structural column grid is defined which is common to a plurality of vertically contiguous levels, and a plurality of units are defined at each level. The units are between the columns of the; grid of the column and oppositely the grid of the column lies in a space between the adjacent units. The design of the building may need to be adjusted to be divided into building units that can vary in width and length but are of an appropriate size to transport and lift to position by a crane on site. It can be a prefabricated system that provides the complete structure of the building with the completion and architectural services, ready to assemble on the site.

As will be explained in more detail below, the embodiments may have the following characteristics: the length of the construction unit, the width and the height may vary from project to project; building units can incorporate all the components of a building including stairs, corridors and services; the assemblies of the construction unit are built in a manufacturing center; completed construction unit assemblies are transported to the site for assembly; the assemblies of the construction unit are lifted into position by construction cranes; there is minimal work on the site to complete buildings such as the facade and interiors that can be connected to, or conditioned on the assemblies of the construction unit before delivery; the special bolted connections can be used to connect together the assemblies of the construction unit; and each building unit is structurally economically independent and may have structural frame segments connected therein such that when connected together the building unit assemblies include the structural frame segments forming the vertical and lateral support of the building.

Each construction unit can be considered as a box frame. rectilinear that is structurally independent and self-supported according to its own weight and the live load it will carry.

The units can be constructed from a variety of materials including: construction wood framed with counter-plating reinforcements to the walls, floor and ceiling plates; construction of steel frame frames, using sections of steel and steel steel sheets in walls and roof and rolled channels, or steel belts profiled on the floor; and the construction of profiled steel sheets constituting a diaphragm wall and roof sections, the sections of the wall and ceiling are sufficiently rigid so as not to require additional cross reinforcements, and therefore the steel sheet walls constitute a part important strength of the unit in the manner of a monocoque, or systems used in the automotive and aerospace industries. In general, the building units are relatively strong in the longitudinal direction, this is along the plane of their walls, when compared to the transverse direction. They can be given rigidity in the transverse direction by providing reinforcements through that direction. This reinforcement may take the form of a frame-type reinforcement, the wall, tension cables or other means. The strength of the building units by their length can be advantageously used to provide support for lateral loads in the manner described elsewhere in this document. In the transverse direction, lateral loads can be transmitted by the floors, the laterally extended roofs and walls that traverse the interior space of the building units.

Fire protection can be achieved by coating gypsum boards on the interior walls and ceilings of the building units.

The interior equipment can be completely finished, including painting, tiling, carpeting and joinery, or it can be left in a "sketch" stage for its completion on the site. The elements of the façade, circulation corridors and stairs can also be incorporated into the building units before delivery or be completed on site. As indicated above, these elements can also be positioned by taking measurements at the location from a data point assocd with the structural frame segments before the construction unit.

The building units can have four or more structural frame segments including structural steel or concrete column elements, fixed to their exterior to carry the entire load and form, in combination with the construction units, the construction structure . The elements of the column are designed to take the load, which is positioned within what the structure imposes. Additional structural support can be included, if required, to spread the load or increase stiffness. This can be considered as forming an exo-structure for the building units, which will be connected together with the exo-structure of the neighboring units to form the structure that supports the building's load.

The exo-structure occupies an area outside the occupied interior space of the construction unit, so that there is no conflict between the two depending on the capacity of construction and assembly. The structural zone between the building units, typically, range from 100mm to 150mm. This zone is where all the structural frame segments are located and where all the connections that link the entire building are made.

The advantage of this in terms of the construction capacity is that the building units, the exo-structure comprising the structural frame segments of the building unit assemblies and the facade elements can, after their manufacture, they are temporarily aligned and even locked together in the manufacturing facilities, in the exact positions they will occupy in the multi-story structure due to the precision in the placement of the structural frame segments. This procedure facilitates the verification of tolerances to ensure ease of on-site assembly and quality control. It also allows to finish the ground floor, which is much more effective on costs and less dangerous, than doing it in an elevated position in the permitted place, as would be the alternative in a high-rise building. This makes construction and façade tolerances much easier to control, manage and achieve during the manufacturing stage than at the assembly stage.

Structural frame segments or column elements thereof may increase in size with the increase in construction height and / or with the requirements to support the load. The elements are calibrated to suit their position within the structure in such a way that the assemblies of the building unit at the base of the building can have larger column elements connected to them compared to those above. The building units can, however, remain unchanged since they are designed to sustain only themselves.

The building units transmit the lateral loads by means of the walls, ceiling and floor plates to the elements for stability or reinforcement. These stability elements may be in the form of other units placed in the opposite direction to the main thickness of the units. They may be framed with centers within the selected units of conventional concrete, or of a steel framed center system, subject to the height of the building. The vertical loads within the building units are transferred by their side walls to the structural frame segments, which are connected therein.

The construction unit, in its majority of basic forms, can be considered as a box frame held in four points, with open terminals. The structure is lightweight and extremely resistant to wind and earthquake loads. It is also sufficiently weather-proof, as to allow it to be transported and to be erected without the: possibility of water damaging the interior elements.

The interiors of the building unit are not affected by structural elements since all the columns are outside the skin of the units in a column area of 100 mm to 150 mm. This zone remains the same regardless of the height of a construction of up to 50 floors. This is achieved by maintaining the width of the column while increasing the depth and strength of the column.

For some structures, generally structures of low to medium height, the lateral load can be removed by turning part of the construction units perpendicular to the general direction of the other building units. This will be determined by the building diagram.

Alternatively, the terminals of the units can be given rigidity, using heavier frames and / or reinforcing the additional walls, or introducing additional elements so that they have the load conditions of each construction or site in particular. The elevators and the ladder can also be framed to take lateral loads. The elevators; and the ladder can be incorporated into an assembly of the building unit or be built separately.

For taller structures, beyond 12 to 15 levels, a more conventional reinforcement system using a concrete center in itself may be advantageous. Where an on-site concrete center is used as the main reinforcement element, the center should be partially or completely constructed before the installation of fabricated unit assemblies.

For very tall buildings it may be necessary to introduce concrete or steel transfer structures where practicality and economy requirements are required or to meet the altered load and reinforcement requirements dictated by the design of the building and by the conditions of the site. building.

This effectively separates a tall building into two or more stacks of units transported from concrete on a steel center structure. When a concrete center is used, it can also be used as a support element through the use of transfer structures, which transfer the vertical load back to the center, thereby reducing the sizes of the frame segments structurally connected to the building units, thereby effectively reducing the building to a series of smaller structures. For example, a 20-story building could incorporate three transfer structures, thereby reducing the effective height for the structural frame segments to what would be required for a 5-story building.

The transfer structures could be connected to the structure of the construction unit assemblies so that the transfer structures are assembled with the assemblies of the construction unit.

Alternatively, the transfer structures could be provided as a separate steel or a concrete structure, depending on the circumstances.

As indicated above, the assemblies of the construction unit can be of a size, which can vary according to the requirements and limitations of the transport. Typically, however, each assembly of the construction unit would have a width of say from 2m to 5m, a length of 10m to 28m and a height of 2.7m to 3.3m.

It will also be appreciated that in a building, the assemblies of the building unit of different sizes and shapes can be arranged so as to manufacture the flat areas required for the useful space of the building. The side walls of a building unit may have openings formed where the doors, windows, etc. vary. It can also be added corridors and balconies, etc.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an assembly of the building unit 2 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; The assembly of the building unit 2 includes a building unit that includes two side frames 4 and 6, the floor 8 and the roof 10, with structural frame segments, in the form of column elements 14, 16, 18 and 22 attached to them.

In the illustrated arrangement, terminals 12 and 14 are open but these could be closed in accordance with the requirements. As will be described in more detail below, the side walls 4 and 6, the floor 8 and the roof 10 are of robust construction, so that the assembly of the building unit 2 has self-supporting capability during transportation and The elevation. It also has the capacity to resist the loads that are applied to it in use, such as the adjustment of the internal outside and live loads. As will be described in more detail below, the assemblies of the building unit 2 can be manufactured in a remote factory where the building using the units 2 will be erected (for example in a factory of other manufacturing facilities). Manufacturing the assemblies of the construction unit in the manner of industrial products lends itself to saving costs and time and achieving better manufacturing tolerances in the finished units.

In the illustrated arrangement, the assembly of the building unit 2 has four elements of the column 16, 18, 20 and 22 connected to the side walls, the elements 16 and 18 are connected to the side wall 4 and the elements 20 and 22 they are connected to the side wall 6. As will be described below, the function of the structural frame segments is to provide the mounting points for the assemblies of the construction unit 2 and also to support the vertical load when the assemblies of the construction unit are stacked on top of each other. The elements 16, 18, 20 and 22 include the lower mounting means 24 and the respective upper mounting means 26. The upper mounting means 26 can form attachment points for the lifting cables during the transport and construction stages. Also the members 24 and 26 can be used to couple the adjacent assemblies of the building unit 2 to each other in a completed building, as will be described in more detail below.

The construction unit 2 itself can be constructed with a variety of materials. Figure 2A schematically illustrates an arrangement in which the side walls 4 and 6 and the roof 10 are made of wood framed with wood veneer. The 8th floor can be made of profiled steel plate. Figure 2B illustrates an alternative arrangement where the building unit 2 has side walls and roof which are framed and reinforced steel, the floor 8 being of profiled steel plate. Figure 2C shows an alternative arrangement where the side walls and the roof are in the form of a framework framed with a steel sheet reinforcement 'profiled for the side walls and the roof as well as; also for the floor.

Figure 2D shows an alternative arrangement in which the construction unit! It has the side walls, the floor and the roof all made of profiled steel sheet. Figure 2E shows an alternative arrangement in which the building unit is formed of glass fiber reinforced concrete (GRC) u, other panels of composite materials, being the floor 8 of profiled steel sheet, GRC or building compound.

Figure 3A is a schematic view of the plane showing two assemblies of the building unit 2A and 2B located adjacent to each other. As can be seen in Figure 3A, the structural frame segments 16 and 18 in the side wall 4 are compensated in relation to the positions of the structural frame segment 20 and 22 in the side wall 6. This arrangement allows the segments of structural frames are located adjacent to each other in the final assembly position of the assemblies of the building unit 2A and 2B, as shown in Figure 3B.

It will be appreciated that there is a space 28 between the adjacent side walls 4 and 6 of the assembled building units, as shown in Figure 3B. The space or area of the column 28 are defined by the width of the columns and provide1 the space to accommodate the vertical support of the structure. Also, the area of the column 28 aids sound and thermal isolation between the adjacent units.

The upper and lower mounting means 24 and 26 are shown schematically in Figures 1 to 3. As will be described in more detail, the upper mounting means may be of different types, such as the lower mounting means. Several embodiments will be described in more detail below.

It will be appreciated that similar units can be stacked in several series according to the requirements. The units may also be arranged so that their terminals are adjacent to each other and in that case the structural frame segments (not shown) in Figures 3A and 3B would be provided in the terminal wall 12 or 14 so that the units they can be connected from terminal to terminal (before side by side) in a manner analogous to that shown in Figures 3A and 3B. Because mounting means 24 and 26 project down and up from floor 8 and ceiling 10 respectively, they also create spaces between vertically stacked building units and this has a similar function to improving fire protection, sound and thermal insulation between building units at different levels of the building.

The mounting means 24 and 26 are used to interconnect the adjacent assemblies of the building unit and the combination of the self-supported building units and the interconnected structural frame segments can constitute, preferably, the sole frame of the building. Depending on the disposition of the units. of construction, the height of the building and the relevant site conditions, stability or additional reinforcement elements may be added.

The building units 2 shown in Figures 1 to 3 have a rectangular shape in the plan diagram. Figure 4B, C and D show three, of the many, alternative forms for the units. More specifically, Figure 4B shows a unit with an irregular quadrilateral plane view; Figure 4C illustrates a unit with a wedge formed (or trapezoidal) in the shape of the plane; Figure 4D illustrates a unit with three orthogonal linear sides and one side of curves. Other forms are also possible. As will be appreciated, the units can be interconnected in a manner analogous to that shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The assemblies of the building unit 2 can be stacked in various ways to build buildings with different shapes. Figure 5A schematically illustrates four units 201, 202, 203, 204 stacked one above the other to form a four-story building 30. Figure 5B shows a four-story building 32 having pairs of units forming each level in where a pair of units 203 at the third level is rotated, effectively orthogonally to levels 1, 2 and 4 thereby providing a cantilever arrangement for! units 2, 3 and 2, 4 in relation to the units below them.

Figure 5C shows a four-story building 38 having two banks of wedge-shaped units 40 and 42 that are one. different length to a central bank of units 44 and mounted in deviation relation to central bank 44 of rectangular units, to create a more complex formed building. Figure 5D shows a building 46 having a central bank 48 of the assemblies of the rectangular building units, flanked by banks of side units 50 and 52, part of the upper units for example the 50.4 and 50.5 have rounded terminals to create a building with a curved appearance. Figure 5E shows a five-story building 54 constructed of banks of units having an irregular quadrilateral planar shape. Figure 5F shows a building 55 in which there are six banks 57.1 to 57.6 of the assemblies of the building unit that are stacked: side by side and two banks 59.1 and 59.2, which are stacked terminal to terminal. The combination of banks, in orthogonal directions provides reinforcements for the building.

Figure 5G shows an additional building 61 having three banks of the building unit assemblies 61.1, 61.2, 61.3, arranged in such a way that each bench is orthogonal to its neighbor, to provide, again, an inherent reinforcement because of The orientation of the assemblies of the construction unit.

Figure 6 schematically shows a twenty-story building 56 having a central concrete center 58. Center 58 would normally include elevator shafts in the normal manner. The building levels are constructed from the assemblies of the construction unit that is manufactured off site and are raised to the position. In taller buildings at this size, center 58 helps to reinforce the building. In the illustrated arrangement, building 56 includes three transfer structures 60, 62 and 64, which are supported by center 58. The transfer structures could be formed of reinforced concrete or steel structures connected to the center. The main function of the transfer of the structures 60, 62 and 64 is to transfer the vertical load of the five levels of assemblies of the building units stacked on them to the center, so that the entire vertical load of the building does not have to be transferred by the structural frame segments of the various assemblies of the building unit below. In this way the size of the structural frame segments need not be so large that the entire vertical load of the building is supported by the lower structural frame segments in the structure. Initial calculations, however, have surprisingly shown that to build a building 50 stories high, it would not be necessary to use the transfer structures, as mentioned above. The calculations also show that the space in the area of the column 28 between the building units can remain constant throughout the entire construction, and the depth, the wall thickness, the strength of the materials or the degree of the Elements of the structural frame segment column can be varied to provide sufficient strength depending on their location within the entire building.

Table 1 below is a summary of the typical values for axial compression applied to the structural frame segment as a function of the height in the building. The table includes the data for the column size of different, widths as indicated.

In table 1, the "Floors" column indicates the number of floors that the unit will occupy, when counted from the top of the building. Therefore, the first floor is the first floor, and in a 50-storey building the 50th floor is the ground floor. The column "Axial Compression" proposes the load on each column of an assembly of the building unit on that floor. The "Column Size" columns identify the cross sectional dimensions of the thickness of the columns and the necessary walls for each of the 100 mm columns, 125 mm and 150 mm wide to hold the identified load. For rectangular columns the dimensions of depth X width are given in millimeters and the thickness of the walls in mm. For square columns only a single length of wall width and thickness are indicated. In the case of four measurements, this represents the dimensions of an element of the column formed by a RAY-I. Thus, 125 x 250 x 40 x 25 indicates the use of a RAY-I that has a total width along its 125 mm end flanges and the width along its central axis of 250 mm. The terminal flanges are 40 mm wide and the central fabric 25 mm thick.

The final group of columns marked "Column Capacity" indicates the capacity of the load for RHS and SHS with the sizes specified in the corresponding "Column Size" column, when it is made of 450MPa steel and with the mounting members made of 350 MPa steel. 10 fifteen 10 fifteen O H As can be seen in Table 1, the load capacity of the column elements can be larger at the lower levels of the building construction unit assemblies because they need to absorb or transmit the higher vertical loads. Opposedly this means that higher levels can use less strong column members to avoid unnecessary weight and cost at the top of the building. For convenience, groups of; Levels within the building can be provided with columns that have the same strength, instead of having different columns in each level. The increase in relative strength is provided by increasing the size of the column or the thickness of the wall at lower levels, for example, as shown in Table 1.

The elements of the columns can be in the form of reinforced concrete columns that are stoutly adhered to the side walls of the building units. Alternatively, they could comprise column steel elements that are ablated or welded to the side walls. Other materials can also be used.- • Table 1 assumes that a single element of the column is used in each-segment of the structural framework, but more than one can be used. In this case, a separate member can be used to balance the load among the multiple column elements. This load sharing function can be performed by the mounting means attached thereon or by a separate dedicated structure, for example by reinforcing between the multiple column elements. Sometimes the structural frame segment may include a wide column such as a column of sheet or even a wall to support the vertical loads needed. In any case, the mechanism for the operation will be similar to that of the narrow column elements described in connection with the preferred embodiments.

With this flexibility in mind, the concept of vertical alignment should be widely considered, that is, that the vertical alignment should only be accurate enough to the point necessary to transfer the vertical load to the aligned structural support segments. For example, for narrow structural frame segments with small vertically aligned mounting means, relatively tight mill tolerances will be required that the vertical loads of the upper structural frame segment can be adequately supported by the lower structural frame segment. However when a structural frame segment formed as a wall abuts a column-like structural frame segment (or several columns as structural frame segments) the degree of vertical alignment (in the direction of the column space) it does not need to be that exact, as long as the vertical charges are transferred.

Figure 7A is a schematic isometric view of a group of five levels 70, 72, 74, 76 and 78 which can be part of the building 56 as shown in Figure 6. The orientation of the construction units 2 making the levels 70,72 ... 78, can be varied according to the requirements.

Figure 7B shows a building 63 having a central core 58 but with a different arrangement of the banks of building units; The building units are arranged surrounding the center 58. Figure 7C shows another building 65 again made from the banks of building units but this time to be reinforced by a side center 67.! Figure 8 illustrates a building 80 having a distributed service arrangement before the central core 58 of the arrangement shown in Figures 6 and 7. In this arrangement building 80 has five levels 82, 84, 86, 88 and 90 and the components that make the provision of distributed services can be built in the building units that make the various levels. In the illustrated arrangement, there is a center of elevators 98, two stairwells 100 and 102 and a center of duct 104. These components are separated from each other and using heavier structural components this provision of services therein adds to the overall stability of the building, because the various vertical ducts are distributed over a wider area, as seen in the plan view compared to the use of a single central layout Figure 9 is a schematic side view of a multi-storey building in which levels 1 to 5 are fabricated from assemblies of building units designated by reference numeral 112; levels 6 to 10 are designated by reference numeral 114; levels 11 to 15 are designated by reference numeral 116; and levels 16 to 20 are designated by reference numeral 118. The structural frame segment associated with the building units in the various groups of levels increases the load carrying capacity towards the bottom, according to the height of the building. It is desirable that the zone of columns between the neighboring units remain constant across the height of the building, thus the maximum column width is fixed. Therefore, to accommodate the increase in load closest to the bottom of the building, columns 120, 122 and 124 are deeper (longitudinally) in their bottom than in their upper part. In this arrangement / a first group of levels 112 will have the columns of a first larger size and a second group of levels, for example 114 will have the columns of a second, smaller size. This continues up the building. This progression of increasing the size of the column down to a building (preferably in a group / stage mode) can be seen in table 1. This allows all units to maintain a constant width regardless of the height of the building.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a building 130 having 20 levels shown for simplicity in five groups of four levels 132, 134, 136, 138 and 140 and a central center 142. As can be seen in Figure 11A, the plane 132 is made from a first bank of three building units 132A, 132B and 132C and a second bank of three building units 132D, 132E and 132F. The plane 132 includes two additional building units 132G and 132H that are oriented 90 ° relative to the other building units, as shown in Figure 11A. Figures 11B, 11C, 11D and 11E show an arrangement similar to the construction units therein. There is no fixed order of installation of the various assemblies of the building units in a building like this, depending on the parameters of the site and the design of the building. ,.

Figure 12 is a more detailed schematic view of the plane 132 of the building 130; It will be seen, that the structural frame segments of the assemblies of the building unit, 132A, 132B, 132C and the assemblies of the building unit, 132D, 132E and 132F are interconnected with one another, in a similar manner to what shown in Figure 3. The inner terminals of the building unit assemblies 132A, 132C, 132D and 132F include terminal structural frame segments 150 and 152 that cooperate with the complementary structural frame segments in the assembly assemblies. the construction unit 132G and 132H, which are adjacent there. In the case of the assemblies of the building unit 132B and 132E, the terminal structural frame segments 150 and 152 are ablated directly to the mounting plates 154, 156, 158 and 160 that are there; melted in or otherwise connected to center 142, as shown.

Figure 12 also illustrates schematically the use of facade elements to provide the facade for building 130. In particular, facade end elements 162 are connected to each of the assemblies 132A-132F of the building unit. The facade elements of side 164 are connected to the outer sides of the assemblies of the building unit, 132A, 132C, 132D and 132F. The façade elements of the side 164 are connected to the segments of the structural frame 16, 18, 20 and 22 of these assemblies of the building unit, as shown. The final elements of the facade (not shown) are connected to the terminals of the assemblies of the construction unit 132G and 132H. The façade elements of the side 166 are connected to the sides of the assemblies of the building unit 132G and 132H through the segment of the structural frame 168, as shown. The final elements of the facade 162 could be load carriers and be integrated into the assemblies of the building unit. Steel and / or reinforced concrete could be used, both as a feature and as a support structure depending on the structural requirements of the building. The elements of the facade could be solid or hollow to allow the union of the site, or the filling of the concrete mass for the filling of the concrete elements. This can provide large rigid cutting walls to make the facade elements. Balconies, balustrades and screens could be added to the facade, as required.

Façade elements may include non-structural coatings such as various metal, wood, terracotta, glass, etc. panels.

Figure 13A is a schematic view of a floor plan of an apartment building 69, which has ten apartments in each level. The building has a distributed center layout, somewhat similar to that shown in Figure 8, and includes two stairwells 71 and 73 and two elevator shafts 75 and 77. As shown in Figures 13B and C, each of the individual departments are formed of two adjacent building units 72.1 & 72.2, 72.1 & 72.2 equipped to provide the necessary rooms for the apartments. In this arrangement, the stairwells 71 and 73 are constructed in the building units.

Figure 13D and E show alternative department arrangements that use three and two construction units respectively.

Figures 14A through B show two levels of a building hotel 79, which has fourteen rooms in the lower levels 81, (Figure 14A) and twelve rooms in the upper levels 83 (Figure 14B). In this general arrangement, the elevator shaft 91 constitutes a center-side similar to the center of the side 67 of Figure 7C, while the holes of the stairs 87 and 89 are internal, similar to the arrangement of Figure 8. Basically in this arrangement a single building unit 93, as shown in Figure 14C, is: used for each room in the hotel building. In this construction, the elevator shaft and stairwells are constructed separately, rather than forming part of the building's units. This contributes to > reinforcement and the stability of the building.

Figures 15A and B show a construction of use 85, which has both office spaces in the lower levels of the building and residential housing in the upper levels. The figure; 15A shows a typical floor plan for residential housing that uses several building units. - Building units with similar or different shape could be used at lower levels and serve as a space for commercial offices.

As mentioned above, the building units 2 may be partly or substantially fully equipped according to the requirements of the finished building. The techniques for the arrangement of the various building units to achieve particular floor plans should not be described in detail, since similar techniques have been used in low elevation structures as described in some of the documents referred to above. .

Another part of the structure and / or equipment of the building can be carried out using known techniques, or techniques that are similar to known techniques. For example, the bases of support of any building assembled in this way will have the support bases built in the conventional way to adapt to the conditions of the site and the height of the building. However, the size and capacity of the building foundations will be reduced and, therefore, will be less expensive than a conventionally constructed concrete construction due to the reduction of the weight of the buildings constructed in accordance with the invention. .

When parking for automobiles is required, they can be built in concrete in the conventional manner, since this type of construction is better suited. A transfer level can be formed at the top level of the parking lot, as required to transfer the loads from the units to the parking structure. In this way a more economical and effective arrangement of structural members can be achieved J The ceilings of the units can be manufactured as a separate framed section and raised to their position in the higher units and connected in the same way as the connections between the units. The roof is formed with short, cut columns that align with the structural frame segments below, side spokes of steel and steel belts. ' A parapet is formed around the perimeter of each unit, so that the entire roof is made of the measured sections of the unit that drain each independently. After the installation, a metal cover is configured on all the parapets to waterproof the joints between the units. The roof covering can be made of steel sheet metal for the roof, with the channels and the conventional flashing or can be laminated with counter-plating and a bituminous waterproof membrane. Additional finishes, such as concrete or ornate wooden decks, can be added to the roof terraces created. The platforms of the plant and the passages can be added when required.

The drain can be achieved, with downpipes of the channels in a laminated steel roof, or with downpipes connected to roof outlets. The downspouts will generally be positioned on the external faces of the building.

The drain to balconies can be achieved in the same way as a membrane roof with downpipes connected to balcony drains. It is common that it can be used, for the balcony drains, its alignment with the exits of the roof, so that a single connection drain can be used for the roof outlet and the balcony drains, in each run.

The services and accessories can be included in each unit and can be configured by the fixed installations and by the accessories to a central connection point after the installation.

The installation of the main risers (water, gas, sewers, etc.) and wiring (electrical, telephone and data, etc.) can be carried out on site, in the conventional way.

The plant equipment is established in a manner similar to conventional buildings. The type of plant is determined by the size of the construction, the type of services available or required and availability.

Figure 16 illustrates, in more detail, the structure of an assembly embodiment of the building unit 2 and the novel connection assemblies for interconnecting several units. In general terms, the construction of an assembly, of such a unit; of construction, follows a construction procedure of a self-supported unit, followed by the fixing of one or more supporting columns on its exterior. ! In the illustrated arrangement, the side wall 6 is formed of the metal roll of profiled steel 179, which is similar to that used in the shipping of containers. Typically the sheet has a thickness of, say, 1.6 mm and a single sheet is used for the entire wall that can have a height of, say, 2700 mm and a length between 10m to 20m. The side wall 6 includes an upper railing 180 which is welded to the upper edge of the metal laminate profiled from the wall 179. Typically the rail 180 is 60 x 60mm and has a wall thickness of, say, 3 mm. The side wall 6 also includes a lower rail 182 which is generally of a C-shaped section, having a lower flange 183 and a larger upper flange 185 which is welded to the lower edge of the metal laminate 179. The depth of the The central fabric of the lower rail 182 is typically 160 mm and the material has a thickness of, say, 4.5 mm.

The floor 8 could be made of a plurality of steel belts 184, which extend laterally through the building between the side walls 6 and are located in centers of 400 mm. The terminals of the belts are welded or closed to the central fabric of the lower rail 182 of the side wall 6, as shown. He! floor also includes, counter-plating flooring 186, mounted by screws or similar, to the straps 184.

The roof 10 is made of profiled steel sheet metal 186 which can be the same as that used in the side wall 6. The roof further includes a roof rail 188 which in the illustrated arrangement is a section L channel, say 55 x 55 mm that has a wall thickness of 6 mm. The roof rail 188 can be welded or it can be fixed to the upper rail 180 of the side wall 6.

The other side wall 4 of the building unit 2 is similar in construction and does not need to be described.

The components of the side walls 4 and 6 and the floor and ceiling 8 and 10 define the box as the structure of the building unit that is capable of supporting its own weight and the live loads applied therein in use. In the illustrated arrangement, the inner side walls are lined with a double layer of fire-resistant gypsum 190 and 192 which are connected inside the metal laminate 179 by means of upper and lower slats 194 and 196. Likewise, the roof is covered by two plasterboards 198 and 200 connected to the interior face of the panels 186 by roof strips 202. The double layers of the plaster layers together with the air spaces between the plasterboards and the profiled metal laminate 179 and the panels 186 increase fire resistance and soundproof insulation of and between building units.

Figure 16 also shows the element of the column 22 and the upper and lower mounting blocks 24 and 26. In the illustrated arrangement, the element of the column 22 is formed of a steel beam of square section, say, 100 x 100 mm and has, a wall thickness of, say, 9 mm. Its upper terminal 20 is welded directly to the upper rail 180 of the side wall 6. The upper part of the column element 22 is welded to the upper mounting block 26 and the lower part of the column element 22 is welded to the mounting block lower 24. In the illustrated arrangement, the lower mounting block 24 is somewhat wider than the upper block 26 and its inner side extends into the channel forming the lower rail 182 of the side wall 6 and is welded thereto. This completes the connection of the element of the column 22 and the mounting block 24 and 26 to the side wall 6. The other elements of the column 16, 18 and 20 of the assembly of the building unit are connected in a similar manner and do not They need to be described.

It is advantageous to carry out a stress relief step before fixing the structural frame segments 22. For example, when the unit is built in a mechanical guide or holding the stress relief passage, this will typically include , release a clamping force applied by the mechanical guide or the clamp. In the case of a unit that has a welded metal construction, it would be included to allow any heat stress in the metal to dissipate, for example, by cooling. In this way, the box or monocoque type unit relaxes in its natural form, which may include deformations or deviations from its designed form. Then the elements of column 22 can be adhered as described herein. Accurate placement, in this way, of the column elements (with respect to the original design) can be achieved, since they do not depend on the accuracy of the unit's monocoque shape. Typically the mounting means for attaching the elements of the column 22 to the unit have sufficient tolerance to withstand the deviation of the unit.

As it was previously observed, this decoupling of the construction of the construction units and the structural frame segments of an assembly of the construction unit improve the ease of fabrication since only those portions of the assembly give the construction unit that need to be Positioned with precision is done to meticulous tolerances. The rest - for example, the construction unit structure can be realized at other tolerance levels.

Because of the certainty of the placement of the structural frame segment, it (or a point in it) can serve as a data for the fitting of the interior of the unit and the embedding of any element of the facade. This is better than using the walls of the building unit to guide the fitting or fixing of a facade, because in the case of not being straight, or vertical, a reference of the structural frame segment 22 can be taken. To do this , a measurement forms the data point (for example, a point is taken by the inner wall of the columns and transferred to the interior of the self support unit.) The measurements for the interior fitting can then be taken from this point of view. transferred reference As you can see, several of these reference points may be needed.

A first mounting means, in the form of lower mounting block 24, is illustrated in more detail in Figures 17 to 20. The mounting block generally takes the form of a cuboidal hollow body which! the terminals have open as can be better seen in Figure 17. More especially, the block has an upper wall 210, a lower wall 212 and side walls 214 and 216. The block has open inner and outer sides 218 and 220 .

The upper and lower walls 210 and 212 include aligned holes 222 and 224 which are offset toward the outer open side 220, as best shown in Figure 18. Block 24 typically has a width of, say, 165 mm, the height of, say, 160 mm and a length of, say, 160 mm. It is preferably made of structural steel and the side walls have a thickness of, say, 16 mm, while the upper and lower walls 210 and 212 have a thickness of 20 mm.

Figures 21 to 24; schematically illustrate the structure for the upper mounting block 26. The block 26 is, again, generally a cuboid hollow body. It has an upper wall 230, a lower wall 232 and side walls 234 and 236. It also has open side walls 238 and 240. The side walls 234 and 236 include aligned holes 242 and 244 which are generally located in the center of the side walls. Lower wall 232 includes an opening 246 generally centered therein. The upper wall 230 includes a larger tapered opening 248. The opening 248 is generally rectangular, but with curved corners. The sharpening is approximately 10 ° with the widest part of the opening 248 located on the upper surface of the upper wall, 230, as shown. In the illustrated arrangement, the upper mounting block 26 has a height of approximately 195 mm, the width of, say, 120 mm and the depth of 160 mm. The block is made of structural grade steel and the side walls 234 and 236 have a wall thickness of, say, 16 mm, the bottom wall 232 a wall thickness of 20 mm and the top wall 230 a wall thickness of 40 mm. mm.

Figures 25, 26 and 27 are fragmentary views showing how a pair of the adjacent building unit assemblies 2A and 2B are connected to a pair of upper adjacent assemblies of the building unit 2C and 2D. It can be seen in Figure 25 that the lower mounting block 24A of the upper unit 2C is mounted directly on the upper mounting block 26A of the assembly of the lower construction unit 2A. More especially, the lower wall 212C of the assembly of the upper construction unit 2C is supported directly on the upper wall 230A of the lower unit. It can also be seen that the elements > from column 22A and 22C the nail is aligned to the other. A similar arrangement is present in the other points where the assembly blocks of two construction unit assemblies 2A and 2C are engaged with each other. In this way, the entire vertical load of the assembly of the upper construction unit 2C is transmitted to the assembly of the lower construction unit 2A through the mounting blocks and then into the elements of the column.

Figure 26 is a view similar to Figure 25, except that it shows the location of some of the components of the assemblies of the building unit 2B and 2C, which are located next to the assemblies 2A and 2C of the construction unit respectively. More especially, Figure 26 shows the location of the structural frame segments 16B and 16D together with the location of the mounting blocks 26B and 24D.

In the illustrated arrangement, there are three types of connections that, for convenience, will be referred to as a type 1, 250 connection, a type 2, 252 connection, and a type 3, 254 connection. [Generally speaking, a type 1 connection , 250, as shown in Figure 28, is used to connect together the upper mounting blocks of the lower assemblies of the building unit to the lower mounting Ide blocks of the higher units. In the illustrated arrangement, a type 1, 250 connection is used to connect the upper mounting block 26A to the lower mounting block 24C, as shown. Likewise, a type 1, 250 connection is used to connect the upper mounting block 26C to the adjacent vertically adjacent mounting block.

The type 2, 252 connection, as shown in Figure 29, is used to connect together the adjacent upper mounting blocks 26. In the illustrated arrangement, a type 2, 252 connection is used to connect the upper mounting blocks together 26A and 26B. Likewise, a type 2, 252 connection is used to connect the upper mounting blocks 26C and 26D together.

The connection type 3, 254, as shown in Figure 30 is used to vertically connect the adjacent units where the connection type 1, 250, can not be used because the inside of the lower mounting block 24 can not be accessed, as it will be described later. A type 3, 254 connection includes an elongated connecting rod extending from the upper mounting block 26, from a construction unit assembly to the upper mounting block 26 of the next vertically adjacent unit.

Figure 28 illustrates in more detail a type 1, 250 connection. A type 1, 250 connection 1, includes a bolt 260 having a rectangular head 262, having the sharp sides as shown. The connection includes a sharpened spacer 264, which is generally cuboid in shape, but having sharp sides to be complementary to the shape of the opening 248 in the upper wall 230 of the upper mounting block 26. The tapered spacer 264 includes a central bore 265, to allow the axis of the pin 260 to pass through. The connection includes a washer 266 and nut 268. It can be seen in Figure 25 that the upper and lower mounting blocks 24 and 26 have their open side walls 218A and 238C exposed so that construction workers have access to the inside of the mounting blocks. Before placing the assembly of the upper construction unit 2C in the assembly of the lower construction unit 2A, the sharpened spacer 264 is located first in the opening 248. The assembly 2C of the building unit can then be lowered into the position and the axis of the bolt 260 can be inserted through the bore 265 of the spacer 264 and then through the opening 246 in the lower wall 232 of the lower mounting block 24. The construction workers can then place the washer 266 and the nut 268 on the pin shaft 260 and tighten the nut, increasing access by the open side wall 218 of the lower mounting block 24. The complementary edges of the spacer 264 and the opening 248 ensure that the pin axis is correctly centered to give the correct alignment between the upper and lower assemblies of the construction unit. Figure 31 schematically illustrates the position of the head 262 of the bolt of a type 1, 250 connection, before lowering the upper assembly of the building unit to the position. It can be seen that the sharp sides of the head 262 are generally aligned with those of the sharpened spacer 26. After the descent of the highest unit to the position, the head 262 can then be rotated through 90 ° to assume the position as shown in Figure 28 where it can be supported against the lower face of the upper wall 230 of the block. top assembly 26.

Figure 29 schematically illustrates a type 2, 252 connection between the upper adjacent mounting blocks 26A. and 26B. The connection includes a bolt 270, the nut 272 and the washer 274.

As can be seen, the side walls 236A and 234B are adjacent to one another and their respective openings 244A and 242B are also aligned. The shaft of the bolt 270 can pass through the aligned openings so that the operator can then mount the washer 274 and tighten the nut 272. Access to the interior of the mounting blocks 26A and 26B is through its open side walls 238A and 238B .

Figure 30 schematically illustrates the type 3, 254 connection, which is used to vertically connect together the assemblies of the building unit 2B and 2D. The type connection 3, 254, includes an elongated rod 271 and the head 273.

The head 273 is generally cuboidal with sharp sides and is similar in shape to the head 262. The connection includes a sharpened spacer 275 that is generally complementary to the sharp opening 248B of the upper mounting block 26B. The sharpened spacer 275 includes a central hole 276 to allow the rod 271 to pass through. The upper terminal of the rod 271 is screwed in order to receive a washer 278 and the nut 280 on it. In the illustrated arrangement, the head 271 engages the lower side of the upper wall 230B of the mounting block 26B. The axis of the rod 271 extends through the openings 222D and 224D of the lower mounting block 24D by the structural frame segment 16D so that its free terminal is located within the upper mounting block 26D, as shown. Figure 32 shows the position of the head 271 of the type 3 connection, 254, while being lowered to the position. After lowering the assembly of the highest construction unit 20 to the position, the head 273 can be rotated 90 ° so that it again engages the lower side of the upper wall of the mounting block 26B. Sharp aligned faces of the bolt head and sharp spacers help align the units during installation and fastening. The construction worker can then tighten the nut 280 to securely interconnect the assemblies of the building unit 2B and 2D.

Typically, the assemblies of the building unit can be lifted using a crane that has hooks or other fastening means that can be connected to the four upper mounting blocks 26 of an assembly of the building unit. The type of connection can be similar to that used to lift and transport shipping containers.

We refer now to Figure 27 which shows a profile of a connection between a pair of the adjacent lower building unit assemblies 1A, 2B and a pair of the upper adjacent building unit assemblies 2C and 2D. This arrangement includes three connections (Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3) to connect the units 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and they are assembled in an assembly as follows: the assembly 2C of the unit, construction is assembled in assembly 2A of the building unit and vertical connections are made by a type 1, 250 connection. This would then continue to lower the position of assembly 2B of the building unit adjacent to assembly 2A of the building unit and the horizontal connections they are made using the type 2 connection, 252. Once the assembly of the building unit 2B has been lowered to the position, access to the interiors of the mounting blocks 26A and 26B is no longer possible and therefore , manufacturers can not place the components of a Type 1 connection there. Therefore, the Type 3 connection is needed. ' Figure 33 is a schematic profile showing a four-level building 280 that includes a plurality of the assemblies of the building unit of the type described above. The units are interconnected using Type 1, 2 and 3 connection 250, 252 and 254 as indicated. The drawings show large numbers in bold, the preferred sequence of assembly of several construction units in construction 280. The exact order of installation of units is determined by the site and the elevation conditions but is generally working in a diagonal direction . In this drawing, the building includes a base 282 that includes mounting plates to which the Type 1 connections 250 are coupled to securely anchor the building to the base.

Figures 34 to 51 illustrate an alternative set of mounting means. This can be used in embodiments of the present invention. In this aspect, instead of mounting blocks each column is configured with a connection plate that is used for fixing the adjacent assemblies of the building unit together as will be described.

The details of a further embodiment of the lower and upper connecting plates 24 and 26 will now be described with reference to Figures 34 to 51. In the above description, the lower connecting plates were identified in generic form by the reference numeral 24. In a preferred form of the invention, however, there are two types of lower connection plates. The first lower connecting plate 206 is illustrated schematically in Figures 34, 35 and 36. It basically comprises a rectangular steel plate 210 having a nominal thickness of, say, 25 mm but the thickness can be varied according to requirements. In the illustrated arrangement, the length of the plate is 290 mm and the width is 145 mm, these dimensions may vary according to requirements. On the underside of the plate 210 there is a sharp projection 211. The projection 211 can be fixed to the plate 210 by means of welding or the like. In the illustrated arrangement, the projection 211 is generally cuboid in shape and has a depth of 20 mm, a length of approximately 91 mm and a width of approximately 53 mm. The sharpening reaches approximately 2.5 mm on each side or between approximately 5o to 10 °. The corners of the projection are preferably rounded and have a radius of curvature in the range 5 mm to 15 mm. The plate 210 includes a first, second and third holes 212, 213 and 214.

The hole 212 is larger in diameter than the other holes and is located on the central longitudinal axis. It is preferably 32 mm in diameter. The hole 213 and 214 is generally symmetrically aligned between the projection 211 and one of the terminals of the plate. The hole 213 and 214 is preferably 26 mm in diameter.

A second type of lower connecting plate 215 is shown in Figures 36 and 37. The second type of connecting plate 215 includes a square plate 216 which is of the same thickness as the plate 210 and its edges are half the length of the length of plate 210.

Thus, in the illustrated arrangement, the sides are 145 mm long .. The lower face of the plate 216 includes a symmetrically arranged projection 217 which is identical in shape to the projection 211. The final view shown in FIG. Figure 36 of the first type of lower connection plate 206 would be the same for the second type of lower connection plate 215. The plate 216 does not include any holes.

In the foregoing description, the upper connecting plates are shown in generic form by the reference numeral 26. There are, in fact, two forms of upper connecting plates. As it will be, described below, the similar components are used to make the different types of upper connection plates, but they are oriented differently in the assembly of the construction unit.

Figures 38 to 41 schematically illustrate the preferred form of an upper connecting plate 218. The connecting plate 218 can be formed of an initially rectangular plate 219 of steel, the dimensions of the plate 219 are generally the same as the plate 210 that it is shown in Figure 16, except for the thickness which is preferably 40 mm. The upper connecting plate 218 has a corner removed therefrom to define a rectangular projection portion 220. The corner that is removed is preferably 75mm X 75mm. The plate 219 includes a centrally located tapered cavity 221 that is complementary in size and at the sharp angle to the projections 211 and 217 of the lower connecting plate 206 and 215. The plate 219 includes a first hole 222 generally located by the shaft longitudinal of the plate 219 between a terminal of the plate and the cavity 221 and a second hole 223, generally located centrally, to the projection portion 220.

The holes 222 and 223 preferably have diameters of 34 mm and 28 mm respectively. As will be described in more detail below, the upper connecting plate 218 may be mounted in different orientations in an assembly of the building unit 2 so that the upper and lower connecting plates are used to interconnect the assemblies laterally and vertically. adjacent to the building unit 2. All connection plates are made of steel grade 350 or higher.

Figures 42 and 43 schematically illustrate how the mounting means in the form of; connecting plate 206, 215 and 218 are connected to the elements of the column 18 and 20 to form a structural frame segment 4218 and 4220. Figure 42 exposes the element of the column 18 which in this arrangement is a hollow steel column of cross-section square having a length and a width of 125 mm by 125 mm, the wall thickness of about 4 mm to 10 mm with a full length of 3050; mm, including the connection plates. One of the first connecting plates 206 is welded to the upper terminal of the column element 18 such that the center of the cavity 221 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the column element 18. One of the plates lower connection 215 is welded to the lower terminal of the column member 18 such that, the center of its projection 217 ·, is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the column 18 This ensures that the cavity 221 is exactly aligned with the projection 217.

Figure 43 schematically illustrates the structural frame segment 4220. This structural frame segment is formed by welding one of the first connection plates 218 to the upper terminal of the column element 20 and one of the lower connection plates 206 to the terminal lower of the element of the column 20. Again the centers of the cavity 221 and the projection 211 are aligned with the longitudinal axis of the element of the column 20. The element of the column 20 is formed of the same section as that used to form the element 18 and has the same dimension.

In an alternative embodiment, a structural frame segment may have its assembly means and the column element integrally formed. In this case, the mounting means will be part of the column element that engages a neighboring column element in use and that part which is used to fit together.

Figure 44 sets out the location of the structural frame segments of a pair of laterally adjacent building unit assemblies 2A and 2B. For the structural frame segment 18A of the assembly of the building unit 2A, the orientation of the upper connecting plate 218 is selected so that the projection 220 is adjacent to the side wall 4 and is directed away from the segment 16A of the structural frame . On the same side, segment 16A of the structural frame has its projection 220 oriented in the same manner. The structural frame segment 16A is the same as the structural frame segment 18A and, therefore, the plate of. Connection . lower 215 will be located in the lower terminals of these structural frame segments.

In the other side wall 6A, the structural frame segment 20A is positioned so that its projection portion 220 is oriented in an opposite manner relative to those adjacent to the side wall 4A. The structural marking segment 22A is of the same construction as the 20A structural frame segment. Therefore it will be appreciated that the structural frame segments 20A and 22A will have lower first connecting plates 206 at the lower terminals thereof.

The assembly of the construction unit 2B is of identical construction to the assembly 2A of the building unit and therefore, its column elements and the upper and lower connection plates are to be the same as those of the assembly of the unit of construction. construction 2A.

Figure 45 shows the assemblies of the building unit 2A and 2B stacked together laterally, such that the projection portions 220 of the lower connecting plates 206 are to be inter-engaged, as shown.

The elements of the column 16, 18, 20 and 22 can be welded to the side walls and / or the frame for the building units 2A and 2B at selected locations so that they can be laterally connected together, as shown in Figure 45 as well as vertically connected, as will be described in more detail later.

Figure 46 schematically shows an isometric view of a plurality of the assembly unit assemblies assembled together. The most visible front unit 2B has a structural frame segment 18B connected to the side wall 4B of the assembly of the building unit 2B. The length of the structural frame segment 18B is chosen so that the upper part of the upper connecting plate 218B is approximately 100 mm from the upper part of the roof plane 10B.

A rod of elongated connection 207B having terminals with threads is passed through hole 222B and its lower terminal is engaged with a threaded coupling member (not shown in Figure 41) located adjacent to the bottom of the frame segment. structural 18B, as will be described in more detail below. A nut 209B is adjusted in the terminal with thread of the connecting rod 207 ?. As shown in Figure 47, a laterally adjacent assembly of the building unit 2A can then be positioned so that its side structural frame segment 20A is adjacent to the structural frame segment 18B as shown. In this position, the portions of the projection 220A and 220B are side by side. At the other terminal of the assemblies of the building unit 2A and 2B, the structural frame segments 22A and 16B are similarly arranged.

After alignment of the assemblies of the building unit 2A and 2B, a third assembly of the building unit 2C can be lowered into the upper part of the building unit assembly 2B with the structural frame segment 20C aligned vertically with the 20A structural frame segment as shown in Figure 48.

A coupling member 233B may be connected to the terminal projecting the connecting rod 207B, as shown.

The coupling member 233B is essentially an elongated nut that can receive the? lower terminal with thread of an adjacent elongated connecting rod 207D (as shown in Figure 50). The assembly of the building unit 2C is made so that the projection 211C of the column 20C enters the cavity 221A of the column 20A and because of its complementary sharp shapes, will automatically tend to align the assemblies of construction unit 2C and 2A. As the assembly of the building unit 2C is lowered, all its projections 211 and 217 will go into the corresponding cavities 221 of the assembly of the building unit 2B. The bolts 224, 225 and 226 can then be introduced through the aligned holes n the plates 206C and 218A, 218B. More especially, pin 224 passes through hole 212C and 222A; the bolt 225 passes through the hole 214C and 223A and the bolt 226 passes through the hole 213C and 223B. The nuts 227, 228 and 229 can be adjusted in the respective bolts to securely engage the plates together, as shown in Figure 49.

After all the nuts have been adjusted, a fourth 2D assembly of the building unit can then be lowered to the position on the assembly of the building unit 2A. For clarity of illustration in Figure 49, only the structural frame segment 20D of the assembly of the 2D building unit is shown. It is lowered to the position in such a way that its projections 217D enter the cavity 221B of the assembly d of the building unit 2B. The four sharp projections of the assembly of the 2D construction unit will help in the correct alignment of the assembly of the 2D construction unit above the assembly of the construction unit 2A.

Figure 50 shows the final position of several plates. It can be seen that the plate 215D is supported against the plate 218B and held in position by the elongated connecting rod 207D, as shown. The elongate connecting rod 207 is preferably made of a steel rod with a diameter of 30 mm and is screwed into its terminals or along its entire length.

It will be appreciated that the nuts 227, 228 and 229 can be adjusted before the fourth assembly of the 2D construction unit is lowered into position. Once this happens, there is no access to the connection plates and the use of the 207D elongated connecting rod allows the final connection to be made by the assemblers working on the ceilings of the upper assemblies of the 2C and 2D construction units. . The normal procedure for adjusting the elongated connecting rod 207D would be to screw its lower terminal into the coupling member 233B before positioning the fourth assembly of the 2D construction unit. The assembly of the 2D construction unit is then positioned on the assembly of the unit. construction 2A and the upper end of the shank 207D is aligned with the hole 222 of the upper plate (not shown) of the structural frame segment 18D. The assembly of the 2D building unit can then be lowered so that the upper end of the rod 207D passes through the hole. A similar sequence occurs for all the structural frame segments of the assembly of the 2D construction unit.

It will further be appreciated that the illustrated arrangement provides a very robust connection both vertically and laterally for the connection plates and therefore for the structural frame segments. This imparts rigidity and stability to the building.; It will be appreciated that the positions of the connecting plates could be interposed, that is, the projections could be on the upper plates. Also, the complementary plates could be used for the lower plates instead of the illustrated arrangement in which the upper plates are complementary.

Figures 52 to 67 illustrate yet another embodiment of the mounting means and their method of use for connecting the assemblies of the building unit to one another. This example represents a hybrid between the previous embodiments using both the connection plates and the mounting blocks.

An exemplary lower cone plate 310 is illustrated in more detail in Figures 52, 53 and 54. It can be seen that plate 310 includes a rectangular base 312 having side walls, say 125 mm long and 25 mm thick, the upper edges of the base are chamfered. The plate 310 includes a location projection 314 that is molded or fabricated of steel and welded to the bottom face of the base 312. The projection 314 is generally cuboid in shape but has terminal and side walls tapered downward, as shown. The lower connection plate 310 includes a central hole 316 extending through the base 312 and the projection 314. Typically the diameter of the hole 316 is approximately 332 mm.

In the assembly of the building unit 300 the upper terminals of the structural frame segments 16, 18, 20 and 22 are provided with upper connecting plates 318, or upper mounting blocks 320 depending on where the units are to be deployed. Basically, construction mounting blocks 320 are used where access is a problem and where elongating connectors are required, similar to Type 3, 254 connections, of the previous embodiments, as will be described in more detail below. .

Figures 55 to 57 illustrate the upper connecting plate 318 in more detail. It can be seen that it is in the form of a rectangular plate that is the same size as the base 312 of the lower connecting plates. It includes a rectangular opening 324 having sharp side walls, which are complementary to the sharp side walls of the projection 314 so that the projection 314 can be comfortably adjusted therein.

Figures 58 to 60 illustrate in more detail the upper mounting block 320. The upper mounting block 320 is welded to the upper terminals of the column elements as shown below and is used in places where an elongation rod is required due to lack of access, as is the case where requires Type 3 connections 254. The upper mounting block 320 is of construction generally similar to the upper mounting block 26 shown in Figures 21 to 24 and the same reference numerals have been used to denote parts that are the same or that correspond to that realization. In this case, the opening 248; is complementary to the projection 314 so that; these components can be conveniently left together when the assemblies of the building unit 300 are stacked on top of each other. 1 Figures 61 to 65 illustrate a bolt 330 which can be used in conjunction with the upper and lower connecting plates 310 and 320 to connect them together. The bolt 330 has a head 332 and the 'axis 334. The head 332 is generally cuboid shaped, > but it has terminal and lateral walls that are sharpened by approximately 10 degrees. The axis 334 is made in two lengths, the shortest is approximately 120 mm (similar to a Type 1 connector) and the longest is one length, so that it can extend the overall height of the building unit 300 ( similar to a Type 3 connector). Typically the longest version has a length of, say, 3025 mm. In any case, the upper terminal 336 of the shaft is screwed so that it can receive a nut 338. · Projecting beyond the threads is a square projection 340, as can best be seen in Figures 63 and 65.

Figures 66 and 66A illustrate how an upper connecting plate 310C is welded to the respective supporting columns 22A and 22C to cooperate respectively in aligning the units 310C and 310A with each other for the connection using the features as described. Figure 67 illustrates a similar example, but using an upper mounting block 320 and a connection plate 310C.

Figure 67 shows how the bolts 330 are used to interconnect four adjacent assemblies of the building unit 300A, 300B, 300C and 300D. This arrangement is similar to that shown in Figure 27 of the previous embodiments and, therefore, should not be described in any detail. It can be appreciated, however, that the lower terminals of the structural frame segments 22 include access openings 360 to allow access to the nuts 338 for connecting the upper and lower plates. Further, when the column elements are provided with the upper connecting plate 318, the access openings 362 spn are provided to allow the horizontally disposed bolts 364 to extend through to interconnect the structural frame segments, as shown. In the illustrated arrangement, the head of the bolt 364 is located outside the interior hollow of the column member 22A. This allows you to maintain it to facilitate adjustment of the nut 365 that is located within the upper mounting block 320D. In this arrangement, the bolt includes a flange 367 and a washer which is located on the axis of the bolt 364 between the upper mounting block 320B, the arrangement is of J such that, tightening the nut 365 effectively holds the upper terminal of the bolt 367. structural frame segment 22A, washer 369 and upper mounting block 320B together. Figure 68 shows a view similar to that of Figure 16, but shows a different construction of the unit. In the illustrated arrangement, the side wall 6 is formed of profiled steel sheet metal 179 which is similar to that used in shipping the containers. Typically the sheet has a thickness of, say, 1.6 mm and a single sheet is used for the entire wall, which may have a height of, say, 2700 mm and a length between 10m to 20m. The side wall 6 includes a top rail 180 which is welded to the upper edge of the metal laminate of the profiled wall 179. Typically the rail 180 is 60 x 60 mm and has a wall thickness of, say, 3 mm. The side wall 6 also includes a lower rail 182 which is, generally, a C-shaped section having a lower flange 183 and a wider upper flange 185 which is welded to the lower edge of the metal laminate 179. The depth of the fabric The center rail of the lower rail 182 is typically 160 mm and the material has a thickness of, say, 4.5 mm.

The 8th floor could be made of belts that run laterally through the building unit. It is preferred, however, that the floor be made of profiled steel panels of metallic laminate 184, the material being similar to that of the. side walls, except that the depth of the profile is, say, 200 mm. The panels extend laterally and the < layout provides sufficient rigidity and strength for the building unit. The terminals of the floor panels 184 are welded to the lower rail 182 on either side of the building unit. The roof 10 is preferably made of roof panels 186, an example shown in Figures 69, 70 and 71. Normally between panels 4 and 8 they would be welded together to form together the entire roof for the building unit. Each panel 186 is formed with ribs of longitudinal and lateral reinforcements, as shown schematically in Figure 70. The panels are preferably made of steel having a thickness of, say, 2 mm, a width of 1045 mm and the length of 2356 weird. The floor further includes contr -plated or other flooring material 186 located on the top of the profiled panels of the floor 184. The other side wall 4 of the building unit 2 is similar in construction and should not be described.

The components of the side walls 4 and 6 and the floor and ceiling 8 and 10 define a box-like structure, which is capable of supporting its own weight and the live loads applied in use. In the illustrated arrangement, the inner side walls are lined with a layer of fire-resistant gypsum board 190 which is adjacent to an insulation panel 192. The roof is lined with two plasterboards 198 and 200 connected to the interior face of the plaster. the panels 186 by roof strips 202. The double layers of the plasterboards together with the air spaces between the plasterboards and the profiled metal laminate 179 and the panels 186 increase the fire resistance and the soundproofing of, and between, the construction units.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 76, the element of the column 20 is welded directly to the upper rail 180. In the lower terminal, two connecting plates 187 (one shown in Figure 68) are used to connect the lower terminals from the column element 20, to the lower rail 182 preferably by welding. The other structural frame segments * of the assembly of the building unit are connected in a similar manner.

Figures 72 to 77 schematically illustrate a modified assembly of the building unit 300 and the same reference numerals will be used to denote parts that are equal to or corresponding to those of the building unit assembly 2. The main difference between the assembly of the construction unit 300 and the assembly of the construction unit 2 are the construction of the floor 8 and the connection plates 24 and 26. In the arrangement of Figures 72 to 74, the floor straps 184 are replaced by panels of floor 304 that are of generally corrugated steel construction, as shown in Figure 76. The panels 304 are similar to those used in the side walls and roof, except that they are deeper, say, typically 200 mm (as measured in the vertical direction). The degree of the corrugations is typically about 650 mm. Several panels 304 may be welded together in one piece, so as to constitute the entire floor structure for unit 300. Typically the wall thickness of panel 304 is 1.6 mm. The structural frame segments 16, 18, 20 and 22 are fixed to the side walls 4 and 6 as before. As explained above in more detail above, the connection plates 24 and 26 of the assembly of the! Building unit 2 are the same as those described above.

In the illustrated arrangement, the assembly of the building unit 300 includes two cross reinforcement panels 306 and 308 that are provided to provide additional stiffness. The panels 306 and 308 are welded to the side walls 4 and 6 and to the roof 10 internally adjacent to the structural frame segment 16 and 22 and 18 and 20 respectively.

Figure 74 shows the locations of the structural frame segments 20 and 22 of the construction unit assembly 300 | will be used in a cantilever construction. As indicated in this drawing, the center section, that is between the structural frame segments 20 and 22, can be up to 16 mm 16 meters and each terminal can be cantilever up to 6mm 6 meters.

Figure 75 shows six assembled building unit assemblies, 300B, 300C, 300D, 300E, 300F and 300G stacked, as before. The area of the space or the column between the adjacent building units 300 is chosen to accommodate the structural frame segments of different widths. As in the previous embodiments, the spaces can remain the same throughout the entire height of the building.

As best seen in Figure 77, the lower terminals of the column elements 16, 18, 20 and 22 are provided with lower connecting plates 310 that are welded to the lower terminals of the column elements and replace the block bottom mounting 24 of the previous embodiments.

Figure 77 is a schematic cross sectional view showing in more detail part of the assembly of the building unit 300. Figure 44 is a view similar to that of Figure 68, but shows the different details of the construction for the assembly. of the construction unit 2. It can be seen in this arrangement that the lower rail 182 is formed of rolled steel and has its upper and lower flanges projecting in opposite directions. The lower flange 183 is welded to the lower face of the floor panel 304, as shown. The upper flange 185 is welded to the lower edge of the profiled metal laminate of the wall 179, as in the previous embodiments.

Figure 78 shows a further modified assembly of the building unit 350 combining elements of the assemblies of the building unit 2 and 300. More especially, the floor 8 includes belts 184 but the connections in the upper and lower parts of the segments The structural frame is the same as the assembly of the building unit 300. In this embodiment, the reinforcement beam 352 can be welded between the rail 182 and the lower end of the structural frame segments, if required.

Figure 79 illustrates the construction of an additional alternative construction unit that can be used in the embodiments of the present invention. This embodiment differs in general from those of the previous embodiments in that it mainly uses flat steel material for the construction of its wall, floor and roof, rather than the corrugated profile sheets used in the previous embodiments. In the embodiment of Figure 79 the walls, floor and ceiling are reinforced by placing belts at intervals along the length of the section. In Figure 79, one can see a partially expanded cross sectional view of a building unit 400. The building unit includes a wall panel 402, a roof panel 404 and a floor panel 406.

The roof panel 404 has a corner angle section 408, which may be, for example, an angled section 110 mm X 110 mm with a thickness of 4 rare. This is welded to the wall sheet material 410, which can be rolled steel of 1.6 mm thickness.

A series of belts 411 extend through the roof panel 404 to another section of the angle, the same as the section 408. The belts 411 are welded to the angle 408 at its terminal face and along its upper edge to the sheet 410 The similar belts 411 are spaced apart by the roof panel at intervals, for example in centers of 600 mm. In the preferred embodiment the belts are specification belts C10019.

The panel of the building wall 402 is similar to that of the roof panel 404. To the top of the wall panel 402 is an angled section 412. The angled section 412 supports the roof panel and can be of dimensions similar to the angled section 408 on the roof panel. A second angled section 414 is located at the bottom of the roof panel 402. This angled section 414 supports the floor panel 406. In this example, the bottom angle 414 has dimensions 210 mm x 110 mm and 3 mm thickness. The wall panel is scraped with sheet steel, for example steel blades of 2.4 ram 450 MPa. This is welded to angle 412 at its top and angle 414 at its bottom. The sheet steel wall panel 416 is reinforced with the belts C which extend between the lower angled section 414 and the upper angled section 412. The belts C are spaced along the wall and welded therein at intervals. In the illustrated embodiment, the belts 418 can be C7519 specification belts established at 600 mm centers along the wall.

The floor panel 406 has a construction similar to roof 404 and wall 402. Floor panel 406 has an angled section 420 in each terminal (only one terminal shown in this diagram) to which a lower floor panel is welded. it is comprised of a sheet steel panel 422. In the upper part of the floor panel 422, the straps C which are welded between the angled sections 420 on each side of the floor are welded. In this case, the floor belts can be C20019 specifications set to 600 mm centers by the floor panel.

As in the previous embodiments, the roof panel, the floor panel and the wall panel will be hooked and clad together.

It should be appreciated that in the embodiments described herein, the building unit structures are described as being welded together. However, a person skilled in the art will understand perfectly that fastening and joining means can be employed. For example, instead of welding, rivets, bolt fastening or other mechanical fastening systems can be used to put the components together. Depending on the construction material used, bonding may also be convenient. In addition, the different techniques of flooring can be used as MIG welding, TIG welding, spot welding or other alternatives, depending on the accessibility and also the material used.

Figure 80 shows > the additional alternative construction of the wall that is very similar to that of Figure 79. The only difference is that the angled section in the lower terminal of the wall panel is inverted in the embodiment of Figure 80. Therefore, it is not it needs an additional description of this embodiment and the characteristics corresponding to the characteristics of Figure 79 have been numbered.

Figure 81 shows a perspective view of an alternative connection plate usable in an embodiment of the present invention. In general terms, the structural frame segment 800, illustrated in FIG. 81, is substantially similar to those structural frame segments already described herein and therefore, only one terminal thereof is illustrated in this figure. In this regard, the structural frame segment 800, includes a support column 802 and a connection plate 804. In this example, the connection plate 804 has a first terminal qμ is generally rectangular 806 and a second terminal; 808 that is sharp. Thus, in plan view, the connection plate 804 is generally trapezoidal in shape as best illustrated in Figure 82. As with the previous embodiments, the connection plate has a central cavity 810 for receiving means for engaging a similar plate for connecting a vertically adjacent frame structural segment and several bolt holes 812 and 814 for fitting to the other connecting plates of the adjacent frame segments. The structural frame segment 800 in use is mounted to a building unit with the wider side of the trapezoidal connection plate 804 closest to the building unit. Accordingly, the face 816 of the connecting plate 804 is sharpened towards the wall of the building unit to which it adheres.

Figure 82 illustrates a view of the plane of the connection plate 804 to better show its shape. In the preferred forms of this structural frame segment 800 the element of the column 802 is mounted in such a way that one of its surfaces is substantially aligned with the surface 818 of the connection plate and more preferably has an edge 820 which is substantially aligned vertically with the apex 822 of the trapezoidal connecting plate 804. The reason for this preferred alignment will be described below.

Figure 83 illustrates three assemblies of the building unit 828, 830 and 832 that are to be positioned side by side to build a level of a building. Each of the assemblies of the building unit 828, 830 and 832 comprises a rectangular building unit with four structural frame segments attached thereto. As can be seen in the assembly of the building unit 828, the structural frame segments 834 and 836 are mounted in such a manner that their sharp sides 834A and 836A face each other internally. On the other side of the building unit, the structural frame segments 838 and 840 are mounted in the opposite direction so that their sharp faces 838A and 840A are sharpened away from each other. In this way, the sharp faces of the connecting plates operate as a key assembly sharpened with respect to a horizontally adjacent assembly of the building unit. This insertion effect between the neighboring building assembly assemblies allows the assemblies of the construction unit to be positioned accurately and easily with respect to each other at the site.

Figure 84A through 84C illustrates a manner in which the neighboring building assembly assemblies meet to use this insert effect. In Fig. 84A two assemblies of the building unit 844 and 846 are positioned side by side and spaced apart. In this position, their oppositely directed connection plates 844A and 844B are aligned. In Fig. 84B as the building unit assemblies 844 and 846 come together, the sharp faces of the connection plates 844A and 846A of their respective structural frame segments are joined in such a way that they engage. The sharp faces provide the guiding surface which is angled and as the units move together the assemblies of the building unit 844 and 846 are used as a guide in a correct relative alignment. To illustrate the mismatch, in Fig. 84B the assemblies of the building unit 844 j and 846 are out of alignment. by the distance X. In this case, when aligned correctly, the straps Z '850 and 852 will be aligned - although the alignment of the structural frame segments is the key to structural integrity, the reference to the straps is made for illustrate the alignment distance.

Let us now turn to Figure 84C which shows the exactly positioned final locations of the building units 844 and 846. As can be seen, the assemblies of the building unit are in the position in such a way that the structural frame segments 844A and 846A are aligned by the space of column 854 between the building units and are substantially in contact by their sharp faces. They can now be together as described elsewhere in this document by closing, welding or other means.

As can be seen from FIGS. 84A to 84C, the sharp faces of the connecting plates operate as guide surfaces to allow easy alignment of the building units in the horizontal direction. However, the outermost face of the columns of the structural frame segments and especially the horizontally extended edge of the column element that substantially aligns with the obtuse apex of the trapezoidal connecting plate also acts as a guide surface, in the case of that there is a poor vertical alignment between the assemblies of the construction unit during positioning. This vertical guidance will almost always be necessary since the construction unit assemblies will typically be lowered to the position using a crane. To further explain this, Figure 85 shows the same portion of a structural frame segment as shown in Figure 81 but has shading with stripes to illustrate those portions of the structural frame segment 800 that can be used as guide surfaces during assembly. of a building.

To facilitate smoothly guiding the assemblies of the building unit to position, the guide surfaces of the column member 802 are substantially aligned with the guide surfaces of the connecting plate 804. As can be seen, the perfect alignment does not need to be particularly necessary where only a small discontinuity in the guide surface exists, such as the welded joint between the column member 802 and the connecting plate 804. In this case, the weld itself will tend to provide an angled surface that acts as the the guide surface to relatively smoothly traverse the discontinuity in the alignment. As will be appreciated, with this preferred alignment even if two building units are brought into contact, such that their connecting plates are not aligned horizontally, the guide surface 860 of the column element 802 will contact a guide surface of the connecting plate. of the adjacent building unit and will allow the construction unit element to be guided smoothly to the location in a correct alignment as described above.

The advantages of embodiments of the system of the invention include: lightweight construction - replaces steel with concrete as a structural component in medium and high construction (typically about 200kg / m2 compared to normal concrete construction which is typically about 500kg / m2); fire protection - construction units and exo-structure are completely protected with fire-resistant gypsum plates from the fire sources within the building units; construction is undertaken within the production building and unit assemblies can be stacked one, two or three high; the system allows a broader workforce to be used including semi-skilled workers, apprentices and women; the lowest use of energy - light materials have appreciably less contained energy; less construction weight estimated at 200kg / m2 than conventional concrete structures that are typically 500kg / m2; building the assembly of the off-site construction unit within a manufacturing facility is estimated to use 50% less transport energy, produces 75% less expense and takes 50% less time than a conventionally constructed building in the place; the acoustic separation is higher than in normal construction because the outer perimeter of a building unit is isolated from the outer perimeter of other building units. The physical contact between the building units is only at junctions of the exo-structure so that the acoustic insulation is inherent to the system; reduces construction time appreciably by replacing the normal linear sequence of vertical construction with the ability to prepare and proceed with on-site work such as excavation, foundations, car parking structure, concrete center, while assembling construction unit are built in parallel in a production facility; a higher degree of recycling than concrete structures. They can be dismantled in the opposite sequence of their assembly. The gypsum content is recyclable as plasterboard, while the concrete has to be separated and used as aggregate or gravel. The assemblies of the construction unit are structures that contain generic space that is dismantled at one time and can be used to build new structures with many potential uses; the total equipment of a building can be built on the ground floor so that a usually high degree of precision sizing can be maintained and ensures accurate equipment during assembly; The diagrams contained within the construction units are variable due to the fact that the positions of the wall do not relate to the structural system.

Many modifications will be evident to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the aforementioned or obvious individual features of the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute several alternative aspects of the invention.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the invention as above, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, claimed as property i what is contained in the following CLAIMS

1. A method for constructing a building having a plurality of levels utilizing a plurality of building unit assemblies, wherein each building unit assembly is structurally self-supporting and has, at least, a side wall, a floor and a roof, the method 'includes the steps of: lift the assemblies from, the building unit to the position in the building so that each level of the building includes a predetermined number of units; connect the adjacent units, one with the other in each level; Y \ connect the units | in a level to the corresponding units in, at least, an adjacent level that is vertically above p below the level.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, which further includes: build at least one center; Y connect the units which are adjacent to a center, the arrangement being such that the vertical loads between the adjacent levels are transmitted mainly by the assemblies of the building unit and the lateral loads can be transmitted to the center.

3. One construction method as claimed in claim 1, which also includes: joining structural frame segments to at least one side wall of a building unit to form an assembly of the building unit; Y stack the building unit assemblies to form the building levels with the structural frame segments at one level so that they are vertically aligned with the structural frame segments on at least one adjacent level, whereby, substantially all the vertical load of the building unit assemblies are transmitted through the structural frame segments.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein lateral loads can be supported by the building units.

5. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein lateral loads can be supported by one or more centers.

6. A method as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein each of the structural frame segments includes a connecting plate at the top and bottom thereof and the method includes using fastening means to connect the upper plates together and lower of the structural frame segments that are vertically adjacent to each other.

7. A method for constructing a building as claimed in claim 3, wherein the structural frame segments are adhered to the side walls of a building unit, such that, when the building unit is placed laterally adjacent to another segment. of structural frame in a predetermined relative alignment, a segment of 1 structural frame of the assembly of the building unit is placed side by side, with a structural frame segment in the assembly of the laterally adjacent building unit; and the method includes the step of connecting together the structural frame segments that are located side by side with each other.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said step of connecting the units at a level to the corresponding units at a vertically adjacent level includes the step of connecting the upper portions of the structural frame segments at lower levels. , to the lower parts of the structural frame segments at higher levels.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the method includes the step of mounting the upper and lower connecting plates at the highest and lowest terminals of said column elements respectively; and connect together the upper connection plates of the structural frame segments that are placed side by side with each other.

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the method includes the step of connecting the upper connecting plates of the structural frame segments which are placed side by side one with the other one of the lower connecting plates of the segments of structural framework located side by side to each other at the next higher level.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, which includes the step of clamping the other lower connecting plates between the vertically adjacent upper connecting plates by means of an elongate clamping rod.

12. A building having a plurality of levels, the building including: a plurality of the assemblies of the building unit, each of which is structurally self-supporting and has at least one side wall, one floor and one roof; and the structural frame segments adhered to at least one side wall thereof, the assembly groups of the building unit are stacked to form levels in the building, and where the building unit assemblies are stacked with the structural frame segments at a level that is being vertically aligned with the structural frame segments, at least one adjacent level, whereby substantially all the vertical loads are transmitted by the structural frame segments and the lateral loads can be supported by the assemblies of the construction unit.

13. A building as claimed in claim 12, wherein the building further includes a center, and wherein the assembly groups of the building unit are arranged nearby and are connected therein, such that the vertical loads between the levels Adjacent ones are transmitted mainly by the building unit assemblies rather than by the center.

14. A building as claimed in any of claims 12 or 13, wherein the building further includes one or more elongated connecting means extending between an upper portion of a first corresponding structural frame segment, attached to a construction unit. on a level to the top of a second vertically aligned structural frame segment attached to one assembly of the construction unit on another plane, of such that, the upper part of the first element of construction can be connected by said elongation means connection to the top of the second frame segment I structural.

15. A building like the one claimed in any of Claims 12 and 14, wherein a plurality of levels includes at least one unit assembly construction placed in a first orientation and, therefore, less- a second assembled construction unit orthogonally to said first orientation, in such a way that, said assemblies of the construction unit in the first and second orthogonal orientations act as reinforcements to support lateral loads.

16. A building like the one claimed in the claim 12, where the terminals of the elements of column have mounting means connected there, whereby the mounting means and the frame segments structure can be connected to the adjacent plates of the structural frame segments substantially vertically above, or 'below,' of that segment of structural framework.

17. A building as claimed in claim 16, wherein the mounting means includes upper and lower connecting plates, and wherein the location of the structural frame segments relative to the building unit to which they are connected is such so that, within a level of the building, at least some structural frame segments of the adjacent assemblies of the building unit are located in pairs side by side with each other and where, at least one of the lower connecting plates of a structural frame segment of an additional assembly of the building unit stacked in one of said adjacent assemblies of the building unit, lies at least part of the upper connecting plates of said pair, whereby at least said lower connection plate can be connected there, whereby, therefore, it connects together the adjacent assemblies of the building unit and further said assembly of the building unit.

18. A building as claimed in claim 16, wherein the mounting means includes upper and lower connecting plates, and wherein the location of the structural frame segments in relation to the building unit to which they are connected are, Such a way, that at one level of the building, at least some structural frame segments of the adjacent assemblies of the building unit are located in pairs side by side with one another, the layout of the connecting plates is in such a way that for the vertically aligned pairs of the structural frame segments at least three of their connection plates may be connected together.

19. A building as claimed in claim 12, further including connecting first means for connecting the adjacent assemblies of the building unit within one level with one another; Y . second connection means for connecting the assemblies of the building unit 'within one level to adjacent levels of the building unit assembly which are adjacent to said level.

20. A building having a plurality of levels, at least some of said levels include a plurality of self-supported building units, each of which includes a structural frame segment connected thereto, which is adapted to support the vertical load of another level about said level, where: the building includes, at least, a higher level and a lower level, where the structural strength of the frame segments of the building units at the lowest level is greater than the structural strength of the buildings. corresponding frame segments at the highest level.

21. A building like the one claimed in the Claim 20, wherein the building includes a group of higher levels and a group of lower levels, where the structural strength of the structural frame segments corresponding within the group of the lowest levels is substantially equal and the structural strength of the corresponding structural frame segments within the j group of the highest levels is substantially equal.

22. A building like the one claimed in the claim 21, where the structural strength of the structural frame segments in the lower tier group is greater than the structural strength of the corresponding frame segments in the group of levels Taller .

23. A building like the one claimed in any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the frame segments structural are external to the construction units that they are self-supporting

2 . A building like the one claimed in any of claims 20 to 23, wherein the frame segments structural elements comprise column elements attached to building units that are self-supporting.

25 A building as claimed in any of claims 20 to 24, wherein the building units are arranged within a level to define the spaces between the adjoining building units that are self-supporting in which the structural frame segments are located .

26 A building as claimed in claim 25, wherein the spaces between the adjoining vertically aligned pairs of the self-supporting building units are substantially of the same width. | '· · |'

27 A building as claimed in claim 26, wherein the spaces between all the building units bordering on self-support are substantially of the same width.

28 A building as claimed in any of claims 25 to 27, wherein the structural frame elements all have substantially the same cross-sectional width to the spaces between the adjacent self-supporting building units in which they are located.

29 A building as claimed in claim 28, wherein a relative difference in force between two elements; Structural frameworks are provided by varying at least one of the following: a relative wall thickness of the structural frame elements; a relative depth of the structural frame elements measured by the spaces between the adjoining building units of self support.

30. A segment of structural marking for the fixation to the self-supporting construction units of the structural frame segment that includes: at least one load that supports the column element; mounting means in each terminal thereof for adjusting the structural frame segment to another unit, of auto construction, support.

31. A structural frame segment as claimed in claim 30, wherein the mounting means includes a latching portion for engaging a cooperatively formed engaging portion of a vertically aligned structural frame segment in use.

32. A structural framing segment as claimed in any of claims 31 or 32, wherein the mounting means connects plates attached to the terminals of the column element.

33. A structural frame segment as claimed in any of claims 30 to 32, wherein, at least one column member includes any steel or concrete column.

34. A structural frame segment as claimed in claim 32, wherein, in use, the location of the column elements relative to the building unit to which they are connected is such that, within one level of the building At least some column elements of the adjacent building units are located in pairs side by side and where at least one of the lower connecting plates of a column element of an additional building unit is stacked in one of said adjacent building units lying at least part of the upper connecting plates of said pair, whereby said at least lower connection plate can be connected therein to, therefore, connect together adjacent construction units and said additional construction unit.

35. A structural frame segment as claimed in claim 32, wherein the location of the column elements relative to the building unit to which it is connected is such that, at a building level, at least some elements of column of the adjacent building units are located in pairs next to each other, the layout of the connecting plates that is such that, for pairs that are aligned vertically of the column elements, at least three of its connection plates can be connected together.

36 A structural frame segment as claimed in any of claims 30 to 35, wherein the structural frame segment has a mounting means formed to fit a mounting means of a structural frame segment horizontally adjacent in use.

37 A structural frame segment as claimed in any of claims 30 to 35, wherein the structural frame segment includes a plurality of column elements coupled by means for distributing the load between at least the pairs of the plurality of frames. columns

38 A structural frame segment as claimed in any of claims 30 to 37, which includes a guiding surface to facilitate alignment with the other construction element.

39 A structural frame segment as claimed in claim 38, wherein the guide surface includes at least a portion of a surface of the mounting means.

40 A structural frame segment as claimed in any of claims 38 or 39 wherein the guide surface includes at least a portion of an element of the column.

41 A structural frame segment as claimed in any of claims 30 to 40, wherein the mounting means includes an angled guiding surface for guiding the mounting means in correct alignment of a correspondingly formed mounting means in use.

42 A structural frame segment as claimed in any of claims 38 to 41, wherein the guide surface includes a vertically extended portion in use that allows vertical alignment of the structural frame segment with respect to another building, etc. to be adjusted by sliding the guide surface against the construction element. i

43 A structural frame segment as claimed in any of claims 30 to 42, wherein the mounting means includes at least one mounting plate: which includes a cutting edge to provide a guiding angled surface.

44 Uri structural frame segment as claimed in any of claims 30 to 43, wherein the mounting means includes a generally trapezoidal plate that provides a profiled guide surface to a corresponding structural frame segment aligned horizontally in use.

45. A structural frame segment as claimed in any of claims 38 to 44, which includes at least one column element extending from a surface of the mounting plate in a generally perpendicular direction and positioned in such a manner that, at least, a portion of a surface of an element of the column is substantially aligned with a vertex of a trapezoidal top plate which forms the part of a guide surface of a mounting means and which extends away from there, in such a manner that, the portion of a surface of the column element provides a continuation of the guide surface.

46. A method for constructing a building unit for use in the construction of a building having a plurality of levels, which method includes: (a) constructing a self-supporting unit that includes a floor, the roof and, at least, a side wall, thereby defining an interior of the unit and an exterior of the unit; (b) joining at least one frame segment to the exterior of the unit to structurally support an assembly of the building unit disposed on the assembly of the building unit in use.

47. A method as claimed in claim 46, wherein the method includes: (c) carry out a stress relief step before step (b).

48. A method as claimed in claim 47, wherein step (a) includes: build the self-supporting unit in a mechanical guide or clamp; and wherein step (c) includes releasing a clamping force applied by the mechanical guide or a clamp.

49. A method as claimed in claim 47, wherein step (c) includes allowing a thermally induced stress in the self-supporting unit to dissipate.

50. A method as claimed in any of claims 46 to 49, wherein step (a) includes one or more of the following construction steps: forming a floor of a plurality of floor panels; forming at least one wall of a plurality of wall panels; form a framework of a plurality of frame members; forming a roof of a plurality of roof panels; join at least one wall, the floor or the ceiling to a frame; join at least one wall or one floor of the wall component; ' Attach a roof or at least one roof panel to at least one wall.

51. A method as claimed in any of claims 46 to 50, wherein the frame segments include a structural frame segment as claimed in any of claims 30 to 45.

52. A method as claimed in any of claims 46 to 51, wherein the method includes defining at least one data point exterior to the self support unit with reference to one or more structural frame segments.

53. A method as claimed in claim 52, wherein the method further includes equipping at least part of the interior of the building unit with reference to at least one data point.

54. A method as claimed in claim 52, wherein the method further includes fixing at least one element of; the facade to the assembly of the building unit with reference to at least one data point. 1

55. A method as claimed in claim 54, wherein the method includes transferring a measure of, at least one data point, into the interior of the self-support unit.

56. A method of diagramming a building that has a plurality of levels that includes: design a disposition of these levels; defining a structural grid of the column that is common to a plurality of vertically contiguous levels; define a plurality of units in each level, between the columns of the grid of the column in such a way that, the grid of the column is in a space between the horizontally adjacent units.

57. A method as claimed in claim 56, which further includes: adjust the layout to accommodate the grid of the column and the spaces between: horizontally adjacent units.

58. A method as claimed in claim 56, which also includes: 3 define a structural grid of the common column at all levels.

59. A method as claimed in claim 56, which further includes: define a plurality of column grids corresponding to a plurality of groups of levels.

60. A method as [claimed in claim 59, which further includes positioning a transfer structure between the groups of the levels that form the plurality of groups.

61. A method in the co-construction of a building; The method that includes: diagram a building using a method as claimed in any of claims 56 to 60; making a plurality of self-supporting construction units corresponding to the units of the diagram, wherein each self-supporting construction unit has at least one associated structural support segment attached thereto, which is aligned with the defined grid of the column .

62. A method as claimed in claim 61, which further includes constructing at least one component in situ of the building.

63. A method as claimed in claim 62, which further includes stacking the plurality of assemblies of the self-supporting building unit in a defined arrangement with the on-site component of the building and connecting the building unit assemblies of the building. self-support together and the assemblies of the self-supporting construction unit.

64. A method as claimed in any of claims 61 to 63, which further includes positioning a plurality of assemblies of the self-supporting building unit in a relationship with one another as defined in the diagram prior to building the building.

65. A method as claimed in claim 64, which includes carrying out any of the following steps in the assemblies of the self-supporting construction unit thus positioned: verify the tolerances between, at least, the components of the assemblies of the neighboring self-supporting building unit; verify the correct vertical and / or horizontal alignment between the supporting structural segments of the adjoining self-supporting construction unit assemblies; equip at least part of an interior of the assemblies of the self-supporting construction unit; 'temporarily connect a service between at least two assemblies of the self-supporting construction unit; · disconnect a temporarily connected assembly service from the self-supporting construction unit; configure a façade or veneer component to an assembly. the self support building unit.