NL1043173B1

NL1043173B1 - Structural wall design

Info

Publication number: NL1043173B1
Application number: NL1043173A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Johannes Marinus Couwenberg Jan
Original assignee: Savantics Holding B V
Priority date: 2019-02-26
Filing date: 2019-02-26
Publication date: 2020-09-01
Also published as: DE102020104919A1; BE1027038A1; GB2584932B; GB2584932A; LU101656B1; GB202002564D0; BE1027038B1

Abstract

A composite frame member (200) has a composite structure of at least two metal profiles (210, 220) and a series of thermally insulating connection elements (230) connecting these two metal profiles together. Each metal profile comprises two opposite and mutually parallel side flanges (211, 212; 221, 222) and at least one body flange (213, 223) connecting these two side flanges (211, 212; 221, 222), and is for instance an open C-profile. TO PUBLISH WITH ABSTRACT: figure 2 1043173

Description

ref: P 2019 NL 004 TITLE: Structural wall design

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to the structural design of a wall of a building, more particularly an outer wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When erecting a building, various designs have been developed for structuring a wall. It is for instance known to build a wall by cementing stones to each other. A particular type of wall can be indicated as a frame wall: such wall comprises a frame structure of vertical and horizontal frame members, with panelling attached to one or both sides of the members. A sub-category of the frame walls can be defined on the basis of the material used, for instance wood or metal. The present invention relates to frame walls where the frame members are made as metal profiles, Frame members that are vertical will typically be indicated as “columns”.

When extending in horizontal direction, they will typically be indicated as "beams". The present invention relates to columns as well as to beams, but will in the following specifically be discussed for columns.

Figure 1 is a schematic horizontal cross section of a framed wall 1 comprising wall panels 4, 5 attached to both sides of a frame 2. The frame 2 comprises horizontal and/or vertical frame members implemented as metal profiles. The cross section of figure 1 shows columns 3A, 3B. The profile can be closed and hollow, for instance square or rectangular, as illustrated by column 3A. The profile can also be open, indicated as a C-profile, as illustrated by column 3B.

irrespective of the precise shape of the column profile, it can be seen that the column always has two opposite and mutually parallel flanges 31, 32. The faces of those flanges which are directed away from each other, indicated as outer faces 33, 34, provide mounting faces to which the panels 4, 5 can be attached, for instance by screws that are screwed info the metal flange material; for this reason, these flanges will also be indicated as panel flanges. Their mutual distance determines the width or thickness of the resulting wall 1.

The profile further always has at least ons (3B) or two (3A) body flanges 35 that extend the entire width of the wall 1 to connect the panel flanges 31, 32 together. The material of the wall panels 4, 5 can be selected as desired, adequate and appropriate for the purpose of the wall concerned. The space in between the panels

4, 5, indicated as wall interior 8, can be left empty or can be provided with filling material, again as adequate and appropriate for the purpose of the wall concerned, taking into account requirements set to the wall. For instance, such filling (not shown) may be insulating to provide thermal and/or acoustic insulation.

Such metal frame wall can be used for interior walls, but can also be used for exterior walls, In use as exterior wall, it is to be expected that relatively large temperature differences occur between both sides of the wall, especially in winter time, when inside temperature will perhaps be 20 - 25 °C while outside may be minus or even lower. In interior walls, such large temperature differences are not 10 normally expected. For being able to withstand such temperature differences, the wall 1 needs to be designed with a view to thermal insulation, and this invariably involves the use of insulation material in the interior 8, for instance rock wool, foam, or similar material. Depending on the temperature difference to be expected, the wall thickness may be adapted, based on the consideration that thicker insulation is better insulation.

Nevertheless, the frame members themselves, particularly the body flanges 35, constitute a thermal bridge, having negative effect on thermal insulation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a solution to the above problem. Specifically, the present invention aims to provide an improved design for a frame wall having metal-based frame members, having improved thermal insulation while maintaining advantages of metal frame members, such as ease of use and structural strength.

To this end, the present invention proposes a wall frame design wherein the frame members have a composite structure of at least three components: two metal profites defining the two wall faces, and a series of strong yet thermally insulating connection elements connecting these two metal profiles together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained by the following description of one or more preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings, in which same reference numerals indicate same or similar parts, and in which: Figure 1 is a schematic horizontal cross section of a frame wall according to prior art design; Figure 2 is a schematic horizontal cross section, comparable to fig. 1, of a frame wall according to the present invention; i Figure 3 is a schematic horizontal cross section, on a larger scale, of a profile according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 2 schematically shows a cross section, comparable to figure 1, of a frame wall 100 with frame 102, the frame 102 comprising composite frame members 200 having a composite structure of at least three components: two metal profiles 210, 220 and a series of strong yet thermally insulating connection elements 230 connecting these two metal profiles together.

By way of comparison, figure 2 also shows a prior art column 3B. In such prior art column, the panel flanges 31, 32 and the body flange 35 are part of one and the same metal profile. The body flange(s) 35 of such profile(s) present a thermal bridge between the panel flanges 31, 32.

Composite column 200 according to the present invention is to replace, i.e. to be used instead of, such prior art column 3B. The first metal profile 210, in this case an open C-profile, comprises two opposite and mutually parallel side flanges 211, 212 and at least one body flange 213 connecting these two side flanges 211, 212.

Likewise, the second metal profile 220 is an open metal C-profile, comprising two opposite and mutually parallel side flanges 221, 222 and at least one body flange 223 connecting these two side flanges 221, 222. The first and second metal profiles 210, 220 are arranged with their side flanges arranged in parallel, Side flanges 212 and 222 are directed towards each other; these side flanges will be indicated as inner" flanges. The other two flanges 211 and 221 are directed away from each other; these side flanges will be indicated as "outer" flanges, or as panel flanges, as they take the panel mounting function of the panel flanges 31, 32 of the prior art column 3B.

it is noted that the body flanges 213 and 223 are arranged in a common plane, so that the frame structure is mirror-symmetrical with respect to a virtual mid-plane of the wall; alternatively, one of the profiles may be mirrored so that the body flanges 213 and 223 are facing in opposite directions.

it is further noted that the two profiles 210, 220 may be of identical shape and size, but that is not essential.

Connection elements 230 are preferably implemented as elongate connection rods, suitably and preferably but not essentially of circular cross-sectional shape. As will be explained below in more detail, each connection element 230 has end portions 231 and 232 and a bridge portion 233 between said end portions. A first one of these end portions 231 engages the two side flanges 211, 212 of the first profile . 210, while a second one of said end portions 232 engages the two side flanges 221, 222 of the second profile 220, for structural strength and stiffness. It is noted that this also applies if the profiles would have a different cross section, for instance rectangular, square, or even hexagonal or octagonal.

According to an important aspect of the present invention, the connection elements 230, preferably over their entire length but in any case partly over their bridge portion 233, are made of a thermally insulating material, in any case of a material having lower thermal conductivity as compared to steel.

As far as the thermal conductivity is concerned, the present invention can already be implemented with connection elements 230 made of wood. However, with a view lo resistance to possible moisture, expected lifetime, strength and stiffness, a composite material based on glass fibres in a resin is preferred.

Figure 3 is cross section on a larger scale, showing preferred details of the profiles and the connection elements. Only one profile is shown, and only the reference numerals of the first profile 210 are used, although the profile shown is mirrored upside-down as compared to profile 210 in figure 2. A connection element 230 is shown transparent in dotted lines.

An engagement hole 214 is made in the inner side flange 212 of profile 210. The engagement hole 214 has a size and contour corresponding to the diameter and contour of the first end portion 231 of connection element 230. Although the precise diameter and contour of the first end portion 231 is not essential, it is preferred that this portion is circular in cross section, hence the engagement hole 214 preferably is a circular round hole with a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the first end portion 231. The hole 214 may be made by any suitable process, for instance drilling, cutting or punching. The hole 214 may be provided with a collar 215, as shown, but this is not essential.

Opposite the engagement hole 214, a recession 2186 is formed in the outer side flange 211, and an attachment hole 217 is made in said recession 218, aligned with the engagement hole 214. The recession 216 has a diameter substantially corresponding to the diameter of the first end portion 231 of connection element 230. The attachment hole 217 has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the first end portion 231 of connection element 230.

Said first end portion 231 is provided with an attachment member 234 extending longitudinally in the connection element 230, extending in any case up to the transverse free end face of the first end portion 231. This attachment member 234 may conveniently be of screw type, lf may be a female screw type attachment

_ member, having internal threading, or it may be a male screw type attachment member, having external threading.

The connection element 230 is coupled to the first profile 210 by introducing its first end portion 231 through the engagement hole 214, until the first end portion 5 231 contacts the inner surface of recession 218. The attachment member 234 is aligned with the attachment hole 217. In the case of a female screw type attachment member, it is to cooperate with a bolt to be screwed through the attachment hole 217 into the attachment member 234, the which case the bolt's head comes to lie recessed in the recession 216. In the case of a male screw type attachment member, it will project beyond the transverse end face of the first end portion 231, through the attachment hole 217, and it is to cooperate with a nut to be screwed on the attachment member 234, the which case the nut comes to lie recessed in the recession 216.

Thus, the connection element 230 is coupled to the first profile 210 at two positions axially spaced from each other, i.e. at the two opposite flanges 211, 212 of the profile, making it possible to withstand relatively large transverse forces.

Perhaps superfluously, it is noted that the above description also applies to the second profile 220.

it is further noted that plural pairs of engagement holes 214 and attachment holes 217 are arranged along the length of each profile, and that both profiles 210, 220 have their respective engagement holes and attachment holes always aligned with each other for cooperation with respective connection rods.

it should be clear to a person skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments discussed above, but that several variations and modifications are possible within the protective scope of the invention as defined in the appending claims. For instance, in stead of open C-profiles, closed square or rectangular profiles can be used.

Even if certain features are recited in different dependent claims, the present invention also relates to an embodiment comprising these features in common.

Even if certain features have been described in combination with each other, the present invention also relates to an embodiment in which one or more of these features are omitted.

Features which have not been explicitly described as being essential may also be omitted.

Any reference signs in a claim should not be construed as limiting the scope of that claim.

Claims

: 6 CONCLUSIONS

A composite frame member (200) having a composite structure of at least two metal profiles (210, 220) and a series of thermally insulating connecting elements (230) connecting these two metal profiles together.

The composite frame member of claim 1, wherein each metal profile (210, 220) includes two opposed and mutually parallel side flanges (211, 212; 221, 222) and at least one body flange (213, 223) that connects these two side flanges (211, 212; 221, 222).

The composite frame member of claim 2, wherein each metal profile (210, 220) is an open C-profile.

The composite frame member of claim 2 or 3, wherein the metal profiles (210, 220) are arranged with their side flanges aligned in parallel.

The composite frame member of claim 4, wherein each connecting element (230) extends suitably through corresponding holes (214) in each inner flange (212; 222) of said metal profiles (210, 220) and has its ends attached to outer flanges (211; 221) of said metal profiles (210, 220).

The composite frame member of claim 5, wherein said holes (214) include a collar (215).

A composite frame member according to claim 5 or 6, wherein each connecting element (230) has its ends attached to said outer flanges (211; 221) of said metal profiles (210, 220) by means of a fastener extending through a fastening hole (217) in said outer flanges (211; 221).

The composite frame member of claim 7, wherein said mounting hole (217) is provided in a recessed portion (216) of said outer flanges (211; 221).

The composite frame member of claim 7 or 8, wherein said fastener includes a fastener (234) disposed in the said fastener.

. 7 connecting element (230), protruding from the connecting element (230) and having external threads.

The composite frame member of claim 7 or 8, wherein said fastener comprises a fastener (234) disposed in the connecting member (230) and internally threaded.

A composite frame member according to any preceding claim, wherein said connecting element (230) is made at least in part of a composite material based on glass fibers in a resin.

12. Frame (102) comprising vertical columns and / or horizontal beams, wherein at least one of said columns, but preferably all of said columns, and / or at least one of said beams, but preferably all of said beams, is a composite frame member. according to any of the preceding claims.

A wall (100) comprising a frame (102) according to claim 12 and wall panels (4, 5) attached to said frame.

Wall according to claim 13, with wall insulation material arranged in the interior space (6) between said wall panels (4, 5).