NZ521145A

NZ521145A - A wall comprising stacked building blocks and held in compression by cable or rod passed through openings in the building blocks

Info

Publication number: NZ521145A
Application number: NZ521145A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Joannes Hupkens
Original assignee: Joannes Hupkens
Priority date: 2000-02-03
Filing date: 2001-01-29
Publication date: 2004-09-24
Also published as: WO2001057334A1; IL151028A0; EP1254290A1; AU2001234254A1; NL1014282C2; US20030106278A1

Abstract

Wall for a building, for instance for a house or an apartment building and such like, formed by a number of building elements or -blocks, which each are provided with at least one opening passing through the element from the bottom side to the top side of the element, whereby the building elements are stacked one on top of the other, in such a way that the openings of two stacked elements come out into each other, whereby through the openings a rod or cable is lead with at both ends connecting means, by means of which the stacked building elements can be pressed together, characterized in that the rod or cable in an opening is present within a pipe part which is lead through the opening.

Description

<div class="application article clearfix" id="description"> 521145 WO 01/57334 PCT/NL01/00065 1 Wall The present invention relates to a wall for a building, for instance a house or an appartment building and such like, formed by a number of building elements or 5 -blocks, which each are provided with at least one opening, passing through the element from the bottom side to the top side of the element, whereby the building elements are stacked one on top of the other, in such a way that the openings of two elements stacked one on top of the other open into each other, whereby through the openings a rod or cable is lead with at both ends connecting means, by means of 10 which the stacked building elements can be pressed together. . Such a wall is known. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved wall. More in 15 particular the invention aims to provide a wall which is well able to stand up against earthquakes and such like, which can be built in a relative quick and simple manner without the necessity to use trained bricklayers and such like, which when necessary can be built up automatically and which can be altered in a relative simple manner as far as the form and the measurements are concerned. A further object is to provide a 20 wall whereby, for instance in the case of appartment buildings, high pressure forces in the lower concrete layers under the weight of the elements placed above are limited and whereby in this manner the differences in the press-on forces between seperate floors are diminished. Further the invention aims to provide a wall which is built up of relative light-weight 25 building elements and which, as a result of conrete mixed with polystyrene or an other filling agent obtains its U-value (required by building regulations), without the necessity of the application of a cavity. 30 The wall according to the invention to that end is characterized in that the rod or cable in an opening is present within a pipe part which is lead through the opening. WO 01/57334 PCT/NL01/00065 2 According to a further characteristic of the wall according to the invention the length of the pipe part is the same as a number of times the height of a building element. According to yet another characteristic of the wall according to the invention in the 5 wall at a certain level between two layers of building elements a force distribution plate having at least one opening is provided. This opening in the force distribution plate has a diameter which is larger than the diameter of a pipe part, while according to another characteristic the opening in the 10 force distribution plate has a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of a pipe part and larger than the diameter of a rod or cable. According to a further characteristic of the wall according to the invention a pipe part with one bottom outer end rests on the upper side of the force distribution plate, 15 while the force distribution plate partly rests on a further pipe part present underneath it and partly, through a spring means, rests on a building element present underneath it. With this measure it is achieved, for instance in the case of appartment buildings, that high pressure forces in the lower concrete layers by the weight of the elements 20 placed above are diminished and in this manner the differences in the press-on forces between seperate floors are diminished. Further characteristics and features will be described with reference to the drawings of an example of an embodiment. 25 Figure 1 shows a section of a front view of a wall according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a section of a top view of a wall according to the invention; Figure 3a shows a top view of a building element; Figure 3b shows a side view of a building element; 30 Figure 3c shows in section a side view; Figure 3d shows in section a front view of a building element; and Figure 3e shows a detail of a groove in a building element; WO 01/57334 PCT/NL01/00065 Figure 4 shows in section a side view of a part of a wall which has been built with the building elements according to the invention; Figure 5 shows a similar, view of another embodiment of the wall; Figure 6 shows in side view a section of a wall which has been built with the building 5 elements according to the invention; Figures 7a and 7b show the connecting means in an upper and bottom part respectively of a wall; Figure 8 shows a top view with a part of a wall; Figure 9 shows a side view of the wall according to the line a-a of figure 8; 10 Figures 1 Oa and 1 Ob show a detail of a groove in a building element; Figure 11 shows in perspective view a taken apart view of two walls adjoining in an angle; Figure 12 shows a similar view of another embodiment. 15 As can be seen in the figures 1-8, the wall 1 for a building, for instance for a house or an appartment building and such like, is formed by a number of building elements or -blocks 2, which each are provided with at least one opening 3 passing through the element from the bottom side to the top side of the element. The building elements 2 are, as can be seen in the figures 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6, stacked one on top of the other, in 20 such a way that the openings 3 of two stacked elements 2 come out into each other. Through the openings rods 4 or cables 5 are lead with at both ends connecting means 6, by means of which the stacked building elements 2 can be pressed together. As can be seen in the figures 4 and 5, the rod 4 or cable 5 in an opening 3 is placed within a pipe part 7 which is lead through the opening 3. The length of the pipe part 7 is 25 larger than the height of a building element 2, and preferably the pipe part 7 has a length which is the same as a number of times the height of a building element 2. Each building element 2 is provided with at least two openings 3, passing from the bottom side to the top side of the element. The building elements 2 are stacked one on top of the other in a staggered manner, 30 such that the two openings 3 in a building element 2 each come out into the openings 3 in two building elements 2 above it or underneath it. As can be seen in the figures 4, 5 and 6 in the wall 1 at a certain level between two layers of building elements 2 a WO 01/57334 PCT/NL01/00065 4 force distribution plate 8 having at least one opening 9 is provided. This opening 9 has, in the embodiment according to figure 4, a diameter which is larger than the diameter of a pipe part 7. In the embodiment according to figure 5 this opening 9 in the force distribution plate 5 8 has a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of a pipe part 7, but larger than the diameter of a rod 4 or cable 5. Further, the pipe part 7 rests with one bottom outer end 10 on the upper side 11 of the force distribution plate 8, while the force distribution plate 8 partly rests on a further pipe part 7a present underneath it and partly, through a spring means 12, in this embodiment a cup spring 12, rests on a 10 building element 2a present underneath it. The connecting means 6 of the rod or cable are formed by threaded ends 6, such as is shown in figure 6. Thereby at the upper side of the wall 1 and of the rod 4 or cable 5 spring elements 13 such as for instance cup springs 18 are provided. In this example of an embodiment the building element 2 is formed out of 15 polystyrene concrete while the side walls are formed out of full concrete. As can be seen in de figures 3a, 3b, 3c, 10a and 10b the upper sides and/or bottom sides of a building element 2 are provided at the edges with a groove 13, for instance a trapezoidal groove 13. Further the upper side of a building element 2 at the edges can be provided with a 20 groove 13, while the bottom side is provided with a rib 14, having such a shape that it fits with play in the groove 13 of an adjoining element. Further the building element can be provided with an opening 15 passing from the bottom surface to the top surface, as can be seen in figure 4, to provide space for conduits and such like. 25 The wall according to the invention consists out of building elements 2 stacked in a staggered manner which are placed on a U-section 16 and a force distribution plate 8, whereby the elements 2 are positioned by means of steel, possibly aluminium, pipes 7 or pipe parts 7, which are stuck through the blocks 2 or elements 2 within which the 30 rods 4 or bars 4, sometimes cables 5, are present. At both ends these are provided with threaded ends 6, by means of which the stacked blocks 2 are pressed together. In some cases instead of bars 4 cables 5 will be used with at the outer ends threaded WO 01/57334 PCT/NL01/00065 5 ends 6; this in order to allow tightening in a curve along window and/or door frames 17 (figure 1). At the upper side of the binding stays/cables 4, 5 in general spring elements 12 such as cup springs 12 are provided to maintain equal the tightening forces in the cables 5 when the walls expand under the influence of changes in 5 temperature. Through each building element 2 always two rods or stays 4/cables 5 are provided. Further in the openings 3 pipe parts 7 are provided with a length a number of times the thickness of the blocks, whereby it is recommended to let the pipe parts 7 end in a block 2 and not directly at the upper or bottom side thereof, in order to prevent 10 possible local lateral movement. The pipe parts 7 are lead with a play of about 0,5 mm to 1,0 mm through the openings 3 in the building elements 2 within which then also the tie rods 4/cables 5 are present. In an embodiment, shown in figure 4, the tightening forces in the tie rods 4 as well as 15 the weights of the higher placed building elements 2 such as concrete blocks 2 are transferred to the blocks 2 placed underneath. In another embodiment, shown in figure 5, the tightening forces in the tie cables 5 and the weights in the higher placed concrete blocks 2 are initially transferred to the force distribution plate 8 after which a part of these forces is transferred to the lower 20 pipe parts 7 and another part is transferred to the lower blocks 2. As far as its magnitude is concerned this last force is determined by the chosen (cup) springs 12 and will minimal be the desired tightening force in the tie cable 5. The pipe parts 7 cannot buckle as the concrete blocks will prevent this. The pipe parts 7 therefore are only loaded by pressure. 25 This embodiment is important in case of high buildings such as for instance appartment buildings. To limit pressure forces in the lower concrete layers which are too high as a result of the weight of the higher blocks and to diminish the differences in press-on forces between seperate layers or floors. This embodiment is of relevance for a maximum of three to four living floors. 30 With the invention it is possible to build in a simple manner. The pipe parts 7 in the openings 3 of the building elements provide for a positioning or putting in place of WO 01/57334 PCT/NL01/00065 the elements 2 or blocks 2 while the tightening of the rods 4 or cables 5 after stacking of the elements 2 makes the wall rigid. Mechanization and automation sometimes is possible with this method of building because the elements may be transported to their place in the object which is to be 5 built automatically and without the interference of personnel. Figures 11 and 12 show two embodiments of the wall according to the invention. When manually building a building such as a house, the stiffness of the walls standing in an angle relative to each other is brought about by toothed engaging of these walls, such as can be seen in figure 11. According to the embodiment of figure 10 12 the toothing is smoothed away by means of half stones 17 whereby the rigidity of the corners is obtained by means of strips 19 with openings 20 which open into the openings 3 in the building elements and which are applied a number of times per wall height, and whereby the bars 4 pass through the openings 20 in the strips 19. 15 The trapezoidal grooves 13 at the upper and bottom side of the building elements 2 are filled during the building with a small amount of cement, which will be less than for instance 5% of the standard amount of the known blocks, or with tight celled sealing rubber/plastic or a given other sealing means with a cilindrical section. With this last embodiment the built up walls are relatively easy to move. 20 25 30 WO 01/57334 7 PCT/NL01/0006 </div>

Claims

<div class="application article clearfix printTableText" id="claims"> CLAIMS:

1. A wall for a building, for instance for a house or an apartment building and such like, formed by a number of building elements or blocks, which each are provided with at least one opening passing through the element from the 5 bottom side to the top side of the element, whereby the building elements are stacked one on top of the other, in such a way that the openings of two stacked elements open into each other, whereby through the openings a rod or cable is lead with at both ends connecting means, by means of which the stacked building elements can be pressed together, characterized in that the rod or 10 cable in an opening is present within a pipe part which is lead through the opening.

2. A wall according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the pipe part is larger than the height of a building element.

3. A wall according to claim 1, characterized in that the length of the pipe part is 15 the same as a number of times the height of a building element.

4. A wall according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that each building element is provided with at least two openings, passing from the bottom side to the top side of the element.

5. A wall according to claim 4, characterized in that the building elements are 20 stacked one on top of the other in a staggered manner, such that the two openings in a building element each open into the openings in two building elements above it or underneath it.

6. A wall according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the wall at a certain level between two layers of building elements a force 25 distribution plate having at least one opening is provided. 00W876NZ amended claims pages 7 - 9 set B.doc ,NTELki£LUAL property ofrcb of n.z 15 JUL 200* received WO 01/57334 PCT/NL01/0006 8

7. A wall according to claim 6, characterized in that the opening in the force distribution plate has a diameter which is larger than the diameter of a pipe part.

8. A wall according to claim 6, characterized in that the opening in the force 5 distribution plate has a diameter which is smaller than the diameter of a pipe part and larger than the diameter of a rod or cable.

9. A wall according to claim 8, characterized in that a pipe part with one bottom outer end rests on the upper side of the force distribution plate, while the force distribution plate wholly or partly rests on a further pipe part present 10 underneath it.

10. A wall according to claim 9, characterized in that the force distribution plate partly rests on a pipe part and partly, through a spring means, rests on a building element present underneath it.

11. A wall according to claim 10, characterized in that the spring means is formed 15 by a cup spring.

12. A wall according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a building element is formed out of concrete with polystyrene or any given other filling means while the side walls are formed out of full concrete.

13. A wall according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the 20 upper sides and/or bottom sides of a building element at the edges are provided with a groove, for instance a trapezoidal groove.

14. A wall according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper side of a building element at the edges is provided with a groove, while the bottom side is provided with a rib having such a shape that it fits with play 25 in the groove of an adjoining element. ^EEcmTPROPERTY 00W876NZ amended claims pages 7 - 9 set B.doc | OF^K"<F OF M.Z

15 JUL 20W received WO 01/57334 PCT/NL01/0006 9 5

16.

17. 10

18.

19. 15

20. A wall according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom side of a building element at the edges is provided with a groove, while the upper side is provided with a rib having such a shape that it fits with play in the groove of an adjoining element. A wall according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting means of the rod or cable are formed by threaded ends. A wall according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the upper side of the wall and of the rod or cable spring elements such as for instance cup springs are provided. A wall according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a building element further is provided with an opening passing from the bottom surface to the top surface to provide space for conduits and such like. A building element suited for use with a wall according to any one of the preceding claims. A wall substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. A building element substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings. END OF CLAIMS 7 00W876NZ amended claims pages 7 - 9 set B.doc </div>