RU1838527C - Three-dimensional structure and module for its manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

A space frame comprises an upper rectangular grid of horizontal structural members (21B to 24B) and a corresponding lower grid of horizontal structural members (21A to 24A). Upper and lower grids are interconnected by upright members (25A, 25B) at intersections. The structure is built up from prefabricated modules (A, B, etc.) each of which comprises one upright member and four orthogonally arranged horizontal members (21 to 24). Alternate modules (B) are inverted and the outer ends of horizontal members (21A, 21B) are fixed to the free ends (31B, 31A) of the upright members (25).

Description

The invention relates to spatial structures intended in particular, but not exclusively, for use as horizontal structures connecting bridges to the space between the supports. The spatial structure is particularly suitable for covering a considerable space with support only at the edges, in other words, the structure is self-supporting without the necessity of placing vertical supports in it. Typically, a spatial structure consists of upper and lower lattices of structural elements connected by interconnecting elements to form a strong trifold structure,

The aim of the invention is to solve this problem.

In FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a spatial structure; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of two modules in respective orientations for connection together and with other modules to form a spatial structure; in FIG. 3 and 4 are corresponding types of modules used at the edges and corners of a spatial structure; Fig. 5 shows a typical connection of modules with each other; Fig. b shows the same modification; Fig.7 is a perspective view corresponding to one of the modules in Fig.2, showing modifications.

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a spatial structure made of modules, as shown in figure 2-4. The main structure includes an upper rectangular grid of horizontal structural elements 1,

00

with

00 joint venture

to vj

SLE

which are the same length in this example, so they form a square configuration. There is also a corresponding lower grill of horizontal structural elements 2 spaced from the upper elements 1 by means of vertical structural elements 3. A possible sign is the provision of diagonal connections 4.

To show a modular structure, those structural elements that are connected in the form of a module prior to assembly of the structure are shown as being joined together whereas, on the contrary, those structural elements of one module that are connected to the structural elements of another module during use are shown. as separated by small gaps between the elements. For example, intersection point 5 is the connection in the upper grill between the structural elements of the same module, and intersection 6 is the corresponding lower connection. Similarly, intersection 7 is the connection of several modules in the upper grid, and intersection 8 is the corresponding lower connection.

 Figure 2 shows two typical modules A and B. In the following description of the prefix A, B, etc. refer to a module, the position of which is a part. Module A is what will be referred to as the correct orientation with the four structural elements 9A-12A at its lower end and the upwardly projecting vertical structural element 13A. Elements 9A-12A are steel elements of an I-section, and element 13A is a hollow steel element of square section. Elements 9A-12A have square cut ends, and they are welded directly to the four ends of the square section element 13A. Element 13A may be closed by a face plate 14A welded thereto. The reinforcing plate 15A (best seen as the .15B plate in module B) can be a square flat plate with a square hole offset below the diagonal, so it fits onto element 13A (or 13B) and its angle is in contact with each horizontal an element. Then it is attached by welding to the vertical and horizontal elements. Plate 15 is optional.

The free end of each horizontal member, i.e., the end remote from the welded joint with its horizontal members, includes a connector 16 for connecting to the joints. plates of 17 other modules. The details of the connector 16 are best seen in the module B. The end face of the vertical element 13B is closed by a 5 square plate 18. The cross-shaped structure of four small vertical plates 19 is formed by welding the plates together and to the end plate 18. Each four plates forming a cross-shaped structure are designed for receiving and connecting to plate 17 from another module. For example, as shown, each plate may be provided with an opening for

5 bolt, so the elements can be bolted together.

Module B is shown in the opposite orientation from module A in that the vertical element 13 projects downward, not

0 up from four horizontal elements 9V-12V. When the modules are connected together, the horizontal element 12A of the module A is connected to the connector 16B of the module B, and similarly, the horizontal element 10B

5 connect to a connector 16A of module A.

Figure 1 clearly shows that the modules along the edges of the structure should have only three horizontal elements and that the modules in the corners should have only two

0 horizontal elements. Figs. 3 and 4 show corresponding modules meeting these requirements.

Figure 5 shows the connection together of several modules and shows more

5 detail the connecting plates 17 and connectors 16 at the ends of the vertical elements. In addition to module A and inverted module B, there are three other modules C, D and E in the same correct orientations that

0 and module A, each has a horizontal element connected to this connection. A typical horizontal element 12A from module A includes a connecting plate 17A welded to a jumper 5 of a horizontal element of an I-beam. The plate 17A extends beyond the end of the element 12A and has a bolt hole 20A in the center. The corresponding elements of US, 17C, 20C, 11D, 17D, 20D are shown in

0 different orientations for modules C and D. Figure 5 does not show the corresponding elements 9E, 17E and 20E for the additional module E. The horizontal elements 12A, US, 11D and 9E are attached to the end

5 to the connector 16E of the vertical member 13B. As shown, this connector includes an end plate 18B supporting a cruciform structure of connector plates 19B, not all of which are shown. Each plate 19B has

a bolt hole through which a bolt (not shown) passes to connect the corresponding horizontal element to the vertical element 13.

Fig. B shows two possible modifications for connecting the connecting plates 17 to horizontal structural members when greater strength is required. The plate 17G shown in FIG. 6 is slightly longer than the corresponding plate 17A in FIG. 5 and in addition to welding it with a horizontal element 9G, it is attached with one bolt (not shown) to it. In another modification, the plate 17H is even longer than the plate 17G and is attached with two bolts (not shown) to the horizontal element 11H.

Fig. 7 shows one module G, similar to module A in Fig. 1, but it also includes diagonal communications. Each diagonal connection is a steel element 21 welded to the upper surface of its corresponding horizontal structural element near its outer end and to the corresponding surface of a vertical ele- ment (square cross section 13G near its Top. These connections 21 are optional and as shown in Fig. 1 it is possible to place them appropriately in certain places around the edge of the whole structure, excluding them from other parts of the structure. Thus, some modules may have fewer diagonal bonds than the horizontal elements.

The resulting structure is relatively strong, lightweight and can be assembled in place. It can be assembled by starting at one corner or edge with a module attached to an appropriate structural support and then adding one module at a time. Or some nodes from groups of modules can be pre-assembled together and then moved from place to connect to other such subnodes.

Each module is manufactured in a fixture that holds the structural members in their desired relative positions. Since the horizontal structural elements are located only at one end of the vertical element, there is good access to the joint in all required directions to obtain an effective welded joint. If desired, then diagonal ties 21 can be added.

For the sake of rationality, it would be convenient for all the modules, in addition to the modules located in the corners and along the edges, to be identical, and for corner and edge modules, simply exclude one or two horizontal elements and, accordingly, include modified connectors 16 and reinforcing plates 15. However, in some designs it may be required that the horizontal elements of the upper or lower grating be more durable. For example, a spatial structure can be used in a composite steel and concrete structure. When using this design, the upper horizontal elements may have a smaller cross-sectional area than the lower elements because the strength of the upper elements is increased by embedding them in concrete. In this case, two different module designs are required, one for standard orientation and the other for upside-down orientation.

For some structures, it may be necessary to apply a large distance between the horizontal elements in one direction along the length of the structure than in the other direction across its width. In order to obtain such a structure, each module must have a horizontal element of unequal length.

If the structure is to be used for a convex or pitched roof, typically with a slope or bend of several degrees, to drain the water, it may be necessary to make small changes in the angles between the elements or between the lengths of the elements to obtain such a slope or bend. Such small changes from the true vertical and horizontal that are noted for the elements and the structure as a whole do not affect the main type of structure and should be considered within the general recommendations for vertical and horizontal directions. The cross section and material of structural elements may vary. For example, the vertical members may be circular tubes. Similarly, the horizontal elements may be T-shaped or 1-shaped with unequal flanges. Horizontal elements for one direction may differ in cross section from those in the other direction. For special applications where the mass is critical, the steel can be replaced with aluminum or other materials.

Instead of welding, other forms of permanent connection can be used to assemble a module from its components. For example, advances in adhesive technology may allow the use of adhesive instead of welding,

With some designs, it may be necessary to use modules that are more durable than other modules. For example, with a square spatial structure supported only at its corners, it may be desirable for all modules placed along the edges and corners to include horizontal elements with an increased cross-section in addition to or instead of providing these modules with connections twenty.

Claims (9)

1. A spatial structure including prefabricated modules forming, when connected, an upper lattice of horizontal structural elements connected together at the upper intersection points, a lower lattice of horizontal structural elements connected together at the lower intersection points, and vertical structural elements interconnecting the lattices at their intersection points, characterized in that each module is made in the form of one vertical element and connected to one of its of horizontal structural elements, the alternating modules being rotated relative to each other with the possibility of connecting the free ends of the horizontal elements of one module with the free end of the vertical element of the adjacent module. 2. The construction according to claim 1, with the exception that the vertical and horizontal elements of the module are welded together. 3. The construction according to claims 1 and 2, from l and ch and yushch .. so that horizontal 7S structural elements are made of steel in the form of an I-beam. 4. Design according to claims 1-3, characterized in that the horizontal elements of one module are connected to adjacent modules by bolts. 5. Design according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each horizontal element of the module is made with a connecting plate attached to its end and protruding beyond the end for connection with an adjacent module. 6. The construction according to claim 5, wherein the free end of the vertical element of each module has a connector consisting of a vertical plate for connecting horizontal elements to the connecting plates. 7. The construction according to claims 1-6, characterized in that each of the upper and lower structural elements is located in the shape of a rectangle formed by modules and includes four horizontal structural elements. 8. A construction according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is provided with diagonal connections extending from at least some horizontal elements to a vertical element of the same module. 9. A module for manufacturing a spatial structure, comprising one vertical and horizontal structural elements connected in a welded block, characterized in that all horizontal structural elements are rigidly interconnected, for example by welding, and protrude from one end of the vertical element. / 7 (pt / c.f 768 pt / e.Z fie.z ms Gbsg 130. 17a 10a G7a. G7L / lg fi a. 4 SSS tSe Jus 17s L I ZOetf & tf f & & .- 5 72a 20a T7 p # g.6