SE543525C2 - Building element for a foundation and a method for installing a foundation - Google Patents

Abstract

The documents describes a building element (10) for a foundation and a method for installing such building elements (10), wherein the building element (10) is comprising a longitudinal outer wall (12), a longitudinal inner wall (11) a number of transverse ribs/steps (13, 14), connecting the outer and inner wall (11, 12) and embodied with tracks/grooves for reinforcement elements(bars) (30), enable to be arranged together with another building element (10). The building element (10) comprises an integrated sole element eliminating the need of extra foundation at intended load situations and/or open space for reinforcement elements enabling reinforcement connection between the building element (10) and the reinforcement of a concrete base slab. The document further describes a method for installing a foundation using such building element (10).

Description

BUILDING ELEMENT FOR A FOUNDA TION AND A ME THOD FOR INSTALLINGA FOUNDATION TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION The invention relates to a building element system for foundations and amethod for installing such building element system for foundations used in housesand other buildings with equal load where the building elements have an integratedsole element eliminating the need of extra foundation at intended load situations.

BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION Use of building elements for establishing foundations of for instance privatehouses, garages, or other buildings of similar loads are known in the buildingindustries. The building elements of inner and outer walls and connecting steps/ribsare installed like “building blocks” where the intermediate space between twoadjacent of the wall elements are reinforced and filled with concrete. The buildingblocks are typically made of expanding polystyrene (EPS), the steps connecting theside walls of the building blocks are typically made of plastic and the outer side of thebuilding blocks are normally completed with a layer of fibre reinforced stucco. Thesebuilding elements come in different sizes both in height and length and of differentwidth of the steps. ln cases of poor soil, before building the foundation, there is aneed of establishing an extra foundation sole, which for instance is another buildingelement system of sole elements installed like “building blocks”, requiring largerfoundation width. Such sole elements are installed prior to installing the buildingelements of the foundation.

Products with a large foundation width exist. Such products having connectionbetween the concrete in the floor and the concrete in the foundation system alsoexist. However, these are chosen on the expense of important characteristics asinsulating property, giving a relatively larger thermal bridge than a solution of using astandard foundation block with both outside and insulation. Today, one has tochoose between a system where the concrete in the floor and the concrete in thefoundation are connected, with unacceptable thermal bridge, and a system where the Concrete in floor and foundation is not connected, with acceptable thermalbridge. ln some places, it is ok with a big thermal bridge, but especially at colderclimates and in countries with regulations that sets levels for thermal bridge, the firstalternative has to be chosen, and then miss the other advantages that a connectedconcrete system gives.

Installation of an extra foundation sole before installing building elements forfoundations at sites of poor sole condition is both a required, time consuming andthereby an expensive operation and systems that connect the concrete in the floorwith the concrete in the foundation are used on the expense of importantcharacteristics. There is therefore a need of a foundation system that creates a solidand stable foundation for the building in a matter, which does not decrease importantinsulating characteristics, and at the same time have building elements that allowslarger loads to be put on the foundation without extra sole foundation being putunder it for load distribution.

SE 507845 C2 describes a building element for a foundation placed flat on theground comprising a concrete base slab resting on the building element. Thebuilding element is having a connecting beam arranged within the building element,expanding down the level of the concrete base slab. The building element, referredto as an insulation element, comprises a bottom, two vertical walls, an inner and anouter wall, extending upwards from the bottom and placed a distance from eachother. The inner wall having recesses in its top allowing a connection between theconnecting beam and the concrete base slab forming an integrated, monolithicstructure together with reinforcement bars being placed in these recesses stretchingfrom the concrete base slab in through upper part of the recesses into the buildingelement. lt is indicated that horizontal reinforcement bars may be placed lengthwisethe building element inside the building element in some connection with thereinforcement bars connecting the concrete slab with the building element.

NO 337663 B1 describes a method, system and an element for simultaneouscasting of a sole and a sole foundation. The element comprises a longitudinal outerwall, arranged with a faceplate and a base part being considerable lower than theouter wall, and comprising a number of transvers ribs and an inner wall, wherein the transverse ribs connects the outer and inner wall. The upper side of the base part comprises one or more tracks arranged to receive a mountable wall. These tracksmay also be used as foundation for reinforcements, in addition recesses or supportfor reinforcement may be arranged in the area where the ribs are connected to the outer wall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ln the following and throughout the specification bellow, the following termsmeans: The term “foundation” or “ring beam system” refers to the load bearingconstruction constituting the interface between a house and the soil on which thehouse is built. The foundations primarily provide support for the vertical loads ofgravity from the weight of the building above and the foundations also provideresistance to horizontal loads due to for instance ground motions, transferring loadsfrom the structure to the ground.

The term “sole foundation” refers to a wider load bearing construction putunder the foundation for extra load distribution.

The term “shift” refers to one horizontal layer of building blocks installed. Botha foundation and a sole foundation are laid in one shift each.

The term “building element” refers to the single elements or building blocks ofthe foundation, in which one shift of building elements stacked lengthwise constitutesthe foundation.

The term “sole element” refers to prior art elements of a sole foundation, whenthere is need of an extra sole foundation before installing the foundation is required.

The term “reinforcement bars” refers to conventional elongated horizontal andpossibly also stirrups and/or vertical reinforcement elements or re-bars of circular oroval sections. The re-bars may be made of steel or of a fibre reinforced material.

A main object of the present invention is to provide a solid and stableconnection between the concrete of the foundation and the concrete of the floorcasted and surrounded by the foundation system and at the same time provide anacceptable thermal bridge (that makes the system suited for buildings with insulatingneeds).Another object of the invention is to provide a ring beam system enhancing structural strength, rigidity and stability of the ring beam when completed, includingenhanced interconnection with the slab to be cast within the ring beam.

Another object of the present invention is to significantly reduce the need ofan extra step of insta||ing sole foundation at sites of poor sole conditions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a simplified installation offoundations.

A further object of the present invention to provide a system that may beadapted to existing building block systems of for instance walls placed on top of thefoundation.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a broader bearingsurface of the building elements for the foundations in contact with the sole/ground.

Another objet of the present invention is to make a connection between theconcrete of the foundation and the concrete of the floor casted and surrounded bythe foundation.

Another object of the present invention is to make an insulating system wherethe thermal bridge as small as possible between the casted floor surrounded by thefoundation and the foundation, i.e. where the heat transfer and/or the thermalcapacity is eliminated, or at least substantially reduces.

Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to be able to cast thefoundation and the floor surrounded by the foundation in one operation.

The objects are achieved according to the invention by an insulating buildingelement system for a foundation and a method insta||ing such foundation as definedin the preamble of the independent claims, having the features ofthe characterizingportion of the independent claims.

A number of embodiments, variants or alternatives of the invention aredefined by the dependent claims. ln a first aspect, the present invention relates to a building element for afoundation, comprising a longitudinal outer wall and a longitudinal inner wall, spacedapart and arranged in parallel, the outer and inner wall being interconnected at theirlower end, forming an integrated monolithic structure, the inner wall being providedwith recesses at their upper end, intended for placing reinforcement, tying the foundation element with a base slab. The building element is comprising a number oftransverse ribs/steps, interconnecting the outer and inner wall at least at their lower part forming a number of vertical cells open at both ends, the upper surface of thetransverse ribs being provided with tracks/grooves for horizontal reinforcement barsto be arranged in horizontal direction of the foundation with a space between theouter and inner walls for tying neighbouring building elements together andreinforcing the foundation. The inner wall is lower than, the height of the outer wallanda horizontal longitudinal part is protruding perpendicular in flush with the top ofthe inner wall, inwards the building element and an inner string is protruding upwardsfrom the horizontal longitudinal part to the same height or to a lower height as theopposite outer wall. The inner string being a parallel offset to both the inner wall andouter wall, and is leaving an opening between the inner string and the outer wall.

The outer wall and the inner wall is connected with at least two lowertransverse ribs/steps forming a base part and the outer wall and the inner stringbeing connected with at least two upper transverse ribs/steps forming an upper part.The integrated sole element comprises the base part.

The building element has at least one recesses at the top of the inner stringforming the open space for reinforcement elements enabling reinforcementconnection between the building element and the reinforcement of a concrete baseslab.

The inner wall being 70-80%, preferably 78%, the height of the outer wall. Theopening between the inner string and the outer wall being 50-70%, preferably 60%,of the distance between the inner surfaces of the inner wall and the inner surface ofthe outer wall and the inner string is having at least the same thickness as the innerwall and the outer wall.

The building element comprises at least one hollow room between the at leasttwo lower rib/steps and at least one hollow room between the at least two upperrib/steps. A broader hollow room for concrete between the inner wall and the outerwall than between the inner string and the outer wall makes a larger bearing surfaceto the ground.

Each of the transverse upper and lower ribs/steps, respectively, preferablycomprises at least one cradle shaped area for reinforcement bars to rest.

The building element is preferably made of a material of expanding polystyrene(EPS).

The longitudinal outer wall at its outer side is further mounted a finishing surfaceof concrete fibre sheet.

The concrete fibre sheet is mounted by use of an adhesive or held in placemechanically.

The building elements are connected together with tongues and grooves at eachopposite end of the building elements respectively, wherein lower tongues areconnected with lower grooves and the upper tongue is connected with the uppergroove of the next building element respectively. ln a second aspect, the present invention relates to a method for installing afoundation using the building element, the method comprises the following steps: establishing levelled gate of gravel with a width of at least 700-800 mm;marking corners, levelling the building site and preparation for piping andother installation work; installation of radon barrier classification of the radon barrier, prior to or afterinstallation of building elements of the foundation; installing building elements starting with corner elements of the buildingelements , thereafter the straight building elements are being installed, cuttingand adjusting the lengths; locking devices, in addition to locking mechanism made from geometry onelements, are if needed placed in the joints between the installed buildingelements keeping the building elements together; inserting or threading reinforcement bars in from the side both at the upperribs/steps and lower ribs/steps with an and tied together in longitudinaldirection with wires or plastic strips; inserting bent reinforcement bars vertically down the building element , thehorizontal part of the bent reinforcement bar resting in the recesses of theinner string pointing inwards the foundation; placing insulation inside the foundation/area being surrounded by thefoundation at wanted height or at recommended height fitting the height of thebuilding elements , reinforcement are laid on top for later casting of a concreteslab surrounded by the foundation; stabilizing masses to be filled on the outside of the foundation, optional joint orgluing with joint-filler for tightening of thermal bridges; filling of concrete from top of the building elements into the hollow spaces inthe building elements simultaneously filling concrete in area surrounded withthe foundation forming the concrete slab; wiping off concrete leaking from openings in the wall.

The method further involves installing a vapour barrier and/or water-born warmth installed on top of the insulation prior to reinforcement being laid on top for later casting the concrete slab.

The method also involves optionally mounting of a jointing list or glue jointingbetween the Concrete fibre plates after wiping off concrete leaking from openings.

The new building element system is for foundations or ring beam systems forprivate houses, garages, or other buildings of similar type and similar load. The newbuilding element system comprises an integrated sole element that significantlyreduces the need of installation of an extra shift of sole element prior to installing thefoundation and the building element connects the concrete in the floor with theconcrete in the foundation without making the thermal bridge unacceptable. Thesidewalls and the steps connecting the sidewalls of the building elements are to bemoulded in one preferably homogeneous or monolithic material, typically a materialof expanding polystyrene (EPS), but not limited to this material, it may also be of aconcrete material or similar. The surface finish of the outer wall of each buildingelement is completed at production site, with a concrete fibre sheet glued with anadhesive or similar.

At the lower end region of the building block elements, the hollow space issignificantly wider than the hollow space at the upper side region. This gives a widerconcrete element when the foundation is being casted by pouring concrete fromabove of the wall. This gives a wider/larger supporting surface to the ground. Hence,the element can carry larger load and the casting of an extra pressure distributingfoundation is rarely necessary for this area of use. Recesses at the top of the innerstring at the upper part of the building element make a connection between theconcrete being filled into the building elements and the concrete being filled in thearea surrounding the foundation, making a floor of concrete /concrete slab. Thisconnection counteracts an eccentrically placed weigh at the outer edge of the wallthat can cause a rotation of the wall. This leads to substantially improved stability ofthe wall and the possibility to build longer legs without reducing the stability of thewall system as well as reducing the thermal bridge that otherwise would be present.

As an alternative or an additional to the integrated sole element, the newbuilding element may also comprise spaces in the element. The spaces, being inform of recesses, making concrete being filled in the building element, and concretebeing filled in order to form a concrete slab in the area being surrounded by thebuilding elements of the foundation as one continuous and monolithic concrete unit.

The continuous and monolithic concrete unit creating an acceptable thermal bridgeon one hand and where the connection is a great advantage both in terms ofconstruction and in terms of strength in order to counteract rotation when thefoundation is eccentrically Ioaded, as it usually is, on the other hand.

The building block element system functions as a shuttering during theinstallation phase, and there is really no need of additional support. However,scratching of some gravel at the outside of the wall may be recommended to keepthe wall in place during casting of the inner wall and floor which are surrounded bythe wall. The building block also functions as insulation and different type of rawmaterial may be chosen due to better insulating property.

The elements have a tongue and groove for eased installation and arereinforced with reinforcement bars, two at the lower region of the element,threaded/inserted from the side, and two at the upper region of the element. Othertypes of reinforcement can also be used, like fibres. Building elements may be cutand adjusted in length for fitting and are being kept together with adjacent elementthrough locking devices placed in the joints between the elements.

After filling the hollow space of the foundation with concrete, a joint listbetween the building block elements may optionally be mounted between theconcrete fibre plates after wiping off concrete leaking from openings.

Other advantageous features of the present invention in view of the cited priorart are: The front and rear walls being interconnected by a number of vertical ribs, preferablyboth at the lower end and with an additional set of ribs between the two walls at anhigher level; The bottom end of the lower end vertical ribs are flush with the lower end surface ofboth the lower end surface of the front and rear wall; The ribs are spaced apart forming vertical open cells, open at both ends, within thespace between the front and real walls at the lower end of the element; The upper set of ribs may be laterally displaced with respect to the lower rib walls;Moreover, the upper part of the inner wall being sidewise displaced in a direction towards the front wall, providing an enhanced interconnection between the buildingor ring beam element, the concrete slab to be casted and the reinforcement used fortying the ring beam element together with the concrete slab; Another advantageous feature is that both the upper surface of the lower ribs andthe upper set of ribs may at their upper surfaces be provided with cradle shapedrecesses for support of reinforcement configured to extend in Iongitudinal, horizontaldirection of the ring beam to be formed by a number of ring beam elementsaccording to the invention; According to the present invention, it is also provided a support for a second layer ofhorizontal reinforcement in a vertically spaced relation with the first layer ofreinforcement.

The technical effects obtained are a more stable building or ring beamelement due to the increased width of the footprint of each element; enhancedsupport and enhanced placement and support of the reinforcement, at least inlongitudinal direction of the ring beam to be formed by the ring beam elements; andenhanced interconnection between the concrete slab to be cast and the rear surfaceof the rear wall, reinforced by horizontal reinforcement bars, the ends of which beingbent 90 degrees and positioned in a vertical position within the cells of the building elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRA WINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the following diagrams, wherein: Figure 1 shows schematically a building block system for foundation of priorart; Figure 2 shows schematically a vertical cross-section view of an embodimentof a typically wall on top of a foundation; Figure 3a-3d shows schematically and in perspective different views of anembodiment of a building element according to the invention; Figures 4a and 4b show schematically and in perspective the views of anembodiment of a building element according to the invention; Figures 5a and 5b show a detail A and detail B from figures 4a and 4brespectively; Figure 6 shows schematically and in perspective the view of one embodimentof an installed building element with reinforcement bars and bent reinforcement bars31 and insulation plates in the inner side of the foundation; Figure 7 shows schematically and in perspective the same as shown in Figure4, but with two building elements installed along each other; Figure 8 shows schematically a top view of one installed building element withreinforcement bars arranged, ready for pouring of concrete; Figure 9 shows schematically a top view of one building element with markedcross sections A and B; and.

Figures 10a-10b shows schematically a vertical section of the buildingelement shown in Figure 9, see along the lines A and B of Figure 9 respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS The following description of the exemplary embodiments refers to theaccompanying drawings. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of theinvention configured to be integrated in building block systems. The exemplaryembodiments disclosed in the drawings should not be understood as a limitation tothe scope of protection of the invention, merely to illustrate certain aspects of theinvenfion.

The same reference numbers in the different drawings identify the same orsimilar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention.lnstead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.

Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described inconnection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subjectmatter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in anembodiment” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further particular features, structures orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner or in one or moreembodiments.

When referring to vertical and horizontal, reference is made to a buildingelement resting on a horizontal surface.

Figure 1 shows schematically a view in perspective of a section of a prior artfoundation system with a building element 10 placed on a sole element 40, wherereinforcement bars 30 are placed in both the building element 10 and in the soleelement 40 and thereafter filled with concrete. The sole element 40 is considerablywider than the building element 10 of the foundation; in order to give a more stableand sufficient sole foundation for the wall. 11 Figure 2 shows schematically a view of an end section of a typical assemblyof a wall 35 typically installed about seven days after installation of the foundationwhen the concrete has been cured sufficiently. A XPS insulation plate 33 is placed atthe outside of the foundation for frost protection, since the ground is not usually frost-free. This insulation 33 has the same horizontal length as the depth of the averageground frost for that specific area of installation to prevent damages to thefoundation. The XPS insulation 33 plates at the outside of the foundation shall havea 10-20 cm of masses on top, typically masses of earth and gravel. lnsulation 32 isplaced at the ground encircled by the foundation to sufficient height before theconcrete slab is being casted together with the concrete inside the building elements10. The Figure 2 shows a monolithic connection between the concrete 34 of theconcrete slab making the floor inside the foundation and the concrete 34 inside thebuilding element 10 of the foundation, with bent reinforcement bar 31 beingreinforcing throughout the monolithic connection. Horizontal placed reinforcementbars 30 being placed lengthwise inside the building element 10 are reinforcing theconcrete throughout the inside of the building elements 10 forming the foundation.

Figures 3a-3d show schematically and in perspective different views of anembodiment of a building element 10 according to the present invention. Thebuilding element 10 comprises in longitudinal direction an outer wall 12, Figure 3a,and an inner wall 11, Figure 3c, the inner and outer walls being parallel. The innerwall 11 is lower in height than the outer wall 12, and comprises a horizontallongitudinal part 20 protruding perpendicularly out from the top of the inner wall 11 ininwards the building element 10 and being formed with an upper horizontal surface.An inner string 17 extends upwards from the horizontal surface of the longitudinalpart 20 to the same height as the height of the opposite outer wall 12, the outer sideof the inner string 17 being sideways offset to the outer side of the inner wall 11 ofabout 30 % of the distance between the outer sides of the inner wall and outer wall,respectively.

The inner wall 11, upward restricted by the horizontal longitudinal part 20, andthe outer wall 12 constitute a base part 16, Figure 3b, provided with at least threetransverse, intermediate lower ribs/steps 14 extending between the inner surface ofthe inner wall 11 and inner surface of the outer wall 12. The inner string 17 and outerwall 12 are downwardly restricted by the horizontal longitudinal part 20 constitute anupper part 15, Figure 3b, with at least two transverse intermediate upper ribs/steps13 extending between the inner string 17 and outer wall 12.

The inner string 17 comprises at least one downwardly extending recess 21positioned between the at least two transverse intermediate upper ribs. The building 12 elements comprises hollow spaces restricted by the outer wall, inner wall, innerstring, transverse upper and lower ribs with lower hollow rooms at base part 16 andupper hollow rooms at upper part 15. The hollow spaces define the space for fillingconcrete. The distance between the inner surface of the inner wall 12 and innersurface of the outer wall 12, forming the hollow space in the base part 16, is aboutone and a half time the distance between the inner string 17 and the outer wall 12making the hollow space of the base part 16 about one and a half time broader thanthe hollow space of the upper part 15, giving a sufficient width for sole foundationpurposes of the integrated sole element of the building element 10. This broaderbase of concrete gives a larger bearing surface to the ground, eliminating the needof a sole element 40 as described in Figure 1.

The Figures 3a-3d show four transverse upper ribs/steps 13, but is notrestricted to four, it may be fewer, and it may be more with regards to the length ofthe building element 10. The Figure 3a-3d shows six transverse lower ribs/steps 14,but is not restricted to six, it may be fewer, and it may be more with regards to thelength of the building element 10.

The building elements 10 are connected together with tongues and grooves ateach end of the building elements 10. At least one tongue 24 at upper part 15 areconnected with a complementary groove 25 (not shown) at the opposite end of anext building element 10. Optionally elements of lower tongues 22 at base part 16may be connected with optionally elements of complementary lower grooves 23 atthe base part 16 at the opposite end of a next building element 10. The design andgeometry of the tongues and grooves is not limited to what is shown in the sketches,but can have other shapes.

The hollow space between the ribs/steps 13, 14 has vertical recesses 27, 28in the outer wall 12. The recesses 27, 28 in both the upper part 15 and base part 16make the concrete core in the building element 10 broader giving a less eccentricplaced/loaded ground beam on top of the building element 10, which in turnimproves the stability and ability to guide/lead load down into the ground.

Figures 4a and 4b show schematically and in perspective different views of anembodiment of a building element 10 according to the present invention.

Figures 5a and 5b show a detail A and detail B from figures 4a and 4brespectively. Detail A shows a tongue 24 and detail B shows a groove 25. Onebuilding element 10 are connected with one end with its tongue 24 to a groove 25 ofan opposite end of another building element 10 in order to build a foundation.

Figure 6 shows schematically and in perspective the view of a single installedbuilding element 10, where reinforcement bars 30 are inserted/threaded into the 13 building element, and with pre-bent reinforcement bars 31 threaded vertically downin the building element 10 and bent 90 degrees, resting over the upper set ofreinforcement bars 30 and positioned in the recesses 21 of the inner strings 17, thehorizontal part being positioned a required distance above the upper surface of theinsulation 32 to secure the required concrete coverage. The bent reinforcement bars31are pointing inwards over the built foundation, enabling connection with thereinforcement of the concrete base slab 34 to be casted. One or more layers ofinsulation 32 are placed in the room restricted by the foundation, but not higher thanthe fundament surface 20 for inner string 17. The foundation and the inner roomrestricted of the foundation are to be filled with concrete to the height of the buildingelement 10. The concrete may make a continuously and monolithic connectionbetween the concrete slab and the concrete of the foundation through bridgesbetween the concrete slab and the concrete of the foundation made in the recesses21 in the inner string 17.

Figure 7 shows schematically and in perspective the view of two installedbuilding elements 10 as shown in Figure 6for illustration of how building elements 10are stacked sideways.

Figure 8 shows a top view of a building element 10 with reinforcement bars 30and bent reinforcement bars 31.

Figure 9 shows a top view of the building element 10. A concrete fibre sheet26 is shown making the surface finish of the outer wall, where each building element10 is completed with a concrete fibre sheet 26 at production site.

Figures 10a and 10b show cross sections A and B of the building element 10seen along the lines A-A and B-B respectively n Figure 9. Figure 10a shows thecross section through the lines A-A of the upper rib/step 13 of the building element10. The upper rib/step 13 is provided with a cradle shaped surface 18 wherereinforcement bars 30 can be placed for rest. Figure 10b shows the cross section Bthrough lower rib/step 14 of the building element 10. The lower rib/step 14 isprovided with a cradle shaped area 19 where reinforcement bars 30 can be placedfor rest. The upper rib/steps 13 have at their bottom (not shown), a tapered shape inorder to prevent up-floating of the building element 10 during concrete filling as maybe a problem with a flat bottom. 14 Table 1 Component Description Building element 11 lnner wall 12 Outer wall 13 Upper rib/step 14 Lower rib/step Upperpafi 16 Base part 17 lnner string 18 Cradle shaped area upper rib/step 19 Cradle shaped area lower rib/step Horizontal longitudinal part 21 Recess in inner string 22 Lower tongue 23 Lower groove 24 Tongue Groove 26 Concrete fibre sheet 27 Recess upper part 28 Recess lower part Reinforcement bar 31 Bent reinforcement bar 32 lnsulation 33 XPS lnsulation 34 Concrete Wall assembly Sole element

Claims (17)

CLA/MS

1. Building element (10) for a foundation, comprising a longitudinal outer wall(12) and a longitudinal inner wall (11),spaced apart and arranged in parallel, theouter and inner wall being interconnected at their lower end, characterized in thatthe inner wall being provided with recesses at their upper end, intended for placingreinforcement, tying the foundation element with a base slab, the building element(10) comprises a plurality of transverse ribs/steps (13, 14), interconnecting the outerand inner wall (11, 12) at least at their lower part forming an integrated monolithicstructure and a plurality of vertical cells open at both ends, the upper surface of thetransverse ribs being provided with tracks/grooves for horizontal reinforcement bars(30) to be arranged in horizontal direction of the foundation with a space between theouter and inner walls for tying neighbouring building elements (10) together and reinforcing the foundation.

2. Building element (10) according to claim 1, wherein the inner wall (11) beinglower than, the height of the outer wall (12), and a horizontal longitudinal part (20) isprotruding perpendicular in flush with the top of the inner wall (11) inwards thebuilding element (10) and an inner string (17) is protruding upwards from thehorizontal longitudinal part (20) to the same height or to a lower height as theopposite outer wall (12), being a parallel offset to both the inner wall (11) and outer wall (12) , leaving an opening between the inner string (17) and the outer wall (12).

3. Building element (10) according to claim 2, wherein the outer wall (12) and theinner wall (11) are being connected with at least two lower transverse ribs/steps (14)forming a base part (16) and the outer wall (12) and the inner string (17) beingconnected with at least two upper transverse ribs/steps (13) forming an upper part(15).

4. Building element (10) according to claim 3, wherein tè2e~¿;¿-;;_g3__integrated sole element comprises the base part (16).

5. Building element (10) according to any one of the claims 2-4, wherein thebuilding element (10) has at least one recess (21) at the top of the inner string (17)forming the open space for reinforcement elements enabling reinforcementconnection between the building element (10) and the reinforcement of a concrete base slab.

6. Building element (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein theinner wall (11) being 70-80%, preferably 78%, the height of the outer wall (12).

7. Building element (10) according to one of the claims 2-6, wherein the openingbetween the inner string (17) and the outer wall (12) being 50-70 %, preferably 60 %,of the distance between the inner surface of the inner wall (11) and the inner surfaceof the outer wall (12).

8. Building element (10) according to any one of the claims 2-7, wherein theinner string (17) is having at least the same thickness as the inner wall (11).

9. Building element (10) according to claims 8, wherein the building element (10)comprises at least one hollow room between the at least two lower rib/steps (14) andat least one hollow room between the at least two upper rib/steps (13), wherein abroader hollow room for concrete between the inner wall (11) and the outer wall (12),than between the inner string (17) and the outer wall (12) makes a larger bearing surface to the ground.

10. Building element (10) according to one of the claims 8 or 9, wherein each ofthe transverse upper and lower ribs/steps (13, 14), respectively, comprises at leastone cradle shaped area (16) for reinforcement bars to rest.

11. Building element (10) according to any one of the claims 1-10, wherein thebuilding element (10) is made of a material of expanding polystyrene (EPS).

12. Building element (10) according to any one of the claims 1-11, wherein thelongitudinal outer wall (12) at its outer side is further mounted a finishing surface ofconcrete fibre sheet (26).

13. Building element (10) according to claim 12, wherein the concrete fibre sheet(26) is mounted by use of at least one of the following; an adhesive andmechanically by a locking list and/or clips.

14. Building element (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein thebuilding elements (10) are connected together with at least one tongue (24) and atleast one groove (25) at each opposite end of the building elements respectively,wherein the at least one tongue (24) are connected with the at least one groove (25)of the next building element.

15. Method for installing a foundation using the building element (10) of claim 1-14, characterized in that the method comprises following steps: Ü establishing levelled gate of gravel with a width of at least 700-800 mm; Ü marking corners, levelling the building site and preparation for piping andother installation work; Ü installation of radon barrier according to classification of the radon barrier,prior to or after installation of building elements (10) of the foundation; Ü installing building elements (10) starting with corner elements of the buildingelements (10), thereafter the straight building elements (10) are being installed,cutting and adjusting the lengths; Ü locking devices are placed in the joints between the installed buildingelements (10) , in addition to element geometry, keeping the building elements (10)together; Ü inserting or threading reinforcement bars (20) in from the side both at theupper ribs/steps (13) and lower ribs/steps (14) with an overlap and tied together inlongitudinal direction with wires or plastic strips; Ü inserting bent reinforcement bars (31) vertically down the building element(10), the horizontal part of the bent reinforcement bar (31) resting in the recesses(21) of the inner string (17) pointing inwards the foundation; Ü placing insulation inside the foundation/area being surrounded by thefoundation at wanted height or at recommended height fitting the height of thebuilding elements (10), reinforcement are laid on top for later casting of a concreteslab surrounded by the foundation; Ü stabilizing masses to be filled on the outside of the foundation, optional joint orgluing with joint-filler for tightening of thermal bridges; Ü filling of concrete from top of the building elements (10) into the hollow spacesin the building elements (10) simultaneously filling concrete in area surrounded withthe foundation forming the concrete slab; Ü wiping off concrete leaking from openings in the wall. w .4J' Method for installing a foundation according to claim i .I wherein a vapour *w barrier and/or water-born warmth is installed on top of the insulation prior toreinforcement being laid on top for later casting the concrete slab. Method for installing a foundation according to one of the claims wherein a jointing list or glue jointing can optionally be mounted between theconcrete fibre plates after wiping off concrete leaking from openings.