US20110154756A1

US20110154756A1 - Building structure using interconnected panels

Info

Publication number: US20110154756A1
Application number: US12/647,143
Authority: US
Inventors: Norman M. Stephens
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-12-24
Filing date: 2009-12-24
Publication date: 2011-06-30

Abstract

A building is assembled from an array of rectangular panels where the side edges are connected so that in the array each set of four panels meet at a junction location containing the corners of the panels to form an array of the junction locations. Each building panel is divided along a main axis into two separate triangular panel portions with channel shaped overlapping connecting members which form a beam of double thickness. Each junction location includes an outer cover cap portion on an outside surface covering the junction location with female channel shaped recesses receiving the marginal edges of the panels at the corner and a central recess receiving the beam. A corresponding male shaped inner cap is located under the junction and clamps to the outer cap to form a seal over the corner location.

Description

This invention relates to a building structure using interconnected panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pre-fabricated buildings or “knock-down buildings” have been developed for many years and have many applications such as living quarters for people or animals, storage of equipment, temporary workshops, etc.
Some prior art buildings are made from sheet metal, particularly rust resistant steel or other sheet material. A building panel particularly adapted for fabrication from sheet metal is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,874,141 (Olson et al). The panels of the above patents derive their strength from the three-dimensional configuration of the plates, which are generally a ribbed and folded symmetrical quadrilateral with means for connecting to adjacent similar panels along edges of the panels. The panels of this patent can be fabricated relatively easily from sheet steel, and are lightweight and thus can be easily erected by relatively unskilled labor at the building site.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,180,950 (Foster) issued Jan. 1, 1980 discloses a building panel of generally diamond shape which includes flange members along its edges, the flange members adapted to interlock with those of an adjacent unit to construct a building structure for example a dome structure. The units are simple to manufacture and assemble to provide inexpensive domes and other structures.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,471 (Stephens) issued Apr. 18, 1989 discloses a generally quadrilateral-shaped building panel has a dihedral root portion extending along a major axis which bisects a pair of oppositely disposed corners. The panel has two similar triangular panel portions which extend from the root portion at a nominal dihedral angle to each other when viewed along the major axis. The panel has margin portions extending along each side edge thereof which can be secured to similar margin portions of adjacent panels. Each triangular panel portion has a crowned central portion which is displaced laterally from a nominal plane containing the margin portions of two side edges of the respective triangular panel and the dihedral root portion. The crowned central portion merges smoothly with adjacent margin portions and acts as an arch so that the panel is subjected mostly to compressive forces. This permits the use of fiber reinforced cement composite material as a substitute for common metal sheets, which can tolerate and are usual under tensile forces. One triangular panel is used adjacent an end portion of the building, and is effectively one-half of the quadrilateral panel cut along the major axis, i.e. along the dihedral root portion, with a reinforcing flange substituted for the remaining panel portion. Another triangular panel is used adjacent foundations of the building and is effectively one-half of the quadrilateral panel cut along the minor axis. Again, a reinforcing flange is provided along the edge of the panel adjacent the minor axis, to form an outer edge of the panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the invention to provide a building structure which is formed from separate panels interconnected at corners.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a building structure comprising:
a plurality of building panels arranged to form an assembly of the building panels;
each building panel having:
a periphery including four generally straight side edges which define a generally quadrilateral panel having a pair of oppositely disposed first corners and a pair of oppositely disposed second corners;
the panel having first and second side edges inclined to each other and intersecting at one of the first corners;
the panel having third and fourth side edges inclined to each other and intersecting at the other of the first corners;
the first and second side edges and the third and fourth side edges intersecting at the first corners at equal first angles;
the first and third side edges and the second and fourth side edges intersecting at the second corners at equal second angles;
each of the first, second, third and fourth side edges having a respective margin portion extending therealong;
the margin portions being adapted to cooperate with, and to be secured to, similar margin portions of adjacent panels to form the assembly of building panels;
the margin portions being arranged such that four adjacent panels meet at a junction location containing a first corner of each of first and second of the four adjacent panels and a second corner of each of third and fourth of the four adjacent panels;
each building panel being divided along a main axis connecting the first corners into two separate panel portions each defining a respective one of a cooperating pair of similar triangular panel portions which extend from the main axis at an angle to each other when viewed along the main axis;
each panel portion having a straight edge along the main axis with a generally channel shaped connecting member integrally formed along the straight edge;
the generally channel shaped connecting member of the edge of one panel portion of the pair being arranged to engage underneath the generally channel shaped connecting member of the other of the pair;
such that when fastened thereto the engaged generally channel shaped connecting members provide interconnection between the pair of panel portions at the main axis and provide a beam along the pair at the main axis defined by the interconnected generally channel shaped connecting members.
The arrangement as described in more detail hereinafter has the advantages that:
The forming of the panels from two interconnected panel portions allows the formation of larger panels without making the portions themselves too difficult to handle in the wind or without requiring larger bending equipment.
The presence of a separation line along the main longitudinal axis allows the formation of rectangular openings to create doors or windows since the structure can be more easily separated along the main beams defined at the main axis.
The presence of the clamping system defined by the inner and outer clamping elements provides an increased structural strength, improved sealing action and an easier assembly since there does not need to be any connection between the corners other than the connections between the marginal edges and the connecting caps.
Preferably the engaged generally channel shaped connecting members are bolted together.
Preferably the engaged generally channel shaped connecting members form the beam which stands upwardly from the panel positions at the main axis.
Preferably the margin portions include channel shaped connecting portions which engage one inside the other to form an exterior rib on the panels.
Preferably the margin portions are arranged so as to define a series of junction locations at spaced positions across the assembly, wherein each junction location includes an outer cover cap portion on an outside surface of the assembly covering the junction location and wherein the outer cover cap portion includes cover elements extending over the first corners and the second corners at the junction location and engaging onto the first, second, third and fourth panels at the junction location.
Preferably there is provided an inner cap portion on an inside surface of the assembly arranged such that the outer cover cap portion and the inner cap portion are fastened together at the junction location.
Preferably the inner cap portion includes cooperating shaped raised elements which are arranged such that the raised elements of the inner cap portion cooperate with recessed portions of the outer cap cover portion to clamp the panels therebetween at the junction location.
Preferably the inner cap portion and the outer cap cover portion are bolted together by four bolts arranged adjacent each of the first and second corners to clamp the panels therebetween at the junction location.
Preferably the outer cap portion includes sealing edges contacting the first, second, third and fourth panels at the junction location.
Preferably each of the margin portions includes a raised rib portion along the margin portion by which each margin portion is fastened to the respective margin portion of the next adjacent panel and wherein the outer cover cap portion includes recessed portions therein to receive the raised rib portions.
Preferably the outer cap portion includes sealing edges of the recessed portions contacting the first, second, third and fourth panels at the junction location.
Preferably there is provided a raised rib portion along the main axis of each panel and wherein the outer cover cap portion includes a channel therein to receive and contain the raised rib portion of the first and second panels at the first corners thereof.
Preferably the outer cover cap portion forms a connection between the first corners of the first and second panels.
Preferably the first corners of the first and second panels are unconnected each to the other at the junction location such that the outer cover cap portion forms a bridge and connection therebetween.
Preferably the outer cover cap portion is formed from a molded plastics material. However it can also be formed from machined or cast aluminum.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a building structure comprising:
a plurality of building panels arranged to form an assembly of the building panels;
each building panel having:
a periphery including four generally straight side edges which define a generally quadrilateral panel having a pair of oppositely disposed first corners and a pair of oppositely disposed second corners;
the panel having first and second side edges inclined to each other and intersecting at one of the first corners;
the panel having third and fourth side edges inclined to each other and intersecting at the other of the first corners;
the first and second side edges and the third and fourth side edges meeting at the first corners at equal first angles;
the first and third side edges and the second and fourth side edges meeting at the second corners at equal second angles;
each of the first, second, third and fourth side edges having a respective margin portion extending therealong;
each building panel defining a main axis connecting the first corners and defining a junction between two triangular panel portions which extend from the main axis at an angle to each other when viewed along the main axis;
the margin portions being adapted to cooperate with, and to be secured to, similar margin portions of adjacent panels to form the assembly of building panels;
the margin portions being arranged such that four adjacent panels meet at a junction location containing a first corner of each of first and second of the four adjacent panels and a second corner of each of third and fourth of the four adjacent panels;
so as to define a series of junction locations at spaced positions across the assembly;
each junction location including an outer cover cap portion on an outside surface of the assembly covering the junction location;
the outer cover cap portion including cover elements extending over the first corners and the second corners at the junction location and engaging onto the first, second, third and fourth panels at the junction location.
The panels used with the cover cap portion are preferably of the type formed in two pieces joined along the center line to form the beam, but one piece panels can also be used with this cap.
It will be appreciated that a building formed by the above panels has the basic structure defined by the panels and their interconnections defining a main array, but that sides and ends of the building will require part panels and part cover caps to be formed to terminate the array at required locations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a building according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view on an enlarged scale of the building of FIG. 1 showing one cover cap of the building.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of one top cover cap only of the building of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the top cover cap of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the top cover cap of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a bottom cap for cooperation with the top cover cap of the building of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the bottom cap of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the bottom cap of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the top cover cap of FIG. 3 on an enlarged scale and showing the top cover cap in place on the panels.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view along the lines 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view along the lines 11-11 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of one panel only of the building of FIG. 1.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A building 10 is formed in a generally arch shaped structure over a pair of side frame beams 19 an 20 so that the building includes a bottom rail 11 at the foundation beam 19 and a bottom rail 12 at the foundation beam 20.
The structure is formed basically by a series of rectangular panels generally indicated at 13. Each panel 13 is generally formed to define a rectangular structure with a first side 14, a second side 15, a third side 16 and a fourth side 17. The first and second sides converge to a corner generally indicated at 18. The third and fourth sides converge to a corner generally indicated at 21. The first and third sides 14 and 16 converge to a corner generally indicated at 22. The second and fourth sides converge to a corner generally indicated at 23. The panel is symmetrical about a longitudinal main axis 24 and is also symmetrical about a transverse axis 24A.
In the arrangement of the present invention, the panel 13 is formed from two separate triangular sections 13A and 13B which are joined along the center line 24. At the center line is defined a beam section 25 visible in FIG. 2 where the beam section is defined by two channel members which are arranged to overlie and thus form a double thickness beam structure along the center of the rectangular panel formed by the connection of these two panel portions. The cross section of the panels at the beam 25 is best shown in FIG. 11. In this figure the center line is indicated at 24 and it will be noted that the panel includes two panel sheets 28 and 29 which are arranged at an angle relative to each other at the center line so as to extend upwardly and outwardly from the center line 24. At the connecting edge of each of the panel portions 13A and 13B, there is formed an inverted channel shaped element defined by three flange portions 30, 31 and 32 arranged at an angle to each other with the flange portion 31 defining a base and the flange portions 30 and 32 extending away from the base. Symmetrically the panel portion 13B includes flanges 30A, 31A and 32A which are shaped to match symmetrically the flange at the edge of the panel portion 13A so that these fit inside one another and thus form the double thickness channel which defines the beam 25.
One of the panel portions is shown in plan view in FIG. 12 where the main panel sheet 28 is generally triangular and the flanges 30, 31 and 32 are connected along the long edge of the triangular panel extending from the corner 18 at one end to the corner 21 at the opposite end. The sheet 28 extends from the long side defined by the flange 30 to the first and third sides 14 and 16 of the panel structure. Each of these sides 14 and 16 forms a marginal edge of the panel and each includes a similar but smaller channel shape defined by flanges 34, 35 and 36. These flanges are shown in cross section in FIG. 10 where again the flanges define an inverted channel shape where the channel shape of one panel is engaged with the channel shape at the marginal edge of the next adjacent panel as indicated at the flanges 34, 35 and 36 which cooperate with the flanges 34A, 35A and 36A of the next adjacent panel.
It will be noted that the angle in the planes of the sheets 28 and 29 forms a structure where the exterior surface of the building is not in a smooth plane but instead is formed by a series of nodes at the corners of the panels with straight lines between the nodes. The straight lines defined by the beams 25 form a strong arch structure around the arch of the building which provides high structural stability.
At each junction between the corners there is provided a cover or cap member 30 which is defined by a top cover cap portion 31 on the outside surface and a bottom cap portion 32 on the inside surface. Thus it will be noted that each node or corner location is defined by the conjunction of the second corner 21 of one panel, the first corner 18 of a next adjacent panel, the third corner 22 of a third panel and the fourth corner 23 of a fourth panel.
As shown in FIG. 12, the panels portions 13A and 13B are shaped at the corners 18, 21 and 22 such that the margin portions 14, 16 defined by the flanges at the edge of the panel are recessed slightly from the corner leaving an opening or open area at the end of the panel.
In assembly of the structure, the panels are brought together so as to bring the corners together in the conjunction described above. As shown in FIG. 9, the ends of the beams are spaced away from a central area at the corner. Thus sides 14 and 16 of a first panel 13A come together adjacent the corner but terminate at ends 14A and 16A which are spaced apart. Symmetrically the sides 14 and 16 of a panel 13B come together adjacent the same corner and terminate at the ends 16B and 14B. Also at the same corner location, the beams 25 along the center line of the two panels joining at this location as indicated at 13C and 13D also terminate as indicated at 25A and 25B at positions spaced from the center of the corner structure. This therefore leaves an opening in this area which is covered by the cap member 30.
In the assembly of the structure, the four panels are brought together at the node or junction and are held in place by fastening the side edges 14 and 15 to adjacent side edges of respective panels so that each panel is attached to four adjacent panels to form an array of the panels extending over the structure. This assembly of the array takes place without the placement of the cap members 30 so that initially the whole structure can be formed by simply connecting the margins 14, 15, 16 and 17 to the respective panels leaving the holes defined above at the corner locations or nodes.
After the assembly is so constructed, the corner locations or nodes are covered by the cap members 30. Each cap member is formed of the two parts defined by the upper or outer cover cap 31 and the bottom or inner cap 32.
These two caps are clamped together in the open area of the corner by passing screws or screw fasteners through aligned holes 35, 36, 37 and 38 in the bottom cap 32 and holes 39, 40, 41 and 42 in the top-cover cap 31. In the central open area within the location of the corner and beyond the ends of the respective beams, the upper cap can clamp directly to the lower cap since there is no panel structure in between the two caps in this area.
The shape of the upper cover cap is shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 and it will be noted that in the area of the center of the corner there is provided a cross shaped element 42 which contains at its ends the holes 39, 40, 41 and 42. The holes 39 and 41 are arranged in line with the beams 25 of the center line of the panels. The holes 40 and 42 are located in line with the beams 14, 16 of the corners of the two adjacent panels.
The upper cover cap 31 as best shown in FIG. 3 includes a central longitudinal channel 50 which receives the beams 25. The cap also includes channels 51 and 52 which receive the convergence of the sides 14 and 16 of the adjacent panels. As best shown in FIG. 4, the channels 51 and 52 are angled so as to match the angles of the sides 14 and 16 as they meet at the corner.
The upper and bottom caps are molded from a plastics material. The upper cap provides a bottom surface which matches the upper surface of the panels at the corner location. Thus the cover cap sits on top of the panels and has edges 51A at the channel 51, edges 52A at the channel 52 and edges 50A at the channel 50 which engage onto the surface of the panels and thus provide in effect a seal therewith. Thus there is a ribbon sealing element between the tops and bottoms of the trapezoidal ribs. In addition, as there will be gaps when the sheets deform to conform to the top and bottom caps, the cavity between these caps is filled under pressure with sealant or foam.
Symmetrically, the bottom cap 32 as best shown in FIG. 6 has raised ribs which correspond generally in shape to the channels of the upper cap. Thus the bottom cap has raised ribs 60 and 61 along the line of the center so as to engage up underneath the beam 25 formed by the overlying channel members.
Thus as shown in FIG. 11, the bottom cap 32 has a rib 60 which engages under the beam 25 and which extends into cooperation with the recess 50 in the upper cap portion 31. In this way the beam 25 formed by the overlying channel portions at the edges of the panel portions 13A and 13B is clamped between the projections on the lower cap and the recesses in the upper cap to firmly clamp these elements together and to provide a sealing effect on the top and bottom surfaces.
Similarly as shown in FIG. 6, the bottom cap includes ribs 62 and 63 which cooperate with the channel 51 of the top cap together with ribs 64 and 65 which cooperate with the channel 52 of the top cap. Again these projecting ribs and channels act to clamp between them the edge beams defined by the edges of the panels as they are overlapped and brought together.
The use of the cap members defined by the inner and outer cap portions allows the structure to be assembled simply and easily by initially connecting the channels merely by the marginal edges following which the openings at the corners are then covered and made more structurally sound by the attachment of the caps.
It will be appreciated that the main body of the structure is defined by the rectangular panels and the corner caps in the array described. However it is necessary along side edges and along the foundation beams to provide panel portions which are of smaller extent that is they are cut into half pieces. Typically, rather than cut the large panels, the structure is formed by providing the necessary smaller panel pieces specially formed so as to provide the necessary edges which are shaped to co-operate with the required elements.
The formation of the individual rectangular panels in two separate pieces which are then clamped together to form the central beam provides increased strength at the central beam. In addition this arrangement provides straight lines at the beam where the building structure can be terminated either at the end of the building or for receiving rectangular openings for doors or windows.
The panels are typically formed from steel or other metal such as aluminium or other materials of a similar nature which have sufficient strength and rigidity to provide the necessary structure. The formation of panels by cutting and bending sheet steel is particularly suitable.
The use of a panel structure which is defined by the two panel pieces connected together at the central beam 25 allows the fabrication of larger panels.
This is because conventional equipment is limited in size so that forming two half panels and connecting them together allows the manufacture of a larger complete rectangular panel. In addition the transportation and handling of the individual triangular panel pieces is easier in the wind and easier in view of the weight than is the handling of the complete rectangular panel if supplied in a single piece.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A building structure comprising:

a plurality of building panels arranged to form an assembly of the building panels;

each building panel having:

a periphery including four generally straight side edges which define a generally quadrilateral panel having a pair of oppositely disposed first corners and a pair of oppositely disposed second corners;

the panel having first and second side edges inclined to each other and intersecting at one of the first corners;

the panel having third and fourth side edges inclined to each other and intersecting at the other of the first corners;

the first and second side edges and the third and fourth side edges intersecting at the first corners at equal first angles;

the first and third side edges and the second and fourth side edges intersecting at the second corners at equal second angles;

each of the first, second, third and fourth side edges having a respective margin portion extending therealong;

the margin portions being adapted to co-operate with, and to be secured to, similar margin portions of adjacent panels to form the assembly of building panels;

the margin portions being arranged such that four adjacent panels meet at a junction location containing a first corner of each of first and second of the four adjacent panels and a second corner of each of third and fourth of the four adjacent panels;

each building panel being divided along a main axis connecting the first corners into two separate panel portions each defining a respective one of a cooperating pair of similar triangular panel portions which extend from the main axis at an angle to each other when viewed along the main axis;

each panel portion having a straight edge along the main axis with a connecting member integrally formed along the straight edge;

the connecting member of the edge of one panel portion of the pair being arranged to engage underneath the connecting member of the other of the pair so at least parts of the connecting members overlap to form a double thickness;

such that when fastened thereto the engaged connecting members provide interconnection between the pair of panel portions along the main axis and provide a beam along the pair at the main axis defined by the interconnected overlapping connecting members.

2. The building structure according to claim 1 wherein the engaged overlapping connecting members are bolted together.

3. The building structure according to claim 1 wherein the engaged connecting members are generally channel shaped so as to form the beam which stands upwardly from the panel portions at the main axis.

4. The building structure according to claim 1 wherein the margin portions include overlapping connecting portions which engage one inside the other to form an exterior rib on the panels.

5. The building structure according to claim 1 wherein the margin portions are arranged so as to define a series of junction locations at spaced positions across the assembly, wherein each junction location includes an outer cover cap portion on an outside surface of the assembly covering the junction location and wherein the outer cover cap portion includes cover elements extending over the first corners and the second corners at the junction location and engaging onto the first, second, third and fourth panels at the junction location.

6. The building structure according to claim 5 wherein there is provided an inner cap portion on an inside surface of the assembly arranged such that the outer cover cap portion and the inner cap portion are fastened together at the junction location.

7. The building structure according to claim 6 wherein the inner cap portion includes cooperating shaped raised elements which are arranged such that the raised elements of the inner cap portion cooperate with recessed portions of the outer cap cover portion to clamp the panels therebetween at the junction location.

8. The building structure according to claim 7 wherein the inner cap portion and the outer cap cover portion are bolted together by four bolts arranged adjacent each of the first and second corners to clamp the panels therebetween at the junction location.

9. The building structure according to claim 6 wherein the outer cap portion includes sealing edges contacting the first, second, third and fourth panels at the junction location.

10. The building structure according to claim 5 wherein each of the margin portions includes a raised rib portion along the margin portion by which each margin portion is fastened to the respective margin portion of the next adjacent panel and wherein the outer cover cap portion includes recessed portions therein to receive the raised rib portions.

11. The building structure according to claim 5 wherein the outer cap portion includes sealing edges of the recessed portions contacting the first, second, third and fourth panels at the junction location.

12. The building structure according to claim 5 wherein there is provided a raised rib portion along the main axis of each panel and wherein the outer cover cap portion includes a channel therein to receive and contain the raised rib portion of the first and second panels at the first corners thereof.

13. The building structure according to claim 12 wherein the outer cover cap portion forms a connection between the first corners of the first and second panels.

14. The building structure according to claim 5 wherein the first corners of the first and second panels are unconnected each to the other at the junction location such that the outer cover cap portion forms a bridge and connection therebetween.

15. The building structure according to claim 5 wherein the outer cover cap portion is formed from a molded plastics material.

16. A building structure comprising:

each building panel having:

the first and second side edges and the third and fourth side edges meeting at the first corners at equal first angles;

the first and third side edges and the second and fourth side edges meeting at the second corners at equal second angles;

each building panel defining a main axis connecting the first corners and defining a junction between two triangular panel portions which extend from the main axis at an angle to each other when viewed along the main axis;

the margin portions being adapted to cooperate with, and to be secured to, similar margin portions of adjacent panels to form the assembly of building panels;

so as to define a series of junction locations at spaced positions across the assembly;

each junction location including an outer cover cap portion on an outside surface of the assembly covering the junction location;

the outer cover cap portion including cover elements extending over the first corners and the second corners at the junction location and engaging onto the first, second, third and fourth panels at the junction location.

17. The building structure according to claim 16 wherein there is provided an inner cap portion on an inside surface of the assembly arranged such that the outer cover cap portion and the inner cap portion are fastened together at the junction location.

18. The building structure according to claim 17 wherein the inner cap portion includes cooperating shaped raised elements which are arranged such that the raised elements of the inner cap portion co-operate with recessed portions of the outer cap cover portion to clamp the panels therebetween at the junction location.

19. The building structure according to claim 17 wherein the inner cap portion and the outer cap cover portion are bolted together by four bolts arranged adjacent each of the first and second corners to clamp the panels therebetween at the junction location.

20. The building structure according to claim 16 wherein the outer cap portion includes sealing edges contacting the first, second, third and fourth panels at the junction location.

21. The building structure according to claim 16 wherein each of the margin portions includes a raised rib portion along the margin portion by which each margin portion is fastened to the respective margin portion of the next adjacent panel and wherein the outer cover cap portion includes recessed portions therein to receive the raised rib portions.

22. The building structure according to claim 16 wherein the outer cap portion includes sealing edges of the recessed portions contacting the first, second, third and fourth panels at the junction location.

23. The building structure according to claim 16 wherein there is provided a raised rib portion along the main axis of each panel and wherein the outer cover cap portion includes a channel therein to receive and contain the raised rib portion of the first and second panels at the first corners thereof.

24. The building structure according to claim 17 wherein the outer cover cap portion forms a connection between the first corners of the first and second panels.

25. The building structure according to claim 16 wherein the first corners of the first and second panels are unconnected each to the other at the junction location such that the outer cover cap portion forms a bridge and connection therebetween.

26. The building structure according to claim 16 wherein the outer cover cap portion is formed from a molded plastics material.