US3735549A

US3735549A - Building construction

Info

Publication number: US3735549A
Application number: US00101864A
Authority: US
Inventors: B Shuart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-12-28
Filing date: 1970-12-28
Publication date: 1973-05-29
Anticipated expiration: 1990-05-29

Abstract

A building construction comprising a novel panel and column structure for supporting roof carrying beams, wherein substantially vertical wall panels are overlapped at their adjacent edges in order to provide a double thickness of the wall and are secured together at the overlapped portions to afford and constitute column structure which may support beams, such as those carrying a building roof or said overlapped portions may brace a panel wall structure to resist stresses imposed by wind or other loading; the overlapped portions of the panels forming such column structure greatly economizes in a construction of buildings due to the fact that the cost of casting columns is alleviated. Additionally, notches in the panels provide horizontal beam supporting ledges at vertical edges of some of the panels, and expansion joints allow relative movement of the panels.

Description

tilted States Patent 1 397359549 Shuart 51 May 29, 1973 [54] BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 2,129,369 9/1936 Faber ..52/438 Inventor: Barry L. Shuart, West OCOtlllO Road, Phoenix, Ariz.

376,308 7/1932 Great Britain ..52/432 [221 Flled 1970 69,952 6/1947 Denmark .52 233 [21] Appl. No.: 101,864

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-partof Ser. No. 848,828, Aug. 11,

[52] 1.1.5. Cl. ..52/262, 52/274, 52/289, 52/293, 52/544, 52/573, 52/583 [51] Int. Cl. ..E04b 2/00, E04b 1/40, 1304b H54 [58] Field of Search ..52/60262, 250-252, 58, 259, 283, 285, 287, 289, 573, 432, 438, 702, 583, 544, 582, 274; 287/189.36 F

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,037,416 9/1912 Beverstock ..52/283 1,599,692 9/1926 Trout ..287/189.36 F

1,796,048 3/1931 Robinson ..52/283 2,212,184 8/1940 Powell ....52/287 2,223,215 11/1940 Kunz et al, ....52/573 2,903,878 9/1959 Humphrey et al... ....52/289 3,279,135 10/1966 Jacobsen ....52/127 3,478,481 11/1969 Heierle et a1. ....52/587 3,507,084 4/1970 Jay et a1. ..52/283 Primary Examiner-Frank L. Abbott Assistant Examiner-James L. Ridgill, Jr. Att0rneyWilliam H. Dean [57 ABSTRACT A building construction comprising a novel panel and column structure for supporting roof carrying beams, wherein substantially vertical wall panels are overlapped at their adjacent edges in order to provide a double thickness of the wall and are secured together at the overlapped portions to afford and constitute column structure which may support beams, such as those carrying a building roof or said overlapped portions may brace a panel wall structure to resist stresses imposed by wind or other loading; the overlapped portions of the panels forming such column structure greatly economizes in a construction of buildings due to the fact that the cost of casting columns is alleviated. Additionally, notches in the panels provide horizontal beam supporting ledges at vertical edges of some of the panels, and expansion joints allow relative movement of the panels.

3 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTEU m 1975 SHEET 1 OF 4 FIG. I

INVENTOR PATENTEWYZFJW 3,735,549

SHEET 3 OF 4 INVENTOR.

BARRY L. SHUART PATEN I ED 3,735,549

SHEET L 0F 4 LFIE 14 1 NVEN TOR.

I56 BARRY L. SHUART EUiLlDllNG CONSTRTJQTTQN This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending Pat. application for Building Construction Ser. No. 848,828 filed Aug. 11, 1969.

BACKGROUND OF THE lNVENTION Many industrial and other buildings are constructed by casting wall panels on a slab which is intended to become the building floor. When the panels are so cast, they are consequently erected into vertical position and coupled to vertical columns which are usually formed by first constructing wooden forms and placing reinforcing steel therein, and then pouring concrete into the forms. This method of producing the columns is quite expensive, time consuming, and often columns during the interim between actual production of the complete column and wall structure and the placement of roof beams thereon, substantial winds may blow the panel down and thereby cause very substantial losses during the construction of such buildings. Many industrial buildings may be constructed of panels produced in various ways and coupled either to conventional cast beam and roof bearing columns or may be connected to other columns all of which are separate from the panels and relatively expensive to install in the construction of such a building.

Additionally, buildings which are constructed in a manner using tiltup panels on cast columns require a substantial amount of time to construct due to the usual carrying period needed for cast columns before panels can be reasonably supported thereby and before beams can be supported on said columns for constructing a roof and thereby coupling the entire structure together so that it is capable of withstanding substantial stress, such as storms, which are accompanied by high winds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention employs and comprises a very simple arrangement, wherein adjacent vertical edges of wall panels are overlapped so as to space said vertical edges horizontally, and provide overlapping portions of the panels which, when secured together constitute a double thickness of the wall structure, and which thereby provides efficient column structure which may support horizontal roof carrying beams. The invention is thus very economical in that it utilizes overlapped portions of the panels to constitute vertical roof load bearing columns which support beams, and the invention therefore does not require either the expense or the time of producing cast vertical columns and the erection of the panels may be quickly accomplished, and the beams and bracing may be assembled so as to carry a roof of the building, and thereby avoid a substantial period of time elapsing between the erection of the panels and the bracing thereof against wind loading, thus the hazard of losing the wall panel structures due to winds is minimized due to the fact that the interim between elevating the panels and the placement of the roof thereon is minimized.

The invention also comprises novel notched structure near upper portions of some of the panels at their vertical edges to provide ledges for supporting opposite ends of beams and the ends of these beams are covered by overlapping portions of outermost panels so as to provide a structurally efficient connection and support of beams relative to the panels and to provide for neat aesthetic features from a viewpoint outside the building construction of the invention.

Additionally, simple bracing means may be utilized for bracing the panels preliminary to the placement of the beams and roof structure in connection therewith.

The invention also comprises novel means for connecting overlapping portions of the wall panels together, and also novel means for connecting beams on or in connection with said overlapping portions so that the overlapping portions serve as vertical structural columns for adequately supporting the beams.

The invention also comprises novel expansion joint means wherein overlapping edges of the wall panels of the invention are provided with plates which are contiguous to each other. These plates are preferably made of steel and are provided with anchors cast in the panels such that edges of the plates extend beyond the vertical edges of the panels and bolt means extends through the plates and through enlarged openings therein which are substantially larger than the diameter of the bolt so as to provide for relative movement of the plates and panels; the bolts being tightened sufficiently to hold the panels properly together but are not tightened sufficiently to cause seizure of the plates whereby the plates and respective panels may move relative to each other while securely held together.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel building construction and method for utilizing overlapping portions of vertical wall panels as structural columns for supporting the panels and/or beams and serving as load bearing structure to resist wind loading and/or for supporting a roof of a building.

Another object of the invention is to provide a building construction and method which is very economical due to the fact that the casting of vertical columns for supporting roof beams is eliminated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a building construction and method which is very adaptable to various wall panel building construction.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel building construction and method which allows panels of walls to be tilted up or placed into vertical position and quickly secured together and braced against wind loading before the roof beam structure is coupled to the panels for supporting them against lateral loading, such as may be imposed thereon by high winds.

Another object of the invention is to provide a building construction having novel architectural aesthetic effects.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for coupling overlapping portions of vertically disposed wall panels together in a very rapid manner.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means for securing load bearing beams to overlapping portions of wall panels in accordance with the invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel building construction wherein some of the wall panels are provided with notches in their upper portions at their vertical edges to provide ledges on which ends of beams are supported. The overlapping portions of other of the panels cover the notched portions and the ends of the beams so as to provide efficient structural integrity and aesthetic desirability of the invention.

Another object is to provide a variety of means for connecting beams to overlapping portions of vertical wall panels so as to utilize the overlapping portions as vertical columns for supporting said beams.

A further object of the invention is to provide a variety of means for securing overlapping portions of wall panels together in such a manner as to provide a substantial column structure at said overlapping portions so that the column structure is adequate for supporting vertical loads imposed thereon by beams of building roof structures.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel expansion joint means which comprises a pair of contiguous plates anchored to respective overlapping wall panels of the invention whereby the plates and the panels may move relative to each other due to bolt connections which extend through enlarged openings in the plates and whereby the bolts may be torqued sufficiently to hold the panels together yet are not torqued sufficiently to cause seizure of the plates and thereby allow relative movements of the plates and respective panels.

Further objects and advantages of the invention may be apparent from the following specification, appended claims, and accompanying drawings:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top or plan view of a building construction in accordance with the present invention, showing substantially vertical wall panels having adjacent overlapping edge portions to provide overlapping portions capable of serving as vertical columns and supporting beams of a roof structure, but showing the roof structure omitted and showing a portion broken away to expose an intermediate column structure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken from the line 33 of FIG. 1, showing means for securing a beam structure onto overlapping portions of adjacent vertically disposed wall panels of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a modification of the invention;

FIG. 5 is another view similar to FIG. 3, and showing another modification of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a still further modification of the means of the invention for securing a roof loading bearing beam to overlapping portions of wall panels of the invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary plan sectional view taken from the line 77 of FIG. 2, and showing means of the invention for connecting vertically disposed overlapping portions of adjacent wall panels so as to render said overlapping porrtions capable of serving as vertical column structure for adequately bearing the load of a beam of a roof structure;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but showing a modification of the structure shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is another view similar to FIG. 7, but showing a modification of the structure disclosed therein;

FIG. 10 is a further view similar to FIG. 7, but showing a further modification of the structure disclosed in FIG. '7;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified building construction of the invention;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 1212 of FIG. l1;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary top or plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view taken from the line 14-14 of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 15 is an enlarged plan sectional view taken from the line 15-15 of FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, a foundation 20 may be provided with a conventional flat concrete slab having surrounding wall supporting footings of conventional construction, and the slab 20 may serve as a surface for casting panels 22 thereon or the panels 22 may be vertically fabricated of masonry blocks or prefabricated and brought to the site of the foundation 20, if desired. The panels 22 are provided with adjacent vertical edge portions 24 which are disposed in overlapped relation to each other, such that they are horizontally spaced apart, and provide overlapping portions of the panels which support generally horizontal beams 26, as will be hereinafter described in detail. The beams 26, as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, support a conventional roof structure 28 or the beams 26 may be a part of any roof structure, including a conventional cord truss roof beam structure, if desired. The beams 26 are supported on the panels 22 between their edge portions 24 and on overlapping portions 28 which are between the opposite edges 24. The overlapping portions 28, when coupled together in accordance with the present invention and in accordance with the method of the invention, provide substantial vertical structure capable of adequately supporting the beams 26 and a roof associated therewith, and the utilization of the overlapping portions 28 eliminates the costly and time consuming construction of cast vertical concrete columns with reinforcing steel therein.

Referring to FIG. 7 of the drawings, it will be seen that the overlapping portions 28 disposed between the ajdacent vertical overlapping edges 24 of the adjacent panels 22 are secured together by novel means which may be very quickly welded together as the panels are brought into overlapping position, as shown in FIG. 7.

Each panel 22 near its adjacent edge 24 is provided with a cast in plate 30 at one side thereof, and this plate is provided with bars 32 welded onto the plate 30 and cast into the overlapping portion 28 of the respective panel 22. The bars 32 effectively tie each plate 30 to the concrete structure of the respective panel, and the plates 30 are welded together at 34 when the panels 22 are erected to vertical position and disposed in the desired overlapping relation, as shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings.

In the modification, as shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, the overlapping portions 28 of the panels are secured together by a plate 30, as shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings, which is welded to bars 32 embedded in the concrete structure of one of the overlapping portions 28. The overlapping portion 28 of the other panel is provided with inserted

bolt receiving fixtures

36 and 38. The fixture 36 being in one side of the respective panel 22, and the fixture 38 being in the respective edge 24, as shown in FIG. 8, and bolts 40 are extended through the plate 30 at a portion thereof projecting beyond the edge 24 of the respective panel 22, and these bolts 40 are screwthreaded into the respective fixtures 36.

The bolts 48 may also be secured into the respective panel 22 by shearing them thereinto in accordance with the conventional methods of shearing fixtures into concrete.

The plate 80, shown in FIG. 8, is provided with a portion 42 extending beyond the edge 24 of the panel 28 into which the fixture 36 and fixture 38 are positioned, and an angle iron clip structure 44 is welded to the plate 38, and receives bolts 46 therethrough which are threaded into the fixtures 38 or these bolts 46 may be shot into the adjacent edge 24 of the respective panel 28, as hereinbefore described.

In the modification, as shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings, angle iron clips 48 and 58 may be secured to the vertical edge portions 24 of adjacent overlapping panels 22, and bolts or other fixtures 52 may extend through the angle iron clips 48 and 50 and into respective vertical edge portions 24 of the panels 22. Additionally, bolts or other driven fixtures 54 may be extended through the angle clips and into respective sides 56 of the panels 22 adjacent the overlapping portions 28.

In the modification of the invention, as shown in FIG. III of the drawings, the overlapping portions 28 of the panels 22 are secured together by means of steel clips 58 secured to the edges 24 of the respective panels by means of bars 60 which are cast into or embedded in the edges 24 of the panels. These bars 60 thus secure the plates 58 in connection with each respective panel, and bolts 62 are welded at 64 to the respective plates 58, and these bolts 62 extend laterally through the panels 22 adjacent the overlapping portions 28 and screwthreaded nuts 66 engage washers for clamping the panels together at their overlapping portions 28.

It will be seen that the invention may employ a variety of means for securing the overlapping portions 28 of the panels 22 together so that the combined thickness of the overlapping portions forms a substantial vertical structural column for supporting a beam thereon and in the position, as shown in FIG. 1, wherein the beams are at their opposite ends supported directly on said overlapping portions 28.

Various means may be used for connecting opposite ends of the beams 26 to the overlapping portions 28, and such means is shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, inclusive, of the drawings, as will be hereinafter described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings, an end portion 68 of one of the beams 26 is disposed in

recesses

70 and 72 of adjacent overlapping portions 28 of the panels 22. A lower edge portion 74 of the respective beam 26 rests upon a plate 76 in the bottom of the recess 72 and on an angle member 78 in the bottom of the recess 70. This recess 70 does not extend through an outer side 80 of the respective overlapping portion 28 for aesthetic reasons.

The plate 76 is provided with a bar 82 cast in the respective overlapping portion 28 and the angle member 78 is provided with a bar 84 cast in the respective overlapping portion 28 of the respective panel so that the angle member 78 and the plate 76 form a substantial bearing ledge for the beam 26. The beam 26 in this structure of the invention, is preferably steel and is welded at 86 to the plate 76, and the plate 76 and angle member 78 may be welded together at 88, all as shown best in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Thus, oppositeends of the beam 26 may be supported on steel ledge structures provided by the

members

76 and 78, and may be welded thereto in order to tie opposite ends of the beam 26 securely in place.

In the modification, shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, an end portion 68 of a beam 26 may be supported on a ledge 90 formed of structural steel by a plate 92 and a gusset 94 coupled to

bars

96 and 98 which interconnect a pair of plates I80 and 102 which are cast in a respective overlapping portion 28 of one of the panels 22 so as to provide the plates 100 and 102 on opposite sides of the panel and the gusset plate and beam supporting plate 90 all integral. The adjacent overlapping portion 28 of the adjacent panel is provided with cast in bars 104 which are welded to a flush plate 106 which may be welded to the plate 1102 upon erection of the panels and placement of the overlapping portions in position with each other.

The beam 26 may be welded at 108 to the shelf plate 90 for securing opposite ends of the beam 26 to the overlapping portions 28 of the panels 22.

As shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings, an end portion 68 of a beam 26 is supported in

recesses

78 and 72 of overlapping portions 28 of the panels 22, and secured to innermost overlapping portion 28 is a plate 118 having bars 112 cast in the respective overlapping portion 28 of one of the panels at the innermost side of the wall. Angle clips 114 are welded to the respective plates I10 and bolts 116 extend through the angle plates 114 and into the respective beam 26 at its lower portion 118. In this construction, the bolts 1 16 may be lag bolts and extend into a wooden beam, if desired, or the angle clip 114 may be welded to a respective steel beam 26 in addition to the use of bolts 116 which may pass through flanges of the beam 26 if it is of an eye beam crosssection structure.

In the modification, as shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, it may be desirable to have opposite end portions 120 of the beams 26 project beyond the outer side 122 of the wall structure of the invention, and it may be desirable that the beams 26 be constructed of wood or other similar material.

In this instance, the edges 124 of the overlapping portions 28 are provided with plates 126 having bars 128 cast in the upper edges of the respective overlapping portions 28. The plates 126 are then brought together when the panels are erected, and clips 130 are welded to the upper surfaces of the plates at opposite sides of the beam 26 which rests on the plates 126. These clips 138 are disposed at opposite sides of the respective beam 26 and bolts 132 are extended through the beam and a pair of the plates 130 so as to clamp the respective beam 26 securely between the plates I30, and inasmuch as the plates 130 are welded to the plates I24 and they are anchored by the bars 128 cast in the upper edges of the overlapping portions 28. The opposite ends of the beams 26 may be thus secured to and supported on upper edges of the overlapping portions 28 of the panels 22.

Intermediate portions 134 of the beams 26 may be supported by steel pipe columns 136 and brace cables 138 may be connected to the panels and the floor 20, and/or the columns 136 preliminary to the placement of the beams 26 so as to brace the wall panels 22 in a vertical position against high wind loading preliminary to the securement of the beams 26 to the panels, and preliminary to the placement of the roof 28 or other roof structure, as may be desired. As shown in FIG. 2, the roof is surrounded by a parapet wall structure, however, in the structure shown in FIG. 6, the roof may overlap the upper edges of the panels 22, if desired.

In accordance with the method of the invention, panels forming walls of a building may be brought into overlapping disposition at their vertical edges to pro vide overlapping panel portions, and these overlapping panel portions may be secured together to form an additionally heavy section and to provide vertical column structure of sufficient physical magnitude to serve as a vertical column for supporting beams which carry the load of a building roof. The panels, according to the method, are erected into vertical position with opposite edges overlapping. The overlapping edges are secured together, and the beams are then secured and vertically abutted on the overlapping portions of the panels to take advantage of the overlapping portions to act as vertical structural columns for supporting the beams.

In the modification of the invention as shown in FIG. 11 of the drawings, a plurality of panels 150 are disposed in substantially vertically upstanding position and alternate panels 152 are also disposed in substantially vertical upstanding position forming a continuous wall in cooperation with the panels 150.

The panels 150 are provided with vertical edge portions 154 which are disposed outwardly of and in overlapping relation relative to the vertical edge portions 156 of the panels 152. It will be seen that the panels form one side of an enclosure 158 which is inside the building formed by the building construction of the invention.

The alternate panels 152 are provided with notches 160 in their opposite edges near their upper portions and these notches 160 provide substantially horizontal ledges 162 on which ends 164 of beams 166 are supported. It will be seen that the ends of the beams 166 are covered by the overlapping portions 154 of the panels 150 so as to provide for a neat aesthetic arrangement of the structure of the invention as well as very simple and efficient means for carrying the load of the beams 166 at the overlapping

portions

154 and 156 of the

panels

150 and 152 respectively.

The notch structure 160 and respective ledge structures 162 are substantially as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

Reference is made to FIGS. 12 and 13 wherein overlapping

portions

154 and 156 of the

panels

150 and 152 are disclosed. Each notch portion 160 as shown in FIG. 12, is provided with a respective horizontal ledge portion 162 on which a metal plate 168 is anchored by means of rods 170 cast into the panel 152 below the ledge 162.

Resting on the plate 168 is a saddle plate 172 which may be welded to the plate 168 during assembly.

The saddle plate 172 isprovided with a pair of spaced apart

upstanding brackets

174 and 176 which are preferably made of steel and welded to the plate 172.

The beam 166 as shown in FIG. 14 of the drawings is disposed between the

brackets

174 and 176 and a pair of bolts 178 extend through both

brackets

174 and 176 and the beam 166 and clamp the

brackets

174 and 176 against opposite sides of the beam 166 for holding it securely in connection with the saddle plate 172 which may be welded or otherwise secured to the plate 168 on the horizontal ledge 162.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, each panel 150 at its overlapping portion 156 is provided with a connection plate 180 having bars 182 cast in the panel 150. This plate 180 is at an inner side of the overlapping portion 156 of each panel and is adapted to be contiguous with an overlapping portion 156 of a respective alternate panel 152.

A connection plate 182 is secured to the notched portion of each panel 152 at its vertical portion above the respective ledge 162 and an edge of the plate 182 is contiguous with the plate so that these plates may be welded together to secure upper portions of the

panels

150 and 152 together.

It will be seen that the plate 182 substantially aligns with the bracket 176 shown in FIG. 14 of the drawings.

It will be understood that the means for connecting the panels as shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, provides for a fixed relationship of the

panels

150 and 152 relative to each other while the structure shown in FIG. 15 of the drawings comprises an expansion joint which may be a preferable way of securing the panels together depending upon the amount of freedom desired as it may relate to the relative expansion or contraction of such panels in accordance with the building constructuon of the invention. Accordingly, reference is now made to the expansion joint structure of the invention shown in FIG. 15 of the drawings wherein overlapping

portions

154 and 156 of the

panels

150 and 152 are provided with

connection plates

184 and 186 respectively. These

connection plates

184 and 186 are provided with

respective steel rods

188 and 190 cast into the

respective panels

150 and 152. The

plates

184 and 186 are disposed in contiguous relationship to each other as the panels are assembled in overlapped position shown in FIG. 15 of the drawings.

The plate 186 is provided with a portion 192 which projects beyond a vertical edge 194 of the alternate panel 156 and the plate 184 is provided with an edge 196 which also projects beyond the vertical edge 194 of the panel 156.

The plate 186 is provided with an enlarged slotted portion 198 which is substantially larger than a bolt 200 which is secured the plate 184 and which extends through the enlarged opening or slotted portion 198. A large washer 202 overlies the opening 198 and abridges it so as to properly support a nut secured the bolt 200 for clamping the

portions

192 and 196 of the

plates

186 and 184 securely together.

The

connection plates

184 and 186 are provided with

ends

204 and 206. The end 204 of the plate 184 is similar to the end 192 of the plate 186 and the end 206 of the plate 186 is similar to the end 196 of the plate 184.

It will be seen that the end portion 196 of the plate 184 supports the bolts 200 and that the end 206 of the plate 186 supports a similar bolt 208. The

bolts

200 and 208 are preferably welded to the

respective plates

184 and 186 and the bolt 208 extends through an enlarged opening 210 similar to the opening 198 hereinbefore described and an enlarged washer 212 similar to the washer 202 extends beyond the extremities of the opening 208 efficiently to provide for clamping of a washer 212 against the plate 184 by means of a suitable screwthreaded nut on the bolt 212.

It will be understood that the nuts on the

bolts

200 and 208 are tightened sufficiently to secure the overlapping

edges

154 and 156 of the

panels

150 and 152 securely together, however, these nuts on the

bolts

200 and 208 are not tightened sufficiently to cause seizure of the

plates

184 and 186 relative to each other and thereby permit relative planar movement of the plates 1M and 1% together with the

respective panels

150 and 156. Thus, the structure shown in FIG. allows for relative movement of the panels 154 and 11.56 and is used preferably in lieu of the structures shown in FIGS. l2, l3 and 14 which includes the welded together

plates

180 and 182 as hereinbefore described. It will be understood that these structures may be used as a matter of preference depending upon the size of panels and the environmental conditions to which they are subjected and depending upon the necessity for expansion or contraction or relative movement of the panels in their connected relation with each other.

In accordance with the foregoing modifications of the invention, it will be seen that the Supporting of the beams 1166 in relation to the overlapping portions 154 and 1 .56 of the

panels

150 and 152 respectively may be structurally efficient and aesthetically satisfactory. Additionally, it will be seen that opposite vertical edges of the alternate panels 152 are provided with the notches 160 so as to afford uniform construction and proper aesthetic coverage of the ends of the beams 164 by means of the overlapping portions 154 of the outside panels 156. Additionally, the expansion joint means disclosed in FIG. 15 of the drawings provides for efficient expansion joint connection of the

panels

150 and 152 when it is desired to permit relative movement of the panels due to expansion or contraction.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a building construction, the combination of: a foundation; a plurality of adjacent wall panels, each having inner and outer sides and said walls forming an enclosure each panel having substantially vertical edges standing upwardly from said foundation; said panels overlapped at their adjacent edges so as to dispose said vertical edges of adjacent ones of said panels in horizontally spaced relation to each other; said panels thus having overlapping portions disposed between said respective vertical edges; outer sides of alternate ones of said panels being adjacent inner sides of a pair of said panels which overlap opposite vertical edges of said alternate panels; first means securing said overlapping portions of said panels together to form a column structure of said overlapping portions; and beams supported on said overlapping portions, whereby said overlapping portions secured together afford and constitute structural columns for adequate support of beams and roof structure; some of said panels having at least one of said overlapping portions disposed at an inner side of another one of said overlapping portions with respect to said enclosure; said one of said overlapping portions having a notch forming a horizontal beam ledge; a beam having an .end portion supported on said ledge; said another one of said overlapping portions covering said end of said beam outwardly beyond said one of said overlapping portions; said ledge being disposed at a vertical edge of one of said overlapping portions; said panels disposed such that each alternate panel has both of its vertical edges overlapped by other overlapping edges of other of said panels which are disposed outwardly relative to said alternate panels, each alternate one of said panels having one of said notches and respective ledges at each opposite vertical edge thereof.

2. In a building construction, the combination of: a foundation; a plurality of adjacent wall panels, each having inner and outer sides and forming an enclosure, each panel having substantially vertical edges standing upwardly from said foundation; said panels overlapped at their adjacent edges so as to dispose said vertical edges of adjacent ones of said panels in horizontally spaced relation to each other; said panels thus having overlapping portions disposed between said respective vertical edges; outer sides of alternate ones of said panels being adjacent inner sides of a pair of said panels which overlap opposite vertical edges of said alternate panels; first means securing said overlapping portions of said panels together to form a columnstructure of said overlapping portions; and beams supported on said overlapping portions, whereby said overlapping portions secured together afford and constitute structural columns for adequate support of beams and roof structure; some of said panels having at least one of said overlapping portions disposed at an inner side of another one of said overlapping portions with respect to said enclosure; said one of said overlapping portions having a notch forming a horizontal beam ledge; a beam having an end portion supported on said ledge; said another one of said overlapping portions covering said end of said beam outwardly beyond said one of said overlapping portions; said ledge being disposed at a vertical edge of one of said overlapping portions; such panels disposed such that each alternate panel has both of its vertical edges overlapped by other overlapping edges of other of said panels which are disposed outwardly relative to said alternate panels, each alternate one of said panels having one of said notches and respective ledges at each opposite vertical edge thereof; said first means comprises expansion joint means which connects said overlapping portions of said panels together, said expansion joint means comprising first and second plates in contiguous relation to each other and fixed to respective inner and outer sides of adjacent ones of said panels between their overlapping portions; said plates each extending beyond respective vertical edges of said panels, said plates having large bolt receiving openings therein and bolts extending through said openings and clamping said plates together beyond said respective vertical edges of said panels; said openings being substantially larger than the diameter of said bolts; and large washers on said bolts overlying the extremities of said openings; said bolts being tightenable sufficiently to hold said panels together but preferably not tightened sufficiently to cause seizure of said plates relative to each other whereby said penals may shift slightly relative to each other without cracking.

3. An expansion joint means for connecting vertical wall panels together, said expansion joint means comprising a pair of concrete panels have vertical edges disposed in overlapping relationship to each other, said panels having respective inner and outer sides; first and second plates in contiguous relationship to each other and fixed to said respective inner and outer sides between said overlapping portions of said panels; said plates extending beyond respective vertical edges of said panels; said plates having large bolt receiving openings therein and bolts extending through said openings and clamping said plates together beyond said respective vertical edges of said panels, said openings being substantially larger than the diameter of said bolts and large washers on said bolts and overlaying the extremities of said openings, said bolts being tightenable sufficiently to hold said panels together but preferably not tightened sufficiently to cause seizure of said plates relative to each other whereby said panels may shift slightly relative to each other without cracking.

#9 i i E ll

Claims

1. In a building construction, the combination of: a foundation; a plurality of adjacent wall panels, each having inner and outer sides, and said walls forming an enclosure each panel having substantially vertical edges standing upwardly from said foundation; said panels overlapped at their adjacent edges so as to dispose said vertical edges of adjacent ones of said panels in horizontally spaced relation to each other; said panels thus having overlapping portions disposed between said respective vertical edges; outer sides of alternate ones of said panels being adjacent inner sides of a pair of said panels which overlap opposite vertical edges of said alternate panels; first means securing said overlapping portions of said panels together to form a column structure of said overlapping portions; and beams supported on said overlapping portions, whereby said overlapping portions secured together afford and constitute structural columns for adequate support of beams and roof structure; some of said panels having at least one of said overlapping portions disposed at an inner side of another one of said overlapping portions with respect to said enclosure; said one of said overlapping portions having a notch forming a horizontal beam ledge; a beam having an end portion supported on said ledge; said another one of said overlapping portions covering said end of said beam outwardly beyond said one of said overlapping portions; said ledge being disposed at a vertical edge of one of said overlapping portions; said panels disposed sucH that each alternate panel has both of its vertical edges overlapped by other overlapping edges of other of said panels which are disposed outwardly relative to said alternate panels, each alternate one of said panels having one of said notches and respective ledges at each opposite vertical edge thereof.

2. In a building construction, the combination of: a foundation; a plurality of adjacent wall panels, each having inner and outer sides and forming an enclosure, each panel having substantially vertical edges standing upwardly from said foundation; said panels overlapped at their adjacent edges so as to dispose said vertical edges of adjacent ones of said panels in horizontally spaced relation to each other; said panels thus having overlapping portions disposed between said respective vertical edges; outer sides of alternate ones of said panels being adjacent inner sides of a pair of said panels which overlap opposite vertical edges of said alternate panels; first means securing said overlapping portions of said panels together to form a column structure of said overlapping portions; and beams supported on said overlapping portions, whereby said overlapping portions secured together afford and constitute structural columns for adequate support of beams and roof structure; some of said panels having at least one of said overlapping portions disposed at an inner side of another one of said overlapping portions with respect to said enclosure; said one of said overlapping portions having a notch forming a horizontal beam ledge; a beam having an end portion supported on said ledge; said another one of said overlapping portions covering said end of said beam outwardly beyond said one of said overlapping portions; said ledge being disposed at a vertical edge of one of said overlapping portions; such panels disposed such that each alternate panel has both of its vertical edges overlapped by other overlapping edges of other of said panels which are disposed outwardly relative to said alternate panels, each alternate one of said panels having one of said notches and respective ledges at each opposite vertical edge thereof; said first means comprises expansion joint means which connects said overlapping portions of said panels together, said expansion joint means comprising first and second plates in contiguous relation to each other and fixed to respective inner and outer sides of adjacent ones of said panels between their overlapping portions; said plates each extending beyond respective vertical edges of said panels, said plates having large bolt receiving openings therein and bolts extending through said openings and clamping said plates together beyond said respective vertical edges of said panels; said openings being substantially larger than the diameter of said bolts; and large washers on said bolts overlying the extremities of said openings; said bolts being tightenable sufficiently to hold said panels together but preferably not tightened sufficiently to cause seizure of said plates relative to each other whereby said penals may shift slightly relative to each other without cracking.