US3783565A

US3783565A - Building construction and components thereof

Info

Publication number: US3783565A
Application number: US00143086A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Hughes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-06-26
Filing date: 1971-05-13
Publication date: 1974-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 1991-01-08
Also published as: US3594971A

Abstract

Building constructions are disclosed in which the framework comprises preformed, reinforced concrete columns, beam modules having angularly disposed beam portions, and intermediate beam members. Means are provided to interconnect the reinforcements of vertically aligned columns through the module supported by one column and in support of another column. The beam portions and the beam members include end plates secured to their reinforcements, the end plates including complemental structure enabling each intermediate beam member to be supported by beam portions prior to the joining of the engaged plates by a weld. The modules and columns provide for the marginal support of wall panels and the beam portions of the modules have marginal shoulders for support of floor structure.

Description

United States Patent 1 1" I Hughes Jan. 8, 1974 1 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND 869,889 5/1950 France 52/283 COMPONENTS THEREOF 376,308 8/1932 Great Britain... 52/432 7 626,097. 8/1949 Great Britain... 52/283 Inventor: John K- Hughes, Hunn w 277,038 8/1930 Italy 252/432 3 Scarboro, Maine 04074 1,249,535 11/1960 France 52/583 471 219 O N 52 583 22 Filed: May 13, 1971 I 6 PP 143,086 Primary ExaminerHenry C. Sutherland Related U.S. Application Data Atmmey Abbtt Spear [62] Division of Ser. No. 836,782, June 26, 1969, Pat. No.

3594971- 57 ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl .L. 52/127, 52/283, 52/587, I Building constructions are disclosed in which the 52/648 52/722- framework comprises preformed, reinforced concrete [51] Int. Cl. E04b 1/00, E040 l/lO, E04c 3/34 columns, beam modulfis v ng angularly disposed [58] Field ofSearch ..52/583,722, 587 beam POYions, and intermediate beam members- 52/283 585 249 127 Means are provided to interconnect the reinforce- ,7 ments of vertically aligned columns through the mod- [56] References Cited ule supported by one column and in support of an- UNITED STATES PATENTS other column. The beam portions and the beam members include end plates secured to their reinforcel,6 6 l,122 2/1928 Mankedlck 52/495 ments, the end plates including complemental Struc 3,562,978 2/1971 All-Oglu 52/583 t h t t b b t b 2,420,427 5/1947 Henderson 52 587 ena mg eac m l cam "T l". er 0 e l 024 852 4/1912 Holmberg I 52/583 supported by beam port1ons mum to the JOlIllflg of the 3:585:77] 6/1971 Pinnigev 52/583 engaged Plates by a Weld- The modules and 3,513,610 5/1970 Davonport 52/587 Provide for the marginal pp Of Wall Panels and 3,382,680 5/1968 Takano 52/587 he eam portions of the modules have marginal FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS shoulders for support of floor structure. 264,091 8/1968 Austria 52/587 6 Claims, 25 Drawing Figures PAIENTED JAN SHEET 1 UF 6 w 83 F|G.i JPB/A E 30B 1 3a Jer 30 32 32 \70/\ F32D EL :8 as 5* FIG.2

INVENTOR JOHN K. HUGHES ATTORNEY sum 2 or a a Mw PATENTED JAN 8 4 INVENTOR JOHN K. HUGHES ATT NEY FIG. 6

PATENTEU JAN 74 SHEET 3 U? 6 FIG. 9

INVENTOR JOHN K. HUGHES ATTORNEY PATENTEUJAN sum sum u or 5 INVENTOR JOHN K. HUGHES Anni PATENTEU JAN SHEET 5 [IF 6 INVENTOR JOHN K. HUGHES ATTO EY PATENTEDJAN 8 I914 MEIBIIB I04 I03 I04A FIG. 24

FIG. 23

FIG. 25

JOHN K. HUGHES ATTOR EY BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND COMPONENTS THEREOF The present invention relates to building constructions utilizing preformed reinforced concrete components and is a division of my co-pending application Ser. No. 836,782, filed June 26, 1969, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,594,971, granted July 27, 1971.

It has long been recognized that the cost and time required to erect a building is directly related to the operations that must be done on the job. Steel framework, for example, has the advantage that large components can be stockpiled, transported to the building site as needed, and quickly erected and assembled. The use of concrete, by way of contrast, requires the erection of forms, the pouring of the concrete, and the provision of sufficient time for setting.

As a consequence, the use of preformed, reinforced concrete components offers real advantages in building constructions, particularly, but not exclusively, in the construction of framework. Previous proposals have not been satisfactory, particularly as to the interconnection of the components during assembly and as to their sizes and shapes.

The general objective of the present invention is to provide preformed, reinforced concrete building'components that will meet manufacturing, storage, transportation, and assembly requirements without imposing limitations on strength and appearances. In accordance with the invention, this objective is attained by providing building framework including preformed, reinforced concrete columns, beam modules, and intermediate beam members. Each column includes a metal plate at its lower end secured to the column reinforcement and each beam module includes a metal plate on its upper surface and angularly disposed beam portions with the free end of each beam portion having a metal end plate, all the beam module plates being connected to the module reinforcement. In assembly, each beam module is supported by the upper end of one column and supports another column with their metal plates in contact and means interconnect the reinforcements of the columns through the modules that space them vertically, the means including a weld between such contacting plates. The plate at the end of a beam module portion includes a supporting projection engageable by a complemental part of the abutting end plate of the intermediate beam members and the abutting plates of the beam structure are joined by a weld.

Another objective of the invention is to provide beam modules and columns in which the upper surface of each column has a metal plate secured to the column reinforcement and in supporting contact with a metal plate on the undersuiface of the module and secured to thereinforcement thereof with a weld joining such contacting plates.

Another objective of the invention is to provide beam modules, each having a metal spacer incorporated therein and including the upper and lower plates and providing a vertical passage through the module. In accordance with this objective, each column includes a metal connector protruding from its upper end, connected to the column reinforcement, and shaped and dimensioned to extend through the passage of the beam module with the means interconnecting the column reinforcement also including a weld between the upper endof each spacer and the connector of the subjacent column.

Another objective of the invention is to provide each module with a metal spacer connected to its reinforcement and having a plurality of tubular members each establishing a vertical passage therethrough; Each column includes a plurality of connections in the form of rods, each embedded at one end in the upper end of a column and connected to the column reinforcement. There is one rod for each passage and it is dimensioned to extend vertically therethrough with its upper end threaded to receive a nut. The upper plate of the beam module has holes permitting the rods to extend therethrough with the nuts seating against the plate of the beam module to lock the beam module to the column as part of the means interconnecting the reinforce-.

ments of the columns.

- While the connecting means extending from the upper end of a column through the module it directly supports provides for the assembly of the module in a predetermined position thereon, another objective of the invention is to provide a shear lock'between' the column and the module. This objective is attained by providing the upper end of each column and the lower surface of each module with mating portions of greater cross sectional area than that of the connecting means of the column. The mutually engaged parts of the shear lock are metal and anchored to the appropriate component reinforcement and, additionally, such parts are formed with edge portions operable to wedge the column laterally, as it approaches its seated position, until the portions of the shear lock are mated.

Another objective of the invention is to provide beam modules whose beam portions have lengthwise shoulders for the support of floor structure tha may be preformed, reinforced concrete slabs.

Another objective of the invention is to provide beam modules, columns, and intermediate beam members that enable preformed, reinforced concrete wall panels, both for exterior and interior uses, to be quickly and securely attached, an objective attained by providing the faces of each column that. are to be interconnected by a wall with vertical channels to receive the margins of a wall panel thus enabling a wall panel to be lowered and seated against subjacent beam structure with its margins held by the columns. The lower surfaces of the beam portions of the module and of the intermediate beam members have channels to receive the upper edges of the panels whenthe next beam course is assembled.

A further objective of the invention is to provide the channels of the columns and the channel-entering margins of the panels with metal linings to be welded together to provide tight joints and, preferably such linings are secured to the reinforcement of the component to which they are attached thus to interconnect such reinforcements.

In the accompanying drawings, there are shown embodiments of the invention illustrative of these and other of its objectives, novel features and advantages.

In the drawings: 7

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic plan view of a portion of the frame of a building in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a column;

FIG. 3 is a view of the column as seen from its upper end;

FIG. 4 is a section through the upper end of the column taken approximately along the indicated lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of'the flanged socket that is embedded in the lower end of the column;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section through a beam module, the lower column in support thereof and the lower end of the upper column secured thereto;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view, on an increased scale, of the shearlock between the lower face of the beam module and the upper end of a column;

FIG. 8 is a section taken vertically through the flanged spacer incorporated in the beam modules to provide a vertical passage for the connector of a column and upper and lower plates;

FIG. 9 is a partly sectioned side view of the upper end I of a column and of the beam module to which it is connected and of another column lowered into position, the beam module and the columns being in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary and partly sectioned view showing the connector between the upper column and the module completed by grouting;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view showing the lower plate FIG. 17 is a fragmentary side view showing the means.

by which an intermediate beam member is supported by a beam module portion;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary vertical section through an interior beam portion of assembled framework in accordance with the invention providing for the support of floor slabs and wall panels;

FIG. 19 is a fragmentary perspective view of the beam portion and supported slabs;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an outside wall panel confined between two columns;

FIG. 21 is a vertical section through an exterior beam portion of the framework shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a cross sectional view of an interior column;

FIG. 23 is a fragmentary section taken transversely of a column and an outside wall panel in accordance with another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 24 is a like view but with the panel being an inside wall; and

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary and partly sectioned view illustrating the interconnection of columns through a beam module in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

In FIG. 1, there is shown part of a floor frame of a building with typical outer beam modules indicated generally at and 31 and an interior beam module indicated generally at 32, all being preformed, reinforced concrete modules. Each beam module 30 has aligned beam portions 30A and 30B and an intermediate beam portion 30C disposed at right angles to them. The beam module 31 has beam portions 31A and 31B disposed at right angles to each other and is for use in corner construction. The interior beam module is shown as having

beam portions

32A, 32B, 32C, and 32D, each disposed at right angles to adjacent beam portions. It should be noted that the beam portions of each module are not necessarily of the same length. The beam modules are shown as so positioned that aligned beam portions of proximate modules are spaced apart and are shown as interconnected by intermediate, reinforced concrete beam members 33.

Each beam module, the beam module 30, for example, is supported at the upper end of a preformed and reinforced concrete column, generally indicated at 34 and having a metal connector 35 embedded in its upper end and provided with a flange 36 also embedded in the concrete to be flush therewith and secured to column reinforcements 37 as by welding. The flange 36 includes a raised, central portion 38 which is shown as square. The metal connector 35 may be tubular in which case it may be filled with concrete, for example. A socket 39 is embedded in the bottom end of the column 34 and includes a flange 40 anchored to column reinforcements 37 of the column but with its edges exposed. The lower end of the column 34 is bevelled as at 41 to the edges of the flange 40 and the socket 39 is shaped and dimensioned to receive the upper end portion of the connector 35 of a subjacent vertically aligned column, see FIG. 6.

Each beam module has a vertical passage centrally of the junction of its beam portions and dimensioned to receive the connector 35 of a column 34. The passage is shown as formed by a metal spacer 42 embedded in the concrete and provided with an upper end flange 43 and a lower end flange 44. As may best be seen'in FIG. 8, the upper flange 43 has a rounded junction 45 with the spacer 42 and its margins are flush with the surrounding concrete while the lower end flange 44 is provided with a marginal, depending frame 46, flush with the surrounding concrete and shaped and dimensioned to receive the central portion 38 of the socket flange within it when the beam module 30 is lowered to seat on the upper end of the column 34 to provide a shear lock. The spacer 42 is secured to the module reinforcement 47.

The connector 35 is shaped and dimensioned tofit in and extend through the spacer 42 with an end portion exposed that the socket 39 of the column 34 next to be installed will accommodate.

Before another column is lowered in place, the module fitted on a column is locked thereto while held level, the locking being accomplished by means of a weld 48 between the spacer and the connector, the weld being in the annular recess defined by the junction 45. The next column is then lowered until it rests on the beam module 30 with the exposed end portion of the connector 35 of the subjacent column 34 entrant of its socket thereby to be centered and properly positioned. The thus positioned column is then anchored as by a weld 49 joining the socket flange 40 to the upper flange 43 of the spacer 42. The connection is then completed by grouting 50.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated by FIG. 9 12, a preformed, reinforced concrete module 51 has vertical passages extending therethrough pro-' vided by a spacer incorporated therein and secured to the reinforcements 52 thereof. The spacer consists of tubular metal members 53 joined by upper and

lower header plates

54 and 55, respectively. The upper plate 54 is exposed in a recess 56 in the upper surface of the beam module and the lower plate is provided with a depending marginal frame 57 shown as rectangular and as terminating substantially flush with the lower surface of the module.

Columns 58 are each formed with a shoulder 59 at its upper end providing a rectangular end portion 60 shaped and dimensioned to fit within the marginal flange 57. The connector of each column 58 consists of a plurality of rods 61 extending through a spacer plate 62 seating on the end portion 60 with the lower rod ends embedded in the column and secured to reinforcements 63 and with their upper ends threaded to receive nuts 64. The'rods 61 are dimensioned to extend through the tubular spacer members 53 thus to enable a beam module 51 to be lowered in place with the

plates

62 and 55 in engagement within the shear lock frame 57. The nuts 64 are then threaded on the rods 61 to lock the module and the subjacent column together. As will be apparent from FIG. 12, the marginsof the plate 62 are rounded as is the junction of the frame 57 with the plate 54 and the bottom edge of the frame 57 is outwardly curved thus to provide a centering action as the shear lock frame 57 engages the plate 62.

The lower end of each column 58 has a plate 65 secured by the column reinforcements 63 with openings underlying sockets 66 which are located and dimensioned to receive the nuts 64 and the ends of the rods 61 when a column 58 is seated on the module 51 that is now incorporated in the framework. To facilitate the correct positioning of such a column 58, the spacer plate 54 has upstanding marginal guides 67. When the column 58 is properly seated in the recess 56 and against the plate 54, the plate 65 is connected to the plate 54 by a weld 68 and the recess 56 marginally of the thus attached column filled with grouting 69.

Turning now to FIGS. 13 17, there is shown a beam module 70 which may be identical to the beam modules 30 except that corresponding margins of its beam portions, in this case the beam portions 70A and 70B, are provided with marginal shoulders 71 for use in supporting floor structure.

The module 70 illustrates the manner of effecting the interconnection of beam portions and beam members 33 in accordance with the invention, the .beam member shown in FIG. 17 having a marginal shoulder 72. At the outer beveled end of each beam portion there is a metal plate 73 secured to its reinforcements 74 and provided with a projecting lower, transverse shoulder 75 and a complemental internal shoulder 76 supported by a complemental concrete shoulder 77.

The beveled ends of the beam members 33 are similarly provided with metal plates 78 secured to their reinforcements 79 and having outwardly projecting, transverse upper shoulders 80 and internal shoulders 81 supported by complemental concrete shoulders 82.

In use, when two proximate beam modules for the same floor are secured to subjacent columns, the proximate ends of aligned beam portions are spaced apart. A beam member 33 is then lowered into place with its shoulders 80 engaging and being supported by the shoulders 75 at the outer ends of the aligned beam portions. The abutting

metal plates

73 and 78 are then welded together as at 84, see FIG. 1, and the space defined by the beveled ends is filled with grouting 85 to complete the interconnection of the aligned beam portions of the beam modules incorporated in the framework.

In FIGS. 18 22, interiorand exterior wall constructions, desirably with preformed, reinforced concrete panels, are shown as incorporated in the framework in accordance with the invention. For this purpose,

columns

85 and 86 are provided, see FIG. 20. These may be identical to the

columns

34 or 57 except that they have vertically extending channels. The column 85 has oppositely disposed

channels

85A and 85B where an exterior wall panel 87 is to be placed in alignment with another such panel and a channel 85C where an interior wall panel 88, see FIGS. 18 and 21, is to be supported thereby. In the case of the column 86, the channels are indicated at 86A and 86B and are disposed at right angles for corner uses. The panel 87 is shown in FIG. 20 simply as having windows but such panels may include doorways and projecting parts or other features.

An exterior beam module is indicated generally at 89 in FIGS. 18 and 21 and this may be identical to beam modules of the type just described except that all of its

beam portions

89A, 89B, and 89C have marginal shoulders 90 in support of a reinforced concrete floor slab 91 which may be preformed. In practice, the slabs 91 are thicker than the depth of the shoulder 90 thereby to provide a channel 92, see FIG. 19, for the bottom edges of the wall panels, When the floor joint is field poured, the beam module portions would usually be flush at the shoulder line. The beam portions of the module 89 each may have a channel 93 extending lengthwise of its undersurface and dimensioned to receive the upper edge of a panel 87. As shown in FIG. 17, the intermediate beam members 33 are similarly shouldered as at 72 and also are formed with channels 94 extending from end-to-end of their undersurfaces and the beam modules 70 also have channels 93 extending lengthwise of the undersurface of their undersurfaces. 7

In practice, when columns have been secured in place and before the beam modules for the next level are set in place, each panel 87 is lowered between two columns with its ends entered into the proximate aligned channels thereof until it rests on the subjacent beam structure. Desirably, and as shown in FIG. 21, the upper surface of the beam module portions that form the outside framing have a lengthwise shoulder 95 externally of which the upper surface is downwardly and outwardly sloping to provide a sill portion 96. The lower edge of the panel 87 is shown as having a shoulder 97 mating with the shoulder 95. When the panels 87 of one floor have been seated, another course of beam modules and beam members may be attached with the upper edges of the panels87 entrant of their downwardly opening channels.

It will be apparent that, since the channels in the columns and in the undersurface of the beam structure must freely accommodate the margins of the wall panels, both from inside and outside uses, sealing of the joints is necesary. It is preferred that such sealing means be those illustrated by FIGS. 23 and 24 to ensure maximum strength.

In FIG. 23, an outside wall panel 100 has a U-shaped metal margin 101 secured to its reinforcements 102 and shaped and dimensioned to fit the metal U-shaped inserts or linings 103 in the channels, the channels 104 of the column 105, for example, and connected to its reinforcement 106. The edges of the inserts 103 terminate short of the edges of the metal panel margin 101 and both of these edges terminate within the channels 104 which is outwardly flared as at 104A. When a panel 100 is in position with overlying beam structure secured in place, the

inserts

103 and 104 are joined by a weld 107 and the weld and all portions of the channels are then concealed by grouting 108.

In FIG. 24, an inside wall panel is indicated at 109 and is shown as having a U-shaped metal margin 110 secured to the panel reinforcement 111. The margin 110 is dimensioned to fit a U-shaped insert or lining 112 in the vertical groove 113 in an interior column 114, for example, and secured to the reinforcement 115 thereof. The edges of the insert 112 terminate short of the edges of the reinforcement 1 l 1 but outside the column 114 and are there joined by a weld 116.

If additional seals are provided, the

welds

107 and 116 need not be continuous provided they are extensive enough to ensure an effective connection between the reinforcement of the panels with those of the columns and the overlying beam structure.

In FIG. 25, another embodiment of the invention is disclosed. Generally indicated columns 117 have bevel'ed ends 118 with the upper end having a plate 119 and the lower end having a plate 120, both plates secured to the column reinforcement 121. The beam module, generally indicated at 122 has upper and

lower plates

123 and 124, respectively, embedded therein and connected to the module reinforcement 125. With a beam module 122 lowered into a position seated on the upper end of a column 117 and with the plate 124 in centered contact with the plate 119, the

plates

119 and 124 are joined by a weld 126 concealed by grouting 127. Another column 117 may then be placed on the upper surface of the beam module 122 with the plate 120 in centered contact with the plate 123 and joined thereby by a weld 128 concealed by grouting 129. As the columns 117 and module 122 may be otherwise similar to the previously described columns and modules they will not be further described.

It will be understood that the cross sectional shape of the columns, beam modules, and intermediate beam members may be varied as desired. The shear locks may be variously shaped as can the connectors of the type shown in the embodiment of the invention illustrated by FIGS. 2 9 but non-circular shapes therefor and for the shear locks are preferred.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that columns, beam modules, and intermediate beam members in accordance with the invention are well adapted to meet a wide range of important requirements. Such components are as readily manufactured as any reinforced concrete member and reinforcement may be conventionally effected, the reinforcements shown being illustrative only. Since the components may be stacked flat, storage and transportation problems are minimal, At the building site, no new techniques are required as each component may be handled with existing equipment as readily as presently used components. As the framework progresses, floors and panels, preferably of the type disclosed, are added. The resulting framework has the reinforcements of its components effectively interconnected.

I claim:

1. A building frame comprising preformed reinforced concrete columns and preformed reinforced beam modules, each column including at least one metallic projection member extending vertically from its upper end and a metal load supporting bearing surrounding said member, said bearing and said member welded to the column reinforcements, each beam module including beam portions and an integral junction member with reference to which the beam portions are angularly disposed and which has at least one passageway extending vertically therethrough ahd includes metal load-supporting bearings surrounding said passageway on its upper and lower surfaces and welded to reinforcements in the beam module, said projecting member extending through said passageway as the beam module is lowered into position on a subjacent erected one of said columns to bring the bearing on the undersurface of said junction member into engagement with the bearing at the upper end of said subjacent column, one of said bearings being a non-circular socket and the other being a projection complemental in size and shape and at least one of said bearings including surfaces operable to center the beam module as the bearings become engaged, said socket and said projection being non-circular whereby on such engagement said beam portions are oriented in the directions determined by said mated non-circular socket and projection, and the lower end of each column and one of said members including interengageable mating portions operable to center and orient a columnas it is lowered into engagement with the load-supporting bearing on the upper surface of the junction member.

2. The building frame of claim 1 in which one of the interengageable portions between a member and the lower end of each column seated on a beam module is a non-circular, metal socket in the lower end of the column, and said lower end includes a load supporting bearing surrounding said socket, said socket and bearing welded to the column reinforcements, and the projection member at the upper end of each column is of sufficient length to extend through the passageway of the beam module member supported thereby and into said socket of the column seated therein, at least the socket-entering end of the projection member being of a cross-sectional size and shape complemental to that of the socket it enters.

3. The building frame of claim 1 in which one of the interengageable portions between a member and the lower end of a solumn seated on a beam module is a non-circular socket in the junction member including as its bottom the load supporting bearing on the upper face thereof, and the bottom end of each column includes a socket for the projection member and a load supporting bearing surrounding-the socket and welded to the column reinforcements and complemental in size and shape to said non-circular socket and armoring said lower column end so that it constitutes the portion engageable with said non-circular socket in said junction member.

4. The building frame of claim 1 in which the bearing that is a non-circular socket is the load supporting bearing on the undersurface of the beam module junction and the bearing on the upper end of the column is the socket-entering projection.

5. The building frame of claim 1 in which each beam portion includes a metal end welded to the beam module reinforcements and the metal end includes a supporting shoulder disposed transversely thereof.

6. The building frame of claim 1 in which the interengaged bearings centering each beam module and orienting its beam portions and the interengageable portions centering and orienting a column when seated on the junction member of a beam module are square in cross section.

Claims

1. A building frame comprising preformed reinforced concrete columns and preformed reinforced beam modules, each column including at least one metallic projection member extending vertically from its upper end and a metal load supporting bearing surrounding said member, said bearing and said member welded to the column reinforcements, each beam module including beam portions and an integral junction member with reference to which the beam portions are angularly disposed and which has at least one passageway extending vertically therethrough ahd includes metal load-supporting bearings surrounding said passageway on its upper and lower surfaces and welded to reinforcements in the beam module, said projecting member extending through said passageway as the beam module is lowered into position on a subjacent erected one of said columns to bring the bearing on the undersurface of said junction member into engagement with the bearing at the upper end of said subjacent column, one of said bearings being a non-circular socket and the other being a projection complemental in size and shape and at least one of said bearings including surfaces operable to center the beam module as the bearings become engaged, said socket and said projection being non-circular whereby on such engagement said beam portions are oriented in the directions determined by said mated non-circular socket and projection, and the lower end of each column and one of said members including interengageable mating portions operable to center and orient a column as it is lowered into engagement with the load-supporting bearing on the upper surface of the junction member.

3. The building frame of claim 1 in which one of the interengageable portions between a member and the lower end of a solumn seated on a beam module is a non-circular socket in the junction member including as its bottom the load supporting bearing on the upper face thereof, and the bottom end of each column includes a socket for the projection member and a load supporting bearing surrounding the socket and welded to the column reinforcements and complemental in size and shape to said non-circular socket and armoring said lower column end so that it constitutes the portion engageable with said non-circular socket in said junction member.