US3798858A

US3798858A - Dwelling construction

Info

Publication number: US3798858A
Application number: US00235616A
Authority: US
Inventors: C Turner
Original assignee: Advance Concrete Asphalt Co
Current assignee: Advance Concrete Asphalt Co
Priority date: 1972-03-17
Filing date: 1972-03-17
Publication date: 1974-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 1991-03-26

Abstract

Single or multiple family dwelling construction, being clovershaped in plan view, wherein the roof, exterior and interior walls, and the foundation are fabricated from reinforced concrete. The foundation includes a footing backed with a resinous insulation and a floor slab overlying a resinous insulation and moisture barrier. The roof is a laminated construction of concrete, urethane foam, and a vinyl or butyl rubber coating. The exterior walls are a laminated construction of concrete, urethane foam, plaster, and a vinyl coating. Preferred floor plans and manufacturing techniques are also disclosed.

Description

United States Patent [19] Turner [4 1 Mar. 26, 1974 DWELLING CONSTRUCTION [75] Inventor: Charles R. Turner, Maryville, Mo.

[73] Assignee: Advance Concrete and Asphalt Co.,

Maryville, Mo.

22 Filed: Mar. 17, 1972 [21 1 Appl. No.: 235,616

[52] US. Cl. 52/169, 52/237 [51] Int. Cl E04h 1/02 [58] Field of Search 52/309, 169, 237; D13/1 A, Dl3/l B, l E

[56] References Cited I FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 365 .438 12/1938 ,ItalymI 52/237 all llll 2 II II Primary E.raminer lohn E. Murtagh Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Lowe, Kokjer, -Kircher, Wharton & Bowman 57 ABSTRACT Single or multiple family dwelling construction, being clover-shaped in plan view, wherein the roof, exterior and interior walls, and the foundation are fabricated from reinforced concrete. The foundation includes a footing backed with a resinous insulation and a floor slab overlying a resinous insulation and moisture barrier/The roof isa laminated constriction of concrete, urethane foam, and a vinyl or butyl rubber coating. The exterior walls are a laminated construction of concrete, urethane foam, plaster, and a vinyl coating. Preferred floor plans and manufacturing techniques are also disclosed.

4 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures lll lllll PATENTEDMARZB 1974 3798358 SHEET 2 [IF 4 alveassa PATENTEDMARZS 1914 SHEET R (If 4 I II ifs" III/III v illllil? I av C a I 3 c Z DWELLING CONSTRUCTION BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The need has long existed for a truly low cost housing construction adaptable for single or multiple family dwellings. Repeated attempts have been made to meet this need using modularized construction methods. Unfortunately, however, low cost has most often resulted in low quality of workmanship and building materials, with the consumer being burdened by a future of costly maintenance and repair expenses.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a low cost dwelling without sacrificing quality of workmanship or construction materials. This goal is achieved with the clover-shaped dwelling disclosed herein in which the roof, interior and exterior walls, and the foundation are fabricated from reinforced concrete. Not only does the distinctive shape of construction provide eye appeal, virtually all of the interior represents usable living space.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dwelling of the character described in which maintenance and repair expenses are substantially minimized. All exterior surfaces provide a lifetime of service without painting or resurfacing. All plumbing fittings and fixtures, in both the single and multiple family units, are centrally located to hold down the initial cost and also provide lasting, trouble-free operation. Likewise, electrical hookups are centralized in the dwelling with arteries therefrom in the form of attractive plug molding attached to the interior wall surfaces.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dwell ing of the character described offering greater security from destruction by natural disasters. The weight and strength of the reinforced concrete construction provides resistance to violent wind loadings such as might be experienced during tornado or hurricane weather. Also, the dwelling, being constructed of fire resistant materials, is impervious to destruction by fire.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a dwelling of the character described with reduced utility requirements for heating and cooling provided by effective insulation of all exterior walls and'roof structure.

An additional object of the invention is to provide better methods and building techniques for construction of the dwelling described which yield not only cost savings but also minimize the on-site erection time. Such methods relate to precast exterior wall panels having curved surfaces correspondingto the circular lobes of the dwelling and to precast flat slabs forming the interior walls and roof panels. The flat slabs may be manufactured in a stacked fashion at the casting bed site to further speed the process and conserve stroage space of the preformed panels.

A further object of the invention is to provide a crack-proof single slab foundation for a dwelling. Such foundation establishes effective insulation and also a vastly superior moisture barrier.

Other and further objects of the invention, together with the features of novelty appurtenant thereto will appear in the course of the following description of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals are employed to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa dwelling constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the construction shown in FIG. 1 and illustrating the exterior and interior walls of a typical floor plan;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the construction showing the various panel members comprising the roof thereof;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a typical casting bed employed in fabricating flat panels;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the casting bed taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 in the direction of the arrows, with a portion thereof shown in section;

FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of a form, employed in the fabrication of the curved exterior wall panels;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the form as shown in FIG. 6, with the end and side moldings thereof clamped in place; I

FIG. 8 is aplan view of the form as shown in FIG. 7, but with the end and side moldings removed;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of the side molding taken along line 99 of FIG. 7 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. l0 is an enlarged sectional view of the side molding taken along line 10 l0 of FIG. 7 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of the outer side of an exterior wall panel, with a portion of the surface thereof broken away to illustrate the interior reinforcing network;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged edge view of the panel taken along line 12l2 of FIG. 11 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged edge view of the panel taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 11 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 14 is an elevational, section view through the dwelling to better illustrate the details of construction relating to the foundation, exterior and interior walls, and the roof; 7

FIG. 15 is a reduced plan view of a dwelling similar to that shown in FIG. 2, but illustrating an alternate arrangement of interior walls;

FIG. 16 is also a reduced plan view of a dwelling similar to that of FIG. 2, but showing a third arrangement of interior walls;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a center ring structure utilized in construction of the roof, with the broken line view illustrating a portion of a roof panel bolted in place; and

FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the center ring shown in FIG. 17.

THE GENERAL CONFIGURATION Reference is first directed to FIGS. 1 8t 2 wherein the general configuration and appearance of the dwelling structure embodying my invention are shown. The construction basically comprises a flat roof 20, exterior walls 21, interior walls 22, and a slab foundation 23, all formed-of reinforced concrete.

The exterior walls 21 are in the shape of three circular lobes 24 which are centrally joined to each other. The radii of the lobes 24 are equal and the distance between the centers of adjacent lobes 24 is equal to twice the radius. Typically, the radius of each lobe 24 may equal 12 /2 feet and the distance between the centers of adjacent lobes 24 would then equal 25 feet. Between adjacent lobes 24 is provided a porch 25 and a doorway entrance 26 into the building; the two hidden sides of the dwelling shown in FIG. 1 are substantially similar to that side which is illustrated. The distance from one doorway 26 to the next typically represents an angle about the center of the lobe 24 of approximately 225.

The interior walls 22 of the dwelling may be arranged according to any desirable scheme, even to the extent of sealing off one or more lobes 24. In the floor plan shown in FIG. 2 the interior walls 22 are arranged such that one lobe provides a one-bedroom apartment and the remaining two lobes provide a two-bedroom apartment. In other words, the dwelling accommodates two families. FIG. 15 illustrates a floor plan in which the interior walls 22 are constructed to separate all three lobes 24, each being specifically arranged as a onebedroom apartment. FIG. 16 illustrates yet another floor plan in which the interior walls 22 are constructed to provide a one family dwelling in which access into all three lobes 24 of the structure is provided.

The labels assigned to the living areas shown in FIGS. 2, l5 and 16 are merely representative of the manner in which the space might be utilized. A particular occupant could use the space differently. Nevertheless, it is common to find such areas as a foyer (F), living room (LR), dining area (D), kitchen (K), bath (B), hallway (I-I), bedroom (BR), closet (C), and utility area (U).

With respect to the last mentioned space, the dwelling is provided with a utility core 27 centrally located between the lobes 24. Within the core 27 are the main plumbing and electrical hookups to provide complete utility services to all three lobes 24. For this reason, therefore, it is most economically convenient to locate kitchen and bathroom fixtures closely adjacent the utility core 27 in order to reduce the plumbing requirements.

The Foundation With respect to the foundation 23, now to be described in detail, reference is particularly made to FIGS- 2 '& 14. The foundation 23 comprises a single concrete floor slab 23a of the general overall configuration shown in FIG. 2 wherein three lobe portions 24 are centrally joined and the outer area between adjacent lobes 24 provides a porch 25.

Around the perimeter of the dwelling is a foundation footing 23b, as shown in FIG. 14, which extends below the grade 27 and also below the frost line. The footing 23b provides the supporting structure for the exterior walls 21 and reinforcing rods 23c are disposed within the footing 23b for added strength. On the inner side of the footing 23b is an insulation layer 23d of synthetic resin, such as polystyrene foam sold under the trademark Styrofoam, or such as urethane foam. If urethane foam is employed, the layer 23d also seves as a moisture barrier. Typically, the footing 23b may be approximately 8 inches thick and the insulation layer 23d about one inch thick.

Within the confines of the footing 23b the lowermost layer 232 is, of course, earth and backfill. Over this layer 232, however, is a layer 23fof crushed limestone or gravel fill on top of which is a layer 23g of synthetic resinous material, such as urethane foam, to provide both insulation and a moisture barrier. The foundation 23 covers the urethane foam layer 23g and comprises a concrete slab 230 with reinforcing wire 23h therein. The floor 23a is generally of uniform thickness except, as shown in FIG. 14, the areas under all interior walls 22 are thickened to provide additional strength. Typically, the gravel layer 23f is about 4 inches thick, the urethane 23g about one inch thick, and the floor 23a about 4 inches thick, with the areas under interior walls 22 being about 8 inches thick.

Within the foundation floor 23a are grooves 23i in the upper surface thereof in which are received the exterior wall 21 panels and the interior walls 22.

In the construction of the foundation 23, the building site is first prepared according to common standards and procedures. For example, the main plumbing lines are laid to the utility core area 27, as well as any underground electrical conduits. To prepare the footing 23b, it is necessary to trench the perimeter of the foundation 23 by common methods known to those skilled in the construction trade. Next, the inner side of the trench is lined with sheets of synthetic resin material 2311 and, with reinforcing rods 230 in place, freshconcrete is poured into the trench and permitted to set, thus forming the footing 23b. In order to achieve effective insulation and thereby prevent cracking of the floor 23a, it is particularly necessary that the depth of the footing 23b and the insulation resin 23d on the interior side thereof extend beneath the frost line. Therefore, it may be necessary to vary the depth of the footing 23b according to the geographic area in which the dwelling is constructed.

With the footing 23b so prepared, the earth layer 23c on which the floor 23a will be supported is backfilled or dug out in various areas to provide a generally level base except for the troughs which will underlie the-interior walls 22.'The general layer 23f is then applied to the ground 23c followed by a spray coating of urethane 23g.

At this stage in the construction, temporary perimeter forms are placed to contain the fresh concrete to be laid. A reinforcing wire network 23h is placed on top of the urethane layer 233.

As previously mentioned, the interior and

exterior walls

22 and 21 are received in grooves 231' in the floor 23a. In order to provide such grooves 231', it is necessary at the time the floor 23a is poured to have a keyway system comprising a plurality of strip members connected across the perimeter pouring forms. This keyway system will be disposed in the surface of the floor 23a to provide a pattern of grooves corresponding to the floor plan of interior and

exterior walls

22 and 21 shown in FIG. 2. To achieve the floor plans shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 would only necessitate construction of the keyway system strips according to the patterns shown in those views.

With the pouring forms and keyway thus in place, fresh concrete is poured, leveled, and allowed to dry. After a thorough drying period, the forms and keyway are removed and the construction of the foundation 23 is thus completed. In the finished dwelling, the floor 23a is normally covered with a carpet pad and carpet- The Exterior Wall The manufacture of the precast concrete panels, all of which are collectively referred to by the numeral 21, comprising the exterior walls 21 of the dwelling is now to be described. Attention is particularly directed to FIGS. 1 & 6-13.

In order to construct the circular lobes 24 of the dwelling, the panels 21 must have a radius of curvature corresponding to the radius of the lobes 24. As shown in FIG. 11, a full panel 28 appears in the shape of a truncated diamond or a pair of congruent isosceles trapezoids in a common plane joined at their larger bases. Around the edge of one-half of the full panel 28 is formed a tongue 28a and around the remaining half of the panel 28 is a groove 28b of corresponding dimensions as the tongue 28a. In the exterior surface of the panel 28 is formed a plurality of raised ribs 28c for added strength. Also for superior strength qualities, reinforcing wire 28d is disposed within the thickness of the panel 28.

A half-panel 29, shown only in FIG. 1, is of similar construction to the full panel 28 described, but would represent either the upper or lower half of the full panel 28. In other words, two half-panels 29 could be formed by cutting a full panel 28 midway along its height. Any given half-panel 29, therefore, will have either a tongue or a groove around three of its edges and a flat surface on its fourth edge (i.e., the larger base of the isosceles trapezoid shape).

The panels 21 are cast in the molding bed 30 shown in FIGS. 6-10. The form 30 has a cylindrical-like surface 30a with a radius of curvatureequal to the radius of the dwelling lobes 24. A plurality of grooves 30b run lengthwise in the form surface 300. End and side moldings 31 & 32 clamped to the surface 30a of the form provide the shape of the panel 21 to be cast, as shown in FIG. 7. The clamps 33 are fixed on the form surface 30a and include adjustable compression members 33a which may be locked in engagement with the end and side moldings 31 81. 32 by releasable handles 33b. In order to provide the tongue and groove shapes to the panel edges, the corresponding m0ldings'31 & 32 have semicircular projections 32a and recesses 32b on their channel members 32c, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

Because of the curved surface 30a of the form 30, it is necessary that the side moldings 32 have enough resiliency to permit a slight twisting when clamped onto the form surface 30a. The end moldings 31, on the other hand, are curved to conform to the form surface 30a and have projection members 31a which block the grooves 30b in the form.

In the process for manufacturing the full, exterior wall panels 28, the end and side moldings 31 & 32 are first clamped onto the form surface 30a by means of the clamping members 33. The form surface 300 and moldings 31 & 32 should be clean and free from any dried concrete or residue from previous castings. Once the mold 30 is thus assembled with the moldings 31 & 32, the surfaces which will contact the fresh concrete are coated with form oil to prevent bonding at the interface of the form 30 and concrete. Fresh concrete is then poured into the mold 30. Due to the curved shape of the mold 30, it is necessary for workers to trowel or sure that concrete uniformly fills any cracks and crevcenter of the mold 30 to the outside edges in order to achieve a uniform panel thickness, which may typically be approximately three inches. When the concrete has completely dried, the

moldings

31 and 32 may be re moved after releasing the clamps 33. The panel 28 can then be picked up from the form surface 30a by means of a vacuum lift apparatus. The form 30 and molding 31 & 32 are then cleaned and reused for a subsequent casting.

To form half-panels 29, a strip member is placed crosswise between the side moldings 32 intermediate the length thereof in the view of FIG. 7. Thus, two halfpanels 29 are formed if both sides of the mold 30 are filled with concrete.

When forming panels which will hold a window 34 (such panels specially designated by the numeral 35) as shown in FIG. 1, a block-out comprising a rectangular frame (not shown) is'placed centrally in the mold 30 shown in FIG. 7 in order to create a rectangular opening in the panel. Likewise, block-outs may be placed in a half-panel mold in order to create an opening for heating and air conditioning units 36 such as shown in FIG. 1 (such panels specially designated by the numeral 37).

When the foundation 23 has been formed in the manner previously described, the exterior wall 21 may be erected. Half-panels 29 having a tongue on the edges thereof are spacingly arranged in the curved grooves 23i running along the outer foundation edge of each lobe 24. At appropriate locations, panels 37 having openings for heating and air conditioning units therein are also placed in the grooves 23i. Full panels 28, and full window panels 35 where appropriate, are placed with the groove 28b edge half of the panel downward whereby the tongue edge of the half-panel 29 is received in the groove 28b of the

full panel

28 or 35 and the lowermost edge of each such full panel is disposed in the groove 23i in the floor slab 23a. The joints between panels may be glued with epoxy resin before assembly. Thus positioned, the upper half of the

full panels

28 and 35 have the tongue 28a edge. Next, halfpanels 29 having a groove edge are placed between successive full panels whereby the half-panel 29 having a groove edge mates withthe tongue edge of adjacent full panels and with the tongue edge of the bottom halfpanel 29. Such joints are glued with epoxy resin prior to assembly.

After erection of the exterior walls 21 as described and placement of the roof 20, the exterior walls 21 are finishd by grouting all panel seams and all edges meeting the floor and ceiling both on the interior and exterior of the construction.

The interior side of all exterior walls 21 is finished by bonding thereto a synthetic resinous layer 21a of an insulation and moisture barrier, such as urethane foam, over which is applied a spray coat 21b of commercial grade plaster. The plaster 21b is a thin layer, representing less than one-quarter inch, while the urethane 21a is about one inch thick and the concrete is about 3 inches thick. Finally, the plaster layer 21b is coated with a vinyl composition, such as the coating sold under the mark Ceco-Flex 1502 by Plas-Chem Corporation of St. Louis, Mo. This type of laminate construction provides year around insulation and waterproofing.

Double-pane windows 34 can be hung in the openings of panels 35; doors 38 hinged in the entrance 26 between lobes 24; heating and air conditioning units can be placed in the openings in the half-panels 37; and an electrical plug mold 39 attached around the interior side of the exterior walls 21 in order to complete the finishing touches to the exterior wall portion of the dwelling.

The Interior Wall and Roof The interior walls 22 of the dwelling and the roof 20 are formed from flat panels of precast concrete. All such panels are formed by the same basic procedure although the shape of the various panels may differ.

The interior panels 22 are rectangular slabs of uniform thickness, generally about 3 inches, having reinforcing wire 22a therein and which are seated in the grooves 23i in the foundation slab 23a (FIG. 14) provided by the keyway system at the time the slab 23a was poured. The rectangular panels may be erected in the arrangement of interior walls 22 shown in the three various floor plans of FIGS. 2, '& 16.

The roof comprises a plurality of preformed panels of the same shape and arranged in the same configuration as thoseshown in FIG. 3. The roof portion from one doorway 26 to the subsequent doorway 26 around the lobe 24 represents an angle of approximately 225. This region is covered with pie-shaped members 20a arranged around the center of the lobe 24.

Three isosceles trapezoid shaped slabs 20b interconnect the lobes 24 with the longer base of each trapezoid form 20b lying on an imaginary line intercon- I necting the centers of the lobes 24 and the shorter base of the trapezoid form 20b overlying the doorway area 26 between adjacent lobes 24. Similar isosceles trapezoidal forms provide a stoop 20c overlying the porch area between adjacent lobes. The stoop panel 20c lies on top of portions of the pie-shaped panels 20a of adjacent lobes and theinterconnecting trapezoid slab 20b as shown in FIG. 3.

Theroof area within the three imaginary lines interconnecting the centers of the lobes 24 forms an equilateral triangle and is covered by three slabs. The first slab 2011 is generally in the form of a triangle with one apex coinciding with the center of one lobe 24. The second slab 20e is in the form of an isosceles trapezoid and the third slab 20f is also in the form of an isosceles trapezoid with the longer base coinciding with the imaginary line interconnecting the centers of the two lobes 24 opposite the first mentioned slab 20d. The middle slab 20e has a rectangular opening 20g and a plurality of holes 201: which overlie the utility core 27 within the dwelling. A removable cover 40 provides access to the utility core 27 through opening 20g and the holes 20h receive vent pipes 41 for exhausting a furnace, electric dryer, or the like.

It should be noted in FIG. 3 thatthe

various slabs

20a, 20b, 20d, & 20f adjacent the center of each lobe 24 do not contact each other at a central point. Rather, there is provided a center ring 42 now to be described. The center ring 42, shown in FIGS. 17 & 18, is preferably fabricated from structural steel and includes a circular plate 42a with a cylindrical sleeve 42b attached to one side thereof. Spaced around the sleeve 42b are a plurality of elongate slots 42c.

So constructed, the center ring 42 is employed for tying the various roof slabs together at the center of each lobe 24. A bolt 43 from each such slab projects from the slab and extends through the slot 420 of the center ring sleeve 42b in order to be secured on the interior thereof by a nut member 44. The threaded bolts 43 for the pie-shaped slabs 20a, the trapezoidal slabs 20b & 20f, and the triangular slab 20d are placed in the concrete when it is formed in the following manner.

Both the interior walls and roof slabs are formed in casting beds 45 of the nature to be described with reference to FIGS. 4 & 5. Although a casting bed 45 for a pie-shaped slab 20a used in forming the lobe portion of the roof is to be described, it should be understood that the casting beds 45 are of the same shape as the slabs previously described for the roof 20 and are of rectangular shape for the various interior walls 22. Therefore, with more particular reference to FIGS. 4 & 5, the casting bed 45 comprises a bed of concrete 45a of slight elevation above a level grade surface 46 and with complete perimeter edge of angle iron 45b to provide a sharp corner and prevent chipping of the concrete 45a. Channel members 45c form side moldings along each side of the casting bed 45 and are joined together at the corners thereof by bolt members 45d extending through holes 45e in flanges 45f in the ends of the channel members 450. The channel members 45c extend above the casting bed 45 a sufficient height to enable a slab of desired thickness, usually about three inches, to be poured therein.

In the manufacture of a flat slab of any shape heretofore mentioned, the casting bed45 with side moldings 45c buckled in place is liberally coated with form oil to prevent adhesion with the concrete to be poured. With the mold thus coated, fresh concrete is poured into the mold and leveled by means of a trowel or screed in order to provide a slab of uniform thickness. A wire reinforcing network 20i of general shape as the casting bed is then pushed into the interior of the fresh slab and the surface thereof is againtroweled to a smooth level. After the concrete has set up and thoroughly dried, the side moldings 450 may be removed and the slab may be lifted from the casting bed 45 by means of a vacuum lifter. Cleaning of the casting bed 45 and side moldings 450 of any residue permits subsequent use of the bed 45 for preparation of additional slabs.

Instead of removing the slab so formed from the casting bed 45, it is possible to cast subsequent slabs of sim ilar shapes directly on top of the first formed slab. In order to do so, the side moldings 450 are removed from the first casting and cleared of any. residue. The moldings 450 are then buckled around the first casting slab which forms the bed for a second casting. It is necessary to put temporary blocks under the moldings 450 in order to achieve sufficient height above the first casting. Thus, the first casting serves both as a base for the second casting and also as a contour for the side moldings 450. The exposed upper surface of the first casting and the side moldings 450 are then coated with form oil and fresh concrete is poured into the mold so formed. After drying, additional castings may be made in a similar fashion to create a stack of like slabs which may be removed one by one with the aid of a vacuum lifter.

After the foundation 23 is formed in the manner previously described, the interior walls 22 are next erected. This step quite simply involves placing the rectangular wall slabs in the grooves 231' of the floor 23a. The wall slabs which mate with other wall slabs to provide a corneror angular joint normally have weld plates cast in the edges thereof to facilitate connection at this stage. All such joints are also glued with epoxy resin. It may be necessary to provide temporary supports for some interior walls 22 until the roof 20 is in place.

Finishing touches to the interior walls include grouting of all exposed seams and texturing the wall surfaces to match the inside surface of the exterior walls 21 in appearance and color. Electrical plug mold 39 (FIG. 14) can then be attached near the base of the interior walls 22 as may be needed.

After erection of the interior walls 22, the exterior walls 21 are then erected as previously described. The roof panels are then placed, supported by the upper edges of the exterior and interior walls 21 & 22. In the preferred order of construction, the pie-shaped slabs 20a are first set in place and tied to the center ring 42. Next, the trapezoid slabs 20b are placed, followed in succession by slab 20f, slab 20e, and slab 20d. Finally, the stoop slabs 20c are set on top of the foregoing pieshaped slabs 20a and trapezoid slabs 20b. The joints between slabs may be glued with epoxy resin and grouted.

With the roof panels so placed, the entire roof surface is coated with a-moisture-proof insulation layer 20j, such as urethane foam, to a thickness of approximately one inch. To the urethane 20j is applied a coating 20k of either a vinyl composition such as sold under the mark Ceco-Flex 1502 by Plas-Chem Corporation of St. Louis, Mo., or a butyl rubber composition such as sold under the mark Chem-Prene 5500 by the foregoing company. The lower side of the roof 20, providing the ceiling for the dwelling, may be finished by texturing and coloring the surface thereof to match the rest of the interior.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects herein above set forth, together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A clover-shape building construction adaptable for a single and multiple family dwelling; said construction comprising:

a foundation set on an earthen base;

exterior walls comprising a plurality of arcuately curved, precast reinforced concrete panels erected on said foundation in said clover shape characterized by three circular lobes, each of equal radius, being centrally joined;

interior walls erected on said foundation interiorally of said exterior walls to establish a plurality of living spaces within the construction; and

a substantially flat, clover-shape roof of reinforced concrete underlyingly supported by said interior and exterior walls;

wherein said foundation comprises:

a gravel layer approximately four inches thick overlying said base;

a first synthetic resinous layer of an insulating and moisture impervious urethane foam, approximately one inch thick, overlying said gravel layer;

a floor slab of reinforced concrete overlying said first'resinous layer and having, a plurality of recessed grooves in the surface thereof in which said interior and exterior walls are seated;

a footing of reinforced concrete supportingly underlying the perimeter of said floor slab and extending beneath the frost line; and

a second synthetic resinous layer, of an insulating composition selected from the group consisting of urethane and polystyrene and being approximately one inch thick, integrally continuous with said first resinous layer and extending downwardly along the inside surface of said footing and beneath the frost line.

2. A clover-shape building construction adaptable for a single and multiple family dwelling; said construction comprising:

a foundation set on an earthen base; exterior walls comprising a plurality of curved, precast reinforced concrete panels erected on said foundation in said clover-shape characterized by three circular lobes, each of equal radius, being centrally joined; interior walls erected on said foundation interiorally of said exterior walls to establish a plurality of living spaces within the construction; and

a substantially flat, clover-shape roof of reinforced concrete underlyingly supported by said interior and exterior walls, said roof comprising a plurality of precast, reinforced concrete slabs fitted together to form said clover-shape whereby:

a.circular section slab overlies a circular sector about the center of each said lobe;

an isosceles trapezoid slab overlies the area between adjacent lobes, with the larger base thereof coinciding with an imaginary line connecting the centers of adjacent lobes; and

w an equilateral triangle slab overlies the area bound by imaginary lines connecting the centers of the lobes.

3. The construction as in claim 2 wherein said circular sector slab is represented by an angle of approximately 225.

4. A clover-shape building construction adapted for a single and multiple family dwelling, said construction comprising:

a foundation set on an earthen base;

exterior walls comprising a plurality of arcuately curved, precast reinforced concrete panels erected on said foundation in said clover shape characterized by three circular lobes, each of equal radius, being centrally joined and the distance between the centers of the lobes being equal to twice the radius;

interior walls comprising a plurality of precast concrete panels of rectangular shape and uniform thickness erectedon said foundation interiorally of said exterior walls to establish a plurality of living spaces within the construction; and

a substantially flat, clover-shape roof of reinforced concrete underlying supported by said interior and exterior walls; wherein said foundation comprises a gravel layer overlying said base, a first synthetic resinous layer of an insulating and moisture impervious urethane foam overlying said gravel layer, a floor slab of reinforced concrete overlying said first resinous layer and having a plurality of recessed grooves in the surface thereof in which said interior and exterior walls are seated, at footing of reinforced concrete supportingly underlying the perimeter of said floor slab and extending beneath the frost line, and a second synthetic resinous layer, of an insulating composition selected from the group consisting of urethane and polystyrene,-integrally butyl rubber applied to said resinous layer.

Claims

1. A clover-shape building construction adaptable for a single and multiple family dwelling; said construction comprising: a foundation set on an earthen base; exterior walls comprising a plurality of arcuately curveD, precast reinforced concrete panels erected on said foundation in said clover shape characterized by three circular lobes, each of equal radius, being centrally joined; interior walls erected on said foundation interiorally of said exterior walls to establish a plurality of living spaces within the construction; and a substantially flat, clover-shape roof of reinforced concrete underlyingly supported by said interior and exterior walls; wherein said foundation comprises: a gravel layer approximately four inches thick overlying said base; a first synthetic resinous layer of an insulating and moisture impervious urethane foam, approximately one inch thick, overlying said gravel layer; a floor slab of reinforced concrete overlying said first resinous layer and having a plurality of recessed grooves in the surface thereof in which said interior and exterior walls are seated; a footing of reinforced concrete supportingly underlying the perimeter of said floor slab and extending beneath the frost line; and a second synthetic resinous layer, of an insulating composition selected from the group consisting of urethane and polystyrene and being approximately one inch thick, integrally continuous with said first resinous layer and extending downwardly along the inside surface of said footing and beneath the frost line.

2. A clover-shape building construction adaptable for a single and multiple family dwelling; said construction comprising: a foundation set on an earthen base; exterior walls comprising a plurality of curved, precast reinforced concrete panels erected on said foundation in said clover-shape characterized by three circular lobes, each of equal radius, being centrally joined; interior walls erected on said foundation interiorally of said exterior walls to establish a plurality of living spaces within the construction; and a substantially flat, clover-shape roof of reinforced concrete underlyingly supported by said interior and exterior walls, said roof comprising a plurality of precast, reinforced concrete slabs fitted together to form said clover-shape whereby: a circular section slab overlies a circular sector about the center of each said lobe; an isosceles trapezoid slab overlies the area between adjacent lobes, with the larger base thereof coinciding with an imaginary line connecting the centers of adjacent lobes; and an equilateral triangle slab overlies the area bound by imaginary lines connecting the centers of the lobes.

3. The construction as in claim 2 wherein said circular sector slab is represented by an angle of approximately 225*.

4. A clover-shape building construction adapted for a single and multiple family dwelling, said construction comprising: a foundation set on an earthen base; exterior walls comprising a plurality of arcuately curved, precast reinforced concrete panels erected on said foundation in said clover shape characterized by three circular lobes, each of equal radius, being centrally joined and the distance between the centers of the lobes being equal to twice the radius; interior walls comprising a plurality of precast concrete panels of rectangular shape and uniform thickness erected on said foundation interiorally of said exterior walls to establish a plurality of living spaces within the construction; and a substantially flat, clover-shape roof of reinforced concrete underlying supported by said interior and exterior walls; wherein said foundation comprises a gravel layer overlying said base, a first synthetic resinous layer of an insulating and moisture impervious urethane foam overlying said gravel layer, a floor slab of reinforced concrete overlying said first resinous layer and having a plurality of recessed grooves in the surface thereof in which said interior and exterior walls are seated, a footing of reinforced concrete supportingly underlying the perimeter of said floor slab and extending beneath the frost line, and a seCond synthetic resinous layer, of an insulating composition selected from the group consisting of urethane and polystyrene, integrally continuous with said first resinous layer and extending downwardly along the inside surface of said footing and beneath the frost line; said exterior walls including a moisture impervious, synthetic resinous insulation layer of urethane bonded to the inside surface of said concrete panels, a plaster layer applied to said resinous layer, and a vinyl coating applied to said plaster layer; and said roof comprising a reinforced concrete layer, a moisture impervious, synthetic resinous layer of urethane bonded to the upper surface of said concrete layer, and a coating composition selected from the group consisting of vinyl and butyl rubber applied to said resinous layer.